Through The Blaze (ch11)

Glad you decided to stick through till the end! This will be the final main chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not own Little Witch Academia.

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													Chapter 11. The Forest Spirit

As the leyline opens up before her, Akko lowers herself like Amanda had taught her and shoots forward as quickly as she can. There's a flash of light as Luna Nova disappears behind her, and all around her is replaced by magical branches of Yggdrasil, leading to all different times and locations.

Akko flies as quickly and as hard as she can, following the movement of Alcor's wings. She can feel Diana trembling, feel the heat pulsing off of her in waves. Akko hugs her close and kisses her forehead.

"Hang in there. I'll make sure you get better. I swear it, Diana."

She just wishes Diana would say something. If she'd just be conscious for a moment in all this, it would make Akko feel immensely better.

But as things are, Diana is quiet and helpless. It seems like it would be all too easy for her to slip away without Akko's even knowing it.

She shakes her head. She can't think about things like that. She can't.

She continues flying, her body rigid and set in her determination. She knows she won't be able to use much magic once she gets to the Forest, because using unfamiliar powers in a magical territory like that would only attract unwanted attention. That's something she'd learned from her study sessions with Diana.

So Akko rummages for her wand in her sash now and touches it to activate it, then mumbles a spell.

"Froreza."

It's a cooling spell that she directs onto Diana's back, letting it spread across her body to combat some of the heat. Diana whimpers, and her body temperature seems to improve a little.

Before long, Alcor gives a caw and veers off to one side. Akko follows.

They break free from the leyline with a burst of light, which is immediately followed by a calming darkness.

When she opens her eyes, Akko finds a vast forest beneath her, all shrouded in midnight and moonlight. She's been here before, but the sight before her now is even bigger than anything she's ever seen.

It's like an ocean of trees and greenery, expanding farther than the horizon in any direction. Everything is healthy and in full bloom, though at this hour of the night all is resting. Mostly.

Akko takes a second to get her bearings as she glances around herself. She has no idea where to go from here. It's all the same in every direction anyway. She just remembers what Professor Ursula had said and does what she does best; she goes with her gut.

Akko chooses a direction and flies, and Alcor follows along at her side.

She doesn't know what she's looking for, or what to do from here. She feels completely lost.

Diana shudders in her arms, and she can tell the cooling spell has already worn off. The fever is back full-force, emitting waves of heat so thick Akko wants to pull away. But she continues to hold her close and very dearly.

The forest may be dark with night, but Akko soon realizes not everything living here is asleep. As she flies she can hear many rustlings down below the canopy, and a lot of chatter and chittering of animals. It puts her at ease a bit, and makes things much less intimidating than if she were flying through a completely silent magical forest.

But she knows to keep her senses on high alert, as not every creature would welcome the presence of a witch. Simply flying a broom wouldn't be enough magic to disturb most beings, but Akko isn't about to take any chances.

Alcor keeps guard as well, cocking his head and turning to glare at any sound that seems too loud or too close.

They fly quickly and quietly through the night, casting small shadows on the tops of the massive trees.

Akko doesn't know how quickly she should be flying. She doesn't know where she's headed or how long it'll take to get there. She wishes she could have some kind of guidelines as to where this forest spirit might be.

/I don't know... I don't know where to go! Diana's running out of time-/

Alcor swoops in close to her, jolting Akko out of her troubled thoughts. He opens his beak and Professor Ursula's voice channels through.

"Akko? Can you hear me?"

"Professor!"

"Oh, thank goodness. Did you make it to the Forest?"

"Yes. But I don't know where to go from here..."

"You'll know, Akko. I'm on my way to inform the Headmistress of the situation right now. Please be safe. Good luck."

And just like that Alcor closes his beak and all is quiet again.

Akko's heart sinks. She really doesn't know what to do from here.

But when she looks down at Diana again, sweating and panting for breath, it ignites a flame in her soul.

/I just have to trust my instincts./

She closes her eyes and draws in a deep breath, angling the broom a little and letting herself fly however she feels is right.

That's when a warning cry from Alcor startles her back into the present.

"What-"

But before she can even finish, a flurry of black wings is upon them.

A swarm of large bats appears out of nowhere, screeching and hissing as they beat the air, trying to knock Akko out of the sky. She shrieks, clutching Diana close, covering her with her own body. She can't reach for her wand or else she'd have to let go of the broom.

All she can do is avoid. She swerves left and right, up and down as they knock into her. But no movement she makes deters them. She spots Alcor pecking at a few of them, but they outnumber him by the dozens. They have to get away.

"Get- off me!"

Akko knows just shoving her shoulders at them won't do any good. She can feel their sharp claws at her back and in her hair, feel their skinny wings smacking her head. She presses herself down tightly over Diana, holding onto her with everything she has.

Then, with one quick motion she flips the broom over in a midair tumble just as Amanda had taught her. Akko's legs cross and lock at the ankles, and as she flips the bristles of the broom give a good hard smack to several of the bats. She lets herself plummet just for a second before she rights herself again; it's just enough distance from the flock to give them some time.

Alcor is at her side in seconds, opening his wings and flapping quickly to create a massive hurricane-like gust. He knocks the army of bats back with such power they eventually retreat back down into the treetops.

Akko's hands are shaking as she clings to Diana and the handle of the broom. The ambush had been so sudden and jarring, and though they'd made it through this time, she isn't sure she'll be able to handle it again.

More importantly, she isn't sure if Diana will be able to handle it again.

So much rigorous movement had transpired in so little time, and even if Diana's mind is unconscious, her body is still showing it felt the effects of it all. Her breathing has become much faster and much more shallow, and the blazing heat coming off of her skin has only strengthened. Akko can feel Diana's heart throbbing hard up against her back and throughout her whole body.

It was all too much for her when she was already in such a weakened and delicate state. She's shaking all over, and her breathing is so erratic it's painful for Akko to listen to. She feels tears coming on again.

"Diana..."

Akko kisses her, but it burns her lips. Gritting her teeth, she straightens up once more.

Now that the bats have sounded the alarm of an intruder, Akko knows other creatures will be coming to confront her. She needs to do something to prevent more attacks from happening.

Keeping herself balanced, she lets go of the broom to reach for her wand.

She just needs one spell. One spell that will prevent anything from bothering her until she gets to where she needs to be.

Invisibility won't work. Everything living here can sense magical energy, even if the user isn't visible.

She needs something that is expected to have great amounts of magic - even greater than a witch.

She needs something no one will question or bother.

Akko already knows what her answer is, and she already knows which spell she's going to use to get it. She looks to Alcor who seems to understand her motives.

Akko raises her wand, closes her eyes, and shouts:

"Metamorphie Fasciess!"

The magic pours out and engulfs her, though as she envisions what it is she wants to become, she's sure to keep Diana safe as she shifts. She chooses the form she'd taken the last time she'd been here with Diana, the only form that had saved them then.

A mighty golden dragon suddenly appears in the night sky. Silver moonlight reflects off its scales and colors the membrane of its wings. It shimmers like the sun, and resonates with just as much power and presence.

Alcor is dwarfed beside the beast, but after he's touched his mistress' broom and sent it back to her, he continues flying as though nothing has changed.

Once the magic has taken shape with her, Akko slowly turns her head to look over her shoulder. Diana lies between her shoulder blades, cradled by the bases of her wings. Akko lets out a soft snort of relief and moves her wings.

Everyone had always said not to use much magic here. But Akko's solution is just the opposite.

Now everything within the area will have sensed the magic she'd used for the spell. But nothing will dare question or confront a dragon.

And nothing does.

Akko flies slowly, but for a dragon it's the same as a decent speed for a witch on a broom. She keeps her keen eyes trained on the forest below where her massive shadow darkens everything.

She doesn't yet know how much longer it will take to find the healing spirit, but she knows she'll have to land in order to locate it. Of course it won't be wandering about in the sky. Similar to faeries, most spirits inhabit trees or certain areas of the ground - something else she'd learned from Diana.

But Akko doesn't quite feel the time is right just yet.

So she continues flying, constantly mindful of Diana's small weight on her back. But it isn't long before she's more aware of the heat radiating off of Diana than her weight. Akko can feel the blaze even through the thickness of her hide and scales.

She knows Diana's body won't be able to handle such immense stress for much longer. The chaos of overflowing magic and fever swirling inside of her is boiling in her blood, scorching her from the inside out. And with every single passing second it only gets worse and worse.

Now in this form, Akko fears for her more than ever, as it makes her realize just how small Diana truly is.

She never thought a witch's own magics could hurt them like this, to the point of being potentially fatal. It's all just a mess of magic trying to figure out how to contain itself in such a small vessel.

Of course it would happen to Diana of all witches, being a direct descendent of Lady Beatrix. Even when Chariot had mistakenly taken her magic from her, Diana had gotten it back when she was still very young. She's worked so hard all her life to become a superb witch worthy of her ancestors, her mother, and the House of Cavendish.

Akko won't let the world lose her.

She flies on, until something she can't properly explain makes her feel it's time to enter the Forest.

It just feels right.

Akko reduces her size but not her form just yet, shrinking into a smaller and smaller dragon until she can fit through the trees. She lowers herself until her claws make contact with solid ground.

She knows she won't be able to move properly in this form now, so she reverts back to her human shape, keeping Diana on her back as she'd carried her earlier at school. Now, without the scales to separate their bodies, Akko can feel the heat of the fever directly.

Diana's pulse beats hard against her back, harder than it had before, frantic and scared as it tries to keep things in order. She can feel that Diana's body is wearing thin. Not even her magics can protect her now. The fever has overtaken them and begun to eat away at her.

Akko keeps a firm grip on her.

"Don't worry. I've got you, Diana. Just hold on..."

Alcor flutters above her and caws softly, encouraging her to move. Akko draws in a deep breath and begins to walk.

Looking down at the Forest hadn't been all that intimidating, especially from a dragon's eyes. But looking up at it now as a puny little witch, Akko dreads whatever could be lying in wait for her.

She remembers the last time they'd been here, the massive tiger and the bear with a mouthful of teeth all down its neck. If she were to encounter something like that now, she isn't sure what she'd do other than scream.

At the very least the moonlight is bright enough to shine down and barely reach the forest floor to guide her. Alcor even uses its light to let his feathers glow to brighten her path further.

Akko stays on high alert, treading quietly and carefully. She can feel Diana weakening with every step, wilting like a flower beneath heavy snow. Her breaths dwindle down into weak whimpers, and her thunderous pulse shrinks to nothing more than a meek flicker, like a candle about to blow out. All of the rushing motion Akko could sense from within her previously now slows down and fades, until all that's left is that dreadful heavy heat.

Akko starts to cry, but she doesn't stop. She can't. She won't.

Not even when the shadows begin to move and come to life.

Eyes of every color blink at her, and she recognizes the creatures Sucy had told her about. Their bodies are wisps of darkness, constantly shifting in the wind, sometimes looking like one animal or another, and sometimes looking like nothing at all.

They surround her, but Akko doesn't stop. She remembers what Professor Ursula had told her about them:

"Don't worry about those creatures, Akko."

Akko walks right toward the shadows-

"I'll tell you something about them-"

And they part to let her through.

"They pass by only when they sense the presence of true love."

Akko doesn't look back. The creatures swirl around together as if in delight, then vanish with a sigh.

At last, Akko comes to a halt.

Some part of her had been envisioning her destination to be some giant ancient tree with spiraling roots and massive branches that covered half the forest, something not unlike Yggdrasil.

But that isn't the sight she's looking at now.

Instead, she's stopped herself in front of a sapling with barely any leaves sprouting from it.

Alcor perches on the branch of a nearby tree, as if to approve of her choice.

She waits, with determination in her eyes and fire in her heart.

At first nothing happens, but Akko doesn't falter. She knows she's right. She believes in herself.

And finally, the tree begins to emit a faint glimmer. It seems to shine every color imaginable and then some.

A mist takes shape around the sapling, with form as ambiguous as the light it gives. It is a shape, and yet not one Akko can recognize. It makes sense, and yet it doesn't.

She can sense the magic in the air, and it's more ancient and profound than anything she's ever known or heard of. All she can be sure of is that there's a lot of it.

She waits, unfaltering, though her grip on Diana's legs tighten as she feels her growing weaker. Akko slowly crouches down and removes Diana from her back to hold her in her lap instead, keeping both arms around her. She stays on her knees to show respect for the spirit awakening in front of her.

Akko blinks, but not for too long for fear it might vanish. She holds Diana close and hopes beyond hope.

And then she hears a voice. It is neither male nor female nor anything in between - and yet it's all of those.

"Young witch."

It speaks in a language Akko understands, but there are echoes and remnants of thousands of others behind it. It makes her head ache slightly, but she never flinches or looks away. The voice continues:

"Why is it you have appeared here before me tonight beneath this moon?"

Akko isn't quite sure, but she doesn't think it sounds angry. It's more curious than anything. She swallows, inhales, and replies in a firm but anxious voice.

"My friend-" She glances back down at Diana, who is very still now in her arms. "She needs help."

The mist reaches out as if to touch them, but it never makes contact.

"Indeed," it says. "This girl is about to die."

"Please-" Akko chokes. "Don't let her. I don't want her to die. I promised..."

The spirit swirls around the sapling and seems to contemplate.

"Are you certain? Should you let her die here in this forest, she would be able to accomplish many things, even in death. I sense a tremendous amount of magic in her. Her spirit would do great things here."

Akko sniffles and shakes her head.

"I'm sorry. I'm sure that's true, but... but I just can't let her go yet. It's way too soon! The world can't afford to lose her right now! And neither can I..."

Her heart hurts. If this spirit can't help Diana after all, she really will die and become a spirit of this forest. And perhaps that might be for the better in some cases. But Akko doesn't want that, and she believes Diana doesn't either.

The mist rustles at Akko's answer.

"Tell me, young witch. How did you know where to find me?"

Akko holds Diana closer, protectively.

"I just went where it felt right. And it led me here..." She looks up at the sapling with barely anything blooming on it. "There's no way a tree would look like that in a forest of eternal spring unless it was for a good reason. That tree holds a lot of energy and magic, enough that it can share it with the rest of the forest and keep only a little for itself... So I knew it had to be yours."

The mist rustles again.

"You are very clever. Let me ask you: should I heal your friend, then what shall you offer me in exchange?"

Akko can feel tears dripping down her face now.

"Anything! I'll give you my most treasured possession since I was a child! If there's something you need, I'll find it or I'll do it! You can even take my magics! As long as Diana will live I don't care about anything else!"

Her voice rings out and adds to the echoes whispering around the mist, becoming part of it. It makes her realize what all those echoes are; this spirit absorbs every word ever uttered by anyone, at any given time, across the world.

Akko feels a shudder run through her as the spirit sighs.

"Foolish words, young witch. Not caring about oneself or anything else for the sake of another. Those are the foolish words of a soul enraptured by love."

The mist reaches out once again, and Akko tenses. But when it touches her this time, it saps away all of her fears. The voice continues:

"It just so happens this world is sustained by such foolish, pure-hearted love. That love is what keeps breeding new life and new magic, in every second of existence. It always has been, and always will be love."

Akko watches as the mist gently envelops Diana in her lap. Something stirs, and Akko can sense it even through Diana's body. The turmoil is stilled by a calming force, and the heat of the fever fades into nothing.

Just like that she is healed.

Where it had taken Akko's friends and professors hours to find and make an antidote, the spirit cures Diana with a touch.

This is truly magic more powerful and more profound than anything Akko's ever heard of. She's humbled and thankful to have witnessed it herself, enough to break down crying in relief.

Diana breathes easily in her arms now, her heart beats at a steady pace, and her pallor is calm with slumber.

Akko can't speak. She just cries.

The mist rustles.

"I require nothing from you, young witch. You have already paid a fair price in worries and in tears. Go now. Take your friend and return from whence you came. Perhaps I'll see you both here again in a few hundred years' time."

The mist fades and all is quiet.

Akko blinks, trying to remember what it had looked and sounded like, but she's already forgotten.

She feels a little lightheaded for a second, but after taking a few deep breaths that fades too. It almost feels like none of it ever happened.

But when she looks down at Diana resting easily now, without a trace of fever or discomfort lingering, it's proof enough it had all been very real.

Akko breathes a long sigh of relief and hugs Diana close.

"Thank goodness..."

The last few tears dribble down and transfer onto Diana's cheek. And then she hears a small sound from her, a tired little moan. Diana stirs in her arms, and Akko sits up right away.

"Diana?"

It's only been a few hours since she'd last seen her awake, but it feels like it's been days. Diana opens her eyes slowly, drawing in a shaky breath as she takes in the unfamiliar surroundings. But when her eyes come to rest on the one thing she recognizes, she's put at ease.

"Akko..."

"Diana-!"

Akko hugs her again, a little harder this time. Diana even makes an effort to return it.

"Where... are we...?"

"The Eternal Forest," Akko mumbles. "That awful fever came back and Professor Ursula said you needed to be taken to a healer right away... or else you wouldn't get better this time..." She squeezes her tighter. "We made it in time."

"The Eternal Forest..." Diana takes in the sight of the towering trees in the darkness as Akko clings to her. "You brought me all the way here... by yourself?"

"Well, I had Alcor to help!" Akko eases herself back and looks up to where the white crow is still perched. But she immediately brings her eyes back to Diana again. "B-But never mind all that! How are you feeling? Do you still have a fever?"

"I don't believe so."

"A-Are you sure?" Akko almost chokes again. "Y-You seemed like you were in so much pain, a-and you were so weak... for it to all just be over now almost seems too good to be true..."

Diana moves her hands away from Akko's back and instead cups either side of her face, having her look into her eyes. She smiles.

"Akko, don't you think 'too good to be true' is exactly what an ancient forest spirit makes possible?"

She kisses her softly, letting Akko feel for herself that she's no longer ill. Akko whimpers happily and kisses back, hugging her again. When they part, Akko has mostly gotten ahold of herself.

"You're okay... it won't happen anymore..."

"I believe you're right," Diana affirms. "All of my magic seems to be intact and moving properly now. It doesn't hurt anymore."

It's a relief for Akko to hear her say that, but the fact that Diana admitted that it had in fact hurt her before makes Akko want to cry more. Of course she'd known it must have been agonizing for her, but for Diana to actually admit it...

Akko just hugs her again. She can feel for herself now that there's no heat coming off of Diana more than the regular warmth that's expected. Her pulse is calm and strong, and she only seems to be a bit tired, which is very understandable. Diana can tell the same is true for Akko.

"You must be exhausted," she murmurs. "Having stayed up all night to bring me here. It must have been frightening."

Akko shakes her head.

"It doesn't matter. We made it in time and you're better now. That's all I care about."

"Even so, I must express my gratitude. You saved my life, Akko. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart." She kisses her again, more powerfully than before, more earnestly.

Akko sobs and locks both arms around her shoulders.

It's only after they ease back again when Akko notices the shadowy creatures have appeared again, poking their heads out curiously from behind the trees. They don't approach, but rather stay where they are, chittering and sighing.

Akko blushes. Diana notices them too and her voice grows quiet.

"Oh my..."

"Y-You know about those guys?"

"Yes." Diana clears her throat. "I-In any case, it's good to know they won't be hindering us."

"Y-Yeah..."

A sudden caw from Alcor tells them it's time to head back. Akko offers Diana her hand and helps her up slowly. Alcor flaps his wings, and Ursula's broom materializes out of thin air. Akko grabs it with her free hand.

"I still can't believe I actually managed to get us here."

"Your flying has improved immensely thanks to your practices with Amanda. But if you're tired, would you like me to take us back?"

"N-No way! I can't let a sick person fly!"

"I am not sick any longer."

"Still! No way!" Akko mounts the broom with a bit of a huff, and Diana chuckles softly. She sits behind her and wraps both arms around Akko's stomach. Akko can tell her hold is secure, but even so she looks back to check. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes. I'm just fine now, Akko."

"Okay." But just to be safe Akko puts one of her hands over Diana's. Her skin isn't hot or clammy anymore, and when Diana presses up to her back she feels comfortably warm.

Alcor flaps his wings and opens the leyline for them. Akko takes off.

"Tia Freyre!"

They lift slowly, by far one of her best lift-offs yet, and fly through the leyline at a steady speed. Akko feels that Diana had been the one flying her places most of the time. It's nice to finally be able to return the favor.

She follows Alcor's white wings until he veers off to one side. Akko closes her eyes at the flash of light, and the next thing she knows she's hovering back in Professor Ursula's room.

Ursula had been preparing some tea to calm herself, but now she all but drops the cup onto the table and shoots up from her seat.

"Oh, thank heavens!" She rushes over just as Akko lands and throws her arms around both girls, sobbing in relief. Akko grins and hugs her back while Diana blushes. When Ursula pulls back she takes a good look at them both. "I'm so glad you're both okay! Diana, how are you feeling?"

Diana shuffles her feet.

"I feel I've made a full recovery."

"Oh, thank goodness." Ursula sighs and hugs her again for a long moment. She'd never had to see anyone with such a serious illness before, let alone one of her own students. She holds Diana for a long moment, stroking her hair gently. "I'm so relieved... You truly have been cured. I can feel it." She eases back to look down into her eyes. "It is a wonderful and blessed thing to be touched by such a spirit. I doubt you'll ever fall sick again for the rest of your life."

Unable to contain her joy, Ursula kisses Diana's forehead softly.

Then she turns to her pupil. "And what about you, Akko? You didn't get hurt, did you?"

"Nope! Not a scratch!"

"Thank goodness..." It seems to be all she can say now as she just hugs the girls for another moment. She only releases them when Alcor comes to rest on her shoulder, and then it's him she's pampering.

"What a good bird! Thank you for bringing them home safely."

At last everything settles down. Akko returns Ursula's broom to her, thanking her for it. Her other hand has found Diana's again, and she doesn't let go. Ursula lets out a long sigh.

"I've got to call the headmistress back," she says, waving her wand over her globe which doubles as a crystal ball. "You girls should get some rest. You've been through far too much tonight. I'll make sure everyone understands if you take a few days off from classes."

"Thank you, Professor," Akko grins. "But we'll try not to take too much time off!" Her words surprise both Ursula and Diana. Akko blinks. "U-Unless you feel like you wanna take some time off, Diana! I get that you must be super exhausted."

Diana smiles.

"Let us see how we feel in the morning. For now, a good night's rest sounds heavenly."

"Yeah, definitely!"

They both thank Ursula once again for her help, and she hugs them both one more time. They then thank Alcor who seems to get his feathers ruffled from the flattery.

And at last Akko and Diana head down the staircase hand-in-hand, and begin making their way across the midnight courtyard.

"I wonder if we should tell people," Akko mumbles into a yawn. "I feel I kinda gotta tell Lotte and Sucy and Amanda."

"Indeed you should. It was a great feat you accomplished tonight, Akko. As for me, I feel I should refrain from telling Hannah and Barbara right away."

"Oh yeah. They'd probably faint if they heard you got sick again."

"My thoughts exactly."

A beat of silence falls, and Akko moves a little closer to her.

"I'm really glad you're okay, Diana."

"And I have you to thank for it, Akko."

Akko leads the way back to the main building and through the hallways toward their dorms. They're nearing the place where they need to part ways and she's preparing herself to let go of Diana's hand.

But just as she's about to do so, Diana tightens her own grip. Akko looks up at her, puzzled.

"Diana? What's wrong?"

Her classmate looks to her dorm room, speaking softly.

"I feel I... wouldn't mind a bit of company tonight. If that's all right with you."

Akko nearly falls over, and she's sure it's only because she's holding Diana's hand that she doesn't.

"I... I mean, I... A-Are you sure? It's okay for me to-?"

"Only if you'd like..."

"Of... Of course I would! More than anything!" Akko gets a little too eager and quickly lowers her voice. "I-I mean seriously, Diana? You'd let me...?"

Diana avoids eye contact simply because she can feel her cheeks turning pink.

"I just feel we will both sleep more soundly if we are not alone. It's been a stressful night."

Akko swallows back a squeal of delight. This is the first time Diana has ever invited her to sleep over. It's the second thing tonight that feels too good to be true.

Akko reels in her excitement levels as much as she can though, reminding herself it's past 1AM and they need to go to sleep now.

Diana leads her to the door and quietly enters. Hannah and Barbara are fast asleep in their beds, none the wiser as to what had transpired tonight. As far as they knew, Diana had been working with Akko in the library and had come back to sleep hours ago.

Diana leads Akko around the bookshelf to her own private area. She draws her wand and makes quick work of changing them both into their respective clean sleep-clothes. Akko is surprised by the gesture, but even more surprised at the notion that Diana is exhausted enough to perform a mundane task with the use of magic. But it's fine just this once.

Akko leaves her wand with her laundry that Diana had folded and left on the desk nearby for her, then whirls around to face her. Diana has already made her way to her bed and pulled the covers down.

Akko pauses for a second to watch her, trying to see if she seems to be in any pain as she moves. But the only thing that seems to be ailing her now is exhaustion. Akko is finally hit by a wave of it as well, and in spite of her excitement to spend the night, she walks over slowly and stands next to the bed. She stops there, clutching at her shorts and biting her lip.

"U-Um... Is it really okay for me to...?"

Diana makes room for her expectantly.

"I insist."

Akko half-yelps and half-squeals as she slowly sits herself down on the mattress. She glances at Diana as if to ask 'is this okay?' and Diana merely smiles back. She raises a hand to her lips when a small yawn comes over her, and a tired sound makes itself heard.

Akko can't resist. It's too cute and she's too happy and too tired and too relieved to care. She throws both arms around Diana and brings her down onto the pillows, snuggling up to her as closely as she can.

It takes Diana by surprise, but not much. She holds Akko in turn, slowly grabbing at the blankets to pull them up and over the both of them. Akko sighs and deflates against her.

"I'm so so so glad you're all better now..."

Diana brushes her hand back through Akko's bangs and kisses her forehead.

"As I've said, I have you to thank."

Akko makes a happy little trill, easing herself up a few inches to look down at her. She's so happy she might cry again.

But before that can happen she meets Diana's eyes, desperately asking permission. Diana gives a nod and raises her chin invitingly.

Akko gladly dips down and kisses her lips, letting it say everything she can't find words for; she's so relieved, she's so happy, she loves her so much...

Diana feels Akko go limp during the kiss, and she can't blame her for falling asleep after what she'd been through. She gently shifts herself and moves Akko a little, positioning her more comfortably to one side and having her head rest on the pillow. She's already snoring softly.

Diana kisses her one more time.

"Goodnight, Akko."

She nestles herself close, wrapping both arms around her to let the soft comfortable warmth wreath between them.

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A/N: The whole inspiration behind this fic was actually a piece of artwork (that has since become lost) of Akko and Diana walking through a forest with spirits all around them. The artist's caption read something like "The spirits pass by when they sense true love." And I made several tweaks to the concept, but lo and behold this story was born!

I wanted to emphasis everyone working together at first to help Diana, but ultimately wanted it to be Akko to finish the job once and for all. I wanted to show her using her broom-riding skills, and I wanted to revisit her dragon transformation from Threaded.

I also got the idea of the forest spirit and all its oddities and wonders, and had a ton of fun writing it!

And of course we'll have a little epilogue~