Afterglow

"Are you sure?" She asked him, gazing at the wall of Mist ahead of them. She was afraid and hesitant to move on, unsure of what awaits them in the Afterglow.

"We have done our part, my love. It is time we leave it up to them." He said, caressing her face. She shied away, eyes filled with tears and fear.

"Bu-but I'm just not ready. I'm not ready to leave it all behind so quick!" She cried, falling into his embrace, her tears soaking his favourite woollen sweater. He held her close, stroking her hair, collecting his thoughts. It pained him to see her in such despondence.

"I know it isn't easy, but I regret nothing," he said, wiping a tear from her eyes. "As long as you are here with me, I'd walk through even the depths of Nether."

She looked up at her lover, her mate. Through the blurs of her watery eyes, she smiled. Smiled because she knew he meant it, smiled because even when entering the Afterglow...he still loved her.

He saw renewed courage in her that was lost since their sacrificial stand against the Drakon. He turned to look at the Mist.

"Shall we?" he asked, holding out a hand.

She took his hand and nodded.

As if on cue, the Mist parted into two, framing a cloudless perennial sky tinted in soft hues of violet and pink. In dimmer regions of the gorgeous atmosphere, stars glittered like diamonds on Queen Vera's tiara. It was a gorgeous sight to behold, who knew death would be so inviting...

"Together," she said, now holding his hand tighter.

"Together," he smiled.