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Kris knocked on her door, once, twice, a third time. There was something they wanted to show her.. that would change everything.
A soft click-clack followed by a muffled “I’ll get it!” Came from inside, before the doorknob turned and Kris found themself standing face to face with their best friend since childhood, Noelle.
“Hi Kris! Oh- want to come in?” She offered, nearly forgetting her manners.
Kris shook their head. “Not today, but there is something i want to show you. Just tell Mrs Carol we’re going on a walk or hanging out somewhere.” Kris smiled in that mischievous way they always did. Noelle wondered if this was another prank.
She turned to look back into her house, “Hey mom? Is it alright if i go hang out with Kris?”
Her mother, Carol, called back out to her, “Yes, of course thats fine sweetie, just be home before dark, please. Stay safe!”
Noelle turned back to look at Kris, smiling. “Okay, fine, but this better not be some stupid prank.”
-
Kris tugged Noelle along with them, hand in hand. “Where are we going exactly, Kris?” She asked from behind nervously.
“You just have to trust me, it’s amazing!” They said. Noelle hadn’t seen Kris this excited in quite some time.
But.. she began to hesitate a bit, when Kris started drawing her ever closer to the bunker. They were scared of that place, Kris. Why would they ever want to go back after.. after that.
“Kris.. I’m not so sure about this anymore…” Noelle whispered as the sounds of the forest seemed to silence as they walked towards the bunker.
Kris turned to look Noelle in the eye, she really was scared. She’d see soon enough, it was wonderful what you could find by just looking a little bit farther. “Please, Noelle. You’ll love it, it’s so much fun!” They said, patting Noelle’s hand.
Noelle wasn’t exactly convinced.
When they finally reached the bunker, Kris, without hesitation, strolled up to the key code tablet and punched in some numbers and symbols. Noelle heard a click.
Suddenly, it was as if all light had vanished. No, not vanished, it was as if it had been swallowed, choked, stolen. Darkness seemed to almost flow out of the open bunker doors, infecting everything it touched. She had never seen such a horrible thing.
Kris looked over at Noelle, expecting a more, in awe, expression. They were met with a small twinge of disappointment. “Just, come inside. It’ll be better inside.” They said, beginning to lead her towards the doors.
“Kris-! Kris! This isn’t funny, I’m- I’m scared!” She protested, but Kris pulled her hand one last time, and they both jumped down. Noelle screamed the whole way through, while Kris let out a joyful “Woohoooo!” Before landing on the floor side by side.
Noelle looked down. This was not what she had been wearing before. This was new… a white gown, as if covered in sparkling permafrost. She turned to look at Kris, who was.. blue?! She was very sure Humans were not supposed to be that color.
“Kris! Kris, your skin! It’s, it’s blue!” She shrieked and pointed.
“I know, I know!” They said, twirling around, once again admiring their own set of armor.
“This is called a dark world. It’ll change your appearance some, but only here. You’ll look the exact same in the light world, i promise!” Kris reassured her.
“Oh my angel, oh my angel, what is going on!? KRIS, WHAT IS GOING ON?! IS THIS A DREAM??????” She put her hands on their shoulders and shook them out in panic. Noelle was about to scream again, when a voice rang out. Noelle thought it almost sounded… familiar, in some way.
“Kris, welcome back, my knight.” The voice paused, before revealing itself in a beam of what little light there was down here. “And i see you’ve brought a friend.” The figure was tall, thin, sharp. It had pointed antlers and holes through its palms. The masked shape tilted its head to the side, peering at Noelle.
Kris was excited to have Noelle meet the Knight, the Roaring Knight. They could all do such wonderful things together! Or at least, thats what the Knight said. They turned to Noelle to introduce it.
“Noelle, this is the Roaring Knight. Trust me, they’re really nice!”
Looking at the Knight, Noelle didn’t think so.
That ominous, monotone voice rang out again. “That is true. I am really. Nice.”
That did not help her concerns.
Kris cringed. This wasn’t a very good impression so far. If they could just make her see how amazing this world was! Endless adventure, complete freedom. You never had to feel like you didn’t belong, in the dark world.
“Alright, alright, Noelle, come on, follow me! It’s amazing here, you just have to join us. Join me and the Knight, get to know it, it’s great!” They took Noelles hand, spinning around along with her. “There are so many wonders here!”
Noelle looked into Kris’s eyes, then to the Knights face. She had been friends with Kris for years, she should just give it a chance. Even it was weird and probably a dream.
She took a deep breath and said, “Okay, i trust you. I want to see.”