Chapter 2
"How's your school work going?"
"Fine."
Sol's mom sighed. Even 6 years after her husband's disappearance, she still struggled to connect with her daughter. Verbally, at least. The two of them could sit in the same room quietly for house and not be awkward.
After dinner, Sol said, "I'm tired. I'll see you in the morning. Good night, Mama." This was Sol's way of saying she wouldn't be coming out to read while her mom wrote.
"Good night, Sol."
An hour later, Sol had finished her homework and was playing Lost Odyssey, one of her favorites. She listened absently while Kaim, Seth, and Jansen first interacted with Cooke and Mack. Her mind was wandering back to Koyuki's question.
"…would you want to go…?"
Seth and Kaim debated throughout the beginning of the game about the value of their lost memories. In the case of the game, she had always sided with Seth. Having your memories, even if some hurt, is better than not having any at all. But, what about her own memories? Did she want them back? Or should she just leave it alone?
Suddenly, everything when black. Like she was sitting in a void.
Almost. Very soon…the connection.
The void vanished. Solara was once again watching Cooke chew out soldiers with childish insults.
"What…the…hell was that?!"
"Yo, Sol, what's with you?" one of her classmates asked as she stared blankly ahead.
"Last night…" she mumbled.
"Last night? What, did you wet the bed or something?" the idiot snipped.
Sol's eyes focused on him and she snarled. *CRASH* He hit the floor, taking out a desk and chair on his way down, when she swept his legs out from under him. She turned away to glare out the window.
His two friends leaned over him. "I don't know why you thought saying that to her was a good idea." One of them stated. The other nodded.
"Oh, shut up." Groaned the first.
"Ne, ne, did you have a fun dream last night, Sol?" Koyuki asked. She was standing a little ways off, having just come into the room. Sol stood up with the intention of going over to her.
"I suppose you could say that…"
Abruptly, the entire room plunged into the darkness of the same void from last night. The desks and chairs disappeared, leaving only the students. A large, glowing pattern appeared on the floor.
Connected!
The students started screaming and yelling, having no idea what was going on. Just then, a weird creature emerged from the dark. A white face with +'s for eyes (one black, one yellow), with it's tongue sticking out of its goofy grin, and wearing a long red robe. A massive chained door was behind it.
"Portal open!"
Koyuki froze in surprise while the other students ran out of the room into the hall. All except one. Solara planted herself in front of Koyuki, a harsh but confused look on her face.
"Sol, what is that?"
"…MÄR…"
The creature moved. Sol shifted, ready to hit it if it got closer. Both Sol and Koyuki were surprised when it just threw a die. "Ho!"
The die flipped and rolled, then came to a stop. "It say '1.' Only one can come!" It pointed at Solara. "You can see, yes? You wish to leave you own world? The portal opens for you! Walk in!"
"Can I go too?" Koyuki asked.
"It say '1.' If more than one come…maybe something bad happen to two ones!" the creature replied.
"Oh…" Koyuki looked at Solara. She was standing with her head down, her hair hanging around her face, hiding her expression. "Sol?"
"I…"
Koyuki smiled. Reaching up, she hugged Solara around her neck. Sol looked surprised. "Go." Sol stared. "Go get it all back. You need this. I understand." On anyone else's face, Koyuki might have thought the person she was looking at was fighting tears.
Sol wrapped her arms tight around Koyuki's waist. "Take care of Mama?"
"Of course. You kick that jerk's butt. Sock him a good one for me, too!" Koyuki stepped back. They could hear their classmates yelling in the hallway, but they ignored it. "Love ya, Sol. Bye." She waved.
Sol gave Koyuki a small smile, then turned and walked through the opening door.
The door shut behind her, then disappeared. The creature faded into the blackness. Then the void vanished, leaving Koyuki standing in the empty classroom.
