"What can I say ... Hmm, as long as I can remember, I have always suffered, because my very rare moments of happiness have been buried deep in my memory! "
"When I was seven years old, I was kicked out of my home, like a filthy ..."
"I lived in a small town, it rained there most of the time. I came from a poor family, but with parents who gave me a lot of love, so I lived a fairly peaceful life - albeit a bit miserable. "
"However, overnight my life changed, my parents contracted an illness and they succumbed to it. I was then kicked out of my house, after having almost been raped by the owner. "
"Having no other family, I lived on the streets for several months, becoming as skinny as a match, and eventually starved to death, alone in a dark corner. It was the worst moments of my life, well, this one ... "
"Because, inexplicably, I woke up here ...! Said a young girl with blond hair, and indigo eyes, talking to a wild cat she had in her arms.
The girl was sitting under a large tree with protruding foliage, causing a fairly shady place and in which the wind sometimes passed, a calm and perfect place to clear the mind.
The girl was there, stroking a wild cat she had caught a few moments ago. To pass the time, she told him her story. When she was done the cat looked at her strangely as if he didn't understand any of her words. Afterward he struggled, wanting to leave and noticing this the girl let go and watched him walk away.
" Thanks for listening to me ! The girl said smiling at the silhouette of the wild cat walking away.
Then a person approached the girl and spoke to her.
"So this is where you were hiding, Alice!" Said the newly arrived person.
" Oh ? It's you, Teia! Alice said to the person, Teia.
Teia was a quite beautiful girl with a blessed figure, brown hair and emerald green eyes.
"How did you know I was here?" Alice asked.
"Um, I've seen you come here a few times before you know!" And then, I too often come here. Teia said as she sat down next to Alice.
"Che, and to think I thought this was my little secret place!" Alice said pouting, and seeing his reaction Teia chuckled.
"This place is beautiful, you have to share it! Teia exclaimed.
"And otherwise why are you here?" Alice asked curiously.
"To enjoy the calm and your pretty face!" Teia answered pulling Alice's cheeks.
" Ouch It hurts ! Alice exclaimed.
"Che, what a whiner! Teia said giving Alice a mocking expression.
"More seriously, I came to get you because Sister Marie is asking for you! Teia declared.
" Oh ? Sister Marie is looking for me, let's go quickly then, or she could give us a little soap! Alice said, standing up hurriedly.
Sister Marie was the name of the director of the orphanage in which Alice, Teia and a few others lived. Alice was new, having arrived a month ago after she was found unconscious near an accident scene. Around this time, Sister Marie and an old friend of hers passed by and brought Alice back to the orphanage. They discovered that the girl did not remember anything except her first name.
"You don't need time to rush you know, I told her I was going to get you and it was going to take time, so we can still enjoy this moment." Teia said casually.
"Um, you know full well she can be pretty scary when she gets mad at me!" Alice said.
Teia clicked her tongue, and said, "Let's go then!" "
The two girls thus left a forest which was not very far from a small village. As they walked, they discussed among themselves.
"You were aware that there have been new arrivals recently!" Teia asked, but Alice shook her head.
"It's a small group of travelers who stop over here, and among them there are warriors and even mages!" Teia said with shining eyes, hearing this Alice was very interested.
It was a characteristic of this world, from a certain age by passing tests, one could awaken his magical power, thus becoming a mage. And the latter can invoke various kinds of magic.
"Aha, I really want to become a mage! Teia said with a sigh, there was very little chance that an orphan like her would become, however she remained hopeful.
"And you, doesn't that tempt you? Asked Teia, and at that Alice only smiled.
Receiving no response Teia frowned, and teased Alice for an answer, however Alice still didn't respond. In reality it interested her greatly, yet it was all still new to her.
Teia continued to tease Alice until the two arrived near the orphanage. It was a modest building without much ornamentation, but rather well maintained.
As the two continued to move forward, Alice felt a strange uneasiness, she suddenly stopped and looked around.
"It's similar to the feeling I had when I was almost raped, that feeling of mischief…" Alice mused as she still looked around, but couldn't find the source of her unease.
Noticing Alice's strange demeanor, Teia asks her if everything is okay, and not wanting to worry her Alice says there is nothing. The two thus continued their paths, arriving at the entrance of the orphanage.
As the two entered the orphanage the sun was setting behind them.
"You see, if we had stayed, we would have been in big trouble. Alice declared.
"Aha, it's true! Teia blurted out. Alice tried to retort, but was cut off by a woman's voice.
"You came home late, young girls!" The woman declared, hearing the voice Teia and Alice got a little anxious.
"Sister Marie, I went to get Alice, and we took a little while to get home, that's all. Teia declared.
" Oh ? - Sister Marie narrowed her eyes, the young girls began to sweat, noticing their reaction she sighed before saying: "I will let slip this time." However, you will pass by my office after the shower, I have to talk to you! Said the dreaded Sister Marie, a middle-aged woman with both strict and gentle air, the director of the Rembrandt orphanage.
The two girls then quickly disappeared from his sight, fleeing like frightened cats. Sister Marie went to her upstairs office. She closed the windows, and looking at the buildings around, she noticed a figure hiding in the shadows. Sister Marie narrowed her eyes, and a few moments later the figure disappeared.
Some time later, a knock on the door was heard, Sister Marie declared to enter, and so Teia and Alice entered the study, both standing directly in front of Sister Marie. Seeing that the two girls were there, Sister Marie began to speak.
"Teia, you're already 16, aren't you?" Sister Marie asked. Teia nodded. "And you, Alice, although you have lost your memory somewhat, you should be the same age as Teia." However, I wanted to tell you that we will be going to Orsay in a few days for the annual test. "
"Sister Marie, is that what I think ...! Teia interrupted, her eyes filled with expectation.
"Well, yeah, that's for the magic talent test. »Sister Marie declared, hearing this Teia's eyes were shining, she was terribly impatient for the days to pass, for she always waited for such an opportunity. Teia was so happy that she couldn't help but hug Sister Marie. For her part, Alice was more reserved, she was happy of course but did not show it as much as Teia.
After the news broke, the girls still excited went to their room, they chatted until the lights went out and fell asleep.
Outside the orphanage, black-clad figures wavered on the rooftops, approaching the orphanage.
...
Late at night...
In the Rembrandt orphanage, Alice was awakened by a sudden frightful cry.
"Aaaaah !!! "
Getting up with a start, she looked around, Teia and the other girls had already stood up. The cry coming from below, they descended to find out what had happened. On the way down, they noticed someone's corpse on the ground. And right next to it was eight people dressed in black, and in front of it was a young boy and Sister Marie who had a look filled with intent to kill.
Sister Marie had accompanied the young boy, and then a man in black suddenly attacked him, however a cold aura emanated from his body and without warning an ice spike pierced the man's stomach. She didn't have time to cover the toddler's eyes, and the little one let out a cry of horror leading to this situation.
Seeing the children who had come running, Sister Marie looked for a plan to get out of this situation. She was a mage, however with the number of enemies it was a bit too much for her, plus there were also the children to protect. Quickly thinking of a solution, Sister Marie told the children to stay upstairs while she dealt with the enemies downstairs. Sadly, she was the only fighter present - her old friend not currently here.
The children immediately rushed upstairs, and barricaded themselves in their rooms. Looking at Teia, Alice saw that she was extremely anxious, she too felt very unhappy, she did not know what would become of her. And then...
* Crack! *
The bedroom windows were smashed and in a flash, several black-clad figures entered the room. The children who had barricaded themselves upstairs were horrified by the appearance of the figures. They only had to barricade the door, thinking that the enemy could not reach the window which was on the second floor. It was a big mistake. They were now stuck and now unable to escape, leaving them to the mercy of the figures in black. The children tried to call for help but suddenly a strange mist appeared and they were dizzy.
Alice looked at Teia who was reaching out to her, her eyesight fading, and then she fell into a deep sleep.
The figures in black smiled and carried the unconscious children, leaping from the building and landing on the ground before quickly escaping like shadows.