Loyalty

n

: a strong feeling of support or allegiance. Nah, I don't give those out for free these days. Knowing how precious loyalty is, the type of power it has over someone... You just don't give those out. I gave out loyalty to the most deserving. That's what I've always wanted. What I always craved. For some reason, it's something that I could never receive.

~~~~~~~~~~

It's something that I remember craving for as long as I can remember. It's like a drink that I can never have and because of these actions from the ones that I love, I now know that it's unreachable for me. It all started from the day I was conceived.

Telling you my life story up until this point would have you questioning everything about my existence, how I was born, and why I haven't died yet. My story is quite perplexing and convoluted. To go forwards, I would have to go backwards. My life in itself is very... enigmatic.

Before I go into anything, let me introduce myself. My name is Tori and apparently, I'm supposed to save my world. In order to understand why I have to, we would have to go back to how I came to be. My parents, Maybell and Cain, were a young and happy couple. They were what everyone would call "childhood sweethearts". They met each other on the coast of a land named Atriome. They were both new and didn't know anyone around, so they acquainted themselves with one another.

As they continued to grow up together, their friendship flourished into something more. When they were both ready, they decided that they wanted a child. After a while of trying, they realized that they were not able to conceive the child that they desired. Something else needed to happen, kind of like a push, to help them reproduce.

At that time, there were rumors, whispers, of a cube. A magical cube. It'll grant you whatever your heart desires as long as you find the cube and solve it. My parents were determined to find it.

After a journey of two days, they were able to find this mystical cube. After answering the cube's riddle, they were able to wish their deepest desire, but before wishing, they were warned that it would come at a great cost.

Maybell and Cain didn't care how much it cost and were prepared to pay.

"We would like to have a baby..."

Ring...

Ring...

Ring...

It was already time to wake up already?

I guess I have to. Starting at a new school today, can't be late.

Getting up, I hobbled to my tiny bathroom in an attempt to get ready for school. Hmm... what should I wear today? Guess sweats would have to do. After barely getting ready, I hopped downstairs hoping that I caught Blake. You see, Blake is my cousin and guardian. He also teaches at the school that I would be starting today. Blake got custody of me after the disappearance of my parents. No, they did not abandon me. After all they went through to have me just to abandon me... I don't think so. It was just one day poof... I was eating breakfast with them one day. They both got up for some random reason, not really sure what it was. They never came back. I tried telling the sheriff, but she didn't look too concerned about it and tried to reassure me that this was nothing to worry about which was kind of weird of her to do considering that I haven't seen them in a while. Since then, I found Blake and explained what happened. He too seemed quite confused knowing that my parents would've told someone their plans and dropped me off somewhere. The fact that they left was strange enough but the fact that they didn't leave any care for their one and only daughter that they fought so hard to get takes the cake. He then started the process of guardianship and took custody of me.

"Are you ready," he asked.

Looking up from my breakfast, I mumbled, "Sure. You know what they say. Fifth time's a charm." Yes, this is my fifth school. I really don't have a reason for the other four schools. Things just happen. Whenever I get caught in the middle of it all, the authorities questioned me expecting me to explain what happened, but I never had an explanation for them. It was all pretty much self-explanatory.

Like I said, things just happen.

I didn't know what to expect out of my new school. It looked kind of ordinary. Nothing special. Good, this is exactly what I need. Normal. After getting lost a couple times, I finally found the registrar's office where I got my schedule. As I was analyzing my schedule, I sensed that someone was staring at me. Looking up, I caught the perp, but he quickly looked away.

Lunch was alright considering that I was new. The food was edible at least. People stayed away which I was glad for. Not really a people person. As I was eating my sandwich, I noticed the same guy that was staring earlier was now staring at me again with his group of friends while occasionally whispering to each other. I was not interested in what they were saying or being something that people found amusement in, so I left. On my way out, I caught some of what they were whispering.

"Does she know yet..."

"Maybe we should talk to Blake..."

Blake? What does he know that I don't? This is where the test of loyalty started. Who was really on my side? Was I alone in darkness or do I have someone with me? A partner in crime. Blake was someone that I thought I could trust. Someone whose always been there for me. Always told me what was going on knowing that I was mature enough to understand. He has some explaining to do.