please don’t leave me

Sarah wakes up in her bed. Her cheeks were hurting from how much she was smiling all night. She gets out of bed and walks out of the room with a smile on her face.

Cinco: You look happy.

Sarah looks up and sees Cinco in the kitchen. However, after seeing him her smile does not falter or fade.

Sarah: I had a great time last night with everyone. I was about to go around to thank them all for coming.

Cinco: Hm ... you haven't challenged me in a while. At this rate, you won't defeat me by December.

Sarah: I am heading out, Cinco. Bye.

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Sarah flew through the sky with Cloak. She has been flying door to door thanking people for most of the morning. She has also been getting to know a lot of people in the village.

Sarah: Thanks to the party last night I actually made a couple friends other than Master. I needed to thank a lot of people for last night and I need to thank Gray more than anyone else. I wonder where he could be.

Cloak: [We can go by the weeping willow tree and ask Master if he has seen him.]

Sarah: That is a good idea.

Without Gray Sarah wouldn't be in the mind state that she is in at this exact moment. And for that, Gray was now a very trusted ally that Sarah would be eternally grateful too. Sarah soars through the sky until she is floating over the hill with the grassy plains that had the weeping willow tree. When she starts to get closer to the ground, she is able to see two people talking. One was Gray and one was Lionel. She lands safely and walks over to the two of them. When Sarah lands both Lionel and Gray stop talking immediately and look at her.

Lionel: Good morning, Sarah.

Sarah: Good morning!

Gray: Did you enjoy the party?

Sarah: I did. I had a lot of fun. Thank you Gray.

Gray: You're welcome.

Lionel: So, you two are already acquainted?

Gray: We met at her birthday party last night.

Sarah: What were you talking about?

Lionel: Nothing important.

Gray: ...

Sarah: I have some questions for Gray.

Gray: Yes?

Sarah: How come you can leave and come back to the village whenever you want?

Gray: I have permission from Lionel. I am what you would call a guardian. I leave the village, but I never go too far. I make sure Break Point isn't getting too close to us.

Sarah: What do you do if they are?

Gray: I stop them.

Sarah: So, you are strong enough to do that?

Gray: I like to think I am strong.

Sarah: If you and Master fought, who would win?

Gray looked at Lionel and then back at Sarah.

Gray: I would.

Sarah was shocked by the response. Even though she expected Gray to be strong she never expected this answer.

Lionel: Did you do your workout today?

Sarah: I will start right now Master.

Sarah runs down the side of the hill and flies off with Cloak.

Lionel: She is strong. She is stronger at her age than me and you were.

Gio: Indeed, she has great potential. But what off her friend? What was his name? Gio?

Lionel: Ever since he has arrived here, he has had this weird Ora coming from him. It doesn't seem to be his Ora. I believe that Ora is the reason that he has been asleep for so long. It is weird though. The Ora seems so familiar, but I can't remember where it is from.

Gray: Have you told Sarah?

Lionel: She wouldn't be so happy right now if I did. She would be worried.

Gray: Of course, she would be worried. How else is she supposed to feel? You should tell her the truth. I am sure she could take it.

Lionel: I can't tell her until I remember where I know the Ora from. I want to learn where I know it. I have been in my library ever since I saw it.

Gray: Have you found anything?

Lionel: Unfortunately, not. There are so many books in the library to go through. It is filled to the brim with generations of knowledge from my family. Ever since they have gotten here, I have gone through 584 books. And still nothing. It is so frustrating.

Gray: Frustration will always come in life; it is only natural that you would feel it in a situation like this. But despite that you need to push forward. The world will only reward the most stubborn.

Lionel: Thank you Master.

Gray: Of course.

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Sarah gets back home from her run. When she reaches the door, she notices that the sun is still up and hasn't even started to set yet.

Sarah: I am getting faster with these workouts.

Sarah walks inside of the house and walks to the bathroom.

Sarah: I haven't done anything with my ability for a while. Maybe I should try making another friend again after I get out of the shower.

Cloak: [A new friend?]

Sarah: You can talk to me even when you aren't here?

Cloak: [Yes, it appears I can.]

Sarah: Cool but I will talk to you later, okay?

Cloak: [Yes ma'am.]

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Sarah walks into her room and lays on her bed.

Sarah: I should try to recreate the events perfectly. So, what was it I did? Wait. If I copied them perfectly would that just make a copy of you Cloak?

Cloak: [I don't know. You are the leader. I am just supposed to do what you say. Sorry but I can't be of assistance here.]

Sarah: So, I am on my own on this.

Sarah lays back on her bed and lays her arms to her side. She circulates Ora throughout her entire body.

Sarah: [I fell asleep last time. Right?]

Sarah lets all of her thoughts drift away as she lays there seeing nothing but darkness. She allows everything to flow naturally. She notices the smell of something burning. She hears heavy metal clanking against the ground. She ignores it and continues to drift off.

Sarah once again finds herself in a realm of darkness. She looks around and sees a light in the distance.

Sarah: [Why is it so far this time? And how do I get over there?]

Sarah began to walk over to the light. When she started to walk, she felt resistance. It was as if she was walking through water. It was making her go much slower.

Sarah: [Maybe I should try ...]

Sarah then starts to move her arms and legs in a way that makes it look like she was swimming through a body of water. She started to float and move faster than she was before.

Sarah: [I feel so stupid.]

Sarah looks around the realm.

Sarah: [What even is this place? I guess it doesn't matter. I will reach the light soon.]

Sarah was almost at the light and reached out for it. Just before she grabs it, she hears a loud sound. If she had to compare the sound to something it would be the sound of a rocket. Sarah wakes up in her bed and runs over to her window. The moon was now up and there was an orange light traveling through the sky. The orange light was creating a path of smoke wherever it went.

Sarah: What the hell is that?

Cloak: [Are we going to go check it out?]

Sarah: ... Yes.

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Sarah runs through the village with Cinco following close behind. She looked around as she ran and saw that she wasn't the only one that was woken up by the loud sound. It looked like almost every house in the village had their lights on. Before she left the house, she told both Lionel and Cinco so if they were headed into a fight, she would have help. She had no idea where Gray lived but Lionel did. So, he left the group to go over and wake him up.

Cinco: Are you sure you can handle a fight? I mean you are still in the middle of training.

Sarah: Is that concern I hear?

Cinco: Not at all. I am just simply pointing out the fact that you would be a liability. I would most likely be spending time protecting you instead of fighting the enemy.

Sarah: Why do you always take moments like this and turn them into insults?

Cinco: It is what I do best.

Sarah: Well, it is really irritating.

They both see the orange light come closer and closer to the ground until it lands.

Sarah: It landed on top of the hill. I hope it didn't land on the tree.

When Sarah and Cinco are about to reach the top Sarah summons Rachel and Cloak.

Cloak: [My first fight?]

Sarah: Don't get happy yet you are only here to make sure I can evade attacks properly.

Cloak: [... Hurtful.]

When Sarah and Cinco get to the top of the hill they see a crater with smoke coming out of it. When they get to the top Cinco pulls a real sword out of his shirt. The flat of the sword was black while the edge was purple. The edge of the blade gleamed in the moon light and Sarah couldn't help but admire its beauty. It also felt strange seeing Cinco hold it. Over the months Sarah got so used to Cinco defeating her with a wooden sword that the idea of him holding an actual sword or taking an enemy seriously never crossed her mind.

Cinco: Pay attention.

Sarah snaps back to reality thanks to Cinco's words. She prepares herself for anything that could come out of that crater. Sarah and Cinco slowly start approaching the crater when they start to hear the sound of metal clanking. The sound gets louder and louder as Sarah's heart starts beating faster. Rachel claws come out. Rachel starts to hear heavy breathing. Sarah and Cinco look in confusion when they see a body made of metal. The body looks heavy and large. It was painted red and white. The head had no facial features but the front of it was glowing red. The body of metal looks down at its arm when a glowing red transparent screen appears over its forearm. The screen was too far for Sarah to see what was on it.

Kyle: The launch was fine but the landing needs work.

Sarah: Kyle?

The body of metal turns and looks at Sarah and Cinco.

Kyle: Why are you here Sarah?!

Sarah: I heard a rocket, and it woke me up.

Kyle: ...

Sarah: What is this? A remote-controlled robot?

Kyle moves his hands to his helmet and takes it off revealing his face. When he took the helmet off the front of it stopped glowing red. His face had dirt and ash on it.

Sarah: Oh, a robot suit.

Kyle: ...

Kyle looked away and made a pained expression.

Sarah: What is wrong?

Kyle: ... Sarah.

Sarah: Yes?

Kyle: ... I am leaving.

Sarah: What? What are you talking about?

Kyle's face changes from one of pain to one of anger. His eyes go completely dark and his tone of voice changes.

Kyle: There is something I must do.

Sarah: Wait a second. You will come back, right? Like come and visit. You won't just leave me here, right?

Cinco: He can't.

Sarah turns around to look at Cinco. He was no longer pointing his sword at Kyle. The sword was now stabbed into the ground and Cinco was leaning on it.

Sarah: What do you mean?

Cinco: He isn't a qualified watcher. If he leaves the village right now, he won't ever be allowed to return.

Sarah: Are you serious? AFTER EVERYTHING HE HAS DONE FOR YOU?! YOU WOULDN'T LET HIM BACK IN?!

Cinco: It doesn't matter what he has done. Him coming back isn't allowed if he leaves right now. It is too dangerous for the people in the village.

Sarah: Fine.

Sarah turns back to look at Kyle.

Sarah: All you need to do is become a watcher and you can leave and come back whenever you want.

Kyle: No, Sarah. I need to go now.

Sarah's eyes widen and begin to water from frustration.

Sarah: Why?

Kyle: Like I said there is something I must do.

Sarah: And you can't wait?

Tears began to fall from Sarah's eyes. No matter what she thought of or said she was always met with rejection. It was just so ... frustrating. Just the thought of someone she loved cared about, someone she aspired to be like, the person that saved her. It hurt her. It was so heartbreaking thinking that after all the joy she felt that she would be alone once again. She hated it. She hated the idea of it so much that she forced herself to say something that she would never say.

Sarah: i will go with you then.

Kyle: ...

Sarah's voice was frail and hoarse. She tried to collect herself. She tried to stop crying, to stop worrying, to stop being sad.

Sarah: [As long as I am with him, I think I will be fine.]

Kyle: No ...

Sarah: ... what?

Kyle: I said no. I am sorry you can't come with me.

Kyle puts his helmet back on and the front of it starts glowing again. Kyle turns around so his back is facing Cinco and Sarah. He looks up at the sky. Sarah starts to a loud sound. She instinctively covers her ears. She felt a strong wind push her back from Kyle and from that wind she felt a great heat. She looks at Kyle and sees an orange light coming from below his feet. Kyle slowly begins to lift up into the air and that is when Sarah saw fire coming from his feet.

Sarah: [Wait. Stop. Please.]

Just as Kyle is about to take flight, he feels something grab his leg. Slowly forcing him back down to the ground. Kyle looks down to see what it is and he sees Rachel. It unraveled its arms and used the golden string to wrap up Kyle's leg. The strings that were wrapped around Kyle's leg were still attached to Rachel's torso where its arms used to be.

Sarah: STOP!

Sarah yelled trying to make her voice louder than the sound Kyle's suit was making.

Sarah: WHY?! AT LEAST GIVE ME A REASON! WHY DO YOU HAVE TO LEAVE! WHY DID YOU TRY SO HARD TO GET US OUT OF THERE IF YOU WERE JUST GOING TO LEAVE?! WHY ARE YOU LEAVING ME BEHIND?!

Kyle: BECAUSE YOU ARE TOO WEAK!

Sarah: ...

She got her answer.

Kyle: IF I WERE TO BRING YOU WITH ME YOU WOULD JUST GET KILLED! ALL YOU WOULD DO IS HOLD ME BACK! YOU ARE JUST A WASTE OF RESOURCES IF I BROUGHT YOU!

Sarah: you don't mean that ... please don't mean that.

Kyle: SARAH, LET ME GO NOW!

Sarah was hurt, broken, distraught. It was heartbreaking. She wanted this to end, she wanted this to be some kind of sick joke. But she knew, she knew she would have to live those words the rest of her life. Kyle's patience had run out. If she wasn't going to let go then he would free himself. Kyle balls his fist as a panel on the back of his hand bends upwards revealing a small hole that was pointed at the strings.

Kyle: ...

Out of this hole came a thin red laser that cut the strings the instant they made contact. When the strings were cut Rachel flew backward and landed on its back. Kyle flew higher and higher more and more out of view. Sarah started to run after him.

Cloak: [Ma'am I don't think you can catch him even if we flew. He is clearly flying faster than I could possibly go.]

Sarah continued to run completely ignoring everything Cloak said. As she ran the tears made her vision blurry and the snot made it hard for her to breathe through her nose. She just couldn't think straight.

Cinco: [What is the point of doing all that training if you aren't even going to use Ora? How pathetic.]

Sarah continued to run after Kyle until she slipped. She rolled and fell down the hill and at the bottom she hit her ankle on a rock giving her a gash. She yelled in pain and grabbed her leg. She looked up at the sky. She watched in helplessness as she watched her savior, comrade, big brother flies farther and farther away from her. And the only reason he gave her was "because you are too weak."

Sarah: please don't leave me.

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Sarah sat in a chair next to Gio's bed. She watched as ha slept. Even though watching him sleep would usually calm her there was only one thing that she could think about.

Kyle: "BECAUSE YOU ARE TOO WEAK!"

Sarah covered her ears and lifted her legs. She buried her face into her knees.

Sarah: [Please stop.]

???: Stronger.

Sarah: What ...? Who is there?

???: Grow stronger Sarah. Become the strongest.

Sarah: ...

Sarah hears the door behind her squeak open as light from the hallway fills the room.

Gray: Are you okay?

Sarah: What do you think?

Gray: ... Do you want to talk about it?

Sarah: Shouldn't it be Master's job to raise my spirit's?

Gray: Well, he knows I am better with words than him.

Sarah: ... You are stronger than Master, right?

Gray: Yes.

Sarah: I want to grow stronger, and the way things are right now I don't think I can beat Cinco by December. I needed help from Kyle just to break his wooden sword. But now Kyle is gone. I want to beat Cinco ... no not only that. I want to defeat anyone that crosses my path. I want to make him regret leaving me behind.

Gray and Sarah look each other in the face.

Gray: You look tired.

Sarah: I am wide awake. Train me Gray.

Gray: ... You are asking me to stay and train you? If I don't leave and make sure that Break Point isn't getting closer that would be putting the entire village at risk.

Sarah: I don't care.

Gray: ... All because he left you behind?

Sarah: Yes.

Gray: Fine, I will train you. But I want you to always remember the line you crossed.

Sarah: I will.