27. In the Subconscious

Victoria looked weak on the plane. The girl seemed unable to hold on, her breath seemed slow as if she only had one breath left. In that situation, Victoria's mind was filled with Sean's face. How the man teased Victoria. How the man took care of her even though he joked occasionally. Her mind was filled with beautiful memories between Victoria and Sean. Even though it was annoying, Victoria knew Sean was fine.

"I think I'll regret it if I leave without saying goodbye to him," the girl said to herself.

What could Victoria do now? The girl's entire body felt numb, difficult to move because of the many wounds, and the blood that continued to flow from her wounds.

"If you were given the chance, what would you do?"

"What would I do?" thought Victoria. "I will do good, live my life well according to my principles, and my heart. I don't care about other people, but I will try my best to help needy people. And, love better."

A small smile appeared on the girl's lips even though her eyes were tightly closed, her eyelids felt too heavy to open. However, Victoria just realised that she had just said something, and heard a voice.

Even though it was difficult to open her eyes, Victoria still peeked. Even though it looked dim, the girl could see someone's figure.

"It's okay, just open it. It won't hurt anymore, it just feels heavy," said the person.

Strangely, Victoria just obeyed and opened her eyes, then was surprised to find an old man with white hair in front of her smiling at the girl.

"W-who are you?" asked Victoria in surprise.

"You don't need to be so afraid," said the figure sitting in front of Victoria.

The girl began to realize the unusual circumstances around her and finally knew that her surroundings were pure white with a soft light shining.

"Where am I?" asked Victoria.

The old man just glanced at Victoria and then directed his gaze forward, to the emptiness that was so far away.

Silence. No one spoke between them. Victoria herself followed the old man's gaze forward, and realized the sense of calm that the girl felt. Victoria took a deep breath. Even though there were no trees producing air or anything, Victoria could strangely smell the scent of pine trees and other air, even as if she could hear the sound of water, and the sounds of birds, and other animals.

"You're imagining the outdoors," the old man said when Victoria realized the strangeness.

Victoria opened her eyes, looking around. There was only white, nothing else.

"This place is your subconscious. Whatever you think, it will feel like that. But isn't it calming?" the old man said again.

Although she didn't fully understand, Victoria nodded her head, understanding.

"I wonder, who are you?" Victoria asked after a long silence and recovery.

Wait! Healed? Victoria realized that the wounds on her body were not felt, even her arm that should have been bleeding now did not feel at all. Victoria was also wearing her army uniform completely, without wounds or stains. Even though there should have been many stains on the body wrapped in the army uniform.

"I told you, this is your subconscious, and I was the one who brought you here," the old man said.

Victoria looked at him.

“Then, are you an angel? A god?” Victoria asked.

The old man laughed.

“You look exactly like your father, huh?” the old man commented.

“My father? You know my father?” Victoria asked again, a little surprised.

“Of course,” the old man replied, looking very proud. “You inherited his courage and determination, Victoria,” the man continued.

Victoria was surprised to hear that. How did the old man know about her?

“Hey. I know your father quite well, even better. However, I don’t know you that well. It’s just that you look like your father, so I know a little,” the man explained.

“How do you know Dad? You even look hundreds of years older,” Victoria said.

The old man laughed again, so wide that it scared Victoria a little.

“It’s up to you, Victoria,” the old man said. “However, we don’t have much time.”

So, the two of them fell silent again.

Victoria prepared herself, the feeling that came was not something foreign. Victoria seemed to recognize the old man even though it was their first time meeting.

“You must have had a hard time, right? But even so, you didn’t hesitate and kept going. You have my courage,” the old man said. “I feel sorry for your suffering,” he added, looking at Victoria who was listening silently. “But Victoria, you’re great.”

Victoria’s eyes were filled with tears, her feelings were turbulent, her shoulders shaking at the man’s words.

“Then, can you tell me how to stop it?” Victoria asked, starting to cry.

“You managed to stop it, Victoria. And that’s what made you come here,” the man said.

With teary eyes, Victoria looked at the old man who nodded slowly.

“That means… I…” Victoria couldn’t say it.

“No, not yet. However, I want you to listen to me for a moment. Do you mind?”

Still looking at the old man, Victoria nodded while wiping her tears.

“I don’t think so, if what you’re going to say is something important, and comforts me,” the girl said.

Then the old man laughed again.

“Okay. Then, listen carefully, Victoria. Because maybe this will be the end.”

Although she didn’t quite understand, Victoria nodded.

“You stopped them. Because you stopped those creatures, then in return, you are here. That means, you died,” the man said.

Victoria was shocked to hear that and couldn’t say anything.

“However, you have one chance to live. It’s just that, you have to know what your purpose is when you come back to life,” the old man continued.

Victoria calmed down again.

“So, while I’m telling you, think about what makes you strong enough to stay alive and live your life again like you said earlier.”

So Victoria started to think about it while waiting.

“You are the child of my grandson, so I am your great-grandfather, Victoria,” the old man said.

The girl stared for a long time, investigating the face that was indeed familiar. Similar to Victoria’s father.

“Ah, you look like Grandpa,” Victoria said.

“You finally realized it, huh? Well, I am your grandfather’s father. And the one who made the pact with the aliens,” the old man admitted.

This time Victoria was silent hearing his confession, then remembered what Luna and Robert had said about Victoria, and only one person could stop the strange invasion on earth.

"That's why I was able to get into the ship, huh?" Victoria asked.

"Yes. I knew this day would come," said the old man.

Victoria looked back at the old man and waited for a story that might be the reason Victoria was involved in the invasion, stopped it, and how she could return.