Kirito heard footsteps and opened his eyes. Everything was dark and he saw a small snowflake fall down slowly. He brought his hand forward and held the snowflake.

As soon as he touched it, he felt a soothing calmness. He didn't want to let go. Jericho stood behind him "In death," Kirito suddenly turned back and looked at him "There is peace. It takes effort to live."

Kirito stared at him "What? Scared of temptation?" Jericho smirked.
"What temptation?"
"That maybe you like death more than life."

Kirito didn't say anything. Jericho walked to him "You know what's scary? You believe what you see and not what you feel."
"What are you saying?" Kirito asked.

"I just wanted to," He heard Vivian's voice "Drink down the scars in your past, reflected in the depths of your tired eyes."
He heard her but he couldn't see her.

"The people who you love, don't deserve that love." Jericho said "Only selective people deserve you. Yet, you're sharing your worth with every other fellow mortal. Wasting time, are we?"
"I'm not wasting time."
"Then, why are you afraid?" Jericho went ahead in the dark and slowly they were inside a mirage. Two chairs were kept near a small spring.

"Tough times are coming." Jericho sat on the chair and looked at the spring "You need to be tough too."
"How do you know that?" Kirito asked as he walked towards him.
"I have friends," Jericho smiled "Don't run after a love that you have to hide-- It's not worth having."

"You mean Erika?"
"I mean everything. Open your eyes and see how miserable you are. And nobody but you are responsible for your pain and sadness."
"So, was it my fault?"
"I'm doesn't matter whose fault it was. In the end, you're doing no good to yourself either."

"It's easy to just say stuff. Everyone does."
"It's equally easy to do it too. Stop pitying yourself."
"I don't do things like self pity."

Jericho got up and turned towards Kirito. He looked into his eyes.
"We both know who is right here."
Jericho had no smell, Kirito couldn't even hear him breathe. He could see his blue eyes slowly turn grey.

"What in the world are you? And why are you after me?"
"I'm your wish."
"My wish?"
Jericho pressed his forehead on Kirito's forehead "Hanging on just one second longer than your enemies makes you the winner."
"My enemies?"

"I shall guide you but you must defeat me. Use your weapons, use Ethan. Hear that voice?"

Kirito could feel a stabbing pain in his chest. He heard Vivian's voice behind him, calling his name. He turned back and suddenly opened his eyes, he was in the hospital. His head was bandaged and his face was covered with bruises. Aoi sat next to him.

"Brother!" Aoi got up "Mom! Bro is up" He shouted and his parents quickly ran inside the room.
"Oh my darling!" Mrs Hiomi hugged Kirito "I thought we lost you! They were going to declare that you were dead"

"What a miracle it is, indeed" Mr Hiomi joined his hands as he prayed.
"Mom, where is Vivian?" Kirito asked.
"The church. She was praying all the time" Aoi got up.

Kirito looked at the bed.
"Where is my phone?" He looked around.
"Is it not enough you survived?! Your phone is crashed into pieces. No work until you fully recover, am I clear?!" Mrs Hiomi shouted.
"Yes, Mom." Kirito agreed, begrudgingly.

"Good. Don't worry, we have informed all the office workers. They all paid their visits already" Kirito got up from his bed "I'll go get her"

"You're not allowed to leave the hospital yet."
"Don't care" He walked out.

Vivian stood inside the church with her hands joined.
"Dear God, why are you taking me through troubled waters?"
"Because your enemies can't swim" She heard a familiar voice and turned back. It was Jericho. He stood behind her with his hands inside the pockets of his long chestnut colored coat.

He walked towards her "That is what God replied."
"You can tell what he's saying?" Vivian laughed.
"Sorta," He stood beside her.
"Are you here to pray too?" She asked.
"Why not?" He smiled. She looked into his eyes and then looked ahead again.
She joined her hands and closed her eyes.

"Make a wish," Jericho said.
"I wish that Kirito was here."
"Vivian?" Kirito stood behind her. Vivian opened her eyes and slowly turned back. Kirito stood behind her, dressed up in a white shirt and light blue pajamas. His head was covered with bandages.

"What the hell? You're still praying. Your husband is tired, he needs to eat something good" He crossed his arms. She ran towards him and hugged him tightly.
"Kirito, you're here... I was so scared you might never return." She hugged him tighter. Kirito moved away from her.

"I'm hungry. Let's go home" She turned back and found that Jericho was gone.
"He was--" She said but Kirito held her arm and pulled her back.
"Let's go" He said.
"Yes."

They both walked out of of the church towards the car while talking. Jericho stood near the huge church bell as he looked down at them reach the car.

"See? You just need to trust my timing and you'll find that everything goes in your favour." 

The clouds above him rumbled. It was about to rain. He looked into her watch. "Oh man, I called it." He chuckled. He jumped down the church onto a nearby wall. He seemed to be running away from something.

Something massive was chasing him, leaving behind dents and rust where ever he ran. He jumped over walls and ran until he disappeared in the dark. Something was happening.

The city had been changing. And changes never brought anything good-- At least not in the world where he belonged.

He was hiding into a dark room, breathing heavily. He touched his chest and he could hear his heart throb on his temples "What a demanding body." He said to himself.

Then, he touched the back his neck, just beneath his choker and brought his hands forward again. They were stained with blood. He smiled

"Damn, they got me."

- To be continued

Kirito || Vivian
My Heart Hates Me