The valley fell silent once more, leaving only my satisfied breaths. My tongue swept across lips stained with blood after tearing apart and devouring the flesh of those bastards.

  The lifeless corpses scattered around bore silent witness to the beginning of my revenge against the gods.

  "Forvandle."

  Muttering the incantation, I returned to my human form. But this time, my entire body was drenched in blood. The pungent scent of iron clung to me.

  "Ugh… I smell so fishy."

  I walked toward the frozen lake behind me and struck its surface with a powerful blow.

  Crack.

  The ice shattered, allowing cold water to gush forth.

  I began removing my clothes and washed myself, letting the icy water cleanse my blood-soaked skin with its biting freshness.

  "Ahhh… that feels good."

  My eyes landed on a figure lying motionless behind the boulder that once served as my prison’s seal.

  Yata. The one who freed me from Gleipnir, the binding that had kept me imprisoned all this time. His body was covered in wounds, bruises and gashes, raw and brutal.

  Those bastards had beaten him mercilessly, leaving him unconscious.

  I stepped closer to him, still bare, water dripping from my body. My gaze softened at the sight of his battered form.

  For the first time in so long, I felt a strange warmth in my chest. It was… gentle. Something unfamiliar yet soothing spread from my heart, coursing through me.

  "Yata…" My voice was swallowed by the wind’s whisper.

  The corners of my lips curled into a faint smile, one I hadn’t given to anyone in ages.

  "I'm grateful to have met someone as kind as you." A storm of emotions swirled within me, something I had never felt before, a warmth I once thought lost.

  I reached out and touched his arm gently, feeling the cold snow clinging to his skin. "Thank you, Yata…"

  [Yatagarasu's PoV]

  I could feel it, someone was softly stroking my head. Their fingers carried a warmth so tender, so filled with affection, like a touch I had once received from my mother.

  My head rested against something soft and fragrant. That scent… it was so familiar, like the warmth of someone who had always treated me with kindness.

  Slowly, I opened my eyes.

  The first thing I saw was a beautiful face with golden eyes glowing gently. Our faces were barely an inch apart, close enough for me to take in every detail. My mouth hung slightly open as I took in the determined yet gentle smile on her lips.

  "You're awake?" Her soft voice seeped into my mind, rousing me fully.

  "What are you doing, Fenrir?" I asked, trying to steady my heartbeat, which had suddenly gone wild.

  "You were unconscious. Remember?"

  I nodded slowly, still dazed.

  "So, I thought… there was no harm in letting you rest on my lap." Her voice was so calm, as if this was the most natural thing in the world.

  I jolted upright from her lap. "Why would you do that?"

  "Why not? We always do this. Remember?"

  "You mean when I'm in my raven form?"

  She nodded without a hint of hesitation.

  I could only furrow my brows. "But I'm human now. Doesn't that feel… weird to you?"

  A wry smile formed on her lips. "What difference does it make? Whether you're a man or a raven, you're still mine, my pet, now and forever!"

  The words tumbled from her lips, firm and absolute.

  "Bu-but—" I tried to argue but failed.

  "No buts. Once you're mine, you're mine forever. I have every right to do whatever I want with you." Her eyes gleamed, daring me to challenge her claim.

  A mix of determination, selfishness, and arrogance. She never failed to make me laugh.

  "What's so funny?" Fenrir's tail flicked sharply.

  I shook my head slightly. "Nothing, nothing at all."

  Fenrir pursed her lips, clearly not understanding what I found amusing. "You're a strange man, Yata."

  I smiled and attempted to stand. My body still felt heavy, but at least I was fully conscious now.

  The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  "Are you sure you're okay?" Fenrir’s voice was laced with concern as she watched me struggle to move. "You're still covered in wounds."

  "It's fine," I replied as flatly as possible, not wanting to worry her.

  I glanced around. Chaos. Blood and flesh scattered everywhere, remnants of battle littered the valley, some parts completely destroyed. I didn’t need to ask to know who was responsible.

  My gaze landed on a pile of bones near a pine tree. Those bones… she must have devoured them.

  Even if they were merely young gods whose names never made it into mythology, their power was formidable. To take them down without suffering a single scratch was proof of just how strong Fenrir had become.

  I couldn't even imagine how powerful she would be when she reached her peak at Ragnarok. Now, I could understand, at least a little, the fear the gods held toward her. But that still didn’t justify what they had done to her.

  I turned to Fenrir, offering her a sincere smile. "You're amazing, Fenrir."

  "Th-that was sudden… but thank you." A rare sight, her cheeks flushed pink. Her ears twitched slightly, her tail swayed. She was clearly trying to hide her embarrassment.

  "So… what’s your plan now, Fenrir?"

  At my question, her smile slowly faded. She lowered her gaze and let out a long, heavy sigh.

  "To be honest... I don't know." The usual optimism that radiated from her suddenly vanished. "All this time, I've only thought about revenge. I wanted to destroy the gods who shackled me, to tear apart those who took my freedom."

  I remained silent, giving her space to continue.

  "But since meeting you, something has changed." Fenrir gazed deeply into my eyes. "I've started to feel something different. A new desire—to live in peace and experience the simple happiness I've always dreamed of. But... I can't let go of this hatred. I can't forget what the gods did to me."

  Fenrir pulled her legs close, hugging her knees.

  A long pause stretched between us. A gentle breeze blew, carrying the melancholy that enveloped her. I didn't want to force her to say more, but I knew what lay in her heart.

  "What should I do, Yata?" She turned to me, her eyes weary.

  I was silent for a moment before smiling meaningfully. "In that case... how about we travel around Yggdrasil?"

  "Travel?" She looked at me in confusion.

  "Yes. Roaming together, seeing the world, feeling the freedom you've longed for. You know, honestly, this is something I've always wanted. To meet different people, explore various lands, experience diverse cultures. I think this could be a new beginning for you."

  Fenrir fell silent, contemplating my suggestion, her eyes reflecting a storm of emotions.

  Her body may have been completely freed from the bindings of Gleipnir, but her heart was still shackled by something unseen.

  "You think so?"

  "Of course, why not? What's making you hesitate?"

  Fenrir remained quiet.

  We were trapped in a silence that felt both heavy and comforting, like morning dew blanketing the earth after a storm had passed. Then finally, a soft, clear laugh broke through the stillness, flowing like a mountain stream.

  "I never expected to be persuaded by a bird to go on an adventure," she said with an amused tone, a rare smile gracing her lips. "Maybe... this will be fun."

  I smiled, relieved to hear the cheerfulness returning to her voice. But that smile quickly faded from her face.

  "But what about my revenge? What if the gods come after us? Aren't you afraid of them?" Her voice grew quieter, nearly choked by the worries she tried to hide.

  "You don't have to worry about that. I already know, which is why I have a plan."

  "A plan?" Her brow furrowed before she let out a wry smile. "You're lying. You just thought of this adventure, didn't you? How could you possibly have a plan against the gods?"

  I let out a small scoff. "Tch"

  "You scoffed, damn it! You're lying! You don't have a plan, do you? Then what will you do if the gods chase us, huh? How will you escape?"

  I rolled my eyes at her barrage of questions. She then grabbed me and began shaking my body, demanding an answer. "Answer me, you annoying bird!"

  "You're right, I probably don't have any plan against the gods. But even so..." I paused, looking at Fenrir with unwavering confidence. "I'm not lying about wanting to go on an adventure with you, Fenrir."

  "Are you sure? I might become a burden to you."

  I shook my head slightly.

  "You will never be a burden. On the contrary, I believe you're someone precious to me. Without you, I'm nothing."

  "Yata..."

  Our eyes met.

  Something flickered between us, a spark of determination, hope, and the burning desire to embark on this journey and discover its meaning.

  "Who knows," I murmured, "maybe along the way, you'll find your true purpose."

  "My true purpose, huh..." she whispered, her gaze drifting as if searching for something lost deep within her heart.

  "Alright," she declared. She lifted her small hands high, as if trying to reach the sky. Then, with a voice full of spirit, she shouted, "Let's take on this adventure together!"

  Joy welled up within me, spreading through my body like a warm fire in the cold night.

  After so long, something I had longed for had finally arrived. I would explore the Norse realms, especially with Fenrir by my side.

  Forget that she was the beast destined to bring ruin to the gods in Ragnarok. Right now, she was just a young girl yearning for freedom. She had already proven that she deserved what she wanted most—freedom and happiness.

  "You know, Yata..." Her voice was soft, carrying a warmth in every word.

  I tilted my head.

  "I want to thank you for everything you've done for me. You've returned something I lost. More than that... you've given me true freedom. A heroic act indeed."

  Her praise touched me, yet at the same time, a thought lingered in the back of my mind.

  Do I, a mere bird, truly deserve to walk beside her?

  "You're exaggerating, Fenrir," I whispered, trying to downplay it. "I'm not someone worthy of your praise. I'm just a bird, not fit to stand beside you, the great Norse wolf."

  Fenrir let out a long sigh, a gentle smile forming on her lips. "You really are a strange bird," she muttered, a rosy hue spreading across her cheeks. "Weak, yet reckless. Smart, yet careless. And that's exactly why... you're interesting."

  I could only respond with a stiff smile, unsure if she was teasing or genuinely praising me. But when her soft laughter echoed, I knew she was simply being honest.

  Once the laughter subsided, she lowered her gaze, her expression gentle.

  "Can you promise me one thing?"

  A cold breeze brushed against my face, but the warmth in Fenrir's smile soothed my heart. There was a peace in it, something I had never felt before. I nodded slightly, swept away by the moment.

  "What do you want me to promise?"

  Her golden eyes, radiating warmth like autumn sunlight, gazed at me with quiet hope.

  "Never leave me alone. No matter what happens, no matter where fate takes us. Can you do that?"

  I was silent for a moment, not out of hesitation, but to etch every detail of her face into my memory.

  Those eyes, that expression, that smile.

  She looked so strong, yet so fragile at the same time.

  "Alright. I promise I'll always stay by your side. Through joy and sorrow. Even until death takes us."

  "Thank you, Yata..." she whispered softly, like the night breeze carrying the whispers of the stars.

  The winter wind blew, lifting her long violet hair, making it dance in the air, framing her face like that of a goddess. The golden light of the setting sun slowly enveloped her, highlighting the beauty and mystery she possessed.

  In that moment, a small wish stirred within my heart.

  I hoped that we could truly be together... forever.