Alexa’s Point Of View
“Shall we move now?” Akira asked and I nodded. I agreed to help Venusa on one condition. I would only let her take over my body when we finally meet. She has no chance to take over my body without my consent and she agreed. We can communicate telepathically so that helps whenever I have something to say to her or vice versa. Akira, Xena and I set out of find Riaz two days after I regained consciousness.
“Do you know the way?” Akira asked and I shook my head.
“Then how are we going to get there?” Xena asked.
“Let me ask her.”
“How do we get there?” I asked Venusa.
“You’ll have to let me take over my body so I can teleport us there. Is that okay with you?”
I turned to them. “She has to take us there herself.” I said and Akira’s grip on my hand tightened. He smiled at me and nodded. “Go ahead.”
I nodded and closed my eyes. In seconds, I felt my soul leave my body. I felt energy rush through me and I took control of my body again. I met Akira and Xena beside me and we were in an unfamiliar place.
I turned to Akira. “How was she?” I asked him.
“Cold.” Xena replied and I chuckled. She seemed like that to me too at first.
“He’s been here.” Venusa said.
“Riaz?”
“Yes. Riaz has always had a unique energy flowing around him. He leaves the trace of energy wherever he goes. I’m sure he’s been here. Just follow my directions. I’ll tell you when we get there.”
“Where do we go from here?” Akira asked.
“Go right.” Venusa said and I repeated it to Akira. We turned right and we followed Venusa’s direction. We kept walking until we came across a secluded house. Nothing but trees surrounded the place. No one was outside.
“Is this it?”
“I can feel it,” Venusa said, her voice laced with excitement and anxiety. We walked up to the door and I knocked on it. I took a step back as the door opened slowly. I could feel my heart pounding heavily as a result of Venusa’s emotions. The door finally opened and I saw the person I least expected.
“Akira?”
“Ace…” I called in both shock and delight.
“Princess!” He beamed and I didn’t waste time before hugging him, laughing like I just won a lottery.
“What are the odds!”
“What are you guys doing here?” Ace asked as he pulled away from the hug, his hand still around me.
“I should ask you that question.” Akira replied as he pulled me away from him and held my waist protectively. Ace smirked teasingly and his gaze landed on Xena.
“Xena’s here too?”
“I’m disappointed to see you alive too, Ace.”
“Come on, is that how you greet a person you’ve missed so much?”
Xena rolled her eyes and Ace laughed. It was then that I noticed the gentleman beside Ace. Our eyes happened to meet and he bowed curtly.
“Hi.” I greeted him.
“Oh! Pardon my manners. This is Devan. Devan, meet Alexa, Xena and Akira. My family.”
Family. The word made me smile.
“Nice to meet you, Devan.” I said and he smiled.
“Same here, Alexa.”
Akira simply nodded at Devan while Xena didn’t bother greeting.
“Skip the pleasantries, let’s get down to business.” Xena said impatiently and I scoffed at her.
“We’re here for Riaz.” Akira said and Devan’s expression changed.
“You’re here to take him away too?” He questioned and Xena and I exchanged puzzled expression.
“Take who away?” Akira asked.
“Someone came here a few days ago only to tell Riaz they’re taking him away.” Devan said, his gaze not leaving Ace. I shook my head.
“We’re just here to see him.” I said and Devan left the doorpost. “He’s in.”
I stepped in and Venusa’s gasp echoed in my head. Truly, Riaz was there, on the bed. In his wolf form. I stepped closer to him and sat beside him.
“My son…” Venusa sobbed. “It’s… it’s him, I can feel it. L… let me feel him. Let me talk to him.”
I looked back at the guys. “You all should leave please.” I said and they all left.
I closed my eyes and said, “He’s all yours.”
Venusa’s Point Of View
With trembling hands, I reached for his fur. I petted his back and that familiar feeling gushed through my body. It was him. There was no way a mother wouldn’t recognize her son.
“Son…” I sniffled. He was all grown now. He whimpered a little bit and his eyes opened. His eyes widened when he saw me. He shifted into his human form and exclaimed.
“Alexa!”
I smiled out tears. His voice sounded so melodious. I’d pay whatever price to hear him talk again.
“Son…” I called and he frowned in confusion. I held his face, unable to believe my son was still alive after all these unbearable years. I’m sure he wouldn’t be able to recognize me.
“It’s me, Riaz, your mother.”
“Alexa?”
I have to make him remember. I scooted closer and placed my forehead against his, transferring our happy memories to him.
Riaz’s Point Of View
In a flash, I saw fragments of memories come together in my head. I saw her. My mother. She was the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen. She had long white hair like me. Her skin was flawless and she smelled beautifully. I remember me in her arms. How she twirled me around and our happy giggles in the middle of the night when she read me bedtime stories.
“Daddy!”
I saw myself running to my father. He loved me. I cherished him. We fake wrestled all the time and I trained with him even though I couldn’t lift a pebble. Our picnics with grandma and grandpa. Their comforting hugs whenever I had a nightmare.
I remember everything now. The memories I’ve longed wished to remember.
“Mummy, I can’t stay here alone, I’m scared.”
“You’ll be fine, Riaz. Mummy is going to go back and chase out those invaders. When mummy is done, I’ll come back and fetch you.”
“No… don’t leave me, mummy.”
“I have to leave you, my love. I have to protect you.”
Tears fell from my eyes. That was the last day I saw my mother and my family. I gasped as a bright light shinned across my eyes. I opened my eyes and found myself in a different place.
“Riaz.” I heard someone call and I turned. It was like a dream. It was unbelievable but I recognized her. She was my mother.
“M… mum?”
She spread out her arms and I didn’t waste time before running into them. She engulfed me in her warm embrace and I cried into her shoulder.
I’m home again.