Chapter 1: How it Starts
It was always reading fairy tales before bed or dressing up as a princess or something else for Halloween. As a little girl, I always loved fairy tales. Dad would read it to me every night before bed. He would call me his princess and I'll call him my king.
Those were the happiest moments of my life.
At first, I thought fairy tales were harmless and beautiful, but when you actually experience it...it's nowhere near the story.
People expected fairy tales to be life learning stories, which is true, but they never expected the sacrifice that needed to be done.
"RUN FINE! DON'T ZONING OUT!" Yelled my sister.
The dragon was in front of me. Everything in flames and the screams of the people.
"WHY ARE YOU STANDING THERE?! RUN!"
I wouldn't be able to escape anyway. It's too late for that. The dragon opens it's mouth and prepares to blow fire. Looks like this is my stop. Not like I had a future to begin with...
How did this begin?
It began after I learned the truth. About my life, family...and myself.
Truth slammed his daughter's door open. He scans the room and walks up to the bed. Empty. He frowns and begins to think. Then he nods and walks down the hall. At the end of the hall was a string hanging from the ceiling. He pulls the string and a ladder comes down. He climbs up and peeks in the attic.
By the window was a sleeping child. Her magenta hair scattered around her hair and her mouth slightly open. She was holding a think book with a title called 'The Seven Kingdoms'.
Truth smiles slightly and climbs the rest of the way in. He crawls to Fine and shakes her shoulder.
Fine squeezes her eyes and tiredly stares at Truth. She smiles. "Morning dad..." She said.
"Were you reading fairy tales again? I thought you said you were getting a bit too old."
Fine sits up and wipes her eyes. "I am, but doesn't mean I'll get tired of fairy tales. They're enchanting!"
"If you say so. Now come down! It's time to go out!"
"Breakfast?"
"Table."
"You love me~"
"Because you're my beloved daughter. Now get down before I throw it away."
In the dining room, Fine devoured her meal. Now her image became more clear. Her cheeks were rosy like an innocent child and her skin was creamy. Her lips were a healthy pink. Her eyes were pink ruby and her eyelashes were a bit long. Her hair was brushed to the left. It let out a shine when the light reflected on it.
She was adorable looking. Like a doll.
"You better hurry and dress up. Or else we'll be late for the registration." Truth said as he sipped his coffee.
"Do we have to go? Make-up day is in 2 days." Fine whined.
"Sooner the better. That way we can get it over with. Now hurry to your room!"
"Right, right." Fine scoots back. "Before I go-"
"We'll go to the aquarium I promised to take us earlier this month." Truth grins.
Fine practically squealed. "Yay! I'll be back!"
Truth watched his happy daughter run up the stairs. He picks up the empty plate and goes to wash them. He froze in place and stumbled a bit. In process he dropped the plate. It broke on the floor.
"Damn it..." He muttered and wipe his eyes. "This must mean it's almost time..."
"Dad!? What's wrong?" Fine asked worriedly as she rushed down the stairs.
Truth smiled in reassurance. "Nothing to be alarmed about. I manage to trip somehow."
Fine sighs in relief. "Take some medicine okay? I don't want you getting sick right now."
"Did we just switch roles?"
"Dad! This is serious!" Fine pouts. "I put your medication in the kitchen cabinet. Where we place our tea cups."
"Thank you sweetie. Now you go change. Sorry to worry you!"
Fine nods and runs up the stairs.
Truth's smile slowly fades. He makes an emotionless face and opens the door to the basement. He takes a step but quickly goes back and closes the door behind himself. 'No. I mustn't go down there during the day.' He thought and walks into the kitchen for his medicine.
Later Truth dropped Fine at school and went to work. For some reason, he couldn't concentrate. His coworkers became concern of his sudden quiet behavior because usually he'd be talking about his daughter or some other things.
"Truth...are you feeling well?" One of his coworkers asked.
Truth softly smiles and nods. "Yeah... I'll be fine later. I took medicine this morning." Truth answered. "Maybe I should leave early today..."
"We think so as well. Take the day off. I think stress is getting to you."
"Thank you. I'll be on my way. Sorry to have worried you."
"Just get better. I think we all prefer the excited, annoying you. Being quiet doesn't suit you."
Truth chuckles. "I'll take that as a compliment." He grabs his belongings. "I'll rest for today and hopefully I'll get better. Bye."
His coworkers said bye to him and soon he was out the door.
...
Staying home was quite boring. Truth couldn't sleep or think properly. The pain would come and go. Everything hurt. His hair was looking dim and he even looked a little pale.
He remembered something someone told him long age.
A man with blue hair. He said something like, "If you began to feel sleepless, in pain, or caution, that means her safety is in danger. That means she'll have to return and you'll disappear."
"Oh yeah...that's what he said..." He said weakly. "This isn't fair. She's still young and they never told me what was coming. My memory is leaving me."
The front door opened. Fine stopped at the entry of the living room. "Dad?" She said and walks up to him. Her eyes widened in shock when she saw the state her father was in. "Are you sick?! You look really pale! We need to get you to the hospital!"
"That won't help... Not even the doctors can help me."
"I know you hate the doctors but-"
"That's not it! I'm saying this isn't something a professional doctor can do!"
Fine freezes and takes her dad's hand. "Are you...dying?"
"I suppose you can say that."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm not entirely sure about this myself. My memories are a bit fuzzy after I came to this place." Now both are frozen. "What...did I just say?"
"I don't know, but I want to know." She sat next to Truth. "What was the first thing you remembered when you came to this town?"
Truth thought for a minute. "I remember sitting on my knees at the park while holding a crying baby, which was you. For some reason I was crying and soon we were found and reported to the hospital. The police question me but I couldn't remember a single thing. They knew we were related because of our magenta hair and blood work. That's all, but for some reason I knew I had to protect you from danger."
"Do you at least know who my mom is?"
Truth shakes his head. "No. I tried remembering her lots of times but all I remember is her voice. She sounded like someone with a higher status and rich sweetness. But if I have to guess...I think she also has magenta hair."
"What? How's that possible?"
"Like I said...I don't know. Everything is fuzzy yet familiar. My memories are barely coming back. Until then you'll have to he careful and not go to friends houses or go to any kind of activity. I'll call work about my illness."
"Can't I just stay with you? What if something bad happens while I'm gone?"
"Trust me, back at the kingdom I was one of the greatest creations! And a very good warrior!" Again with the silence. "I did it again...my memory slipped out without me knowing."
"Yeah. Maybe you should rest. I'll probably come back if you sleep. I'll take a day off tomorrow to take care of you."
"I can't let you do that. You're still a young girl."
"I'm !3. Practically a young woman. I'm going to call my teacher and your boss. I'll be back."
"Thank you sweetie." Fine nod and went to the telephone.
...
Fine decided not the make the whole thing a big deal. All she wanted was her dad to get better and tell her things. Ask questions. Be annoying! Truth just lied on her lap like an emotionless person. She was afraid he'd stop breathing. She'd even check his pulse once in a while.
When the doorbell rang, she had to wake her dad so she can answer the door. Truth got up slightly and Fine got up. Truth lied back down and went back to sleep.
"I'm coming!" Fine said and opened the door. "Oh?" These were Truth's old classmates and friends. 3 of them looked like his age and 1 looked slightly older. Fine hid half her body behind the door. Truth showed her a picture, but he never told her their names and background. "Are you old friends of my dad?"
"Yes, but we still talk so you can say 'best friends'. Are you Fine?" Said the female. Fine nods. "Amazing! You grew so much! The last time we saw you was your 5th birthday party!"
Fine revealed herself. "I'm sorry. I don't remember any of you. Maybe I do, just can't remember correctly."
"It's normal." The older man said. "I'm Akiyoshi. But call me Akiyo."
"Or Yoshi!" Said one of the younger men. He gets smacked by Akiyo. "A-Anyway I'm Benjiro! Call me Ben!"
"Chokichi." Said the other male.
"Saving the best for last, I'm Fuyu! Younger sibling of Akiyoshi! Surely Truth mentioned us before!"
Fine stood staring at them. 'What should I say?' She wondered.
"Fine? Who's at the door?" Truth asked as he made his way to the door.
"Dad! You shouldn't walk on your own!" Fine said and turned to Truth's old friends. "Um...give me a minute?" Then she dashed to her dad.
Truth smiled weakly at his daughter as she helped him back to the couch. "Sorry... I forgot the state I was in."
"Is your memories of your health also disappearing?"
"I guess." Fine sat her dad on the couch. "Did you at least invite the people in?"
"You're my first priority. Now stay down and I'll be back."
"Okay."
Fine goes back to the front door. "I'm sorry. Come in!" She moved aside and let them enter.
"Nice home. This was far then I expected." Ben said.
"It feels welcoming!" Fuyu said.
"This way." Fine said and led them to the living room. "Dad! I invited them in! I think you know them from High School!"
"High School?" Truth repeated. When the four revealed themselves, Truth stopped to look at them. "Akiyoshi? Benjiro? Chokichi? Fuyu?"
"Glad to know you remember us." Chokichi said.
"I barely recognize you! It's been forever!" Truth coughs.
"I'll go get water. You guys can take a seat." Fine said and dashes to the living room.
Ben, Chokichi, and Fuyu sat across from Truth while Akiyo sat in the lone chair. They all felt awkward except Truth and Akiyoshi.
"So?" Truth spoke. "Why did you suddenly come here? 67 invites later."
"We wanted to come by to see how you and the girl were holding up. Looked like you have a peaceful life and Fine looks healthy. Except for you. You look pale as snow and you look restless. Your hair looks a bit dim and you look like a disaster is coming. Did you go see a doctor?" Akiyo said.
"I'm just sick. I don't need a doctor." Fine came and put a tray of glass cup filled with water. She hands a cup to Truth. He smiles and takes the cup. "Thank you sweetie. I hate to say this, but can you please go to your room? Surely you have homework to do."
Fine nods in understanding. She turns to the others and bows her head. "Nice to meet you all." Then she left. Truth waited until her bedroom door closed.
"Truth." Chokichi said, "If you want to get better for your daughter, you'll have get better!"
Truth said nothing. He drank his water and stared at his cup. A moment of silence. "Hey..." He finally said. "Remember when we first met?"
They gave questioning looks. "Akiyo and I were the first to meet you. It was at the hospital, right?" Fuyu said.
"Right! Remember when the doctors said I was the baby's father?"
"Yeah. We called you teen dad." Fuyu gasp. "Do you finally remember her?!"
"Not exactly." He closes his eyes halfway. "I have glimpses and I remember her voice. I think Fine looks like her mother. That's what I think." He sips his cup. "Remember that mysterious tattoo we all discovered?"
"The once that magically came out of nowhere?" Ben questions.
"Yup." Truth puts his cup down and rolls up his sleeve. "It's moving like an hourglass." The tattoo was slowly moving. "Wherever I came from must have something to do with it."
"Whoa! Like another world! Maybe you were sent here for a purpose!"
"Yeah. I think so too though it's really hard to believe. Though it kinda makes sense. No background or the DNA of the mother in the database. Fine and I are strangers to thinks world. It's no wonder we're so different from everyone else."
"Whoa... This is hard to process." Akiyo said.
"My point exactly." Truth rolls his sleeve back down. "This is why I can't see a doctor. Whoever sent me here gave me a mission and I've completed it."
"So you're no longer needed? What about Fine?! What'll happen to her?" Fuyu asks.
"She's not like me. The person who sent us here will leave me here and take her away." He rubs his head. "It's not fair. Why were we given this life?" He smiles weakly. "I'm sorry. Even though we've just seen each other the first time in years, I don't really have anyone to tell this." He stands up. Before they stood up, he stops them and walks up to the picture on the wall. Modern days with his daughter. "I wish...I knew why I feel this way. It's like I'm being torn and suffocating." He gripped his chest and his lips began to quiver. "It hurts...huh?" Tears began to fall. "For some reason all I want is to curl up and cry."
"It's called heartbroken." Fuyu said in a soft voice. "I know the feeling."
Truth just cried. His friends comfort him until he fell asleep.
Fine came out and found them all sleeping on the couch. Her dad was in the center while Fuyu's head was relaxing on his shoulder and Ben sleeping on her shoulder. Truth's head was sleeping on Akiyo's shoulder and Akiyo was sleeping on Chokichi's shoulder. Fine got a blanket and placed in on them.
'Must be nice having great friends like them.' She thought and walks to her room. The doorbell rang and she changed her direction. "Yes?" She answered. Without warning, the cloaked figures grabbed her. Their grip was strong so Fine couldn't get loose. "DAD! HELP ME! DAD!"
Truth's eyes opened immediately and he got up. No matter what position he's in, he knew he had to protect his daughter. Sick or not. He grabbed the stick used for the fireplace and ran to the front door. His friends were alarmed as he was and followed him.
The figure carried Fine and ran. "DAD!" She cried. Truth ran out the door and charged at the figure. He swung at the figure. It groaned in pain and dropped Fine. Truth caught her before she fell on the ground and held her protectively. The view of the man became more clear. He was still covered, but it was obviously a man.
"Truth!" Ben called out.
"STAY BACK!" Truth yelled. He loosened his grip on Fine. "Go to Fuyu and the others. Quickly! No questions until I'm finished!" Fine obeyed and ran to the others. Now it was just Truth and the man. "You were a fool to come alone."
The man chuckled. "Who said I was alone?" He said.
A dark shadow circled Fine as she was halfway to the others. She yelped. "Fine!" Akiyo said and reached to her. He got stung and flew backwards. He landed on the others and they all immediately passed out.
"Release her!" Truth growled.
"What are you going to do about it? You're not compatible to fight right now. You're running out of time." The man said. "If you try to fight me, you're lifespan will only shrink and soon you'll die. Or did your memories not come back yet?"
Truth grits his teeth. "Only parts. I still don't know where we came from."
"Good. That means I can use you." He snaps his fingers. The shadows surrounding Fine dropped her and went to Truth. He trapped him and squeezed him. "You're the king and queen's greatest creation. Though they got the genetics wrong, but you're absolutely perfect. I can use you." Truth looks over to Fine.
"FINE! RUN! RUN UNTIL THEY COME TO TAKE YOU BACK!" He yelled. Slowly the ground began sucking him in. "DON'T LET THEM CATCH YOU!" Memories of his life with her began to flood in his minds. He smiles. "I love you, my little princess."
Fine's tears came down. "DAD!" He disappeared in the earth. The man smirks. "Where did he go?! Where's my dad?!"
"Silly girl. He wasn't your father to begin with. He was merely a clone of your real father."
"Wh-What?"
"He's-"
A spark of light opened in front of Fine. Blinding the two.
"Damn! I was too late!" The man hissed.
Before Fine can adjust to the situation, someone grabs her and pulls her into the light. "No! Wait! I need to save my dad!" She cried.
"It's too late for him! You're safety is top priority!" Said a male teenager. "He's done his part. Don't let it go to waste." Soon she disappeared inside the portal.
"Tch! Well at least I got the first close." The man said and disappear.
.
.
.
.
.
.
So yeah. I made a new story... I couldn't help myself! I had to write it or else I would've forget!
But if you liked or loved it please follow, favorite, and review!
Thanks for reading and I'll be sure to update when I can! So bear with me and be patient! See ya later! :D