WARNINGS: References to YHVH (this might offend religious people—feel free to skip to chapter 3, because this chapter is mainly about OC's relationship with Naoya). This chapter was inspired by the song 'Don't Look At Me Like That' by Song Ji Eun, which I would suggest you try listening to when reading this. :) Anyways, hope you enjoy this chapter! Again, please review!
2
The next time I woke up was during the sacrificial ceremony.
"Finally, this day has come…! How long I have longed for this day! Come forth, our god…!"
I will never forget the excruciating pain that spread throughout my body. It felt as if I was thrown into a large pot of boiling water and then skinned alive. I was in agony and yet the pain wouldn't stop. All I could hear was the faint chanting from the Shomonkai.
Throughout the whole ritual, I was fading in and out of consciousness. The only reason that I was still alive despite the pain was because of Amane. Her constant healing prevented me from dying from my injuries.
However the healing did nothing to ease the pain.
Eventually, the summoning was completed and Belberith was called forth.
I was dying—I could tell. My whole body was weak and my breathing had become shallow gasps. With my vision blurry and everything spinning around me, I could bare tell what was going on. Surprisingly, Naoya and Kazuya made it just in time, after the summoning was completed. While Kazuya and the others fought the demon, Naoya rushed to my side.
"Rhei…Rhei….! Can you hear me…?!" His voice was hoarse and strained. He knelt down next to my fallen form and wrapped his arms around me. His fingers brushed my cheeks lightly, trying to keep me awake. His featherlike touches would always make my heart flutter. He seemed always so cautious, as if I was nothing for than fragile porcelain doll. Though he rarely displayed his affection physically, I knew deep in his heart, he cared.
It never bothered me that he was actually Cain, a murderer because I knew that the man he was before wasn't the same man he is now. Over the years, he changed, but yet he was still being shunned by who he was.
He was cursed.
But that didn't keep me or Kazuya away from him.
"Stay with me, Rhei! I'll heal you, so please hang in there….!" His voice wavered as he grasped my shoulders.. He had his teeth gritting together and I could tell he was holding back from crying.
He let out a frustrated shout.
This wasn't like him at all. I've never seen him look so….upset.
Slowly, I reached out to touch his face. He froze for a moment before he grasped my hand with his larger ones. Burying his face into my neck, he hugged me tighter.
"Just when I've sorted my feelings out….this had to happen… I guess god never gives me a break," Naoya then gave a bitter laugh, which sounded almost resentful. "It's unfair, isn't it? To have things you cherish robbed away from you like this…What right does he have to toy with our lives like this? I'll never forgive HIM for this…Never…..!"
I ran my fingers through his soft silver locks and then caressing his face…
"Naoya, I know it's a little late, but I want you to know that I'll always love you—
I was cut off when he leaned in and pressed his lips against mine.
They moulded so perfectly…
This wasn't the first time we kissed, but I knew it was going to be our last.
While Kazuya fought off the demons with Kaido and Atsuro, Naoya stayed by my side until my last breath.
"I'll see you again….I promise." Were his last whispers.