When things got dark, as was often the case these days, her lullaby still came to mind. Though her face was harder to recall every year, he could still remember every word, every note.

By the time Soul was old enough to recall such things as happy memories; she was too far gone to create many more. It was his only connection to his mother.

In this world, where magic is commonplace, truth is valued above all else. And her voice was real, truly magical. It was not the product of any spell, but rather talent, talent that attracted many a suitor, all connoisseurs of rare things.

And so it was that the lovely lady who sung like a bird was locked away.

It wasn't long before she stopped singing.

The day his mother died Soul was left alone with his father. Wes had long ago left the house, that argument was another thing he would never forget. And now all expectations were on him. And he'd hate to disappoint.

Her days were numbered.
She could feel the power growing inside her, like a plague; feel its heat slipping underneath her skin. She couldn't open her mouth for fear of it spilling out, couldn't go outside in case they could see it emanating off of her. If any of the others found out… No one wanted to touch her anyways, knowing that she was a Halfie, if the found out she had Essence too…. If she was lucky they'd just turn her in.

Thankfully none of the others knew about this place, her little hideaway. They often wondered where she disappeared off to, but they were all street rats so it wasn't unusual to have a bolt hole or two.

Her stomach rumbled and Maka groaned rolling over.

She couldn't hide away for ever.

Sitting up she tried once more to stem the flow of Essence, but the more she concentrated on it the more she could feel its heat. The candle in the corner of the room flared and Maka stifled a yelp which quickly turned into a sob.

Everyone knew what happened to the illigitement.

Briefly Maka fingered the knife at her belt, filled with an odd sort of calm, a sad smile lighting her face. She sighed.

The Arena then. Not like it mattered, she was going to die either way.