The Mœræ's decision
A long time ago during one of my travels, I stumbled upon a man who claimed to be a prophet for the gods. Upon our introductions, he claimed could answer one question through the gods, no matter the question but only one. After a moment of pondering what my one question would be, for the so called gods, I asked the wise man why we have the term soulmate. The answer he gave was a strange but a simple story; an ancient story, that had been passed down from generation to generation since the age of gods.
"The answer is in a tale, one that tells of the origin of ancient humans and their unfortunate demise into what we know now as normal people." Said the old prophet, I was curious as to how this would answer my question so I nodded my head and motioned for him to continue.
"At the dawn of mankind, humans all had four legs, four arms, and a single head made with two faces; one side man the other, woman. In this state, humans had immense power, so much so, they even rivaled the gods themselves." As he said this he pointed to the heavens with two fingers and closed his eyes, almost as if he felt sorrow for what was to come.
"Thus, rendering most gods without authority over humans, the gods noticed the power and beauty the humans emulated and a few of the more jealous and spiteful gods were appalled that something like a human could be comparable to themselves. This led these gods to feel anger, jealousy, and resentment towards the beautiful creatures known as humans. In their rage, they formulated a devilish plan, they must destroy the humans. As dissolute as they were, the plan came fourth to separate humans from their counterparts, the gods confided their power together and forcefully split all humans forever. Castigating humans to spend the rest of their lives in search for a part of themselves forever astray. Many gods cared not, some were overjoyed that humans were put in their place. Yet, the goddesses of fate felt pity for the once exquisite and dazzling creatures now aimlessly wandering the earth. So the Mœræ tied the now lost souls to their original pairing, so that someday the two halves may meet again, in this life or the next, soulmates will forever be bound by the strings of fate...
A door closing gently rocks me awake, looking around to scan my environment, I see golden rays of sunset piercing through the large windows. It's late enough now that all the clubs and teachers have gone home. "What was that sound I heard beforehand?" I mumble to myself. I try to shrug it off but I can't shake the feeling of curiosity. My attention changes to the time, the sun is already setting, so I should probably not spend the last bit of daylight thinking about doors closing. I begin packing my things up, several books and papers, some in japanese some in latin, some english, etc. honestly knowing so many languages can be quite the hassle because sometimes I accidentally slip back into one or another during conversation, and that's always a funny reaction of whoever I'm talking to, but ends up being a pain to explain away. Japanese though, is new to me which causes me to stay late to catch up to a professional level. Sliding the last book into my now encumbered bag, that looks as if it could burst at any moment, I toss the bag over a shoulder and breathe out a sigh.
"This bag would have easily been broken by now if it were made of normal materials, luckily for me I've had this gift for so long. How long has it been since I met him? 2 no 3 centur-..." I think to myself, and let out a soft laugh at the last part.
"Honestly it's been so long I can barely remember." I let out softly and stand up to leave, walking over to the light switch with bag in tow, I turn the lights off and look back once more making sure nothing was left behind.
"Patet omnia" I let out with a smile. That saying was from one of my good friends, always so worried about cleanliness that one was. Sliding the door behind me closed I lean back and stretch, when I open my eyes I notice the beautiful scene that I've wondered into; the normally busy and bustling hallway is so peaceful and pretty with the golden-orange rays of sunset peeking through all of the windows. Which gives the interior a glowing appearance, almost that out of a dream. I start my stroll to the stairs down this ordinary hallway turned dreamlike by the sun's last gleaming rays and feel a wave of relaxation come over me that I normally don't feel at school. Generally, around so many people my guard must always be up. But now, I can relax and take a moment to bathe in the serenity of the empty school and admire the view.
My silent bliss is interrupted, by something... No, someone from up the stairwell, crying it seems, I guess anyways. From the muffled noises, they probably don't wish to alert anyone and keep their sorrow unknown. Normally, it would've worked but I unfortunately have somewhat inhuman like abilities and an annoyingly strong ability to get myself into things I shouldn't. So, instead of just minding my own business, curiosity gets the better of me, and I make my way up the last flight of stairs to the roof entrance. Whilst I walk up, I notice the door is partly open, moving closer I spot a girl through the crack. She's in my grade level, I've seen her in one or two of my classes. But, what astounds me the most is that beautiful long dark hair that flows like silk in the breeze; her beauty makes me stand and pause for a moment, then I remember what had drawn me here, the sound of someone crying.
I open the door softly to not startle her and to make sure she is okay, but she notices me almost instantly and quickly stands up wiping the tears from her face.
"How long have you been standing there you creep?" she blurts out, as her red jacket and silky hair flutter slightly in the breeze.
" I-I was just walking and I heard you-" I can barely let my words out, now that I can see more of her face I am just awestruck by her allure, even with puffy cheeks from crying.She interrupts,
"Heard me? I don't know how you could hear me, I-I was just… " She drifts off struggling to think of a viable excuse.
"I saw you crying and I had to make sure you are okay." I manage to get out my words without stuttering this time.She looks down at the ground for a moment, then back up at me with piercing blue eyes and asks quieter than before,
"W-why would you even care? You don't even know me." I'm a bit taken back, but she's right, I am new here and I'm just a stranger to her, and probably everyone else. Probably because, I've been more or less keeping to myself, not because I want to, but due to my circumstances I can't allow myself to become close to people. Yet, for this girl I feel, for some reason, it's different, almost as if we are the same, and out of a compulsion to say anything to make her feel better I mutter,
"You're right, I may not know your name or your story…" As I say this she looks back down at the ground.
"But, that doesn't matter.. I can clearly see that you are full of sorrow, and I know how that feels. To be cut very deep and then left on your own, so… so I want to help you…" As I say this I take a step closer to her, yet she's still looking at the ground silently as if I my words bounced off of her. I feel a purposeful coldness from her. It's like she's closing herself off not just from me, but the entire world.
"I won't pretend to know what you're going through right now, but what I do know is that no one can simply shoulder all of the troubles of the world alone, close themselves off from people, and still have any hope of happiness in life." again she has yet to move, I can see that she has extreme discipline around people, to be able to just suppress what she was just feeling moments ago is both saddening and impressive. Her coldness, ots understandable, for most people are selfish, ruthless, and self centered. And now, it's abundantly clear that I'm not helping here, I'm just speaking to a girl walled off from the world.
"I apologize if I overstepped my bounds…" There's another momentary silence. Knowing I've made a mistake, I turn to walk back towards the door and leave the poor girl alone. When I reach the door I hesitate a bit, hoping she says something, not only for her but for me as well. I think having someone to talk to would be grea--
" I need… I need someone.." She mutters.
"Who won't leave me.. Like everyone else has in my life" She lets out with cracking in her voice, I let go of the handle and let the door close. Turning back to face her I noticed she's clenched both of her fists and has a more pained look on her face. Almost as if saying that out loud hurt her.
"Is that what fills your heart with such pain? Have you lost someone close to you?" I ask with a heartfelt desire to know who or what causes such sadness.
"No.. Not just someone, everyone.." she says with a sad tone. I move within arms reach of her and reply;
"What makes you think everyone has left you?"
"You really don't know who I am do you?" she responds as if I'm supposed to know her.
"No, but I don't believe that I must know you to be able to relate to your sorrow… " I pause for a moment then say
"I've lost many friends, those who I'd even call family. All that heartache has taught me one thing, those who are gone or that you think are gone, forever unreachable. They are always with you, in your heart, in your memories, in the small things that happen day to day that make you remember them and smile. So long as you carry their memories with you, you are never alone." I pause for a moment and remember all my friends and loved ones lost to time, I pause because I feel myself get choked up and teary eyed. I know I can lecture someone on how to feel better but it's no use if I can't hold myself together. Clearing my throat I begin again;
"I know you probably think I'm just that new kid, and my advice is just me trying to score some points with you, but, it comes from experience… You see, my father forced me out of the only home I ever knew. At first, I wondered aimlessly, replaying my mistakes over and over. Normally that by itself isn't easy on someone, but being banished into a world you never knew, makes things that much more complicated." I slightly lean against the wall next to her, and look up at the sky for a moment to regain composure.
"If it was going so bad why did you keep going?" She asks with some calmly.
"Because, I made one of the gravest mistakes known to man, hell you could even say the first mistake… I think that disappointment my father just couldn't bear, and so he cast me out. At first it was resentment that kept me going, driven by pure hatred and anger I made a lot of people sad, but over time, I met many who taught me the error of my ways and I learned to accept my faults. Then, I spent my time helping people with all the power I had. But, some rather vile people started pursuing me-" I cut myself off realizing that I've said way too much about myself and I could be putting this girl in mortal danger because of my own emotional weakness. I quickly finish off my rambling;
"-So I can really relate to you in the sense of feeling alone." I look back at her and she has moved closer than before, looking genuinely intrigued by my life story so I continued;
"I've not been able to speak to my father or any of my family since I was cast out. But, I know that no matter the circumstances I can at least keep them all in my heart. So as you can see, I have no choice but to keep going and attempt to make amends for my mistakes, that's the sin I must keep myself beholden to." I finish off and halfheartedly smile to the bittersweet conclusion of my life story. The sad look on her face is all but gone, and those blue eyes have a sparkle to them now. I take a half second to admire how much happier she looks now, until she starts to leaning in towards me, getting to an uncomfortable distance, she pauses. It looks as if she's studying my face intently, and after a moment she smirks then says;
"My name is Tohsaka." As she confidently let's out her name she backs up from me and grabs her bag, then finishes with;
"Rin... Rin Tohsaka. Most boys are too afraid to talk to me, let alone give me their life story." She says with an attitude.
"You can call me Rin, but don't creep up on me again weirdo" she says whilst walking towards the door. The huge change of pace she just pulled threw me off guard, like missing the last non-existent step of a staircase that you're walking up in the dark. I gather myself as she reaches the door and say,
"Wait, Rin." She turns her head in acknowledgement.
"My name is--" I start to say before she cuts me off,
"Seraph, yeah I know who you are, new kid." she says as she cracks a devilish smile. Then, turns dramatically causing her hair and jacket to flow outwards and walks downstairs, leaving me alone on the roof. As the door closes behind her I stand a bit astonished, at that girl… Rin, and how different she is from all the thousands of people I've met before. Lost in thought I eventually come back to reality to notice the sun has completely set now. Letting out a soft sigh and centering myself, I scan my surroundings and head to the stairs. Upon reaching the stairs I remember that I was trying to get home on time today. I dismiss the thought, for no one will be waiting for me there so there is no need for urgency…