Mystical Realm

Chapter 7: The Return

Ace entered the room, interrupting their conversation. Without hesitation, Zuri turned to her father and said, 

"I don't want him in my room," pointing directly at Zion. 

Ace looked confused for a moment, but before he could say anything, Zion backed away and quietly left the room. Zuri gazed at her father with a somber expression. 

"No matter what happens, I want you to know that I love you. Both you and Mom," she said earnestly. Her father approached her, gently taking her arm. 

"My sweet Zu, forget about this horrible night. From now on, I will always protect you," he promised with sincerity. With concern on her face said. 

"Is Zane doing okay?" Ace replied with a warm smile, 

"Don't worry about your little brother. He's devouring all the hospital food. Zara is with him, making sure he gets everything he needs." 

She then asked her father to take her to him, Ace then fetched a wheelchair and helped Zuri into it, wheeling her to her brother's room. She smiled as she entered her brother's room, seeing Zara running around with snacks and Zane happily munching on biscuits and marshmallows. Zane excitedly called out, 

"Zu, come over! There are still some chips left!". Zara turned to see her sister rush over to her and exclaimed, 

"Zu, he won't stop eating, this little monster! How did you take care of him all these years?".

Zuri burst into laughter as she looked at her siblings. She then pulled Zara into a tight hug, and Zane quickly jumped out of bed to join his sisters for a group hug. Zuri felt the weight of her decision deep in her heart. 

Though she knew what she had to do to bring her mom back home, saying goodbye to her family was one of the hardest things she had ever endured. After spending the day joking and eating snacks with her siblings, Zuri settled into her wheelchair as the evening approached. She turned to her father and said, 

"Dad, I think I'll go for a quick walk to get some fresh air." Ace kissed her on the forehead and replied, 

"Don't be late!" 

Zuri paused at the doorway, taking in the scene one last time. Zara was asleep beside Zane telling him a bedtime story. Her father sat on the sofa, typing away on his laptop. 

In the hospital garden, tears streaming down her cheeks, she then said quietly 

"Jeyko!". 

A rush of cold air passed by her, as Zuri tried to stand up from her wheelchair. A hand gently pushed her back into her seat. She looked up, knowing he would be there. With determination in her eyes, she spoke, 

"Can you take me to the realm, Jack?". Kneeling beside her, Jack wore a concerned expression as he asked, 

"Are you sure?" Without hesitation, Zuri replied, 

"I have to, or more people will get hurt because of me!".

A flashback to the alley, when Jack came back and hugged Zuri, he slipped a note into her pocket. However, last night when her mom disappeared, as she was asked to fetch her siblings from upstairs, she quickly went to her room and grabbed her jacket and the note fell out. It read, 

"Hey beautiful, it's been a long time, we've missed you, Oliver, and Elodie as well. Don't worry, we're all doing fine. All I can say for now is that you have to go back to the realm! But knowing Zion, he won't let you go easily! The choice is yours, just say 'Jeyko' when you're ready."