Europa Awakenings Read online

Several hours later, Jeanip woke in the medical unit surprised to be alive, yet feeling refreshed and invigorated. He opened his eyes, taking a moment to remember where he should be. Apparently, they had made it safely to the Hunting Lodge and he was being treated for his wounds. He thought he’d have to give the medical staff praise on a job well done. He felt no pain, no exhaustion. In fact, he felt years younger. Jeanip wondered what miracle drug they had given him. Whatever it was, he needed to add it to all the medical kits.

  Jeanip tried to turn over to his right but was unable to get assistance from his left arm. He looked above himself and did not see an IV pole or any machines attached to him, so he could not comprehend why he was unable to move his arm. As he shifted the center of his weight to roll to his left, he was surprised to see the reason he could not move his left arm. Lying partially in his medical bed was Europa, with his left hand firmly held in her own. The lower half of her body was lying across another bed that had been pulled up next to his. As he processed the scene before him, he realized Earon was asleep below Europa, the upper half of his body also on Jeanip’s bed and the lower part on Europa’s bed. Knowing Terrance probably wasn’t far away, he raised his head slightly to see Terrance sitting in a chair next to the second bed, his head on Europa’s bed, sound asleep.

  “Sh-h-h, don’t wake them,” Chancee silently stated. Jeanip had not seen him sitting at the foot of his bed watching over the four. “Let them sleep a little longer. I believe you’ll be able to climb out of bed on your right side.”

  Jeanip reached down with his right hand and gently removed his hand from Europa’s grip. As quietly as possible, he swung his legs over the right side of his bed and stepped down onto the cold stone floor. Not saying a word, Chancee motioned for Jeanip to follow him from the room. As Chancee began to lead him across the hall to a room where Leenow was waiting to do his final exam, Jeanip stopped.

  “I can’t leave this room as long as she is in here,” Jeanip stated.

  “What are you talking about?” Chancee asked.

  “I was down in the cave when the Terrians attacked Minnos. She was alone and without my protection.”

  “She wasn’t alone. Terrance and Earon were with her, weren’t they? And if I am not mistaken, Tinderoon was also there.”

  “Yes, but I wasn’t. I promised her I would never leave her side again until I have her safe at Saint’s Isle. I will not break that promise,” Jeanip stated, refusing to budge an inch outside the room.

  “Jeanip, it’s just across the hall. You can keep an eye on her from over there. Besides, she’s perfectly safe here at the Hunting Lodge.”

  “She was perfectly safe at Minnos too and look what almost happened. She came very close to being killed. I will not step outside this room, Chancee.”

  Shaking his head in both amusement and astonishment, Chancee said, “I see. Because you promised you would never leave her again you will not step foot outside this room, but you were willing to die by saying nothing of the wound in your side so she wouldn’t worry.” Chancee looked at Jeanip. “Jeanip, that makes no sense.”

  “Perhaps not. But I didn’t die. Therefore, I will not leave this room as long as she lies there asleep.”

  Seeing the futility in trying to change Jeanip’s mind, Chancee looked around the room for someplace they could talk without disturbing the sleeping monarchs and Terrance, and still allow Leenow to conduct his examination. He saw a portion of the room partitioned off by a glass wall that would suit their needs. Pointing toward the glass wall Chancee asked, “How about over there, Jeanip? Would you be willing to go inside that room? You will still be in the same room so you can keep an eye on her. Leenow’s physical will not disturb them and our voices will not carry.”

  Jeanip looked at the partition. As Chancee stated, he could watch Europa through the glass and ensure she was safe, but he still did not like the idea of being more than a few yards away from her. “It’s not perfect, but it will suffice.”

  Chancee again chuckled to himself. There was just no pleasing this Waters. “I will go get Leenow.” Jeanip watched as Chancee crossed the hall and talked with Leenow. The two then came back to the Medical Room and walked straight to the room where Jeanip waited.

  “How are you feeling, Jeanip?” Leenow asked, as he entered.

  “Great,” Jeanip replied, never taking his eyes off the sleeping Europa. “A little surprised that I am still alive. How did you manage to save me? Whatever you did or gave me sure did the trick. I haven’t felt this good in years,” Jeanip stated as Leenow ran his medical scanner over Jeanip’s body. “I’m not even sore.” Jeanip lifted his shirt to inspect his side wound. “I thought when I took this hit my days were up.” Jeanip averted his eyes away from the monarchs long enough to look at his wound. He stared in disbelief - there was no bandage, no wound, no scar, no indication of a wound ever existed there. “I don’t understand. Where is the wound? I should either have a sizeable hole in my side or a lot of stitches, but I see neither. Have you found a miracle cure?”

  “No, but you may have,” Chancee stated.

  “Pardon me?” Jeanip asked, giving Chancee a confused look.

  Chancee looked at Leenow. “Is he okay to leave?”

  “He’s in perfect health,” Leenow stated. “But I do recommend he eat something to help build his strength up again.”

  “Well, since he won’t leave this area would you mind asking someone from the kitchen to bring him some food?” Chancee asked.

  “I’ll have someone bring him something right away,” Leenow replied. He turned and looked at Jeanip, who was still staring at his side, trying to comprehend why there was no wound. “Jeanip, I don’t think you’ll need my services, but, in case you do, don’t hesitate to have someone come and get me. Will you do that?”

  “Yes,” was all Jeanip said.

  “Jeanip, I’m serious. Do not wait like you did last time. Send for me immediately. Agreed?”

  “Yes, I will send for you right away,” Jeanip replied, a little irritated by the question being asked again. He felt so healthy he couldn’t imagine needing any more of Leenow’s services.

  “I’d ask you to walk with me but since you won’t leave her I guess we’ll talk here,” Chancee said to the still confused Jeanip. “Have a seat.” Chancee pulled up two chairs in front of the glass plate so they could talk while Jeanip kept his vigil.

  “Chancee, what’s going on?” Jeanip asked, as he sat down. “What happened to me? Why is there no wound in my side?”

  “Not only are the wounds in your leg and side healed, the scars on your face and left arm are also gone,” Chancee stated, amused at the surprised look on his old friend’s face.

  Jeanip quickly lifted up his left shirt sleeve and stared at the place on his arm where a long scar normally could be seen extending from his shoulder down to his elbow, a souvenir from the Terrian wars. He reached up with his hand and felt his face. He could not feel the scar tissue that had been there for centuries. Perplexed, he looked at Jeanip. “Chancee, please don’t make me ask you again. Tell me what happened to me!”

  “Europa happened to you,” Chancee answered.

  “What do you mean Europa happened to me? What does Europa have to do with my injuries?”

  “She healed you,” Chancee smiled, reveling in his friend’s confusion.

  Jeanip quickly turned and faced Chancee, his words breaking Jeanip’s watch. “What do you mean ‘she healed me’? Stop talking in short sentences, Chancee. Tell me what happened!”

  Chancee looked directly at Jeanip. “Jeanip, your injuries were too severe. You waited too long to bring the ship in and, as a result, the medical personnel were not able to save you. We didn’t even have the option of taking you down to the Complex. When there was no doubt you only had minutes to live, we prepared to bring you down to the ocean so you could return home. Europa ran from your room screaming she knew
how to save you. I feared she was having a breakdown. What I did not know was she had run to retrieve the Orb you thankfully brought with you. We were just getting ready to take you into the ocean, so you could return home, when she came running with the Orb in her hands and ordered us to put you down on the ground. Against my better judgment, I did as she ordered, and I am grateful I did.” Chancee paused for a moment, grabbing Jeanip’s hand, the most serious look upon his face that Jeanip had ever seen. “Jeanip, what she did was unbelievable. She knelt down beside you and laid the Orb on your chest while cradling it inside her hands. She began to hum an old healing chant our ancestors sang. The Orb began to glow and threads of light began to materialize. Then I heard her say three words in the old ones tongue. Upon her speaking them, the lights began to migrate out from the Orb, into Europa’s hands and then flowed from her into you. Your body began to glow and, as I watched, I saw life flowing back into you. Your color returned, your breathing was no longer labored and then the blood of your bandages began to disappear. When the Orb stopped glowing and the threads of lights ceased, your injuries were gone. You were totally healed.” Jeanip just sat there, trying to comprehend what Chancee had just told him. “Jeanip, has anything happened to Europa lately?” Chancee asked, letting go of Jeanip’s hand.

  Chancee’s voice snapped Jeanip back into reality. “What did you say?”

  “Has anything unusual happened to Europa lately? Did anything happen when Medaron died?”

  Jeanip turned his vision back to his sleeping monarch, remembering the events of that fateful day. “Europa had already turned twenty and Medaron had given her the amulet. Europa arrived at the accident scene while her mother was still alive. Medaron knew she had only minutes to live and there was the possibility JeffRa was still out there hunting her children and she would not be there to protect them. In an act of desperation, she transferred her powers to Europa. The transfer sent Europa into shock and she collapsed and fell into unconsciousness. The transfer nearly killed her.” Jeanip continued to stare at Europa. What Chancee said about Europa healing him was impossible, yet there he was, completely healed. Somehow this beautiful sovereign of his had brought him back from the door of death.

  “Medaron must have indeed been frightened to try such a transfer,” Chancee stated. “She had to have known it could kill the child. But Europa survived it? Her body accepted the transfer?”

  “Yes, she survived.” Jeanip said, then after thinking for a minute added, “But Chancee, Medaron did not possess the power to heal. Plus, Europa’s human and, as such, should possess no powers at all. Again I ask, how was she able to heal me?”

  “I do not know for sure. As you said, she’s human. Yet there must still be a part of her that is Waters. Otherwise, she never would have survived the transfer. It is possible Medaron’s powers combined with her human genes and produced new powers, but that too seems impossible, for I have never heard of humans having the power to heal using Orbs. Perhaps one day we will discover the reason she was able to heal you. For now, we must be content with the fact that she did and is the first healing monarch in over one hundred and fifty thousand years.” Chancee placed his hand on Jeanip’s shoulder. “And truth be told, I am thankful she did. I would miss you, Old Friend.”

  “As am I. There’s no one left but me to take them to safety. Plus, my death would have prevented me from fulfilling my duty to Enok.”

  “You are unbelievable, Jeanip,” Chancee said, standing up, shaking his head in disbelief. He saw a young male enter the room carrying a tray of food for Jeanip. Stepping into the doorway, he motioned the male toward them. “You can put the tray down on the table next to him,” he instructed the food carrier, pointing toward Jeanip. After the male left Chancee finished his statement. “You know it was your damn dedication to your duty that almost got you killed.”

  “And your point is?”

  “My point is, Jeanip, those two kids need you. They can’t make it without you. So next time you decide to keep quiet about a killing wound to your body because it’s your DUTY to, think about what those kids need.”

  “Chancee, why were Europa and Earon lying next to me this morning when I woke? That is not acceptable monarch behavior.” Jeanip took a bite of the breakfast before him, thinking nothing had ever tasted so good. Whatever Europa did to him it certainly helped his appetite.

  “No, it’s not acceptable behavioral for a monarch, but it’s totally acceptable behavior for two kids who love you. Europa almost lost you. She refused to leave your side even though the medical personnel told her you were out of danger. Hell, Jeanip, she may never let you out of her sight again.”

  “Don’t say that, Chancee,” Jeanip responded, lowering his head, sitting for a moment in silence, his appetite temporarily gone. Chancee had given him much to think about. Plus, plans needed to be made for their continued journey to Saint’s Isle. And he was sure Europa would not have forgotten his promise to tell her where she came from once they reached the Hunting Lodge.

  ____________

  “Where is he?” Europa asked, bolting up, realizing Jeanip was no longer in his bed. Fearing she had dreamed the healing with the Orb, she desperately looked around the medical room for any sign of Jeanip.

  Earon was sitting on the edge of their bed, having woken up fifteen minutes earlier. “Take it easy, Sis,” Earon said, as he stretched his arms. “Leenow already told me he is fine. He is sitting over there behind that glass wall eating something.” Earon pointed toward the glassed-in area occupied by Mr. Dark Feather and Jeanip. “They are probably planning our next move.”

  Europa jumped down from the medical bed. Looking at Terrance she said, “I am starving, Terrance. We will grab Jeanip and Mr. Dark Feather and go eat. And do not forget to bring that wonderful, life-saving backpack.” Thinking perhaps she should double check on the Orb’s location, she added, “The Orb is still safe in there, is it not?”

  “Yes, along with the diary and our other important items,” Terrance stated.

  Europa almost ran across the floor, heading toward Jeanip with Earon and Terrance right behind her. Seeing her coming, both men rose from their seats as she entered the room. “Nice to see you this morning, Europa,” Chancee said. “I hope you were able to get some rest.”

  “Yes, thank you, Mr. Dark Feather,” Europa said, stopping a few inches in front of the two men. Fearing it could still be a dream, she kept her eyes on Jeanip.

  “Good morning, Your Majesty,” she heard him say. She was not dreaming. Jeanip was alive and standing in front of her. Then, as she watched, Jeanip bent down on one knee and knelt before her, bringing his hand to his forehead and bowing deeply. “To you, My Queen, I pledge forever my allegiance and life.”

  Forgetting all the protocols her mother and Jeanip ever taught her, Europa rushed forward, knelt and threw her arms around Jeanip. “I thought I lost you,” she whispered in his ear, trying to hold back the tears, but having little success. “Never do that to me again.”

  “Your Majesty, one of the royal family does not show such emotion to one such as me,” Jeanip said, as he stood, Europa’s arm still wrapped around him.

  “You know what, Jeanip?” Europa said. “To hell with protocol. I never realized until yesterday how much I love you, and I almost never got the chance to tell you. I will NEVER allow that to happen again. I may be your sovereign, your queen, but you are the closest thing I have ever had to a father. And I love you.” She wrapped her arms around Jeanip even tighter and this time Jeanip wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tightly, for once allowing himself to relish in the sweetness of the moment. She heard him whisper, “I love you too, kiddo.”

  Before he could say anything else he heard Earon next to him say, “Hey, can I get in on this hugging too?” Jeanip removed one arm from Europa and wrapped it around Earon, pulling him in beside himself and Europa. Looking at Terrance standing alone, Jeani
p removed his arm from around Earon and motioned for Terrance to join them. With a big smile on his face, Terrance hugged all three of them, happy to be included in the family.

  Letting go of Terrance and his two charges, Jeanip took a step backwards. Several tears were clearly visible on his cheek, but the three gave no indication they had noticed. “Okay, you three,” Jeanip began, standing up straighter and pushing his shoulders back. “Due to recent events I will allow this one demonstration of emotion on your part. But it is never to be repeated. Europa and Earon, you are both to remember your place and show the proper attitude toward others. And Terrance, well, I don’t know what to tell you because you are human and might not know better.” Looking as sternly as he could he added, “If anyone ever asks, this display never happened.” He reached up and quickly wiped away the tears on his cheek. Not knowing the proper words on how to thank Europa for restoring his life, he said no more on the subject. “Chancee and I were just discussing the best way for us to continue your journey,” Jeanip said. “But before we get into that I am sure you three must be hungry. Let’s all go down to the meal room and have a wonderful breakfast together.”

  The three hurried down the hall with Jeanip and Chancee close behind them. Even before they entered the room the three could smell the aroma of fresh brewed coffee, bacon, sausage, toast and eggs. Their mouths began to salivate at the delightful smells, their stomachs started to rumble, having had nothing to eat since last night when they arrived. Even with all the tempting smells Europa waited for Jeanip before entering the room and sitting at a table, still not sure he was really alright. Chancee signaled for one of the helpers to come to their table. “Please bring these three some breakfast.”

  “And lots of coffee,” Europa said.

  “And lots of coffee,” Chancee repeated, smiling at how much this young monarch was like her mother.

  The kitchen helper soon returned with several containers of coffee and five coffee mugs. After pouring everyone a cup of coffee, he took their individual breakfast orders. Europa noticed Jeanip passed when it was his time to order food. Concerned by Jeanip’s lack of appetite, she asked, “Jeanip, you are not eating? Are you not feeling well? Should we get Leenow?”

  Jeanip turned and smiled at Europa. “Thanks to you I am totally fine, completely healed. I am not hungry because I already ate breakfast while you were sleeping. Chancee can vouch for me.”

  “He speaks the truth,” Chancee confirmed. “He ate a very healthy breakfast.”

  “So you really are okay? You are totally healed?” she asked.

  “Yes, Europa.”

  “Leenow said so?”

  “Leenow said so,” Jeanip repeated.

  “He told me the same,” Earon added, knowing his sister might not totally believe Jeanip after his omission of the wound that almost took him away from her.

  Finally satisfied Jeanip was okay, she turned her attention to another matter she had just remembered. “Mr. Dark Feather, we have in our possession a journal which contains coded Terrian writing. I was wondering if anyone here might be able to decipher it for us.”

  Chancee looked surprised. “Terrian writing? I cannot wait to hear how you came upon that! Unfortunately, there is no one here at the Hunting Lodge who can read Terrian. Misso and Sunam were the experts in that area.”

  “That is what Jeanip said,” Terrance replied.

  “There may be an old Oonock of the Cree Clan still living down at the Complex who instructed Misso in the language. Perhaps once you are safe he can come up for a visit and have a look at them.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Dark Feather. I hope so,” Europa replied, then turned her attention back to Jeanip. “Jeanip, I know our journey takes priority and it is imperative we get to Saint’s Isle as soon as possible. But you promised me when we reached the Hunting Lodge there would be time to tell me why all of this is happening, who I really am. I need to know why my mother and many of the people I cared about are dead, killed by a man I have never met, who is determined to end my life at any cost. And I need to know how I was able to heal you, what the Orb has done to me. Jeanip, I can never be the monarch you believe I can be unless I know the truth; the WHOLE truth, not just part of it.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty, you are right. You deserve to know why this being is trying to kill you. And, since you already know part of the truth, you now need to be told all of it, although it is not my place to tell you. But since neither of your parents are here, it falls upon me to try to explain our past and the decision your parents made regarding you.” Jeanip suddenly wished Medaron or Enok were here to explain this to their daughter. “As for the Orb’s power and what it may have done to you, I think Chancee here is better to address that issue. If you do not mind, Your Majesties, I would like your permission for Chancee to join us. I can assure you his insight and input will be most valuable.”

  “Yes, certainly,” Europa replied, turning her gaze to Chancee. “Please join us, Mr. Dark Feather. My mother often spoke of your great wisdom and I agree with Jeanip regarding your insight.”

  “It would be my pleasure, Your Majesty,” he replied. “If you have no objections, Jeanip and I will adjourn to the table next to you three to finalize your traveling plans while you finish breakfast. When you are finished, Jeanip can accompany you to your room to shower and change into clean clothes. Then I will meet you four in the Meeting Room on the second floor in about ninety minutes, where Jeanip will tell you the story of our race and how we came to this planet. He will also try to explain to you why your parents decided it was best for you to be born human and whatever else you may wish to know. And I will try to answer the question of how you healed Jeanip. Is that agreeable to you?” Chancee looked at Europa.

  “Yes, that would be fine,” Europa answered.

  “Is that okay with you, Your Majesty?” Chancee asked Earon.

  “Yes, that is agreeable,” Earon said.

  “Jeanip, does this meet with your approval?” Since he knew Jeanip would not leave Europa’s side he tried to arrange things so he was always with her.

  “Yes, ninety minutes would be fine,” Jeanip stated, thankful Chancee remembered his promise.

  Not wanting to make Terrance feel left out or not a part of the team, Chancee lastly turned to him and asked, “How about you, Terrance? Is ninety minutes agreeable with you? After all, I believe you have any important role in this saga also.”

  “Ah, yes, Sir,” Terrance stuttered, surprised by the question and glad to be included at the same time.

  “Then I will see you in ninety minutes,” Chancee said, as he and Jeanip stood up and moved to the table adjacent to the trio. Looking at Europa, he added, “It’s going to be a long story, so, if you’d like, I can have someone from the galley set up coffee and other drinks, and perhaps some snacks.”

  “Yes, thank you, Mr. Dark Feather, I think that would be delightful. Please make it so.”

  “There is a lot of history to go over and I am sure Europa, and possibly Earon, will have questions. You may want to also advise the galley staff we will have lunch and possibly dinner in the meeting hall,” Jeanip suggested. “We should all have a good meal before we embark.”

  “We will be leaving tonight?” Earon asked.

  “Yes, we will leave an hour after it gets dark. We will have one more night of traveling under the cloak of darkness,” Jeanip answered. “I will update you on our travel plans once they have been finalized.”

  “Then we will leave you to your planning,” Europa stated, signaling for Terrance and Earon to devote their time to eating and allow Chancee and Jeanip to finalize their travel plans.

  ____________

  Chancee entered the meeting room to discover the three youths and Jeanip already waiting. He was delighted to see the elaborate array of goodies and drinks the galley staff had assembled in the room for their guests’ consumption. As he walked over to the table and poured hims
elf a glass of lemonade, he wondered how Europa would react to the story Jeanip was going to tell her. It was one thing thinking you might know what was going on, but an entirely different thing to be told the real truth. He sat down in a seat across from Europa and Terrance, smiling to himself as he saw once again how devoted Terrance was to her. He also chuckled to see Terrance had his backpack secured next to him. He wondered what things were hidden inside.

  “I’ve been trying to think how to start this story,” Jeanip began, after taking a sip of coffee. “In order for you to understand why your parents made the decisions they did regarding you and your brother, you need to know back to our very beginning. I’m sure you’re going to have a lot of questions through this telling, but I ask you to hold as many as possible until the end to ask them. Many will be answered as I go forward in time. Chancee and Earon,” Jeanip said, turning his head toward each and giving them a nod. “If at any time you feel I have forgotten something, please feel free to speak up.” Looking over at Terrance, he said, “Terrance, your stepfather’s part in this tale is not a kind one. I apologize in advance if I offend you in any way during my telling. If it becomes too painful to hear the truth, I will understand if you have to leave the room.”

  Terrance reached down and took Europa’s hand. “No apology is necessary, Jeanip. If my stepfather is indeed this JeffRa, I need to know why he is trying to kill the woman I love so I can better protect her. I need to know who he might be.”

  “If? You still doubt your stepfather and JeffRa are the same person?” Chancee asked.

  Terrance turned and faced Chancee. “Yes, Sir. As I told Europa, my stepfather was not a loving man, but I never saw in him the cold hearted madman this JeffRa is. It is hard for me to accept my stepfather is a mass murderer, someone bent on the annihilation of an entire race. The only connection he has to this JeffRa is the weapon I found in his room, and he may have found that in his search for the lost royal family. Mind you, I am not defending him, but I need more than this circumstantial evidence to convince me he and JeffRa are the same person. Right now the only thing I know for sure is he was overzealous in his search for that family and spied on Minnos. What he did was terribly wrong, but it doesn’t make him a murderer.”

  “You are correct, Terrance,” Jeanip commented. “And I do hope you are correct in your suggestion he found the weapon and has no connection to JeffRa. Since we have no way of knowing the truth at this time, I hope you will understand why I must still assume your stepfather and JeffRa are the same person.”

  “Yes, Sir, for Europa and Earon’s safety I can understand the necessity of assuming that fact,” Terrance responded.

  “Then, if no one has any objections, I will begin to tell you of our people’s history.”

  “Please begin,” Europa said, snuggling deeper into Terrance’s arms, preparing herself to at last hear the truth, a little apprehensive.

  “So that everyone understands, I will refer to any locations or celestial bodies by their Earth names,” Jeanip began. Looking at Europa he added, “I know you found your mother’s diary in the secret attic and have read it. And we all know the Orb has joined with you and given you some powers you did not have before. Often with that joining and with the powers your mother gave you, which we will go into later, one is given past memories. Am I correct?”

  “Yes, I have seen several things,” Europa replied.

  “What things have you seen, Child?” Chancee asked, intrigued by what the Orb had shown her.

  “I saw these beautiful luminous beings swimming in lilac water, happy and content. Then I saw the water turn a deep purple and a pair of red glowing eyes. In my next vision I saw the same beautiful beings at first. Then they all disappeared except for three. I now realize the three were my parents and Jeanip. Jeanip, you were telling them they had to leave. Something was said about the Orbs and then I saw this layer of ice open up and spaceships emerge. The last thing I saw behind their homeworld was the planet Jupiter.”

  “Very interesting,” Chancee commented, placing his hand under his chin and thinking for a moment. “The Orb has made a deep connection with you and has begun to reveal its memories of our past.”

  “So from those visions do you know where your people come from?” Jeanip asked.

  Europa looked at both adult males. “We are from Jupiter’s moon Europa, from which I am named after. Is that correct?”

  Chancee smiled. “You visions have served you well. Yes, our homeworld is Europa.”

  “So you really are aliens?” Terrance asked. “You really came here in spaceships?”

  “Yes, young Mr. Landers, I guess we are,” Chancee laughed, amused by Terrance’s excitement and wonder. He turned his attention back to Europa. “Before Jeanip begins I would like to clarify your visions, Europa. I believe it will help you better understand the things he is about to tell you. The luminous beings you saw are what we – Earon, Jeanip, myself and all Oonocks – look like as our true selves. Since our homeworld is made of water, our bodies evolved to exist in a liquid world. And since that world contained little natural light, we developed our own light, much like your deep sea creatures here on Earth have.”

  “But what of the red eyes?” Europa asked, vividly remembering the trepidation she felt at seeing them in her dream. “Do some Oonocks have red eyes?”

  “No, the red eyes you saw were Terrian eyes, our enemy,” Chancee explained. “More than likely they were JeffRa’s eyes. And as you already know, our blood is purple, not red as a human’s. So when you saw our lilac waters turn deep purple it was because of the blood being spilled into it, blood spilled because of JeffRa. Your second vision sounds like the day we fled our homeworld to escape JeffRa’s revenge and traveled here to Earth.”

  “Who is this JeffRa?” Terrance asked.

  “JeffRa’s identity I will reveal shortly,” Jeanip replied. “Europa, since you already know what you are and where you come from, let me tell you the rest of the story.” Jeanip took a sip of coffee and settled back into his chair. “Here is the story you were never meant to hear.”

 

  BEGINNINGS