25. Three Mother’s Despair
Starting November 2023, The Korea Daily is excited to publish the fantasy novel series “Sword of Malta – Lightning in 72 Years” on our website. This new captivating series follows a trio of young adventurers on their quest to uncover the mysteries of ancient civilizations, including the Maya and Inca. In an exciting development, Netflix is currently adapting the novel’s storyline into a film.
The ‘Sword of Malta – Lightning in 72 Years’ is the latest novel authored by Jeeyoon Ha, who created the “Pangaea series.” Ha’s debut novel, “The Pangaea: Finding Xibalba,” was selected by the Korea Creative Content Agency in 2022 as part of their initiative to support the global export of fantasy literature.
Readers can eagerly anticipate the online publication of two installments each month, with new chapters appearing bi-weekly, offering a regular escape into this magical realm. *Mark Oh translated the Korean novel into English.
“Oh, Ma’am… you three have come together.”
Ms. Goli sprang to her feet, startled. The appearance of Suri’s mother, Sabi’s mother, and Maru’s mother was certainly not a joyful occasion. Today wasn’t even a day for a parent-teacher meeting.
“I just reported it to the police. A missing person report… Since the kids are minors, I explained that the school shares responsibility too. The problem seems to depend on whether the school will take it seriously. They might want to cover it up quietly to maintain their image. Ms. Goli, you had a special relationship with our children, right? Please, help us find out where they are.”
Suri’s mother burst into tears, a mother’s anguished cry for her missing children.
“Honestly, it’s not the first time the kids have disappeared, right? They often run away… Please, calm down first and take a seat.”
Ms. Goli tried to comfort them.
“…Run away? Ms. Goli, you can’t seriously think our children ran away? Do you really see their home environment that way? You know better than anyone that they aren’t those kinds of kids. They are innocent, searching for lost civilizations, chasing after their father… It’s not running away; it’s exploring. Exploring…”
Suri’s mother’s face was soaked with tears.
“Exactly. That’s what I’m saying, Ma’am.. It’s not running away, it’s exploring. Then, why did you report them missing?… I completely understand your worry, but this is definitely not a disappearance.”
Ms. Goli truly believed that.
“Isn’t it… Isn’t it technically a disappearance since we don’t know what happened? It was an adventure at first, but it eventually became a disappearance.”
Suri’s mother was so choked up she could hardly speak.
“…This is not a missing at all. We just don’t know where they went.”
Ms. Goli was doing her best to be optimistic.
“Regardless, we need to confirm that they are alive. You can say that easily because you don’t have children. You’ve never given birth or raised a child, right? So, since they aren’t your children, it’s easy for you to speak like this… I realize it sounds harsh for me to say this. I’m sorry.”
Suri’s mother felt sorry for Ms. Goli too.
“That you don’t understand my feelings because you have no children… I get why you would think that. But I am a teacher, tasked with caring for these kids, and in a way, I am also their guardian.”
Tears glistened in Ms. Goli’s eyes.
“Yes, but only someone who has given birth can truly understand such deep feelings. It’s something that those who haven’t experienced it could never grasp. It feels like my bones and flesh are burning.”
Suri’s mother’s face had turned pale from worry.
“Stop… calm down. Our kids will be okay. If we don’t believe that, we will just melt away like straw.”
Sabi’s mother was sobbing quietly.
“… Yes, the children will be fine. But, Ma’am, I think you must have some idea of where the children have gone… Please, recall any memories.”
Suri’s mother actually needed someone to vent her feelings to.
“… Think carefully about where the children have disappeared to during this time. The children have never been on Earth. Even if they were, they were in a different time period compared to us. So how can we find out where they are? No matter how good the police are, they won’t be able to find them. But the hopeful thing is… they have always… always returned, right? That’s why I’m confident that nothing has happened to them.”
Ms.Goli’s mouth was getting dry from all the persuasion.
“Are you really confident?”
Suri’s mother wanted assurance, not just hopeful predictions from Goli.
“They say every mother, even when far from her child, can feel if her child is hurt or in pain. Do you feel that the children are hurt, or injured, or dead right now?”
Ms.Goli’s Mouth was so parched that it was difficult to even move her lips apart. However, three mothers shook their heads in unison.
“But just because they’re not hurt, or injured, or dead doesn’t mean that worry goes away. What on Earth is the space police doing?”
Sabi’s mother burst out in anger.
“Ma’am… right now the children went into space, and there’s no definite evidence…”
Ms.Goli felt like she might collapse.
“… Of course, if the school gives an official document stating that the children are missing in space, then a search can be conducted. Please negotiate with the school about this.”
Sabi’s mother explained her situation to Ms.Goli.
“There’s something called Phantom Mode. It’s where the space police lowers their altitude below 3,000 feet. They say it’s mostly used when space pirates do illegal activities. It’s undetectable by any radar. The space police search using Phantom Mode. But because space is so vast, even if we suspect a disappearance, we need to know their location… As of now, we have no idea where the children are, Ma’am… I have told you everything I know.”
Ms.Goli was getting more exhausted.
“In any case, we need to know if they’re dead or alive… We can’t survive even an hour like this.”
Suri’s mother stood firm.
“I won’t audaciously claim that I understand all of your pain. However… I want to say this: The pain I am experiencing now is part of the happiness I once enjoyed…”
Suddenly, Maru’s mother collapsed with a loud thud, knocking over the briefcase next to Goli. The briefcase opened, spilling its contents everywhere.
“…Is that a wooden wind instrument? Our Suri knows how to play it well… Suri is going to play it again. Suri… Suri…”
Suri’s mother began to cry even louder. Sabi and Maru’s mothers started crying simultaneously.
Ms.Goli reached out to help Maru’s mother up. However, Maru’s mother’s size made it difficult to lift her. Ms.Goli extended her hand again. When Maru’s mother tried to grab Ms.Goli’s hand, she inadvertently clutched the necklace hanging around Ms.Goli’s neck.
In that instant, the necklace slipped off and shot out from her neck, glowing brightly. The light was a mix of red, blue, and yellow, emitting cute little sparks like baby lightning and crackling as it glowed.
“I remember! It’s Malta!”
Ms.Goli screamed like she was in shock. The necklace began spinning crazily.
[To be continued…]
