Legends of Amacia Attack on Tartarus
Chapter 19: Lynxian Sisterhood

Leila sighed, already missing him. “You are so lucky to have him, Selina,” she admitted. “He looks and acts so much like Thoth that it is actually frightening to a point. He looks and treats you exactly the way Thoth treated Ariel. I know. I was there and saw it.”

Selina’s heart dropped a notch as Hannibal left and she half-ignored Leila’s comments. “Yes, I’m very lucky,” she stated, “But in a way, I’m not lucky. One thing you don’t know is what happened to us right after we was married. It has been both a blessing and a curse.”

Leila managed to pull her legs back on the bed as she asked, “What happened?”

Selina shook her head as she turned to look at Leila. There was a kinship bond forming between them. Leila was like the grandmother Selina never had. “Hannibal and I are telepathically fused so deeply we can feel each other’s physical and emotional pain,” she declared categorically.

“Oh my,” Leila breathed in surprise, “If it’s not too personal, how did that happen?”

“It happened because of an accident with Tiamat’s Teacher right after we discovered it,” Selina stated, “I know what happened because I was there.” At that, she told her the story of the Teacher and the downloads it gave Hannibal; how Hannibal was nearly killed by the Teacher in the Archive at Tiamat. She told Leila every detail, right down to the fusing of their minds by the downloads when she tried to help Hannibal that fateful day right after they were married when the download hit him. It wasn’t long before Leila began to realize the true nature of Selina and Hannibal’s relationship and she marveled at it, how close it resembled that of Ariel and Thoth, even to the fusion of the minds together.

“What a marvelous things the fates can be, or as you put it, the will of your god. Either way, it’s a marvelous thing to behold,” Leila breathed in amazement. “Who would believe that I would be speaking with you in this place and in this remote time after receiving such a grievous wound at the hand of the Rakshasar and its pet werack. Do you realize that Thoth and Ariel were bonded the way you speak of, but not by the same means? They did not get their minds fused by accident the way you and Hannibal did. They loved each other so much that they did what only a very small minority of Lynxians ever opts to do: she fused herself telepathically with him on purpose, and he with her. It was completely consensual. They did it freely. Oh, my sister was so smitten with him. They were literally in each other’s souls, much like I see in you and Hannibal.”

Selina was listening politely, but a nagging question was burning in her mind and it kept getting hotter and hotter until she could stand it no longer. “Leila, how did you get here, you know from Kaitia?” she asked carefully.

“I might ask the same of you,” Leila countered. “But since you have been so sweet to me since I woke up, I’ll tell you what I can remember. But I must warn you, my memory of it is still a bit fuzzy.” Selina looked at her like a wide-eyed child waiting to hear a good story. Leila leaned back against the wall and straightened her nightgown out, sighing as she tried to remember it. “It was so long ago,” Leila stated with a faraway look in her eye, trying to remember. “But I seem to remember Ariel and I were born on this planet, but our parents did come from Kaitia.”

“Can you remember how they came to his planet?” Selina queried with the utmost curiosity.

“I’m not sure,” Leila stated, “It was so long ago.” She thought and the more she tried to remember, the more irritated she became because the fog in her memory was nigh impenetrable there. “Dag gone it; you know, I can’t seem to remember it,” she stated with some irritation. “How do you think I could have forgotten that? I vaguely remember my dad teaching us about Kaitia and Lynxians, and even how we came here, but it’s just not coming to me right now. I’m so pissed I can’t remember it.”

Selina smiled warmly, saying, “It’s all right. Maybe we aren’t supposed to know that right now. The Almighty has ways of keeping what He doesn’t want known secret, even causing amnesia in cases.”

“You sure have great faith in your God, Selina,” Leila stated. “What about you? How did you get here?”

Selina patted her on the hand, saying, “It’s a long story, probably as long as yours. But let’s not speak of that for now. We have much more important things to do, such as getting dressed, and showing you around. I’m going to get dressed, and then we’ll find you some clothes and that wheelchair Hannibal wanted for you.”

Leila was a bit disappointed, but held her tongue. “I promise I’ll tell you my story later,” Selina reassured as she got up. Leila nodded as Selina went to her dresser and got her clothes and went into the bathroom.

While Selina was in the bathroom getting dressed, there was a knock on the main door. Leila heard it and was unsure as to whether to answer. After the third knock with no answer, the door creaked open and Electra peeked her head in. “Hello, is anyone indecent?” she called out as she scanned the room with her deep bluish-green eyes. She immediately saw Leila sitting up with her back to the wall and a blanket pulled about her. Selina was nowhere to be seen. When Electra saw Leila, she pushed the door open, saying to Leila, “Oh; hello there. I’m Electra. Have you seen Selina?” Leila pointed to the bathroom without saying a word as Electra came in with some clothes expressly made for Leila. Electra had her snow-white hair braided into a single long ponytail and she was wearing a shapely tan dress with short sleeves that reached to her ankles. She came in, followed by Kida, who was wearing a plain gray dress with a belt, and Emma, who was wearing a light blue dress that reached to her ankles and was pushing a wheelchair. Electra went to Hannibal and Selina’s bed and laid the clothes down, then went to the bathroom door, knocking. “Selina, are you in there?” she called out.

“Yes, momma; I’ll be out in a second,” Selina replied.

While Electra was at the bathroom door checking on Selina, Kida and Emma walked over to Leila, looking at her with fascination. Leila looked on them with fascination too, especially Kida. Leila looked at Kida and saw a giant version of Selina who was just as pretty. Kida folded her arms and asked with a smile, “How are you doing today, sister?” Leila was stunned by the appearance of Selina’s mother and sibling: completely without words.

Electra walked over to Leila and stopped beside Kida and Emma, saying, “Don’t trouble her with questions, Kida. She’s still adapting to this place.”

Selina came out of the bathroom wearing a gray dress and belt like Kida. She walked up, seeing Leila’s mute face and chuckled, saying, “Leila, I’d like you to meet my sister, Kida.” Selina grabbed onto Kida’s arm, saying, “As you no doubt have noticed we are twins in almost every way. Kida was born, what, thirty seconds after I was, momma?”

Electra nodded, saying, “Yes. She was.”

Selina then grabbed onto Electra’s arm, saying “And this is my mother, Electra. Next to Hannibal and my dad, they are the most important people in my life. And over here is Emma. I see she brought the chair Hannibal promised. Thank you, Emma.” Selina let go of Kida and Electra and took Emma by the arm, bringing her forward closer to the bed so Leila could get a good look at her. “Emma is Enoch’s sister. She’s an empath. My sister and mother are telepathic, like me. Momma, Kida, Emma, I’d like you to meet Leila Karac, wife to Ezra Karac and sister of Ariel Caverias.” Leila looked at them and saw shadows of herself in every face, including Emma’s.

“I noticed clothes on the bed when I came out, momma. Are they for Leila?” Selina asked Electra.

Electra nodded, saying, “Yes. Once we knew that Leila was going to be with us a while, we took the liberty of finding her some clothes so she would feel like one of us.”

At that point, Leila finally spoke, saying softly, “Thank you, sisters.”

“Ah, so you can speak,” Kida said pleasantly. “For a moment there you had me going. I’m glad. For a while there after seeing that bite mark on you, we weren’t sure you were going to make it. This is truly a good day, momma.”

Electra nodded, saying, “Yes, it is. Leila Karac, we are at your service. If you need anything, just let us know. Would you like some breakfast? It’ll be ready in a few minutes. Can we help you get dressed?” Leila was beginning to relax somewhat in the presence of these other Lynxians. “No, I can dress myself, but I’ll need help moving around. Looks like I forgot how to walk.”

“No problem, sister,” Kida said pleasantly. “That is why we are here: to help.”

Selina spoke up in reference to Leila’s condition, saying, “Leila’s inability to walk is a result of her long stasis. It’s not because of wounds. Her body has literally forgotten how to do it. We are going to have to teach her to walk again. We’re also going to have to be careful what we give her to eat as well. She is almost like an infant in that manner. After such a long time, she may have problem with solid food.”

Electra nodded and noticed Leila was feeling a bit embarrassed. “It’s all right, honey,” Electra told Leila in a motherly fashion with a warm smile. “It’s nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed by. We will be right there for you.” She went back to the bed and picked up the clothes. She had three dresses to choose from which were tailored to Leila’s build: a tan dress, a magenta dress, and a silver dress. Electra handed the silver one to Selina and the magenta one to Kida. She then unfolded it and held it up for Leila to see. Selina and Kida did likewise with the dresses they had. “Now, my dear, which one do you want to wear today?” Electra asked with a smile.

Leila was stunned by the plain, but beautiful dresses. All three shimmered as they were displayed. “Gods,” Leila breathed. “They are beautiful. I haven’t worn beautiful dresses like these in a very long time.”

“Well, which one?” Kida asked pleasantly.

Leila looked at the dresses intensely, loving every one of them but she gravitated to the one that Selina was holding: the silver one. “They are all so pretty,” Leila stated. “But I think I’ll go with the one that Selina has.”

Electra promptly folded her dress up, saying, “Good choice. I thought you would go with the silver one. We’ll leave these others here for you.”

Selina stepped up the edge of the bed, handing the dress to Leila, asking, “Do you need any help?”

Leila shook her head, saying, “I think I can manage.” She took the dress and Selina turned back to Electra, Kida, and Emma, motioning for them to turn around, which they did.

Selina called out with her back to Leila, “Tell us when you are ready.”

They heard shuffling of clothes and within moments, Leila had the nightgown off and the dress on. “At least I remember how to dress myself,” she declared as she pulled the dress down over her legs. “My, this is such a fine garment. All right, you can look.” They all turned around to see Leila in the silver dress. Selina glanced at Electra with a smile, saying, “There is just one thing lacking.”

“What?” Electra asked as Selina went to her dresser and pulled out a silver shawl, a shawl that resembled the one she wore on her wedding day. It was part of the wardrobe Nicodemus had given her.

Selina returned with the silver shawl and gently draped it around Leila’s shoulder, saying, “There we go. Now it’s perfect.” Kida, Electra, and Emma gasped in wonder. With the addition of the shawl, Leila looked now like a beautiful queen.

Leila was equally amazed that Selina had given her a piece of her wardrobe. She fingered the shawl, saying, “It’s beautiful. Thank you, Selina. Thank you so much.”

Selina smiled broadly, saying, “You’re so welcome. It’s the least I can do for the sister of Ariel. After all, we are sisters, and related by blood. Welcome to our sisterhood, Leila.”

Tears welled up in Leila’s eyes. “I’m overwhelmed by such gentle kindness,” she whimpered, wiping her tears away. “It’s been a very long time since I’ve seen this level of kindness because of that accursed war.”

Electra sat beside Leila on the bed and hugged her with one arm. “We cannot imagine what horrors you saw in that war,” she stated, “...but you can be sure of this. We do care deeply for you, Leila. You are family and family always looks out for and protects itself. You aren’t alone, Leila. We love you.”

“Yes,” Kida agreed. “That we do. In fact, in a strange way, you remind me of my grandmother on Kaitia. I’d be honored if you’d be my grandmother.”

“So would I,” Selina purred. “I would consider it the highest honor if you’d consider us your grandchildren.”

A sob of joy bubbled out of Leila as she reached out, pulling Selina into an embrace. “It would give me no greater pleasure than to be your grandmother, Selina, Kida. I’m amazed at how much love I feel coming from you all. You’ve accepted me just as I am with a love I’ve only seen in three people.”

“Who were they?” Emma asked, pushing a stray hair out of her face.

“Thoth and Ariel,” Leila replied softly, “...and from my beloved Ezra; they’re the only ones I’ve ever seen this level of unconditional love from. It’s like they’re reaching out from their graves to comfort me. I find it a little unnerving to see their behaviors so perfectly replicated in you girls.”

“Don’t let it shake you,” Selina urged, holding Leila’s hand and looking her in the eye. “Maybe they are trying to comfort you from beyond the grave. After all, we’re descendants of Thoth and Ariel in one form or another. Maybe the Almighty is letting them comfort you through us. I would not dismiss that idea at all. The Almighty can do as He sees fit since He’s the only real God.”

“That’s just the kind of thing Ezra and Thoth would say,” Leila stated softly, “Thank you for trying to comfort and help me adjust to this strange new reality. It helps.”

Selina leaned in and kissed Leila on the cheek. “I’m glad,” she stated. “If you need anything, just let us know, even if it’s just a friendly ear. We’re here to help you just as much as we’re here to help Hannibal do what he needs to do.”

“That’s true,” Electra purred. “We’re here to help you in all ways, so when you feel the burden of your life starting to crush you, call on us. We will help you carry it. It’s what family does for one another.”

Leila put her arm around Electra and hugged her. “Thank you,” she answered, choking with emotion again, “...all of you; knowing you’ve got my back really helps. I don’t feel so isolated now.”

“Excellent,” Selina chimed. “That’s why we’re here. Now, are you ready for that tour we promised?”

“By all means,” Leila stated, “I want to see what’s beyond this room, and to see how much Antilla has changed since my wounding.”

“That we can do,” Emma chimed, “But don’t be surprised when you see how much has changed since your time. Things are quite different now from the time before the Kragonar.”

“I understand,” Leila replied. “But if I intend to continue in this time, I need to see it for myself.”

“I can understand that,” Selina stated. “Come on. Let’s get you into the wheelchair so we can get moving. You can’t see the world from in here.”

“No, I can’t,” Leila agreed, chuckling softly. In less than a minute, Kida and Selina picked Leila up and deposited her in the wheelchair while Emma held the chair still. Moments later, they had left the room, beginning their task of familiarizing Leila with her surroundings. Electra stayed behind, cleaning up the room.

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