Akira led Hinata through the dimly lit path toward their temporary shelter a massive steel cube, five meters by five, its surface weathered and dented.

  A thick chain coiled around the top, rusted yet sturdy, as if it had once held something far heavier. The air smelled of damp metal and earth, carrying the faintest trace of oil.

  Hinata’s steps slowed as she took in the monolithic structure.

  Then a gust of wind rushed past them, rustling her hair. A shadow loomed overhead.

  With a heavy thud, Garudan, the black eagle, landed ten meters away. His piercing golden eyes gleamed under the moonlight as his massive wings folded behind him. At two meters tall, he was already an intimidating sight but then, he began to change.

  The ground trembled beneath them as Garudan’s form expanded. His feathers darkened, absorbing the surrounding light like a void, his talons lengthened, gouging deep scars into the earth. Bones creaked, muscles stretched, and within moments, he towered at twenty meters, his presence utterly overwhelming.

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  Hinata’s breath caught in her throat. She instinctively took a step closer to Akira.

  Garudan’s gaze flicked to the steel cube. With deliberate precision, he extended one massive talon and hooked it around the top, the chain rattling under his grip. His deep, rumbling voice echoed through the stillness.

  Akira turned to Hinata,

  “Let’s go.”

  She hesitated only for a heartbeat before nodding.

  Garudan flexed his powerful wings, the air around them surging into a violent gust. And then, with a single beat, the world lifted beneath them.

  …

  The interior of the steel cube was compact yet functional. Soft moonlight filtered through four high-set windows, casting pale beams across the metallic walls.

  A simple bed sat against the far side, its white sheets slightly rumpled. To the right, a small door led to a bathroom. The air inside carried the faint scent of metal and the lingering warmth of the day.

  Hinata and Akira sat in front of one of the tall windows, gazing out at the vast expanse before them. The world stretched endlessly below—a sea of darkness interrupted by scattered lights, flickering like distant stars.

  Akira turned away from the view, his gaze settling on Hinata. As if drawn by an unseen force, she turned toward him at the same moment.

  Their eyes met, the silence between them thick with unspoken words. Slowly, he leaned in. Their lips brushed, then deepened into a kiss, urgent and consuming.

  When he finally broke away, his breath was uneven. Without a word, he stood, taking her hand and leading her toward the bed.

  The sheets rustled beneath them as he sat beside her. His fingers traced the outline of her sleeve before moving to undo it, but she caught his wrist, stopping him.

  Meeting his gaze, she reached for the fabric of her dress and slid it off herself.

  Some times later…

  The room was quiet except for the steady rhythm of their breathing. Hinata rested against Akira’s bare chest, his arm draped loosely around her waist. The warmth of their bodies mingled with the cool air.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  Akira reached for a nearby water bottle, taking a sip before tilting his head toward her. Instead of handing it over, he leaned in, pressing his lips to hers, sharing the water mouth-to-mouth. Hinata closed her eyes as she accepted it, a soft hum escaping her throat before she swallowed.

  They stayed like that, wrapped in each other’s presence, as the night stretched on.

  …

  A rush of wind swept past them as Garudan soared through the sky, his massive wings cutting through the clouds with ease. Hinata and Akira sat atop his broad back, the world unfolding beneath them in breathtaking layers.

  Below, the deep blue of the ocean shimmered under the sun, waves crashing against unseen shores. As they traveled further, the scenery shifted rolling forests blanketed the land in rich green, followed by jagged mountain peaks piercing the sky.

  Akira turned slightly, pulling out a long strip of cloth.

  “Close your eyes,” he murmured.

  Hinata hesitated but then obeyed, feeling the gentle brush of fabric as he tied it securely over her eyes. The darkness heightened her senses she could hear the rush of the wind, the powerful beats of Garudan’s wings, and the steady presence of Akira beside her.

  Higher they flew, past the snow-covered ridges of the white mountains.

  And then, at last, they began their descent.

  A sudden shift in weight sent her stomach lurching. Before she could react, strong arms wrapped around her. Akira’s grip was firm yet careful, his body shielding hers from the cold as they dropped lower through the thinning clouds.

  Garuda’s enormous wings kicking up flurries of snow upon landing. The mighty eagle remained in his towering twenty-meter form, a thick steel chain hanging from his beak, still connected to the five-by-five cube they had traveled with.

  With a powerful beat of his wings, Garuda lowered the cube gently onto the snowy ground, the impact sending a soft thud through the frozen earth.

  Akira held Hinata in a secure princess carry as they descended.

  Hinata barely had time to catch her breath before a sharp, echoing cry split the air. Garuda spread his wings and ascended, vanishing into the overcast sky.

  Akira reached up, fingers brushing against the fabric covering Hinata’s eyes. Slowly, he untied the blindfold and let it slip away.

  Hinata blinked against the sudden brightness. As her vision adjusted, her breath caught.

  A breathtaking expanse of white stretched in every direction endless snow-covered peaks and vast, untouched landscapes. The sky, a crystalline blue, reflected off the pristine ice like a mirror. The cold air tingled against her skin, crisp and pure.

  “Eldoro,”

  She whispered, as if speaking the name of a legend.

  Akira nodded.

  “Yeah. We’re at the top of the world.”

  Her gaze shifted, Towards an Ice staircase on the side. It led higher, winding toward an even high peak obscured by thin mist.

  She turned to Akira, eyes questioning.

  He shook his head before she could speak, He led her across the mountai;s frozen crest. Their footprints left a delicate imprint on the untouched snow.

  Then, in the distance, nestled between the cliffs, a small temple came into view.

  Akira tilted his chin toward the structure.

  “That’s where we’ll be married.”

  Hinata’s heartbeat quickened, warmth blooming in her chest despite the icy surroundings.

  They reached the temple, its structure ancient yet enduring, built of stone and draped in flowing white banners that fluttered in the wind. Inside, a fire burned gently in a metal brazier, its soft glow casting shadows across the walls.

  At the center stood a priest, his presence both solemn and seasoned. He looked like a man who had once lived by the sword his posture straight, his features carved with the discipline of a retired warrior. Yet, now, he was wrapped in traditional white robes, his sharp eyes calm as they settled on the couple.

  …

  Hinata and Akira faced each other, standing opposite one another. The priest began his recitation, chanting verses in a rhythmic, steady tone words of devotion, blessings asking the gods to witness and honor their union.

  “Priest, Just skip to the important part.”

  The priest shot him an unimpressed glance but relented with a slow roll of his eyes, skipping ahead in the ceremony.

  A moment later, they exchanged floral garlands woven with white roses, slipping them over each other’s heads. The scent of fresh petals mingled with the crisp mountain air.

  Then, Akira lifted Hinata’s hand and slid a blue crystal ring onto her finger. The gemstone gleamed like a frozen lake beneath the morning sun.

  Hinata took his hand in return, slipping a red crystal ring onto his finger. The color burned with the deep intensity of embers, a stark contrast to the icy world around them.

  Their hands remained clasped, fingers entwined, as they stepped forward together.

  Side by side, they moved in slow, deliberate steps, circling the temple in quiet reverence. The wind rushed through the open hall, swirling around them, carrying whispered echoes of ancient blessings.

  With each step, the moment settled deeper into their bones.

  The ritual was complete.

  They were bound by word, by symbol, by fate.

  Above them, the heavens bore silent witness.