A/N

This story is unedited so apologies for grammatical and spelling errors if any.

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Fiora (POV)

"What's going on?" the old man asked gently, embracing me and stroking my head. "Are you okay, child?" My cries dwindled into sniffles.

"Marcus?" my aunt asked, utterly confused, "Is that you, Marcus?" I stepped back, trying to comprehend the situation.

The old man smiled and said, "How have you been little lizard?" My aunt broke into tears and hugged him tightly.

Samragyi's eyes glistened with tears, while the other comrades stood in shock. I turned to Theo, whose expression was unreadable. As I walked up to him, he conjured ice arrows and aimed them at me, making me stop in my tracks, too afraid to approach further.

When my aunt's sobs subsided, the old man respectfully bowed at Samragyi. Samragyi stepped closer, still maintaining a respectful distance. "You were alive all this time and didn't think to come back?" Samragyi asked, her tone laced with a hint of reproach.

"It's not that simple, Samragyi. After that incident, I lost all my memories. An old maverick nursed me back to health. It took nearly a year and a half for me to fully regain my memory. During that period, I even lost my wolf."

"You could have returned after regaining your memory," my aunt interjected, her voice tinged with accusation.

"I wanted to return so badly," the old man began, his voice heavy with longing, "but after regaining my memory, I saw that you all had moved on with your lives. I didn't want to create chaos. Moreover, there was nothing left here for me to nurture. The old Maverick who helped me was the leader of the pack and gravely ill. I couldn't abandon him in his condition, so I stayed."

My mind struggled to keep up, a whirlwind of confusion and emotions.

"Welcome back, legendary Beta," Ruup said, a teasing note in his voice. The old man smiled warmly, responding, "Thank you, Ku-ruup."

Ruup immediately retaliated, "I'm Ruup, not Ku-ruup. You're Ku-ruup," and everyone laughed at their playful banter.

The old man hugged Ruup tightly, while the others bowed respectfully, their gestures filled with reverence.

"What's happening here? Why were you all scolding Fiora?" he asked, concern etching lines on his face.

"Your daughter has betrayed us," Samragyi said, her voice dripping with venom.

"Who?" the old man asked, his eyes widening in shock. My ears perked up. Daughter? Whose daughter? What is going on? I wondered.

"Marcus," my aunt said gently, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder, "Fiora is our Aakshi."

I looked at him, confusion and realization dawning on me simultaneously. "Is he my father?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper. My aunt nodded, tears glistening in her eyes.

"Hmm, that explains why your scent felt familiar," the old man said softly, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Though you've grown, you still carry a hint of your childhood fragrance."

The atmosphere was thick with tension and awkwardness. I was torn between wanting to hug the old man and cry or feeling ashamed for having to meet under such circumstances.

"What happened? Brief me," he commanded, his voice cutting through the silence. The others immediately started recounting the events, while I stayed quiet, as did Theo, who didn't glance at me even once.

When they finished, the old man turned to me. I braced myself, expecting a scolding. Instead, he gently placed his hands on my head. "This isn't Fiora's fault; it's all your fault," he declared.

"Just because she's your daughter doesn't mean you should take her side," Marma said, causing me to hang my head even lower.

"No, Marma. I'm not favouring her because she's my daughter. The seed of mistrust was sown by you all," he countered calmly.

"We? What have we done?" Malay asked, perplexed.

"Were you all involved in her training?" the old man inquired sharply.

"Not directly," Marma admitted, avoiding eye contact. "We just knew she was a magic holder brought up by manipulators."

"So, you didn't even teach her the basics of magic? You neglected to show her how to separate molecules and double them? That's the foundation of elemental magic!" His eyes blazed with intensity as he turned to Aunt Arnica. "Arnica, you call yourself her aunt, yet you didn't even teach her the fundamentals. Her water rope magic is so weak! From what I remember, her strongest elements were fire and water. Are you deliberately keeping her weak?"

"We feared her upbringing among manipulators," Jihan said defensively. "We couldn't predict when she might turn against us."

"Prejudging her based on her background before even giving her a chance? Typical low-minded behaviour," the old man retorted, his words stinging with truth. The group collectively bowed their heads in shame.

"Were you aware of this?" he questioned Samragyi. She shook her head, her eyes filled with disappointment and sadness.

"And you, her so-called mate," he said, turning sharply to Theo. "You're a wolf. How could you not understand that the trust you show in your mate is the trust you'll receive in return? Even if your mate isn't fully aware... you know exactly what I mean," he admonished, his tone dripping with disappointment.

Theo looked away, guilt and regret etched on his face. The old man's words had cut deep, exposing the flaws in their actions and attitudes.

"You all think she's naïve, but she's not. She knew everything but kept quiet because you all never made her feel like part of the community. Why should she have confided in you about anything?" he continued, his voice echoing in the silence that followed.

He then turned to me, his eyes softening. I looked up at him, tears welling in my eyes. I reached out, grasping his hand with both of mine, squeezing it tightly. "I didn't mean to harm anyone. I never thought about it, not even once," I choked out, my voice breaking between sobs.

"I trust you, Fiora. Even if you don't tell me the reason, I trust you," he said, his voice a soothing balm.

"You do?" I asked, my voice trembling with emotion. He nodded, pulling me into a warm embrace, his hands gently caressing my head.

"I do," he whispered, his presence a comforting anchor as my tears flowed freely onto his shoulder.

As my sobs gradually turned into quiet sniffles, I mustered the courage to begin telling my side of the story. The old man's hands gently rested on my head, offering comfort. "If you don't wish to, you don't have to," he said softly.

"I want to," I insisted, my voice wavering with emotion. "I don't want your trust in me to be misplaced." With a deep, shaky breath, I started to recount everything.

"I first encountered her when I returned from the home at the waterfall, the very same day you brought me the veggie spiral. Do you remember sensing something unusual when you arrived?" I asked the old man, my gaze searching his face. He nodded solemnly.

"That was when my suspicion of her first took root. Later, when I learned about Ebon's escape and discovered Samragyi Afna, my thoughts immediately returned to her," I continued, turning to Theo. "Do you recall the day when you learned about the Cipherium at the palace and we went back to my house before you left for work?"

Theo nodded, his brow furrowing in concern.

"That day, inexplicably, I summoned her," I said, struggling to keep my voice steady.

"You summoned her, just like that?" Samragyi's disbelief was palpable.

"Yes," I confirmed, my heart sinking with the weight of the truth. "I was utterly shocked, and so was she. Her every gesture, the way she carried herself—each nuance only deepened my suspicion. In an attempt to unveil the truth, she cast a spell while clasping my hands, enveloping us in a shimmering protective bubble."

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"'Bandhanrahaksh,'" Marma interjected firmly, her voice cutting through the tension.

I stared at her, confusion evident in my eyes. "'Bandhanrahaksh'—or 'Bondalis'—it's a spell designed to reveal the essence of relationships between individuals."

A flicker of understanding lit up my face as I nodded. "When she invoked the spell, I was swept into a vision of a brutal confrontation. I saw a man wielding dark magic, threatening a baby cradled in Aunt's arms. Glamma intervened, surrounding the infant with layers of intricate enchantments before the baby vanished from sight. She later unveiled herself as my fairy godmother, which is why I started calling her Glamma.

Piecing it all together, I realized the baby was me, and the man must have been Ebon. That scene, I surmised, was from the time I was orphaned."

The old man enveloped me in a tight embrace, his voice thick with remorse. "I'm so sorry! I couldn't protect you, my child."

I smiled softly through the bittersweet moment. "I grew up fine, with just a few bumps along the way, but it's all right now. I have you," I reassured him. He returned my smile, still holding me protectively.

I continued, "Seeing her protect me, I trusted her implicitly. She appeared so innocent, like a child herself, fascinated by modern things, playing, and frightened by the unfamiliar. Even if I'd wanted to, I couldn't have suspected her of being Ebon. I believed she must be trapped with Ebon, and with Ebon's freedom, she would be free too."

I glanced around at everyone, noting their sympathetic gazes, except for Miss Ziwa and Zack. I pressed on, "The third time I saw her was when I picked a black moonflower from Miss Ziwa's place and was instantly transported to Glamma's side."

"Wait a moment," my aunt interjected, her eyes widening with alarm. "A black moonflower?"

I nodded, feeling a lump constricting my throat.

Aunt's face clouded with anger as she swiftly seized Miss Ziwa, her voice sharp and commanding. "Who are you?"

Miss Ziwa struggled, gasping for breath. "What are you doing, Arnica?"

Others attempted to intervene, but Samragyi stepped forward, her magic swirling around her in a vivid display as she chanted incantations. A small, black-blue orb was extracted from Miss Ziwa's body, glowing with an eerie silverish-white light that made Samragyi's eyes widen in recognition. With a decisive motion, she shattered the orb.

Miss Ziwa crumpled into Theo's arms, unconscious. "Ziwa... Ziwa..." Theo's voice trembled with anguish as he cradled her. His eyes blazed with a mix of fury and fear as he confronted Samragyi. "What have you done?"

"Calm down, Zack," Samragyi said soothingly, though her voice carried an edge of regret. "She's only unconscious. She'll regain consciousness in about half an hour."

Theo's grip tightened around Miss Ziwa as he glared at Samragyi, his fear and frustration palpable. The tension in the air was almost suffocating, and I could feel the crushing weight of the revelations pressing down on us all.

"I have so many questions," Jihaan said, confusion evident on his face.

"Shoot," Samragyi replied, her smile warm and inviting.

"First of all, what was that?" Jihaan's voice was tinged with curiosity and concern.

"That was the magic known as 'Chaya Dristi' or 'Veil Watcher,'" Samragyi explained, her tone serious. "In essence, she was used as a spy. The young lady is somehow compatible with Ebon, making her a perfect companion. I cast a shield around her, ensuring that no one will be able to exploit her again."

"Does that mean Ebon knew everything that's happened so far?" Mr. Ethan asked, his voice trembling with worry.

"Unfortunately, yes," Samragyi confirmed, then turned her gaze back to Jihaan.

"That explains why Ebon was so calm when we summoned it," Ruup said, her voice reflecting understanding. Aunt nodded in agreement.

"When 'Bandhanrahaksh' was cast, how was she able to see across the veil? I've learned that only the caster can see such connections," Jihaan said, his forehead creased in thought.

"She's a master of the five elements. There are many exceptions with that kind of element holder, We are not aware of the full potential of 'Panch Tatv Dharak' (five-element holder)," Marma responded.

"That clears up most of my questions," Jihaan said, though his eyes still held a trace of uncertainty. The others turned to look at me, their faces a mix of fear and guilt.

I glanced at Theo, who sat beside Miss Ziwa, now resting on a water bed created by Aunt. His eyes met mine briefly before he averted his gaze. I couldn't decipher his expression, but the way he was ignoring me felt like a knife to my heart.

Malay broke the silence, "What happened next? Why did you decide to help her?"

Before I could begin, Samragyi interjected. "Stop," she commanded, her voice firm. She scanned the entire palace with her magic, erecting a barrier around the room. "Now, continue."

I steadied myself and resumed. "The third time I met her was in a cave. She complained of feeling suffocated, so we went to the waterfall. Before that, she picked brine berries and some other fruits. When I touched her hand, it was colder than ice, and for a brief moment, I saw her burning in black and blue flames. My suspicions deepened."

"So, I confronted her. She revealed who she was and how many others are there within Ebon."

"She told you directly?" Mr. Ethan's voice was filled with disbelief.

I nodded. "She did."

"Why would she reveal that to you so openly? Unless she's incredibly naïve," he questioned again.

I paused, considering his words. "She also mentioned she wanted to leave this world but couldn't."

Everyone fell into deep contemplation. "Is she seeking our help?" the old man asked, his voice filled with concern.

"Baba," I said, feeling my emotions rise. My father's eyes shone with a violet light, tears welling up and shimmering invisibly. "Yes," I continued, "Maybe, she is," I said with sadness

My father's voice trembled. "My child," he whispered, his emotions raw.

"Do you not hate Ebon?" I asked softly.

With a stern expression, he replied, "I did, for taking away my wife and child. But it protected me, and now I know it protected you as well. I have mixed feelings... I want to understand why there are two extremes within Ebon."

"But why did you help her?" I asked my father, my voice filled with desperation.

"When I learned she was a part of Ebon, I was shattered," I began, my voice wavering with the weight of the memory. "I came home, hoping to confide in Zack. I wanted to tell him everything, but I feared he wouldn't believe me. I was terrified he would accuse me of betrayal. So, I chose to investigate on my own."

I turned to Theo, my eyes pleading for understanding. His face remained a mask of indifference, deepening the ache in my heart. Taking a deep breath, I continued, "Later that day, as I slept, I was teleported to a place where I was projected as a hologram and Glamma was killing mercilessly. I tried to intervene, but my efforts were in vain. In a frantic search for a way to stop her, I discovered two dried and dead men and a woman lying naked on a bed, bearing the marks of unspeakable atrocities. My blood boiled with rage and sorrow. I refocused on Zack and returned back to my place.

Earlier, In the cave, when I saw her screaming and trying to break free from the bubble, I knew something was terribly wrong. I couldn't bear the thought of another tragedy unfolding. If I didn't act, we might face another heartbreaking headline," I said, my voice breaking as I spoke. My head hung low, the weight of my choices heavy on my shoulders.

"I know I made mistakes. But I didn't want any more innocent lives to suffer. No woman on this planet should endure such horrors, especially not in this era where such things should have no place."

The room fell silent, the gravity of my confession sinking in. I looked around at the faces of those present, their expressions a mix of shock, empathy, and contemplation.

"You're naive, Fiora," Samragyi's voice cut through the room like a knife. Her eyes were filled with both pity and frustration. "I truly sympathize with you for the two women within Ebon, but the real issue is the third entity—the man inside Ebon. He's none other than Samragyi Ina's brother-in-law, whom she thought she had destroyed, But he survived and has learned to fee off the agony of others. He was overconfident in the cave and confessed it himself."

"That explains his immense strength," Mr. Ethan said, piecing it all together. "He's been drawing power from the suffering of both women."

Samragyi nodded solemnly. "Marcus, how did you learn about the chaos, and how did you manage to come here?"

"That Ebon isn't just wreaking havoc on shapeshifters and magic holders—it's targeting manipulators as well. There's widespread chaos in that world. As for how I got here, Arna granted me a fragment of her magic, which allows me to travel between realms. Even after..." His voice trailed off, and he lowered his head. I hugged him tightly, and he embraced me in return, our silent communication conveying everything words could not.

"Does this mean we don't have a way to destroy it completely?" Ruup asked, her voice quivering with worry.

"There is a way," Samragyi said, her tone firm. "If we can sever its connection to the outside world and neutralize the energy it has accumulated, we might be able to free the two trapped spirits."

"What about her motive?" I asked urgently.

"Motive,.. What motive...,?" Samragyi's voice rose sharply. "My priority is to protect my people, not to delve into her motives."

"Amba," Zack's voice was stern yet calming. "Stay composed."

"But how will we isolate Ebon?" My father's voice was laced with concern.

"Sapt-Shastra," Malay answered with a hint of hope.

"But we're stuck," Jihan said, his frustration evident.

"I can help," I said softly. The room fell silent as everyone turned to me, their expressions sceptical.

"I might have been raised among manipulators," I continued, meeting their gazes with determination, "but I understand right from wrong." Guilt flashed across their faces, and they looked away.

Samragyi cleared her throat and said, "Alright. Let's call it a day. Rest and regain your strength. We'll reconvene the day after tomorrow."

Everyone agreed and began to leave the room. Zack carefully carried Ziwa, who lay unconscious on the water bed created by my aunt. My father took my hand firmly and said, "You're coming with me."

Before I could protest, Zack intervened. "No, she's coming with me."

"No, young man," my father retorted, his voice firm, "until you understand what it means to be a proper mate, she'll stay with me. I'll teach her how to reject a mate if necessary."

Before I could interject, Zack growled, and my father's growl responded in kind.

Desperately, I stepped in. "Baba, I have a house in Zack's territory. I'm comfortable there and have a lot of work and my belongings to manage. Please, stay with me." I looked at him with pleading eyes, hoping to sway his decision.

He sighed heavily but relented, his tone still stern. "Fine. But remember, stay away from my daughter," he said, turning his gaze to Zack with a warning.

I looked at Zack, who met my gaze with a soft, almost apologetic expression. For the first time, his eyes revealed a hint of emotion. It was a small, but significant, comfort amidst the turmoil.

With that, we parted ways, heading towards our separate destinations, each carrying the weight of what was yet to come

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A/N

Word count:- 3100

Hello, my lovely readers, I hope you all are doing well

Here, is the 42nd chapter of my book

I hope you all liked it and have a great day ahead

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Date:- 31/07/2024