The Guardian Of Nature ~The Rise Of A Heroine

Family Ties

Pappoús couldn't believe his eyes. Crystallia was right in frond of him. She was dressed in sport shoes, blue jeans, a dark purple t-shirt and a jean jacket. Not a day older that last he saw her, her long raven hair shining below the sun and her emerald eyes sparkling youthfully. Her skin fair, a bit tanned and her lips where a dark shade of pink, as she smiled brightly.

But how was that even possible? Last he saw her, he was no more than a 5 year old boy and that was more that 70 years ago, he was now 76 years old. He now had gray hair, a short matching beard and he actually looked older than his age cause of all the hard work he had done in his life, with some poor choices unfortunately. She on the other hand, looked no more than 35 in his eyes. So many thoughts and questions ran through his mind, he couldn't focus on just one, he had so many things he wanted to say.

Pappoú closed the door of t he house. "Crystallia..." She said again this time a little louder. He was too shocked to to tear up, overwhelmed by all sorts of emotions, happiness, excitement, but also sadness.

'Yes, yes it's me, Jo-Jo it's me, I'm here!' She said while laughing from happiness and stepping closer to him. She was so happy to talk to him after all this years that she didn't even use his birth name, instead she used the nickname she had given him.

Pappoú moved closer to her, until he was not even one meter away from her. He reached out and touched her cheek gently, like he was trying to make sure she wasn't a trick of his mind. Her cheek was warm, full of life, no trick. "It's... it is you. You are alive!" Grandpa couldn't contain his tears anymore, he started crying and he threw himself in her arms, subbing and crying, like he was again the 5 year old he was all those years ago. Crystallia held him tight, tears in her eyes also and for a moment all this this time apart never existed, they where again like mother and son.

"I'm so happy to hug you again!" The raven head mumbled through her tears.

"I can't believe this..." Pappoú was still in shock. "Who-"

"George? Are you still outside?" Yiayia's voice reminded them to come back to present day and they broke apart, quickly whipping their tears away, just in time for yiayia to open the door and come out.

"There you are." She smiled to him and then noticed Crystallia. "Oh well hello! Who are you?" She asked smiling.

"Hi, my name is Crystallia Leriel and I'm here to talk to you about your granddaughter, Maria!" This made both of them very curious. "I am representative of a new and very special summer camp and she has been chosen to be among the first kids who will have a chance to attend our camp." Yiayia was exited with what she heard, but grandpa couldn't be more confused.

"Well our kóri, Agathi, mentioned to me, when we were talking, something about Maria going to a camp, but she didn't say you would come to us. What do you need?" Yiayia was exited yes, but she was also confused. Pappoú decided to take the matters to his hands so he could clear things out with Crystallia.

"Photini love, why don't you go and prepare all of us a good cup of coffee while I speak with miss Crystallia?" He asked gently, with a smile to hide his wary.

"Of course, I'll be right back!" And with that, she was gone inside the house closing the door behind her.

A few seconds later Crystallia spoke. "You haven't told her anything about me, right?" Asked Crystallia with a low voice.

"No." Pappoú looked at Crystallia again. "I haven't told her anything. I've kept my promise for more than 70 years, though today I did made a passing mention of you in a story I told my granddaughters, which by the way, I think you have some explaining to do as to what you want my eldest with." He pointed at the table he and gran have for the sunny days and they both took a sit. "But I think you should start from the very basic stuff first." He was looking at her, but she had lowered her gaze. "How in the name of God and all his Saints are you still alive? And how in Panagias's name are you so young?"