Hakon tearily embraced him, shuddering with relief as she hugs him tightly to her. Yes, she did regret giving up her chastity in a way- but not enough for it to truly haunt her. After all, what could one ask more? Giving their bodies up for the first time to another and finding them to be their soulmate? That in itself was a divine miracle. She hugged him to her, pressing her face to his neck as he took off her helm, shivering as the frost slowly began to melt from her armor and dampen as if thawed in her hair. She chuckles, he was absolutely right.

taking a deep breath, she pressed her lips to his cheek," We're almost there," she rasps quietly

Aven kissed her cheek. "Hakon, the past is the past: you cannot change what has already been done, no matter how much one wishes to. You can, however, shape your future." One hand stroked her stomach, and Aven smiled. "Let's not make our same mistakes again." The ground below them began to shift, becoming pitch black as they reached the final leg of their journey. Aven's barrier dissipated, returning to him, and they found themselves in a dark space, with only a single lantern on a hook to light it. "It seems we're there." 

Hakon's gaze flickered about the darkness before focusing upon the single lantern. The hippogryph, Ansgar, appeared from behind them, hooking his chin over her shoulder and utterly a low churring sound- whatever trial he had endured, it seemed her had survived quite unscathed. Nonetheless, the beast stared straight forward, seeming to expect silently what was to come and nudging his beak into Hakon's palm as she raises it to gently stroke his muzzle.

" I don't understand- wasn't there supposed to be a castle? The Goddess?" She asks, what if they had been tricked? The thought made her feel weak, leaning against Aven. What if they were trapped?

Aven wrapped an arm around Hakon to calm her, glancing around the darkness. I can't see anything… what's going on? His eyes came to rest on the lantern once more, and its light stung at his pupils. Is that…? "The lantern, it's divine light. Whatever darkness is being cast here, it isn't natural: even my senses as a shadow are being blocked. That means the only way forward is using that lantern to light our path." He smiles gently, and nudges Hakon forward with him. "Take the lantern, I'll be right beside you, there's nothing to fear, Haki."

Hakon rests her handover his arm as the hippogryph gently kneels, she paused before murmuring to Aven," That light, won't it hurt you?" Her voice no more then the barest of whispers as if hesitant to break the silence. She wanted to protest that she wasn't afraid- in fact- she wasn't for herself at the least. Nonetheless, she moves forward, approaching the lamp wearily before pausing and murmurs inaudibly to the beast that accompanied them. Ansgar paused before kneeling- allowing her to slip atop his tawny back as she affectionately ran her fingers through its feathered mane. Straining upward to grasp the lamp before the creature slowly walked on, large wings folded ovef Hakon's legs and hooves and talons clicking patiently upon stone that could not be seend but for the pool of golden light.

Aven neglects to answer her question, leaving his silence as the affirmation of her suspicions. The truth was, Aven didn't trust the darkness around them enough to meld to it. It was as if the darkness was owned by something, someone: he surmised that Dalanesca's power as the god of shadows had a supressing effect on other users of similar magic. The only darkness her could count on was the space occupied by Shade, who was, at the time, jittery and anxious. 

The light stung at his flesh, a few burns developing as they walked along, though Aven paid them little attention. He'd suffered much worse in his time that a small singe, he could bear it. They walked along the path silently, but soon the eerie lack of sound became too much for Aven to handle, never having experienced the choking feeling of having his sense stolen by the dark. He prompted Shade to play a bit of music through vibrations, giving shape to a somber melody that he thought fitting to the occasion, as Aven began to sing:

I walk the path of no return,
my eyes wide open, undeterred;
For by my side, a holy light
guides swift and true throughout the night.

Oh lead me, love, for I can't bear
the trials here alone. I fear
the dark inside my lonely heart:
Stay by my side and never part.

So shatter now, you walls of fate!
Our destiny, beyond the gate,
shall open now for all to see:
together for eternity!

Oh, lead me love, for I can't bear
the trials here alone. I fear
the dark inside my lonely heart:
Stay by my side and never part.

Hakon starts slightly as her dearest love begins to sing, relaxing slowly as she allows his voice to wash over him as she settles the lantern carefulled before her, tucked slightly against the Hipoogryph's feathered mane as they continued their quiet, rather tense yet somehow utterly serene trek through this world of complete darkness. The light warmed the leather tucked beneath the plates upon her thighs, and she felt oddly… Relaxed, her eyes flickering closed as sleep threatened to overtake her. One of her hands rested over her slightly swelled stomach. Do you here that, my baby? She asked the unborn child in her mind, Can you hear your father singing? You won't know how much he's truly given up for you and I, my precious one. I still cannot quite comprehend it. We'll pay him back with our love for now, alright?

A small, warm smile curled her olive lips as the lantern seemed to hum faintly in tune with him. At least… Such a power could recognize the humanity in song, even if it was sung by a… Creature such as Aven.

Aven's song came to a close, his voice trailing off into the darkness. Ahead of them, the path came to an end as well, bringing them to a brimstone gate much like that at the entrance to the Inferno. The area beyond the gate was lit by silver luminescent plants lining the road. Another Shepard's hook like the one they procured the lantern from stood before them, at the beginning of the plants, signaling they no longer needed such a tool. Further down the road, they came to a artfully crafted mansion, seemingly constructed fully from silver and obsidian. It was obvious they'd reached their goal. "We've made it, Haki." Aven turned and smiled to his love, giving Ansgar a small pat on the mane. "With help from a new companion, of course."

The Hipoogryph rather proudly arched his well muscled neck, clicking his beak as if saying 'you're damn right', rather proudly. The feathers atop his head remained erect and fluttered warily as they approached the gate. Hakon moved the lantern about her body as Aven approached, ensuring he remained mainly protected as he approached by shielding her within her stark shadow. Offering a faint smile, she nods gently," Ah- I have a feeling he will be with us for quite some time," she murmurs warmly as her gaze flickers to the massive gate. Her lips slightly parted as she says," 'Dolor Fulvium'…" reading the silver lettering above the arched gate," But where is the Guardian?"

Aven shakes his head. "This is not a Circle of the Inferno: this is the home of Dalanesca, the God of the Underworld. However, I would say that there was something unnatural in that darkness along the road that even I wouldn't mess with." He glances back, still a small bit curious what that presence was. "Regardless, I'm not sure whether we can even enter the mansion without her permission. The presence here is much like Tar Eisalae, the God of Knowledge and Secrets' library. Quite remarkable, I'm sure Dalanesca's known we're here since the moment we entered the Inferno."