4 Daughter Of Destiny......

Lutfa's words left Lia thunderstruck was to say the least.

She couldn't believe what was just been told to her....

" Me?? A Nymph?? How is that even possible?? "

While those words did answer all her questions in short, they threw her into the depths of chaos and uncertainty at the same time.

Now she was even more confused and scared.

Her mind froze ; refusing to process. Her world turned upside down. This was beyond anything she had ever imagined. Countless questions pierced her heart yet, she couldn't  voice even one . She didn't know what to ask or rather what she should ask.

She was blank! 

But something in her heart said that this meeting with Lutfa and Carlos here was not just a fluke.

" Help me!! Please help me!! " Lia broke down into pieces. Releasing everything that she endured up until that point. 

Hugging back Lia pleaded to Lutfa. Tears choked her voice. She cried and cried until she didn't have the energy to cry anymore. 

She was truly at her lowest in every sense. 

" Its okay, Lia... Everything is gonna be okay." Lutfa mummered softly, consoling her with whatever she could even though her own tears were betraying her.

She knew all too well how deeply traumatizied Lia was and that her words only made it worse for her. She could feel Lia's body trembling in fear as she stayed in her embrace.

Lutfa hugged her with everything she had and gently stroke her head, hoping it would somehow comfort her.

No one spoke after that. A comfortable silence settled between them.

Both remained in each others embrace, savoring each others presence. No amount of words were capable enough to explain what the pair of women were feeling at moment.

Carlos, who was silently observing the whole exchange until now finally spoke. " We can only help you, if you are willing to help yourself, Lia. " His words reminded them of his presence.

" Uncle Carlos!! " Lia pulled herself out of Lutfa's embrace and rushed over to him with wide open arms. Carlos welcomed her with a warm smile, kind look and a chaste kiss.

Little did Lia understand that behind the warm smile and kind eyes was a heart that was bleeding for her.

Carlos was filled with self loathing and guilt, still he was helpless. He wanted to lock Lia away from the world in a place where no one would be able to find her, no one would be able hurt her and no one would be able to threaten her.  But he also knew that he didn't have the luxury to be wistful. He must fulfill his purpose for that was the only way.

Time was running out....

' I only hope that I can set you on the right path. ' Carlos prayed looking down at the girl who was buried herself in his board chest. Her sobs shattered his heart. Every drop of her tear was like an army of blades that stabbed him over a thousand times. 

The only person who said that death was peaceful and life was painful would be able understand what Carlos actually felt at that very moment. 

Indeed, life was painful even for him but, having to live this painful life was the true definition of curse. 

" Now is not the time to cry and break down, Lia. But to strengthen your resolve." Carlos said gently wipped away her falling tears as he removed her from his embrace. " I know you're confused. I know you have millions of questions that you want to ask. But before I answer you, let me ask you, Lia. Are you willing to accept the answers of your questions?? "

" Accept my answers! Whats that suppose to mean? " Lia looked up still in tears. Confusion was written all over face.

" Questions don't define their answers, Lia. Acceptance is what truly makes them meaningful." Lutfa replied in a serious tone. " If you want your answers than you must have the courage to accept them and the strength to act accordingly. "

Lutfa's response didn't sit well with Lia. " What if I can't accept it? I don't even know what expect ? "

Neither Lia's question, nor her confusion fretted the couple. It was well within their expectations from Lia. 

" In case you feel that you can't accept your answers then you are free to let go of everything. Mind you though, you'll also lose your right to ask questions along with it. " Lutfa said with a matter-of-factly note to which Carlos added his stern warning." Before you come to a decision understand this very careful, Lia. Each and every answer will be as shocking as 'Dahlia'. " There was no trace of his former gentleness. " Now it's all upto you. "

Lia appreciated the couple's honesty. She knew if not absolutely necessary than they wouldn't have emphasised themselves the way they did. It assisted Lia to come to a decision and allowed her to be mental prepared for the consequences of her decision. For her it was a 'Now or Never' situation. Even though Carlos said it was her choice, in reality, there never was a choice to begin with. 

' What can possibly be more worst than what I have already suffered? ' Lia was willing to risk everything rather than live the rest of her life with countless questions and constant threats. ' Even if worst comes to worst, atleast I'll have no regrets. ' For all these years she struggled in vain, now atleast her struggle would have some meaning. And more importantly,  she would at least know as to why or against what she's been struggling for all this time. 

Something that she with her bearings was never able figure it out.

Suddenly, Lia rememebered the words of a wise man from her younger years. " Lia..The answers you seek may not be as simple as your questions. "  Now after so many years, the couple just proved how right he was back then.  She was grateful towards Carlos and Lutfa from the bottom of her heart for giving her the opportunity to understand her true self.

Keeping the wise man's words in mind Lia concluded her decision. " Uncle!! Auntie!! Don't worry!! I'm not gonna chicken out. Not when I've come this far. I will accept the answers as well as their consequences. I'm ready...Please tell me everything I need to know about myself. Please guide me to the right path. "

Her voice spoke of her self confidence. There was determination was glinting in her eyes. Her expressions reflected her dedication and she exuded an aura of divinity.

Lutfa and Carlos closely observed Lia and her drastic change. Their lips curled up to form an enchanting smile. All they wanted was to revive Lia's willpower, in which they thankfully succeed. Now everything was going to fall in place.

Lutfa felt an indescribable sense of pride and affirmation towards Lia. She knew it wasn't easy choice given everything Lia's been through for so many years. " I'm proud of you, my love. Sometimes, consequences don't matter but the will to overcome them makes all the difference. "

" I'll remember that, Auntie. "

" I know you will, Lia. And now it's time I remind you a part of yourself that you were forced to forget. " Carlos said as he gently placed his hand on Lia's head, asking her to close her eyes. Lia followed Carlos's lead.

Her vision began to expand.

The whole world seemed to revolve like a rolling cinema. The sun, the planets, the stars, the galaxies, the universe, even the Shephora and much more revolved around her. She could not only see through them, but also hear, touch and feel them as if they were an extended part of herself. She was able to sense her heart beat in time with their beat of life. She witnessed the perpetual fire beneath the earth and how the wicked were being punished. The Heaven mesmerised Lia with its scenic beauty and mighty residents, while the Dark Vortex was a bit too overwhelming for her.

Lia was savoring the surreal beauty when all of a sudden, her vision changed again. 

What was once a peaceful cosmos, now was burning in flames of war. A full fledge battle between the gods and an evil sorcerer played out right before her eyes. Thanks to the war, the Dark Vortex started to expand out of proportion.

At this point, Lia's vision changed again. From the raging battlefield she was transported to an ancient monestary in the middle of nowhere. Inside the monestary, there was a young, beautiful woman running through its empty corridors with a crystal tablet in hand. Behind the running woman, a dark portal opened up using which an army of dark creatures invaded the monestary. Leading them was the same sorcerer. He unleashed his army in order to capture the woman and to bring him the crystal tablet . The woman stopped at nothing, securing the crystal tablet in her arms she ran towards the tower with all her might. Saving herself from the attacks of the dark army the woman somehow managed to reach the top of the tower just in time to catch the last ray of the setting sun. As soon as the ray touched the tablet, she threw it to the sorcerer which he grabbed with easy. Seeing the sorcerer holding the tablet , the woman began to laugh menacingly. She vowed that she would serve no man other than her husband. Since her husband existed no more, she too had no reason to live as well.

Infuriated by the woman's arrogance, the sorcerer aimed the crystal tablet at her only to see it transmogrified itself into a man. The man was none other than Carlos himself. The sorcerer paled out at this. He was literally trembling in fear. Carlos was both furious and astound by her deeds. The woman spat out her last words to the sorcerer and reached down to her womb. She removed the baby she was carrying and handed it over to Carlos. It was a sweet little baby girl, who wasn't yet fully developed.

The walls of the monastery began to crumble. A black flame engulfed the sorcerer. The woman quickly created a protective shield around Carlos and sent him away with her child. Once assured that Carlos and her child were both safely away from the monastery, the woman blew up the entire monastery and disappeared with its ashes into the Dark Vortex. The sorcerer also disappeared without a trace.

Lia's eyes flew open. Her breathing became ragged. She was sweating in buckets. Events of the monastery still played in her eyes.

" Lia!! Lia!! Snap out of it, Lia!! " Seeing Lia getting carried away by the moment, Lutfa kept calling her out frantically. After multiple tries, did Lutfa's words finally do their job. Out of that weird zone, Lia snapped back into her senses realising that she was back in the company of Lutfa and Carlos. 

" What...just happened..?? " Lia asked still in daze. The effect of her vision still lingered in her senses.

" A Time Knot. " Carlos answered flatly. " I created it back then under the pertext of your mother's accident. I thought--" was all Carlos could say before Lutfa cut him off with a deadly glare.

" I know all this is too much for you to process at the moment Lia, but don't you worry. We are here with you, we'll do everything to help you sort things out. Just don't lose hope, sweetie." She consoled, not knowing what else do as Lia wasn't looking too well.

Honestly, even though Lutfa knew that Lia must be told everything ,she was atmost worried that after having suffered for so long the poor child might not be able to handle the truth. Lia was still just a teenager afterall.

On the otherhand, Carlos was rather speechless at his wife unjust accusations.

What made her think he wasn't concerned about her well being?

" No, Lady Silvia--"

" No, Lia!!! To the seven universes of this creation, to the Heaven and Hell, we maybe Lord Alexius and Lady Silvia. But for you we are always Uncle Carlos and Auntie Lutfa no matter what. Your Uncle Carlos and Auntie Lutfa." Lutfa or rather Lady Silvia scolded. 

Lord Alexius was one of the Trinity and was known as the preserver of the creation. Lady Silivia, his consort was the Goddess wealth and prosperity. After having earsed Lia's memories, they offen desended on earth in human forms using the name Lutfa and Carlos to either protect her from harms way or to guide her in her human life during the years of her still early childhood. 

" Your Auntie is right, Lia. And even though we are not your birth parents, to us you are more than our daughter. I know that our love for you can never measure up to that of your parents but, always remember Lia we love you just as much as them. " There was fatherly love in each and every one of Carlos's words.

" Uncle Carlos!! " At his words, another stream of tears drenched Lia's entire being. She gaped at the couple through her tears in an utter disbelief!!

Giving her parental love when they themselves were on the verge of lossing their own children!!

Lia had no idea how react to such immeasurable kindness for never before today did she recieved any.  For her, it was impossible to explain in words what their kindness meant to her or the gratitude she felt towards them. 

In her heart, Lia was forever in their debt.

' There no way I can repay you for your kindness. But I swear, I won't let you two suffer anymore. I'll bring your sons back no matter what it costs. ' She vowed. This was one of the many reasons for Lia to go back to life.

" Also Lia..." Oblivious of Lia's thoughts, Lutfa started again somewhat hesistantly. There was a lot that she wanted to say but, was struggling to find the right words. Meanwhile, Carlos stood by knowing exactly what Lutfa wanted to say. Sadly, he too lacked words.

After a moment's pause Lutfa made up her mind and spoke again. " I'm really sorry...." She said, suddenly bursting into tears. " If not because of us neither you, nor your parents would've suffered like this. "

" Espeacially, your mom. " Carlos picked from where Lutfa couldn't continue. " Protecting your aunt was my responsiblity, yet ' He ' tricked us all. " As he spoke, his head hung low in shame. There was a deep rooted disappointment in him.  His next words proved just how much he blamed himself for Lia's suffurings. " Your parents couldn't stay aloof anymore and chose to intervne. If only I knew what was to follow after that then I never would have allowed them. Things only went downhill since then. And thanks to the bad decisions that I made, I got cursed and they turned against your father. Your father never had the chance to know that he was going to be a father. By the time we got to know about your existence, he was long gone...." 

" We still don't know how but, word about your existence quickly began to spread around the creation causing massive division of veiw points mostly because they were all against you. You became a threat for all parties. " Lutfa contined. " Without your uncle and your father, the creation became 'His' play field. Nothing we did affected him. ' He' was practically invinsible and to make sure that things stay as such 'He' targetted your mother. Even though I kept her away from all this, she somehow knew what was going on. I really don't what possessed her into confronting ' Him ' but she did and...." Lutfa trailed off. The result of that decision was Lia's entire life till now.

" So please...If you can please forgive us... We are your criminals..." Both Lutfa and Carlos pleaded in unison. 

" Uncle!! Auntie!! Don't!! " Lia begged them. Having gotten back her memories Lia already knew everything that Lutfa and Carlos just explained. And truth to be told, Lia never once blamed them for anything. She was well versed with fact that Lutfa and Carlos themselves were victims just as much as she and her family was. Therefore, when they pleaded her to forgive them she could stay silent anymore. " It's not your fault. Please don't blame yourself. And besides, wasn't it the two of you who taught me that nothing ever happens without a reason? "

"....." Lutfa and Carlos were left speechless!! There just no refute against Lia's logic.

Indeed, they had once said so however, never thought that their words would one day come back to them in such a way. 

Seeing the couple speechless Lia smiled satisfactorily. " I believe mother must have her reasons behind each and every one of her actions. We just don't know them yet." Lia geniuely believed that her mother's actions were not just random or something done in a heat of the moment. In fact, she felt they were acutely calculated and well sorted.  " But I do want to understand what mother meant by 'Immortality is not the synonym of Infinity'." Lia was positive that her mother not only had an ulterior idea about the situation but also a solution. And her seemingly random actions were just facades to cover up the clues. If one is to carefully analayis them with the right knowledge then they're bound to stumble upon the actual picture.

Carlos smiled. His helplessness was obvious. " I wish I knew that myself, dear. Ever since then I tried to figure out as to what she meant." Saying that he signed trying his best to suppress his frustration. " Unfortunately, it's not that simple. " And that was just him putting it nicely.

" But, what I do know is that Infinity is not a domain. It's just the abbreviation of the immeasurablity. " Putting aside his rekindled frustration, Carlos said thoughtfully. " Always remember Lia, you are Goddess Clytia's daughter. You are the Daughter of Destiny. Only you posses the power to control time, space and reality. Hence, your imagination is your domain. " Carlos knew that other than Lia no one was capable enough to understand the folds of Clytia's strategy and bring an end to the reign of the sorcerer.