The Dragon King's Heart

In the days and weeks to follow, Laina and Dante returned deep into the mountains to continue their training. They were confronted with multiple challenges, each more dangerous than the last. But together, hand in hand, they persevered together. No matter how tough the challenges were, they got through it together. 

Dante knew that he would have to do the last leg of his training alone. After all, Laina would not be able to share the burden of the trials with him. This was something he would have to overcome on his own. 

"Then I'll find a way to join you," she said with determination when he explained it to her.

"It's not possible," he sighed as he shook his head.

With a blazing fire in her eyes, she declared with determination," Nothing is impossible." 

Dante caressed her cheek, "I will do everything with you by my side for eternity. But this is one of those things that I have to do alone, my love."

Laina sighed as she touched his hand. She knew it from the start but she had refused to accept it. Dante was going to suffer through one of the hardest trials known in existence/ Even if she could not share his burden, she wanted to be there to wait for his return.

"Is there no other way for me to get to Celestial Realm?" she asked, "I want to be there when you complete your trials. I want to be the first person you see."

He was moved by her determination. How he wished for that to be possible too. But alas, it could not be done. With Laina's present condition, she would not be able to pass through the Celestial Gates. Her body would be reduced to ashes before she get through the barriers. 

But all hope was not lost. If she could not come to him, he would go to her. Dante was not worried about himself. At this moment, he was more worried about what would happen to Laina after he leaves for the trials.

Who would protect her in his absence?

"Kol and Florin will be by my side. Don't worry about me, worry about yourself!" Laina added.

After all, she still had Margaret by her side to look out for her. Titan would be there to protect her too. Still, he worried for her safety. After all, Cordelia was still out there, plotting to ruin their lives. He had to come up with something.

Laina placed her hands on Dante's shoulders and began to massage the knots in his muscles. 

"I think you should worry about the last leg of your training first. We can think about the rest later."

They were camped on a plateau near a cave they had yet to explore. According to the information they had found, this cave had some of the coldest temperatures in all of Gaeia. Evident from the icicle statues of countless animals, beasts, creatures, and beings that line the entrance; without proper training, you could freeze to death before you can even enter the cave. 

To maximize the effects of their training, Laina and Dante camped outside the cave for the last week. They were waiting for the cave to be at its coldest. The cloud-covered sky made it difficult to tell the time of day. But Dante could sense it. It was a moonless night and the cave was ready. 

"It is time," he declared as he got up on his feet. Laina got up too. 

Before Dante could speak, Laina spoke first, "I know, I know. I won't follow you in. I just wanted to..."

She hugged him tightly. Even through their thick padded clothing, Dante could feel the warmth radiating from her body. He laid his head on her shoulder as he returned her embrace. She did not want to let him go, and neither did he.

"I'll see you soon," she whispered to him.

"It will pass in the blink of an eye," he whispered back.

With that, they released their embrace as Dante made his way towards the cave. Laina stood there and watched on in silence as Dante's figure disappeared into the darkness She sat back down by the fire, facing the entrance of the cave. Titan laid down by her side, resting his head on her lap. She gently stroked his fur with a small smile. 

"And now we wait."

Ever since she last saw Dante, Laina never left the campsite they had built. She survived on all the food they had brought with them, together with the occasional meat Titan brought back from his hunt. To pass the time, Laina would train on her own, meditate, and even played the flute she had brought with her. The temperature around the cave grew colder with each passing day but Laina did not feel it at all. 

Her eyes were focused on the entrance of the cave. For a few nights, she even slept in the open, facing the cave. She wanted to be the first thing he saw when he walked out of that cave. On a particularly cold night, Titan huddled close to Laina for warmth. She stroked the fur on his back, humming to herself to pass the time, Fresh snow fell from the sky, covering the ground in a fresh layer of white. 

To the uninitiated, one might assume the weather had not changed in the last few hours. But Laina could sense it in a heartbeat. For the first time since Dante had entered the cave, a smile returned to her face. 

"It's almost time, Titan," she whispered to her pet excitedly, "The weather is changing."

In tiny increments, warmth was returning to their surroundings. The fresh snow melted a little quicker. Laina placed her hand on the locket. She clutched it tightly as her heart palpitated in her chest. She was so excited, she could not sleep. Laina sat out in the cold by the crackling fire from night till dawn. 

After many days and weeks of cloud-covered skies, the sun was finally visible on the horizon. A clear blue sky greeted them as the first rays of light shone down on the land below. Laina got up abruptly. She took a few steps closer to the entrance of the cave.

In the distance, she noticed a familiar face. Titan sensed him too, welcoming him with a series of bright barks. The cold chilly weather caused her muscles to stiffen over time but that did not stop her from getting to him as quickly as she could.

"Dante!" she called out to him as she sprung into action.

She winced a little as her muscles ached. But once she got into the momentum, it gradually became easier. He heard her call. He quickened his footsteps in her direction. Under the warm glow of the sun on the horizon, Dante and Laina reunited in a loving embrace. 

"Welcome back," Laina whispered to him as she buried her face in his chest.

She encircled them in a blaze of fire, warming their bodies up. Dante felt rejuvenated. His icy cold skin was rejuvenated by Laina's fire. His once blurry vision was restored. He cupped Laina's chin, tilting her head so that their eyes would meet. 

"Thank you for waiting, Sun drop," he replied with a smile.