Kikidori had just begun to unfold his dark wings, ready to take off from Heaven and return to Flame Island, when something made him pause. Maybe it was the warmth of the golden lake beside him, the serenity of Heaven's ethereal skies, or Ere'ana's lingering smile. He sighed heavily, turning back toward her.
"Maybe…" he began, his voice trailing off.
Ere'ana looked up at him expectantly, her emerald eyes sparkling with hope. "Maybe what?"
Kikidori avoided her gaze, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. "Maybe we could do something before I go."
Ere'ana's wings fluttered as her face lit up. "Really? What do you want to do?"
Kikidori groaned inwardly, already regretting his decision. "I don't know. Something simple. Nothing too... cheesy."
Ere'ana clasped her hands together. "Oh! Can we sing?"
His expression darkened immediately. "No."
"Please?" she asked, her voice dripping with charm.
Kikidori narrowed his eyes at her. "Ere'ana, I just got through dealing with Cerberus eating chocolate, a prank war with demons, and a civil war. The last thing I want to do is—"
"Pleeeeease?" she interrupted, stepping closer and giving him the most innocent look she could muster.
Kikidori stared at her for a moment, his shoulders sagging. "Fine," he muttered. "But just this once."
Ere'ana clapped her hands in delight and immediately began conjuring a gentle melody that filled the air around them. Kikidori groaned again but let the music envelop him as he prepared himself to sing.
Kikidori:
"I walk through flames, a god among the ash,
Carved by chaos, bound to my past.
Yet when I see your face, something starts to shift,
A world once dark begins to lift."
Ere'ana:
"In Heaven's light, I've always dreamed,
Of a love so pure, or so it seemed.
But when I met you, my heart found its fire,
A forbidden love, my soul's desire."
Kikidori:
"You talk of dreams, I talk of scars,
You're made of light, I'm fallen stars.
Yet somehow, in this clash of fate,
We're building something even angels can't break."
Ere'ana (smiling):
"What if we dared, what if we tried?
What if our love could turn the tide?
I see a future, so vivid, so clear,
A place where we're together, year after year."
Kikidori (half-smirking):
"You're crazy, you know that, right?
Loving me's like dancing in a fight.
But if there's one thing I've learned from you,
It's that even the broken can start anew."
Ere'ana:
"Then take my hand, and we'll defy the skies,
No more hiding, no more lies.
Let Heaven and Hell watch in dismay,
We'll carve our own path, come what may."
The melody swelled around them as their voices intertwined, creating a harmony that seemed to resonate across Heaven itself. The golden lake shimmered brighter, reflecting the bond between the two as they sang.
Kikidori found himself relaxing, his usual tension giving way to something gentler. Despite his reluctance, singing with Ere'ana felt oddly… right.
When the song ended, the air grew still again, save for the faint ripple of the lake. Ere'ana turned to him, her cheeks flushed with happiness. "See? That wasn't so bad, was it?"
Kikidori rolled his eyes, but there was a faint smirk on his lips. "Fine. It wasn't terrible."
Ere'ana laughed, stepping closer to him. "I think you enjoyed it more than you want to admit."
"Don't push your luck," Kikidori muttered, though his tone lacked its usual bite.
As the moment lingered, Kikidori looked out over the lake, his expression softening. "You really think we have a future?"
Ere'ana placed a hand on his arm, her touch warm and reassuring. "I know we do. It won't be easy, but nothing worth having ever is."
Kikidori nodded slowly, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "Yeah… maybe you're right."
For a moment, they stood in silence, the weight of their unspoken thoughts hanging between them. Finally, Kikidori stretched his wings, preparing to leave.
"Alright," he said, his voice gruff. "I'm heading back to Flame Island. Try not to drag me into any more singing sessions for at least a month."
Ere'ana grinned. "No promises."
As Kikidori took off, his dark wings cutting through the bright skies, Ere'ana watched him go with a smile on her lips. She knew their journey would be filled with challenges, but she also knew they would face them together.
The End of Chapter 44