Chapter Text
At last.
The clouds above began to part as the Amatsu collapsed with one final roar. As the elder dragon’s life came to pass, particles of aether released from its scales and into the air. You watched as their shimmering gleam rose higher and higher, and eventually, your eyes met with a rainbow embellishing a halcyon sky. Once obscured by a storm of despair, it now welcomed the end of the battle, and the beginning of the future that you and Utsushi secured together.
It took you a moment to process everything. When it finally occurred to you that you were victorious, you burst out in unbridled laughter, dropping to the ground on your knees. Your instructor did the same.
“We did it… Utsushi, we did it! I can’t believe we…!”
You were elated with your triumph. It happened so fast, but you gave it everything and more, with all the things you ever learned throughout your life as a hunter. No one had to worry about the village being destroyed, anymore. Kagero and Yomogi wouldn’t have to find a new home. Because theirs was always waiting for them in Kamura. Everything was in its right place.
And all this time, the instructor was rather silent.
He couldn’t take his amber eyes off of you the moment it was over. You captivated him to his core. You were his pride.
The sun warmed the earth with rays of hope promising a new day.
But in his mind, it dare not shine brighter than the one who was always by his side.
“Hey… ” Utsushi somehow opened his mouth.
You wondered why he was so quiet, and you turned to look at him. His face was closer to yours than you realized.
“Huh?”
“Have I ever told you lately how supremely gnarly you are, Ace?”
It was all your master could manage to say, blinded by your everlasting light.
You couldn’t help but laugh again.
“Oh, sure. You never shut up about it.”
Your sharp remark finally snapped him out of his trance.
“Wh-”
But you kissed him softly before he could say anything else, taking him by surprise. Filled with an unspeakable happiness, you continued when you released from him.
“But it’s only because you’re here with me. I’m here… We’re here… Because of you. Thank you, Utsushi.”
You caressed his dirtied face with your calloused hand, and he took it, holding it tightly in his own, grasping it like he never wanted to let go. He pressed your fingers to his lips, gently in reverence. He hoped you would share many more moments like this with him, now and always, basking in the resplendence of your presence unwavering.
“… No problem. Quest complete, right?”
Your foreheads touched.
“Yes. Let’s go home.”
“I’ll race you.” He grinned.
“You never change.” You smiled.
So, what else is left to do but to see what's next?
As long as Utsushi is nearby, it seems your story never truly ends.