Chapter 1
Len's POV
Light flooded his room as he drew the curtains open, filling his vision with nothing but white. He blinked twice, getting his eyes accustomed to the light so that he could see again. The stains on the wall suddenly became distinct, the cheap wood clearly spelling out how much the room was rented for.
The same light reflected off his blonde hair, forming a ring of light gold on his head. His short golden hair was messily tied up in an impromptu ponytail, looking more disorganized than usual as he had just woken up. His deep blue eyes without a glint, the boy stared outside the window at the bustling town. He absentmindedly twirled his pendant around his fingers, seemingly deep in thought and unaffected by all the noise made by the people surrounding the inn.
Something was missing, he was sure of it. Even the feeling of emptiness felt incomplete. Why, why did it feel like he lost a piece of his heart? Her absence hurt more than it would physically.
But of course he knew. Because he understood now.
He felt incredibly blank, as if should he space out a second longer, he would cease to exist. It was lonely, feeling as if no one else would fill the void that took up his soul. If someone would just please end his suffering, if he could just find what he was missing...
Rin. She was Rin.
It was always the same for him no matter what he did. The feeling was faint at first, so even if it was disconcerting, he paid it no attention, continuing to live his everyday life without a care. But soon, it got worse for him. The feeling grew clear to the point where he couldn't wholeheartedly smile when having fun with his friends, knowing that there was something important missing, feeling that there was someone important not with him. His mind just wasn't with him.
Even at night, it was the same. He dreamt of a girl alone in a dark, isolated cavern. It wasn't the similarities between their appearances that let the secret out, but that on an instinctual basis, he knew she was his missing twin. It made that incomplete feeling in his heart fully subside for once. As if, the threads of fate between them were soundlessly weaved together, without them even realizing. In a distant dream, he senselessly asked her, in a whisper that almost seemed to bury itself in that darkness.
"My name is Len... Can you hear me?"
There wasn't an answer, but her eyes seemed to acknowledge his presence. Instead, in their shared consciousness, he heard it. It was a warm and gentle song, sung of salvation. A song that the girl dedicated herself to, for the world. Even though it was a kind song, a song that blessed this world, its warmth only made him feel like crying.
Why, why would she sing, knowing that it meant her death? Why must she be so selfless?
Even though the world was so cruel - not at all kind to her. Even though no one acknowledged her kindness, her sacrifice...!
They weren't fitting to receive her sincere prayers!
It was unbearable, and it made him want to cry for no reason, but he didn't show it. Inside, the feeling continued nagging at him. It hurt to feel.
Tears threatened to spill as a familiar voice rang within him. It was her voice. It belonged to Rin.
The voice reverberated in him, rippling and resounding as if it was a long lost melody. His heart bled, as if something important was missing. As if long ago, someone important was forcefully taken away.
Taken away by the kingdom, by this false world where peace itself was based on lies. Where the world's balance relied on Rin's sacrifice. Despite that, the people weren't grateful. They took the abundance and prosperity of their kingdom for granted.
They took the diva for granted.
It wasn't until this understanding that he realized the voice had died down.
A mournful voice rang, and he quietly sang out those feelings that were too heavy for him to bear. For the girl he dreamt of every night, for all the secrets his mother kept from him, from the gentle voice he heard from time to time, to the emptiness that never left him. It was all connected one way or another, he knew somehow. He sang. He sang of despair, of destruction. He hated them for taking her away, for making him feel incomplete. It was painful.
If their feelings intertwined, what would come of it? What was it that he wanted to come of these feelings?
He was selfish. At all costs, if he could just have the answer. If only he could meet the girl.
He knew it was her. He was sure of it. No matter what the others said of him, he clung onto her voice, knowing for sure that it was Rin. He wasn't insane. She was what was missing from him. She was his twin.
His elder sister, his mother clearly told him.
No matter how much he would have to sacrifice, he wanted to meet her. He wanted to protect her, to snatch her away from her fate. He thought that the very idea of fate was absurd, but surely Rin's fate wasn't death. She didn't deserve such a fate. He felt the need to protect this girl he felt a connection with.
The girl he shared a soul with. The girl who was too kind for the world. For Rin who wanted to sacrifice her life to save this unjust world, a world terribly unfair to her, he would fight.
So why did he feel like she was fading...?
In their shared consciousness, only he knew. Biting his lip till it drew blood, he swore to save her.
Even if everything else had to be destroyed.
Knowing nothing of what he felt and what would come, he would search until he found his answers. He wanted find her and save her, to get to know her, to talk to her, to spend time with her knowing she was alive. He wanted to know what really went on in this twisted world, to change it for Rin. He would seek the truth, not knowing he'd get hurt.
He would seek the sound of her warmth...
For her smile...
...until he could no longer.
