Sweet Burden (52 page)

As they savored the taste of each other, there was sudden clapping behind them. Hitomi pulled away and removed her arms from around his neck. Obi noticed the strength in her demeanor as she turned around facing the three death gods. She stood defensively in front of him.

“That was touching. Really. It almost brought a tear to my eye,” Domitori said mockingly as he stepped forward. He glanced down at his watch continuing towards them. “I am so disappointed that you didn’t quite make it to your 18
^th
birthday to find out who you really are. But I guess I could tell you and make you feel terrible about what you’ve done to the Living World.” Domitori gave a slight bow. “Hitomi, the Goddess of Light.” Domitori smirked.

Obi’s brows lifted in confusion and he looked down at Hitomi, whose posture did not change. He looked back up at Domitori. “What are you talking about?”

Domitori stared at Hitomi as he tilted his head to the side. “But I guess from your reaction Hitomi, you already know somehow. And yet, you still came. You are either incredibly brave or incredibly stupid.”

Obi’s body trembled. “Hitomi, what is going on?”

“Nothing. Just ignore him.”

“Nothing?” Domitori burst out into laughter and then his eyes refocused on Hitomi. “You really are dumb Obsidian. Your little girlfriend doesn’t want you to know that as of the age of 18, she ascends the throne of the Heavens. She’s the Goddess of Light, daughter of Isbian.”

“Shut up Domitori. Just shut your mouth and let me tell him everything,” Hitomi shot back.

Obi’s jaw dropped as he looked down at her. “Is that true?”

Hitomi turned around and looked up at him, but before she could say anything Domitori continued. “You do realize Obsidian that she risked everything for you? She has risked not only the Living World, but she has risked the Heavens as well. Without her there will be no hope of the Living World surviving and no hope of the Heavens being reopened. The Afterworld will be able to rule entirely.”

Obi watched Hitomi’s face. She showed no signs of regret in her decision. “I’m sorry Obi. I didn’t want you to find out this way.” Guilt washed over him and he looked away from her.

Deiman let out a low cackle. “Just think Obi. You single-handedly destroyed two worlds. That’s quite an accomplishment.”

“He hasn’t destroyed anything. This was my decision,” Hitomi replied.

“No. He’s right.” Obi shook his head ashamed of himself. “I should have never fallen in love with you. Or at least I never should have let you fall in love with me. All I was supposed to do was protect you. But because of everything, you’re here giving yourself over to save me.” He looked back up at Hitomi. “They’re going to kill me anyway.”

She shook her head and spun back around to Domitori. “Why are you even doing this?”

“Orders,” he answered simply.

“From who?”

“Well, not that it’s any of your business, but orders from the Council of the Afterworld. They were most likely direct orders from the God of Darkness. I’m assuming somehow your existence was discovered by him. I couldn’t even imagine my own uncle wanting me dead.” Domitori widened his smile.

“Why would he want me dead? Just for absolute power? I don’t understand why we can’t all live in peace like before when my…” she paused. “Isbian ruled the Heavens.”

“Peace? Who wants peace when you can have absolute supremacy?” Deiman answered stepping up next to Domitori.

“Well, I was just giving you the option before I have the Afterworld destroyed,” Hitomi spat.

“Hitomi,” Obi gasped.

Deiman and Domitori erupted with laughter as Kooisan stepped up and quickly grabbed her arms. He turned her around facing Obi as he bound her hands behind her back.

She smiled easily filling him with warmth as she mouthed the words ‘I love you’. Her expression changed as she winced. Kooisan grabbed her arm and dragged her over to the tree next to Obi. Obi watched as he secured her to the tree trunk and stood in front of her.

“No one threatens the Afterworld,” Kooisan mumbled as he raised his hand. Obi violently thrashed against his restraints as he was forced to watch Kooisan smack her across the face. Hitomi’s head turned facing Obi. She glanced up at him as he struggled again.

“I’m going to kill you!” Obi screamed. “Don’t you lay another hand on her!”

Domitori stepped up to Obi and grabbed the back of his neck. He forced Obi to look away from Hitomi. His nails dug into Obi’s skin. “I don’t think you are in any position to be threatening us. And if I were you, I’d be more concerned about myself. We’re going to make you wish you had died back on the school roof.” He shifted his gaze over to Hitomi. “And this time you will actually get to see him suffer for you.” Domitori turned back to Obi. “I’m just excited I get to inflict your torture this time.”

Suddenly Obi felt an agonizing pain in his side as Hitomi screamed. He looked down as Domitori withdrew a blood soaked blade from him. Obi’s eyes widened as the pain shot through him. He thought of Hitomi having to watch him die. This time she wouldn’t be able to save him. He wanted to gaze upon her one last time, but the pain of what he was losing was too much to bear. His knees began to buckle as blood oozed from a wide gash. His eyes rolled back in his head as everything went black. The last thing he heard was Hitomi calling his name.

Hitomi’s body shook with anger and frustration. There was nothing she could do for Obi. She had freely given herself to save him and now she realized they were both probably going to die. She struggled against the restraints as Domitori conversed with Obi then she watched as Domitori pulled a large blade from behind his back. She panicked and was unable to formulate any words. She screamed as Domitori plunged the blade into Obi’s side. He pulled the blade out and Obi’s body went limp.

“Obi?” She yanked at the bindings on her hands not concerned with the pain of the rope against her skin. “Obi!” she yelled louder as her eyes widened. “Obi, look at me!” His body slumped forward and Hitomi found it hard to catch her breath. She stared at Obi in shock. He couldn’t be dead. He promised never to leave her. She had sacrificed everything to save him and she failed. Her lips quivered as she watched him for any signs of consciousness. Just one sign was all she needed. Any sound from him would do or even a slight twitch. There was nothing and she turned her eyes to Domitori still standing in front of Obi. “Get away from him! You didn’t have to kill him! I did what you said! Why did you have to kill him?” Domitori gave the knife a swift shake and then wiped it against his pant leg. “Obi!” she screamed again. The end of her scream became gargled as the death god in front of her grabbed her throat and shoved her head back against the tree. She assumed he was the one that Obi called Kooisan. He was somewhat shorter than the other two but still just as lean. His brown hair was close cropped and his face appeared to constantly contain a scowl. She couldn’t bear to look at him and she turned her head back towards Obi as tears flooded her eyes. There was still no sign of life from Obi. “You killed him…you killed him,” she sobbed.

Domitori moved in front of her and sighed. “Shush, shush. He’s not dead.”

Hitomi choked on the deep breath of air she took in. “He’s not?” Her heart picked up pace at the realization he was not dead. She still might have a chance to save him and that little bit of hope was all she could cling to.

“Now what fun would that be to kill him right away?” Domitori replied with a chuckle.

“Why are you doing this? What did Obi ever do to you?”

Domitori returned a grin and shook his head. “Nothing really. I just enjoy it.”

Hitomi took in another staggered breath trying to regain some sort of composure. “You’re sick!” she shouted.

“And you’re naïve.” He shrugged as he moved even closer to her. Kooisan tightened his grip on her neck as Domitori spun the blade around in hand. Quickly he stopped resting the tip at the corner of her eye. “I had no idea who you were until just days ago. I wondered why the council was in such a hurry to get rid of you. It’s such a pity you have to die before you get your full powers. But oh well.” He was within inches of her now and she could feel the heat of his breath against her cheek. “You have very beautiful eyes. I might have to keep them. Quite the trophy they would be.” Hitomi narrowed her eyes as the tip of the knife shimmered at the corner. “I’m just having a hard time deciding who to kill first. Who will it hurt more? Would you prefer to watch him or him watch you?”

Hitomi tightened her mouth refusing to answer. Domitori lowered the blade and brought his hand up. He ran his fingers down through her hair causing her body to shudder. She tried to turn away, but Kooisan still had his fingers wrapped around her neck. All she could do was close her eyes.

“I think I will just have some more fun for now,” Domitori whispered. He swiftly pulled away as she opened her eyes back up. He turned to Deiman and motioned to Obi. “Wake him up.” Domitori returned back to Hitomi and glanced at Kooisan. “Don’t let her scream and make her watch.”

“Just leave Obi alone. I’m the one you want,” Hitomi said with no fear in her voice. She would rather take all the abuse rather than watch Obi suffer.  But Domitori ignored her as Deiman stepped up to Obi and smacked him across the face. Obi let out a slight grunt as his head started moving. She felt a wave of relief wash over her as he started to regain consciousness, but she was petrified at the thought of what Domitori had planned.

Kooisan put his free hand over her mouth to stifle any sounds. Deiman smacked Obi again and Obi lifted his head. He spit out a good amount of blood and opened his eyes. Turning his head, his gaze locked on Hitomi. She watched as Domitori removed Obi’s shirt and pulled his dagger back out. Hitomi tried to yell. She tried to get free. But she couldn’t do anything except watch. Deiman stood behind Domitori smirking as Domitori raised his arm and sliced Obi across the chest.

Obi made no sound as his body slightly twitched. He just continued to watch Hitomi as she screamed into Kooisan’s hand. Domitori slashed the blade across him another time and still Obi made no sound. The tears had swelled Hitomi’s eyes so completely that she could barely make out Obi’s silhouette. Her head slowly dropped forward, but Kooisan easily slammed the back of her head into the tree again.

Suddenly there was a deep voice in the distance. “Halt!”

She had no idea where the voice was coming from but she felt instantly calmed. Kooisan released her as he spun around and Deiman and Domitori also turned their attention to behind them. Hitomi rested her head back against the bark and looked at Obi. His body had gone limp again.

“Who’s there?” Deiman stepped in front of Domitori and pulled a sword out that had previously been hidden by his trench coat. Kooisan moved forward as well taking a defensive stance.

“Just a friend,” the voice returned.

“Show yourself,” Domitori demanded.

“Normally I do not comply with orders, but since you three have followed ours so well…” a dark figure began to take shape among the trees. The figure stepped out becoming fully visible. His face was hidden by the hood of his oversized black cloak. Hitomi turned her attention back to Obi, whose head was still down but she saw his eyes open watching the scene unfold.