A letter addressed to Krystal from Kimothy.

To Krystal, My Heart and Sister in This Life,

By the time you read this, I’ll be gone. Not by choice, and not without a heavy heart. I can already imagine your anger, your confusion, and the questions racing through your mind. But please know, I am not abandoning you—this is a decision I had no choice but to make. If I stayed, I would be putting you and everyone we care about in danger.

You’ve probably noticed that I’ve been acting differently lately—more aggressive about keeping you safe, more on edge. That wasn’t just me being overprotective. A few weeks ago, I received a message, one that dredged up the darkest parts of my past. It’s connected to your father, to things he left unresolved that are catching up with us now. I tried to shield you from it, to handle it quietly, but the threat is bigger than I thought, and it’s closing in fast.

There are people out there who believe they are owed something by your father. People who operate in the shadows, outside of Polar City, waiting for the right moment to strike. They’ve been tracking us, tracking you, for longer than we realized. And they want revenge. They’re coming after you, Krystal, because you are everything to me. They know that hurting you is the fastest way to destroy me, to break everything we’ve built together.

I thought I could manage it on my own, but this is a storm that’s too big to fight from here. If I stay, they’ll come for you, and I can’t let that happen. I can’t sit by and watch them tear you apart. That’s why I have to leave, to confront this threat head-on, far away from you. I need to deal with it in the shadows, just as I always have for you, to make sure you’re safe.

I don’t know how long I’ll be gone, or if I’ll even make it back. But know this—everything I do, I do for you. You’ve been the light in my life, the one person I would give everything for. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you in person, but I know you’d try to stop me, and you have to stay safe, Krystal. You need to continue building the empire you’ve worked so hard for. You’re stronger than anyone gives you credit for, and you don’t need me to shine. You’ve always been a star on your own.

I’ll always be watching from the shadows, like I’ve always done. If I survive this, I’ll come back. But even if I don’t, I need you to know that you’ll always have me by your side. You’ll never walk this road alone, Krystal, because my love and loyalty to you will never die.

Please don’t try to find me. Don’t chase after this. You have more important things to do—live your life, make our family proud, and keep being the unstoppable force you’ve always been.

I love you, Krystal. More than you’ll ever know. I’ll always be your protector, even if you can’t see me.

Forever in your heart,

Kimothy Arthur Lee