"Only with strength can one endure suffering and torment."

-Nyx's Avatar, Persona 3

"You can't trust every single person you meet."

"I don't know who you are, but you're messing with the wrong guy!"

"We can do this if we stick together!"

"Please, don't leave me…"

"Give her back!"

"I'm sorry."

Part One

A bell. That's what everyone seemed to have heard before there was a bright light. Confusion, disorientation, dizziness - All symptoms people felt while they were in that unknown place and after they woke up. All they knew was that something had happened; someone had done something to them. Sad that not all of them were able to find out who.

So many of them went insane. They either killed themselves or killed others to survive. Either way, that's what it was. Some sick game of survival.

Chapter One

There was always something about dreaming of a fantasy world when I was younger. I constantly daydreamed about traveling and seeing new places. I guess it kept my hopes up for something. I was never sure. I used to have nightmares all the time, but when my mother started reading me books to ease my mind before bed, I grew some sort of a passion for it and, in some way, related to it. I remember dreaming of this odd world with strange creatures and people who can do magic. I guess it was just those normal fairytales children think of. I was never sure.

I stared down at an open book that sat on my lap, my eyes moving side to the side as I read the book my mother always read to me when I was younger. I could feel the wind brush against my body as I sat in an open field that was right behind my house. I smiled before closing the book and raising my head. I brought my knees up to my chest and held them close, staring at the trees in the distance.

The book was always able to ease my mind; it told of a world where people believed in a goddess that granted wishes to those that needed it the most. However, it spoke of a man who wanted to use the goddess's power to have eternal life and power. But when he approached the goddess, something happened; the higher being suddenly disappeared before the man's eyes and shattered into pieces. Ahead of him, a statue formed in the appearance of the goddess.

The goddess had somehow broken apart and could only be awakened if her other half was found and brought back. The book continued on with the world becoming filled with darkness, but towards the end, the goddess's other half is brought back and peace was restored to the world. The evil man was sealed away in an place called Realm of Eternity; only the goddess would be the one to break the seal. However, she was sealed away herself so no man would try to bring havoc back into their world.

My father used to say the book was a bit too dark for me whenever my mother read it, but I never did mind, and neither did my mother. The book was always able to draw my attention and I couldn't help but love it each time I read it.

A smile formed on my lips as I stared down at the cover of the book, tilting my head a little. I've always wanted to travel to places. The only problem was that I was too afraid to leave my parents behind.

Before I knew it, I was frowning and staring blankly at the grass in front of me, holding my knees tightly against my chest. As much as I wanted to leave, I was never able to have the courage to do it. I remember I was so close to doing it a few years back, but like now, I became too afraid. I closed my eyes tightly and squeezed my legs, biting down on my lip lightly.

"Maybe it is time for change," I muttered to myself, my eyes narrowing as I averted my gaze towards the book by my feet.

Sighing quietly, I rose up to my feet and dusted myself before raising my arms into the air, stretching them as far as I could. I let out a loud grunt, dropping my arms down on my sides as I leaned forward a bit, staring ahead of me. The meadow that sat behind my house was a place I always loved to spend my time in. The only thing I disliked was that not too far away, there was a forest with trees that looked like they could touch the sky. They were amazing to stare at but they always hid a sunset.

I picked up the book by my feet and turned around; when I dusted the book off and looked up, I saw my mother watching me from a distance, a small smile on her face. I smiled back and quickly made my way towards her.

"Reading again?" she asked as she extended her arms towards me.

I nodded my head in response and took one of her hands. "Of course. You know I like to read out here."

My mother's smile grew as I gently squeezed her hand, taking a couple steps closer as I watched her turn to walk away. "Dinner's ready, dear," she said, pulling me with her as she headed back to our house. "I hope you're hungry."

I nodded my head in response and ran ahead of her, opening our back door. As soon as I walked in, I saw my father sitting at one end of our table, which was filled with delicious looking food. The one thing that caught my eye, however, was a small cake that sat in front of my father. I cocked my head and walked towards the table, my eyes staring intently at the cake. It had white frosting, with swirls going around it on the top, and on the edges sat strawberries.

"What is this for?" I asked, looking at my father and then to my mother, who was getting forks and knives.

"Don't you know?" my father responded, his elbows pressed against the wooden table as he held his hands close to his mouth. "Today was the day your mother and I found you."

I blinked several times before nodding my head and smiling at my parents, who now sat next to each other. "I remember now," I said, clasping my hands behind my back as I averted my gaze back down at the cake. "But I thought you said you wouldn't 'celebrate' this day anymore?"

They both laughed. I wasn't sure what was funny; I remember they said they would stop considering this day special three years ago when I asked them to stop. I frowned and pulled out the chair in front of me, sat down and stared at my parents.

"We couldn't help it, Sienna," my father said as he lowered his arms onto the table. "We found you thirteen years ago on this day. Your birthday is coming up and you've grown up so fast."

"We love you like our own, and we couldn't be happier to have taken you in," my mother added in as she gently placed a hand over my father's hand while the other was extended towards me.

My brows furrowed as I frowned once more, tapping my fingers against the table lightly. I stared at my parents for a bit before sighing and lowering my head. "Fine," I said, looking back up at them with a smile on my lips. "But this will be the last time!" I quickly added, raising my index.

They nodded their heads in agreement and laughed. My smile grew as I lowered my hand and averted my attention down on the cake in front of us. I was beginning to forget that I was not the biological daughter of my parents as soon as they stopped celebrating this day. I guess in a way it brings back the pain of not knowing where I came from when they found me in an alleyway half dead; but I still loved them.

"Honey?"

My eyes fluttered as my train of thought was cut short; I looked up at my parents and saw them staring at me with concerned expressions. I laughed nervously and leaned against my chair, clasping my hands on the table together.

"Sorry," I said. "I was just thinking."

It was time to move on. It was time to do so the moment they brought me into their home.

I wasn't sure what it was, but after dinner, I would always sit outside and stare up at the stars. I wasn't sure why I would do it, but I guess it always relaxed me and helped me clear my mind. I sat quietly on a bench just outside my house, my head leaned back as my eyes gazed from one star to the next, each one looking brighter.

"Sienna?"

I blinked as I lowered my head and turned around, seeing my mother standing in the doorway of our house. "Yes?"

"Don't stay out for too long. It's cold out."

She gently smiled at me before heading back into the house; she was right. I hadn't noticed that I was freezing until she came out. I breathed in deeply and wrapped my arms around myself, rubbing my hands against my arms to keep myself warm. I was freezing, but I wasn't ready to head back into the house.

"Well, well."

My eyes grew wide as I gasped loudly, stumbling forward as I turned around, seeing a man sitting on the other side of the bench. My breathing was heavy and my heart was racing; where did this guy come from?

"W-Where did you come from?" I stammered as I tried regaining my breath.

He had a faint smile on his lips, his eyes staring down at a red rose as he slowly plucked each pedal off. "Tell me," he began, dropping the rose and turning his attention towards me. "What is it that you seek?"

I leaned back a bit as I shifted where I sat, staring at the man in complete confusion. "What…?"

"There's something you deeply yearn for in life, questioning every aspect of it, even if you don't think you are," he said before looking up at the sky, his smile growing. "The stars. They bring comfort yet confusion."

"Who are you?"

His lips parted as he raised his index finger to his lips before rising up onto his feet. "Pardon me!" he quickly said, moving an arm behind him while the other move in front as he bowed. "My name is Lirot."

The moment he looked up and into my eyes, something hit me. I wasn't sure what it was, but something about him took my interest. I opened my mouth to speak, but he quickly motioned for me to hush.

"I already know your name, Sienna."

I was officially freaking out. I was ready to yell for my parents until he jumped onto the bench and stood on it, his attention set towards the field I always sit in.

"Wishing for change can lead to both good and bad. Those that want it, never seem to make that change."

He slowly turned towards me, that strange smile still on his lips. "You might just get your change, Sienna. I must warn you though, you will realize it was a big mistake."

I perked an eyebrow as I moved forward a bit, my hands pressing against the wooden bench. "What do you mean?"

"I am sorry, but I must bid you farewell for now." He bowed once more and jumped off the bench. "We will meet again, Sienna."

"Wait!"

"Sienna?"

I gasped quietly and quickly turned around, seeing my mother at the doorway once more. "Who are you talking to?" she asked, that concerned expression back on her face.

"Uh…" I breathed in deeply as I lowered my head, staring down at the dirt beneath my feet. "Sorry. I was just thinking aloud." I laughed nervously as I returned my attention to my mother, her concerned look quickly disappearing.

"Well, alright. Come inside now."

She headed back inside as I let out a sigh of relief. I stood up from the bench and looked around; I frowned and sighed again, seeing that he was gone.

Lirot. Where did you come from?