A reassuring goodbye. (Why not, really?)
He had to be the one to look stronger, despite hurting just as much if not worse than she was, to waver right now on his decision would make him regret everything if not make him not take the step he intended to, which would surely lead to tragedy due to cowardice, and to trade a terrible fate just because he can’t part from her side for as long as it’s necessary... Then he would be disappointing not only himself, his Master, his mother figure... But the entire world and the Gods who in the end trusted he was a possibility worth believing in.
Placing his hands on her shoulders, looking down, there were no tears in his eyes; they didn’t remotely look watery whatsoever. In reality, it was taking him everything to look strong that very moment, surprising to no one, but he was always good at concealing true emotion in the end, even when it was truly being put to the test here.
“You know it by now, I don’t make promises I don’t intend to keep.” Ragna spoke, reassuring, “After all... I have someone waiting for me this time; someone who cares that I’m still breathing and way beyond, if I didn’t have that... I would not be caring if I returned or not.” Stating seriously... He then, from initiative, pulls her close to him, sharing warmth and feeling her softness one last time for it to last.
“I hate that I have to ask, but... Wait. Over this very hill, you’ll see me walk back if you don’t go find me eventually, until then...” Slowly, with much difficulty, he slowly broke from the embrace, for the more he remained in that fashion... The harder it would become to let go and depart.
Turning on his heel, now really not letting her see his face...
“...Until then. Please take care. Stay healthy and keep living a happy life.” The last bit was too specific and oddly particular... Which made it then all but slightly suspicious. But before allowing any doubt to manifest, he was already leaving, the all too familiar red color of his disappearing into the distance over that horizon...