We finished eating biryani and headed back to our rooms. My sister, Rowan, and Lumina gathered in my room.
Rowan came to me with a photo in his hand. It was my family photo when my father was still here.
The family photo captured a moment frozen in time, reflecting the diversity and warmth of our multicultural background. In the image, my father, an Indian man in his 30s, exuded a sense of quiet strength and kindness. His eyes held a depth of experience, and a gentle smile graced his face.
Standing beside him was my mother, an Australian woman in her 30s, radiating vibrant energy. Her light hair framed her face, and her eyes sparkled with love and joy. A warm and infectious smile adorned her lips, capturing the happiness of the moment.
I, a 10-year-old version of myself, stood in front of them, a reflection of innocence and curiosity. With a mop of unruly hair and a mischievous glint in my eyes, I wore a wide grin, showcasing the carefree spirit of childhood. Beside me was my sister, who was 6 years old at the time, her youthful exuberance evident in her playful pose and the gleeful expression on her face.
I looked at that beautiful photo and smiled. I had forgotten all the happy days of that time. Rowan asked me curiously, "Magnus, is this your real family photo?"
I smiled and said, "Yes. I had forgotten everything."
My sister took her laptop out and shouted, "It is about time we search for Lemuria on Google." She was excited.
Rowan looked confused again. "What is that metal slab? And what's Google?"
I chuckled at Rowan's confusion and patted his shoulder. "Rowan, my friend, that metal slab is a laptop, a device that connects us to a vast world of information. And Google is like a magical tool that helps us find whatever we want to know."
Anna, with an amused smile, explained further, "We'll show you pictures, information, and maybe even some wild conspiracy theories about Lemuria."
Rowan's eyes widened with curiosity. "Conspiracy theories? Sounds interesting."
As we delved into the mysterious realm of Lemuria through the lens of Google, we stumbled upon a variety of intriguing conspiracy theories:
Advanced Ancient Civilization: Some theorists suggested that Lemuria was not just a myth but an advanced civilization with technological marvels far beyond our understanding. They claimed that remnants of this advanced society might still be hidden underwater.
Alien Connections: A wild theory hinted at Lemuria having extraterrestrial connections. Some believed that ancient aliens visited Lemuria, influencing its culture and leaving behind hidden artifacts that held the key to advanced knowledge.
Time-Traveling Theories: There were whispers of Lemuria being a hub for time travelers. According to this theory, the civilization mastered the art of time travel, allowing its inhabitants to explore different eras or perhaps even influence historical events.
Rowan, wide-eyed and fascinated, commented, "Are people always coming up with these wild ideas?"
Anna laughed and said, "Welcome to the internet, Rowan. It's a place where imagination runs wild, and sometimes truth is stranger than fiction."
Suddenly, I noticed a blog stating, 'Mysterious Island above Lemuria.' I asked Anna to click on the blog.
As Anna clicked on the intriguing blog titled 'Mysterious Island above Lemuria,' we were drawn into a narrative filled with fantastical claims and captivating tales. The blog spoke of a hidden island suspended in the air, just above the submerged remnants of Lemuria.
The author, who identified themselves as an adventurer and seeker of the unknown, claimed to have stumbled upon ancient texts hinting at the existence of this ethereal island. According to the writings, this floating landmass was said to house not only artifacts from Lemuria but also portals to the hidden sections of Lemuria.
Excitement filled the room as we read about the author's supposed journey to the mysterious island. They described encounters with mythical beings, glimpses of forgotten Lemurian technologies, and the sensation of touching the fabric of time itself.
As he was drawn into the story, Rowan exclaimed, "That is amazing!"
Anna, ever the skeptic, raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like a good plot for a novel. But who knows? With everything we've seen, it might just be true."
I saw an email address given below the blog. I asked, "Should I contact this author?"
Rowan, still captivated by the fantastical narrative, nodded eagerly. "Yes, Magnus! We've been on quite an adventure already. Who knows what else we might discover?"
Anna, displaying a mix of curiosity and caution, chimed in, "Just be careful, Magnus. We don't know who this author really is. It could be a trap or just someone having a bit too much fun with their imagination."
Despite the warning, Lumina, in her childlike innocence, clapped her hands and said, "Adventure! Contact them!"
I hesitated for a moment, contemplating the potential risks. The allure of the mysterious island, however, was too tempting to resist. I decided to send an email to the provided address, expressing our interest in the Lemurian mysteries and the floating island.
------------------------
While we were still discussing the unknowns of Lemuria, somewhere far away in the kingdom of Eldoria, everyone was searching for Magnus.
Alina was pacing in the room uneasily; her hands were shivering. She couldn't stop thinking about Magnus. She heard the door open; it was Elijah. She stammered, "Elijah! Did they find Magnus!?"
Elijah gave a nod and said, "No." Alina summoned her sword and started swinging it at nearby targets to release her frustration. She glared at Elijah and said, "What about Rowan and Lumina?"
"No."
Elijah sighed, watching Alina unleash her frustration on the inanimate targets. "We're doing everything we can, Alina. The astral realm is unpredictable, and finding them is like searching for a needle in a cosmic haystack."
Alina, her eyes filled with determination, sheathed her sword. "We can't afford to lose them, Elijah. Magnus has a role to play in the fate of Eldoria, and Rowan and Lumina are crucial to him."
Elijah nodded. "I understand, Alina. We won't rest until they're back safely. Our scouts are covering every inch of the realm, and we've reached out to magical beings who might have insights into their whereabouts."
Suddenly, Sir Gareth busted into the room and said, "We found Magnus." Alina felt a burst of joy and ran towards the room where Magnus was. Elijah trailed behind her.
She banged open the door. She saw a slim figure sitting on the sofa. He had black hair and green eyes. But that boy never gave her the vibe of the person she knew. She ran towards him, grabbed his shoulder, and hugged him. She said, "Magnus!? Where have you been?"
The boy removed her hands around him and gave her a cold stare. He said, "Sorry, I don't know who you are."
Alina's heart sank as the reality of the situation hit her. The person in front of her looked like Magnus, but the familiarity in his eyes was replaced with an unsettling distance. Elijah, too, wore a bewildered expression, unable to comprehend the sudden change in Magnus.
She took a step back, her eyes searching for any sign that this was a cruel joke or a misunderstanding. "Magnus, what do you mean you don't know me? We've fought together and laughed together."
The person who resembled Magnus shook his head, a dismissive expression on his face. "I have no recollection of any of that. My name is Magnus. But I am not Magnus, you know."
The Duke and Duchess Thaddeus were equally shocked, as were Alina and Elijah. They signaled for them to be seated on the nearby sofa. Still shocked, they reluctantly sat on the sofa. The so-called Magnus recounted his story.
When I was ten years old, I had died from an assassination attempt. My soul was separated from my body, and I aimlessly strided across the astral realm. I saw another person possessing my body, but he did a pretty good job protecting my family. A few years later, I decided to go to heaven when, suddenly, an angel came before me and made me return to my body. He said that someone wished for me to return to my body.
Realization struck them: the Magnus they were speaking with was the real Magnus, while the other one they made connections with was another soul.
The room buzzed with a mix of astonishment and comprehension. Alina, finding her voice amid the revelation, asked with a hint of disbelief, "So, there were two of you? Two Magnus?"
Magnus nodded, a sense of regret flickering in his eyes. "Yes, it seems that way. I became a soul who gave up in life, while Magnus' soul you met," he gestured towards himself, "was the soul with great resilience, the one meant to fulfill a cosmic mission."
The Duke, trying to piece together the intricate puzzle, questioned, "So you are my real son?"
Magnus said with a smile, "Yes."
The Duke and Duchess exchanged stunned glances, grappling with the revelation. The weight of the cosmic intricacies settled on their shoulders. Duchess Thaddeus, with tears welling in her eyes, whispered, "Our son..."
Magnus, the true one, approached them with a mix of empathy and reassurance. "I know this is a lot to take in. But I'm here now, and we have a journey ahead. I need to find the Magnus who possessed my body and demand an explanation about why he brought me back to my world."
Alina and Elijah were still shocked. Magnus approached them and said, "I know that I am not your friend. But please help me find the one you know to sort out all the problems."
Alina looked at him and said, "Please give me some time."
She couldn't process what was happening. Magnus had told her that he was from the past, but this was totally different. Elijah broke the silence and said, "Reincarnation. That's the only answer."
The Duchess was still teary-eyed and shocked. "So the Magnus we lived with till now was a soul from another world."
Magnus gave a sad look and said, "Yes, but please don't hate him. He worked so hard to protect you guys. We will find him."