UNTIL THE END OF TIME

Once upon a time, there were two kingdoms; kingdom Celestia and kingdom Lunaris. They lived in peace with each other despite the differences between them. The only thing which was forbidden among the two kingdoms was friendship between their respective residents with the other kingdom residents and specially marriages were forbidden. Other than that everyone was allowed to travel and trade between the two kingdoms and the reason friendships and marriages were forbidden was that they used to think that people coming from different backgrounds could face problems in understanding each other's culture and background and could fight over that or they could try to implement each other's culture on each other which they didn't want to happen, so no relations were allowed to be established between the two kingdoms' residents except a good harmony and peaceful environment. The kingdoms were connected through a gateway which was closed after the evening and no one was allowed to travel between the two kingdoms. But! Be hold. Every story has twists, turns and rebel characters, so does this one!

One morning, in kingdom Celestia, a beautiful little girl was born to a beautiful couple Mr. and Mrs. Nevan. They named her Marita. She was very intelligent, beautiful, courageous and had many good qualities and skills. She was famous across her and the neighboring region. The princess of kingdom Celestia was very jealous of her. They used to hold an annual function in the palace to celebrate a well spent year but she forced her parents;The King and Queen , to not invite Marita.

(Matira's father went missing when she was only 2 months old. Whenever she tried to ask her mother about him, she scolded Matira and told nothing.)

On the annual day everyone from her house went to the party but she stayed at home.

This time her birthday and annual function fell on the same date. It was her 20th birthday and like every time, this time she was also left alone while the whole kingdom went to the party and this time the people from neighboring kingdom Lunaris were also invited.

She was feeling very lonely and bored so she decided to go on a walk in the starry night lit with billions of stars expanding to infinity. She was walking on the bank of a beautiful river which was shining like the stars above. She sat there submerging her feet in the water. She was staring the stars thinking that even after being so perfect in every thing, knowing so many skills and being knowledgeable, she was hated by the royal people. She was silently sitting there thinking such things when she suddenly heard someone's extremely melodious voice singing an immensely beautiful song. She got curious and felt her heart being driven by the tune that voice was singing. She got up and quickly went looking around for the singer who was singing that ethereal tune. After looking every where she got tired and sat down to rest while resting her head on the wall between the two kingdoms. It was when that tune felt nearer and more clearly audible. She felt that she was near the source so she continued searching and unknowingly entered the kingdom Lunaris. Before this, no one knew what happens there at night. She kept on looking and searching the source of the song. Suddenly her eyes saw a beautiful glow coming from a little far located cottage where someone was sitting with a violin and was singing. She went to that cottage running hastily. It was like some thing was pulling her so powerfully that she could not resist the compelling force. At last she reached the cottage and tried to see the person who was singing the heavenly song. When she went around the cottage, she saw a boy sitting there with a violin in his hand with his eyes closed like he was immersed in music and his lips singing heavenly tune with fabulous lyrics. It was nothing like what she had seen before.It felt as if he was an angel descended from heaven. She just stood there staring him without even realizing, she was getting immersed in him, his tune, his voice basically his whole personality. It felt like the world all around her went silent and all she could listen was his voice piercing through her heart and all she could and wanted to see was him. Suddenly he stopped playing because his tune ended. When he opened his eyes, he saw Marita standing there like an idol. "Excuse me! Who are you?" he asked her, she suddenly came out of some deep state of thought and suddenly said,"Huh?!", "I said who are you young lady?" he politely asked, "I... I am Marita." she said as she extended her hand for a hand shake he also behaved cooperatively, "I haven't seen you here before. Where are you from?" he asked her, "Actually I am from your neighboring kingdom, kingdom Celestia." she told her, "What!? You shouldn't be here. Do you have any idea that if someone saw you here then either you won't be any more or these kingdoms. You've broken the rules and trust between the two kingdoms." he said in haste and a little angry tone, "But I heard your song and came here searching for you helplessly, I was so driven by the music that I didn't realize that I have entered your kingdom." she tried to explain, "No matter what happened but you have to go back before the function ends and people of our kingdom return." he asked her to leave in a rush, "Okay okay I'll go but can I meet you again some time?" she politely asked him, "Well I am not sure whether we'll meet again or not but right now you must hurry. Get out of here and save your life and our kingdoms' bond." he said. After this, Marita ran away from kingdom Lunaris and quickly went home before her family returned.

That night, Matira stayed up till late night when every one went to sleep. She was in a strange state whole night. She was constantly thinking about her encounter with that boy from the other kingdom. His ethereal tune was echoing in her mind and talking to him felt the best thing she had ever experienced. She was falling in a strange feeling for him. She suddenly realized that she didn't ask his name.

On the other side, that boy went to bed after his family reached home and he wasn't able to fall sleep. He suddenly remembered Matira's face. "Strange girl she was." he thought, "Who knows who she was.". He then went to sleep undisturbed.

Next morning, Matira left her house to go to kingdom Lunaris. She entered the kingdom as the gates remained open during the day time but she didn't know where to find him as last night it was all dark and she wasn't paying much attention to where she was going so she didn't remember the way. She was wandering here and there mindlessly looking for that singer boy. She was so tired after searching here and there that she sat on a grassland. She was relaxing when she heard the same tune which he was playing last night. She quickly went all around to locate the source of music. She then saw someone along the bank of a beautiful river playing violin and singing the same tune as last night. She quickly went running towards the river and saw him sitting there. She approached him calmly. She sat behind him and waited him to finish his song. He played for so long but she just sat behind him with her eyes closed and felt her heart submerge in his music. Suddenly music stopped, she opened her eyes to see that a few people were taking him away force fully!

"WAIT! Where are you taking him! Stop! Please stop!" She shouted as she ran after them but they didn't stop. She was very worried, she turned around to see that his violin was left behind. She picked it up and sat there waiting for him to return. All day went by and night was about to come and the gateway was about to be closed. Her eyes searched for him. At last, she saw someone coming her way. When he came in light, it was him. He appeared badly beaten. She got even more worried. "W...what happened to you?" she asked worried, "They got to know that someone from the kingdom Celestia met me and was trying to be friendly, I mean you, so they warned me that I should avoid any friendship with you." he said while grunting in pain, "They hurt you this much only for being friends with someone from kingdom Celestia?" she was so surprised, "Yes. I told you, you don't know things that could happen if we become friends. You better not come here again." he took the violin from her hand and started walking away, "B...but what do I don't know? I want to know." she tried to stop him, "What would that change? It has been going on from centuries, two people from the two kingdoms become friend and they get killed, a war breaks out, civilians get hurt etc. etc. You won't be able to change any thing, just go back to your kingdom (Argh)." he said while grunting in pain. "B...but..." she wanted to say something, "Just go home right now, the gates are about to be closed soon." he went his way, Matira stood there for a moment and then turned to go home.

She reached home and as she entered, she got a hard slap from her mother. "Where have you been all day?" her mother asked furiously, "Mother! I went to the neighboring kingdom." she told her and her mother slapped her, "You won't go there again, understand?!" she commanded her, "But why mother? I love it there, everything there is so beautiful and good and specially the people there are amazing." she smiled, "Shut the hell up! You are not going there again and that's it. End of discussion." she went away and Matira went to her room crying.

"What is the tension between the two kingdoms? Why does no body tell me anything? I guess I'll have to find for myself." She decided that she would study the history of the relation of the two kingdoms. She went to sleep thinking about all that happened that day.

Next day, she went to the biggest library of kingdom Celestia and went right to the history section and started looking for books on relations of the two kingdoms and found several of them and brought them home. She went through hundreds of pages and came to the conclusion that this issue was more complicated than it seems and she thought. She realized that she would have to go much deeper to understand all this. She had no friend to talk to about all this and her family was already against everything she did so she thought that she should go and talk to the same guy from kingdom Lunaris. So she quickly went to his kingdom and searched for him and found him. She shouted to get his attention. He turned around and as soon as he saw her, he turned his back on her and started running away. "Wait! Where are you going?", she called him, "I don't want to talk to you, I will get in trouble." he replied, "What's the problem with you? You haven't even told me your name! At least talk to me once I am so confused what's going on?!" she said in frustration, " My name is Adan and I am no one special to know about. Now happy? May I go now." he said and started walking away. "WAIT!" she shouted and ran to get close to him, "I want to talk to you for once! but calmly and thoroughly.", "About what?" he asked, "I will be able to tell you if you stop running away from me." he agreed to talk to her and they went to sit along the river bank. They went and sat along the river. "So what do you want to talk to me about?" he asked her, "Tell me what is this tension going on between the two kingdoms?"she asked him straight forward, "I told you, you have nothing to do with it. Just leave this topic." he got furious, "No! no matter what you say today, I want to know the truth and acknowledge this that I won't be leaving until I understand full story." she sounded steadfast, "This is so annoying just leave I don't want to tell you anything." he got up and ready to go, "Wait! What is this story that everyone refrains from telling me, I used to think that you will be kind enough to tell me but you are being so harsh with me." she got emotional and sounded tired, "But why do you want to extract the buried past? What are you after?" he asked her, "You!" she replied , "Me?" he was surprised, "Yes! You! I am after you. I want to be your friend you seem such a nice person and I regularly see you helping out people in need, loving innocent animals and trying to make this world a better place. I really want to be your friend and know more about you." she said fluently, "Oh if that is the case then I'll clear it out. I don't want to be your friend! Fine now? Now go!" he said without even thinking, "B...bu.." she was trying to stop him but he instantly started walking towards his home, she shouted and tried to call him but he didn't even give her a ear and went straight in his direction. She sat down there as she said that she won't be leaving until he tells her the truth. The Sun went down and night came but she was still sitting there. He got out of his house for some work and saw her sitting there, "What! She is still here?! She will get in trouble and drag me into trouble with her as well." he thought and took a lamp and quickly went to send her back. "What are you doing still here?" he asked her, "I told you that I won't be leaving before you tell me what is the tension going on between two kingdoms,why can't two people from the two kingdoms be friends? Why can't two people from the two kingdoms marry? Why can't people travel between the two kingdoms without any special purpose and at any time of the day? WHY?" she persisted to know, "You are so stubborn aren't you?" he said, " Yes, in this case I am!" she replied clearly, "Okay fine. Come with me." he took her to his home.

"Here!"he gave her a cup of coffee. "So, what do you wanna know exactly?"he asked her politely this time, "I want to know that why did the two kingdoms separate when they were one before?" she asked him straightforward, "Oh so you know that the kingdoms were one once?" he sounded surprised, "Yes I read it in the history of our kingdoms' relations. " she said,"Okay, so this is how it goes, Long time ago! This land was one big kingdom known as the heavenly continent throughout the world, everyone used to live in harmony. There were some differences between the beliefs of individuals but there were no prominent clashes between any two communities. All the religions, belief systems, careers etc. lived happily together. One day some people from the other continent came here with the intention of trade- as to say- and they established a company here which used to trade resources from our heavenly continent to theirs. Then one day the local people realized that they are indirectly ruling us through that company so a war broke out between the locals and those foreigners after that war the foreigners over took our heavenly continent directly and implemented their rule on the whole continent. They changed everything; our education system, lifestyle, our harmony, everything! They planted seeds of hatred between people and locals started fighting with each other and started demanding the division of this continent and also the exit of foreigners from their homeland. After so many wars and conflicts, meetings, conferences etc. the foreigners went back to their homeland and this continent divided into two kingdoms; Kingdom Lunaris and Kingdom Celestia. Since then the two kingdoms don't prefer any friendly relationships with each other and among their residents." he told her the whole story, "Oh! That's what!! But why is this hatred still maintained when they have left?"she asked him, "I don't really know. I think that this hatred has been transferred to new generations through their ancestors." he said, "This isn't fair. I want to be your friend but because of this unfair and useless rivalry between the two kingdoms, I can't!" she expressed her sadness, "But I don't understand why do you want to be my friend?" he asked her, "Actually I have been seeing you for almost three years, you are a really nice person. I have never seen anyone help other people selflessly and with that much compassion that you have. I really want to join you in your social work, animal welfare work and all the good things you do I really like your humbleness, softness and kindness towards others."she explained, "But even if I agree, the kings of the two kingdoms won't allow this friendship and we could get in trouble." he showed his concern, "What if we don't let anyone know about it?" she asked him, "That won't be possible as king's men are always around and noticing everyone. If they see that someone new from the other kingdom is coming here often then they'll tell king and we will be done. One of us may get killed!"he told her,"What? Killed?!" She shouted in surprise ,"Yes! So now you should go home." he asked her to leave, "Fine I will go for now but can I come to meet you sometime for a little tea talk whenever I can?" she asked him, "Yeah I guess I won't be troubled by that." After this she went home.

They both spent their night thinking about each other. Other morning, Matira heard soldiers marching into her house and then into her room. "This is King's order to arrest you and take you to him! Get up!" Soldiers started shouting, "What!? Why me?" she exclaimed, "We are forbidden to talk uselessly." they said and grabbed her by arm and dragged her out of house and took her towards the palace. This was the first time ever she was going to see the palace.

They entered the palace and shouting of king was echoing in the whole castle. "How did this happen? Where were you all??" he was shouting when soldiers entered the court with Matira. "Seize her!" he ordered and all the guards in the court room ran towards her and captured her by every inch and she fell to the ground.

"How did you dare to go to the other kingdom and make friendships ther? Aren't you aware of our relations with them?" King said in a very angry manner, "Yes...yes your Highness! I know about that." she said in a very light voice, "Then you also must be aware that only traders and workers are allowed to travel between the two kingdoms and not common people specially those with rebel spirit!" he got furious, "But your majesty! I don't think I have a relation with your rivalry and wars with that kingdom so I shouldn't be forbidden to visit that kingdom." she said with a very firm voice with her eyes into king's eyes, "How dare you talk to me in that tone?!" he got really really angry, "Your majesty if I am already here in punishment without any solid reason then let me make it worth to be here. I will be very clear and straightforward. This all relation problem with the other kingdom, this harsh history, this ego to not sit and talk to resolve issue, these restrictions all of that is useless, rather wrong in my opinion and I do not and will not follow any of this nonsense." She said in one breath and the court went silent. After a moment the king shouted, "Throw her in the dungeon!" after this all the guards started running here and there, some grabbed Matira and went towards the dungeon. She was thrown into a dark gloomy and cold dungeon with an old man who had long grey hair and many wounds on his whole body.

After a while in the dungeon!

"What are you doing here young child? You seem too nice to be here." the old man said with utter softness. "Sir! I...I am..." she was a little hesitating, "Don't worry my child I won't harm you I'll listen to your story if you would like to share it." he said very humbly, "Well I am here because I visited the other kingdom and made a friend there." she said and started sobbing, "Oh I see! it's happening again!" he sounded like he knew something similar, "I'm sorry sir but what is happening again?" she sounded curious, "Well it's my story but it's long and filled with tragedy I don't think I should bother you with it." he said with memories in his eyes, "Well I definitely want to know." she sounded excited. "So the story goes like this...

About 30 years, I lived in Kingdom Lunaris. It was very peaceful there. Everything was going very well until that one day.." he stopped as if he remembered something, "Which day sir?" she asked him, "That day I was out coming back from library, it was very dark and I didn't even take my lamp so the path was barely visible so I mistakenly entered this kingdom and lost my way. It was midnight and it was a thunderous night so there was fog, cloud and lightning everywhere. Then I thought to give up finding the way and stay somewhere. I was trying to find someone to ask them for favor of letting me stay at there home for the night. I tried multiple houses but no one allowed me after I told them that I am from Kingdom Lunaris. Then I tried one last time, I knocked on a door and a beautiful elegant young lady opened the door. She asked me what did I need and I told her the whole story and surprisingly she let me stay at her place. We talked all night, had coffee and had a very funny conversation. The next morning I left her house but I forgot the books that I were bringing from the library at her place. Next day she came to return them to me and then we had pretty long talk at my place. Our friendship grew stronger and we started moving between kingdoms to meet each other. Then I slowly realized that I had fallen in love with her and I am not quite sure why but I believe that the love in which you can't tell why do you love them, is the true love. She also confessed to me that she loves me from the very first night we met. We talked about this to our families but due to this tension between the two kingdoms and also the differences in ideologies that two families followed, they rejected our marriage proposal and locked her in a room and used to beat her. One day I somehow managed to meet her and we decided that we should get married secretly and then tell everyone. We then got married and gave a grand party to all our friends and family to inform them that we got married but when they came to the party..." he took a momentary pause, "... they brought king and king's men with them and we got in a real trouble. King commanded us to be killed so we quickly ran away from that party. We kept hiding for months when one day everyone thought that we were dead and stopped finding us. We started living in a remote place where our beautiful daughter was born and grew up. I guess they forgot our faces and our story as well and we started living normally. But one day, door of our house opened like thunder and king's men arrested me and brought me here. Since that day I am rotting in this prison, I haven't even seen my wife and my beautiful daughter in all these years as well. I just want to see them once!" he started crying, "My daughter was only 2 years when they brought me here. Now she must be around 20. Huhhh my dear daughter Matira!" he turned his face down. She didn't pay attention at first but then she realized that he said Matira! "Wait what did you say?" she asked him quickly, "I said my dear daughter Matira." he repeated his words, "No way! This can't be!" she stood up, "what happened dear?" he asked her, "M...my name is also Matira and...and my father also went missing when I was just 2 years old!" she said and they both realized that they are father and daughter. They hugged each other tightly and started crying. After crying for a while, the both looked at each other, "Hey? Are you in love with that man?" her father asked him, "I...I am not sure but..." She hesitated, "But?" his father looked at her with eyes that were asking questions, "But I like to see him from afar. I have adapted all his habits. I started liking all the things that he likes and hate all the things he hates.I am surprised that even after the first time when he talked to me harshly, I still want to talk to him. After all the expressions of him that show that he is not interested and I can't be his friend, I still adore him. I stand on the gateway of the two kingdoms to see him silently do his daily tasks and much more things that may sound silly but they are now my reality." she took a deep breath after this long speech, "Ahh! Dear are you confused why you like him but you definitely like him?"he asked her politely, "Yes father, I like him so much but I really don't know why." she said, "Then my beautiful daughter, it's definitely love! Now you have to think what you must do to confess to him, marry him without letting anyone harm you people." he suggested her, "But how will it happen? Every soldier is keeping eye on us and they will never let me reach him!" she sounded worried, "Huh! Dear love always finds its way. Always!" he said and suddenly the door of the prison opened and soldiers rushed in to get Matira. As they grabbed her, she looked to her father with eyes filled with hope and his father said, "Remember! Love always find its way." as he said this, they took her out of the dungeon.

The soldiers brought her in front of the king and king said,"Listen little girl! You are too young too understand the relations between the kingdoms and old enough to obey the rules and regulations that have been set so from now on I forbid you to go to the other kingdom and meet anyone there. Don't force me to waste your life now go!" he set her free, she didn't say anything at the moment because she wanted to get out so that she could try to meet him.

She quickly went running towards her home so that she could tell her mother that she met her father. "Mum! Mother! Where are you?" she shouted as she entered the house, "What is it Matira?" her mother asked, "Mother you won't believe who I just met!" she sounded very excited, "Who dear?" her mother sounded very excited but then she suddenly got worried and asked her, "Please don't tell me it's someone from the other kingdom." Matira said, "That's a different story but I met Father!" she sounded very happy, "What! You went to dungeon?" she asked Matira in a big surprise, "So you know that he's in dungeon?" Matira asked her and said further, "Then why didn't you tell me whenever I asked you where is father?" she asked her mother, "Because dear I was afraid that you would do something to get him out of prison and get yourself hurt and locked up behind those metal bars. I love you so much I can't see you suffer like we did." her mother's eyes filled with tears, "But mother! No one can change what has to happen. Don't you see that I went to dungeon any way and met him?" she said and her mother immediately asked her, "By the way, why were you in the dungeon?" she looked at Matira with worried expressions, "Don't you tell me that you also like someone from the other kingdom!" she was even more worried when Matira said, "Yes...yes mother, I do like someone from the kingdom Lunaris and I guess king found out so he captured me. " she completed her statement when her mother slapped her and said furiously, "But why?" Matira said very calmly, "Mother I didn't do it intentionally, it was all so unexpected that I couldn't even understand how did I start liking him and why do I like him." her mother immediately asked, "Who's is he? What is his name?" Matira again said very calmly, "I can't tell you now mother but I will tell you later but now I have to go." and she quickly went out, her mother standing behind asked her, "But where are you going?" but she didn't hear her and went out.

She quickly went towards the gateway. She started looking for Adan to tell him the whole story but she didn't see him anywhere, then she asked someone that where is he? That person told her that king of kingdom Lunaris commanded him to leave this kingdom and go and live somewhere else. She was so stunned and then asked that person that where was he sent to and came to know that he was commanded for exile into the dark forest!

Dark forest was a place everyone was scared of because it was known for its mysterious monsters and creatures and unknown hurdles. It was well known that whoever entered the forest didn't come out alive.

Now she was no more worried about telling him her story rather she was worried about his life so she quickly went home and started packing to find him. She left the house without telling her mother at night leaving a note behind telling her the whole story.

She had a pet horse since her childhood which she found wounded along the river side. She named her Lucas. Lucas loved her very much. She loaded all the things she packed for the journey on his back and started her journey with a strong hope of finding her love and saving him before it was too late. She had an old map from a book she used to read as a child. She used to think that it was fake but now it was her only hope.

She traveled a long way to find him. A moment came when she was standing at the entrance of the dark forest. She was hesitating but her resolute love made her enter the forest looking for him without any hesitation.

She encountered many haunting paths, mysterious creatures and many hurdles on her way to find him. Then she saw a place which was very beautiful. A sweet melody was coming from that place, fairies were laughing and playing there, butterflies were flying from one flower to another. She didn't care about all that beauty all she wanted was to find Adan so she thought that she should go there and ask the fairies if they have seen him. As soon as she entered that beautiful place, it turned into a dark, red lit, gloomy dungeon. "Oh no! It was a trap!" she said as she was scared, someone said from behind, "Yes it was a trap. I fell for it as well." she turned around to see who it was and was stunned to see that it was Adan, "You?" both said simultaneously, "What the hell are you doing in dark forest silly girl?" he asked Matira, "Well I came to get you." she replied, "Me?" he exclaimed, "Yes you! As soon as I came to know that you have been exiled to the dark forest I came here to get you." she said very proudly, "Well you shouldn't have it is a dangerous place. It's Dark forest! Dark forest!" he was trying to warn her, "Oh I know it is Dark forest! Dark forest! Doesn't scare me, I came to get you and I won't go without taking you." she said with a resolute aim, "But why would you take that much danger for me?" he asked her politely and curiously, "Well......Because I don't want you to get in trouble because of me." she said a little hesitatingly as if she was hiding something, "But how will we get out? You are also stuck my 'savior'." he asked her, "Don't worry love always finds its way." she said while looking up towards the ceiling as she remembered her father, "What?" he asked her as he couldn't hear her properly, "Nothing I was saying that when there's a will there's a way." she said with a hope in her eyes. He agreed to trust her, "Who is the head here? I mean who is holding us all?" she asked him, "Well her name is Pandora and her story is very different from all the stories I have ever listened." he told her, "What is her story?" she asked him, "Well I don't know the full story but I have come to know that she has returned from the soul realm and she is immortal. She captures all those who are in love, steals their power of love and finishes them." he told her in mild voice as guards were all around them. Both of them took a moment to think and realized something and then asked simultaneously, "So what are you doing here?" then they both fell silent for a few moments and gave a deep thought to all that had happened. "Are you in love with me?" Matira asked Adan, "Well...I...I...I... Uh! Yes I am!" he hesitated a bit but then confessed, "Since when?" she turned towards him seeking for an answer, "Since the very first day you came to meet me." he said without looking at her, "Same is the case here, I have been in love with you without even seeing you. I used to hear you play your melodious music and I fell in love with you through your music" she confessed honestly, "So that's why we are here because we both love each other." he realized, "Yes but we have to find a way to get out of here before she captures us." Matira showed concern, "Yes you're right." he agreed with her concern.

They were thinking a way to get out of the prison when suddenly the door of the cell opened and someone huge in size and a long cloak entered the cell with few soldiers who grabbed Adan and Matira and took them away. "Where are they taking us?" Adan asked, "I don't know may be to Pandora." she said with uncertainty. They both were brought into a big hall where many other couples were also being brought. "What is going on here?" he asked in a light voice. Suddenly Pandora's voice echoed in the hall, "Welcome lovers! Welcome! I hope you are enjoying your time here." "No we are not!" all the prisoners in the hall said simultaneously, "Well that's not my problem, give me your love's power and go back to where you came from." Pandora said,"But why do you want our love's power. You already seem powerful enough." Matira asked her, "Well I would tell you but I don't have time so if you would please let me work and stay silent that would be appreciated." She replied. Matira and Adan were locked in a small room that was in the hall and they saw her taking the powers of other people and as she took the power of their love they fell weak and some of them even died. "I don't understand what is happening. How can she take away love's power? It's not something physical it's and emotion a feeling no? " Matira asked Adan, he replied, "Well I read once that the legend says that once two people fall in love they no longer remain normal people, they then get special powers from the divine deities that makes their love grow even stronger and sustain longer." Matira then asked," Even if that is the case, why would she want to take it from all the lovers?", he replied, "I don't know there might be a back story to all this because you see here are also mothers, fathers, children and friends mean she is taking power of every type of love." she replied, "Yeah I think you are right. It means we need to stop her to get out of here and for that we'll have to know her back story." Adan agreed and they both somehow found a way to escape that cell and they entered another huge hall which was filled with manuscripts, books and various sacred texts. They stood their stunned by its vastness and were thinking that where should they start because if they studied each text it would be too late. They quickly went around looking for some text that seemed related to the occurring incident. Matira found an old dusty book with the name The evil of Pandora and Adan found a long paper scroll with the title The power of love. They both started reading those two texts and after completing them they shared a glance. "Did you understand something?" Adan asked Matira, "I think I have understood pretty much everything." Matira said with confidence. They both started telling each other what they read, "So it tells the story of Pandora since her childhood, if this is the same Pandora that we are facing, it says here that her parents passed away in childhood so she didn't have a family and also didn't have a house, she used to live in a very small cottage made from wood and leaves. Everyone used to bully her so much even though she was very friendly to everyone. One day a thunderstorm hit her kingdom and her little cottage was destroyed. She had no place to stay so she went knocking on the doors of other people's houses but no one let her in. She then knocked on a door from which a young, kind and generous man came out, she told him that her cottage was destroyed in that thunderstorm so he let her stay at her place for the night. The next morning she left looking for another place to stay. She roamed through the entire kingdom that day but couldn't find any place to stay because the trees and plants were destroyed in the storm so she couldn't build another cottage and no one would let her stay in their home. So she came back to the house of that gentleman. He understood the situation with very humbleness and opened another room in his house for her which was closed for many years. She started living in his house. They slowly became good friends. She kept looking for another place to stay so she could leave soon and not disturb the gentleman. The day finally came when she had built another place to stay and she had to leave his house. As she was leaving, they both realized that they have fallen in love with each other in the most pure and pious way. That gentleman confessed to her immediately so that it wasn't too late and she also told him that she loved him. That man accepted her with all her past experiences of poorness and trauma of loosing her parents. They got married and started living a happy life. It was the first time she was experiencing real, selfless and unconditional love because he didn't impose anything on her, he never said a single harsh word to her. One day a girl, who loved the man Pandora married, found out that he had married that poor girl. So she went to their house and killed her. After that she married that man by making fake story of Pandora running away without telling him. After many years, the man and that girl were living together when one day that girl mysteriously went missing. It was very shocking to the man and he searched the entire kingdom but couldn't find her. After this incident, all the people who truly loved their partner, parents, children, friends etc. started going missing. When people tried to find out what was happening, they came to know that Pandora was the one behind all the disappearing cases. When they somehow talked to her and asked her why she was doing all this, she replied that she never received love from anyone and when she did, it was taken away from her so now she would never let any one, who possesses true love for someone, live with that love and that loved one(s) peacefully. Since then in every 20 years, she captures lovers, steals their power of love and vanishes." Matira completed her story then asked Adan what he came to know? "So it is written here that when parents love their children, friends love each other, partners love each other truly and deeply, then they are blessed with special powers by deities which powers strengthen their bond and allows them to protect their love and loved ones in the difficult times. If this power is lost then they fall weak and eventually die because mankind was made for one purpose and that is LOVE. It is also written her that if someone who has died, gains enough power of love from their loved ones who memorize them and were left in the world, then they would get a chance to rule the world and make it a better place with all the power of love they got." he told what he read, "So this means that she is gathering all the power of love she can so that she can come back in the world and make it a better place. But her way of gaining that power is hurting people." Matira said. "Yes you are right may be she is doing that because there is no one to remember her so she won't have enough power to return and make this world a place filled with love that is why she is taking this power forcefully." said Adan. Matira replied, "So all we have to do is make her feel that we understand her story and feel her pain and we are with her and we'll help her gain that power without hurting any one. Right?" he replied, "I guess that's right.".They quickly went back to the hall and shouted to stop Pandora from hurting anyone, "Pandora stop! You are doing wrong. You are hurting people instead of helping any one." Adan said, "No I am doing right. If I don't gain enough power,I won't be able to come back in this world and vanish all the evil from the world." Pandora replied to him then Matira said, "But in this way you will only get hate from everyone not love. Even if you gather enough power to come back in the world, no one would like to accept you as their ruler or leader everyone will look at you and remember all the pain you have given them and will hate you. All your power will go in vain!!", Pandora stopped for a moment, and then said, "But then how will I gain enough power to come back and make the world a better place? There is no one to remember and love me in the world." Adan replied," We are! We know your complete story and we feel what you felt and we want to help you but all this process should be without hurting anyone. Please!" Pandora thought and asked, "How will my story reach others?" Matira replied, "Leave that to us but please return everyone what you have taken from them and let them go." Pandora agreed and returned everyone their powers and let them go. "Great! now come with us back to our kingdom and we will tell people about you." Adan said to Pandora, "No! I have been forbidden by deities to leave this forest." Pandora told them, "Oh no! Now what will we do?" Matira asked Adan, "We will find a way because when there is a will there is a way but you will have to trust us and wait for us here." Adan replied and said looking at Pandora. Pandora agreed and let them go.

They left her place, quickly got on the back of Lucas and went back to their kingdoms. Adan went to kingdom Lunaris and Matira went to kingdom Celestia. They both decided to set up a play in the next annual function which was going to be held at the palace of king of kingdom Lunaris so even Matira won't be disallowed to go. They spent days asking Pandora her story in detail time to time, writing the play, gathering actors, arranging stage and asking permission from the king of kingdom Lunaris to perform in the annual function. Finally the day of annual function came. They had planned everything for over an year and now they were excited, scared and nervous. People were coming to the function from both kingdoms and as soon as everyone arrived, they started their show.

(Dialogues of the act)

{Scene#1: A young girl is living in a small cottage and few people pass by that cottage laughing at that girl and making fun of her}

person 1: Look at this poor little girl.

person 2: Yeah (laughs) Poor little girl. She doesn't even have a proper house.

person 3: If only her parents were here (laughs)

{They talk, laugh and leave}

Pandora: I have to know what happened to my parents, where they went and why did they leave me behind.

{Scene 2: Pandora goes to the castle to get information about her lost parents and ask the crown for help in finding her parents}

Guard 1: Stop young lady. Where are you going?

Pandora: I want to meet the king and ask about my parents.

Guard 2: Come with me.

(He takes her to the king's court)

King: Who are you young lady and what are you doing here?

P: Your majesty! I am Pandora and I came to ask you about my parents.

K: You have come to ask Me about YOUR parents? How would I know about them?

P: Well your majesty I have heard from people that you know who were my parents and where did they go.

K: Who were your parents?

P: Well all I know is that their names were Rosie and Leo.

(King stands up from his throne and gets tensed)

K: Guards! Please take this girl away from here.

P: But your majesty what happened?

K: I won't answer any question of yours get out!

(Guards come and take her away)

{Scene 3: It's night time and she is sitting beside bonfire thinking about what happened in the palace}

P: I don't understand why no one tells me about my past, my parents and just laugh and make fun of me. Uh I really need someone to tell me all this.

(Suddenly light shone upon her and she looked above to see some pictures playing like a drama. She saw that her parents were killed by the crown for loving each other and getting married. After that she was so shocked that she didn't even say a word)

{Scene 4: In the mid of the night, thunderstorm hits the kingdom and her cottage gets destroyed. She is forced ,due to the storm, to move away from the forest. She knocks at the doors of various homes but only one person took her in}

Gentleman: Well young lady! You can sleep here in the room and I will go to sleep in guest room. Hope you have a good night!

(The man leaves and Pandora thinks:)

P: This is so generous of him to let me stay. I wonder why he didn't banish me like others did.

(She went to sleep.)

{Scene 5: It is morning time and they both are having breakfast together}

P: Well I am so thankful to you for letting me stay here. I would have been lurking here and there in thunderstorm.

Man: No it's alright. You can stay here as long as you want. Please excuse me I have to go to work now. See you at dinner.

P: Yeah sure thank you once again. Also, I will go to find a place to stay.

M: But where will you find a place? All the forests have been destroyed badly due to storm and no one will keep you with them and you don't have money to pay rent as well. You can go to find a place to stay but please don't think that I am having any trouble with you. You can stay here as long as you want.

(Pandora thanked him and they both left the house)

{Scene 6: They both return home and go to their rooms to get fresh and then meet at the dinner table}

M: So how was your day? Did you find a place to stay?

P: No, unfortunately not! You were right all the forest has been destroyed and no one is willing to keep me on rent.So I have thought something else.

M: Really? What have you thought?

P: I will go and find work so that I can pay rent and live a better life now. But I don't know what type of work I can get.

M: Don't worry. I will arrange some good paying work for you.

P: Oh that would be great. How can I thank you enough.

M: No need to thank me. You just go to your room and sleep peacefully without any tension.

(They go to sleep in their rooms)

{Scene 7: Many days pass and one day Pandora finds a job and a place to stay}

M: So that's it. You are going.

P: Uh yes this time flew by quick. I had a really good time in your company. I hope we will continue our meetings.

M: (hesitating a bit) Well how about we have daily meetings day and night.

P: I didn't understand.

M: No...I...I meant. Yes actually...

P: Are you trying to purpose me?

M: Hah. Yes Kind of. I am sorry I didn't mean...

P:Hey Hey calm down. I will marry you!

(They hugged each other with purity shedding through their eyes.)

{Scene 8: They get married}

{Scene 9:Another girl is sitting alone frustrated and thinking something}

Girl: That poor girl! She got the chance to get close to him but me who has been his friend since last 12 years didn't. I'll not leave that little poor girl. He is only mine Only mine!

{Scence 10: That girl enters their house and makes Pandora faint and then takes her towards the forest. There she ties her with a tree and sets fire on the bushes around it and leaves}

{Scene 11: She writes a letter with Pandora's name and goes to visit him and as she enters the house, she hides that letter in his house}

Girl: Where have you been? You didn't even tell me that you got married.

Man: Ah yes. We didn't tell anybody. It was a quick arrangement.

G: So you won't introduce me to your wife?

M: Oh yes! I forgot. Pandora! Pandora!

(He waited a while but she didn't show up)

M: I think she'll be out for her work. Don't worry you can meet her at dinner.

G: I would love to but I have to leave right now, I will come some other day to meet her.

{Scene 12: Days and weeks pass but Pandora doesn't come back and her husband gets worried. He tries his best to search her but fails every time. Worried, he called his friend home to discuss and ask for her help}

G: What happened you called me in emergency.

M: I can't find Pandora any where. She hasn't come home since many days. I am so worried. I need you to help me out finding her.

G: (Pretends to be worried) Oh no! Yeah I will definitely help you let's go find her together.

{Scene 13: They go everywhere to find her, ask everyone and even go to forest but as soon as he gets close to find her proof, that girl diverts his attention and takes him away}

M: I don't know where is she. I am worried if she's fine.

G: I understand. (Meanwhile she pulls out the letter she wrote and pretends to act surprise)

G:Hey look what is this?

(Hands the letter over to him)

M: It says "Dear husband! I am sorry but I think that I am not good enough to be your wife and therefore I am leaving your house and even your kingdom. Don't try to find me I won't be able to spend my life with you. Take care of yourself and get married to a woman of your caliber. Good bye forever! Your wife Pandora.". (he gets shocked) This can't be, she can't do this. We were very happy together. I never let her feel that she is different from me. Why would she...(Starts crying)

G:(holds him and gives him support) Don't worry it's not your fault. She might have felt this in self pity. It's alright.

M: No it's not alright, I loved her!(Bursts into tears)

G:I understand but now you can't find her and she doesn't want to come back either.

(she tries her best to convince him to forget her)

M: No. At least she should have talked to me. I would have told her that there is nothing like this.

(they were talking while Pandora's soul was watching them, she was shouting and crying and was trying to tell him the whole story but he wasn't able to hear or see her.)

{Scene 14: Days went by Pandora tried to reach out to him but he didn't listen or see her and after a few days he believed that she had left him. That girl manipulated him even more to believe bad about Pandora and at last asked him for marriage and he agreed. The got married but one day, that girl also went missing. He again started searching for her and reached the forest.She was tied to a tree with bushes around it (it was the same tree Pandora was tied to) As soon as he got there, the fire lit up in the tree and the heap of bushes around it and she burned in front of him.}

{Scene 15: Many people from the kingdom started to go missing one by one and when this got serious, many people from around the world were brought to figure out what was happening and they found out that it was the soul of Pandora who was trying to gain all the power she can and come back to the world.They asked her to stop but she didn't agree so they made a deal with her that she would take people at least after every 20 years and she agreed.Since then, every 20 years people started getting hunted by her.}

(Play ends)

The hall went silent and then every one stood up for applause. Adan and Matira came to the mic,

Adan," This play was to show that Pandora is still out there waiting for her story to be heard and come back to this world so that what happened to her doesn't happen to any one else."

Matira," Yes all she needs from us is a little support if we all understand her pain and make her realize that we all are with her, then not only all these occurrences but she would be able to come back to this world and make a better place. A place where there is only love and no kind of hatred."

Kings of both kingdoms came on the stage to talk to the audience and they decided there that every one will go out to the dark forest and talk to Padora.

They all went to the dark forest and called her.When she came, she came in the form as she died, all her skin was burnt and she was bleeding and was in pain.

Every one started crying after seeing her and as the tears fell from everyone's eyes, they started to glow and that glow started to surround her and after a while, she was completely healed and everyone saw that she came back to the world in more beautiful and lovely form. Every one applauded her return.

They all were there meeting and greeting her when suddenly a voice from heaven echoed the forest.

Voice: People of Kingdom Lunaris and Celestia, we announce that from now on Pandora will rule over your kingdoms and they will become one Kingdom of Pandora. We bless her with all our powers so that she can make world a place filled with love and lacking hatred. May you all be blessed.

They all happily returned to their kingdom.

Matira's father returned from prison as well and after a few days Matira and Adan talked about their marriage. Everyone agreed and they got married. Started living happily ever after. But one day, Adan went missing!

THE END.