4

When Rebecca finally woke, she heard voices she recognised coming from the living room. She scrunched up her eyes in an effort to listen, trying to work out what was happening.

“She was wonderful,” Martha was saying. “She’s definitely ready.”

“I’m sure she is, Mom,” Adrianna replied.

Rebecca leapt out of bed with a squeal of delight and ran barefoot to the living room.

“God,” she said, “I thought I was dreaming!”

She hurled herself into her parents’ arms and they hugged her as if they never wanted to let her go.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, eventually freeing herself from their embrace.

“We came because your grandparents told us about the lion,” Julius said.

“You came all this way because of that?” Rebecca was confused.

“It’s time for us all to have a talk,” Adrianna said in a quiet voice, gently squeezing her daughter’s hand. “There are things that you are now ready to know.”

Julius walked to a sofa and sat, beckoning Rebecca to sit with him.

“Have you ever wondered why you were so different to the other children when you were growing up?” he asked.

“What do you mean?” she asked. “Different how?”

“You were a martial arts expert before you were fifteen, Rebecca,” he said. “Your sword skills have always been amazing. But more importantly, you have greater maturity than any grown woman.”

Still puzzled, Rebecca nodded, her eyes widening as she tried to make sense of the things her father was telling her. “Yes, but I always thought it was because I have such different parents, isn’t it?”

“Well, yes, that is a part of it,” he smiled. “But think for a moment, Rebecca. The connection you made with that lion - can you imagine any of your friends even attempting such a thing, let alone succeeding?”

“Well, it’s just that I feel love - and I have to share it with those in pain - like the lion.”

“But that’s exactly it, Rebecca. You feel love, and only love! You love everybody and they love you back. If this weren’t so, you could never have gone to the lion. Your grandparents wouldn’t have allowed it anyway. And, think about it, you’ve always had more strength and stamina than other people of your age. And have you ever fallen ill?”

Rebecca thought for a moment, realising that what her father was saying was true, but unsure of where it was leading. She looked to her mother and each of her grandparents in turn, as if searching for answers, but their faces remained impassive. She turned back to her father.

“Why am I different then?”

Julius took her hands in his. “Because, like us, you are an Orizon!”

She nodded again, not sure why this strange news was not as shocking to her as she would have thought it should be.

“What, or who, are we?” she asked quietly.

“There are many Orizons on Earth, Rebecca,” Paul said, “all working to save the planet. The Earth is under constant attack from Evil. Our job is to serve the Good, to support and strengthen it.”

The look of puzzlement on her face was gradually replaced by relief as his words sank in.

“It sort of makes sense,” she said as if talking to herself.

“Completely, my darling,” her mother agreed.

“And this summer, dearest Rebecca, just like every member of our family before you, you will begin a new life,” added her grandmother. “When you were born you received something called The Sacred Flame of the White Sun. It glows within you. It is the accumulated energy of the universe and the force that keeps it in balance. It is what makes us Orizons different. It is also why our race matures faster than normal humans. That’s why you have always spoken and behaved like someone much older than your years. Above all else, it is our duty to protect the Sacred Flame.”

“That is why you have such a loving heart,” her mother said. “With the Flame in us, we feel no jealousy and no greed, but our characters are as strong as steel. We are peace-loving and modest, but generous in our praise. We rise above insults and we never insult others.”

“It’s amazing, yet somehow, it feels so right! Oh, I have so many questions!” whispered Rebecca.

“All will be answered in time,” her father said, patting her hand, “and by the proper people. Everything will be fine, I promise. Now, breakfast time!”

The day passed and at night, they all sat together again in the kitchen, finishing dinner. Rebecca’s expression was still a mixture of love, confusion and excitement.

“Our land is in the First Parallel Dimension of the universe,” Adrianna explained. “It’s called The Land of the White Sun.”

“I can’t wait to go there, but I’ll miss you all so much,” Rebecca said.

“We’ll be at your side at all times, dear,” Martha assured her. “You’ll feel our presence just as we will feel yours.”

Rebecca beamed, her face as bright as a star.

After dinner, as Julius drove them all in the Land-Rover along a deserted track towards the savannah, Adrianna explained more.

“Our good friend, Bull the Minotaur, who’s one of our most beloved instructors and guardians of our young Orizons, will collect you. Your other grandparents will be waiting for you there. You’ll be going with several other young Orizons. They are also going to their homeland for the first time.”

“In the Land of the White Sun there are powers of both Good and Evil,” Julius continued as he drove, the Land-Rover’s headlights tunnelling deep into the blackness of the savannah. “The powers of Evil wish to seize the Flame. It is our job to defend it. But Orizons only kill in self-defence. Sometimes, war breaks out. We call these wars the Lomani. Unlike Earth wars, Orizon wars are fought only with the sword, bow, and javelin. Strategy, courage, and skill are what count.”

As soon as the vehicle stopped, Rebecca jumped out. The others were silhouetted against the empty savannah horizon as they followed her.

“The existence of the Orizons has been kept secret for thousands of years,” Paul said. “Orizons never lie, but in difficult circumstances they can play with the truth and hide parts of it. But remember: Whatever you say must always be true.”

Rebecca gazed at the sky for a few moments as the others gathered around her, watching and smiling.

“How will they know where we are?” Rebecca asked.

Before anyone could answer, a bright star appeared to fall from the sky and materialized into an Orizon spaceship as it landed beside them.

A childlike look of delight and amazement washed over Rebecca’s face while she watched open-mouthed as the crystal steps were deployed and the mighty form of Bull emerged from within, his arms spread wide in greeting.

“Good to see you, Bull!” Julius said as they shook hands.

“Wonderful to see you all again,” Bull replied, nodding a greeting to the others before turning to Rebecca and extending a strong, gentle hand towards her.

“Rebecca, you look exactly as I always imagined you would. You carry your mother’s and both of your grandmothers’ beauty.”

Rebecca looked up at him in awe. “Thank you,” she whispered.

“Come now,” he said. “It’s time to go.”

Rebecca looked at her father and, for a second, she was unable to hide her anxiety.

“You’ve nothing to fear,” he reassured her. “You’re being called to a higher duty. We’ve all been through this process and it is a wonderful experience. We’ll see you soon in the Land of the White Sun!”

Rebecca hugged and kissed her parents and grandparents before Bull gently guided her up the steps and onto the ship. She waved one last farewell as the door softly closed behind her.