Christopher waking up after a deep slumber.
Having a strange dream of Astra being in trouble made him startled. He woke up panting.
"Da fawk! That was a strange dream for real. Why did I even dream about her in the first place" he wondered whilst slapping his face. "What is wrong with me? She is the first human ever who arrived in my dream." Frowning he shuddered his head.
He felt strange being around her. He couldn't discern the connection he had with her. Christopher, a cheeky persona living all alone in his tower after his master disappeared. He was traumatized to see his puissant Master being so vulnerable and helpless after loving a human and losing his whole family over time. He could still remember his face when he sat impotent on his own child's funeral.
Flashback
"Old hog why yo looking so pale. I'm sure you could have turned them into immortal too. Why da fawk you even fall in love when you weren't able to handle the future?" Just look at you what have you done to yourself.
Christopher remembers speaking pertly with his master when he was at his lowest. Deep down he felt deeply sorry!
"Life is inevitable, Lucas and we can't do anything!" with a deep hoarse voice his master replied.
"Bullshit! Stop sprouting crap here! I'm leaving. I know you are capable of bringing down an empire down but still made a fool of yourself. Come back to the tower when you're done wailing on the shit you made. Goodbye!" He seethed, his tongue dripping venom.
Flashback ends
Recollecting that day, he never would have imagined that it was the last time he's gonna see his master. He bid his last goodbye! Since then Lucas froze his heart, so he could always make rational decisions.
After teleporting for a while, Christopher opened many dimensions doors. Christopher was fortunate enough to fall into other dimensions but could able to travel back to it's origin place. Seldom anyone can return back after falling into spontaneous dimensions. In the back of his mind, he always thought if he could find his master in any dimension. But it's been years and yet they haven't crossed paths till now.
From time to time, Christopher has to travel to another dimension to find the Life Tree and its fruit to replenish his mana.
One fine evening after dealing and analyzing Astra's mana he realized that he can become more stronger than before cause he can easily absorb the excess mana from Astra.
After contemplating for a while he decided to find access to the most mystic and supernatural place called "hallelujah mountains" where he can absorb and take elixir's power and products for making of the elixirs in abundance.
Even though he was already struggling to find the traces but he found the trail where he could accumulate Astra's excess mana and travel the spontaneous dimensions.
Christopher thought to adopt the excess mana from Astra but later he decided that he would do things in his own way without anyone's help.
*********************
Astra was still in her room for an entire day without talking to anyone and she didn't even reach out to have lunch or dinner on the table with Elihom.
Looking at her current state, Diana's heart clenched with pain. Her motherly affection towards her tried to request Astra to take care of herself.
"My lovely princess, please get up and freshen yourself and eat something. We all love you a lot....
"Please leave me alone Diana!" replied Astra in a distant tone.
"But you haven't eaten or dressed yourself yet. Please don't mind his majesty he cares for.....
"I said LEAVE ME ALONE!" screeched Astra leaving Diana startled and heartbroken.
"Ok! Let me know if you need something."
Running down the passage, Robane hurried towards Astra with a letter in his hand. Barging in her room, he thought his letter would help Astra to lighten her mood.
"Princess, Princess please get up there's a letter for you."
Disinterested, Astra still remain inside her quilt.
"Keep that on the table and leave."
"But this is the letter from Christopher. It's with your name on it."
Robane walked towards Astra's bed and left the letter just beside her. Before he could even leave she already started opening the letter. He knew Christopher could help Astra but he didn't expect the tables to turn!
Astra began reading the letter out loud.
"Yo Astra, I really wanna apologize for not continuing with our training because I've urgent matters to deal with. There's some anomaly detected in my transmigration and I gotta fix that. And also imma be on my journey to 'hallelujah mountains' and I hope you know about that mystic place.
But still, if you don't know it's the utmost and quite possibly, the best mystic divine place for a magician to ever have. There's a giant willow-like tree that is said to be the closest connection to every mystic soul ties. Its extreme spiritual significance bears some fruits which everyone strives for but not everyone can get it! I've been trying to get it twice before but I have failed every time. It works as a way for that tree to directly interact with the world through the seeds of the tree itself. The tree has the capability to connect directly to the human nervous system, despite humans lacking a queue. The roots of the Tree of Souls are capable of initiating a neural link with all superior sorcerers.
The tree has it's own voice which unites everyone. I hope you atleast got a gist of what I'm blathering.
Well anyways in some times I'll start with the journey and hope to see you soon. Don't end up being clumsy. Hehe Take care!"
Astra looked more dejected after finishing Christopher's letter.
"What did he say? How can he leave soo quickly without any beforehand notice? Princess are you alright?", Robane asked, worry gleaming from his eyes as he looked concerned at Astra's downcast expression.
"My current emotions are irrelevant, it's all just passing phenomenon in the entropic spacetime we call reality!"
What are you even saying I don't understand princess, don't worry I'll talk to him and make him get back to training with you!!
"NO NEED! He said he have matters to deal with. STOP MAKING PEOPLE OBLIGED TO DO THINGS THEY DON'T WANT TO DO! Just leave me alone!"
"I'll take my leave now. And I apologize but would like to add that elders keep things from their loved ones to keep them safe!"
Robane left after meeting eyes with Diana and soon left the room. The footsteps could be heard ceasing.
************************
In the studyroom, Elihom was so devastated to see his precious daughter being so mercurial. He didn't expect her to turn out to behave in such a discourteous manner. He was crestfallen and blaming himself for raising her in an uncouth manner.
Moving towards the wardrobe and taking out the picture of his wife "Flora". He couldn't help but the tears started rolling over his cheeks. With his dewy eyes, he gentlly stroked his hand over the frame and started wailing.
"I'm sorry my love...I'm soo sorry.....*sniff sniff* he's groaning and moaning while tears continue to slide down on his face. His heart was filled with miseries, grief and disappointment.
"I tried to be a good father.....I tried everything but feel vanquished. I know you could never forgive me for the mistake I did. I couldn't raise our child as I promised." He muttered apologetically while heaving a sigh with stuttered breathing.
A sudden knock on the door.
"Your majesty, can I come in" knocked Robane.
Elihom tried to maintain his disposition and composure. In a hoarse voice he asked "What brings you here? Is Astra doing good? I want you to have her in observation and see that she never leaves the castle....."
"Roger that and pardon but I would like to inform you that Christopher won't be accompanying Astra further for her training. Princess seemed disenchanted with his letter....."
"She's still on the bed?"
"I'm afraid so, your majesty!"
"Since when has she been such an unruly rogue child. Tell her that I called for her presence. I would like to speak with her."
"Sire, please don't be hard on her because the princess is going through some tough times and is simply being rebellious, it's a phase I suppose, so we should better show unconditional love instead of chiding her! Please consider my words. I would take my leave."
Elihom called for Robane again as an alarming understanding dawned on him that pressuring Astra won't do any good. "Hold on Robane, no need to bother Astra. Let her take her time. Anyways there's nothing to talk about." *sigh*
"Ohhh Okay! Take care, your majesty. You have been a good King and father too." saying that Robane took his leave in haste.
*****************************
Astra asked Diana to prepare the bathtub. She decided to freshen up and work out on learning some magic. She was constantly fetching for her mum's presence but couldn't feel anything.
It seems she's having a shower with thoughts reflecting upon her own existential crisis leading her to some quite disturbing notions.
Astra soliloquy:
"This bad feeling proliferates and haunts me like I'm being taken down to dark gargantua hole where I'll be devoid of everyone with no one to understand the feelings I hold towards anything. It feels as if my existence doesn't mean anything to anyone. I wish someone would be here with me to fill this void. Mom did you leave me too?"
Astra gets done with changing and trying to survive the day but she sensed something and it turned out to be her mother. She ran and closed the doors making sure no one is present.
"Mom you there, mummy I know you would come to me.....*breaking into tears*.....waahhhhh.....no one loves me and I feel so terribly broken. It seems everyone has left me."
"My love Astra, I'm here to caution you about the lurking danger sitting to ambush you in the future. You might find things contradicting now. But don't forget that your dad did everything to protect you because he doesn't want to lose you. I can't be there for you much in the future if you continue to disobey your father..."
"Ok, so you will are leaving me too and you came back because you wanted me to obey his highness. Do you even care and love me mom? You left me all alone. I hate you and everyone..." Covering her mouth and busting into tears, Astra run away from her mom's presence.
"ASTRA hold on and listen...."
She halted.
"I didn't leave you by choice, my love. If I had to leave you would I be still here? You are a chosen QUEEN and the enemies wanted to kill you so I sacrificed myself for your calling. Don't make pacts with evil. You already were haunted by their evil sights which your dad kept you safe from....."
"Okay mom, I get it! I'll be staying rotting away here in this palace until dad allows otherwise!"
A spontaneous knock and Flora waned.