Tales of Berseria The X 2: Calamity Wars

Happily Ever After

Warmth, love, and the reason to live were once out of reach, unimaginable dim lights in a heart that malevolence darkened it to its very core. She remembered all the hate, despair, and sins that she bore. She scorned herself. Her claw raked anything that stood in her path of vengeance to pebble and dust. Whenever she went, calamity followed. An embodiment of a bare blade, cutting down daemons, humans, and malakhim alike. She braved the path with a burning determination. But on that dark road, two lights stood by her side and saved her soul back from the brink of the void. Because of them, she would have a second chance. Because of her, there would be generations, and she would become the hope of many.

In the end, there was a man, who chose her, a selfish and miserable girl, over the whole world.

A soothing wind blew over the wheat farms of Aball, glowing like a golden dream in a panoramic horizon.

Velvet relaxed under the oak tree's shadow, taking a breather after feeding Elaine for what felt like and probably was an hour. She gazed lovingly at Elaine, who was dreaming with her mother's soothing voice and her affection, for mother's love was the first language that she learned. The twins invited Velvet to be the best version of herself. They rewind and cast away Velvet's cynicism that poisoned her mind and instead brought out a protective web of emotions that gave nurture and care. Their hearts were a compass, as its needle span until it found real love, which was Velvet.

When the twins were born, Velvet shed tears of relief and joy. Their eyes were more brilliant than she could have dreamed they would be. Elaine had amber eyes of Velvet with soft blond hair, and Alistair had emeralds of his father and dark hair of Velvet. They felt so light, looked so perfect and smelled so lifelike. Velvet swore to protect them and her family for as long as she lived.

Velvet looked over the dogs that laid under the sun beside her, "I get it why you two love it so much in here. Sunny and warm, perfect for naps, huh?"

Orthie and Russ shifted a nearby shadow and raised their heads at Velvet, wiggling their fluffy tails as they acknowledged her.

Velvet stood up and sighed as it was the last time she would see Aball for a long time. Tomorrow, they would travel to Loegres to attend king Percival's inauguration and, after that, settle in their home.

The dogs followed Velvet closely and protectively. Their fears were gone, and they barely showed cowardice. Niko's guardians were now Velvet's protectors. As Velvet wouldn't have thought of the day, they would forgive her for Niko's death. But here they were, doing their duty as once they did for their previous owner.

The pirate families greeted Velvet as she passed the farm fields and silos. From the ashes of the old town rose a new life. Aball was revived by Velvet to be a shelter for Van Eltia's families, and they did their best to restore the ghost town into a hub of enormous activities for its small size. Taliesin and even people from Southgand sent sea and land caravans to barter and trade with Aball. The pirates' wives and daughters welcomed Velvet with smiles and cheers while the men saluted her with respect.

Velvet finally reached her tiny house. As she entered with Elaine in her arms, she went straight for the kid's room and saw Avernus leaning down over Alistair's crib.

She stopped and watched him exchanging goofy expressions with Alistair. When Laphi was alive, she would've never thought to share her world with another man. Destiny indeed had plans of its own. Once Avernus' father, Claudin Asgard, saved Arthur's life, and then, his son saved Arthur's and Celica's sister. A shepherd who chose her over the power to change the world. Avernus left her free to choose her life. And she chose him to be her family, forever and ever.

Velvet joined him and glanced at their son. "Alistair! You're awake! And you seem... suspiciously pleased with yourself."

Alistair turned his head at Velvet and giggled as he saw her mother. She caught the unmistakable whiff of a full diaper.