Ashes of Love and War - TodoMomo

||Chapter 29 ~ Part 2||

The light from the campfire had long faded into the distance before Shouto came to a halt in front of a shallow river. The summer heat and lack of rain had depleted the waterway. Only a slow-moving stream remained, upon which red and orange leaves floated across in small ripples.

Shouto stared blankly down at the water. His head pounded. The rage he had felt at Kaminari's confession was gone, and all Shouto was left with was confusion and disbelief. In retrospect, he should have known.

From the beginning, it wasn't as if Shouto hadn't had his suspicions about the power of the curse. Kaminari was a low-level god. There was no way that someone like him could have been powerful enough to cast a lasting spell.

Shouto had known that but hadn't allowed himself to examine his doubts. His pride as a warrior and prejudice against the gods had blinded him to the notion that anything he felt could be real.

He was a fool.

Shouto closed his eyes. He gave a sharp exhale through his nose as a hollow grin spread across his lips.

He couldn't help but feel a little bitter about the irony of it all. Perhaps he would have realized sooner if he had had more experience outside of war. However, the truth was that Shouto had only ever known anger and sorrow — the emotions of a soldier. It hadn't occurred to him that someone like him, someone who only knew war and how to kill, could truly feel anything for Yaoyorozu.

But what was done was done. There was no use focusing on something in the past.

Shouto opened his eyes. A black canvas sprayed with the iridescent light of a million stars stretched above him. A pale harvest moon hung low in the sky, sparkling as brightly as a cold flame. It was the same sky Shouto had gazed upon for the last twenty-four years. There was a certain feeling of relief in the thought.

Shouto took a deep breath of the brisk autumn air.

If he thought of the situation logically, nothing had truly changed. Even though the curse was gone, he was still a Spartan warrior. A son of Ares, with the mission to return to Sparta. The only difference was that Shouto now realized his feelings for Yaoyorozu were his own. And that meant he could no longer ignore them or blame Kaminari. He was now responsible for determining what to do about these very real feelings.

What did that mean for his life as a warrior?

Shouto's hand twitched, and he placed it on Endeavor, running his palm along the smooth surface of the hilt.

Love was a hindrance to a soldier. Presumably, it meant that he would have to choose: give up his duty or separate himself from Yaoyorozu.

Shouto's stomach twisted at the thought of either option. But what else could he do, Shouto wondered. Was it realistic to desire both — life as a warrior and Yaoyorozu by his side?

Yes, something within him whispered. He was free, he reminded himself. Heat spread across Shouto's chest.

He wasn't cursed.

Kaminari wasn't controlling him.

He was free. Free to love Yaoyorozu as his heart guided him to. Free to seek her affections in return. There was nothing holding him back.

A smile spread across Shouto's face. It was as if an invisible weight that had been crushing his chest for weeks suddenly vanished.

When was the last time Shouto had been free? He couldn't remember. He had been chained by duty for so long: to his father, the war, and Kaminari's spell; it was strange to realize there was nothing holding him back anymore.

The only thing his decision to pursue Yaoyorozu would hinge upon would be her own response. Would she want to stay by his side, especially after he'd ruined her reunion with Jirou?

Shouto's smile faded as he remembered Yaoyorozu's distressed expression. His heart felt as though it had dropped into his stomach. He sighed heavily and reached up to run a hand through his hair.

First, before he did anything, he would have to apologize for upsetting Yaoyorozu and ruining her reunion with Jirou. Then, he would - he would... He wasn't sure.

'Kiss her,' his mind supplied.

Shouto's heart skipped. A small grin spread across his face at the picture of Yaoyorozu stuttering and blushing from his actions. He shook his head, trying to clear the image, but it wasn't a horrible idea. And it wasn't like he had any better plans.

The sound of hurried footsteps tearing through the forest suddenly caught Shouto's attention, breaking through his thoughts. His smile faded. He turned, hand flying to his sword, only to find Yaoyorozu emerging from the thicket of trees. Shouto started back as she skidded to a stop before him, breathing heavily.

"Yaoyorozu?" Shouto looked down, mouth parting in surprise. "What are —"

His eyes narrowed as he looked her over. Her red cloak was wrapped loosely around her shoulders as if hastily thrown on, and in her left hand was her spear. The hair on the back of Shouto's neck stood up. He gripped Endeavor tighter.

"What's wrong? Did something happen?" he asked quickly.

Yaoyorozu shook her head.

A knot in Shouto's stomach loosened slightly. He glanced at Yaoyorozu up and down again. She was still doubled over, catching her breath, but she didn't appear harmed. Shouto slowly exhaled before straightening up. "Then what is it?"

Yaoyorozu looked up. Her eyes glistened as if she was about to cry, but her expression was set. "I'm going with you."