Zyric then opens the door revealing their other companions. Alednos and Dazifae came in and bowed down. When they rose up, Dazifae rushed to meet Elzilaura.
"Welcome back cousin!" Dazifae hugged her cousin and Elzilaura reciprocated. "Thank you, Dazi. It has been a while". The cousin agreed.
Then she moved to Alednos and greeted him. "So nice to see you Alednos. I'm glad you are safe." The nobleman smiled. "Likewise, your highness. I'm elated that you are with us now. All is well and will be even better."
Elzilaura chuckled. "Oh, don't be so formal now. It's just us. There is no court or crowd watching us."
Alednos laughs too and replies. "I'll take note of that Ella."
"Come here Alednos, let's make the most out of this non-formal reunion." The princess then hugs him too.
Alednos' father is a loyal subject of her mother and a good friend. He was also part of the Fliskan forces but retired to take his father's place as a royal adviser when the old man died. Dazifae is the queen's niece and cousin to Elzilaura.
"We must leave soon and plan our journey back to our allies." Kanunia reminds.
"What of my family here on earth? I can't just leave them behind?"
"They will live as if you never existed. Part of the adaptation power the Crystal Cross gave you is to assume an earthling identity which will expire once you leave the planet.
The entity that should have been you have slowly been restored to her rightful place. Remember your rival, Laura Lee? She is the true Laura that should have been adopted by your Earth parents. She will fill in your identity while your existence as a whole will be erased forever.
Zyric added. "When we tracked down the cross and used it to find her; its power is beginning to correct what should have been. The cross had affected your smooth sailing earth life to prepare you for our arrival.
"That's harsh. To be forgotten just like that." Elzilaura ponders on.
"It is for the best. You are needed in Fliska." Kanunia replies.
"I am also needed here. I have what I've always wanted here, a normal family and the freedom to choose. If I go back, there are people who believe I will bring an end to our world. The siege on our planet and assassination of our mother will surely fuel their anger towards me.
"You have a duty to Fliska and the greater majority supports you. If you are worried about the old priest trying to defame your family, he is already dead. His followers have deserted him as evidence of his corruption has surfaced." Zyric informs.
"The people who love you outweigh those who don't. Think of their love and support for you now that Fliska has fallen to our enemies. Soon Craiine will fall according to Duke Ocvon. Before we left, Zora is facilitating the evacuation process. We are yet to confirm where our people have relocated; We need you now more than ever." Kanunia mentions.
"The Nybians are growing stronger every day and are gaining more allies as they conquer one planet to another. Indeed, the Nybians were a great force with Kyron as their leader. Kyron has a powerful stone that matches the crystal cross in power called the Blood Basalt. He used that stone to invade Fliska that day.
Your return will give hope to our people to find alongside you as we restore our home world. You have the only weapon to match Kyron's Blood Basalt, the Crystal Cross." Alednos adds.
Elzilaura was even more conflicted. She had always wanted to live freely. She wanted to have a life of her own and a loving supportive family. She also wanted a chance to end up with the man she loves. These were the reasons she wanted to stay. However, she had a duty to fulfill. She is a Fliskan princess. Her world is dying and she was supposed to be their protector and now she is needed as a savior. She had to choose between the life she once had and the life that she now possesses.
She was caught up in a whirlwind of overwhelming emotions and more memories flashed through her head as she weighed her options. Both good and bad memories of this life and the old one were simultaneously running through her head all of a sudden at a very swift pace.
In her life on earth as Laura, she was able to be herself. She had the freedom to choose. As a child, she had lots of extracurricular activities and her parents eagerly supported her. As she grew up, her parents encouraged her again as she chose her profession. Then they gladly welcomed into their home her boyfriend who also became her fiance though the engagement is broken now.
Life on earth was tough because she had to fight for her place unlike in Fliska where she knows her crucial role. Yes, she has done well in her job but had to endure insurmountable challenges. Even though she is in a good position, she feels that there is more to life than just being in her office. She had a wonderful man who was not afraid to tell or even show her that he is in love with her. However, in her quest for career stability, she lost him to her best friend. It was the price of success but are all her accomplishments worth the heartache she is experiencing right now?
Back in Fliska, she always had to be always prim and proper as Princess Elzilaura. She had to set aside all her wants in order to give what her people needs. It was as if she lived and breathed for Fliska alone. Aside from that, she grew up filled with so many insecurities which often interfere with her decisions. These fears and anxieties make her view herself as weak and often doubt her capabilities.
To add to her insecurities was an old man's prophecy that she would ruin her world. He was a revered man long after his banishment. What if his prophecy is true all along? Isn't it a sign from the crystal cross that she was meant to stay here and let someone else do the messianic duty of protecting Fliska? To leave Fliska in her sister's hands would be the best thing to do. Besides, Kanunia has the strength of character and queenly grace which the people will truly appreciate.
The only good thing about being a princess was the never-ending abundance of beautiful gifts and outpouring of support from their allies. Lastly, there was Zyric. He could make every problem disappear with just one glance at her.
She was unsure of how he felt towards her as he never spoke of it. Yet she chooses to believe somewhere in his heart that he must deeply care for her. If it were true, the reason he never spoke of it was because of their royal duties. She was an engaged princess whose future marriage will secure peace and he is a nobleman sworn to serve his Queen.
Elzilaura begged the Fliskans for some time to think and left the office. She was so confused now so instead of going back home, she takes a walk in a nearby park. When she was younger, she would play in that park with her friends and later on in life, she would visit the place to clear her head.
As she was strolling, she saw the church where her family used to attend Sunday mass. She enters the building and prays. She asks God to help her as she is confused with all the information she had just learned and asked for enlightenment to make a decision. As she wraps up her prayer, the cross of the altar seemed somewhat well-defined. It was as if it was emitting a faint glow. She soon felt tired and wanted to go back home.
As she was going home, she comes across a family. She had seen the couple before but not with their children. Then, she notices the man looks like her uncle Galabrus and recalls the last moment she ever saw her uncle alive.
She knocks at the door and enters. She sees him sitting down at his desk writing. "Hello, Uncle! I heard you were going to war?"
"My Elle, come here." He motioned to his side. The child princess follows. Once she reached his side, the prince talked back. "To whom do I owe the pleasure of your visit."
"To me alone uncle." She smiles. "I heard you were going to war. Why?"
"Because it is my duty to defend our kingdom," Galabrus answers.
"But we have military men to do that. You are a prince. Why should you go out there? The niece asks.
"Because it would strengthen our people's faith and hope of our soldiers when they see a prince from the royal family marching to battle with them."
"Sounds reasonable but will I ever see you again?"
"I hope so but if I don't then know that I love you dearly and I have no regrets about choosing to lay down my life for you, your mom, and the rest of our kingdom. I will die knowing I made the right choice."
"How do you know it was the right choice?"
He sighs as he holds his knees. He then crosses them before continuing to answer.
"When you own up to your actions and decisions in life regardless of its original outcome, it will turn out to be the right choice."
He left that day to fulfill his duty and returned to them in a cryo-coffin. Losing him was difficult because he was the father figure in her life.
She was so preoccupied with thoughts that she hardly noticed that she had spanned a considerable distance and was already at her doorstep.