Her

She was floating into what seemed to be an abyss. Her body was emitting a strange glow despite the loose uniform she wore, particularly in her chest. Nothing except the flying orbs can be seen on the large expanse of darkness. Souls, she realized. All of them were souls, including her. She didn't understand how could she see and appear before them. Thousands of orbs drifted back and forth like they're dancing in a silent tune.

Amused, she studied the one in front of her. It's like seeing the person's identity. Some were kind, others red with hatred and greed for power. Though one soul stood out to the rest. It was powerful and sarcastic yet kind at the same time. It's somewhat similar to others but there was something about it that made her own flutter as if drawn.She lifted her hand to touch the orb but then dropped it back to her side in confusion. A force tugged on her soul though it wasn't the one in front of her.

The tugging sensation continued with more aggression that it felt as if her body would split in half. She thrashed, clawing out at the invisible entity that's pulling her out while yelling a silent cry. Though it's all futile. She could only struggle with her will and mind. It's like she's playing tug of war with someone except instead of a rope, it was her soul that was being fought over.

A lone tear fell from the corner of her eye. The excruciating pain on her chest turned breathing into agony but she didn't stop fighting. Her intuition told her that losing meant death and she would never surrender to death that easily. As if sensing her affliction, the sarcastic soul from earlier came floating near her face. The warmth it gave off was strangely comforting and she would even dare call it familiar. It hovered near as if hesitating then cautiously touched her tear-stained cheek. Something broke upon the contact. An electricity crackled putting an end to the battle of supremacy on her soul.

She sucked in a breath through her teeth. The shock left her rattled and disoriented. All orbs disappeared and a door materialized out of the blue, beckoning her to enter. A possible exit from the abyss. The knob was warm in her hand, without any choice she twisted it then entered.

As soon as she stepped into the tiled floor, her clothes changed into a long black dress with matching long gloves and pumps in the same shade. Her heels clacked on the checkered tiles when she ventured further in the room. A haunting melody drifted to the air like a ghost of a lost lover trying to find it's way back home again.

Each note drew her closer behind the massive curtain that's obstructing her view of the other side. With a grunt, she pulled the offending material down to reveal a man with snow white hair sitting before a grand piano. His crimson orbs gazed at her with dumbfounded expression, slender fingers frozen above the ivory keys.

Embarrassment colored her cheeks. Great. She just ruined the moment for the man. With a sheepish smile, she tried to make it up to him. "I… Love your music. Even if it's somehow dark and twisted, the raw emotions… It's like, I could feel it. Like I could connect with it."

"Maka…" he uttered the name like a prayer. Slowly, he rose from the stool never tearing away his eyes from hers as if afraid that she would disappear. "Is it really you?"

Her brows furrowed in confusion. "Do I know you?"

It's like he never heard her question or choose to ignore it. He walked towards her then pulled her into his chest in a tight embrace. "Do you know how worried I was when you left me to infiltrate the Witch? Death, Maka. I'm so terrified that I would lose you."

She wanted to tell him that she must have mistaken her for someone but nothing came out of her mouth. The gesture, his warmth,scent, she couldn't explain it, but the man… He gave off a sense of security. Locked in his arms, she felt a vague familiarity and an intense emotion that she doesn't know the name of. To think that a mere stranger could evoke such feeling.

It didn't made any sense. He might have enchant her. Yes, it might be the case. She couldn't trust him.Grunting, she shoved him away then took a step back. "You made a mistake. I'm not this Maka you're looking for."

The man seemed bewildered, he opened and closed his mouth a couple of times then stared at her with narrowed eyes. "I can't believe this." He ran a hand through his hair, "She actually did it. I will kill that Siren Witch."

"What are you talking about?" She glared at him. How dare he speak to her Mother like that? "You will nevertouch Mother. Because I will never let you."

Their surroundings wavered yet she stood indignant staring at him. He cracked a small smile then closed the gap between them. "Even with your memory erased, your stubbornness never change."

"Like I said, I-"

He took her by surprise when he kissed her forehead. "I will find you, Maka. Just wait for me. Don't forget my name, Soul. I will make you remember who you are."

She never had a chance to respond because the room faded into oblivion.


Eyelids fluttered open to see the light flittering through the slip in the curtains. Sitting up, she looked around an elegant room. Soft blanket covered her petite frame. A floor-length mirror stood opposite of where she laid. Expressionless face stared back at her. Blank green eyes and long ash blonde hair. Her dream felt real. Heck, their encounter and the pull on her soul felt more real than her identity. He, the man with a snow white hair, knew her. She had a feeling that he knew her more than her Mother does.

"Am I right, Ren?" she glanced at the side. A girl around her age hovered near then sat gracefully at the edge of the bed.

"Yes. Your thoughts are all accurate that is why I can't fathom why you're still asking me for confirmation."

With a huff, she shoved the blanket aside then rose to a sitting position. "One can't be too confident in their intuition. I just don't understand how we can read each other's mind."

Ren sighed then faced her. If not for her transparent body, they could easily mistaken for twins. "I told you already. We have a connection. Our souls… they're linked together and unless someone freed me from Moth-" she cleared her throat, "-from Peisinoe, I won't be able to go."

"Freed, huh? So that means if you can't break Mother's hold, the only way for you to move on is for me to die."

A few beats passed before she answered. "Yes. But that is not an option. A lot of people is waiting for you, especially that boy."

"I don't need them. I have Mother. She might have done something terrible to you but she stopped because she loves me and I love her for that."

She placed a hand on her leg. "Don't lie to yourself, Maka. You claim that you love her yet you're not even that outrage as you like to believe when Soul Evans said he would kill her."

"You're watching." Her eyes narrowed into slits but her accusation was met by laughter.

"I don't want to ruin your precious moment but I can't stay far away from you. Don't worry though, I didn't stepped into the room and I certainly didn't see him kiss your forehead."

Maka's cheeks burned with embarrassment. She grabbed a pillow then throw it at the other girl. It passed her body, landing in the wall. But instead of being offended, Ren laughed harder in amusement. "Stop laughing. I don't know him."

"Yet you reacted at his hug. You almost melted into his arms."

"Stop it."

Raising her hand, she surrendered giggling when she glowered at her. "Okay, okay. I won't tease you anymore. But you have to understand. Maka might be your real name and if what I heard is true, the anti-Demon wavelength in your soul is responsible for keeping you sane."

"We don't know that for sure."

"Yes, we do. But you're in denial because you are too afraid to admit that your beloved Mother is lying to you." Ren turned serious. "When I took control of your body to force you not to drink the water she gave you, the headaches disappeared altogether, didn't it? Also, you stopped waking up in the middle of the night to cry in frustration because you've forgotten what happened during the day. Don't be delusional, Maka. She doesn't love you. She just want to control you. The reason why you felt pain last night was because she tried to take your soul and replace it with someone else."

"You're lying!"

"I wish, I was." Her expression changed to sadness with hurt reflecting in her eyes. "Look at your chest. Tell me if there is no scar and I will believe you."

Her blood pounded in her ears. She started to unbutton her blouse, hoping she's wrong. Although she knew even if she didn't check, a fresh wound would mar the pale skin on her chest. Pulling her clothe to the side, she stared at her reflection and took a sharp breath. She was right. A scar protruded right at her heart, crusting with dried blood. "Whose soul?"

Ren avoided her gaze. "Mine."