Origin of Song

His steps were nearly unheard in the great forest as he moved swiftly through the trees, his breath coming in uneven, heavy pants. His black hair was slick with wet mud, his face caked with dirt. His white shirt was smeared with blacks and browns and… reds? How curious. Perhaps a bit of red clay? He had seen some earlier, by the river. Yes. Perhaps from there…

At last, the boy reached a clearing and stopped to catch his breath. His posture slacked but his eyes were continually locked on the place from whence he had run from, among the bushes and other greenery.  All was calm. And all was silent. Nearly.

A great roar erupted throughout the area, causing the young boy to flinch. He bit his lip nervously as the quiet returned. No birds were singing. Not a fly was to be a seen in the thick of the jungle that day. But of course. There never would be. He was the only one left. And, as the only one left, he found it his responsibility – his sworn promise – to think.

The roar had been from close by. It was catching up, and It wouldn't stop to hear his piteous cries. It would be a quick death, that much he was sure of. But that wasn't what he was truly afraid of. He was afraid of resurrection, not death. Reincarnation was horror. He had, of course, never experienced it. Not once. But he knew what it would be like.

For a moment he was lost in sentimentality, and gripped the pendant around his neck. It was a black bass clef on a simple thin string of the same colour. It was simple and plain, but at this very moment, it was the thing most dear to him.

"Rhenna...."

It brought tears to his eyes, but he blinked them away and turned in the opposite direction. He would continue on his original route. If he kept going in a straight line, he was sure to reach the edge of this forest. He was sure to reach escape.

And so he ran, but when another deafening howl of murderous animalistic rage sounded behind him, he did not stop to notice the monstrous beast or to feel the cold sweat run down his back. He did not dare to stop. He did not dare to do anything else but run.

And so he ran.

---

"Is he finished?"

"Just a few more minor adjustments. The programming has to be just right or we'll lose our subject."

"Hm… that would be bad."

"Indeed. So stop rushing me!"

"I'm anxious is all. Don't get your feathers ruffled, Pete. Just hurry up. You know that Nico's hypothesis might help 02 start working again."

"Yeah. That sure was a weird case. I checked her programming. Read her thoughts, Douga. That was weird."

"Yep. I was there. Seriously… 'where are you'? 'Brother'? Oh, brother!"

"Not funny. Thanks to her, I have extra work to do…"

"Pshh. Just –"

"He's booting up."

"Oh. Good. I'll get 02."

"From now on, that'll refer to them both…"

---

He awoke. No, was that right? Had he ever been sleeping? He wasn't sure. But he felt… different, somehow. No… he had to keep his promise… he….

"R…" He stopped. Who was it? Who was it that he had to keep his promise to?

"Ah, crap! His memory is still there…."

"Delete  it, quick! Reboot is up to only 40%. The computer won't delve for his memories until his name registers."

"Uhhh…"

"Oh god! You didn't change the name either!? Idiot! Hurry up!"

"Geez, shut up already! I'm on it!"

The boy turned his head, metallic blue eyes facing the two men hunched over the computer. One was typing away furiously, the other shadowing him. When the boy turned, the one who was standing turned too, and smiled.

"Done!"

"Good."

With that, the man who had turned walked towards to the boy, who felt so innocent and new that he did  not pause to think that the man had any sort of bad intention. He only stood still, held back by… plastic strings of some sort. The two stared into each other's eyes,  then the man smiled. "What is your name?" he asked. He said it rather gingerly, as if he already knew the answer.

"Ren."

"Good. Now who am I?"

"You are my creator."

"Good. Now who is this?"

The door to the room opened, and the smile of a girl with the same metallic blue eyes and shoulder-length blonde hair.

"Rin!"

~END~