To Be Free and Unafraid

Chapter 18- Unexpected Invitation

There, in front of me was a black smoke ball. It was like a fire ball, swirling, but instead of being red, orange, and etc, it was all black. I took a step back and it started coming towards me. "Stay away!" I yelled frantically. I was afraid. I keep stepping back, grabbing things and throwing at it. When I was backed into a corner, I thought it was the end of me. The creature came closer and closer. It kept coming closer and closer until it was an inch away from me. Instead of being attacked or swallowed into eternal darkness like I suspected, it turned into a piece of paper. A...letter. I took hold of it. I looked at it.

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Surprise surprise. I didn't think I was going to do this, but this could be the easier way. Oh wait, you probably don't know who I am. But this could jog your memory. The name Amber perhaps? Right. Back to the point. Me, you, battle. And only us two. With swords of course. I won't be so mean and use magic, something that you don't have obviously. So, what do you say? It works both way. If you win, then I'll leave you, your family, AND your kingdom alone. And obviously, you'll kill me. But, if I win, I get to reach my goal. And it'll be easier getting rid your family. Hah. So, what will it be? Your life, or, your family's? I'll give you two moons. But, on the third moon, on Crystal Peak, where I will meet you. One on one. Don't be late~. Keep your friends close but keep your enemy closer~~. I'll await your answer. This isn't the last of me. This is only the painful beginning.

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I clutched the letter in my hand. She wants me to choose. This id going to be hard. How does she know me so well? Knowing all the best ways to hurt me...even with words. A thousand questions, all floated about. This was such an unexpected letter. It was as if it was an invitation, an unexpected invitation. The door of the cabin busted down. "Funneh! Are you here?!?" Kat shouted. "I'm here! Gee. Are you good?" I said. "Holy Macaroni. Thank the heavens you're alright!" Kat said. "Why? Anything happened?" I asked confused. "Certain things that I heard made me uneasy." Kat said. "What's that?" Kat asked pointing at my hand. I suddenly remembered having the letter in my grasp. "Right, I was going to tell you about this." I said in a low whisper as if someone else was in the room. "Well?" Kat said. "This....this is a l-letter." I said. "From?" Kat pressed on. "From...from...from A-amber." I said stuttering. I felt chills down my spine after saying that name.

"What the?! Are you serious?! If this is a joke, it's not funny at all Funneh." Kat said with a worried face plastered all over her. "I-its not. I wish it was though." I said. "Well, in that case, what did she say?" Kat said while walking into my room, in which now, it has two beds instead of one. I sat on my bed and she sat in the bean bag. "She...asked for a fight. A final battle between us." I said. Kat looked at me, not saying anything. Which I could wish she would stop doing that because it made me feel uncomfortable. She looked at the letter. Reading it. It felt like forever before any of us said anything. After like an eternity of listening to the clock tick, Kat finally spoke up. "So...what will you do? Accept or not?" Kat asked. "I, don't know. I want to except. The pros and cons of these two options. I need time to think. I guess it was kind of her to give me two moons." I said. "Well, know that I have your back no matter what." Kat said with a bright smile. It reminded me of the good old days. Where everything was fine. The time in which I wish I could go back to. "Thank you Kat. Really, it means a lot." I said.

I started to think about it. If I die, then Kat won't be able to roam free either. She did mention how she could only be a spirit if her host is still alive. So that means, if I lose, then, she will disappear from the picture too. A hand was waving in front of me now. "Huh?" I said looking at Kat. "Took ya long enough to wake up! I guess we are the same. Whenever we get a little relaxed up, we space out like a champ." Kat said. "Who said that about you, er, us." I asked. Kat had a sudden moment where she was quiet. She was thinking about something, but obviously didn't like the thought of it. But she suddenly had a faint smile. "Kimberly, Kim did. She said that. She loved to joke about it." Kat said. "Who's Kim?" I asked. "In my timeline, Kim is known as my sister. But, her online alias is known as none other then, Gold." Kat said. I looked at her. "Ha. Silly me. I forgot, we are the same person, but just in different timelines. Or time paradox." I said with a chuckle.

Then, I stayed silent. "You're still thinking eh?" Kat said. I wanted to answer, I wanted to say something, but I couldn't. It was as if the speech part of my brain was completely out to lunch, er- dinner. "It's alright to not know what to say. I was in your shoes." Kat said. "Hey Kat?" I said. She looked at me and said, "Yes?" "I've always wondered. What happened to you?" I asked. She was silent. It seems as if every time I mention things like that, about her past, she ponders about it. And she stays quiet, with the same expression on. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to be not trusting you, but, it's jus-" Kat said before being cut off by me. "No, no! I should be sorry. I shouldn't be bugging into your business." I said. "It's fine. Just. These memories. All these mistakes. I wish I could get rid of them. These avoidable mistakes I made. They all could've been non existent if I just controlled myself. But, I guess I did make it up. A tad." Kat mumbled. I could tell she was in pain. "I want to live again. But this time...maybe not make stupid mistakes. Do what I want to do. That's why I'm really glad you made me into a thing instead of a spirit in your mind." Kat said with a smile. "I'll have to say goodbye to this soon, but I'm just glad I got to live once more. It was all I've ever asked for." Kat said smiling. She went over to her bed and tucked in. I did the same. "It'll be a hard decision, but I know you'll make the right one. I'll be by your side, no matter what. Through thick and thin, I'll be by your side." Kat said. "Thank you Kat. It's nice to have someone who understands." I said with a sigh. "Hey, your siblings may not look it, but they care about you. I know they care. Just don't make the same mistakes I did, and you'll be alright." Kat said before drifting off to sleep. I just sat there, wondering what she meant. The only light that there was in the room, was the moonlight sifting through the blue curtains. And eventually, I was taken by darkness.

Word Count- 1291