The last time I felt it, I was already falling in this seemingly endless depth.
Are my eyes shut? I thought. My eyes are however, wide open, painfully seeking light to seep in. I can feel the surge of air I was falling on against. Why am I falling?
I knew I should panic, but for someone reason, I couldn't. Feeling a slight twitching in my chest, I tried to call for my sister.
"Risa... Risa are you there..."
I gulped. Did I just speak? I couldn't... feel my voice... Risa...
I rested my eyes and simply disregarded the restlessness of my chest. I tried visualizing myself reaching the bottom of the depth. Where is my fear of death?
This must be the end.... If I reach the bottom of this, I will get smashed right? I can feel... myself falling faster...
I wonder... Will anybody notice? 'Coz why am I here at the first place? I don't even know, myself...
I chuckled a little.
But what is this...
All of a sudden, someone caught me in his firm, yet gentle, hold.
I stopped falling... Who could have... No, I wouldn't open my eyes...
"Why didn't you call for me? I was worried sick about you!"
It's Daisuke's voice! Yes. It's him without a doubt. But... he was worried sick about me?
Slowly, I reached for the side of his face. It was wet, and tears continued flowing.
Why are you crying, Daisuke... Stop it... I'm fine...
At this my eyes began to swell as well. I tried to reach his face to kiss, but he spoke.
"Didn't I tell you before? If you get into any trouble, just call my name, and I will definitely find you."
I smiled weakly. Yes, he did say something like that. My twitching heart calmed down a little. Then he continued.
"I love you so much, Risa. Please don't get me so worried next time."
He kissed my lips, and embraced me tight like he would never let go of me again. Now I couldn't stop my tears from flowing. I never actually thought he would tell that to Risa, too.
Daisuke... you are saving me... kssing and embracing me like this... just because you thought I am Risa?
I remembered. It was Risa he actually liked from the start. No, definitely not me. It will never happen. How could I be so foolish? I assumed a lot, I guess. Now. what right have I got to get hurt?
But doesn't getting this close with him feel good, Riku? Yes, but it does feel good...
For a moment there, I thought, I would keep playing on as Risa. But why, all of a sudden, I only felt feathers lifting me. A clash of mixed emotion suddenly filled my heart that it somewhat numbed its pain.
If Daisuke really is Dark, I would no longer wonder why he would choose Risa over me.
My feet landed the ground. The feathers were gone, and I knew I was alone again. I stood still until my eyes stopped shedding tears. However, the twitching in my chest continued, even pounding more intensely every second. Aimless at thought, I began to walk; I didn't know where I was going to, or what lies ahead for me. It felt like never-ending darkness.
However, little by little, as I kept on walking, my body was feeling some sort of warmth. It feels good, I thought, so I kept on walking toward the source of heat, until finally, I found her. She was a beautiful tall woman hanging upon nothing. She was wearing a long white gown, but it appeared golden because of her sun-like glow.
Despite her face having no hint of emotion, her bewitching dark eyes were widely open, looking straight at mine. She must be watching me even before I got here.
What are you?
The elegant iris of her eyes followed me as I walked sidewards to examine her. Her eyes were the only part of her body that move. Her entire body was like a frozen vessel.
I was tempted to touch her glow. She was the only light I could see amidst the enveloping darkness. I touched her foot. I felt a surge of heat flowing from my hand to my entire body. I was being lifted from any pain and darkness. It was the most comfortable thing I felt ever since I woke up in this seemingly hopeless darkness.I closed my eyes, and smiled.
Ah, yes... I remember you. You and I... are one...
She curled down to touch my face and kiss me. Before long, all darkness had disappeared and was engulfed by the glaring light we were emitting.
"Uhh... madame?" Towa-chan approached Emiko, apparently confused. "Wouldn't it be much easier for Dai-chan if I'm the one you asked to search for the ring? Finding stuffs is my expertise after all!"
"I know, that's why I asked him to do it. Don't worry, it's all part of his training," Emiko grinned. Kosuke and Daiki Niwa simply felt pity for Daisuke, but anyway, both continued with what they were doing; Kosuke returned to reading, while Daiki sit back on his couch to watch his favorite TV show.
"By the way," Emiko glared, "didn't I just tell you to scrub the basement floors?!"
"Eeeerp!" Towa-chan frantically transformed back into a bird, and flew downstairs. "That madame is so damn scary!"
"Err... it must be somewhere here, right Dark?" Daisuke said, sort of begging reassurance. But Dark was just too unmotivated to answer.
With popped up, and leaped over Daisuke's shoulder. "Kyo! Kyo! Kyo!~"
"Eh? What is it, With?"
Apparently, With was trying to show Daisuke something glowing from his pocket. It was the ring Hiwatari gave earlier. Daisuke checked on his pocket, and remembered what Hiwatari had told them.
They are complimentary art pieces of the Hikari.
"That's right! If this ring is reacting like this, maybe the Wildrose is just close by!" said Daisuke, hopes renewed.
Meanwhile, the ring glowed brighter. And much brighter, that it did not escape Daisuke's notice. "Dark, what's happening?"
"Eh?"
( ! )
"DAISUKE!"
Dark was blinded by a thick glare of light.
"Dark!" screamed Daisuke, panicking. "I don't hear you in my head! Where are you?! What is happening?"
Dark groaned. "Daisuke, hold on there a sec! Sh*t! I couldn't see a thing."
"Dark! Dark!" shouted Daisuke's fading voice. Dark covered himself from a huge explosion of intense light.
The light was gone. Daisuke was gone. The only thing left was a lifeless ring.
Dark, however, recovered his sight, dazed.
Note:
This chapter was kinda delayed. I'm quite busy during weekends actually, so there. I thank the reviewers I got in the previous chapter of Sentiments of Riku Hirada. :) Thank you, thank you much!
By the way, I'm somewhat adapting a light novel style of writing, so there. I hope you don't mind if you find my works sort of like a flattened manga. 'Coz that's just how it appears in my mind.
Jell E. Ace
