"It's almost over, Kazu..."
Akane's feet lightly pushed against the ground as she snuggled closer to Kazuya's shoulder from her seated position.
"Now that I've gotten rid of Shizuru and Miss Sanada, there's almost no one left to take you away."
Kazuya was seated against the trunk of a tree, surrounded on all sides by thick brush. Akane rested against him, and he didn't mind being her pillow. The couple was still in their Fuuka school uniforms, and Hari sat a few feet away like a sphinx, carefully monitoring the night air for anything that didn't sound like the chirping of crickets or the natural rustling of leaves. This was how the trio had spent the previous few nights, as staying at home at night, where the remaining HiME could easily hunt them, had become increasingly dangerous.
"I'm glad it will be over soon, Akane."
Kazuya gave his lover a warm smile as he quietly replied. At the same time, Akane reached to the back of her head and carefully removed the knot from her ponytail. Her brown hair fell into a short bob cut as she looked toward Kazuya again and quietly spoke.
"I love you, Kazu."
The boy responded by leaning forward and pulling her into a brief kiss. When the two ended their embrace, Akane tiredly rested her head against Kazuya's chest. A content smile remained on her face as her eyes closed and she drifted to sleep.
Kazuya was amazed that Akane was still able to act this way. Each time she crossed paths with another HiME, she fought with a wicked, almost primal brutality, and killed without remorse to protect him. However, when she was alone with him and out of harm's way, she was the same soft, playful, loving girl he had fallen in love with before this nightmare started. His life was the last thread of humanity she still clung to, and losing him at this stage would send her quickly spiraling into unfathomable despair and insanity.
Kazuya shook his head of his tragic thoughts and pressed his back against the thick tree trunk behind him. He began to doze off himself, and he could feel his heavy eyelids slowly fall.
"Kazuya..."
His eyes fluttered back open in full alert upon hearing a deep voice speak his name from seemingly inside of his ears. He scanned the forest walls around him, noticing nothing out of the ordinary and seeing Akane's Child hadn't reacted at all to what he heard. He blamed the matter on his imagination, and closed his eyes once again.
"Kazuya Kurauchi..."
He opened his eyes again, now knowing he couldn't have been hallucinating and feeling somewhat annoyed this time.
"Who... who's there?"
Kazuya scanned the forest again before the voice responded.
"Don't be so worrisome, Kazuya. I have chosen you, and you're the only one who can hear me."
He sighed and shook his head as the voice continued.
"I am called Obsidian Lord by the people of your world. I am the being responsible for the HiME Festival, and I am the source of the power your woman uses."
Kazuya peered down to Akane's peaceful form. He felt a small surge of anger grow in his gut as he questioned the voice.
"You're the one who's been making Akane do all these horrible things?"
"Please mind your temper, Kazuya. The HiME Festival is a process that ensures the prosperity of this land. Your HiME has only been performing her duty by fighting the other girls. She's done quite beautifully, I might add, since she's brought me TWO sacrifices each time she's defeated another HiME."
The voice paused for a moment as if in consideration before continuing.
"Besides, you can't put all of the guilt on me. I was watching you when you instructed your HiME to become a murderer."
Kazuya's face suddenly contorted at these words, as if he was wincing in pain. The being speaking to him was right, and there was no way he could go back at this point, not with Akane so dependent on his existence and her mind in such a fragile form.
"I only did it so she would be happy..."
The voice now spoke to him in a caring tone.
"I know, Kazuya. It's that level of passion you hold for your HiME that makes you the perfect vessel for me. Let me enter your mind."
Kazuya looked upward with a puzzled expression.
"What the Hell does that mean?"
"Nagi hasn't explained these things to you yet? Very well."
Kazuya remained silent as the voice explained everything to him.
"The HiME who wins the Festival is expected to become my wife and use her power to lead the world with me. I require a physical body of my own for this to come about, and you are currently the best candidate. If you become my host, I can lend my power directly to Akane and ensure her victory. I can guide her to the remaining HiME, and this whole ordeal will be over with rather quickly."
Kazuya looked down toward Akane as she slept before he responded.
"What's the alternative?"
"I will have to select another vessel out of the few that remain and support their own HiME. Unfortunately, Akane will ultimately lose, and she'll spend the rest of her life alone after you disappear in the same manner of all of the other defeated HiME's dearest. She will have no hope against a HiME endorsed by my power."
One of Kazuya's hands clenched into a fist at these words. Any fear he had of his own death was eclipsed by the concern he held for Akane's well-being.
"Damn you..."
"Kazuya, please, I'm only answering your question. I truly wish to see Akane win more than any other HiME, but the choice depends on you."
The boy sighed as he gradually came to the conclusion that he only had one option if he wanted to protect the one he loved.
"I get the point. But what will happen to Akane if I go through with this? If you do anything to hurt her..."
The voice became noticeably warmer in nature when it interrupted his statement.
"Don't worry. To her, you and I will be the same person. I would never harm her in any way, nor do anything that would interfere with her love for you. The prosperity of the world depends on her remaining loyal to you, and I know she would never be at odds with my wishes since she has already shed her moral restraints to fight for you."
Kazuya briefly looked downward in thought before responding.
"And what will happen to me?"
"Again, that shall be dependent on you, Kazuya. You will remain in this body with me, but, if you bring yourself to disagree with how I wish to lead this world, you'll constantly find yourself tortured by regret and having no control over your actions. However, if you allow me to fully enter your soul and never object to my will, it will feel as if you're acting under your own impulses, and you'll soon forget you ever had any contact with me. If you don't resist me, my power will keep you together with Akane for eternity."
Kazuya's doubts were put to rest when he felt Akane gently tuck her head under his chin amidst a pleasant dream she was having. He spoke with an air of defeat in his voice.
"I'd give up anything to keep her safe."
The voice seemed quite pleased by Kazuya's resolve.
"As I suspected. Now, if you would kindly volunteer to be my host, just relax for a few moments so I may awaken in you."
Kazuya paused for a moment before slowly nodding. He leaned forward to give Akane's forehead a light kiss, then rested back against the tree trunk and closed his eyes. After a few seconds of silence, they opened again. His blue irises now featured a noticeably darker hue, and a coy smirk crossed his lips.
Kazuya looked down toward the delicate weapon in his arms with warm admiration. He had great plans for Akane, but knew she had to be well-rested before he could discuss them. He was then taken by slight surprise when she began to stir, and a few seconds later she was staring up at him with sleepy brown eyes.
"Oh... Kazu, you're still up?"
Kazuya nodded.
"I was just thinking about how we should deal with the rest of the HiME, Akane. I think I've come up with something. I'll tell you in the morning."
The brunette raised one hand to Kazuya's face and gently brushed his cheek when he finished speaking.
"Are you okay, Kazu? Your eyes look a little different..."
He showed no surprise at Akane's questioning, and simply quelled her concerns in a gentle tone.
"I'm fine, Akane. What makes you say that?"
Akane seemed to ponder to herself for a minute before shaking her head and ceasing her investigation. She then giggled quietly as her expression changed to a weak but playful grin.
"You were guarding me, weren't you?"
Kazuya's new persona seemed to be amused by Akane's question. It wasn't too from the truth, considering the lengths his host had went to protect her. In a way, he even respected it.
"You could say that."
Akane grew all the more cheerful as she closed her eyes and softened her voice.
"Don't worry so much, Kazu. Hari will warn me if anyone finds us here. Get some sleep."
Kazuya replied with a confident tone.
"Alright, Akane."
He gave a loving smile and gently guided her head back to his chest. He then closed his eyes, allowing the couple to fall into a blissful sleep for the rest of the night.