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"Oh, good luck wherever you're going, I guess." -was all what I said as comment on the news I had just been hit with by Sebastian Keith.

I moved to step away from him, but his hand came over my shoulder, freezing my move.
"Come with me!"

I didn't look at him, as I turned my gaze away from him, and only tried swallowing the knot in my throat.

Of course he was going to leave.

Isn't that all what people do?

Isn't that the hardest thing life had told me so far? To pick up my pieces and just keep moving?

I didn't reply, and bit my lower lip. Hard.

His other hand came up to my face, flipping it to the side so I would look at him.

Still, my eyes avoided his.

I did not. I did not want to look at him.

"Why not!" He growled, "Give me one reason!"

I bit my lips harder. I did not want to answer. I did not want to open my mouth.

Because if I did, all my weakness and sorrow will just resurface.

I pushed myself away from him, escaping his grip as I took him by surprise.

I gulped, and turned away, as I started walking.

"One request," A voice came from behind me, loud, clear, with a hint of anger within it.

I arced my head at Sebastian Keith, indicating for him to continue.

"I want a Karate duel against you before leaving." He spoke out, "Tomorrow at four in the afternoon. My caravan."

I blinked, licking my lips. "That's it?"

He fixed me with his dark, slightly angry, and cold jades, "I'm assuming, from what I have seen so far through the course of your actions since I met you, that you want to become stronger, no?"

I nodded, giving him a very confused look.

"Let's see how 'strong' you are before I leave."

My heart ached as he reminded me of his departure, but I kept a straight face, as I nodded, and turned to leave.

He did not stop me this time, and I walked outside the capsule, which had reached a stop by now and people had started departing from it.

.

.

.

Reaching home, I headed to my room, without interacting with neither mom or Theo.

I felt drained, and something deep inside me ached.

Yet I didn't know what it was.

It was that sadness that had not left me for the past six months, and that had fell dormant through the past two weeks.

But no.

I am not sad.

I can't be sad.

I need to get over all of those emotions, and just acquaint myself with the idea that people leave, and that I'll always be on my own.

I can't let any emotion get to me after this.

Not any emotion, but the mere desire of avenging my father.

If I wanted to reach this aim, I need to kill off every single thing I had ever been before.

I need to maintain the clear state of mind I'm in at the moment.

I got into my pajamas, and into my bed.

As I laid my head on my pillow, I closed my eyes.

Yes, this clear state of mind is how I'll avenge my father.

It's how I'll climb the ladder all the way to Trevor Ellington's throne.

And it's how I'll beat Sebastian Keith in the duel tomorrow.

~*~*~*~*

I tightened my arms around him.

I inhaled all what my lungs could fit from his scent, and I sobbed as hard as I could.

"Please..." I pleaded, "Just a bit longer, dad." I cried, "Just a bit longer..." I sniffed.

The man between my arms was not moving; he wasn't stiff, no, he just felt... weak, and very immobile.

But then his voice came, despite that I could not see his face, "I can't, my dear." His voice came, just like I remembered it too well. It was my father's tender, longing tone, "Because that's how it's bound to happen."

I gasped.

"Humans are eventually bound to leave."(4) He hit me with the reality I feared to hear most, "And you," He continued.

"Will have to learn to survive on your own."

My heart sank at his words, as his figure, suddenly in some magical way... started changing...

The entire entity between my hand suddenly changed form, and my hands were suddenly around... S-S-Sebastian Keith!!

I shuddered, "Y-You... Wh-Where's da-"

"I'm leaving tomorrow, Charlotte," Keith's jades deepened, and at that, the entire world around us shook, as I felt a deep pain clench in my chest.

At that, the man between my arms started fading as well.

My eyes widened, as I tried hugging tighter, but only dust slipped through my fingers the harder I gripped.

"NO!" I screamed, crying.

My father's words echoed at that.

'Humans leave...'

I sobbed, and the pain in my chest felt even more powerful.

"DON'T LEAVE ME-"

~*~*~*~*

GASP!

I straightened like some human brought to life with an electric shot.

My chest heaved up and down, as I felt wetness drench my cheeks.

My eyes remained wide, as I tried registering what kind of dream I just woke up from.

Looking at the clock beside me, I saw it was only eight in the morning.

I sighed. So today at four, huh...

I got out of bed, washed and slipped into my casual jeans and top shirt.

Descending into the kitchen, I was greeted by the tasty smell of a fresh omelette.

My mom was peacefully preparing food as she listened soft morning music.

Approaching her, I hugged her skinny figure from behind, and inhaled her sweet smell, setting myself at peace.

She smiled, as she turned slightly to kiss me on the cheek, "Good morning, my sunshine."

I smiled softly, as I felt my heart hurt.

As I hugged my mom harder, I could tell how thinner she'd gotten in the past months.

My heart hurt, and I felt my stomach clench as well.

I'm so scared.

I'm so scared of not being able to protect you.

As I remembered the duel I had today, my heart sunk further.

If he leaves, I'll be alone.

And I... I feel so... lonely.

"So, tomorrow... huh..." My mom cut off my thoughts abruptly.

I gasped softly.

Now that...

That particular fact was something else.

It was something I completely had tried to keep off of my mind for the past two weeks.

Today was the last day of the six months period.

And I had received an email regarding regaining my position last week.

Yes. That position.

At that particular firm.

Under that particular CEO.

The one and only.

A chill crept over my skin, as two deep, warm yet chilly orbs invaded my thoughts, and Rickard Ellington Conway's majestic silhouette suddenly started clearing itself in my mind...

I gulped.

I did not know whether I really wanted to go back.

I did not know how it will be if I went back.

Can I do it?

A better question was: can I do it alone?

Everything felt different after six months.

Six months of not even a touch, a word, or even a look.

I felt... so distant.

And maybe that's why... I felt so lonely.

I sighed, and let go of my mom, "Oh yeah," I maintained a cool tone, "Please don't forget that I'll be moving back to Katy's today, it's closer to the company anyway."

My mom turned to stove off, as she poured the omelette into a plate, placing a fork and knife on the plate, as she handed it over to me. "Yes dear, I prepared everything you're going to need."

She maintained a soft smile.

A long moment of silence followed that, as I devoured my food wordlessly.

My mom watched me silently, clearly having something on mind.

"Cherry," she finally muttered.

I hummed, signalling she can go on comfortably.

Another moment of silence passed, before the fragile woman before me decided to speak again.

"Please drop it."

I blinked, and eyed her thoroughly, waiting for her to continue.

"Th-The thought you mentioned six months ago... about avenging your-" She gulped a sob back, "Father. I-I know back then we were all so... blinded by that thought... But know..." Her voice wavered, and I could tell she was trying so hard to maintain her composure.

My heart sank further, as I saw her slim hands shake while she held them up before her chest, and her eyes moved from side to side to avoid making eye contact with me.

"I... You and your brother's safety..." Her voice shook harder, "I can't afford to lo-" I cut her off, as I wrapped my arms around her, and patted her head slightly.

I could feel more now how tinier her figure had gotten, and how much i cannot afford to worry her.

"Do not worry, mama," I breathed softly, running my fingers through her hair, "It's going to be okay, I promise."

.

.

.

The day passed rather fast, and time flew between me packing my stuff and helping Theo out with his studies before I finally left to Katy's, after bidding my mother and brother a warm goodbye.

I managed to put my stuff at Katy's just by the time the clock approached four, I didn't even unpack, as I hurried myself towards the meeting point

Or should I say, the battlefield.

Sebastian Keith's caravan was parked just where we'd left it yesterday, miles away from the London's Eye.

As I knocked softly, there was no delay in the door swinging open, and I was met by two things: one, the deafening beat of Iron Maiden's Hallowed Be Thy Name; and two, by the musky smell of the man who opened the door for me.

Sebastian Keith stood before me; baggy sleeveless shirt to emphasize on his wrist tattoos as well as his silver chains, hair untied and left to cascade randomly alongside his silver earrings on his shoulders, and a pair of shorts.

He smiled softly at me, "Ready for a bitter loss?" He chuckled as he turned, entering as I followed him.

I huffed, "Huh! You don't really think six months of training are gonna go to nothing, eh Mr. Keith?"

He raised a brow at me, as he took his earrings off, as well as his silver chains. "Oh, who said I'm talking about our fight? The most bitter loss here is that I'm leaving." He smirked, and my heart sunk.

The devil!

I gulped, and avoided his gaze, "Anyways," I let out a breath, "I'm here to, um, fulfill your last request."

He moved away, as he reached out for some of Chester's dog food, and the puppy directly started hopping happily.

He placed the food at the corner of the caravan, as Chester approached it and sat obediently to start eating. At that, Keith tool the chance to tie his loyal fellow to the chain, which had to make sense to me if I wanted to avoid being bitten to pieces by the dog once he sees me charging at his master.

"Take off your jewelry," The adam before me ordered, "We both have long hair, and wouldn't want it getting stuck and torn because of such things."

I nodded, taking off my butterfly necklace as well as my beads earrings, as I placed them beside his chains, earrings, as well as random rings.

Reaching for the door behind me, I closed it shut, as I let out a deep breath.

From before me, Sebastian took a step forward, "Okay, so just to make sure of this," He fixed his beads into mine, "I won't go easy, eh?"

I shuddered softly, but then adrenaline shot through my blood.

As my eyes sank into his jades, my heart sank even further with the idea that he's leaving.

And fighting against him, against all the sadness emotions, against the lonely Charlotte which was not supposed to exist anymore inside me... felt like the most satisfying and sensible thing for me to do.

I fixed his look back with the frostiest gaze I had, "I'd be mad if you did."

Yes, I want to get rid of her today.

If I wanted to go back to work tomorrow.

If I wanted to avenge my father.

If I wanted to stop hurting every time I felt alone.

This lonely, emotional Charlotte will have to fade.

In my subconsciousness, a dark place started visualizing, and what I saw was a little me, sitting on the ground unable to move, hugging herself tightly, as she shivered from the dark.

Yes.

She needs to fade into that darkness.

I moved at that, charging at the man before me with full force.

Now let me make one thing super clear.

I was no idiot.

I had been able to tell since the first day I met the man that he was well shaped, and well trained. I did not know exactly what he was trained, but I could tell he was.

This said, I made sure not to start my attack with something as basic as a fist shot.

Rather, I charged straight, making it seem as though I'm gonna attack directly.

As I saw Sebastian Keith's position adjust to a defense one, I took a step to the left, as I fixed my left leg to the ground, and raised my right in a thoughtless attack.

Any normal human being with a normal reception-reaction time should not have been able to dodge this, I was sure.

But he did.

It took the man before me a fraction of a second to shudder, directly adjusting his stand to counter-attack my kick.

His left hand came up, gripping my leg.

And this was all it took to shake my balance.

He tugged my leg up, and I started falling backwards, as he let himself free fall over me.

I whined, as we slammed against the ground.

The adam above me did not leave me any chance for a comeback, as he directly fixed both my legs from moving, and laid his entire weight atop of me to numb my hand movement.

My loud, uneven breathing was all that could be heard at that.

I writhed beneath him, and struggled to move.

No. This was not how I planned for it to go.

This was not how I saw myself overcoming the weak me.

This cannot be the Charlotte that was going to go back to work tomorrow.

I can't let myself be this weak.

I can't!

"B-Best out of three!!" I breathed beneath him, "It's not over yet!"

From above me, the adam fixed me deeply, as his jades darkened.

He straightened, and extended his hand before me to get up.

It took me a second to realize what he was doing.

As I reached out for his hand, a thought shot to my mind.

Oh, you are going to leave too...

The little Charlotte at the back of my mind hugged herself tighter, and I could feel the darkness around her start to devour her.

Ah, perfect.

I shrugged his hand off, as I stood up by myself.

This is how it's supposed to be... let her fade in.

Fade into all that darkness.

We went into the next round directly after that.

This time, it was Sebastian Keith who charged first, somehow seeming pissed by my earlier action.

As I took my defense position, the adam managed to take me by surprise, as he, upon reaching a step away from me, squatted down, shooting his hand to grip my stomach and push me back.

I lost my balance as a result of the potential he'd put in his push, as he took that chance to grip both my hands, allowing himself to fall atop of me again.

With his entire gigantic weight on me, it was impossible for me to move my legs, and I was stuck. Again.

I cussed from beneath him, and my heart hurt further.

Damn you! I cursed the girl at the back of my head. You're so weak! You've always been so!

My eyes stung, but I didn't let anything come to surface.

No, I was most definitely, undoubtedly, not going to let myself cry.

That Charlotte is long. Long gone.

And so will the lonely Charlotte fade behind her now.

Everything related to the old Charlotte.

I wanted to erase it all.

"B-Best out of five!" I breathed heavily, and the adam didn't even shudder.

He straightened, and offered his hand again, this time not looking in my direction.

I fixed him with the coldest look I could muster, as I felt knives grind against my chest when I opened my mouth to speak: "Save the effort, you're leaving as well, Keith. I don't need this."

I stood up, and this time didn't take a second before I charged.

Sebastian Keith was still not looking in my direction, as my leg hit him with all it's might.

The contact made between my leg and his shoulder felt madly impactful; and I could feel the impact vibrate over my entire leg.

I expected at that for the adam before me to shudder, fall, or at least lose balance.

But guess what actually happened.

He didn't budge.

Not even turn in my direction.

From beneath my leg, Keith's shoulder didn't look like a normal shoulder, but rather, the muscle looked clenched, as it bumped up.

His hand shot up, gripping my leg again, as he repeated the same technique of my first loss.

As he pushed me down, I did not make an effort to resist this time.

Because with all honesty, I could not tell what was wrong with what I was doing.

Why.

Just why?

Why am I still this weak?

I hate this weakness.

Further darkness devoured the little girl, and that was exactly what I wanted.

That was exactly how I was supposed to ensure my victory.

But...

But why...

Why...

As my eyes remained wide while I laid on the ground, and my chest heaved up and down, Sebastian Keith straightened, his face coming before mine, his orbs fixing mine..

"Have you realized your mistake yet," He parted his lips, "Or should I point it out?"

I panted beneath him, as I gulped, as i felt my body losing its strength.

I gave him no answer, but if my facial expression mirrored exactly how I felt, then that must have been stronger and more powerful than any other answer I might have given.

I felt defeated.

My body gave away, and even more than that, my mental state did.

I felt myself sinking into the darkness with the lonely Charlotte, as my loneliness devoured me alive, and I could not see any potential in what I was doing.

I felt empty.

And aimless.

And very helpless.

I did not know how to feel or how to act.

In my mind, the visual representation of the little Charlotte looked about to completely disappear in the dark, and, looking at her eyes, they mirrored ultimate darkness and lack of reaction.

Slowly darkness started devouring her figure, as she sank furthe-

- Keith's voice came at that, sharper than a newly molded sword.

The darkness around little Charlotte froze.

"You lack human emotion."

I shuddered, as my eyes widened, fixing the guy before me with ultimate loss.

"Huh?"

From behind him, Chester woofed, but the guy did not mind his loyal fellow.

"Since the moment I'd first met you, woman," He started, his expression darkened, "You mirrored one thing,"

I stayed silent in anticipation.

"You are someone who'd lost something so dear and irreplaceable, to the point that part of yourself was lost with whatever or whomever you'd lost."

I gasped, and my gaze shivered as it