A NEW REVELATION

"Mrs. Gong!" Zoe gasped, her dainty fingers grazed on her parted lips. She could not believe how she reacted upon seeing her valued treasure.

Her confused head was likewise grounded on the floor as she sobbed out, "Your Highness!"

Fortunately, the travelers in the boat were gawking at Koby. He was describing the bird and marine lives surrounding the Ball's Pyramid. He was also portraying the history of the neighboring islands.

As he delivers them, he uses his voice and his hands in animated movements. The passengers gazed at him, flabbergasted. They were like children listening to a new bedtime fairy tale for the first time.

They were so engrossed with them. They were oblivious of the extraordinary meeting that was happening in their midst.

"Mrs. Gong, what are you doing?" Zoe knelt in worry about the elderly woman. She had just recovered from getting drowned. But she was now flat on the floor just because of her necklace.

'I knew I looked like a queen in this gem. But was this necessary?' She mused as she bowed to help her stand. Mrs. Gong obliged and stood up as Zoe assisted her.

Zoe tenderly wiped off the gritty dust from her wobbling knees.

Mrs. Gong studied every detail of her lovely face, her lustrous hair, and her fully grown body. Tears welled up in her eyes.

She grabbed a facial tissue from her travel bag. Then she dabbed them on Mrs. Gong's swollen face, who was shuddering at that very moment. Zoe tenderly embraced her and rubbed her back to soothe her and help her feel less hysterical.

Zoe didn't understand why Mrs. Gong was being very sensitive on that rare occasion.

'How could my necklace provoked her to be like that. Has she seen it before? Does she know about my mother?'

They were in that emotional state when Capt. Nicky gleefully announced the delightful news. They were nearing Ball's Pyramid! "Gear up! We are now at the sacred threshold of the tallest stack in the world!"

"Woo-hoo!" The boisterous crowd shouted triumphantly and clapped their eager hands in festive excitement.

It was no easy feat to enter the dangerous vicinity of the legendary isle.

The grand expedition would always be at the divine mercy of the mighty weather. During this tour, though, they were more welcoming than any given time.

The tourists were elated that they could enjoy its magnificent splendor.

"Wow!" The passengers gazed in profound awe at the amazing fault lines.

They were intentionally running the full length of the prominent cliffs. The geological formation was also very impressive.

Zoe looked down on the sea waters, which she could see as they were close to the gilded edge of the boat.

'It was nothing like the murky green-blue waves I have seen before.' She thought as she was distracted with the splendor of the land.

She could naturally behold the star-fish beneath it. The crabs were scampering and the shoals of exotic fish darted here and there.

'Wow, it's so beautiful,' Zoe whispered impressively under her breath. She almost forgot that she was holding Mrs. Gong and comforting her.

She glanced at Mrs. Gong again. Her previous anxious face was now relaxed, and she was not trembling anymore.

Actually, she was smiling as she gazed at the island while they were drawing closer.

Zoe heaved a deep sigh. "Finally," she felt relieved after seeing Mrs. Gong beaming again.

But her joyous feeling of relief didn't last for a meaningful minute. Mrs. Gong's next words astounded her even more. "Come with me, your highness."

Zoe scrunched her forehead as she stared incredulously at Mrs. Gong? "What? Why? Where?" She asked consecutively.

Mrs. Gong was about to answer her when she caught an ominous shadow on the island. Her anxious eyes widened in horrid fear as she saw it.

Like a flash of lightning, she forcibly held her hand and sternly bid her last words, "This is where you belong."

She jumped into the sparkling waters and miraculously disappeared.