Katie tried to ignore the shouting.
They always did this. Always. Couldn't they wait for her to get to her friend's house at least? Why did they always yell at each other? Parents should love each other, right? That's what the teachers said. Were her Mama and Papa different?
Something made a loud crash and Katie flinched. She bit her lips and tried very hard not to cry. The tears came unbidden all the same. She put her drawing a bit to the side so the droplets wouldn't smear it. Katie didn't stop drawing, oh no, if she stopped she would have to concentrate on their fight. So she kept immersing herself in her made-up world. As best as she could anyway.
She drew Crystall, the mighty Witch! A source of protection for the land of Aurora. A guardian meant to protect all the kids that are lonely. She was fighting against Tibeth, a two-headed monster that fed on the suffering of others.
Her bedroom door burst open admitting her red-faced mother. "Slumber party is canceled, sweetie." She blurted. "Your father can't take you, sorry." And just as she entered, she left. Leaving behind an exhausted Katie.
Katie sighed. She was looking forward to going to Sophia's. But oh well. She was accustomed to not getting what she wanted. The shouting resumed so she resumed her drawing. Crystall was fierce, beautiful, and independent. She fought Tibeth with all her might in a splendor of color and power. The shouting was suddenly overtaken by more crashing sounds, and Katie's world faded.
With tears in her eyes, Katie went to bed, trying and failing to fall asleep and forget about what was happening downstairs. Eventually, mercifully, slumber took her.
Katie opened her eyes. She wasn't in her room. She was... she was - where was she?
"YOu have finally arrived." A gentile voice said beside her. Katie turned to see Crystall. Tall and beautiful. "Welcome, Katie."
Katie began to cry.
"Nonono, sweet one." Crystall hugged the girl. "It's alright, you're safe here."
"Is this real?" Katie managed between sobs.
"It's as real as you want it to be, sweet one." Crystall patted Katie's head.
Katie finally looked at the world around them. It was like she had stepped into a coloring book. The world resembled her drawings but not quite. It was alien yet beautiful. surreal yet unreal. She was mesmerized by its beauty.
"It's so pretty," Katie whispered.
"Will you protect it?" Crystall said. "That is why I summoned you, Katie. Our world is in peril, and we need the prophesized hero to help us defeat the evil Tibeth."
"B-b-but I'm not a warrior!" Katie started.
"That is why I am here, sweet one." Crystal put her hand on Katie's shoulder. "I will teach you."
And so Katie trained. Day and night, sword and bow, horse and foot. Crystall was unrelenting and Katie soon realized how hard it was to be a hero. Her previous life lay forgotten, a mist she had once walked through. All that mattered now was protecting this beautiful world she was prophesized to save.
As she trained with Crystall she understood that power came from within. It was courage that guided us, not physical strength or any form of ability. The true heroes were the ones willing to stand up for what was right.
Katie's muscles formed, her physique peaked, and her strength increased. But above all else, Crystall instilled her with confidence. Assuring her she would be by Katie's side when the time came.
And it did. Tibeth descended on the land in all her two-headed infamy. And Crystall broke her promise. She broke it on the fortress walls, receiving an arrow through the heart. Katie held her mentor in her hands, sobbing.
"Do not cry, sweet one." Crystall brushed Katie's tears. "You are ready."
It was as if Crystall's life force transferred over to Katie as a surge of power coursed through the little girl's veins. She picked up Crystall's sword and commanded for the garrison to stand firm. The battle had just begun.
Katie's training paid off, as wave after wave of enemies fell at her feet. Soon, she was to face Tibeth herself. But Katie felt no fear, no doubts in her mind. She knew this beast well, she was the one that drew it after all.
With a swift stroke of her sword, the beast's heads fell, dissolving into nothingness. The crowds cheered as Tibeth's army retreated and the land was saved.
But at what cost? Katie took the body of her friend and mentor and buried it where Tibeth was slain. It seemed fitting. The archrivals together. Katie stayed at Crystall's grave long after the populace dispersed. She was so tired. So very, very tired. She needed... she needed only a few minutes of rest... and she would... if she could only close her eyes for -
A loud bang made Katie jump from her bed. Sunshine was blazing brightly through her window, and shouts came from downstairs. She was back in her room.
Katie looked at the frail girl in her mirror and felt disgusted. Her body had reverted back to the form when she first met Crystall, but she felt... stronger...
Another shout from downstairs and Katie had had enough. She sprinted down the stairs, angry and annoyed. She slew Tibeth! She was a hero! And now she was back to this?
The living room was a mess. Pots and plates and clothes could be seen scattered all over. Her parents stood on opposite sides of the counter - both turned at Katie's footsteps.
"What are you doing?" This time, it was Katie's turn to shout. "How long will you be angry at each other?"
The husband and wife were taken aback by their daughter's brazen tone. She was usually so meek, what had gone over her?
"Sweetie," the mother tried. "Daddy and Mommy are just talking."
"No!" Katie pointed to her mom, then her dad. "I was supposed to go to Sophia's yesterday! Instead, I was in my bed! Crying! I have no friends at school! And all I hear is shouting all day long! Yes, Mom! I hear everything!" Katie was shaking, tears came streaming down her face as she started to stomp on the wooden floor. "Why can't you be normal parents? Why? Why? Why? I-I only wanted t-to g-go t-to S-Sophia's... whyyyyyyy..."
Katie fell to her knees, head in her palms she cried. Her mother ran over to hug the girl, while the father stayed at the counter, his own head in his palms, crying. After a while, he too joined his girls in the mutual cry.
The three of them crouched together, hugging and crying. No words were spoken, none were needed. The parents looked at each other and began crying anew. In time, the hug became stronger, firmer, warmer.
As old wounds started to heal.
Thank you for reading. 🙏 Hope you are having an amazing day! ❤️
This post is a part of Dreem-WOTW Contest S2 R6, hosted by the wonderful 
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