Shina's Decision

There was an eatable tension in the air; the surrounding forestry didn't even utter a sound at all, mesmerised by the scene unfolding within their domain. The grasp on his spear remained firm.

Shina has crossed her hands near her stomach; her orbs could manifest at any moment if needed to.

“What are you trying to do in this situation, Hiwo?” She was getting irritated.

Each decision was beneficial to everyone but her; it was as if he planned to abandon her from the start of the conversation.

“Make your choice already.”

She didn't waver, however. “I can do whatever; I'm trying to make us win, and all I get is you trying to make me back down. These powers are clearly too strong for us to handle later.”

“If you think that's the case, then you have no morality behind the lives of others. I will accept that side of you; you aren't the same person I knew.”

Shina sighed, her palm facing upwards while her eyes studied it, contemplating.

“The goddess made it clear what I have to do. If you really intended to stop me with this, then you underestimated my devotion.” The palm shines a pale white light, and a dark orb manifests onto her extended palm.

Hiwo plants the spear roughly into the ground. “Then prove to me that there is nothing about you that is left.”

“At least fight back; this isn't fair if you just give up.” She was surprised that her ex-ally was already trying to give up his life.

Hiwo smiled to himself, “Toki and Ayuri won't know about this; you will return the spear. Then you will leave; you can do that much.”

Her gaze burnt into his, knowing the suggestion behind those words.

“If I do this, will you hate me, despise me or perhaps die with hatred of me? I don't really need your hate for me with me for now.” His last memories of him didn't want to be such as these that he laid out; this wasn't the time for her to fill herself with negativity.

He shook his head, but the spear planted in the ground, however, didn't move.

“Grab your spear,” Shina demanded.

Hiwo chuckles, “You know I can't make it that easy; I want you to prove your resolve. I am not your enemy.”

“Are you offering your life to me? Do you have no sense of self-perversion?”

Hiwo scoffed, “That was already abandoned ages ago. I decided to abandon my old life once; what's the issue with doing it again?”

That's right, after leaving middle school, I decided to become Hiwo, the one person who was always true to me. I didn’t talk to anyone or anything; I didn't speak my mind. I just existed in my own world.

There was a saddened smile appearing now.

And the one who took me out of that was none other than you, so my life started, and it will end with you. I think it's at least poetic that way.

Hesitation appeared on her face; she knew that this was her ultimate test between everyone and the goddess, killing someone that she saved, killing someone who understood her more than anyone else. Their connection that naturally flowed with each other was her decision.

“Shina, please decide soon,” his words encouraging her to pick.

She sighed, “Fine.”

Despite her casual tone, her red eyes teared, while her pupils couldn't stop shaking widely. Making sure to avoid his gaze, she walked over towards Hiwo in a slow manner, putting the orb right next to his stomach, making sure it didn't touch him yet.

He didn't move at the attempt; he stayed motionless despite his body tensing and screaming for him to move away or do anything. He rejected his instincts.

“Seems you decided.” A soft smile appeared on his face, his emerald eyes staring down at her with a mix of empathy and disappointment.

She nodded while tears dropped frantically.

I've not seen her cry once yet; it's something new. I kind of enjoy this side of her too. I know she will keep the promise; that much is certain.

The orb pressed itself towards his stomach, where it started to cause it to dissipate first; it slowly began to spread from that point onwards.

Staring down at his own death, he felt no pain; it was pretty peaceful to die this way, he thought.

“Hiwo, I will win. And find a way to defy death; if other worlds exist, then defying death must be possible,” she mumbled under her breath.

Soon after that, Hiwo collapsed down; his body couldn't keep him up anymore. Shina had to lean in and support him closely.

His smile never faltered; however, he didn't know what to say at this stage. Memories were flashing of his life, what he endured, what he experienced, who he met and who he left.

“I wanted to stop you at whatever the cost, even if it means killing you. But I realised I was never supposed to be the one to win; my power just shows that more.”

His lower body was already dissipated; the rest of it was super light. Shina, holding him up, cried into his shoulder, not even being able to bear what she did. They embraced in silence, remembering their time together before he spoke one last time.

“Just keep onto your choice for me.” His words faded into nothingness.

Shina's arms were still grasping the empty air; she was hugging nothing, yet she still thought perhaps there were some remnants of him still floating around in her embrace.

The ground below her started to darken underneath her tears. She hated what she did, but at the same time, she knew she had to do it. Her faith was unmatched; her commitment wavered; however, maybe there were parts of her she wished she had back.

“Hiwo, Hiwo…” she muttered his name over and over to no response.

She fell to her knees, crying uncontrollably, her decision leaving the biggest hole that even her faith can't fill.