After preparing and getting dressed, she went down to eat breakfast. In the kitchen, she saw her father who just finished his meal. "Good morning, Honey. I want to stay with you but I have to go. I'm a bit late for a meeting. See you later." He kissed her and ran off.
Her mom was still there and when she sat at the table, mom gave her freshly made fried eggs and bacon. "Here you go, dear. I wish I could stay but I have work today. Just reminding you of your doctor's appointment this afternoon." Mom cleaned up the kitchen and then left for work while Laura stayed at the table eating.
As she was eating, she noticed that her family was fine without her. Her family members had their own lives. Though they spend special occasions together and enjoyed being in each other's company, they lived independently. Her parents and brother have their work.
She recalled also a certain experience when she woke up late and was upset that she was not able to do her chores on time. She rushed downstairs only to find her chores done. Everyone was calm and cool in the living room watching television.
She asked for forgiveness from her father for not being able to do her tasks. She was expecting to be reprimanded but surprisingly, he assured her it was alright for she had been studying for an exam all night. As she joined them, she observed her family and saw that they were perfectly happy even without her. Right then, she remembered many other experiences that pointed out she was different from them and that they were independent of her.
She began to recall Stephen and Kathleen. She was still pained by their betrayal. Whilst she was busy working, they were enjoying each other's company. They just proved how insignificant she was to them and can exist without her.
"I love them and they love me but they don't need me. The Fliskans, not all of them love me. Some of them hate me and abhor the rest of the monarchy but they need me". With this thought in her mind, she made her decision.
Meanwhile, Zyric was with a young boy named Jerald. He was a crippled little boy who had special abilities. He can see and detect supernatural beings. Although the Fliskans looked like normal human beings, they looked different in Jerald's eyes. It was through his help that Zyric found a lead to track Laura. The former is disguised as a human but Jerald knew he was not of this earth with just one glance.
"Hi, Zee! Found her yet?" Jerald asks.
"Yeah and we leave tonight. That's why I'm here to thank you for helping me find her."
"My pleasure. Bon voyage and don't forget to write." The boy jests.
"I was hoping to take you with me if you would join us. I will bring you to Agcar, a planet that has the best medical treatments. You'll be walking in no time."
"It's tempting but I'm sorry my place is here. I can't leave my father. I'm all that he has left. I may be crippled but I have talents like being able to recognize you and guide you. Maybe I should advertise myself as a tourist guide for aliens or a tracing service for UFOs."
Zyric grins and pats the boy's head. The latter then adds. "But thanks again for the offer. I will surely miss you. You're probably the third or fourth alien to offer me a ride across the universe but this is the first time I'm tempted to go."
He suddenly pauses. In the blink of an eye, Jerald sees into Zyric.
"Are you okay Jerald?"
"I see your future but I cannot divulge everything. All I can say is that you must do what you can and be truthful about how you feel. The truth will not only set you free but give healing and comfort to others."
He then brings out an amulet from his pocket and hands it over to Zyric. "An alien landed here once and gave this to me. She told me to keep it until another alien traveler comes by who will need it. I asked her how will I know who this traveler is. She says that when the time comes, I will recognize him."
"Thank you. I don't have anything to repay this kindness."
"Don't worry about it. Just heed my advice. That's more than enough for me. Take good care, Zee."
"You too." He hugged the boy and left.
As the Fliskan walked away, Jerald feels sad for turning down the greatest adventure of his life. He knew that even if they send him to Agcar, he may or may not be healed but he would go to a different planet. He could explore other worlds and have an adventure.
However, he knew the importance of his gifts. He could communicate with any other being in this universe. He is much needed on this planet as a special communications expert. It was such a hard choice to make but he must fulfill this great purpose of his life.
The afternoon came and Elzilaura went next door for the appointment. Kanunia opened the door and let her enter. "So, what's it gonna be?" Laura looks at the floor for a moment before answering. "I will go with you. I choose Fliska."
Kanunia rejoices but then reminds her of certain things. "I just want to remind you that once we leave, your existence as an earthling will cease to exist and it will be as if you never came into their lives. And everything about the identity of Laura, your strengths and achievements that you have come to enjoy here shall come to an end."
Laura reiterates Kanunia's line. "I know but just as you said before, I am needed by my people." Kanunia tugs on her sister's shoulder.
"Just one more favor, Kania. I wish to say goodbye to my loved ones here."
"Alright. We are leaving at midnight so you still have plenty of time. Meet us back here when you're done. I'll inform the others of your decision."
She then goes back to her house and gives Steve a call. She tells him to meet her soon together with Kathleen. They meet at an ice cream parlor in the neighborhood which they use to frequent as schoolmates. She owns up to her shortcomings and asks for their forgiveness. In turn, she forgives their transgressions. There were moments as if she felt the couple was spacing out. Then she realizes the crystal cross inside her handbag and it was sparkling. It must be the gem's power that was causing this weirdness.
Then she went back home and waited for her parents and brother. When they came, she told them that she needed to go on a vacation as recommended by the psychiatrist. She claims that she must leave soon. They just plainly wished her a good voyage. Their reactions seemed so odd but the sparkling gem in her hand must have something to do with it. The lives of the earthlings she encountered were automatically corrected.
Soon, she returned next door finding Alednos and Dazifae at the receiving area. They were so happy to see her and thanked her for choosing them. They go into the garage and ride a car. They drove off to the highway until they went off the road into an open field. Not for long, a spaceship appeared and they drove inside it.
Once they settled it, they gave her a quick tour of the space vehicle.
"Welcome to our new royal vessel. The one in Fliska is probably destroyed by now." Dazifae introduces.
Laura examines the interiors of the Fliskan vessel which was smaller and less ornate than her family's royal ship. She then sees the rest of the crew and they take a moment to give her a respectful bow before resuming their activities. As they were touring, Zyric appears before them.
"We're glad to have you, royal highness." He places his hand on his chest and bows.
"We will have to wait until midnight. We take off when the transporter comet is visible in the sky. Right now, just relax and feel at home."
Laura then had to ask "Why don't we use the Crystal Cross instead? It transported me here, right? "She asks.
"It was an emergency and the gem led you here. Same as with the Sapphire Sphere. As a consequence of opening a portal with these gems, the bearer weakens just like my father and your injured mother." Zyric elaborates.
"They were compromised. Your father's health has been failing and my mom was wounded back then. I'm in perfect health so using its power won't gravely affect me." Elzilaura responds.
"It is not safe for you to use it until proper linking is done. Wait for the trials just to be safe. We cannot lose you again." His stare emanated such care it sent shivers down her spine. "Besides, the portal openings are for emergency purposes. Gem bearers don't travel around opening portals. Zyric emphasizes.
Dazifae interrupts their moment. "By the way, where is Kanunia?"
"She is getting ready. I'll be joining her now. The rest of you can still freshen up. Then come to the control deck before midnight."
They waited there until midnight came and the comet was visible in the night sky. It gave them the sign to take off. Everyone was at the control deck and strapped into their seats as the spacecraft left the planet.
"Just curious, what if someone sees us?" Laura asks
"No one can see us. We are invisible to human eyes." Dazifae says.
"Yes, we are in stealth mode," Kanunia adds.
As they were leaving earth, Laura looked out the window. Her memories on earth kept flashing in her mind. Her heart was breaking and now she realized something. The hardest thing that could ever happen to someone is to be forgotten completely by his or her loved ones.
The spaceship was only a smaller part of a greater vessel waiting on the other side of Luna, earth's only moon. Upon arrival, they rejoin the rest of the support system, a complex multiple rocket vessel filled with fuel and supplies, and when the whole vessel was complete, engines were powered to maximum speed so that they'll reach the comet just in time.
As the earth became less visible, tears rolled down Elzilaura's cheeks. Kanunia saw her sister and could not help but embrace the latter. Dazifae joins in for a group hug. Her earth family may have forgotten her but at least, she still had her Fliskan relatives.
Elzilaura then is lost in her thoughts. The entity of a strong and reliable Laura is gone now and all that is left is a scared and anxious princess who has such great responsibility on her shoulders. She needed Laura's strength and perfection but it is all gone now. She made her choice. She chose to be Elzilaura and is determined to find a way to suppress her weaknesses. She will uncover her strengths as she finds solutions to her problems.
On board, Zyric sought to have a private word with her. They move out of the control deck in order to do so. Dazifae was supposed to follow but Kanunia called her back and kept the lady preoccupied.
"I wish to tell you of Jerald, a special crippled young boy who helped me track you down. This human chose to stay on earth even if I offered to take him to Agcar so he can be healed. He says his father needs him as well as future space travelers who find themselves on earth.
I'm proud of you both for being selfless and I am most honored to be serving you, my princess."
"Thank you for always giving me the comfort and encouragement I need." Suddenly, the space vessel shook. Elzilaura almost lost her balance but Zyric caught her and held her safely close to him.