A scream, echoing in through the darkness. I had pushed, and pushed, and pushed. It was all for nothing. At least....at least she was safe.
"KOHARU! Come back to me... please come back to me. SHIN'NEN, FUKUGEN."
I felt whatever I was moving towards, the small ray of light in the abyss. It really was Death after all. I....wasn't ready. I pushed, and struggled as black thorns, made of malice wrapped around me. Hikari.....I'm sorry. The white light engulfed my mind and soul. Goodbye...Hikari....my love
YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED DEATH, MY LITTLE PAWN. SHE WHO CREATED YOU HAS NOT BEEN DEFEATED. YOU MAY NOT PERISH UNTIL YOU CLAIM THAT POWER. NOW, BEGONE FROM DEATH.
I opened my eyes slowly, blinking rapidly. I was.... Alive?! I patted my arm and chest, feeling where the hole should be. But instead, I found clean, new flesh. I looked around. I was in a hospital room, the machines beeping to prove my life. On my right was Hikari, sleeping on my arm soundly, looking as peaceful as she slept. I smiled, twitching my hand. She jolted upright, her eyes bright as she looked at me.
"Ko....Koharu?"
I chuckled, sitting up a little "That's my name. People sure do like to say it th-"
She burst into tears, throwing her arms around me, as I started to laugh. I wrapped my arms around her, smiling.
"Welcome back Hikari."
She smiled, kissing me gently "Thanks, babe."
"So.... What happened exactly? I remember you being inversed, but after I fell, what happened?"
She wiped a tear from her eyes. "Well.... Remember the day we were bonded?"
I nodded "well... those same spirits were there. They both said that you had some bigger purpose, and that you needed to live. Then they disappeared into smoke. But.... I know what they did."
I tilted my head like a dog that wanted a bone. "What the hell? They...were in my dream....my death vision. Why the hell...?"
"They fused our Sephira Crystals... because I destroyed some of yours... I'm sorry." She wiped a solitary tear, and whimpered slightly.
I smiled again, full of warmth.
"You are not at fault. I have an idea for us... to chain our resolve upon our crystals. Are you okay with this?"
She nodded as I grabbed her hand, putting it on my chest, and mine on hers. I took a deep breath, and she did the same.
"Use Soul Chain Hikari. I can't do it alone..."
She nodded as we said in unison "SHIN'NEN. SOURUHYUZU"
I shuddered, as chains of silver wrapped themselves on my Sephira crystal, and gold on hers. It would keep us together till time was dust, and we are but ash in the wind. And this way... we oiled keep each other in control.
"Koharu ... what happened? What did you make me do...?"
"Well... we wrapped the Chains around each other's Sephira crystal. I do believe that now, we can keep in closer touch. And.... The downside. I don't have my full power anymore. I've been weakened by the breaking of the crystal. So, this opens new possibilities for our fighting."
She nodded, understanding and accepting everything. I closed my eyes, my hand intertwined with hers, and fell into a deep sleep, as she laid beside me, my arms wrapped around her
Flashback- 15 years ago
"Big bro....I'm starving! Hurry up and finish cooking so we can eat!"
I chuckled throwing a sideways glance towards the small figure, leaping and jumping.
"Easy now Isaac. You wouldn't want your food burnt, now would you?"
He shook his head "But....I'm hungry."
"I know. It's almost done kiddo. I promise! You'll even get some more if your still hungry, okay?"
He nodded, giving a big grin, and running into another room. I plated the food, before grabbing my bag.
"Isaac, I'm going to the store okay? I'll be home soon. I forgot to buy milk and a couple other things before work yesterday day." We both laughed at my insolence.
"Okay! Be safe Koharu!"
I closed the door, locking it. As I walked I pulled out my ear buds, listening to my music as I walked my way down to the grocery store. Just before I got there though, the spatial quake alarm sounded, people rushing left and right as they scurried into the shelter. I prayed Isaac found one, and started to run. I turned left into an alleyway where I stopped, shocked at what I saw. There was two women, one severely injured, and another leaning over her, her hand close to the others chest. But they felt.... Different. Like they shouldn't be here. I backed up a couple steps, tripping and falling. The standing woman reached her hand into the others chest, and pulled out.... A crystal? I screamed in shock.
"Oh? Who might you be young one? Why are you not hiding?"
I shook in fear, a dark stain spreading throughout my pants. "I...I....Please don't kill me!"
She laughed, a cold cruel sound devoid of remorse of light. "I'm not going to kill you. You can be my guinea pig. Or....you can DIE." She lifted her hand, an orb of pure energy forming in it. "Your choice?"
I nodded, closing my eyes. One step. Another. I felt her breath on my face, a cold feeling running its way through my body. Isaac...I'm sorry. Looks like mom and dad we're right...I couldn't protect you. The woman laughed
"Do not be afraid boy. I have good faith in you.You're not my Shinji. But, you'll do."
My shirt was lifted up, as she placed the crystal where my heart was, and pushed, the crystal fusing in with it. I screamed, pain and fear running rampant through my mind, as I opened my eyes. Green waves where blasting, and ripping through building as if they were paper machete. I stood up, my skin melting, and roared. The spatial quake alarm sounded, as a black mass appeared in the sky. I lifted my hand, and jammed it down, no sense of control flowing through my mind. It slammed into the ground exploding as all the spirit energy was unleashed on the area.
"Koharu ...??"
I looked behind me to find Isaac. My poor little brother, missing an arm and a leg. I lifted my hand, and sent a small wave of green light to him, his arm and leg regrowing. "I'm sorry Isaac...I must go now. You won't be safe with me..."
He started to cry, hurt and sadness welling in his eyes as his tears fell down his face. "B-b-but....what about every promise you made...?"
I leaned down to wipe he tears before wrapping him in a hug, turning into my human form.
He snorted. "You're not my brother. You're a monster. And you'll die like one."