Lara had spent weeks with her parents, finding solace and companionship in the presence of Tonia and Sasha, who had become her cherished companions during her brief stay. Immersed in the warmth of her family’s embrace, Lara felt a deep emotional connection to Hellas, a bond that puzzled her people, leading to whispers about Lara’s affections for women. Yet, amidst the murmurs, Lara had discovered her ability to channel light energy, a gift she used to battle the encroaching darkness.
As thoughts of Collins and his parents danced in her mind, Lara was interrupted by the gentle voice of Max, Collins’ father, reaching out to her in prayer. With a smile, Lara listened as Max poured out his concerns, seeking guidance from the goddess who had once graced their home.
“Supreme Lara, goddess of her people, hear my plea,” Max’s voice resonated with urgency. “Our son Collins possesses extraordinary powers, bestowed upon him through your divine grace or perhaps through the kiss that brought you back to us. Enlighten us, for we seek understanding in your boundless love.”
Lara’s heart swelled with warmth at Max’s words, and a radiant smile adorned her face as she basked in the reverence of her companions, Tonia and Sasha, who bowed before her, acknowledging her as the goddess of light.
Meanwhile, Max and Stella, after an agonizing wait, felt a pang of disappointment as their prayers seemingly went unanswered. Frustrated and confused, they retreated to their bed, unsure of their next course of action.
Unbeknownst to them, Lara, bathed in the glow of her own light, rose from her bed with purpose. With graceful strides, she approached her parents’ chamber, where they lay entwined in love’s embrace. Though taken aback by the intimate scene, Lara maintained her composure, ready to seek her parents’ counsel.
“Daughter,” Queen Zara’s voice rang out, drawing Lara’s attention. With a respectful bow, Lara acknowledged her parents’ presence.
“Forgive my intrusion, Mother, Father. I should have announced myself,” Lara spoke with humility.
“Come in, dear one. Your joy is evident,” King Arthur observed, his eyes filled with paternal pride.
Lara nodded, a sense of purpose guiding her words. “Yes, Father. Mother. It is time for me to return to the alternate universe and bring Collins to you, so you may bless our union before we embark on our destined journey together.”
Queen Zara’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. “You have our blessings, my daughter. Go and bring him to us, that we may finally lay eyes upon the one who holds your heart.”
King Arthur echoed his wife’s sentiments. “Indeed, go forth, and may you return to us one last time before stepping into your destiny.”
With a respectful bow, Lara bid her parents farewell, her heart brimming with determination. With a mere thought, she conjured a portal, transporting herself to the exact location where Max’s prayer had reached her. Upon arrival, she found Max and Stella asleep in their bed, unaware of the divine intervention unfolding around them.
Lara, still within the room, called out to Max, gently breaking the silence. “Max,” she uttered softly, stirring him from his slumber. Max, roused by Lara’s voice, nudged his wife Stella, signaling her to awaken. Stella, upon seeing Lara adorned in regal attire, marveled at her divine presence. Meanwhile, Max bowed respectfully, acknowledging Lara’s supreme status.
“Thank you for gracing us with your presence,” Max expressed his gratitude.
“I heard your call, Max, and the reason behind it compelled me to come,” Lara responded graciously. “Let us adjourn to the living room, where Collins and Jane await us.”
With Lara leading the way, they made their way to the living room. Collins and Jane, catching sight of Lara descending towards them alongside their parents, were captivated by her ethereal beauty, rendering them speechless in awe.
As Lara drew nearer to Collins and Jane, her presence seemed to illuminate the room with a celestial glow. Her royal attire draped elegantly around her, accentuating her graceful movements with an air of regal poise. Each step she took was imbued with a mesmerizing fluidity, as if she floated on a gentle breeze.
Collins found himself transfixed by her ethereal beauty. Her features, sculpted with divine precision, radiated warmth and kindness, drawing him in like a moth to a flame. Her eyes, pools of endless depth, sparkled with an otherworldly wisdom that spoke of countless lifetimes of experience.
Her smile, like the dawn breaking through the darkness, filled Collins’ heart with a sense of wonder and awe. It was a smile that promised hope, love, and boundless possibility, leaving him breathless in its wake.
As she drew closer, Collins felt a sense of peace wash over him, as if he were in the presence of a guiding light amidst the darkness of uncertainty. In that moment, Lara’s beauty transcended mere physicality, touching something deep within Collins’ soul and leaving an indelible imprint of her magnificence.
Lara stood before Collins and his family, a sense of gravity weighing upon her as she prepared to reveal her truth. As she gestured for them to sit, Collins’s eyes remained fixated on her, his gaze filled with an intensity that bordered on obsession. But Lara, understanding the depth of his feelings, pushed aside the distraction, knowing that what she had to say would soon consume his thoughts.
“Stella and Max,” Lara began, her voice steady despite the weight of her words, “you have known me as a goddess since the day I revealed myself to you. Upon returning home after Collins, my true love, broke the curse placed upon me, the universe saw fit to bless him with incredible abilities, making him a demi-god.”
“A demi-god?” gasped everyone in disbelief.
“Yes,” Lara affirmed, her gaze unwavering. “Collins is now part human, part supernatural, ensuring that he will age slowly unlike any other mortal.”
Max, troubled by a sense of foreboding, voiced his concerns. “Why is he blessed with these abilities? Something doesn’t feel right.”
Lara turned to Collin’s, sensing his inner turmoil and the unspoken desires that stirred within him. “Collins,” she addressed him directly, “you have been destined to be my husband. Therefore, I must bring you to Father King Arthur so that our union may be blessed before we embark on a journey to fight the evil threatening Salma.”
Collins was taken aback, frozen in shock by Lara’s proclamation. “I’m too young for marriage, and I’m not cut out for fighting evil,” he protested.
Max echoed his son’s sentiments. “He’s right. He’s still in school, and the idea of him leaving us for another world doesn’t sit well with me.”
Lara’s heart sank as she witnessed their reluctance to let Collins accompany her. “I understand the importance of family,” she began, her voice tinged with sadness. “Even in your world, I could communicate with mine. Collins also possesses the unique ability to communicate with you all in your minds. That is the power of the gods.”
Jane, concerned for her brother’s safety, posed a poignant question. “Lara, if Collins goes to this world to fight with you, will he die?”
“I give you my word. I will not let him die,” Lara assured her solemnly.
Max, grappling with his fears, adamantly refused to allow Collins to accompany Lara. Recognizing the weight of a father’s protective instincts, Lara bowed respectfully to his decision before retreating to the room that had once been hers during her time on Earth.
Stella, sensing the undercurrents of love between Collins and Lara, followed after Max, hoping to calm his stormy emotions. Jane, ever the supportive sister, shared a lighthearted moment with Collins before retreating to her own room.
Left alone on the couch, Collins couldn’t shake thoughts of Lara from his mind. With a mixture of longing and uncertainty, he made a decision to steal one final moment with her before she inevitably depart form his universe.
In the quiet of the evening, Collins found himself drawn to Lara’s room, unable to shake the magnetic pull she had on his heart. With tentative steps, he tiptoed down the hallway, his curiosity outweighing any sense of propriety.
As he approached Lara’s door, he hesitated, his hand hovering uncertainly over the doorknob. With a deep breath, he pressed his ear against the wood, listening for any sign of activity within.
To his surprise, he heard the sound of soft, muffled sobs emanating from within. Concerned, Collins pushed the door open so slightly, just enough to peek inside without being noticed.
What he saw broke his heart. Lara sat on her bed, her shoulders shaking with silent tears. Her normally radiant face was marred by sadness, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Collins’s heart clenched with an overwhelming surge of emotion. Without a second thought, he pushed the door open wider and stepped inside, his footsteps echoing softly on the floor.
“Lara?” he whispered, his voice barely above a breath.
Lara looked up, startled to see him standing there. Quickly wiping away her tears, she attempted to compose herself.
“Collins, what are you doing here?” she asked, her voice wavering slightly.
Collins approached her slowly, his heart heavy with concern. “I heard you crying… Are you okay?”
Lara forced a smile, though it failed to reach her eyes. “I’m fine, really. It’s nothing.”
But Collins wasn’t convinced. “Lara, please. You can tell me what’s wrong.”
Lara hesitated, her façade crumbling in the face of his genuine concern. “It’s just… everything feels so overwhelming sometimes. The weight of my responsibilities, the uncertainty of the future… I don’t know if I’m strong enough to face it all.”
Collins knelt beside her, taking her hand in his. “You don’t have to face it alone, Lara. I’m here for you, always.”
Lara’s eyes searched his face, seeking reassurance. “But what about us, Collins? What about our future together?”
Collins’s heart skipped a beat. “I… I’m not sure, Lara. I mean, I care about you deeply, but marriage… it’s a big step. I’m not sure if I’m ready for that kind of commitment.”
Lara’s gaze softened, understanding flickering in her eyes. “Do you love me, Collins? Truly?”
Collins met her gaze, his heart swelling with emotion. “Yes, Lara. More than anything.”
A smile tugged at the corners of Lara’s lips. “Then that’s all that matters. Trust in our love, Collins. Together, we can overcome anything.”
Collins felt a sense of peace wash over him, knowing that as long as they had each other, they could weather any storm.
“But what about telling my parents?” he asked, a hint of uncertainty lingering in his voice.
Lara squeezed his hand gently, her eyes filled with unwavering determination. “We’ll tell them together, Collins. When the time is right.”
Collins found himself enchanted once again by Lara’s beauty as her face lit up. He couldn’t resist the urge to kiss her tenderly, but their moment was cut short by the sudden entrance of his parents. “Lara, I apologize for my initial reaction. I was just concerned for my son,” Max said. Before Max could continue, Collins, fueled by his determination to be with Lara, interjected, “Father, I’m going with Lara. I’ve decided to marry her.” Max, sensing the depth of Collins’ sincerity, approached him, while Stella observed Lara’s tearful eyes. “Collins, my son, if true love beckons, who am I to stand in its way? We’ll stand by you as a family. We wouldn’t miss your wedding for the world,” Max declared with a smile, prompting laughter from Lara. As Collins embraced his father, he looked to Lara, awaiting her response. “Yes, you’re all welcome. My parents would love to meet you,” Lara replied. Max, upon hearing this, gestured for Stella to inform Jane that they were embarking on a wedding journey to another realm. Lara bowed in gratitude to Max, but he pulled her into a warm embrace instead.