Fan Fiction ❯ The Twins of Tasogare ❯ Chapter 1

Pushing open the great doors to the throne room, Mayonaka strode in with her sister behind her. Her steps echoed as she came upon the three thrones. In front of them stood two middle-aged men. Mayonaka kneeled before them, her black cape sweeping the floor. Reimei followed suit with her white cape. They kept their heads lowered as one of the men walked down the steps.

"You two have no need to bow to me. Stand, let me see how you've grown," he said to them, smiling. Mayonaka stood first, taking off the hood of her cloak. As she did so, her wavy black hair tumbled down her back. She raised her hands to push it behind her slightly pointed ears, but she kept her ruby gaze to the floor. The man in front of her smiled again. "She really has grown, brother, although I'm not so sure her choice of clothes is appropriate." He looked over her outfit which was tight black riding pants, black riding boots, a black peasant's shirt covered by a tight red vest that accentuated all her curves. On her hands were red gloves, and a single ruby adorned her forehead.

"I let them choose what they wish. Reimei, stand, let your uncle, the king, look upon you as well," the second man said. Reimei nodded and stood, removing her hood as well. Her hair was identical to her sister's, except it was white. She blinked her blue eyes and glared defiantly at the second man, their father. Her outfit was white and blue, instead of red and black. This was how they always dressed.

"Have you gotten them tested to see if they possess any magic? It would be horrible if they did..." the king asked. Their father shook his head.

"We believe if they have magic, it will show eventually. We actually embrace the chance that they could cast spells. I don't see why you look upon it like it's evil," their father explained. The king swiftly turned to face him.

"Magic is the devil's way of speaking to us. If they possess it, they must be burned. There can be no other way." The king was furious. Unknown to the two men, Mayonaka and Reimei had left the room and were headed to the servant's quarters.

"I can't take this anymore, Rimi. They're driving me insane," Mayonaka whirled around to face her, "Their constant babble of magic is stupid. Who cares where magic comes from, it is a gift. Why get rid of a gift? Why not utilize it and help people? Ugh." She threw her hands up and walked in. In the corner were two girls. One had black hair and blue eyes, while the other had white hair and red eyes. Rain and Blaze, their best friends.

"I know, Mana, but what can we do? He may spoil us, but you know he doesn't listen," Rimi stated. Mana sighed. Rain and Blaze looked up and gasped. They immediately jumped up and gave them hugs. Mana and Rimi sighed and gently pushed them away.

"I'm running away," Mana said cooly. The other three's eyes widened in shock. "I can't take it here anymore. You three will be the witnesses. You will tell father that 'Its Mana's way'. He'll understand. Please do this." Rimi looked upset but then nodded. Mana gave her sister a hug before running off to her room. There, she packed all she would need into a saddle bag before jumping out the second story window onto the stables. She climbed down only to find herself face-to-face with a very angry woman. She was wearing a black robe and had long, straight, black hair. Her ruby eyes did not look happy as the black ears atop her head twitched.

"Hello Ember. Fancy seeing you here," said Mana, giggling lightly. Ember glared and then turned into her natural form, which was the horse. "Yah, I need a ride..."

"Why and where?" she asked in Mana's head. Mana sighed.

"I can't take it here any longer. Father and uncle are driving me mad. You know, I almost hope I do have magic just to shove it in their faces and prove that I am not evil. We're running away to the small village