The clock tower bell rang, announcing that everyone should go to Amethyst Avenue. The crowd filled the main street as we positioned ourselves. My heart pounded with each step until I reached the balcony, my stomach feeling sick with the emotional charge. Public speaking was not my thing, bad news just made it worse. As we lined up the four of us on the balcony, Kenzo's mother joined us while Nefarious waited for the silence of the villagers and began.
“Dear people of Lumen! As the news must have spread, Kenzo Aoki decided to stay in Leike's Land with his father, Yoshi (Mrs. Aoki let out a breath trying to swallow her tears). According to our warriors, many people abducted by jackals are alive, circulating inside Leike. We do not know under what effect, as they may be under some spell. But they are alive! We can cheer up with this stupendous news!” (The population shouted and cheered for the good news.) “Let's think of a way to bring them back, I just ask you to be calm, because Leike remains a very dangerous land.”
There was a stir in the crowd. Some were crying with joy that their kidnapped loved ones might be alive, others wondering why they didn't come back with us, and a few wondering what it's like to live in Leike’s Land. They didn’t know that Elof was still alive.
Nefarious waved his hands asking for silence. He continued.
“Please silence! Elof is still alive.” (There was a commotion, little cries of amazement, I could hear the crowd's disappointment.)” Silence! Our warriors have managed to defeat him for now, but the battle of good against evil will still be long. Our dear princess, along with her friends took the first step. We're safe for now, believe me. Lola will not stay with us for the moment.” (From the buzz of agitated noises, I felt the people were criticizing me.) “She must return with her father, rearrange her life in the first dimension. We hope she’ll come back, because her people need her.” Nefarious said looking at me raising his eyebrows, implying that I should take the front and say a few words. I swallowed hard, straightened my bangs, my hands were sweating. I had to make an extra effort to get my trembling voice out, which seemed harder than facing the dragon at Leike.
“Hmm. Hi. I would like to say that everything is still very new to me. I never imagined that Lumen existed. Having a kingdom under my command, startled me a lot when I got here. However, it opened my eyes to experiences never imagined before. I am very grateful for all you have taught me and shared with me. I’m still not ready, but I hope to be someday. I’m sorry.” (What amazing words just came out of my mouth.)
There was a deep silence coming from that ocean of heads I could see from above, one and other applause could be heard for the ones trying to encourage me. Nefarious's hand touched my shoulder in support. I looked at Dakota and Zyba, they also nodded. At least I wasn't alone. It was clear I wasn't ready to be a leader. I was raw. It would be a long journey, longer than the distance between Lumen and Sweden.
Nefarious stepped forward and closed the speech. The crowd full of gossip to update, vanished. Mrs. Aoki, who was speechless standing beside Zyba through all of it, also returned home with a closed face. We went to the main door of the castle, where the Keeper was holding the wheelbarrow with my father sitting on an orange blanket, awaiting our departure.
“We will go with you to Aratama, Lola,” said Nefarious with his kind gaze, followed by Zyba and Dakota, who took a ride on my father's barrow.
Even annoyed, still judging me for not being the princess they expected, the prisms made a corridor in the main street, so we could pass. People said ‘goodbye’ with a few smatterings of applause on our way. Dakota's little brother, Abrus, appeared among the people shaking his head in disapproval. Doesn’t matter.
We were already at the end of the Amethyst Avenue, Koda accompanied us trotting along the path always chasing some unwarned firefly, when I heard someone calling me in the crowd, a familiar voice.
“Lola, wait! Lola!”
“Viggo, oh ... hi,” my heart was so exhausted I couldn't even express any feelings when I saw him approaching.
“May I accompany you to Aratama?”
“Of course, son, Let's go,” said Nefarious.
“Thank you Nefarious. Can I talk to you a minute, Lola?”
“Hmm yes, of course. Let's get going.” I was surprised Viggo accompany us on the way out. In all this confusion, I had barely seen him.
We walked in silence until we reached the lawn outside the village, when Viggo surprised me.
“Can I ask you a favor?”
“Yes, you can, I just don't promise to...”
“Stay. Stay at Lumen don't leave,” he said, holding my hand.
“Nefarious will continue to rule. What would I stay for?” I replied with such a security I didn't have before.
“Stay with me.”
I felt a thud in my chest, that phrase shook me. But when he said that, I also thought of Elof. Two men, the same effect on me.
“You shouldn't ask me that. You went looking for your girlfriend right after the jackals’ attack, why don't you ask her that?” I showed my jealousy in an aloof face.
“Don’t say it like that. I didn't forget that kiss. I tried not to pay attention to that feeling at first, until I thought you wouldn't be coming back. It wasn't fair to Gyda, it's not yet. But I began to notice that by avoiding this feeling, I'm not being fair to myself.”
My heart swirled in my chest. I just listened to everything I wanted the most before Leike’s Land. But I was confused. I wasn’t as happy as I thought.
“I need to go back to my world. You know my feelings too. But my decision for now is made. Because you're still with Gyda, aren't you?” I let go of his hand and reached for the wheelbarrow with my father. He agreed lowering his head.
I wasn't stupid, words are easy to come by, but what about attitudes? He came to say that he wants to be with me, but still had his girlfriend for a guarantee, if I denied it.
Words in the wind, without attitude, do me no good.
The warmth of the emotion mixed under those two suns could melt me in a short time, especially wearing Swedish clothes. Luckily, I began to feel the cool breeze of the running water. Koda barked in excitement, awakening the blue peacocks guarding Aratama. They saw us approaching and took off one by one in a circle at the sky, as if allowing us to use the portal. It was time to leave. Zyba and Viggo carefully placed my father in the water on a wooden board which I had to hold onto when I jumped, otherwise I would return home without him. The time to say goodbye to these people, who in such a short time have become so important to me, has come. My heart was tight, a whip in the back would hurt less.
“I hate goodbyes. Take care,” Dakota said, grasping me in a tight hug.
“Thanks for everything. I will carry your friendship in my heart, forever,” I answered trying to hold back tears that already wanted to fall.
“Thanks for the best adventure of my life! It was awesome. I will hope you come back!”
“Ah Zyba. Thank you for being there with me. Without you, I would never have succeeded. I'll miss you all very much,” I said, my voice breaking. Now Zyba grasped me in a hug. There, I understood why the peacocks chose Zyba and Dakota for the journey. They conquered the trust a warrior must have. We became a team. We would have been friends for all our lives, if I stayed there.