Sakiko laid on the grass, her breath short and raspy. She closed her eyes briefly, but couldn't stand the darkness. So, she kept fluttering her eyelashes, trying to get a balance between light and blackness. It was getting dark, as the sun was setting. And she was alone, so..very...alone. She grabbed her sides with a pained expression on her pale face, her long silvery hair stuck on her cheeks. She felt as if she was sinking somehow..the mage knew that she needed help but she didn't know what for.

The pain was getting sharper every second, its clawing fingers tearing out every tissue, every nerve that seemed to exist in her body. A scream lingered at the bottom of her throat, but it stayed there, as if her voice was lost to her. Sakiko's breathing became more shallow, her vision blurry. A pained whisper escape from her throat,

"...hel...p..."

Somewhere, in the back of her mind, she knew that this was happening because she gave half of her very life away to Aureliano, when he nearly died. She had felt nothing for a month, maybe two... but gradually, she felt tired, weak, helpless. And then, it had come down to this.

She knew that if she was to live, she needed half of someone's life, but that was hard to come across when she had no one really close to her.

Ooc: Post. Now. Xeon. Yeah, you.

Xeon flexed his arms, trying to test out their power as he did so. He grinned in a satisfied way as he noted that he was becoming stronger somehow, after the war...when he had a glimpse of the man he was looking for all these years. He had yet to find him, of course, but that did not matter. The Necromancer strolled through the fields, enjoying the thin line between light and dark. He, of course, was a creature of the night, but he enjoyed the going of the morning too. It gave him inward peace, somehow.

His purple irises grew bright as he spotted a corpse lying on the grass. Wonderful! He wanted to test out his newfound power... how convenient, yet strange. Xeon nearly ran to the body, when he realized that it was not dead at all, and he knew the 'corpse' very well.

"Sakiko? Dear, dear, what is wrong?"

Sakiko barely managed to look up, her eyes half closed. She gasped out,

"Help...I..."

She winced, her breath almost all spent. Her face grew even more pale - if that was even possible - and her fingers twitched nervously. The mage tried again, her voice strained from the effort to keep living, to keep breathing, to not lose to the inner fight that she was fighting inside.

"I need...life...I need...you...to...to..."

She trailed off, feeling selfish. She didn't expect this Xeon to give her anything, let alone half of his life. So instead, she became silent.

OOC: I am not sure if this is how you want it, you were being too vague, it ain’t my fault.

IC: Xeon tipped his head to one side, and squatted by the almost dying person beside him. He scratched his chin, then rubbed it, then left it alone. He finally cracked up a smile, and ran his long fingers through his shaggy maroon hair.

“I’ve seen this before… what, did you expect so less of a Necromancer? Why, I am an expert in matters of life and death.”

He paused, and ran his tongue over his sharp teeth.

“But the thing is, to save you won’t be easy. It’d mean that I need to give up some of my power. You see, when I necromance, I give my power temporarily to the body that I am occupying, and when I get it back, it’s half spent. But of course, I can always recharge the power, because it already exists, you know? But if I save you, I will be giving my power – some of it, that is – to you permanently. And unfortunately for you, I like my power, even more than life itself.”

Xeon brushed aside a strand of silver hair on Sakiko’s cheek, his eyes bright with greed.

“But you don’t look completely helpless. You might be some use to me. If I save you, what will you give me in return?”

Ooc: It's good enough. We'll talk about it later, since you're on the phone right now. Bleh.

IC: Sakiko winced, Xeon's finger a burning touch to her suffering nerves. She couldn't understand what Xeon was saying, although she heard something about power. Her mind was in a daze, so he couldn't have expected her to follow. However, his last query was clear as crystal. Sakiko's eyes widened. He could save her without giving half of his life! Her breath was getting more shallow, and she could see the fingers of death closing upon her. She whispered,

"I'll help you...find...your...fath-"

She coughed, her voice raspy. She knew that Xeon was looking for his father, as he was doing so the last time - the first time - they met. Underwater diving, it was. Sakiko tapped her temple wearily.

"I can...find people easily...aura...detecting..."

The mage trailed off, unable to speak anymore.

Xeon chuckled, well pleased by her answer. He could feel her life getting weaker, and he knew that if he didn't save her now, she'd die. The necromancer turned the bargain in his mind, wondering if she would keep to her word. But she looked it. She didn't seem like the person who would betray anyone... Xeon clapped his hands delightfully, rubbing them together, as if he was sitting in front of a delicious feast and he was about to eat.

"Very well, Sakiko, we have a deal. I do feel sorry if this might hurt, though...I've never tried it on a live human being before, you know."

The process would be quite complicated. First, Xeon would need to make Sakiko fall into a deep slumber, to imitate a dead body, so that his magic would not be confused. He liked to believe that even magic, the very core of energy, had a mind, a heart of its own. After Sakiko had 'died' the Necromancer would need to put his power into the mage's body.

Necromancy was a dark art. Thus, the magic he used would be the energy of a demon, of evil... thus, he wasn't quite sure how it would work on Sakiko, who looked like she belonged to the light. The mage rubbed his chin thoughtfully, well considering the fact that Sakiko could die. As half of Sakiko was given, his dark energy would fill in the other half. The result was doubtful. He had no idea what was going to happen.

But it would be interesting.

The Necromancer knelt beside the mage and slid his hand beneath her neck smoothly. He grimaced, finding sweat pooled there. Sweat. Disgusting. However, he ignored this and spread out his fingers widely. Muttering under his breath, he pressed his thumb forcefully on a soft part right below Sakiko's ear.

"Uh-"

The mage gasped, surprised at the sudden action. She immediately closed her eyes, darkness washing over her vision, as if someone threw a bucket of paint over a wall... Sakiko felt her body loosen, all of the tension drifting away from her. She realized that she was in another dimension, another world.

This world was bright, with sunlight reaching everywhere, leaving no room for shadows. Sakiko covered her eyes, as they stung from the light. She realized that she was standing on the grass, but it was strange, it felt like water and air. She shifted about a bit, trying to make sense of this. It must be a dream, she thought.

"Sakiko?"

The mage turned, squinting. From a distance, she saw a white figure walking - no, gliding towards her. She drew closer to the figure, calling out,

“Who’s there?”

The figure was her aunt, Opegaria, who was long dead. Sakiko called out in surprise, falling back. She knelt on the ethereal grass, tears rolling down her cheeks. Her aunt was exactly how she had seen her last. Stern, high cheekbones, her wispy black hair drawn back into a tight bun. Opegaria cracked a smile, stretching her thin lips into a half grin.

“Aunt…”

Opegaria knelt in front of Sakiko, and clasped her hands in hers.

“Oh, Sakiko, you have grown.”

“Am I dead, Aunt?”

So Xeon couldn’t save her after all. But that was alright. Peace was in her heart as she smiled uncertainly at her aunt. This was much better. With her aunt, in this sunny place, everything was alright. However, Opegaria shook her head sadly. She brushed away the tears glistening on Sakiko’s cheeks and whispered,

“No, you are in a transition between life and death, Sakiko… I was expecting you here for a long time. Now we meet.”

She smiled once again, her black, beady eyes twinkling. The silver haired girl cried,

“Oh, but I want to stay here with you!”

“No…”

Opegaria shook her head sternly, but her voice was full of compassion. She pulled Sakiko into her bosom as she whispered,

“You are young, you have so much to live, to experience.”

Sakiko clung unto her aunt, who felt so alive. Tears kept coming, flowing. She felt at peace here. Opegaria stood up, taking Sakiko up with her. Her face was suddenly urgent as she grabbed Sakiko’s arms.

“You must listen to me, Sakiko. I can see what that Xeon is doing right at this moment. I must go… you must stay here. There are things to do here.”

The mage shook her head wildly.

“No, where are you going, Aunt? Don’t leave me…”

Opegaria smiled ruefully, and backed away slowly.

“We will meet again, I can sense it… the best luck to you, my little girl.”

She was lost again, into the light.

Xeon stood over the still, pale body, his face hidden by the darkness. He felt no pulse or breath coming from Sakiko, which was good. That meant that his magic could be tricked into believing her dead, thus thinking her as a corpse. The Necromancer sucked in his breath sharply, getting ready to give her his power.

His palm was aimed right at Sakiko’s heart. Xeon closed his eyes, feeling his dark magic screaming down his veins, his arms. The black energy mingled with his blood, at last reaching the skin. It pooled around his palm slowly, then accumulating faster. He watched as the swirling energy – like dry ice – hissed and spat. It was asking to be released now… Xeon stared at it in wonder. So this was his power. And he was delighted to know that it was only a fraction of it, too.

The Necromancer flicked his wrist, letting the ball of energy hover in the air for a fraction of a second. Suddenly, it was hurtling across the night breeze, cutting through the air like a blade. The black energy crashed into Sakiko’s chest, seeping through her clothes and skin like blood dripping into cloth.

“sssssssssssss”

Sakiko jumped, wondering where the hiss was coming from. She whirled around, her eyes wide, as she saw what was before her.

It was herself, except she had night black hair and gleaming red eyes. The figure had glinting sharp teeth, coated with saliva. Sakiko moved back, gripping the air frantically. She yelled,

“S…stay b…back!”

The other Sakiko laughed maliciously, like sand grating on rock.

“But I will give you life. That is what you want, isn’t it?”

Sakiko choked, her breath caught in her throat.

“What do you mean, life?”

“My name is Okikas. I am your other half that you must have in order to live. Except unlike you, I am made of dark energy.”

Sakiko screamed,

“I don’t want you in me! I refuse!”

The other Sakiko glared, her ruby eyes narrowing into slits. She hissed,

“It’s not that simple, girlie. If you refuse me, I die.”

Sakiko swallowed, but only feeling dryness. She whispered,

“Then die.”

Okikas laughed, and brought her long, skinny hands in front of her. Her nails were sharp, glinting red, like fresh blood, in the sun.

“Heh, but I’m so much stronger than you are. I am hundred times stronger… this makes it all the more interesting if we get into a fight, doesn’t it?”

She leaped into the air, heading straight towards Sakiko.

Xeon felt exhausted, his energy spent. So, he decided to lay down in the cool grass for awhile. He watched as Sakiko lay dead still, the black stuff still coating her robes. He raised his eyebrows. Was she refusing his power? The Necromancer shrugged, and checked the moon in the sky. Sakiko had so much time before she really would die. She could not keep refusing her only life source. Then his power would be wasted.

Xeon rested his chin on his hands, watching for any movement.

She had better not die, because she had better help him find his father.

Sakiko grunted, dodging out of the way. Okikas growled, her eyes glinting. The creature hissed,

“Not as weak as I thought… so much the better. This makes it more amusing.”

Okikas ran, her claws long and shining. The light mage ran also, holding out a fist. She collided with the demon girl, their faces close and each could smell each other’s breath as they huffed. The mage growled,

“I won’t allow such a dirty creature as yourself to enter.”

Okikas snorted.

“Then will you die?”

Sakiko hesitated, her eyes wavering. Okikas saw this as chance.

“If you die, who else will suffer other than yourself?”

The mage growled,

“I won’t suffer.”

But she saw the point of this all. Sakiko let go of the girl’s wrists, and she backed away slowly. Her black eyes were slowly turning to silver. The mage could see what Opegaria and Okikas’s points were. They were so clear that they cut her. Sakiko bit her lip, angry.

“I have nothing to do!”

“What of your promise?”

Sakiko looked up, surprised. Okikas drew closer, her lips curled into a malicious smile.

“Yes, that’s right. What of Xeon, the Necromancer who awaits? He gave away his power to form me, you do realize. And without finding his father again, he will be weak, even weaker than he was when he came to Hyrule.”

“How do you know this?”

Okikas snorted.

“I came from him, don’t you see? Of course I’d know. Fool.”

Sakiko sat down, gazing at the vapory grass.

“But…what will happen if I let you in?”

Xeon sighed, getting impatient. He could see that Sakiko was getting more pale by every minute, her breath getting even shallower than ever. The Necromancer puckered his lips, scratching his chin… it was time to intervene.

He sucked in his breath, putting his mind and soul into Sakiko’s. He could track down the mage in the very point of space in this way, and see what she was doing. Xeon would’ve preferred it if he gave her some space, but it was she who had ruined it. The Necromancer could feel himself reduce into a small, compact ball of energy.

Soon, he was in the same place, the same sunny place that Sakiko was in.

“Arrrggg…”

Xeon groaned, hating the brightness of it all. Darkness did not belong here. He spotted the two identical, yet so different Sakiko’s sitting on the grass together. He strolled towards them, almost frantic.

“What are you doing? You’re dying, Sakiko… let the girl be a part of you, and quickly.”

Sakiko looked up, her silver eyes wide.

“Xeon, what…”

She looked back and forth, from Okikas to Xeon. She had to act now. And by now, she knew at the very moment. Sakiko stood up, trying to look for the Opegaria who had disappeared. If her aunt was here, she’d know what to do… she felt cold fear gripping her heart. She wouldn’t know what would happen if Okikas became a part of her. And somehow, she really didn’t want to know either.

Sakiko turned to Xeon, and shook him.

“What is this? I thought you’d save me, not this… what happens if I let her in, what other evil will there be…”

She groaned, dreading this all.

Xeon roughly took off her hands, enraged. He spat,

“I saved you, witch!”

His dark purple eyes were wild, hungry with power. He was furious… Sakiko must keep her promise, or his powers were lost! And every second was speeding by them…

Ooc: i didnt know what to say

Okikas looked at Xeon, then back at Sakiko. She was getting impatient. The girl licked her lips, a malicious smile slowly creeping up her lips. Then she ran.

She ran towards Sakiko in a fraction of a second, and collided into the mage’s body.

Sakiko screamed, a sudden pain overtaking her.

“NNNOOOOOO!!!!!”

Okikas was quickly fusing with Sakiko, the darkness mixing with the light quickly. Black smoke curled into the air, and the mage collapsed unto her knees, throwing up blood. She felt the world swirling about her, and the grass became the sky.

Sakiko opened her eyes quickly, and found herself lying on the grass of Hyrule. The moon shone brightly, twinkling. She was alive.