ROTU: Chapter Fifty-Seven

The masters said their goodbyes to their newfound Earth friendships and partnerships the next day.

Saving the most difficult goodbye for last, Jalena's composure failed her as she stood before Shakou. She stared at the ground as her tears streamed freely.

"I know that you will miss me, Okami-chan," he whispered as his own tears fell, and he grabbed her to him. "Remember that there is as much love for you here as there is on your own planet."

"I do not want to leave you," she whispered. "There is something that can never replace a bond that develops between those who have been destined together by fate," she replied. "You were my light, Shakou-chan, in my darkest time, and that means you are engrained in my heart. You have given me more than I could ever repay."

"There is no act that demands repayment. I am your dragon, after all." He looked at her knowingly and brought his forehead to hers. "What can I say? I have been designed to love you, Okami-chan."

As it had so many times before, Jalena's chest tightened at the sincerity of Shakou's words. Her eyes dropped more tears. "Am I to be so lucky?" she said quietly.

Shakou wiped his eyes and cast her an amused look. He gestured with his head toward the Conduits. "At least my new students will keep me busy so that I do not waste my days weeping for my Okami."

Jalena laughed and shook her head. "I will see you again, I promise," she whispered as she wiped her eyes.

"I know. Your dragon always awaits your call."

Jalena squeezed Shakou to her again and held onto him a little longer than normal before following Gyan, who was escorting a sulking Sean and Lyons, into the small silver and gold ship that sat before them.

Aeolus approached Jalena at the ramp of the ship. "We will meet you at our central station that rests near the moon of this planet. The coordinates have already been set within your ship."

Sean watched Aeolus's gold-tipped long hair and cat-like eyes with a look of awe. "I think I'm gonna need several shots to recover from all of this. Here I am, standing in the middle of fantasy. Somehow my life on Earth now seems very small."

Gyan smiled. "Well, anytime you need a dose of the fantasy and by that, I mean just a different reality, Tau gave you and Lyons the stone to summon someone from Asteria to escort you into the Inner Realms for a visit—even to live if you wish."

Sean shook his head. "To visit maybe, but I'm not ready to switch dominions yet. It's just kinda exciting to know they exist...from a distance."

Gyan smiled and helped the two get strapped in a seat, then joined Jalena in the cockpit.

The ship reached Lyons's home first.

"This has sincerely been my greatest adventure," Lyons said as he faced Jalena while standing by the doorway of their ship. "Even though I almost died several times—could've skipped that part."

Jalena smiled. "I have a feeling you're just getting started." She raised an eyebrow. "You know that we have the ability now to access any knowledge regarding any dimension, right?"

"Yeah?"

"So, that means you can reach me anytime you need information. We just need to figure out the right frequency." She raised an eyebrow. "A new project to work on, perhaps, until I come back to check in?"

Jalena's smile widened at the look of delight on Lyons's face.

"Good," he said. He gave Jalena a big grin and saluted. "Until next time, Warrior Princess."

"Until next time," she whispered as she grabbed him in for a hug.

Lyons turned to Gyan and the two grabbed forearms. "Gyan, take care of this one."

"My pleasure."

Jalena excused herself to make one last stop as Gyan had a parting beer with Sean.

She appeared in a burst of light within her home in Colorado and walked slowly through the rooms, trailing her fingers lightly over the statues and paintings that she had come to love during her years spent in solitude.

She touched the edge of her plants that had been so tenderly cared for by Nadia.

Even though she knew it was not her real home, she felt her chest tighten as she thought of leaving all that she had experienced during her time on Earth behind. Her heart swelled in appreciation as she realized that she had come to know who she truly was during her time alone, and had solidified her commitment not only to her desire to see the mission through but to who she was as a person. She had learned that loving yourself, even in darkness, is what caused the light to remain within reach.

A smile spread across her face as she felt Haku's energy near. She turned to find the wolf watching her through the glass patio door.

Jalena ripped open the door as she had so many times before, feeling as if her heart might burst.

"Will you come with me?" Jalena asked as she buried her face in Haku's fur.

Haku turned to look at the trees behind the house.

"I understand," she said. "You have a family here." Her tears flowed as sadness at leaving what she had come to appreciate on Earth surfaced.

She put her hands on the sides of Haku's head and looked the wolf in the eye. "Do not forget me."

Haku licked her face in response.

She stood as Haku trotted to the edge of the yard.

Haku turned back to Jalena at the edge and the other wolves emerged from behind her to bid Jalena farewell.

Jalena wiped her tears and bowed to the pack.

Haku dipped her head and jumped playfully before turning with her tribe and disappearing into the trees.

"You're not coming back are you?" Nadia voiced from the patio as Jalena stared at the trees.

Jalena smiled and looked down to hide her eyes.

"It's okay," Nadia said. "I already know you aren't from here. A dark-haired scary man came here looking for you a while ago. He called you Jalena, which is the name I heard the other man call you from the band on your wrist. At first, I thought it was because of your assumed CIA job that John and I assumed you had. But, this guy's eyes flashed with light to intimidate us, so I felt that who you are is much more than we originally thought."

Jalena stepped into the light so Nadia could see her fully.

Nadia smiled as she noted Jalena's true form. "That explains a lot."

"You don't seem surprised."

"I've heard my share of conspiracy theories about other species being on Earth too," Nadia said. "John is into them, so based on your lifestyle and your personality, it doesn't surprise me. I have a feeling that the recent Earthquakes, unusual lights in the sky, glowing formations, and reported UAP sightings have something to do with you."

Jalena gave Nadia an innocent look and shrugged. She smiled as she grabbed her neighbor to her. "Thank you for all you've done, Nadia."

"I should be thanking you."

"Never mind that." Jalena looked around. "We were meant to be neighbors. I will try to visit, so be sure you are looking to the stars from time to time, or I may just teleport into your living room and scare you."

Nadia laughed. "Deal."

"You are free to rent this place out and use the business as you like. It is all yours." She gestured to her desk. "Everything's already signed over, including the money left in my account."

"What do you mean the money?"

"American money is no good where I'm from," Jalena explained. "We use a different type of currency—sometimes gold or rare jewels, but many services are obtained through credits and sometimes trade, depending on location and culture."

Nadia opened her mouth to protest, but Jalena silenced her with her hand.

"Use it however you wish," Jalena said. "Essentially, your employer is bailing on the job so I would never leave you without. It is enough to take care of you and the boys but invest in something if you wish and help others."

"I need to know," Nadia said as Jalena gave her the keys and moved toward the door. "What happened with Kaelon?"

Jalena stopped and smiled. "He is who I am leaving with. In fact, although I was unaware of it, one of the reasons I came to your planet was to find him too. So, thanks for your matchmaker role in making that a possibility."

Nadia smiled as she teared up. "Of course. That's what I desired for you most."

"I love you, Nadia. Kiss the boys for me."

Nadia nodded as Jalena hugged her. "I love you, too."

"I really can't believe that all your obsessions and childhood dreams came true," Sean said as the two sat on Kaelon's patio. "That you were really an alien this whole time and didn't even know it."

"Superman."

Sean rolled his eyes as Gyan grinned. "More like Supernerd."

"I'm still me, just with more power."

"And freaky eyes."

Gyan smiled. "Yes, I suppose so."

"So, who am I going to harass with you gone off to save the galaxy?"

"I think you will find someone, considering the number of friends you seem to acquire in one drunken weekend."

Sean grinned. "Seriously though, I know you are doing what you are supposed to but promise that you will visit."

"I'm just a bat signal away."

Sean clinked his beer against Gyan's.

"Now you can finally live here. The house is yours."

Sean smiled and jumped up with a whoop. "Well, I'm gonna miss you, and I know it is hard for you to leave, but it's important to do your part in protecting galaxies from bad aliens." He clapped his hands together. "I am already thinking of all the parties I can host."

Gyan rolled his eyes and laughed as Sean sat back down.

"Gonna miss you, brother," the two said at the same time, followed by a unified laugh.

"You gonna take those paintings?"

Gyan grinned. "As a matter of fact, I am."

Jalena smiled and shook her head when she saw the two dragging the paintings onto the ship.

"Some things you just can't part with," Gyan told her.

"Thanks for the house and everything, brother," Sean said after the paintings were loaded, "but who's gonna sing My Girl with me?"

"I am—even across dimensions." Gyan grinned. "I've got sunshiiiine…" he sang loudly. Sean's voice joined his. "…on a cloudy day…"

Jalena chuckled and gave Sean a small wave as she went to the cockpit.

Sean moved slowly down the ramp, and the two finished the first verse of the song together as the ship lifted in the air.

Gyan held Sean's gaze from the doorway of the ship. "Take care of yourself, brother, and try to stay single for a while."

"Now, that will never happen," Sean called. "Ladies are my destiny." He swallowed hard. "Don't stay gone too long."

"I won't."

Gyan held Sean's gaze until the ramp blocked his view.

"Saying goodbye was harder than I thought it would be," Gyan said with a sigh as he plopped into the seat next to Jalena.

"I know exactly what you mean."