Epyllion

There was a slight wind coming from the North that night when it all happened. The sky was clear, stars shining brightly amongst the darkness. Everything seemed peaceful and calm.

Manami had been walking along a deserted ally way in the heart of the city. Her tall slim body was clothed with a tattered dark blue cloak that fell to her ankles. She was fond of how it matched her long raven black hair and deep green eyes. Everything seemed dark and dirty, with the foul stench of urine filling her nose. An uncomfortable shiver overtook her.

Before convincing herself to give up, she took a folded piece out of her pocket. She slowly unfolded it with her slim fingers and read it.

A drop of our blood
A dash of our souls
Will raise forth a pure love
Forever unbreakable

Everything was about to fall into plan. Slyly she slipped the paper back into her pocket and walked on.

At the end of the ally Manami could see light coming from the streetlamps lined up along the road. She was nearly there now. She inhaled a breath of fresh air to clear her mind. She knew that task wasnt easy, but that it had to be done to satisfy her heart.

Manami continued on down the block until she saw the cathedral standing marvelously above the streets. Its gold dome roof reflected the moonlight and made its gray bricks glitter. Manami marveled in its beauty before stopping at the front door.

She kneeled on her knees and whispered her Hail Mary, which seemed to tremble from her lips. As she stood up she touched her forehead with her fingers, then her belly and her right and left shoulder.

She opened the door which sounded a loud creak that echoed through the cathedrals clergy room. Manami stood in awe of what she saw!

There were stained glass all along the walls of the room with images of Jesus Mary and God. Each detail was shone upon, giving the many colors a sliver hue. Even if one werent religious, Manami thought, they could still look in wonder of such artwork.

A gust of wind made the doors close with a startling bang. Manami didnt flinch, but only bowed upon the marble floor.

"Welcome Manami. Youve been expected."

The voice of the speaker rang through the air and Manamis eardrums. It was calming, deep, and mellow. She raised herself and brushed her long hair out of her face. When she looked up she saw a tall and slender man with long black hair light blue eyes and paled skin smiling at her.

"Hikaru," Manami smiled as she walked towards him, "the time is perfect. Were alone in the dead of night."

"Im still not sure about this Manami." Hikaru said nervously.

"We made a deal Hikaru. Were bonded by blood contract."

Manami remembered that night well. It was in the middle of autumn just when the chill in the air began to bite at the skin. They both met in a dense area of woods outside the city. Everything was silent, not a rustling wind blew or a cricket chirped.

Hikaru and Manami were sitting on the ground cross-legged. In Manamis hand laid an empty crystal bottle half the size of her palm. She unscrewed the silver top and placed it on the ground.

Manami took out a small knife from her pocket and examined it. At the right angle, the blade seemed to shine even in the darkness of night. Hikaru just stared at the ground.

"What is the purpose of this?" Hikaru asked Manami in an austere tone.

"Our love will be stronger than ever Hikaru! If we are bonded in this way, our love will last forever until we die. Well live as one with a single beating heart."

Manami became excited over the thought. She wanted Hikaru to be with her with no regrets. She didnt want him to go away and escape her. Permanence was her comforting safety.

"But what we have now is strong Manami."

"I know it is, but it could be stronger."

Hikaru nodded, but apprehensively.

"We have to make the blood contract first. And then we wait for a week to allow our blood mix thoroughly."

"And what do we do for that?"

Manami raised the knife to her arm and sliced a small cut into her flesh. She took the crystal bottle in her hand and tapped the knife blade to allow drops of her blood to land in the bottle.

"Your turn." she said to Hikaru, handing the bottle and blade to him.

Hikaru looked at the blade of the knife for some time, his face going pale. He closed his eyes and wince as he sliced his skin. He opened his eyes and slowly tapped the blood into the bottle.

"I dont feel anything happening except my blood running down my arm." Hikaru stated.

"I havent said the words yet. Plus, you need to agree to allow me to do this."

Hikaru gazed at Manami for a moment.

"I love you, and I trust you. So I agree." he said.

"Then it is final."

Hikaru and Manami closed their eyes. Even before Manami chanted the spell, she could feel their souls connecting. Manami sighed and chanted.

You agree, giver Hikaru, to love as I do
To be as one forever with I, Manami
And to lose completely, you


Manami screamed in pain! A blast of a fired burned in Manamis veins. It scorched her, peeling away at the inside with a blazing energy. But amongst her screaming, she could hear Hikarus own whelping and yelling.

She didnt mean to hurt him like this. But it seemed that she had no choice now, even though the guilt weighed her. The haunting screams echoed in her mind as she blinked at the Hikaru standing in front of her now. She was humbled by his willingness to sacrifice himself for the sake of others.

"Manami, is it time?" Hikaru asked in a solemn, quiet voice.

Manami knew that this would be the ultimate sacrifice of Hikaru's life. It was a sacrifice like that of death. After this, he will no longer exist except within her heart. She closed her eyes to hide her tears.

"Yes Hikaru, it is time."

Manami took Hikarus arm and looked at the scar from his cut. It was small, but still noticeable. She then looked at her own arm, were nothing but a little tiny scratch existed.

"You got the bigger scar because youre the one whos sacrificing. I got nothing because Im the taker."

Hikaru looked deeply into Manamis eyes for the last time.

"Goodbye Manami. Ill never forget you."

"Youre a very honorable person Hikaru. Always remember that."

Hikaru gave a saddened smile before closing his eyes.

"Im ready now." he said in a soft whisper.

Manami cleared her throat to try to keep away her sorrow. She didnt want Hikarus last moment with her to be one of sadness. She lowered her head and spoke softly.
I accept your sacrifice as I drink this concoction:

A drop of our blood
A dash of our souls
Will raise forth a pure love
Forever unbreakable

She took out the crystal bottle of week old blood, her hands trembling as she unscrewed the top.

I take this drink, and your life, with honor
You will not be forgotten Hikaru

Slowly Manami pressed the top of the bottle to her lips. She tipped it back just enough to make one drop of metallic blood land on her tongue. The single drop crept down her throat until her esophagus swallowed it. With the last gulp, an explosion was heard. Hikaru burst into flames, howling from the top of his lungs. Within seconds, Manami felt the same pain of being scorched as she did the week before, only this time is was ten times as painful. She was so burnt on the inside that she was numbed in every part of her body. She shouted and howled just as Hikaru was right this second. But then a rush of coolness spread over her, putting out the flame.

Manami knew Hikaru was going to die soon, for two weeks ago Hikaru became pale and frail. Manami was always afraid that each time she visited him he would be lying there, cold and dead. Each time it was exactly the same; Hikaru soaked in his own sweat from fever, shivering and complaining of pain. She felt his shivers, the heat, the dizziness, all of it.

Within an instant she felt no more pain at all. And she no longer heard Hikarus screaming.

A small light appeared from within Hikaru and floated upon the air into Manamis chest. It sent a blast of energy through her, a new breath of life. She knew he was better now.

What she felt next was something remarkable. Her heartbeat mimicked Hikarus, fast paced and frightened. Her breathing became erratic as Hikarus was in the fire. She felt his pain. He was within her now, just as she always wanted.
But when she looked in front of her, Hikaru was no longer there. An overwhelming sense of emptiness ached her heart. Hikaru may be within her, but she cant touch him now. She cant talk to him. She cant smell his hair, or hear his breath.
She collapsed to the floor and broke down in tears as she realized her mistake.