The next morning Nanako opened her eyes with her father's kiss on her forehead."Come on sleepy head. Time to rise and shine. Did you rest well? " Her father inquired.She nodded her head smiling happily."Good.Get dressed and eat something. We will be leaving soon? " He said as he got up from her bed and started to go.Nana grabbed his robe and tugged and said " Go? Where? Right now? "" Yes darling. We will go to the northern borders. It is still not too late for us to catch some snow. It seems like it's been ages since we went out together. " He patted her head and went away.Nana stood up and hurriedly called for her maids. As they ran inside, she shouted instructions about her food, dress, hair and so on. The room got busy decking her up for the day. The kitchen too was alive with clutter as the chefs hurried to get Nana 's favorite dish ready in the quickest possible time.Jin on the other hand was dreaming happily on his humble bed when suddenly the rooster started crowing at h
"What happened after that? Did she survive? " Mia was listening mesmerised. But when the lady stopped for a moment she could not hold back her excitement. "Tell me what happened next. " She urged with eager eyes, wide with excitement. The lady smiled at her enthusiasm and patted her messy hair softly."Looks like you are quite enjoying yourself. " She teased her."Did she forgive him? What happened to the wolf?Dont tell me she died. I want to know their full story. " Mia looked like a child eagerly waiting for her candy. The lady smiled again."Well Mia I can tell you that she did survive. How else would there had been a story for you to hear right now darling. " The lady stroked Mia's hair and adjusted it lovingly. " Let's continue then... "When Nana opened her eyes, she found herself comfortably lying on a pile of hay. She looked around and found herself in a cave. There was a fire at the side of her feet that kept it lit. Jin was sitting there, feeding the fire. She looked at him,
" You really don't know? Or is this another of your dirty games? " Nanako asked." Believe me, I am not lying. Tell me what happened that day? " Jin looked Nana in the eyes . A stern and determined look.Nanako told him about their night together, how they were drugged and the conversation she had overheard. She told him everything. As he listened to Nana's words, his eyes popped open. It got redder as her narration progressed. He could not hold back his tears as Nanako teared up, narrating the pain and embarrassment she had been through." Nana. Believe me. I swear on my ancestors, I did place the stupid bet, but I had clearly told them and walked out of it the moment we returned from our starry trip. My feelings towards you are genuine Nana. I had no part or knowledge about the mischief of my mates. I am sorry Nana for violating you. I have no recollection. But I apologize to you with my whole heart and am willing to take any punishment you want for me. I am madly in love with you N
"Mia, now listen to me very carefully. As it seems we are in the Dream Dimension of Floating Thoughts. And those who have encountered near death episodes can only come over. I think that the fact we are being able to have this conversation is that your life was already jeopardized. " The lady said." Jeopardised as in, am I dead? " She was as confused as before." No, like I said. It was a close encounter with death, but you are still breathing. But we need to leave this space soon, or else our souls will be trapped here forever" Her eyes we're full of fear as she stroked Mia's hair. " I understand your pain and trouble child, so you need to hear to what I am saying. Whatever seems surprising or strange, just figure it out later. Let me tell you what I want to without interruption. Alright? " She asked Mia's permission and she nodded."I have not introduced myself to you yet, I am Nanako. " Mia's eyes gave away her shock but she still held on to her silence, allowing Nana to continue.
Holding onto each other, the four of them, Lin, Boshu, Roe and Xie, finally appeared on the other side of the portal. The Direction star successfully paved their advancement onto the next phase of their quest. A few brisk walk and some careful steps, brought them out of the mists and upto the Land of the Lakes. It was all azure. Every shades of it. The sky, the different waters. Even the landscape reflected the blue hue of the two. There was never ending water. But it wasn't a single body. There were infinite shades and hues that marketed the borders. There was a pleasant breeze that blew over them. It swept freshness across their faces."Couldn't believe that eyes could behold such serenity in this life if somebody that said so earlier" Said Roe, marvelling at the out of the world beauty of the landscape " No wonder people went missing after coming here. Who would want to leave such serenity such splendor. I am having a poetic out burst right now. Don't mind if I break into a song or
Unaware of the happenings in the parallel worlds, Mia was steadily advancing towards Lin's direction along with her new found companion.They were flying at a very high speed. Mia was thoroughly enjoying the ride as she leaned over to was the tiny movements of people and animals down below. The mansions appeared toy like. The landscape kept changing from trees to mountains to plains. Finally they were almost near the Forbidden Woods."Ahh! This is what a good flight feels like. Ahh! " Mia exclaimed stretching her back "even Lin did not take me for such a long ride ever. Yeah! Actually I should get back to him about this. Why didn't he? " She was talking to herself. Her companion was busy exploring the place with the curiosity of a little child. He looked around and kept touching here and there. Mia too had little knowledge about the place they were in."Ooooooo! This place is really floating, isn't it? Hey Mr... Umm... What should I call you? Do you have a name? " She asked him. He sho
As Mia sat meditating in the sacred lands, a glow radiated from her. Anjana saw it with open eyes and wonder. The glow flickered around her for awhile and then flew swiftly away some where. In her trace she was back in the realm of dream once again. But this time she was alone. She walked around for a while and then all of a sudden the glow that was emitting from her body appeared there. It enveloped her completely. Then with a sudden jerk it pulled her back. Mia opened her eyes huffing but the glow was stil engulfing her in the real word. It levitated her and then blew her above the land. Anjana sprang up from his position and followed Mia. The glow moved her from one place to the other till it brought her back to the ridge."Oh no. What just happened?Am I back at the ridge? No. No. " Mia wondered. The glow still had not left her. It flew her here and there. To the place where she treated Anjana ,to the stream , to the place she used to eat those storage but delicious fruits. As she
"Mia ! Mia are you alright? How did you... " Lin exclaimed picking her up but he was shuttering, having problem articulating his speech "How are you even here? Is it really even possible. ""Lin.Its really you " Mia whispered with her voice so feeble it was barely audible."Aaahhmmm! If we are all alright here, can somebody explain what is going on here" Xie demanded."Uummm, this is Lin's wife" Boshu interrupted as he looked at Lin with a meaningful glare. Lin nodded. Boshu continued "But how she ended up here we have no clue, may be she can enlighten us about it. But let her catch her breath first. And we might as well give the couple a little bit space. ""Yeah! Right. Right. Brother, Birdie, let's go take s look over there" Roe pulled the two of them away ."Birdie? Who's Birdie" Boshu was heard protesting as they went.Lin kissed Mia on the forehead and pulled her close. "Tell me Mia what happened. How are you even out of the barrier. "Mia shifted a little bit into a sitting pos
Fast forwarding a few years:Merindale tried to tuck her hair back with her muddy hand, painting her cheeks with mud in the process. Akata rolled over on the other side of the field as he saw her. She had not noticed that he was coming. “ What's so funny? ” she pouted. “ Nothing. I just saw the cutest flower amongst all the flowers in this field. ”Merindale instantly melted. How many times would her man make her fall for him, over and over again. She knew she was blessed and she cherished him. “ Now come on, you worked enough. Wash your hands and come and get some breakfast. I made some fresh pancakes. ”Merindale jumped up at the mention of pancakes. According to herhe made the best pancakes in the world. “ I'm coming, ” she literally jumped over the bushes, trying to hurry up when a certain whoosh of the air made her fall back. She rolled her eyes. The triplets were there again. They never left the two of them alone, barging in their peaceful mortal life, away from the hust
Akata's brows furrowed as the God in front of him pulled out what looked like a luminescent moon from his pocket. The moon swam around Akata, finally coming to rest in front of him, floating in the air. With one swing of the God's hand, Akata saw movements inside the orb. “ Father… ” Akata flew towards it, grabbing it with both hands. He could see Lin, inside the orb, fighting for his life in the midst of those Night Crawlers. He were all over him, in the count of thousands. “ Father… father… you are alive? ” Akata grabbed the orb and shook it violently, smiling through his tear. “ Father, I am coming. Don't worry. I will save you. ” His head swing at the God beside him. “ How do I go to this place? Tell me! ” He demanded. The God smiled at Akata. “ There will be no need for that. I can bring your father completely unharmed over here. Right now. But it will depend on your decision. ”Akata looked at him with suspicion. “ What decision are you talking about?”He asked . “ You
Merindale felt a little nudge at her feet when she looked down she saw a very familiar face. But she wasn't expecting to see that face in this realm. “ You! You are that ghost from my school. What are you doing here? Am I dead? What happened to aunt Mia? “ She paused momentary but didn't wait for the girl to reply. “ Shit! Don't tell me. Are we in the Celestial Realm? ” She looked around amazed, finally realising the heavenly beauty around that place. “ But you are a ghost right? Did they kidnap you as well? ” Merindale quickly turned back to her. The little girl shool her head and for the first time she spoke. “ I am Arawan. I am daughter to Mia and Lin, Akata's sister. ”Merindale’s eyes were about to pop out. “ Akata has a sister? ”“ I was in my mother's womb when the Celestial Beings brought us here. They kept my mother in her Soul form ever since. I was born as a Celestial Creature, devoid of a physical body, just like all the other beings born in this realm. ”Merindale c
Merindale's eyelids fluttered, battling the weight of slumber, as her mind groggily began to piece together the fragmented memories.Her thoughts spiraled in a dizzying whirlwind, voices echoing in her mind. "Where... am I” She murmured as she gradually awakened, her senses swimming hazily. She tried to touch her head because it hurt badly. But her hands weighed down with the weight of the shackles that seemed to be made with light. Merindale tugged at them realizing that she was a captive. But with every tug, those fragile looking shackles became heavier by the seconds. Merindale immediately gave up because she understood that she was making it worse. Her predatory senses kicked in and her eyes began to search for a way out. It took some time for her to adjust her gaze to the overwhelming light condition in the Celestial Realm. She shifted her weight and tried to sit up but she could only position herself on her knees. Her body felt exceptionally lightweight. She could almost
The Wolf Queen stood in the front, looking down at the flame leaping with its vicious tongue towards them. “ Can we believe this woman? ” Roe asked her brother. Xie placed a hand over Roe's shoulder and said, “ I can see something is different about her.I am no saint. Let us give her a benefit of doubt. There is no other knowledge that we can implement at the moment. Let's see if her method works.” “ But what if she tries to manipulate us again? What if we lose more … ”Xie pressed her hand, “ Watch… ”.They saw their mother slit her wrist and then she made a drop of that blood fall in the furnace.The fire reached the height of the heavens. It's color turned the darkest crimson and then it dropped down to its normal height. The fire changed its color a couple of times, matching Lin's changing eye color. And then something miraculous happened. The fire split from the middle, creating a way for them and everyone looked at each other in surprise. “ How did you do that? ” Roe aske
Akata and the old wolf queen helped Xie inside the Bird Tribe. He looked devastated. And the birds scattered here and there at his arrival. Roe rushed to the site and was shocked to find her mother and brother together. “ What brings you here mother? ” Roe lunged at her but she held up her hand. “ I know you don't trust me but I had nothing to do with this. It's about Merindale… They took her as well. ” she spurred. Roe had no time to gasp as they hurried inside with Xie who was almost on the verge of exhaustion. His eyes fell on Lin who was hurdled in the corner. Xie freed himself from everyone's grip and literally ran at his feet. “ Forgive me! ” he began to sob uncontrollably. “ Merindale was right. I never tried giving you my best. I always thought about the safety of my family and my kingdom first but look at the cruel twist of fate. I have neither a kingdom nor a daughter. ”He turned at his mother, “ Turns out I took after you,mother… Is it true that you cheated on m
The soldiers flew on either side, startled as Merindale swung the door to her father's chamber open with a loud kick. Her eyes were blazing with fury as she stormed in, her cloak billowed behind her like a tempestuous wind."Father," she spat, her voice was a mixture of anger and betrayal. "Why did you do this? Since when did you become a coward?” she huffed. “Merindale? ” Xie and Ruby were in their bed. They sat up as she entered. “My dear girl…where are you coming from? What happened?” Ruby tried to ask.“ Don't try to act like you have been doing over the years. I know everything. I saw uncle Lin and what you did to him.”Ruby opened her mouth but Xie raised a hand. “ I acted for your well-being. You cannot fathom the dangers lurking beyond our realm. I know what I did might not have been the best thing to do but that was all I could think of at the moment and as the Wolf King and your father, I am entitled to my decision." He concluded. "Enough!" Her fists clenched as she pac
Boshu was sobbing profusely as he saw Lin's motionless body. He held his hand and cried like someone who had lost everything. “ Forgive me! ” he could barely utter through his whimpers. “ Forgive me for not being able to be with you when you were suffering at the lands of your own people. Forgive me for being so engrossed in my own life that I… that I… ” he was almost on the verge of vomiting because he was crying and drooling so much. “ Papa! Take it easy. Your friend can't hear you. Let him come around first. ” one of the triplets patted his back. He had been guilt ridden for living in ignorance for so long. Besides he had never seen Lin in such a vulnerable state, be it any battle. Akata walked in at that moment. Boshu immediately wiped his tears at his arrival. “Don't worry. He will be up and running any moment, young man. ” Akata watched his father from a distance, smiled at his uncle and then left. Everything about his present situation was overwhelming. It was too much
“ What's going on? Is he not Akata? How the hell did your brother banish him? Why does he call himself Leo? ” Boshu poured his heart out but Roe stayed quiet. “ We need to go back. Let's take Akata to the Wolf territories. We don't have a proper facility to give him the required care. I need to talk with my brother as well. Things don't seem right at the moment. You stay back and take care of the kids, I will leave with him immediately.”*****At the Wolf Kingdom -Roe might have left her lands for love but her land never stopped loving her. Every leaf she stepped on rustled in greeting. Dust danced in the air, and every stone she trod upon seemed to echo a silent welcome.There was a stir amongst the guards as she walked through the gates, with Akata in her arms, going straight towards the palace. The soldiers standing tall and vigilant, softened at her arrival, acknowledging her with a respectful nod. It was as though the very essence of the kingdom recognized her, embracing he