Everlasting

Chidori Yoshino

Junpei stands next to Nyx incarnate, goddess in flesh and blood, held there by her immense power. His brown hair is matted to his head, and the sensitive grey eyes I have come to love look to me longingly. I stand and stare as the goddess' big black eyes pierce my body and soul, thinking thoroughly about my next move.

Nyx spoke in a voice that chilled my spirit and being. "You cannot defeat me! You are but a mere mortal, and I am a goddess! You do know the ultimate sacrifice, do you not? I don't think you have the will power to sacrifice your own life. I will spare your little insignificant life if you leave now. What does this mortal mean to you?" She concluded with a smirk on her face. I then hear my dear Junpei call to me like a lost child calling for his mother.

"Chidori."

It is at that calling I gain my strength. I can't let Junpei die. My one true love Junpei is. It is time he finally knew it.

"Chidori." He says more sternly, as if he knew what I was about to say.

"I sacrifice myself to become the seal and remove Nyx from this world!" I called into the emptiness that is between Junpei and I. Lifting my invoker to my temple, I hesitate, but fear Junpei's potential demise pulls the trigger for me. The loud shattering of glass erupts from the other side of my head.

"Chidori, no!" He yelled to me, as if he could stop my imminent death with words, but it was already done.

A sudden flash of light and I am blinded, which causes me to fall to my knees as I feel my soul slowly slip into the further. I am lying on the ground now, clinging to what feels like my last few breaths. Nyx is gone now.

"Chidori!" Junpei calls to me again, now free to run to my side. "Why? Why would you sacrifice yourself for me? Don't leave!"

"I saved our world. Most of all, I saved you. I love you, Jun-"

Wheeze Wheeze Wheeze

Junpei holds me as I lose consciousness. Then I black out, thinking I was dead, I let go and welcomed the darkness that quickly consumes me.

I am tired. I understand how this goes. I will slowly be drained of all my strength, soul, and very being. It is only a matter of time. Then I will be fully within the seal between earth and Nyx's realm. I, alone, will protect the world from Nyx and her shadows. It hurts to say the dreaded word….alone. I will protect those I am soon to leave behind.

I awoke in my bed, god only knows how many days later.

"Chidori?" Junpei's voice was gentle, yet pleading.

I could see clearly now, Junpei had dark circles under his eyes, which were bloodshot, and he looked as if he had aged 30 years. In the midst of all these dreadful realizations, he still looked spectacular to me.

"Junpei?" I said, not really sure why it came out like a question. I really just wanted to say his delightful name.

"Yes, I'm here I'm so glad you're finally awake. I thought I'd lost you forever," he said slowly, "How do you feel?"

"I really feel fine." I said," What happened after I fell?"

"What? I just remember carrying you here and staying ever since. I can't say I recall you falling, did you?"

Junpei's statement stunned me. He didn't remember? Then why did I? What made him forget the sacrifice I had made for him?

"You don't remember?"

"Remember what? Are you sure you're ok?" he asked.

Then it hit me like a slap in the face. Nyx wiped his memory, it's the only explanation. If he didn't remember our previous encounter of admitting feelings, then why was he being so nice to me? He placed his hand on my cheek and brushed my long red hair out of my face. Oh just dang great! We are now back to the awkwardness of pre-relationship flirting!

"I'm fine, I think. But why are you acting like this?" I asked.

He furrowed his eye brows, obviously thinking.

"I really don't know where it is coming from. I just have a feeling, and I enjoy it."

"Love?" I asked, immediately surprised at my boldness.

He was silent. Then, he lifts my hand and placed it on his chest, more descriptively, his heart. My own skipped a couple of beats, then fell into time with his. It was like a symphony only we could hear.

"I feel I really do, but it's not in my head….it's in my heart."

"Well, I-" I begin before he cuts me off.

"I love you." He said as he finally released my hand, which fell to my side on the bed.

I sat and stared at him, wanting him to say it again. I closed my eyes and lingered on each magnificent syllable. It seems his head forgot, but his heart did not. Then a wave hit me; I felt weary and tired all of the sudden. How long had I been out? I asked Junpei and his response was alarming.

"A couple of days. I was actually close to taking you to the hospital."

I knew I didn't have long left.

"Junpei, I-" I began.

"Hold on, Chidori. I almost forgot, I made you breakfast. I'll go get it." He said as he disappeared around the corner.

I could no longer stay awake; I know I am going now. I can't call for Junpei. I just feel more and more of my soul slip away. I try to get out of bed and just fall to the floor. Junpei returns and dropped the tray he was holding.

"Chidori!" He called, running to me, taking me up in his strong arms.

I used what strength I can conjure up to say goodbye, wasting no time.

"Junpei, my love for you will last forever. Please don't forget me." I have no strength left.

Here I am again, in Junpei's arms. This time is real though, I am really going to die. He held me as I gradually drain away.

"I love you, Chidori. I'll never forget you." He says through his strong tears. Reaching for the tray he had dropped on the floor, he grabs the long-stem, red rose which had been resting beautifully on. Handing it to me gently, I grasp it in my slender hands, which he covers with his strong ones.

Junpei's body heaves as he covers my limp body in tears. I'm not ready to go yet. As my spiritual body leaves my mortal one, I weigh myself down, as with and anchor.

'Could he live without me?' I ask myself, when the more persistent question in my mind is,

'Can I make it without him?'

Then I feel a reassuring glow deep inside myself. I can make it, and he will too. To keep this loving person from the rest of the world would be selfish and unnecessary.

That feeling made leaving so much better. Junpei's words burned a special place in my soul and would undeniably stay forever. My body is an empty vessel now. I am fully within the seal. I will alone protect the world from Nyx's army of barbaric shadows. I know I will see Junpei again…..someday.