The royal family with their respective guards arrived at the Eastern part of Etheria. Then they were teleported by John, to a placed which looked similar to a beach on Earth. The only difference was this place was far more magnificent. Various palm trees all around .The "sand" shimmered and shined of rainbow colours. The sky was a vibrant blue with a tint of visible gold. Palm trees were extremely beautiful. The "sea" was an emerald shade of green with faint tinge of blue. It was downed with a slightly warm and cool atmosphere. Simply put,the view and presence was just mesmerizing. Winter and Lyla just stared in awe.
Winter: Woww, What's this place?
The Queen and King smiled.
Queen: Loves, welcome to Embry, the most beautiful place in Etheria.
Winter and Lyla looked at each other
Lyla: It really is amazing.
King Felix: Certainly. But we still have one more surprise in store for you two.
The sisters turned to the King, curiously anticipating the answer. Just then two feminine voices spoke up.
"Winter", "Lyla" , They each, said.
Winter and Lyla recognized these voices instantly. They turned around and ran to embrace them.
"Mum", they said simulataenously.
They were visibly filled with joy. The four of them pulled one another into a group hug.
Lyla: We thought we'll never see you again. We really missed you.
Winter: Ever since, we came here, you just left.. like you both disappeared into thin air.
Lorelai/Miss Laura: We figured you will require your space after all we put you through.
Briar/ Mrs Kim: We were assigned a mission, and we had no choice but to fulfil.
Lyla: Don't worry, I kinda understand
Lyla nudged Winter as they waited for her response.
Winter sighed.
Winter: To be honest, the past me won't want to see your faces at all.
Lorelai and Briar face fell, in expectation.
Winter: Although, recently I have learnt to accept the reality. I can't stay mad at you for a while. No... not when we have a mad psycho threatening to destroy us.
Lorelai and Briar looked so proud of how their foster daughters had grown.
Lyla: Blood or no blood, we are all family.
Briar was on the verge on tears now while Lorelai just looked like a fulfilled mother. Meanwhile as the King and Queen watched them from a distance, they held hands.
The Queen asked
Queen: Could they ever accept and love us like them?
Felix looked at his Queen with kind eyes.
King: Briar and Lorelai hold a special place in their hearts and we can't change that one bit.
The Queen nodded
King: You...Me....Etheria, also hold a place in their hearts. Through this bonding activity, we can try to make our place special too.
Queen: mm-hmm
Queen: Though, it's quite unfortunate that Corissa refused to come.
King: It's quite unfortunate. However, we are in no position to force her into doing anything, we can only encourage her. When she's ready, she will open up.
In the midst of the reunion, Lyla stole a glance at her parents. She knew. She knew Corissa was not coming. Suddenly, Winter left their circle and went to the King and Queen. She took their hands and looked at them
Winter: If you're trying to bond with us, then you're not doing a good job, standing here. C'mon, Let's go.
Winter dragged them to the rest of the reunion. Queen Alouette made chairs out of leaves for the six of them to sit. They all sat in a circle. Winter and Lyla were each narrating their lives in the human world. Even Lorelai with Briar chimed in a few times. After a while, Lyla left the circle to take a casual walk around Embry.
Melanie secretly left to watch Lyla from a safe distance. They continued chatting away until Winter spoke up.
Winter: But I really want to ask about something? I tried to ignore for a long, but I don't think I should anymore.
Everyone listened intently because Winter's tone sounded very important.
Winter exhaled
Winter: On the night we left the human world for Etheria.
She paused briefly
Winter: Lyla and I were attacked by two people. A man and a woman in dark cloaks. The man called himself....
Winter: DIEM
****AT THE SAME TIME
Lyla went to explore the other side of Embry. It was a big place, but also small. She went through the little forest, then found herself at the seaside after a while. Lyla sat on the sand very close to the beautiful sea. She watched as the waves flowed majestically one over another. She liked the feeling of warmth as the sparkly water splashed gently on her feet. Lyla sat there looking at the sea and sky. However anyone could tell, she wasn't just looking at the sea, she looked lost. Like she was not there. It was like she was thinking of something or SOMEONE .Throughout this, Melanie watched her, curiously waiting for what she would do next.
Suddenly Lyla called out to no one in particular.
Lyla: You can come out now please, stop spying on me.
Melanie was partly shocked that Lyla knew she was there. Melanie didn't fully conceal her presence, but she didn't think Lyla would sense her. Melanie walked forward to Lyla's side.
Lyla: Ohh, it's you.
Melanie: How could you sense me so easily?
Lyla: Not easily though, I just felt it. Like something else filled up the air here.
Lyla looked down sadly at the glittering sand after she said that.
Melanie: Are you okay? What's wrong?
Lyla said defensively with her guard lifted up.
Lyla: Nothing.
Melanie: If you lie to your royal guard then how exactly am I supposed to keep you safe?
Lyla didn't speak immediately, but when she did she opened up completely. Melanie just listened patiently.
Lyla: Ever since we came to Etheria, we left everything behind. School, Friends, Holidays and so on. We were all swept from our old life so quickly, that I didn't even have time to process anything. Still, It seems like everyone has moved on so easily, including Winter.
Lyla: It may not look like it, but I can't move on from the human world. I support others to move on, but I myself can't seem to keep going like nothing ever happened.
Lyla: I really don't want to bring anyone back to this matter. So, I just have to continue living like this. I didn't even get to say goodbye.
When Melanie was sure Lyla had finished, she patted her back gently. She gave her bubbly smile to Lyla, while Lyla just forced a smile.
Melanie: Your majesty, you certainly don't have to move on if you're not ready. After we defeat Avis, I am sure, you will always be welcome back to the human world.
Melanie: But for the time being, I think you should talk to the King, Queen and your sisters about how you feel. They will definitely understand.
Lyla: Okay, I will talk to them about it.
Melanie: Take it easy on yourself. You are very selfless, but you don't have to be selfish to yourself.
Lyla nodded.
Melanie: Sooo, you remember our promise.
Lyla chuckled.
Lyla: Always keep smiling
Lyla's face beamed with joy and Melanie was satisfied.
Melanie: Yeah
Lyla: Always
Melanie: You also said something about "not getting to say goodbye"
Now Lyla's beaming expression faded instantly. Lyla sighed.
Lyla: It's--
Lyla's sentence was cut short by Melanie. She pointed to the opposite direction and said
Melanie: Is that....smoke?
Lyla looked behind her.
Lyla: That's where the others are.
A/N: Hey guys have you heard of this amazing upcoming musician "Zilla Kolobi". If not you can check him out.