I stepped through the time barrier into the eternal world on the verge of breaking down. But Saradim was waiting for me. He opened his arms and I didn't hold back. I ran to him and let the tears loose. "Can I appear to him tonight?" He nodded.
***
Later that night, I stepped back through the time barrier and into Brian's room. He looked so peaceful sleeping but I could tell he'd cried himself to sleep. "Brian, please," I whispered, "now is not the time to lose your strength." I kneeled next to the bed, slipped one hand on his waist and played with his hair with the other. His back was towards me and he was curled up into a ball like he was cold. I slid my arm all the way around his waist and over his stomach then laid my cheek against his. I sighed and whispered to him, "I'm sorry I can't tell you who I am but I hope this will help."
Brian's View
An image appeared in my mind. The blue ninja. "Brian, listen to me. I know that you want to know who I am. And I want to tell you. But right now, I can't. But trust me, you'll find out soon. But until then I need your help. Brian, right now Kat has the chance to come back. But she can't and I can't reveal myself unless Ryan is defeated. That's why I'm here. But I can't do it on my own. I can see you've cried yourself to sleep over what happened this afternoon. Please don't. You become weak when this happens and weak is the last thing you need to be at this time. When one of you is weak the more I have to do to keep you safe and greater the risk of me failing. Brian if one of you dies because of Ryan, I fail and Kat won't be able to come back. I know there has been a void in your heart since she left. And believe me she misses you more than she misses her life. She wants to come back badly and is depending on me to get her back. I'm asking on her behalf to not worry about who I am. Just stay strong and know that when this is over, everything will be explained. And now Kat has a message for you." The image changed and I saw Kat. "I love you Brian. And I miss you. But I promise you, I'll be back."
Shane's View
I was wondering what was going on with the blue ninja. If it was Kat, then why wasn't she communicating with me too? All this stuff was happening with Brian but not me. 'Could she have changed her mind? Is he her choice now?' I couldn't figure it out so I turned my light off and went to sleep.
***
"Shane, I want you to know that I've chosen Brian. I know both of your hearts and he needs me more right now. But no matter what, you'll always be my big brother. Nothing will ever change that."
***
I woke up with a start. 'Dang it! But at least I'm pretty sure the blue ninja is Kat' I flopped back down on my pillow and sighed. 'But I still want her to be mine,' I thought. Out loud I said, "What does he have that I don't?"
"A void in his heart." I turned toward the voice behind me to see a glowing image in front of my bed. The Kat was back.