25. A Trip to the Past

Narrator When Sasha arrived at her parents’ room, they were ready for her. They had hoped to tell her everything that had happened thousands of years ago after she had completed her studies and fully prepared to be queen. But now, the king and the queen felt that they should tell her everything.  “Come in. And close the door, Sasha.” Her mother told her softly.  Sasha closed the door and strolled towards her parents, who were waiting for her on the couch. She noticed a couple of things on the coffee table, including the sword Draco had found in the garden. She already knew that this was some serious talk from her mother’s tone and her father’s demeanour, so she was intrigued.  She sat down on the empty seat, and gulped, feeling the tension in the air.  “Sasha. Everyone in this kingdom knows about lord Tristan, right?” her father spoke.  “Yes, father.” She replied, as her heart thudded frantically.  “Who was he?”  Sighing deeply, she prepared to answer. Lord Tristan was known to everyone, even the youngest of children in this kingdom.  “He was the founder of this kingdom. Our great father. He is our saviour. He saved us from our enemies during a great war thousands of years ago.” I stated confidently.  “Exactly.” The king took a deep breath.  “And so what exactly happened? Do you know? We are all immortal. But where is lord Tristan now? If he also was immortal?” He asked, looking straight into Sasha’s confused eyes.  Her mouth opened and closed, unable to form any words. She had never thought about that.  “I....I..” she stammered, troubled by the question her father had brought forth.  “You never thought about it?” he asked, with a lopsided smile.  She nodded, still frowning and bemused that it had never really occurred to her in the past.  “Okay. Listen attentively. I need you to understand this and soak this in.” He told her, carefully studying her face.  She nodded in agreement and the king smiled as he stood up followed by her mother. They stood on either side and placed their hands on each of her shoulders.  “We need you to relax Sasha. We will be taking you on a journey to show you what had happened exactly ten thousand years ago.” Her mother said in a low voice.  “Huh? You mean....we are going to time travel?” she asked in utter shock. “Something like that. But we will be just mere spectators. We will not be able to help anyone.” Her father informed her.  Sasha took in a deep breath and clenched her gown in her fists. She was not expecting that. But here goes.  “Okay. I’m ready.” His reply was a mere whisper that her parents barely heard. But it was enough for them. They looked at each other and nodded. Yes. It was time.  “Levartè soiucaps!” her father murmured in his deep voice and all three of them disappeared into the thin air. Sasha had her eyes squeezed shut, anxious, not knowing what to expect. “Sasha. Wake up.” The queen urged and Sasha’s eyes flung open.  She looked around and realised that they were still in her parents’ bedroom. The king sized bed, the exquisite furniture, and the maroon curtains were all the same. Furrowing her eyebrows, she looked at her parents. “Didn’t it work?” She expressed her confusion.  But before they could answer, the closed door to the room flung open and stumbled in two figures. A man and a woman. Sasha watched wide eyed as the man pinned the woman to the wall and started to kiss her senseless.  “Ummm....I think we should leave?” There was a hint of embarrassment in her mother’s voice.  Sasha narrowed her eyes at the two youngsters but then they grew wide in realisation. That woman and man were younger versions of her parents.  “Eeeeewwwww.” She grimaced and turned around, not wanting to witness her parents get intimate.  Her father just rolled his eyes. “Come.”  Sasha pretended not to see what was happening in the room as she walked past the youngsters, who were oblivious to their presence and followed her parents out of the room. She noticed how her mother’s face was a deep shade of pink while her father’s face was void. She smirked. So their relationship is thousands of years old, huh? No wonder they have bonded so well.  “How many years have we travelled back?” she asked, to clear her curiosity.  “Ten thousand years.” Her father answered her nonchalantly.  “Wow,” she whispered. “You mean, you guys have been together for ten thousand years?” she asked in awe, unable to hold it back.  Her mother giggled as they followed her father. “Yes. More than that.....” she trailed off and her blush deepened as she exchanged glances with her husband. He smirked at her while she paused her lips. Sasha was dumbfounded. The thought of living with your life partner for thousands of years had not crossed her mind before.  “We were sweethearts since we met in the academy” she glanced at her daughter, “just like you and Killian.” She added, carefully studying her daughter’s demeanour. Sasha didn’t hold back her scoff and pretended to gag. And then rolled her eyes before answering.  “Mooom. I don’t like him.” She mentioned making her father stop in his tracks.  “What do you mean?” he asked in a soft voice.  Sasha sighed. “He is so full of himself. He is mean and conceited...... I....I just don’t see the qualities you’ve taught me in his father.” She answered, pouting suddenly feeling her eyes sting with tears.  She didn’t want to be bound to someone for who she didn’t have any feelings. She wanted what her parents were having even after all these years.  Her parents exchanged glances and nodded at each other.  “We will discuss this later. Now we are here for something else.” Her father replied and continued to go into the throne room.  The whole palace looked the same. Sasha had no trouble in knowing where they were headed to. They entered the grand throne room, where the floating throne was. There, on the throne sat someone who looked so much like the present king.  Sasha looked at her father, who had a sad smile on his face as he looked straight at the man sitting on the throne. Her mother too had her head lowered in respect. Sasha realised that whoever this was, was hugely respected.  “All hail lord Tristan!” “All hail lord Tristan!” “All hail lord Tristan!” Sasha’s eyes widened and her mouth hung open. She was seeing the most important person in their kingdom. Their idol and the one everyone looked up to. The most respected and admired, lord Tristan. She bowed down at once and hung her head low. For her, it was an honour to see him like this.  But then, out of curiosity, she glanced at the mighty lord Tristan who looked so glorious with his fully white hair and thick white beard. Sasha tilted her head. He resembled her father so much but she decided to say nothing and witness what was going on.  “Tomorrow will be the wedding ceremony of prince Devlin and lady Alena, I want the celebration to be perfect.” He announced and Sasha raised one eyebrow.  Prince Devlin? Lady Alena? It is just a coincidence that her parents were named Devlin and Alena. Wait a minute. Was he referring to her parents? The younger versions of them? That could only mean that this was the time before her father became king....and got married?  Sasha bit her lips. This was too much information for her to digest at the same time. And could that mean that her father was related to lord Tristan? Sasha’s brain was overloading with unasked questions and possibilities.  “Call them. I need to speak with them now.” He ordered one of his guards. Sasha watched, stunned, unable to move or say anything. She couldn’t even look at her parents, who she knew was standing right beside her. But their presence didn’t matter. What she was witnessing was way too much for her brain to process.  The two youngsters whom she had seen earlier soon arrived at the throne room. But before anyone could say anything, a loud explosion outside the palace made the whole place rumble. It felt as if a huge earthquake shook the entire place. The guards were quick to go into their attack mode while lord Tristan quickly started to order his soldiers around.  Prince Devlin and lady Alena too took their weapons out and Sasha watched in amazement as her parents in their younger forms fought skilfully against the attackers. The attackers looked a lot like them, except for what Sasha guessed was their leader.  The war was so intense. There were spells screamed, swords clinking and dead bodies strewn everywhere. The entire palace was painted red with the blood of their soldiers and the enemies. It was a gruesome sight. “Oh my God” she gasped, not knowing what else to say. Sasha watched flabbergasted as it dawned upon her that she, right now, was witnessing the great war which was taught in schools. She felt her mother squeeze her hand while her father wrapped his arms around her.  She saw as knights ruthlessly killed their opponents. But then, a roar filled the entire atmosphere. With that, a hideous creature stomped its way inside, making the earthquake with each step. Its reptile eyes searched everywhere and its tremendous claws ripped anyone who attacked it. It was obvious that they only followed the orders of their leader. “What.....” Sasha gasped.  She noticed how the young prince went protective over his beloved, lady Alena when the huge monster attacked and entered the palace. Nothing seemed to work against this beast. Not even the strongest of spells. Finally, after much tries, lord Tristan gestured to the prince to follow him.  “Come let’s follow them.” Her father muttered and the trio rushed after the prince, his beloved and Lord Tristan.  They were taken to an underground chamber through his chamber. It opened when he pressed on a tile on the ground. Sasha was anxious to know what she was about to find out. Because this part of the war was never taught in her history lessons.  She followed them wordlessly, a mixture of emotions filling her heart. It was heartbreaking to see so many of their people die in the great war. It was always said that the war was intense, but witnessing it like this was a completely different experience.