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Himmel was dying.
Himmel wasn't afraid of the idea of dying. He was human, that's how the cycle of life worked. Besides, he had lived a good life and had even gone down in history as the hero who defeated the Demon King alongside his companions.
Ah, his companions! Himmel would miss Eisen, Heiter, and especially Frieren. The elf was sitting in a chair beside the bed, having fulfilled a promise made long ago.
A part of Himmel didn't want that to be the last memory Frieren would have of him: he was no longer handsome or agile or anything that reminded her of his glory days. His blue hair had completely fallen out, his face was covered in wrinkles, and now he was nothing more than a frail old man.
That part was small compared to the part that wanted Frieren by his side until his last breath.
He felt the warmth of a smaller hand enclosing his. A smile formed on his wrinkled face, recalling when Frieren had fallen ill and he had held her hand in that same way to make her feel better.
Himmel looked at Frieren. He still wanted to say so many things to her.
Please, don't wander alone after my death. Find new companions, keep going on more adventures. Know that I loved you from the day I met you until my last day of life. Don't forget me.
He didn't have the strength to say any of those words. It was so hard to breathe.
A squeeze on his hand made Himmel feel a metallic chill and realize that Frieren was still wearing that mirrored lotus ring he had once given her, as a symbolism for eternal love.
"Eternal love", he thought. He wasn't a devout man like Heiter, he didn't know if the Goddess really existed. Maybe there was an afterlife where they would all meet in heaven. Maybe they would reincarnate and meet again with new appearances. Maybe none of that existed and they would just turn to dust, their deeds buried along with them.
The only thing he knew was that he would love Frieren even after death, and that was enough for him.
With that thought, Himmel closed his eyes for the last time.