Chapter 116: My Elf Lady
Serie's small hand trembled in mid-air, not yet reaching out. Too many emotions surged in her golden eyes: hope, fear, and desperate longing.
She was terrified that this was another illusion. Just like the countless dreams over thirty years where his figure would vanish like a popped bubble the moment she tried to touch him.
"Kurtz?" Her voice wavered with uncertainty. "Is this another dream?"
Even though she could feel the warmth of his light, even though her instincts screamed that he was real, Serie still refused to believe. Maybe if she didn't hope too hard, the reunion would actually be real this time.
Seeing her reluctance, Kurtz's expression softened. He stepped forward and gently took her suspended hand, intertwining their fingers. His other hand settled on her head with familiar weight.
"It's me."
His palm was warm, carrying that comforting strength she remembered. The large hand ruffling her hair was annoying yet achingly missed.
It wasn't an illusion! She wasn't dreaming! It was Kurtz, her most precious friend she'd searched for across thirty long years.
"Kurtz! Kurtz!" Serie's voice rose uncontrollably, joy threatening to spill over. Her golden eyes reflected his figure, swept up in overwhelming emotion.
Kurtz didn't pull away from his grip, puzzled by this intimate gesture. Was he as happy as she was about their reunion? Of course, he truly was her dearest friend!
Serie squeezed his hand harder in return, their fingers locked together as if they could never be separated again.
The emotions they each held were different, but that didn't diminish the joy of their reunion. Serie even forgot to complain about the hand messing with her hair, too busy staring up at his face as if to make up for thirty years of absence.
"It's me," Kurtz repeated gently. "I'm back, Serie."
"You, " Serie's mouth opened, a thousand words jamming in her throat before emerging as a choked accusation. "Where did you go? For thirty entire years! I thought you were already, "
"I know." Kurtz felt his heart ache at her persistence, while something indescribable fluttered in his chest. "Stubborn Elf Miss, I owe you an apology."
He lifted their joined hands and gently rubbed her palm against his cheek. The gesture crossed ordinary friendship boundaries. Serie noticed, but in her mind, this seemed reasonable. She and Kurtz had never been ordinary friends to begin with.
Perhaps he understood their relationship the same way?
For elves with long lives and muted emotions, the position of close friend had been reserved for Kurtz alone. If he were expressing their bond this way, she would respond in kind.
Serie pulled their hands back and placed his palm against her own cheek in return, her gift back to him. In her heart, this was proof of their relationship's intimacy.
"My precious friend..." she whispered, voice soft but laced with trust. "The one who walked the path of magic beside me has finally come home."
Kurtz's heart trembled. Her words were so pure, so sincere, that they touched emotions deep in his soul, feelings he'd never dared hope for.
He wasn't even sure if what he felt was right. But since he'd found a way to achieve immortality, surely these feelings were justified!
He understood Serie too well, understood her emotional barriers. She'd searched for him so persistently simply because he was the close friend she recognised, an essential part of her endless life.
This devotion was pure, but it was the deeper emotion he craved.
But it was fine, though. Her walls could only be worn down with time. Even the most guarded heart would eventually soften, and now he could afford to wait forever.
A flash of tenderness and determination crossed Kurtz's eyes. He released her hand and cupped Serie's round cheeks, kneading them gently. His touch was careful and reverent, as if handling precious treasure.
After so long, he was finally pinching his master's face again, and this time, he could do it openly.
Serie looked confused about why her close friend would do this. Was it because their reunion brought him such joy? What a bold man he was.
Normally, she'd never allow Kurtz to pinch her cheeks like she was made of soft dough. But considering how many years they'd been apart, she endured it.
Only after he finally released her did Serie meet his eyes again.
Kurtz stepped back slightly so they could look at each other properly. "Serie, I'm right here. Your close friend is here and won't disappear again!"
He deliberately emphasised "close friend," both acknowledging her understanding of their relationship and laying groundwork for the future.
Serie felt the sincerity in his words and stayed quiet, simply watching him. All her obsession and waiting had transformed into contentment at this moment. She'd found him, her close friend had returned to her side.
For her, this was everything. A joy sufficient to fill an eternal life.
Even if they faced separation again someday, she'd found her answer. Next time, she wouldn't become as obsessed with searching. Instead, it would become a simple determination to keep moving forward through her long life, sustained by memories of this happiness.
Kurtz watched her staring at him and felt an overwhelming urge to pull her into his arms. But he restrained himself.
"We should leave," he said. "Orger can't completely purify the corruption here."
Though Orger seemed capable of suppressing the taint, Kurtz knew it wouldn't last much longer. Whatever this pollution was, if even Orger couldn't fully cleanse it, then the danger was great.
Serie understood and immediately agreed. Kurtz raised Orger, and sword light carved through the darkness, forming a path leading out of the Godfall Lands.
He was about to step forward when he felt a gentle tug on his sleeve.
"This time..." Serie's voice was soft but firm. "You're not allowed to disappear again. You have to stay with me for another adventure!"
Kurtz turned to look at her, a gentle smile crossing his lips. "I promise you, my Elf Lady."
Their figures gradually disappeared down the light-wrapped path, two people finally reunited after thirty years of separation.
[End of Chapter]
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