Gate Guardian - Song of the Frozen Soul

TIARA'S FORGOTTEN MEMORIES - TOUJOURS ET A JAMAIS

TIARA’S FORGOTTEN MEMORIES - TOUJOURS ET A JAMAIS

“I… I’m Tiara.”

“Are you here to watch the fireworks too?” This boy named Alaric tilted his head.

“Fireworks?”

BANG!!! A loud noise echoed in the skies.

“Eeeek!!!” I cried. Because of that sudden explosion, I immediately hid behind the blonde boy whom I just met. I was trembling as I gripped on his shoulders.

“Ahahaha! You’re such a scaredy pup, Tiara…” Alaric laughed.

“...Auuuu….”

“Here…” Alaric wrapped my hand with his warm palm. “Try holding my hand. It will make you keep calm.”

Before I could take his offer, several explosions made its way in the night skies. There were colorful lights glimmering that gave light in the middle of the darkness.

“It’s beautiful…” I muttered.

“Isn’t it?” Alaric smiled at me. “Fireworks are really weird. At first, you will find the explosion scary. But as soon as it flies up high, you will realize that it’s amazingly beautiful…”

I don’t know what’s more beautiful, the fireworks, or this boy’s glittering eyes. I was completely lost in it.

It took a while for his words to sink in to my mind. I might be scary to everyone, but I’m sure that there might still be something beautiful inside me.

Just like the fireworks.

<>

We spent the whole hour watching the gorgeous fireworks together. After that, Alaric’s family regrouped and helped me go back to the shrine.

For some reason, a miracle happened. My left eye was supposed to be crimson and cursed, was now the same as my normal brown right eye. Meeting him was a blessing in my life.

From then on, we became best of friends. Every summer, he would visit me in the Kozukata Shrine and play with me. He would become my knight and shining armor whenever some bullies harass me. He became the bridge towards my friendship to the shrine maidens who never bothered to talk to me before.

I never felt alone anymore.

Nobody treats me like a demon or a witch anymore.  

It’s all because of my friend Rikkun. His nickname is cute, isn’t it?

“Ric-kun?” Alaric cringed.

“My mother told me that when you became special friends with someone, you should give him a nickname. So I’m calling you Rikkun from now on! In return, you can give me any nickname you want!”

“Okay… Megatron.”

…

<>

But our story is never meant to be together. I’m a Gate Guardian, and Rikkun is just an ordinary person.

<>

Everything changed one night.

I was already sixteen, a full fledged Gate Guardian.

The New Order raided the Kozukata Shrine, killing everyone they encounter. My twin brother Diadem led the attack, and no one else survived the assault. I fought them but my power was never enough.