In a small inner chamber, Eiji was finally left alone. It was a modest room with only a single bed and a side table. There was only one window in the corner. Through it, the rising moon cast its light upon them. Usually, Eiji loved to stay up and watch the moon rise with Ash but today he didn't even register it. He didn't seem aware of anything.
The first thing Eiji was to collapse onto the bed warily. Ash was by his side in an instant, pulling him close. Eiji lay there huddled against him as if Ash had the power to shelter him from the cruel world. They stayed like that for hours as the moon crept higher in the sky.
Ash wanted to apologize but didn't know how. What could he say to voice his guilt and hatred in a way that could help Eiji? He felt so hopeless lying there with the night slowly ticking by. Dawn would be upon them soon and Eiji would be lead He would spend tomorrow being decorated for the evening sacrifice. Ash knew he had less than twenty-four hours now to fix this but couldn't figure out how. His powers were useless against the Hiereus' greed.
As they were lying there a servant appeared, bring a light meal; Eiji's last meal. Ash's stomach dropped at the thought. This would be the last thing Eiji ate if nothing changed. The servant placed the tray on the side table and quickly departed, not even glancing towards Eiji. Once the door clicked shut Ash turned his attention to the tray. On it was a small loaf of bread and a tiny bowl of soup. Ash stared at it incredulously. That was it? They were going to kill him, and they couldn't even bother to give him more?
With his amplified hearing Ash could make out the sounds of a celebration happening in the main hall. The Hiereus it seemed wasn't going to feed Eiji but there were going to stuff themselves. Ash's temper flared. How dare they feast while Eiji waited for death. They would all pay.
It took him a moment to realize he was gripping Eiji rather tightly. Releasing him he checked for injuries. Eiji seemed fine though he hadn't moved a muscle since he curled up to Ash. He hadn't even raised his head when the servant entered. His eyes were closed but Ash knew he wasn't sleeping. Ash slowly pried himself away and sat up.
"You should eat something." He said gently. Eiji buried his face in the pillow and didn't answer. "Starving yourself won't make this any easier." When Eiji didn't move Ash added pleadingly "Just eat a little."
Eiji lay there for a second longer before sitting and shakily taking the bowl of soup. He managed to force down a quarter of it before giving up. The soup did some good though. With something to digest in his system, his body and mind could begin to process his situation. The light that had dimmed in Eiji's eyes returned. He looked around the room as if he just realized that they were alone. Then the tears came. He curled his legs back to this chest and buried his face in the pillow.
"Ash, please tell me this isn't happening. I-I don't want to die." Ash lay down next to him and gathered him in his arms. Eiji turned and burying himself as close to Ash as he physically could.
"I know." He said gently rubbing his back. "I know."
"Why…..Why me?" Eiji cried. "I never did anything wrong." His voice trailed off into helpless sobs as he let out all his fears and frustrations. Ash held him close listening to his wails. He wished he was a god of words or poetry, perhaps then he might know what to say. Instead, he was the god of the sun, so he'd have to rely on his strength.
The feeling of helplessness intensified. There wasn't much he could do. He was tempted to turn into his human form and break Eiji out. Enough time had finally passed since he last used that power. The problem was Ash could hear guards outside the door and in mortal form, he lacked the power to fight. All he could really do right now was to stay by Eiji's side and let him cry out his woes.
The night wore on. The sounds of the celebration were dying down as Eiji's cries finally subsided into whimpers. Ash's mind turned over his options, trying to devise a plan. None of them would work. They all seemed to end with the Hiereus twisting his words and actions to their own desires. Frustrated Ash began clutching on any idea that passed through his head, even the ludicrous ones.
A sudden small burst of power shot through him, startling him out of his thoughts. As the power died down he could hear echoes of cries and pleas. It seemed that Eiji's family had finally learned that Eiji was going to be tomorrow evening's sacrifice. They were in Ash's temple begging him to save Eiji. Right now, it was Yumi and her mom though sometimes Sing's pleas would join the girls. Ash guessed that Sing was collecting wheat from the fields while the girls prayed. Their offerings only served to make him feel guilty. They thought Ash did this on purpose. They thought, like everyone else that all the gifts Ash bestowed on Eiji were to prepare for him for this moment.
Ash tried to ignore his guilt as he closed himself off from the offerings and cries. Their wheat sacrifice wouldn't be enough to stop the blade from striking Eiji down. It wouldn't be enough to stop Eiji from bleeding out on his altar as he gasped his last breaths. Ash was going to be forced to watch, his beloved being tied down and sliced open. He was going to watch Eiji's eyes lose their light as his precious lifeblood spilled all over the alter and splatted on the temple floor. Then he was going to see them set Eiji's body aflame with the sacred fire. He was going to feel Eiji's soul's last cries of anguish as it was devoured and torn apart.
It was too much. Ash took a shuttering breath and tucked his head against Eiji's. How could Eiji die horribly when he was still right here beside him? How could Eiji's eyes lose their light when they shone so brightly right now? Eiji was alive and breathing. His heart was beating. They couldn't just take him away like that. They couldn't remove something so precious from the world.
"Ash." Eiji's voice sounded muffled against Ash's chest. "Can I ask you something?" Ash looked down. From what he could see of Eiji he had stopped crying, but he still shook terribly. Ash gently ran a hand through his hair.
"What is it?"
"What's going to happen to me after I'm sacrificed?" Ash jerked his head back as if Eiji slapped him.
"Why do you want to know that? It's not going to happen."
"But if it does I need to know…." Eiji gulped. "I have to prepare myself for the worst-case scenario." He gazed up at Ash who couldn't meet his eyes. "What's going to happen to me?"
"When you're thrown into my sacred flames you'll be consumed completely," Ash said quietly, horrified by his own words. "Your entire being will dissolve into power for me. There won't be enough of you to enter the afterlife. You will…. just stop existing."
Eiji gulped and tightened his grip on Ash's tunic. "Do you have to consume me when I die? Can't you let my soul go?"
"It's not a choice. I don't consume sacrifices like you eat food. The sacred fire is mine and anything thrown in it will be consumed whether I want it to or not." Eiji paused for a moment.
"Will it hurt?" his voice was quiet, almost childlike. "Will it hurt to be consumed?"
Ash gazed down at him. Suddenly Eiji seemed too thin, too small. Was he always like this? He knew Eiji was tough and strong yet this Eiji seemed too timid to be in this situation. Ash opened his mouth, but the words died on his lips. How could he tell Eiji the truth? How could he tell him that it would hurt horribly, worse than dying? There was no sensation on Earth to compare to how it felt to have your soul ripped to pieces.
"That's not something you should worry about." He said gruffly kissed Eiji. "I won't let that happen." They still had time. Ash could figure this out. This couldn't be the end.
"Even so…I want to know," Eiji said seriously.
"I don't want to answer." Ash croaked, burring his head in Eiji's chest. Eiji's warmth surrounded him, a sensation that would disappear if he couldn't find a way out of this. "Please don't ask me."
"That bad huh," Eiji said in a small voice. Ash gave a strangled sob in response.
"Worse than dying." He could feel Eiji shutter as his fingers dug into his shirt.
"I see."
"Hey." Ash raised his head and folded Eiji into his arms. "You don't need to worry. I'm going to stop this. I promise." He hated how much he was saying that. The words felt empty and hollow.
"How?" Eiji sounded doubtful. "They won't listen to you." Ash gulped and bowed his head in shame. Even Eiji didn't think he would survive this. Was Ash that unreliable?
"I'm still figuring that out." He admitted quietly. Eiji hummed thoughtfully, his hands relaxing on Ash's clothes.
"You tried covering the sun and that didn't work. I'm guessing refusing to start fires or overcooking people's foods won't do much either." It seemed that brainstorming was helping Eiji keep his mind off things. He sounded livelier or at least more alert. Ash jumped in.
"They'll interpret it the way they want to. I was thinking of turning into a human and trying to break you free." Ash sighed. "But I can't overpower the guards without my god abilities."
"How about dreams?" Eiji asked, "Even with simple wheat sacrifice you can give dreams."
"I can give dreams without any sacrifices. It's one of the abilities all gods have."
"So, would that work?"
Ash paused for a moment considering it. Would it work? Dreams were difficult and in the past, Ash never had much luck with them. Although they were more specific than random miracles they were still up to interpretation. That being said a well-placed bad dream could scare the Hiereus. When Ash blocked the sun, they were scared. If the High Hiereus hadn't interpreted Ash's actions they might have released Eiji. Ash could send them a dream with a clear message, one that they wouldn't be able to weasel themselves out of.
"Maybe." Ash said slowly "If I give them strong enough nightmares…"
"It could work?" Hope was seeping into Eiji's voice.
"Most likely." Ash gave a small chuckle feeling lighter. They still had one more chance to solve this. Eiji wrapped his arms around Ash's neck, all tenseness was gone. With a plan in place, he was feeling more comfortable and confident. The events of tomorrow would never happen. Eiji would never feel the pain of the sacrificial blade or the sacred fire.
"Well then." Ash started to get up, his energy renewed. "I better get to work." Instantly Eiji tensed against him, his arms tightening.
"Do you need to do it now? I mean…" he loses his grip embarrassed. "I would rather not be alone…" he looked away. "Sorry, I'm being stupid. You're trying to save me and I'm clinging to you."
"Hey." Ash sunk back down. "It's alright. I don't blame you for not wanting to be alone with your thoughts." Ash had been there too many times. "How about this. I'll wait until you fall asleep then I'll go haunt their dreams."
"Won't that be risky?"
"Not really. It would be better to wait a little while anyway. Not all of them are in bed." He could still hear some sounds from the main hall. "Go to sleep. I'm here with you." Eiji nodded and relaxed. Snuggling back in Ash's arms he gave a small sigh of content and closed his eyes.
"Ash?" he asked after a few seconds. Ash gave a small hum of acknowledgment. "Do you think Sing and my family got the news by now?"
"They have. They're in my temple begging me to release you." Ash ran a hand through Eiji's hair absentmindedly.
"They'll blame you for this." To Ash's horror, a stray tear escaped Eiji's eyes. "I know it's stupid, but I'm still worried that I'll never make it home…"
"Hey," Ash said sternly. "You need to stop thinking about it. You will go home." His voice softened. "Then you can tell them that I wasn't the one who planned this. You can even tell them that we're dating."
"Really?" Eiji smiled a little. "I thought you want to keep that a secret?"
"After all this, I'd rather them understand why I spoiled you so much. I hate that they think I wanted any of this."
"My sister will probably faint when I tell her." Eiji laughed weakly. "And my mom will brag to all our neighbors."
"You'll be the talk of the land." Ash laughed. "People will come from near and far to meet the boyfriend of the sun god. They'll lay gifts at your feet and stare up at you in wonder."
"I hope not." Eiji looked up horrified. "That would be embarrassing."
"It's what you deserve." Ash kissed him gently.
"Only you think I deserve that," Eiji muttered.
"And I'm the all-powerful sun god. You'll find that what I think has weight." Ash said in a loud impressive voice.
"Didn't I chase you halfway through the town with a carved pumpkin on my head?" Eiji rolled his eyes. "I think that 'all powerful' might be stretching it a little."
"It's not my fault that those plants are pure evil," Ash grumbled. Eiji lifted his head and laughed. It was such a pure sound that Ash lay still basking in it. Perfection, that's what his boyfriend was.
"Thank you, for being here with me," Eiji said when his laughter subsided. He raised a hand and traced Ash's shoulder slowly. "It would be horrible to be here alone."
"I'll be with you always," Ash muttered. Absentmindedly he scooted his hand under Eiji's arm and brushed his birthmark gently. Eiji gave a small squawk of protest followed by a low giggle. The sound was so much better than the one he made when the Hiereus touched it that Ash took heart. Everything would be alright.
They talked for a little while but soon lapsed into silence. It was peaceful lying there listening to Eiji's slow breathing as he slipped into a deep slumber. The sounds from the main hall had ceased by that time. It was quite a show of confidence that Eiji was able to sleep with so much on the line. He believed Ash wouldn't let him down. Ash hoped he could live up to his expectations. Detached himself, Ash slowly got up, shivering in the chilly night air. It was warmer in Eiji's arms and a part of him longed to snuggle back down. As he moved across the bed Eiji muttered his name and rolled over but didn't wake. Ash stood and stretched, his muscles stiff from lying still for so long.
"Do you actually believe this is going to work?"
Ash froze midstretch and slowly lowered his arms. He didn't need to turn to know who was there, he could recognize that voice anywhere. Yut-Lung had come to visit. Sure, enough when he finally turned he found the unpleasant sight of the night god floating in a shadow next to the windowsill.
"What do you want," Ash growled softly as to not wake Eiji.
"Isn't it obvious?" He asked raising an eyebrow. Ash felt his annoyance rise. He didn't have time for Yut-Lung's games. It wasn't like he could hurt Eiji here as long as his boyfriend was resting in the moonlight. Even so, he hated how close Yut-Lung was.
"Just answer the question."
"I'm here to watch the show." Yut-Lung turned his attention to Eiji. "You did a good job of keeping him calm today. It's quite disappointing. I was hoping he would panic more. It's fun to watch your little human suffer" Ash growled. Yut-Lung turned towards him again a smug smile played at his lips. "I guess I shouldn't have bothered threatening him all this time. If I knew your Hiereus would destroy him so completely I would have been less aggressive."
"He's not going to die."
"Oh Ash, once again you have too much faith in humanity." Yut-Lung shook his head sadly, his long hair floating out behind him. Crossing his legs in mid-air he pointed a figure at Ash. "Your plan will fail. You can't control humans without violence and death. Until you maim or murder them they will do as they please. They want someone to die so someone's going to die and who fits that role better than your perfect, precious little Eiji." He spat the last couple of words out.
"Shut up." Ash took a threatening step forward.
"Why are you angry at me?" Yut-Lung snorted. "I didn't choose Eiji to be sacrificed. If there's anyone you should blame it's yourself. You fattened the cattle for the slaughter. Your gifts and adorations were too obvious. He walks in your light and your grace. Humans like special shining things, especially as gifts to the gods."
Ash gritted his teeth but didn't answer. He knew Yut-Lung was right, but it still angered him to hear it from his lips.
"I'll stop this. I'll save him."
Yut-Lung sniffed disapprovingly "You've become weak. The Ash I knew; the one who teamed up with me to destroy Dino and my brothers would not care if a silly little human died, especially one as uninteresting as Eiji. We did not take out the gods of death and destruction so you could frolic with a mortal. If he wasn't softening you, you would have ruled with an iron fist."
"I've never ruled that way." Ash snapped. "I only ever asked for wheat from humans." Eiji turned over his sleep and Ash pressed his lips together. He was being too loud. He couldn't afford to let Yut-Lung rial him up like this. Taking a deep breath, he turned away and walked to the door.
"Feel free to stay and watch. You'll only be disappointed." He could feel Yut-Lung's sharp eyes on him as he left. Yut-Lung never understood his connection to Eiji. He couldn't see how Eiji's hard-working, down-to-earth nature could be so appealing. Ash knew better. He knew his world would end if Eiji was killed. He would do anything to protect his precious world.