Laxita's POV

It has been over a month since I left Vijay Nagar. Thankfully, no one has followed me. So, nobody knows where I am. It was thrilling and scary at the same time. I wonder what everyone's doing....

I had stopped at inns or dormitories in various cities, towns and villages for the nights. It has been a really fulfilling journey. I have met so many people. Everything was so exciting. This journey was kind of liberating.

I decided to take the shorter route to Soma Sangha which goes through the Vajra mountain range. But now, I think that I have lost my way. I haven't seen a single settlement in the last few days. The mountains get really scary at night. Not to mention it was very risky. Also, my food supplies are about to finish so I have to find my destination or a village, whichever comes first.

I want to ask someone for the way because I am kind of lost. And to my utter dismay, I can't find anyone. It's just my luck. There were miles and miles of forests on these vast mountains. At least, the views were scenic. I was following the river so I might reach somewhere soon enough. I was so glad that it was not the winter season otherwise I would have frozen to death. The nights were really cold here.

The lake Somtal was visible now. It was so beautiful and majestic. So, the association has to be near here somewhere. But why can't I find the entrance?

It was late afternoon, when I was roaming the forests with Megh when I saw 2 people approaching me. Not people, children. They looked quite young, hardly 7-8 years old. There was a boy and a girl. It seemed as if they were twins. Thinking that they would help me, I got down from Megh and decided to stay rooted in my place.

As soon as they approached me, I asked, "Hello kids. Can you please tell me the way to Soma Sangha?"

"Firstly, we are not kids. And secondly, why do you want to know the way to Soma Sangha?" The boy asked.

I smiled. Kids don't like to be called kids.

"Sorry if I offended you, but I have to go there as I have to meet someone. It's really urgent and I am already behind schedule. So, I would really appreciate it if you could take me there."

"We can take you there. But who do you want to meet? We know quite a few people over there," the girl said.

"Oh! That's wonderful. How do you the people there? Are you two mages?"

Many kids start their training early if they have sufficient magical powers. If they were mages then the association should be nearby. I couldn't believe I bumped into mages!

The boy said, "We won't answer that question. Just tell us who do you want to meet?"

Hmmm. They are quite arrogant. But figured. Since they are already mages in training then they must have been really talented.

"There might be a person named Shobha over there...Can you take me to her, please?"

They looked at each other and then seemed alerted. Have I taken a name that I shouldn't have?

"Who are you? And why do you want to meet her?" The boy looked wary.

As soon as I took her name, they became wary. They immediately summoned their powers. Who was my aunt to them?

"I assure you I am not a bad person. I just want to meet her once-"

"That seems even more suspicious," the girl said.

"That's right. Let's catch her!!" Her brother suggested.

"What?! No, please just listen to me-"

Before I could say anything. They used their magic on me and suddenly I was tied with magical ropes.

"Why have you tied me up? I have no intention to harm anyone!"

"Your motives are highly suspicious. Guess what? You are coming with us. The higher ups will decide what to do with you," he declared.

They were not listening to me. The boy took Megh's reins and started walking in front of me and the girl was walking behind me. My sword was on Megh's back and I couldn't even reach it. Since, the girl was closer to me, I decided to convince her.

"Suno, mera koi irada nahi hai kuch bhi galat karne ka, mujhe jaane do..."

(Listen, I have no intention of doing anything wrong, let me go...")

"You are not trustworthy. If you are not from the association, why do you know her name? Also, we have never seen you before. So, whether you are innocent or not, you are coming with us"

I guess it's final then. I have no other option but to follow them. They are leading me to my destination anyway so I should quietly follow them.

"Can I ask you something else?"

"What is it?"

"This person, Shobha....What does she do at the organization? You can tell me at least this much..."

She sighed and said, "The person you are talking about is a teacher at the association."

Wow, I never imagined that. I will keep this interesting piece of information to myself.

We walked for a bit and then we stopped. Have we arrived? Where was the association? All I can see was mountains and forests.

Suddenly, the earth started shaking? Was this an earthquake? What's happening? And then I saw the door which had appeared. The door was hidden by magic. I was quite close to my destination but I never would have been able to enter it without the help of mages. Fascinating....

We went inside the door and as soon as we entered....My first thoughts were - was I in heaven? No such place can be this beautiful. It was magical, it was mystical, it was beautiful...I think I already mentioned that and I was officially out of words. Just wow. I was sure that my eyes are wide opened and my jaw was dropped.

"Welcome to Soma Sangha. Although, I am not sure if this would be a pleasant visit for you", he snickered. Cheeky little kid.

I was led to what I thought was the main hall. There were quite a few mages and everyone was staring at us. Well, this was not the way I thought would be first appearance at the association. I am looking like a wanted criminal with these ropes.

The halls were huge and seemed magical. Everything here screamed magic. Oh, how much I was already in love with this place.

And then my eyes fell on a woman. She looked strangely similar to someone I knew. I just can't place her. Wait, she looks like my mother...Is that my aunt?! She has to be. She looked similar to my mother and she seemed to be the same age as my mother...Maa had a twin sister and she might be standing in front of me.

She came towards us and said, "Children, who have you brought? I told you many times that you shouldn't wander alone-"

She stopped talking and then looked at me. She stared for a good long while. And then tears welled up in her eyes. A lone tear slipped from her eyes. Is she alright? Did she recognize me?

"Laxita....Are you Laxita?"

"Do you know me?"

"You are asking me if I know you? Oh dear!"

She wiped her tears and now even the children looked visibly confused.

"I am your aunt. Although, I doubt that you remember me. How come that you are here? And, why are you tied up? Unless....Children, release her this instant!!!"

And then my ropes disappeared suddenly. Magic really is fascinating. It has started to amaze me more and more. Will I ever be able to learn it? And also, she recognized me. My aunt knew about me. It seemed that my journey was successful. I thought I was safe now.

"How are you dear? I am so sorry for my children's behaviour. They are usually not like this....Children apologize to her right now."

"No, it's quite alright. I am fine. They mistook me for someone else. Also, your kids are quite adorable...."

Did she just say her children? HER CHILDREN? Are they my cousins? These two?!

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Hello Lovelies❣️

The story is taking an interesting turn. Laxita has found her extended family which she never knew existed. What will be her next steps?

Keep on reading....😄