paradise ; the rising of the shield hero

twelve ; for our love

THE SOUNDS OF BIRDS woke me up. "Naofumi!" He was the first thing that came into my mind. I groaned as my body aches.

I looked down to see Filo sleeping with me. I smiled softly waking her up. "Filo?"

"Minvera you're awake!" She hugs me tightly as i flinch but the pain leaves once she lets go.

"The doctor said you're healthy and good to go once you woke up." She cheered.

"Where's Naofumi?" She frowned tugging on my hand. "He's still unconscious but he's not in danger anymore. Just in lots of pain when he wakes up."

We rush over to Naofumi's room where he was peacefully sleeping. Melty and Raphtalia were by his side holding his hands.

I quickly walk to him sitting on the bed next to him. "You shouldn't sit there you could hurt him." Melty scolded but I didn't listen to her. I just touch his face sighing in relief once I felt his breathing.

As of cue Naofumi snaps his eyes open getting up. "Naofumi!" We all cry at the same time.

Filo jumps to hug him as he flinches. Raphtalia and Melty scold as I just smile as tears build up.

His eyes soften once he lays them on me. "Guys could y'all leave Minvera and me alone for a while?"

"Why do you want to be alone Naofumi?" Melty asked quickly but Naofumi ignores her. "Could you please, we need a moment." I asked softly not moving my eyes from him.

Once they all left Naofumi reached up wiped the tears falling down my face. "I thought I had lost you. My heart broke thinking I would never see you again. Please don't ever scare me like that again. I can't lose you plea-"

My ramblings were cut off with his lips. I smiled instantly kissing back.

He pulls back slowly holding me the back of my neck. We rested our foreheads together as we sat in silence.

"I love you" Naofumi whispered softly.

"I love you" I replied just as softly.

Grabbing my waist Naofumi makes me straddle him as I squeak. "Naofumi you're get hurt-" Once again his lips silence mine.

I kiss him back with the same fever he kissed me with. I loved his kisses more than anything in the world. I never wanted it to end.

I tap on his chest lightly. "We need to stop"

Naofumi groans but let's me go. Just as I sit back in my seat the queen walks in. "May we speak in private?"

I was ready to get up but Naofumi held my hand. "Whatever you need to tell me, Minerva can hear it too. She's not going anywhere."

"Well it seems like the rumors are true then. You have found your lost soulmate shield hero." The queen replied looking at our joined hands.

"What does that even mean?" Naofumi asked as the queen sits down. "I don't know much but I'll tell you everything I know. Long ago when the heroes were being originally chosen the shield hero could wheel a weapon as well. He was very strong, always helping everyone he could. He never stopped working, not once did he take a break, all the cared about was working. That's until he met the women of his dreams, his soulmate." The queen pauses looking outside.

"He fell deep in love with this women and so did she. Soon the shield hero started to slack off his work causing the gods to be angry. They were chosen to work not to fall in love. So they made a rule, that heroes could not fall in love with people who weren't heroes. Of course this didn't stop them, they tried to run away from the country trying to live a peaceful life away from all the heroes."

"But as they left the shield hero's soulmate disappeared. He blamed the gods but they swore it wasn't them. That's when it was hit him that the wave had taken her. After 2 waves he finally got her back, he finally rescued her."

"In those two months the shield hero had defended all of evil, his world was now save thanks to him. In reward to this the gods offered him a deal. To make his soulmate into a hero, with a price of course."

"The gods gave his soulmates the power of the blades. She isn't a full hero, in fact if there isn't a shield hero then she won't have powers. Her power is linked by the shield hero. She supports him. The shield hero will never be able to wheel a weapon again but as long as he has his soulmate by his side he'll be powerful."

"The shield protects and guards while the blades defeats for the shield. When together this pair are unstoppable once they realize their potential. You see that symbol there? That was from the original blades and shield hero, that's their symbol of love. After seeing how powerful these two were their enemy's did everything to split them up, to ease their existence, and they did. At least until you two showed up. You have the power to stop every wave and save our world."

I couldn't form any words as I struggled to grasped the information thrown to me. I was a hero? Well kinda of one?

I look at Naofumi who was trying to process the information too.

"That's all I know regarding the blade and shield hero. That's what you wanted to know right? Now you know. So let's talk about why I'm here."

Snapping out of it Naofumi glared as the queen spoke. I still couldn't process everything. Naofumi was my soulmate. Everything made sense to me now. Why I always craved to be with him. It all made sense now.

"...it's going to be be Myne's and the king's execution."

Time froze as the queen declared the sentences of her family.