“Fark!! How did you get here?” Here was the protective gnome/tomte of the Pantanal forest.
“Ah yes. I escaped before anyone knew, Nefarious sent me over there,” he said, pointing to Rodrigo's crystal ball left on the shelf. He continued. “Your Highness, I came because the Village is in danger, we need your urgent presence. A deep darkness has taken over our Kingdom, the two suns have been stolen! Our crops are dying, the Forest is drying up, there's not enough potion or magic against it in Lumen, only you can help us. But worst of all, all Aratama peacocks are dying. If this happens, the portal to your world will be open and anyone can come and do whatever they want. Elof, the jackals, all! Gunnar's beards! Nefarious managed to cast a protective spell, but it won’t last until the last peacock dies. If any harm comes through the portal and gets here, it will destroy your entire family and become indestructible. We need to go back. You must make that decision. Nefarious said your birthday is today, your last chance to return to Lumen is now,” the gnome explained in a worried tone, pacing with his hands on the small head.
My heart sped like a racing car. I put my hand on my chest and felt that this was the moment I asked for when I blew out the candles on the green birthday cake. My wish was being happy. It was life deciding for me what to make of my future.
“How do I do it? What will my mom think? That I was abducted by ETs? I began to run out of air. I couldn't control my body, shaking with tension.” Auntie Eva appeared at the front door (she had the keys), but almost went back.
“WHAT? What is it?” she asked, lowering her voice, her eyes glazing over Fark.
“Who is this, hybridus or a monster?” asked Fark.
“Hi little thing ... I'm her aunt. Did you come from the fourth dimension?” Auntie Eva said almost swallowing the poor gnome.
I interrupted her curiosity for a news flash she didn't expect.
“Auntie, I need to go back. And you know, it's a one-way ticket.”
“Go, dearest! If this is your destiny, so be it,” I saw in her eyes the euphoria mixed with the sadness I didn't want to see.
“How to explain this to my mom, Gustav, everyone?”
“I’ll take care of them,” Auntie Eva said already with tearing eyes, we hugged tight.
“We need your necklace to come back, Your Highness,” interrupted Fark impatiently.
I ran to my room, took off the blue contact lenses. My purple eyes flashed strong. I put on my necklace that had just come to life. I put on some clothes, my diaries, looked around me one last time. When I came down the stairs, full of adrenaline in my body, I found myself ready. I wet Koda with my longing tears, he licked me like he was saying goodbye. Meanwhile, Fark and Auntie Eva had a brief conversation.
“Well, Fart.”
“It's FARK, FARK!”
“Of course, Fark. Don't you have any potions that will help me cover for Lola, something I can use for those who don't know the truth?”
“Maybe ... but I want something in return. That on your head.”
“My sunglasses? They are new!”
“Tell me how it is used, and I will teach you how to use this potion.”
I didn't hear the rest of the conversation, but Fark put the accessory in his back and she put the potion away. I look once more, Auntie Eva now hugged me, no longer looking excited to see the gnome or my decision. A deep sadness invaded her eyes and her mouth was shaking.
“React dearest, please. Don’t surrender!”
“What?” I frowned. Until a second ago, Auntie Eva was euphoric at the thought of me leaving for Lumen. Maybe she didn't understand, I wasn't surrendering, I was facing my destiny.
“We must go, Your Highness, now!”
Fark interrupted our haste by pulling me by the hand, time was running against Lumen. There I was once again heading for the fourth dimension facing my fears, now forever. I was ready to face what life had in store for me. Whatever it was, I believed in myself, I could do it. I couldn’t let anyone hurt my family here, nor the people of Lumen. There was a little more courage and a lot more love in me. Here began a new phase of life. I straightened my bangs. The decision time had come.
“Let's go back to Lumen now. Bye, Auntie.”
She was looking down, her heart confused between encouraging me to go or begging me to stay. Koda peeped. I held little Fark's hand, my purple eyes found the light of the living necklace and I concentrated. The lotus blossom burned like embers in my forearm, there began a new phase for me. My life starting over. Now my eyes are purple in this world that no longer belongs to me, now I belong to Lumen.
Who knows what the future holds? I couldn't wait to know...