This would've been uploaded yesterday, but for some reason, the doc manager was acting a bit odd. But it's here.
The Vocaloid song "Fake Life Game" is recommended. I seem to overcome writer's block with these songs.
Enjoy!
Chapter 11: Living Fake Lives (Kosei and Solis)
Location: Dreamy Mira (XXXX-XXXX-XXXX)
I blinked a couple of times to see the familiar mermaid house that belonged to Torii. I sighed in relief, glad that I was in Mira. Granted, I was still in the dream world, but at least I wasn't being hunted down. Solis still stood there, looking like how we first met. Except her eyes flickered between mad, afraid, and empty. And when she spoke, there was an obvious lack of energy.
"Welcome to Mira, Kosei. I…" She paused, then looked up at the cloudy sky. "I need to go. You'll have to figure it out on your own." She crossed the cobblestone bridge, and headed to her home.
I, however, entered Torii's house, and froze. Torii was here, but that was to be expected since she lived in Mira. It was her translucent appearance that had caught me off guard. After experiencing madness and death, you'd think that I'd be numb to surprises. Her ebony eyes showed sadness as she held a red tulip.
"Torii?" I hesitantly asked, but she didn't respond. She simply stood at the window, looking at the Town Tree.
"I had liked him from afar, and the tulip was a confession of sorts. But we had harmed her more than we had originally thought. She was envious of me, and started to grow bitter. Love can be both innocent and guilty. But, love is also known for driving one mad."
"What are you talking about, Torii?" I asked again, but she continued to speak, not even sparing a glance at me.
"When he told me what had happened to them both, I was horrified. And yet, I was the same as them. When Solis became mayor, she poured her energy into working, completing everything she needed to do. It was painful to see her drain herself like that. And it slowly worsened."
She disappeared, leaving me alone, but in her place was a photo. I walked over to the window and picked it up. It was her and the twins when they were younger. The three were happy, and they looked like they having fun. I turned the photo and saw something written on the back.
Torii Jigoku, age 11
Umbra and Solis Dōtoku, age 10
And underneath their names was a set of words.
"The dreams we hold are cursed and mock us."
Considering Torii's calm, mature nature, this particular sentence didn't sound like her at all.
"Hmm.."
I looked out the window to see a shadow head for Umbra's house. Was it showing me the way? As much as I didn't want to, I forced myself to leave Torii's home and head for Umbra's house. As I entered his home, I had the feeling to head upstairs, just like earlier today. And just like I expected, Umbra was there. He was transparent like Torii.
"I seem to remember more than my sister, more than other humans. I don't understand how, and after finding the secret of the Dream Suite, I didn't want to find any more secrets. But, I realized it too late. It is human nature to be curious about the things that intrigue us, territories that we know nothing about."
I simply stood there, listening to Umbra's words. In a way, I understood what he meant.
In Shokutaku, the hunger I was feeling was on the verge of controlling me, and it's took Chief's horrified expression to wake me up.
In Kyōki, the combination of fear and paranoia would've literally driven me mad had I not kept my wits throughout the chaos and the chase.
So what would this version of Mira do to me?
Umbra turned his gaze towards me, and the pain he expressed on his face almost made me flinch. It reminded me of my earlier conversation with him before I even entered the Dream Suite.
"Remember the slip-up Torii made when she greeted you? That is your clue."
He disappeared like Torii, leaving behind another photo and a piece of paper. I walked over and picked them up. The photo was of Umbra and Torii, both with red cheeks. For some reason, I could sense an intense emotion just by looking at the two. It wasn't exactly anger, but it was a bitter feeling. As I flipped the photo to see the back, the feeling went away, leaving a gelid sensation. Almost as if I was being frozen.
Torii Jigoku, 18
Umbra Dōtoku, 17
"So, this was more recent. Undoubtedly before the three of us had arrived," I said to myself. I'll admit the fact that they did look adorable together, but that one emotion overrode the others. I didn't know what to call it, but I started to feel a gnawing sensation. I shook my head and read the set of words.
"She slowly lost her emotions."
It sounded oddly similar to the words written on Torii's photo. And on the piece of paper, a note was written.
"The blue blade of sorrow will cut all, allowing a red river of life to flow until it dries to black."
I looked to my right, seeing Solis's house. Swallowing down my fear, I headed downstairs.
I was in my bedroom, feeling bitter. Why was this my only way to cry out for help? Why wasn't I happy for my brother and friend? Why did I want something that shouldn't even exist?
I looked at the photo in my hands. It was the three of us in front of the town hall, taken right after I became mayor a few months ago. I had a small smile on my face while my brother and Torii had their eyes closed, beaming with joy. I forced myself to walk to my regal table and grabbed a black marker.
'Do it. You know you want to.'
No. I don't want to. I couldn't a summon a reason to do it, but my arms moved on their own, uncapping the marker and scribbling Torii out, leaving me and my brother.
'You had fallen for your brother.'
My stomach churned in disgust at the very concept. The very idea of it was wrong on so many levels. But I developed a crush on him before he told me that we were twin siblings.
"How on earth did I forget that we were twins?"
I looked at the ruined photo and flipped it over. The words were enough to remind me of my steadily worsening disconnect.
It doesn't matter how hard you try, tomorrow is the final day of your false life.
My head starting to hurt, and I started to wonder if I could be saved in my current state. If I were to tell Kosei, a complete stranger, everything, would I be freed from my living nightmare?
I eyed the stained silver shovel that rested against a corner.
… Or my demons claim him as well as me?