[87.4] To End a Cold War

As we rode on my ice chunk, Cyrus stood behind me completely embracing me. It felt like I was wearing a human-size backpack.

When he said he wouldn't let me go again, I didn't really believe him.

…What a fool I was.

I glanced over my shoulder and saw he was resting his head on my shoulder. His long platinum blonde hair was gently blowing behind him. The image enticed me so much, that I reached out to pet his hair. He tilted up his face to properly look at me with his lips quirked upwards.

Ah well, I don't mind how clingy he is.

After everything that's happened…

I just want to remain in his arms.

Unfortunately, I don't even have time to process everything that's happened. 

If I relax for even a second, more people I love might die.

As soon as everything is over, I'm staying in bed for an entire month.

A heavy sigh escaped my lips, but suddenly my air was cut off. Cyrus kissed me again and wouldn't stop until I finally pushed him away. I quickly put a finger over his lips, "Cyrus. How are you feeling?"

He stared at me a bit confused by my sudden question, "Feeling? I feel better than I have in months."

"I meant about about seeing Caldwell."

"Oh… That." He averted his eyes, "It's going to be weird. I haven't seen him… In over a year. I wonder if he will even recognize me… Or if he will say anything."

I pinched his nose playfully, "I will be here with you."

His eyes curved as he smiled, "That's all I need."

This time, I leaned over and gave him a shy kiss. When I opened my eyes, Cyrus was staring at me with a burning gaze. I pulled back and gave a weak cough as my face heated up.

I'm practically a grandmother at this point, why am I still getting embarrassed over something as small as a kiss?

Cyrus's hands wrapped together around my waist as he brought me in closer. I merely reached down to rub his hand and give him a few more pecks before racing off in the direction of the forest. Once we arrived, I lowered the ice chunk.

Cyrus stepped off beside me, still holding my hand, and looked at the barrier, "So… This is it?"

"Are you ready?"

"Are you sure it will let me inside?"

I chuckled, "I'm the one who created it. If it doesn't, then I will just destroy it."

Cyrus gave a helpless smile, "Wouldn't that be troublesome for those inside?"

My face stiffened, "After what Astra said, they should be thankful I'm not demolishing it all to the ground."

I pulled Cyrus inside without another word. Just as I expected, there wasn't any ripple in the barrier. Once inside, I took a few more steps and paused.

Cyrus glanced at me, "What is it?"

I raised my head to the tree branch where a pair of green and yellow eyes were staring down at us in silence. Before when I still had a face, I had met him the same way.

But why is he always waiting by the barrier?

If I remember right, wasn't his tent somewhere close by in the woods? 

"Bale…" I felt a rush of relief come across my body and couldn't help but smile, "Please tell me you aren't still living in that poor excuse for a tent."

A man slowly jumped down from the tree branch and took a step out of the shadows. It was only when the moonlight hit his face that I could see his cheeks were drenched with tears, "Does the Great Fairy… Finally recognize me?"

I nodded softly, "I'm sorry it's been so long, Bale."

"Great Fairy!" Bale burst into another wave of tears and rushed to hug me. However, Cyrus was faster and put out a hand to prevent him from doing so. His expression was fierce, "Why are you trying to hug her!?"

Bale stared up at him with a slacked jaw. He glanced at me then back to Cyrus, "Great Fairy… Was this the man you painted nonstop on the mountain?"

"..."

A deathly silence spread across the forest as I burned red with embarrassment.

Cyrus slowly spoke, "Reika… You were painting me all this time?"

My face burned even brighter, "I… I didn't want to forget what you looked like… So…"

I was suddenly pulled into an embrace as my head was littered with kisses. Cyrus sounded as if a burden had been released from him, "You didn't forget me all this time… I thought that… I thought that you didn't need me anymore-"

I rubbed his back, "-Of course I need you."

Bale cleared his throat awkwardly. 

Cyrus immediately turned from sweet and playful to a sharp glare once he looked at Bale, "So who is this trying to hug you?!"

"This is Bale, he married Lovi… Our daughter."

 Bale offered up an awkward smile and gave a wave, "H-Hello."

"Hm." Cyrus's glare lessened slightly, but he still pulled me closer as if to brag, "...Hello."

Feeling intimidated by meeting his father-in-law, Bale chuckled uncomfortably and changed the subject. "Great Fairy. I thought you died all those years ago… Why are you here now?"

I quickly explained the entire story to him, trying to only include the important details. Once I finished, his tail swished around as he thought.

"So you never recognized me because that was before you went back to our time… I guess all your ramblings make sense now."

I asked curiously, "But Bale, how did you recognize me?"

"Ah. I don't know. I don't think I did recognize you…" He gave a sheepish smile, "It was more like I had a feeling."

"Bale. What did Astra mean when she said this place didn't accept her and her siblings?"

A look of guilt came across his face, "T-That…"

"What happened?"

He let out a sigh with his head lowered, "After the mountain's barrier broke, Rose, Lene, and Astra came here to seek refuge. However, everyone was terrified to let them in because they were scared Vira would come and break the barrier to get them. At the time, I could barely pull myself out of bed and the Matriarch tried her best to convince them… But it was no use… She wasn't in good health either."

My expression darkened, "So the very people I saved and protected refused to protect my children? No one tried to speak up for them?"

"Few did, but they took a vote and the majority spoke." Bale looked up at me with moist eyes, "I'm sorry, Great Fairy… I failed you that day."

I walked past him, still holding Cyrus's hand. "You didn't fail me that day. This place did."

Bale rushed over to follow, "If I hadn't been so useless after I lost Lovi, maybe I could have helped."

"It wasn't your fault." As my mouth moved, I felt the words were to placate my guilt rather than his, "One voice is nothing compared to a sea of screams."

After walking for a bit in silence, we finally arrived in the village. However, it was already nighttime so only the nocturnal demons were out. Baskets were dropped and jaws fell to the floor as I escorted Cyrus through without giving any of them a single glance. Bale scurried after us, smiling at the rest to show them it was okay.

"Reika." Cyrus leaned forward to whisper to me, "Where are we going?"

I answered simply, "To end a cold war."

"Huh?" 

We arrived at a hut that was far from the demon village since one of the occupants had been struggling to adapt. However, because he still needed treatment, he had no choice but to move to the medicinal sector that was nearby. 

I turned to look at Bale, "Can you bring his parents?"

Bale nodded firmly and turned into a panther. As he hopped away, Cyrus gave me a curious look. "Who's parents?"

"You'll see." I reached out and knocked on the door politely, "You two better be decent."

A sudden crash came on the other side of the door and I ignored Cyrus's quizzical stare.

I spoke again, "I'm going to blast the door down unless-"

"I'm coming, I'm coming!" A voice from the other side made Cyrus's body turn rigid. As the door flung open, Caldwell was wearing a scowl as he was still in the process of buttoning up his shirt, "Who comes in the middle of the night when I finally convinced my darling to-"

His words abruptly came to a stop when he came face to face with Cyrus. He had been so shocked, that the button-up pajama top fell open. Cyrus looked around awkwardly, he too had no idea what to say.

I gazed between the two of them before peering into the room to see Chief Gonza with a bright red face, struggling to put on a shirt. My mouth fell open, "Huh…"