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In the realms of dreams, Furina could see them , relive moments of life before when she was called Erynnies, and he too had another moniker. She dreamed of both the pleasant and the horrors of their past life, memories weaving a vivid tapestry of love and sacrifice. She dreamt of singing to him, dancing under his gaze beneath the weeping willows. She remembered the horrors of battle, fierce clashes against foes cloaked in gold and stone. Amidst the chaos, she cried into his scales as he bled from wounds sustained to protect her. She felt the way he curled around her, a protective shield, as she tended to his injuries and whispered soothing words into the darkness. She knew that if she were awake, she would flush apple-red at the way she could feel, the rough pad of his tongue against her calloused, blood-stained palm.
An oath , just for them. A promise that would be kept even as the waters ran dark and the land cried.
Their story was etched in the tapestry of their souls, a love that endured across lifetimes and dimensions. In her dreams, it remained vivid and cherished, a testament to their connection.
But reality...
Reality was cruel.
She closed her eyes within her dream, and when she opened them once more, she was Furina, one of the select few who held the truth buried deep within the annals of history. The tales that spoke of her surrendering in death couldn't have been farther from reality. Why would she ever give up when there was still a chance to undo the watery prison that had once ensnared him? Why cease her relentless pursuit when her hands were already stained with the crimson mark of countless battles and sacrifices? What reason had she to halt when there was seemingly nothing left to truly lose?
History, she knew, was a narrative sculpted by the victor, and it burned within her to know that Egeria had erased their story for her own pages. Egeria had downplayed all the sacrifices and tears shed in the false name of protection, all for the very monster that woman had created, for a prophecy that came from her sins. Remus, Egeria, and Remuria, she was unapologetically glad they had perished, for they deserved it. They were architects of the unneeded war they had wrought upon her people, fueled by unfounded fears. The so-called barbarians and Lochknights, too had bled just the same, caught in the whirlwind of senseless conflict.
To make matters worse, she was an oceanid, one of that woman's children. Fate's humor was left unappreciated as she grew in the very same pond she had perished in. But she would not be there forever. No, she wanted more.
Deep within her soul, a fierce resolve burned brighter than ever. There were things she needed to do, things she must finish. She was determined to discover a way to free him once more, to rewrite their story, and to reclaim the life they had lost. Erynnies might have shed her human form, but her spirit was unwavering, nourished by a love that transcended the limits of time and death. The promise they had made, the unbreakable bonds they shared, and the cherished memories of their past would be her guiding light on this quest, no matter how many lifetimes it might demand. Hope blossomed within her, an enduring optimism that could bridge even the most formidable chasms.
Her world slowly merged into a sea of enchanting pastel purples, delicate pinks, and vivid aqua blues as she descended deeper. Beneath the tranquil, otherworldly hues, her hand plunged through layers upon layers of mystical seals, shattering them one by one until there was nothing but remnants left. Each shattered seal was like a burst of color and magic, scattering like iridescent petals in the underwater currents. The last thing she saw was a pair of bright, amethyst-colored eyes before exhaustion forced her into slumber.
When Furina opened her eyes once more, she was back in her bed at the top of Palais Memoria. The far clock on the right chimed six times, and she could see the sunlight beginning to crest through her windows. Clawed hands wrapped around her waist as she sat up.
"We have another hour, come back to bed," Neuvillette's hoarse voice made the corner of her lips turn upward. Her eyes glimmered with mirth as she unceremoniously flopped across his back. Her fingers twisted into the mess that was his hair sprawled across her sheets. Feeling cheeky, she traced her finger down his spine and tapped at the spot where his tail used to be centuries ago. She was magnanimous enough to not giggle out loud at the way he shivered. She did, however, not hide the cackle as he grumbled into her pillow.
He had never been a morning person, and that still held true now.
"But I can not! We have a very special act to perform today, and I am excited," she protested playfully, her voice filled with anticipation. Beyond the window, she could see the sun peeking through the gaps between her nation's buildings, casting a warm and golden glow on the city. It was indeed a beautiful day.
Her world spun on its axis, and she found herself gazing at the familiar view of her ceiling. A warm, comforting weight draped itself across her midsection, and a voice that she cherished like no other grumbled, "Neuvi... you're heavy."
"Just one more hour, please, Furina," he implored, a hint of desperation in his tone, his voice resonating with the same warmth and care that she had known for centuries.
Furina laughed, her mirth ringing out loud and clear as she lovingly ran her fingers through his hair. She granted him the time he sought, as he had always allowed her the whimsy that carried her heart away.
"You big baby," she teased, smacking his arm lightly against her waist. Finally, she saw those pretty, amethyst eyes she adored.
And with all the seriousness that was characteristic of him, the same unwavering tone he used in court, he leveled her with a single word, one that stole her breath and left her wheezing, her heart filled with emotion.
"Mother."
Even through the haze of tears, she could discern the irrevocably fond expression on his face. Their bodies might have changed, but their souls remained the same, drawn together like magnets. Amid all the things that could go wrong in this life, she hoped their next one would be even more blissful.
She shook her head slightly before gently patting his cheek. He lowered himself to give her a butterfly-soft kiss on her cheek.
"Just a little bit more... and we'll be done," she murmured, her voice soft and filled with determination. Five hundred years of planning would soon culminate in this final act, and they, all of them, could finally be free from the shackles of that damned prophecy.
"This will work," Neuvillette's voice carried an assuredness that washed away the lingering doubt. Perhaps, if she were alone, this doubt would have consumed her, but with him by her side...
Her thoughts were gently swept away by the sensation of his lips pressing against her wrist, right above her pulse. She swallowed the lump in her throat and exhaled softly.
"Yes, it will, my dear dragon," she affirmed, her tone unwavering. It had to work.
Their fingers intertwined, their hands creating a silent vow that was their determination. This time, they would emerge victorious, and then they would rewrite history as it was meant to be told.
Even the gods of old could not escape judgment.