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In the brief moment between the beginning and the end, the darkness seemed to subside as a bright hope lit their path. Their hearts felt they could reach out and touch their comrades fulfilling their deepest desire and making their hearts complete again. Hearts born in loneliness and darkness, longed for the light of being accepted by someone else. Putting your faith and heart within the faith and heart of someone else strengthened belief and created camaraderie, friendship, and love. What did it mean to believe and have unlimited faith in someone else? It created the strength to run forward and embrace life without fearing death while giving all of yourself and expecting nothing in return, but always being repaid in kind. Could light exist alone or was it something only gained by coexisting? Darkness was a path of solitude and loneliness. If light was gained by coexisting, was it stronger than the solitary darkness?

Brian’s illuminated staff led them on their path toward their comrades like a beacon of light across the darkness. Minako and Nick had followed closely behind him, but stopped and clutched each other’s hands as Nick groaned and leaned on the wall for balance.

“Nick?” Brian turned to face him, his eyebrows pinched with worry.

Nick slumped against the wall, then slid to the ground. He winced as he put his hand to his abdomen, then gritted his teeth and clenched his eyes shut.

“Nick!” Minako kneeled next to him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

Brian also quickly kneeled beside Nick, thrusting his staff to his side.

Nick swallowed forcefully and gagged as he winced again. He opened his eyes and blinked back tears, then pulled his trembling hand away from his abdomen and held it out between them to reveal its red stain.

Brian clenched his fist. “Why are we separated now? We need Kevin’s healing powers!”

Minako clutched Nick’s other hand tightly enough that her fingernails dug against his skin. My heart’s racing. Brian’s right. We need Kevin! Is there anything I can do, even something small, that can help?

“Minako…” Nick gulped in a breath as he wiped his bloody hand on his pants, then held her cheek and rubbed his thumb against it.

Minako loosened her grip on his hand. You’re always thinking about me, even when you’re hurting. Nick… Let me worry about you!

She untied her bow and pulled it from her blouse, causing the pink ribbon to cascade around her hand. She pulled up on Nick’s tunic until his pale skin emerged from beneath the sapphire fabric, then diligently unwrapped the bandage Kevin had tied around his abdomen until only the layered bandage remained. She folded her ribbon, creating a thick pile of fabric, and layered it over the bandage. She then rewrapped the layers around Nick’s waist and tied the ends. Will that extra layer help? She bit her lip as she stared at him. My heart still feels like it’s screaming.

Nick leaned his head back against the wall and closed his eyes. He winced, then opened them again and fixed his gaze on hers.

With Brian’s staff illuminating your face, I see me in your eyes. My teeth pinched against my lip, my knitted brow, the tears in my eyes making them look like they’re sparkling. I look like I need a hug. Is that why you’re always reaching out for me? She sat back on her heels and reached out to brush the hair back at his forehead. She parted her lips and lowered her voice to a whisper. “Nick…”

Nick wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her into his uninjured right side, then leaned his head on hers after she relaxed beside him.

Brian sat next to Nick’s other side. He set his staff across his lap and leaned over it, resting his wrists against it. “Maybe we should sit here to rest... This is it, we’re almost at the end. This might be the last moment we can spend together in peace.”

“The end… Walking toward our tomb…” Nick frowned and held his hand to his abdomen as he shifted his legs between a few positions, then settled on laying his bent left leg against the ground and bending his right knee toward his chest with his foot flat.

“You’re being pessimistic now?”

“That’s how you’re making it sound.” Nick pressed his lips into a thin line and gave him a stony stare.

Brian narrowed his eyes and frowned. It was as though they were having a private argument within the silence between them.

Minako leaned her head on Nick’s shoulder and gripped Brian’s arm, then gave him a pat. “It’s dangerous, but we’ll win and everything will end up okay.”

Brian cleared his throat. “Your wishes…”

“What about them?”

“I think we discussed this in the beginning…” His stare bore through her. “Has your heart changed since then?”

“I don’t think they changed…” Minako pulled her knees toward her chest. “I want each one of you to get back the most precious thing to you. And I want Safaiananpou to be safe forever. I want Renee to be happy once the box is opened too. And I guess if there’s a way to have all those things and still have a wish for Nick… If he really doesn’t want my wish… Then I want to wish to stay with Nick forever.”

Nick inhaled audibly and held the breath, but his eyes matched the gleam of his smile. He lifted his hand and reached toward her.

“Can you?” Brian frowned and crossed his arms.

Nick flinched his hand back and fixed his gaze on Brian.

“I thought that the wishes of the priestess were limitless…” Why wouldn’t they be?

“I’m not sure and we have no clear answers yet…” Brian rubbed his chin with his hand. “But I find it hard to believe that God would give anyone such limitless power.”

Minako balled her hand into a fist. “Why would the limit have to be on that? I love--”

“I know.” Brian’s shoulders slumped as he pursed his lips. “But, we come from different worlds that are nothing alike.” He closed his eyes and shook his head. “More than that, I don’t believe they can mix…”

“I didn’t think you could all go to where I’m from, so I’ll stay here. Maybe I’ll become Kevin’s nurse full time.”

Nick beamed and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer to his chest.

Brian frowned. “Just like our worlds, demons and humans can’t mix. After claiming the box, your role as priestess ends and you are returned to a mere mortal.”

“Can’t or won’t?” She shook her head, then brushed back Nick’s hair at his forehead again. “It doesn’t matter... I’ll wish to become a demon if that would help!”

“A demon?!” Nick’s voice hitched and he took a deep breath. “Minako… For me?”

She pulled her hand from his hair and cupped his cheek. “Of course I would, I love you!”

Nick cupped the back of her head and pressed a zealous kiss to her lips. “I love you,” he whispered. “Our worlds aren’t compatible, so we’d have to go to an entirely new one…” Nick exhaled deeply.

“Doesn’t matter where, as long as I can be with you.” Minako kissed him again.

“But, Minako… That’s not something you…” He crossed his arms. “Can you really be together?”

Brian doesn’t seem sure… All the other priestesses died, forever longing for the box. If I live, will I get ripped away from them? Are we incompatible except for the brief moment in time when we’re both pursuing the box? As we wander together in search of what is most important to demons and priestesses, are we seeking the knife that separates us? What makes the power in the box so malicious? Does it cut because it’s evil? Or is it merely a power beyond that of God? This journey has been disturbing at best. I never thought I would see so much blood or violence in my senior year of high school. But, I’ve also experienced more love and joy here than I ever have. It seems unfair to say it, but I’ve never felt happier than during these months sealed in this demon world. Even though it’s the best and worst times all at once, maybe that’s making me stronger. And if I’m stronger, maybe I can wish for a power that lets me choose our cleave.

Nick pressed a quick kiss against her lips, then released his hold on her and grunted as he braced himself on the wall to stand back up.

Minako jumped up beside him and pressed her hand against his chest. “Nick!” Her pulse and breath raced.

Nick winced as he put his hand on his abdomen. “I’m fine.” He frowned, then exhaled. A broad smile formed on his lips. “I don’t want to worry, I want to go forward to that place where we can be together. To get there we have to win, so let’s win.”

Minako leaned her head on his shoulder and wrapped her arms around his chest. “Me too.”

Nick embraced her tightly. When she pulled back, he offered his hand to Brian.

Brian frowned. “I don’t know…”

“You said you were repaying a favor to Minako…” Nick pulled his elbow back, then reached out his hand again.

Brian glanced at the ground, but remained still. “I know… But, I don’t want to fight for an impossible wish.”

Minako bent down and smiled at him. “Then don’t.”

He glanced back at her with raised eyebrows.

She continued smiling. “Don’t fight for my wishes. Fight for what was sealed in the box, what was stolen from you. And if that gift still makes you happy, then I hope we can protect each other during whatever’s next.”

Brian glanced at the ground, then smiled. He struck his staff against the ground and leaned on it as he stood. After brushing himself off quickly, he clapped Nick’s shoulder. “Let’s go forward.”

They continued their descent through the tunnels. Lower and lower, as if on an endless downward incline. Was there an end to the catacombs? Or were they merely wandering deeper into their tombs? The darkness was endless death, swallowing what brief light they had begun to hold on to. Was light so fickle that it hid from the darkness? Skittish of the endless void within the castle, light only existed within their own hearts.

Even in the unending darkness, Minako smiled. I’m not sure what gift I gave Brian, but I could tell before that it makes him really happy. And because he’s happy, it makes me smile even though I’m confused. I wonder why it’s so motivating… When Brian fought the seer, I felt him trying to find strength, but I also felt AJ’s small and kind heart, like he was begging me for help and acceptance. It felt like his hope was filling up my whole body and bringing back my feelings… Even if he felt weak, he felt strong to me. And his strength made me want to give back all the strength I had to help him if he needed it. And that made me happy that he thought he needed me.

I’m happy that I can be there for each of them and give them something that they cherish more than anything. Before, only Renee cherished me. Of course I have other friends, but there was no one else I could share all of my thoughts and feelings with in the same way. But now I’ve been able to share pain, tears, success, and joy with my friends here. We’ve fought together and comforted each other. Maybe before, I only had room in my heart to truly love Renee, but now that I’ve spent time walking here, it feels like my heart has grown stronger than I could have imagined. If it’s stronger, can I hold everyone I love in it at the same time? I hope I can because they make me feel safe in this darkness even though I’m hurting. They’re my candle, always filling me with warmth and light as they illuminate the darkness.

She smiled and put her hands to her heart. The box is surrounded by a miasma of blood. Many have fought and died for it, but I refuse to lose. I want to win so that I can retrieve what was stolen from my friends. But now that I’ve seen the horrors in this castle, I also want to avenge everyone who died trying to get it since they also had something sealed within the box. I will help them move on from this castle when I return it and I will not fail. With my friends helping me and all my strength, I’ll be able to fight. My heart has finally moved past that private, pale, cold nightmare and my determination won’t waver. When it’s time to decide whether to fight or flee, I will fight. If it gets hard, I know they’ll all protect me. Since words won’t reach Renee and she can’t feel my love, I’ll meet her face to face. It seems like in this place, words are weak compared to action. And even if I could use every word I know to express how much I love her, it won’t ever be enough. So I’ll keep praying that even in the heat of battle, Renee will feel the strength of my love and return it with hers.

She jerked to a stop as Nick froze and caught his breath in his throat.

Brian held his staff up to the door, illuminating the iron gate sealed with chains.

Minako gripped Nick’s hand tightly. What does it conceal? Were the chains put there to keep intruders out? Or did they exist to keep the contents sealed? Finally, the lone door within the darkness and the last battle for us. Minako inhaled and held her hand to her chest with her fingers splayed wide. “Box?”

Both demons turned to her quickly. “The box is in there?!”

Minako frowned and lowered her head as she shut her eyes. “No… Not in there… But it feels really close by.” She put her hands to her heart and smiled. “For the first time, more than just imagining the blood red surrounding it, I can hear it calling in a faint whisper.”

Brian put his hand on her shoulder. “Can you see our future?”

Minako shook her head. “Even though I can hear it, everything looks black except for the blood red I saw before.”

Nick inhaled audibly as he gaped at her. He then raised his chin and pressed his lips tightly together as he clenched his fist.

“Nick?” Brian turned to him quickly as he pulled his hand back from Minako.

“It’s my turn… Let me knock down these chains…”

“But you’re wounded! I’ll--”

“No!” Nick growled and thrust his hand in front of Brian. “My existence to this moment… My existence from this moment… My whole heart rides on this battle!” He pulled the hand in front of Brian back toward his chest and balled it again, pressing his claws into his palms. “In the deep catacombs of darkness, I felt everyone’s fight and struggle!” He glanced toward the ground and then shut his eyes tightly. “And instead of protecting Minako with everything I had, I got injured!”

“Nick…” Minako squeezed his hand. “But I want to protect you too.”

He laced his fingers through hers and clutched her hand tightly. “That’s fine. I’m not mad about that. I think we’re all stronger together.” He pulled their intertwined hands toward his chest and opened his eyes. They were beginning to flicker with sapphire light.

Minako stepped back. Nick, your eyes… I know you’re mad, but… see me...

Nick’s free fist trembled. “All those years alone in the darkness… I couldn’t do anything! There was no peace I could make for whatever wrongs put me there! No revenge I could exact on my captor! I was helpless!” He growled and tightened the ball of his fist. “And now even with all of you outside the darkness I am still helpless! I don’t even have powers!”

“You can’t be a cardinal demon without powers!” Brian clapped his hand on Nick’s shoulder.

Nick swallowed forcefully as he faced him. “You put your life on the line to protect us with your powers. I have nothing like that, but I’m going to run toward the future where my heart has gained the power to really fight.”

“But your wounds!”

Nick chuckled darkly. “I have no memories, remember? Kevin thinks that something pretty bad happened, so that must mean that I’ve had fatal wounds and still survived.” He swallowed forcefully again. “Let me prove that I am a cardinal demon. This is…” His voice hitched as he glanced at Minako. “This is all I live for.” He gave her a warm smile, but his squinting moist eyes and knitted brows betrayed his air of flaring confidence and anger.

Brian’s eyes narrowed, but he gave Nick a firm nod and said nothing.

Nick turned back to him and nodded, then fixed his gaze back on Minako. He squeezed her hand laced through his as he rose it to his lips. He pressed a kiss to her fingers, then gently lowered her hand and released it. He took two steps forward toward the door and clenched his fists. They began glowing sapphire.

Minako reached her hands toward Nick, but Brian pulled her back before she could speak or touch him. A few scattered tears fell down her cheeks as she pulled her hands back toward her own heart and clenched them tightly. If I call out to you, you’ll come back and hold me in an instant. Can I do that to you now when you want to fight like our friends so badly?

All alone, hidden within the suffocating darkness. Endless torture, a private hell where you didn’t know your captor or the reason for your sentence. Remembering nothing and waking up to see only blackness. Remembering only one flickering, fragmentary hope that depended on one person who refused to meet you. That’s how I found you, in that unending loneliness with no past, no future, and only darkness. You were chained and bound by the torture of waiting for me.

I would have never done that to you if I knew! How could I know? We’re only pawns and playthings for a merciless God. Brian’s probably right, I can’t have the unlimited power to make new worlds for you and I, because I’m not a god and God would never share that. Did the other priestesses think that they could be gods who controlled life or death and light or darkness? Were they hoping to create a world of darkness without hope, where people could only begin to dream for themselves once they fulfilled the dreams of their lords and masters? I won’t let you live in a world like that, a world full of endless tears and blood. I want you to choose your world, not me! If we have the power to create the cleave, I want you to make that wish!