CHAPTER 8
"Dad!" Ayra yelled in surprise as she saw her deceased father standing in front of her. It couldn't be real, she thought to herself. "I cried, wept, and had a rebellious stage just because he was gone," Ayra reflected silently.
"Yes, it is Dad," Ashley confirmed, taking a deep breath. "But it's kind of complicated, so I'll let him explain," she added, stepping aside.
"I thought you were dead," Ayra stammered, still in shock.
"Not in this realm," Lukas replied as he approached her, giving her a warm hug.
"Let it all out. I know I have a lot of explaining to do, and I will explain. It starts now," Lukas announced.
"No, you're not real. You're supposed to be dead. This must be one of the effects of the portal, making me see things," Ayra protested, struggling to break free from his embrace.
"You're forgetting that I can see him too," Ashley pointed out, unfazed.
"Ayra, the words you're uttering hurt, you know," Lukas paused. "This isn't the reunion I had in mind, even though I knew this was bound to happen," he added.
"You're not my dad!" Ayra yelled, breaking free from his grip. "Els Inecessiten un manu fistic!" she chanted, conjuring her powers physically, making her finger light up with fire. "Fire? Well, that is new," she thought to herself, confused.
"Ayra," Ashley intervened, coming between Ayra and Lukas.
"Stay out of this," Lukas warned Ashley, his expression serious.
"Fire?"
Ayra, you are full of surprises. I never knew you possessed such abilities," Lukas remarked.
"That is none of your concern since you're dead, Dad," Ayra retorted humorously before throwing a fireball at Lukas.
"Desapareixer!"
Lukas countered, chanting as he teleported behind her and gripped tightly on her neck. "Your mother and I were very close to uncovering all of the agencies' evil, how they exploited and tortured the un metgas, and how they triggered the Great War of Cyprus and Niem that happened thousands of years ago," he whispered into her ear, grinding his teeth in anger.
"Could this really be him?" Ayra wondered to herself, inhaling the air between them to see if he still had his scent. Her father had once told her when she was younger, "The easiest way to remember, a lost one is found by scent," her father had once told her.
Ayra didn't want to fall for any tricks or traps or let her feelings get hurt, because she knew that a part of her wanted to believe that it was indeed her dad who stood before her. She paused, took a deep breath, and closed her eyes, falling into a moment of reflection.
"Dad," she muttered after regaining consciousness.
"What did you just say?" asked Lukas, releasing his grip on her neck.
"I can't believe it's really you," said Ayra before she hugged Lukas tightly.
"My girl," he muttered, hugging her back with equal passion.
"Dad, you have a lot of explaining to do, and we have to catch up on a lot. I want to know everything, how are you still alive, what happened to you? I was told that you died in an accident," Ayra said, her curiosity piqued.
"One step at a time, my dear. I am ready to tell you everything I know, but first, you need to get stronger. That's the only way we'll put an end to all this chaos," Lukas said, grinning broadly. "I've dreamt of this moment for so long, and it's finally here. The only missing piece is your mother."
"What about Mum?" Ayra asked curiously.
"They have her. She hasn't transitioned yet. The agency sent out the transition lie just to keep people off their trail. I warned her to be cautious and keep our discoveries low, but she didn't listen. She trusted the wrong person, Linda!" Lukas yelled out the name.
"Linda? You've got to be wrong. She's like the sweetest person I've ever met. There's no way she would have done that to Mum," Ayra protested.
"Ayra quit being so naive. Start seeing people for who they really are. It will save you from a lot of disgrace and betrayal," Ashley chimed in.
"How long has she been gone?" Ayra asked her heart heavy.
"Longer than you can imagine," Lukas replied.
"Mum sent me a birthday package a few days ago. How would she have sent it to me if she had been captured?" Ayra wondered.
"The agency must have made her do it," Ashley suggested.
"The package you speak of, where is it?" asked Lukas.
"It's back home," Ayra replied.
"We need to get it. She must have left us a clue or something. If it was truly from Mira, she would have tried to leave behind a clue," Lukas hoped.
"I know this might be too much for you to handle, and it may all seem new to you," he paused. "Trust me, if I could have kept you and your mother out of this, I would have, but it's either we stop the agency or they trigger the end of the world," he continued.
"Ashley, how about you show Ayra your true form? Your real face, I mean," Lukas requested.
"I'm not sure if I'm ready to do that right now. Don't you think we should do that some other time?" Ashley snapped at Lukas. "Besides, there are other things to worry about than my face, Lukas. Do you want me to give you an example?" she added before storming out furiously.
"There's no need to act all mopey. I just wanted to lighten up the atmosphere between us, that's all," Lukas said.