Lovers (KdM Map Game)

Description
Consisting of two separate stories: one featuring Hildr's aunt Fiete and Krista's daughter Irene consummating their relationship; while the other tells a reunion of the spirits of the Last Dance duo. By Luka.

Editor's Note: Some say the afterlife exists, others do not. We are not too sure

Lovers
It was a night just like any other.

Similar to previous nights, I would spend time contemplating the ongoing war. After the Battle of Camlann, the conflict had swayed to Frangleterre's favour, and as a knight of Queen Artoria, I had taken part in many other battles, each pushing the Gaelic forces back little by little. Tomorrow, we should be marching further northwards, as we have been lately, pacifying settlements one by one.

But tonight, everything had, so far, been calming. The moon shone bright in the night sky, yet there were very few stars. I stayed in my tent, thinking about various things, while my assistant Irene was in her own corner, going over books and maps, drawing up possible plans for battles ahead. Originally, I took her along as a companion, one I could freely share what I felt with; but during her time here, she seemed to have a knack for strategy, and I ended up employing her as a tactician.

Despite that, our relationship had not seen great changes, as we remain good friends regardless of our differing positions. However, I've been feeling a sort of different emotion between us; something great than friends, I suppose. ''Was it anything like the connection between them before us? As I was lost in thought, Irene called for me. I didn’t notice her until she shook me by the shoulder, waking me up from my reverie.''

“Fiete?”

“Y-yeah?” I replied, surprised.

'''“You seem to always think about something every night. What is it that you are musing on?”'''

"The past, mostly. The time before I got here, the Battle of Camlann, everything from that point on. I still think about my aunt’s death sometimes.”

“Still haunted by that?”

'''“Not exactly. You know, she left a legacy behind her. It is true that she inspired me, but succeeding such a prominent figure feels… well, demanding, I guess?”'''

Irene grabbed my hand and chuckled. “That’s what you’re worried about?” she asked. '''“You don’t have to be Hildr. You are you, Fiete. Don't worry much about it, just do your best."'''

"Hearing that is assuring, I must say. Thank you."

"It's my job to lift your spirits, after all."

She leaned on me, resting her head on my shoulder. The intimate feeling I sometimes have besides her intensified. Out of the blue, something came up in my mind, something that I haven't brought up before.

"Speaking of my aunt, do you remember the time you came here with Lady Solheim?"

"Of course," Irene responded. "Why?"

"It just occurred to me, but…" I delayed. "Why did you decide to come with me? You could just as easily stay in Vestkyst, and probably with your ability, land an administrative job or the like. Not to mention, it's less risky than being in a battlefield, as we are right now."

"You know, Fiete, I couldn't just leave you alone after our talk. You don't seem to be doing too fine then, and I thought I could stick around and lend you an ear any time you wish to share anything."

"Well, thanks, but... any other reason why you chose to remain here?"

Her face turned red. Was it something personal?

"It's just the two of us in this tent. Just say it, I'm willing to listen."

"Well… I want to be with you, Fiete. I…”

She gently bit my earlobe and whispered in my ear, “I love you.”

“I…”

''Is this what this feeling is? Am I in… love?''

The intimate gesture aroused me. Taken aback by her confession, I questioned, “Really?”

'''“Really. You know, when I first came here, I thought what I felt for you was just a temporary crush, but later on, I realised… I truly have fallen for you. I love you.”'''

She grabbed my hand, holding on tight. '''“What about you? Do you, perhaps,... feel the same way I do?”'''

Ever since that day, she has been arguably the most important individual in my life. She was a tactician, a companion, and most important of all, a close friend, someone I could comfortably disclose my thoughts to. More recently, however, I have started to think of her as something more. ''With her confession, would this be the time I speak out what I feel? If it truly is love that I am harbouring towards her, perhaps the only right thing to do is to reciprocate.''

I moved around and looked at her eye-to-eye. Gazing at her sapphire blue eyes, I breathed heavily in excitement, preparing myself for what I was going to do. Inclining forward, I pressed my lips on hers. “I… I love you too, Irene,” I uttered.

Suddenly, she pulled me down and kissed me back, this time lasting longer. Our arms reached out and wrapped around us and we held each other, feeling the warmth between our bodies.

"I'm glad you said so, Fiete," she said, endearingly.

For the rest of the night, we got intimate with one another to the point of exhaustion, before settling down and resting in each other's embrace.

We woke up in the early hours of the morning, and I noticed a few bruises on our necks. Still feeling elated from the night before, I jokingly remarked to my still-sleepy girlfriend, "You were a little too rough last night, Irene." "I can be a bit more gentle the next time around."

"You don't have to," I said, kissing her on the cheek. "I like it that way."

We sat in silence as I snuggled with her, our bare figures rubbing against each other.

“Say, Fiete, what do you say if we stay like this a little longer?”

“If you want to,” I lovingly replied.

From that point onward, we became lovers.

Where am I?

I looked around, trying to make sense of my situation. Where I was standing resembled the training grounds which I remembered fondly in the past; yet, the surrounding scenery looked almost ethereal. My entire being seems almost transparent, and my physique resembles that of my teenage years.

What's this place?

It was when I was wondering the question when I spotted someone similar to me. She was laying on the ground, her hair was snow-white and her attire was a mix of white and blue; the figure echoes someone I knew.

"Hey, Krista."

I came closer. Her face, her tone, her everything, I remembered it all. It had to be…

"Astrid?"

"Indeed," she replied. "Haven't seen you for so long."

Seeing her face overwhelmed me with emotions. I broke into tears, holding her in my arms.

"Astrid… you… idiot…" I cried. "I… missed you…"

"Me too", she replied. "I'm sorry."

Wait, if I am seeing Astrid, does that mean…

"Asta?"

"Yeah?"

"If I can interact with you, does it mean…"

"You got it. This place is essentially… how do I put it, the afterlife?"

"Then… how did I pass away?"

"Peacefully in your sleep. I witnessed your last moments; you looked very… serene, to say the least."

"Is that why we all look somewhat translucent?"

She nodded.

It took me a while to take in everything. Afterwards, I sat by her side and started having small talk about the past, about what happened after her departure. Astrid's life was full of exciting stories and tales; mine seemed pale in comparison. I leaned into her, indulging in the stories of her adventures while imagining how it all played out.

Out of nowhere, she asked, “Do you remember the day before I leave?”

“Of course,” I replied. “I’m still mad of myself for not accepting your confession, despite what I feel.”

'''“I already knew what you were thinking then. You told me everything, remember?”'''

My mind flashed back to the time I visited her grave in Salisbury.

“Astrid, what would happen had I accepted it?"

"I don't know," she said, smiling awkwardly. "I'd probably still leave. I have already thought about departing for a long time before that. I confessed to you because I didn't want to go without making my feelings clear."

"I understand."

The two of us got up.

"But since we are already here," I said, "how about, you know…"

"Got you."

Astrid quickly wrapped her arms around me from behind, pulling me into an embrace, just like from that day. This time, I wasn't as surprised but felt more pleasant than before. I placed my hands on hers and allowed myself to indulge in her warmth.

'''"You know, I have been longing to say this to you directly," I said. "And finally, I can muster up the courage to come up and tell you what I feel."'''

I turned around, my hands on her neck. We were face-to-face, her beautiful eyes bore the colours of the Øyeren (1), while her dewy, luscious lips looked inviting as ever.

I want to kiss her.

I leaned in closer as our breaths mixed together.

"I love you, Astrid," I uttered.

I pressed my lips on hers. It was wet, hot, and perhaps a little romantic as well. She responded to my confession with one in kind, holding it for somewhat longer, while caressing my hair gently.

“I’m glad you finally said it,” she responded as we let go of one another. “I love you, Krista.”

We embraced each other once again, knowing that right there and then, nothing could ever separate us again.

For even in Death, we became lovers.