CHAPTER 4: The Present

I was brought back to the present time of this world. The place is modernized now compared to that time in the memory we were in. There were many buildings and there's a new fashion trend of accessories and dresses. How many years have passed after that time in the memory?

"I have one thing to ask you, Alexandra. " I looked at her with a questioning look.

"Do you accept this offer?" she asked straightforwardly. She already knew that my suspicions are gone now. She looked at me like she's fine if I won't accept it. She's so considerate.

"What are my benefits from this offer? And what would you like me to do if I accept this offer?" I asked her. I need to make sure that I'm not losing from this offer. I'm sure she wants me to change the past. That's what she said. And if I'll do that, I need to study and act the way people do here. Changing the past and making this world stand is not an easy task. I feel like I'm being a hero now. *laughs* What a silly thought.

"You'll get what you want most in your life. I know that you know what I mean. I don't want you to be pressured. Just do what you want and do what you think is right. I know that you'll do better. I trust in you," she said with her angelic smile. You can't even say no to that smile. *sigh* Why does she have so much trust in me?

"Okay, I'll accept the offer," I said with determination. I can do this! Maybe this life will be my chance to live the life that I want. She smiled and extends her hand to teleport us to another place again. Are we going to see Avyana now?

"Let's go see her now, Alexandra." I held her hand as we teleported to a place where Avyana is. When we arrived, I almost cringed at the poor state of the Red family. It's not just Avyana that I saw, it's the whole family that's inside the prison. I almost forget that they're here waiting for their execution.

"I'm sorry, mother, father, and brothers. This is all my fault. If I was not greedy and selfish, you wouldn't be here." I looked at Avyana as she said that. She seems so sincere.

"Don't say that, Avy. You're our precious girl and we're family. Who would leave their family behind in times like this?" I think that's Avyana's mom. Good for her that she has a family like that. Not everyone can have a loving and doting family that she has.

"Come here, you crybaby." I heard her brothers say. I saw her scooting over them. They hugged and laughed at each other. Even though they know that death is waiting for them, they still have this warmth in their family. They just accepted their fates.

"Avyana's 23 now, just like you, Alexandra." I turned to look at Adara who's beside me. She's not looking at me but the loving family inside the prison while she talks. "Now that I saw this loving family that Avyana has, my conscience can't take it when I'll become the Avyana soon. I feel like I'm stealing her position. And I don't want that." I turned my head to avoid Adara's gaze. I feel guilty. How could I steal Avyana's family?

"You're not stealing anything, Alexandra. It was given to you. Avyana gave up on her life and prayed to me that she will sacrifice her soul if I change the past. I did say that I gave my people freedom of choice. And that gave me an idea. Once I turned back the time, you'll be the real Avyana. The old Avyana will not exist anymore. If one must be sacrificed to save the many, I'll do it. It may sound harsh but I got no other choice. It's hard for me too. She's also one of my people. But, she has done enough. How could I make my people suffer? You see Avyana, we Gods and Goddesses are not allowed to interfere with the things going on in our worlds. I've disobeyed the rules for this world to survive. I interfered by getting a soul from another world and I want to change the past. These two crimes will get me punished. I know the word got out and sooner or later they'll punish me. You're my only hope, Alexandra." I was shocked beyond words by what she said. Why did she just say that now? And why is she so calm about this? For a Goddess that's going to be punished, she sure is so calm.

"What will happen to this world if you're gonna get punished? Who will watch over your world?" I asked frantically. Maybe this world will collapse because of her now.

"*laughs* Don't be silly, Alexandra. I won't die because I'm a goddess. Don't worry, I have many allies. They'll make a way to get me out of a bad situation." she proudly said that. I didn't know she had that side of her.

"By the way, are you allies with the God in my world too?" I asked.

"What do you think?" She asked back. Well, he might be an ally to her. She couldn't get me from my world if not for him, right? And he can get her out of the crime of interfering with another world by denying that.

"Were you lying when you said that my soul called out to you?" She may be lying about that because I'm a soul from an ally's world.

"No, I'm not. Your soul really called out to me. I was so delighted to see that you were in a very close ally's world. It turned out well for me." she said with a smile.

It looks like there's nothing to worry about from how unperturbed Adara is. I'll let this one go because I started to trust her now. I turned my attention to Avyana who's now conversing with her family. It seems like they're reminiscing. They don't have anything else now but the happy memories they created.

"Didn't Avyana see us? I thought she's gonna see me." I said to Adara.

"Later, Alexandra. Just let her have her last moment of her family," she said. Now I'm confused.

"Are they going to be executed today?" Adara just chuckled. I have no clue what made her chuckle.

"No, they're going to be executed tomorrow. This is her last moment because after you're done talking to her, I'll put your soul to that body to make you see the memories of Avyana. You want to know what her memories and what she did to end up like this, right?" Yes, I really am curious. What could be the worst thing that she did to make herself and her family be in this bad situation? Adara showed a knowing smile to me. She knows what my answer is.

"Tonight, when all her family members will sleep, you can talk to her." I nodded in understanding. We waited for the night to come. We came here at sunset. So, it's not that very long to wait.

And then the night came. They're still conversing with each other. I think they're not going to sleep tonight knowing that they're going to die tomorrow. They might as well spend their remaining time with their family.

"It's time, Alexandra." I looked at Adara with clear confusion shown on my face. She said that I'll talk to Avyana when her family sleeps. Wait. I think I know what she'll do, but I hope I'm wrong. Just when I started to doubt my thoughts, she went inside the prison and cast a spell to make Avyana's family sleep. *facepalm*

I saw Avyana widen her eyes because of shock and fear. I think she thought her family just died.

"They're not dead, Avyana. I just put them to sleep." Adara suddenly talked to her. I guess she put off the invisibility spell and I guess a barrier spell too because earlier, the family didn't hear us when we're talking. I saw Avyana turned her attention to Adara. Just imagine the shocked look she had when she saw her Goddess. If I was in her shoes, I guess I would be like that too.

"I'm not hallucinating, right? You're really our Goddess Adara?" she asked with eagerness. I can see the respect she had in Adara. It's like she's a fan looking at an idol. I cringed and looked in Adara's way. *laughs* I'm not really used to see someone idolizing Adara. I saw Adara looked my way and chuckled. I guess she saw the look on my face.

"Yes, Avyana. I'm here again because I brought Alexandra with me. I love you but you committed so many sins and treated others' lives as if it's just insects. I'm sorry that I have to do this, Avyana." Adara softly said to her. I was shocked when Avyana smiled full of hope. Does she really want to give up her soul?

"Don't be sorry for me, Goddess. This is because of the decisions I made in the past. I just want you to change the past. I don't care if I live or not. I want my family to be happy and free from worries because of a selfish daughter like me. Please, Goddess. I beg you." she desperately asked Adara.

"Yes, Avyana. That's why I'm here. You said you want to talk to Alexandra, right? Here she is." Adara said and looked at me. I saw Avyana looked in my way. Imagine the shock on our faces when we realized that we looked alike. Now that I stared at her, she really looked like me and I looked like her.

"Y-You're Alexandra, right? I may sound shameless, but please save my family. I don't deserve a family like them." She's really desperate. She clung to my knees like she's begging a master. When I see her like this, the scene of her slapping that maid in the memory popped in my mind. I half pitied her and half-mad at her.

"I'll do it, Avyana. Don't worry, I'll make your family happy." I assured her. She thanked me and turned her attention back to Adara. Adara seemed to know what she wants by the way she's looking at her.

"Let's go, my child. You'll be free now." Adara said as she cast a spell and pull out the soul of Avyana from the body. The body fell like it's dead. Well, it's dead. Adara turned to me and smiled.

"Are you ready, Alexandra?" I looked at Adara and Avyana on her side. They're smiling at me. It seems like they're waiting for me to answer. I smiled at them and said, "Yes".