General pov

        After the day with everyone Adrika was tired and genuinely confused. She loved Mads yet was she really ready. And was it really a time for this this while all these things happening around her. Her son was with her, her brother was with her, she was in her family home with her parents, there was a threat upon all the things that she loved yet being with Mads seemed so right, so pure. She wasn't ready to decide right now after the game she left before everyone came back to sit down. She told Emerald that she would go and have some rest so that no one would bother her, but really, she just wandered around the castle and found the study room of her father. Obviously, it's familiar to her but she was in there very few times growing up. Her father's study was really a forbidden place for her. This was the place where his father disappeared to get rid of her in her mind of course this is what hell her teenage mind told her. This time she took a deep look around the room. There are several pictures around. Of her. Her parents. Mads. And all the people around her parents. She found an album of her parent's charity event pictures. Going through all the pictures she realized how misunderstood her parents were for her and people she explained to about them. They were making sure to keep the world a better place for everyone and all she did was complain and whine.

"Adrika! What are you doing here Honey?" Suryavir asked. Adrika didn't turn. She let her father came to her. It was a picture she was holding. Suryavir smiled at the pictures.

"I loved this picture of you and Mumma. You guys look happy here. This one should be in the living room instead of that hideous portrait."

"Classic Adri! Hating everything traditional."

"Classic Dad! Always a stuck up."

"Hy...! That's no way to rain on your Oldman's parade. God, I missed you darling." Suryavir said hugging Adrika.

"I missed you too Dad."

"I know baby... speaking of portraits. Don't you think it's about time you and your husbands should be there next to your kin." Adrika looked up in her father's embrace.

"You are my kin, Dad. You and Mumma. No one else. Those pictures are fictional as long as I'm concerned. The woman I thought my grandmother was a witch you two had to keep an eye on me."

"I know... But I thought it would be nice to have a family tradition. To ensure the stability among our lives. To have a normal relationship. Having ice cream together while we talk about utter nonsense."

"Dad... We are not normal. Nothing about us is normal. You are a zauberior, which is a freakishly powerful wizard. I'm the prakritikanya who apparently can travel among dimensions. Mumma is a witch by the way. I'm being hunted by an evil immortal of a story which was supposed to be mythology turned to be history, because he once killed me and somehow that was my fault. Tell me which aspect of our life is normal." Adrika tried to sum up the complicated life she was having right then. Suryavir smiled to shock her.

"That you are my daughter. That's the thing which is normal. After everything you are my little girl. And we need a stability in your life. We are the constant. We told you. I just want you to have something good while thinking about your dad. Your sons were great fighters, but do you remember them in war or as boys doing mischief and eating a lot of food? I want that for me."

"Mint and chocolate chip."

"What?"

"Ice cream. I like mint and chocolate chip."

        An hour later the enormous tub of ice cream was half filled and both father daughter were lazily talking away. Suryavir was sitting on the floor against the sofa while Adrika was laying on the floor with her head on her father's lap.

"So, you are saying you have a son who's the master of fire and wind, A princess of a daughter who is the soul of the kingdom, a magical child who was born with knowledge from her mother's womb, yet you would have chosen Prativindhya as your successor to the throne of Island?" Suryavir asked.

"Definitely. If I had thought about it at that time, I would have announced it before my death. Among the four he was the one who was absolutely ready for the throne a kingdom like Island at the time of my death. He was thoughtful, righteous, mature, and kind. He was an able prince. A devoted son. And most of all he was a true leader. Vri was too emotional. Aadi and Abhi were warriors. They had little to no wimp about how to rule. But Prithvi was just born to rule you know." Adrika said.

"But later they became great rulers."

"Oh, they must have. I'm talking about the time of my death. They all were bright young people. With training they must have become great rulers. Not just the four but the other three too. At that time Prithvi was the only one I could see on my seat. He was connected to Island and its people the most. More importantly he understood our ways and how things operate there. The logistics and trades that not even Aadi and Vriti showed any interest of learning, he did."

"Srutakarma and Srutasen were too young. But I don't think Sutosom was. He was similar age group as Prativindhya right."

"Yah two years gap. He was also in his 20s during the war. But he didn't wish to get the kingdom. In the contrary he thought the responsibility of a kingdom is restrictive towards freewill."

"Did he now?"

"Oh yah. He always said how much he hated the fate chosen for Prativindhya as the eldest. That Prithvi was expected to take over the kingdom if any of the other brothers don't want it. He was a free spirit, my Som was. I liked to believe he persuaded medicine after me. He had potential to be the greatest potionist. Like his uncles."

"I cannot support or deny that statement."

"I know the rules of astral travel Dad. You don't have to... Umm... Dad... you cannot tell me anything important but.."

"What's on your mind Adri?"

"Dad, can you tell me about my children's personal life?"

"OfCourse... I can give out some information. I need you to know all but one of your children married. And they married so well. Your children are precious Honey but the spouses they choose were level up them."

"Oh... It's such a relief to know they did well in thei... wait who didn't got married?. Was it Aadi?it's Aadi.. was not it? I always knew this boy won't even let me stay dead peacefully. I will be rolling in grave because of this one."

"You can believe what you like dear, but you won't guess in million years how their spouses were like or how their adult life turned out to be. Maybe they were the same, maybe they were completely different than their younger selves. I cannot say."

"Huh... I guess you are right... Anhh.. I still believe it's Aadi. Arrogant idiot."

"You made me change our topic of discussion. We were talking about the portrait. I still think as both of you are here. It's a good idea."

"Dad... Sky and I aren't husband and wife right now. He isn't Nakul. My soul must have been free to choose another, but I cannot deny the fact that I'm not married."

"So, it is about Maddy."

"I don't wanna hurt him." 

"do you love him?"

"yes, of course I do. But that's not the point Dad.  Its that.... things is been complicated. i dont know how should i feel about him. He is my longest companion except for Nakul. But its Nakul that i married. As much i love Mads, I somehow still feel like Im not completly detached from Nakul yet. Is it wrong for me to love Mads?"

"Oh No darling. Gods.. no. Your love is not wrong. Neither is your feelings that you are still connected to Nakul. Adri tell me, you lived a life in a time tesseract. You travelled here and been dealing with the disturbance in the flow of time and space yet how much do you actually know about astral travel or the space time continuum?" Adrika sat up to look at her father.

"Not much."

"My thought precisely. We don't have enough time for me to explain the intricacies of Astral world of time, but let me tell you that what you are doing here is not normal. You are not supposed to be here. You are taking the place of Adrika that is Sky's wife. So in this world and in only this world you can have Maddy. Or Dristadyumn if you like to call him. In no possibility in this whole existence other than this perticular time and world you and him can be together."

"So loving him is not wrong but why you are saying it like our relationship is a constant."

"Because it is. Adri, there is a lot of things that you still don't know. I know some. Krishn knows a lot more. He didn't tell you because it's easier for him to control you if you don't know certain things. After all it's all his doings."

"What do you know?"

"You are not going to question the notion that he hides things from you. How he have such dominion over you?"

"It's called devotion Dad. I tried living and doing things without him and his guidance. It's simply not possible for me. He has been in my life, giving directions all my life. This is how it supposed to be. I have learnt not to question his intentions. I can definitely question his ways but if he isn't telling me something I better not knowing. And I know you are testing me. I know you are more loyal to him than me. If you are satisfied can you tell me now? I need to know about my relationship with Maddy for my own mental stability."

"Ok. If it's that much important to you then listen, a travel in space and time is not for everyone. No one can make it. Not even Krishn. Certain people can do that. Special people. People with powers. Most people's mind just turn into mush if they are subjected to the level of complexity that accompanies this travel. You are doing it because you are special. Sam and Dean are doing it because they are too. But you and them are not same. The travel accompanies with some fate. Fate of someone like the Winchesters are being a tool for a cause. Here the cause is helping you."

"What's my fate then?"

"You my darling is a person not a tool. You are supposed to live that time and world. Like you did in Mahabharat."

"Why something tells me you are not finished."

" Because I'm not. Adri human body and soul are bonded. You know that. But do you know what binds them? The elements of Nature. Every human being has one element that they are connected to. People usually are not aware of this. They don't go that deep in their own mind to recognise this bond. But these elements impact their life. Usually you can see it in their hobbies and professions. A man of Earth usually becomes a farmer, archeologist or at the very least likes gardening, pottery. Someone with water likes to swim or sail. So on and so forth. This also impact their choice of mates. People are attracted to the similar core elements. But you my daughter have all five of them... Adri.. in all possible worlds, in any given time, there are five men you could choose as your soulmate."

"What?"

"Five soulmates. Yes honey. Every reality has one you marry, one you love, one that loves you, one that you trust and one eternal friend. You could choose any one of them as per your heart."

"Oh my God.. that means Dristadyumn is..."

"Your soulmate but... He wasn't the one you supposed to marry. He is the one you love. But can't have. The power of fire. Nakul was Earth. You choose a good one there Dear."

"Dad .. how can you be so casual after dropping a nuclear bomb on me like that... So I could have ended up with not only him but 3 others as well. How does this work?"

"Well you know who these four men are?"

"Let's see. Jyesth, Bhrata Bhim and Parth are out of the list. All of them are my brothers. Parth is a friend but ew.. definitely not him. Eternal friend and trusted companions... Oh ....oh.. God... I'm going to be sick. It's... "

"Sahadev and Karn?"

"One is like a son and another I is brother alike."

" Your choice of Nakul dictated the other four's relationship with you. So what you feel about them are completely normal. But if you choose anyone apart from Nakul then he would have been a friend or the most trusted companion. It's just about the timing and emotions."

"My mind is going to explode if I think anymore about this. But thank you Dad. I have been restricting myself about Mads and what you said really helped. I would appreciate if we don't say a word about this to Bhrata Krishn or anyone of that matter."

"Ofcourse Darling. Now it's late why don't you go and get some rest. It will be a long day tomorrow and night."

      Adrika looked up to her father and thought why she never tried to understand the man before. He was such an easy person to talk to and withholding immense knowledge could have made things easier for her.

"There is no point dueling in the past Adri. Try to forget our sour relationship back then." Suryavir said almost like reading her mind.

"I will always regret everything I did. I will regret all the calls, texts, e-mail, letters and every other ways that you tried to reach out to me. But you are right about not living in the past. Coming back home was the best decision I have ever made. I'm happy to finally have functioning relationship with you Dad."

            Adrika said before leaving. Suryavir kept looking at the retrieving figure of his daughter then he stood up and without diverting his gaze from the door Adrika walked out he said

"How long you are going to be in the shadows? Come out now Krishn." Krishn walked out of one corner to stand next to him. Two men looked the same direction.

"You were extremely convincing Kakashree. You were almost as good as I am."

"Do you think she bought it?"

"I do. She will be contained for now."

"You kept it from her for all this time. Why are you telling her things now."

"Sometimes giving out controlled information is better that none at all. We are on a path where she will face some truth. If she thinks I'm not telling her something she will rebel against me to learn it. But by giving out controlled information I'm ensuring it keep her in the illusion of knowledge."

"That's why you wanted me to tell her instead of you."

"Ofcourse. Juro knows things that are supposed to be between me and my sister. He will use that information to confuse her. I cannot afford her doubting me in any way."

"She doesn't. She is devoted to you with all her heart."

"Let's just hope you figure out how to kill the immortal."

"Have I ever failed you?"

"No. And I'm sure you are not planning on starting now."

         Everyone had relaxed dinner that night with their companions. Adrika needed time to explain her stand to Mads so they had a beautiful candle night dinner at the balcony of the princess' room. Leo and Emma however went out for dinner to spend some much needed quality time with each other that they were putting off for some time because of the chaos going on. Aadi was with Sam and Dean for dinner because as always he was way too fascinated by their stories and Dean's way of narrating stories. Sky joined them as well and had his share of information about the ultra modem world they were living in. No of them seen Adrika's parents as they were expected to spend time preparing for next day's ritual. They never seen Krishn as well. Sam's considerate invitation to join them was met with polite refusal as he said he had some important work to attend in the city. The next day Adrika and Aadi went in the city to explore with Sam and Dean. They bought some warrior outfits which came with various magical sheilds and weapons. The boys thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Dean kept asking if the expense cards have limits because he had so many things he wanted to buy. Adrika assured him everything he wanted he could get because her father was paying for everything anyway. Although the bad air between everyone and Sky has been cleared but still the brothers were not very comfortable spending his money. Adrika's father however is a whole different case. He has an aura of superiority and protection at the same time which means everyone could easily accept him as a father figure very quick. After a shopping spree of weapons, magical herbs, rare ingredients used in various spells and talismans they had a great meal and snacks before returning home around sunset. Leo informed them that Nivedita had asked him to get everyone ready for the ritual in few hours. For which they all went to the astronomy hall. Krishn was already there helping the couple.

"Ah... Behna.. right.. come here. We need some of your blood as the last ingredient." Krishn said nonchalantly. Adrika didn't question it and went ahead with slicing her palm with the knife handed by her brother. Dean and Sam gave each other a look.

"Krishn had been helping us gathering the ingredients. I think we are ready." Nivedita said.

"How long it will take?" Sam asked.

"Not that we got some awesome guns we can't wait to try.. just out of curiosity. How long it would take." Dean unsuccessfully tried to clear Sam's question.

"For an extremely rare and complicated spell it's fairly quick." Nivedita said.

"Ok so should we start?"

       Krishn said looking at Suryavir who nodded before taking off his shirt. His whole upper body was inked in a specific manner. It looked like some sigels.

"When did you have tattoos?" Adrika asked.

"Since for ever. For things we do, we need protection. These are my real shields." Suryavir replied.

"The man warned me not to get a tattoo." Adrika said in disbelief. Dean scoffed.

"We still need one of you to participate." Nivedita said.

"I'm more than ready." Leo said almost immediately.

"You can't." Krishn said.

"Why?" Leo asked in confusion.

"First you are a wizard then you need to be available if anything goes wrong to pull me out. Nivedita can't handle that alone." Suryavir said sitting in the marked circle.

"We need a human." Nivedita said.

"Great. I'm game." Dean said.

"Though I appreciate your enthusiasm but Adri informed me you and Sam both been in hell. So your souls are scared. We need a pure one. Mads is a werewolf. Sky and Aadi are connected to nature so in a way they both are not pure humans." Nivedita said before looking at Emma. "Come on Darling."

"But why do you need her?" Adrika asked.

"The way to another dimension is through portals. In our world there are several places where the veil between two dimensions are thin that can be used as portal. But using the natural portals can be risky. We need a portal that we can control. Mirrors are used for portals in witchcraft for ages. So we need Emrald to hold this mirror that keep the portal open." Nivedita explained.

"To go into the infernal safely we need to travel through the astral world. We don't have a soul, your mother and me. Only humans can go into astral world. So Emerald will travel with me. Or you can say I will accompany her soul into the astral world. And conjur the witch to our physical plane in my body. Then you can interrogate her into giving us Answers. Emrald are you ready?" Suryavir said.

"I'm." Emma said and sat infront of him. Nivedita gave her the antique looking mirror. "Question.. what will happen to me?"

"You will see some very disturbing things. Some dark entities. Whatever happens don't let the mirror fall. Just remember that they can not touch you." Nivedita adviced her.

        Emma looked terrified but she was determined to do this. They started the ritual and at the end the mirror looked like it was reflecting something foggy. Suryavir looked at Emma and said

"Are you ready Emerald?"

"Ahan.. you will be with me right?" Emma asked him.

"Always dear. I will be right beside you. I won't let anything happen to you. But you have to keep the mirror steady. Do you understand me Honey?"  Suryavir said.

         Emma nodded and before anyone could utter anything both of their eyes rolled back. With sync their head shot back then forward with chins on thorat. Suddenly they both looked up directly to each other.

"Is this all real?" Emma asked. They all could understand she wasn't seeing the real physical world at that time. "Why it's so dark?"

"Emerald we need to go... Before you loose your mind... Find the door woman... Fast." Suryavir said.

"Oh..my.. what are those...ahhhhhh...." Emma yelled. Leo almost ran to her but caught by Krishn.

"Don't touch her now." Krishn whispered to him.
"But.." Leo tried but cut off by Krishn.
"No.. just listen to me. No one can touch her now. Her soul is not in her body. If the spell broke it won't getting back in her body ever. Do you get me?
"Yes"

"Maa... Just ignore them. Whatever those are.. just ignore and make grandpa cross over. Faster." Aadi said in a calm voice.

"Ok... Ahhh... They are so many... Aadi he said he will kill me... He will kill me.."  Emma yelled.

"Look to your side... Grandpa is right there. He can protect you. And remember they can touch you until you are still connected to the physical realm. But if you stay there longer they can break the connection. So hurry up... Maa..." Aadi tried to calm her.

"Yes.." Emma said.
"Hurry up.."
"Ok... Mr.Chouhan.. sir..how does this door looks like?" Emma said trembling tone.

"You will know. It will be something from your memories." Suryavir said. After a five second pause. Which seem five hours to them Emma said,

"Is this it?"

"A half painted door? Ok..now..Go.. Back." Suryavir said and like a snap of the fingers Emma took a breath in like waking up from a nightmare.

"Emma.. are you ok?"Adrika asked.

"It was horrible Ree.. I don't wanna go back."

"How did you know what to do in the spirit sky thingy...?" Dean asked Aadi.

"We roam in Astral realm quite often. Mumma taught me and Vriti when we were toddlers. It's the only way to control the elements we inherited from her. We are not supposed to have powers so to control them we needed to be absolute control over ourselves. Both in the physical and astral world." Aadi answered calmly. Suddenly Suryavir looked up too. His eyes went everywhere before stopping on Nivedita.

"You... You made my life a living hell and after that you have the audacity to summon me after the dirty pathetic death I got." He sneered.

"Yup.. that's Elezabeth alright. Hello bitch... Having fun in the infernal you so wanted to go?" Nivedita said.

"You wretched old hag! You and this oh so mighty husband of yours made my life miserable." The witch said.

"Don't give us credit darling you did that yourself."  Nivedita said sitting down which was a clear indication that this conversation was going to be long.

"You banned me from every institution on this face of the earth. You restricted my practice to just silly incantation and potion making. You even banned me from forming a coven." Witch yelled.

"After you stole books from my library and killed three poor witches who were stupid enough to join your coven." Nivedita said making the witch growl at her. "Look Elizabeth, I'm here to offer you an one time only deal. You will be out of infernal in exchange of some answers."

"About what?" She asked.

"How to kill the immortal?" Nivedita asked.

"They are around? I didn't know. Who is it?"

"Non of your concern. Now is there any way?"

"Oh.. come on Nivedita. How can I say without knowing who that is?"

"Nice try. Just give me the riddle."

"Riddle... What riddle?" Adrika suddenly asked.

"What kind of witches you have started taking in your coven? Every magical being has a death riddle. If you want to kill them, you have to solve the riddle." The witch replied.

"Elizabeth.. the riddle now.. please." Nivedita said frustrated.

"Fine.. but first you. Tell me how to be free from that hell hole."

"You are here in this plane. After you answer me, I will smash the mirror. You will be free."

"Do you promise that?"

"I do."

"Ok. Killing the immortal, the weapon you need that once has his heart bleed on."

"What kind of riddle is that?" Dean asked. "If his hear bleed on something that means that would kill him. But he isn't dead so there is no weapon like that."

"Hy I didn't made the riddle. Just the messanger here. Now Nivedita be a good girl and smash that mirror."

"We aren't letting her go right Nani?" Aadi asked.

"She promised me. In magical world, words are power kid."

"Drop the mirror Emerald."

          Nivedita said and when Emma's eyes went to Krishn he also nodded in agreement. So she dropped the mirror and it was broken into pieces. The witch got out of Suryavir who was thrown back by the force. Nivedita ran to her husband and rest of them ran to Emma who also was thrown back. After some rest and change in place Suryavir asked

"So what was it?"

"A bloody impossible riddle." Leo answered.

"Nothing is impossible. Lay it on." He said.

"A weapon on which his heart once bled." Sam said.

"That is bloody tricky. How would someone find something like that?" Suryavir retorted.

"Aren't we thinking way too straight forward?" Adrika said "it's a riddle after all. There has to be something hidden."

"What if the Heart isn't his anatomical heart?" Krishn gave in.

"It's a person." Sky said. "We always say the person that we love is our heart."

"That's right. But who that is?" Dean asked. "Acton?"

"No. Deeper. His father or mother." Sam contradict his brother.

"I did cut his head off. No weapon pierced Dronacharya's heart." Mads said.

"पिता शिरः इति मन्यते। प्रियसि हृदयम् अस्ति।" Krishn said. All those cloud understand looked up to him

"What he said?" Dean asked.

"Father is considered as the head. Priyashi... The woman you love is the heart." Adrika said.

"Is that you.. are you the heart?" Sky asked. Adrika just looked away before saying

"He did put a dagger in my heart."

"Can that be the weapon?" Emma asked.

"If it's stored then most probably yes." Krishn said. And with that they all looked at Aadi.

"Yes. It is." Aadi said. He looked at Adrika before clearing his throat, "Jyesth Bhrata Prativindhya wanted it disposed so that no memoribilia of Mumma's death should be around. Subhadra Maasi didn't allowed it. Jyesth had a huge argument with Subhadra Maasi over this. Maasi won. But Jyesth had one condition. That it should stay isolated and away from the city. It's stored in a cave near soul stream."

"I'm sorry I didn't understand the single syllable he just autured. Where is that weapon?" Dean asked.

"It's in Island Dean. We are going to the heart of this world. The Island." Krishn said.

       Everyone stopped for a while. Adrika just sat down on the nearest sofa. Her head was spinning. She was moving again. And that too in the direction of The Island.

Hi guys...
Happy New year
May this year goes as beautiful as our dreams

Do tell me how this was.
I'm waiting for the votes and comments.

Love
Pragyna