Unyielding Hearts

The celebrations have just begun. The night is humid and the drinks are brisk. They raise their chalices in cheer of victory. Another successful battle won by none other than the Band of the Hawk. All were gathered 'round the community bonfire singing shanty's of glory in a drunken rouse. Among them stood Griffith, the charismatic leader, his eyes hinting at a future filled with promise and grandeur. As the celebration swirled around them, Griffith's gaze subtly beckoned Guts, urging him to consider the uncharted path that lay ahead. They sit by a cliff, the gentle evening breeze blowing on their skins carrying the scent of the nature which surrounded them. 

"You know, Griffith, sometimes I wonder how you do it. How you have this undeniable charisma that draws people to you like moths to a flame." said Guts while looking at the beautiful star painted sky

"Charisma, my dear friend, is not something I actively pursue. It's simply an extension of who I am, a natural consequence of my unyielding pursuit of my dreams." he gently smiled and proceeded to sip from his goblet

"Your dreams... They're what inspire others, you make them believe in something greater, something worth fighting for. I am willing to be your sword until that dream is achieved." 

"Indeed. Charisma is the power to ignite passion in the hearts of others. I strive for greatness not only for myself but to show others what they, too, can achieve. Love, my friend, is at the core of it all."

"Love? What does love have to do with your ambition?" Guts was puzzled by hearing the word love.

"Love, Guts, is the driving force behind everything we do. Love for a dream, for a purpose, for the people we care about. It's that deep, unyielding affection that keeps us moving forward" Griffith softened his gaze as he looked into Guts's eyes.

"I never thought of it that way. Love has always felt like a weakness to me." 

"Love can be a double-edged sword, no doubt. It can make us vulnerable, but it also grants us strength beyond measure. When you care for something or someone deeply, you find the courage to overcome any obstacle." Griffith proceeded to stare at Guts hoping he'd look at him back at that moment. He didn't.

"You have an unreal way of persuading people, Griffith. But I'll admit, there's something about your dreams that I can't help but be drawn to." Guts chuckled and smiled back at Griffith.

"Then let us continue together, side by side, as we chase those dreams with all the love and determination we can muster." Griffith gave Guts a warm smile back as he stood up and stretched his hand out.

"Let's go for a walk together."

They began walking in the moonlight forest, the quiet evening brought peace to their hearts after such hardships in battle. Guts was contenplative about their previous conversation about love and wondered if there was a double meaning to it all. Love had always been an enigmatic concept for him, an elusive force that he had long kept at arm's length. Yet, tonight, Griffith's words had planted a seed of introspection within him, one that refused to be ignored. Were his solitary ways truly the key to survival, or had he been closing himself off from the beauty and strength that could be found in connections with others? The brotherhood he had experienced with the Band of the Hawk, the undeniable bond they all shared—could it be a source of true strength, rather than a perceived weakness? As the evening came to an end, they parted ways and gathered up rest. Guts remained deep in thought, torn between the comfort of his walls and the promise of something more profound. He knew he needed time to unravel the knots within himself, to understand the depths of what love truly meant to him.

A few days had passed, and as the sun set away in the horizon and the day became quietter. Guts mustered up the courage to reaproach Griffith about their prior conversation. With his heart pounding in his chest, he found Griffith alone by the edge of a serene lake, his pale skin bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun. The vulnerability and rawness in that moment were disarming, and Guts found himself captivated, a newfound appreciation for Griffith's complexity stirring within him. As he approached, Guts took a deep breath, ready to bare his soul.