Chapter 86

Zara's POV
I felt confused and struggled to make the right decision. Should I continue with this plan and take a big risk? Or should I respect Mom’s decision and postpone this plan, even though every second that passed felt more urgent?
In the stillness of the night, my mind reeled, contemplating everything that had happened and the possible future. But one thing was for sure—I had to fight to do what was right for my family. With determination, I vowed to find a way to keep everyone safe and happy, without sacrificing the love that was in our family.
After an emotional conversation with my mother, I met with Letto once more to discuss the situation. When I arrived at the lab, tension was palpable. “Letto, I didn’t get permission from my mother to go to your planet. She was very worried and didn’t want me to go,” I said, feeling resigned.
Letto nodded, but there was a hint of frustration on his face. “Zara, I understand that your mother is worried. However, if we are going to save Leo and protect humanity, we must act. If you don’t act, nothing will change,” he said, his voice firm but disappointed.
I knew the truth in his words, but my heart struggled with mixed emotions. My family is everything to me, and leaving without trauma could be a very risky decision. “I know that, but I can’t leave without your permission. She has sacrificed so much, and I must honor that,” I said, my voice beginning to shake.
Letto sighed, seemingly beginning to understand the dilemma I was facing. “Zara, you need to speak directly and honestly with your mother. Discuss everything that happened and how important this action is. Maybe there is a way to convince her why this trip is so important. Without action, we will lose so much,” he said, trying to give me a way out.
But I felt a deep sense of uncertainty. How could I convince my mother without making her even more anxious? Talking to Letto gave me a new perspective, but my heart was still torn between wanting to protect my family and carrying out the mission that seemed increasingly urgent.
“Do you think there’s a way to convey all this so she can see the importance?” I asked Letto, hoping he could give me a way out.
“Try to focus on your love and responsibility for Kayra and Leo. If mom can see how much love you have for them, maybe she can accept your decision to leave. Show her that this is a wise choice,” Letto replied, trying to give me positive encouragement.
I nodded, determined to create a moment that would give me more of my effort. “Okay, I’ll talk to mom about this again in a better way. I want her to know how important this is to me and Kayra.”
As I left the lab, a glimmer of hope rose within me. Although confusion still loomed and my struggles felt challenging, I had to embrace this responsibility with love. When the time came, I would talk to Mother and try to give her a deeper understanding of what I was fighting for.
There is nothing more precious than the love of family, and I will do whatever it takes to keep our relationship strong as I work toward this goal.
“I will go for you, Zara,” Orion’s voice broke the silence in the room as he stepped forward with determination evident on his face. I was taken aback by his statement.
“Orion, wait, what do you mean? I can’t let you do that! This is dangerous, and I don’t want you involved in all of this,” I said, confusion and worry mixing in my heart.
“But Leo needs help. And if I can save him for you and Kayra, I will,” he replied, determined in his intentions. Though there was a deep sense of gratitude in my heart, I also felt heavy. “Orion, I don’t want you to sacrifice yourself. This isn’t an easy path to take.”
Orion leaned in a little closer to me, assuring me with a serious look. “Zara, I know how precious this is to you. And, even if there’s a big risk, I’m willing to take it. As a friend, I have to do something to help.”
Meanwhile, Letto stood beside us, engaged in a more serious discussion. “If you want to save Leo, we need to have a solid strategy,” Letto said, looking very focused on the situation. “The process of bringing him home won’t be easy, especially if there’s a risk of being captured again.”
I remained silent as I watched them, my brain reeling trying to process all this information. Orion’s courage to step forward for this mission and his ability to sacrifice himself for the people he loved moved me, but also made me feel even more guilty.
I didn’t want to see the people closest to me involved in dangerous friction. “But… what if something happened to you, Orion? Have you thought about the worst case scenario?” I asked, my voice shaking.
“Zara, we can’t let fear stop us. If we wait until everything is perfect, we’ll never move,” Orion replied firmly, seemingly committed to his shared decision.
They began to discuss more deeply the steps to take, and it seemed like they had already thought things through. A plan to leave, a way to explain the situation to the council, and how to deal with any eventualities—all of it poured out of their mouths.
Despite the confusion and worry that crept into me, I also felt a strong sense of appreciation for their efforts. I have to believe that when all of these efforts are combined, we can achieve a better result.
“Alright,” I finally decided, my voice calmer and more determined. “If this is truly what we must do to save Leo, then I will stand by your side. We must make this plan work together.”