Khushi's head was swirling with many questions. She just couldn't accept she was descendant of the gods. She just couldn't. She was a goddess or demi-goddess, whatever it is. It is totally absurd on so many levels.

How can she have so much power, so much power that she can accidentally destroy the whole world?

Yet

She was so powerless to protect herself. She didn't even know how badly she was played, mentally, emotionally, physically until it all slapped her on the face.

And she was powerless to defend herself yet they are telling her she is supposed to be a protector.

She has powers.

Isn't this irony at it's best.

The powerless is powerful.

And though no matter how hard she tried to deny the truth of the matter. The truth was crystal clear just a few minutes ago. It was all in front of her eyes, the clouds, the storm, the violent rain, everything.

"Arnav, "

"Bhabima"

The admonishing tone of Saesha and whiny tone of the current bane of her life alerted her that she had reached the dining hall in her trance.

"It wouldn't have taken me more than a few minutes to reheat all this, Nav," Saesha said exasperated.

"And I did it in seconds bhabs, you didn't even have to plate all this again, " a pouty Arnav pointed out with his mouth full of food.

"But Kanil said not to use your powers like this, Nav"

"Well, what bhai doesn't know won't kill him, " Arnav grinned, Saesha just shook her head ruffling Arnav's hair, serving him few more helpings of pasta.

The scene going in front of her reminded too strongly of Aryaman and Anjali. Anjali used to pamper Arya like this too, always serving him his favorites lovingly. Arya's eyes used to twinkle like stars.

"Are you sure about that fact dearest, Nav?"

The pointed question from Sid as he wrapped his arms around Khushi and steered her towards the chairs drew her out of her daydream.

There was no Aryaman and Anjali in her life anymore. They weren't here. They never would be again. She won't have any relation with the family of the killer, who murdered her mom in cold blood.

Even if it shatters her heart, she won't be part of that world again. She can't be part of that world again, she reminded herself. The powers, the demi-goddess status just won't let her.

"Khushi, you okay?"

The gentle squeeze on her shoulder followed by the soft concerned questions drew her mind away from the life she was used too. The life that'll be her haunting past now.

"Yea...yeah, "

Khushi said, not meeting Saesha's gaze. But Khushi had to when Saesha didn't lift her hand from her shoulder. Hesitantly, She lifted her gaze to gauge Saesha's expression, and Saesha's perfectly arched questioning eyebrows made it, perfectly clear that she didn't believe her at all.

"I...it's just too much to take in, I think I'm overwhelmed, " Khushi admitted, thankful for the momentary static from the boy's side.

"I know, they can be really overwhelming at first but you'll get used to it, " Saesha reassured her.

Khushi wanted to disagree with Saesha. She isn't as confident as Saesha on this matter. It doesn't feel like it will ever stop being completely overwhelming. How can it ever stop being overwhelming? How can she not panic knowing the extent of power she wields? How can people pray to her? It all feels so wrong, so absurd, so not right. And she is sure it won't ever stop being overwhelming. She couldn't protect herself and now she is a protector. Yeah, she is sure it won't ever be alright.

But she didn't have the heart to tell all this to Saesha. So, she just smiled in her direction. A smile that didn't quite reach her eyes and Saesha didn't quite comment on it, knowing how hard it all can be.

"Well, you should start eating before Arnav finishes all the food, Khushi" Sid's dry comment broke the gloomy atmosphere around them.

And Khushi turned her gaze away from Saesha to the table to find a loaded plate in front of her and an Arnav Rawte happily eating his food without any care of the world around him.

"It's... it's too much, " Khushi said surprised by the amount of food on her plate. All her life, she had been told girls shouldn't eat much. It's not good and now, her plate contained as much food as Sid and Saesha's. She can't tell how much food Arnav has consumed until now. He is placing helpings after the helpings of food on his plate.

"Nonsense...you'll need it. Snowy don't come here"

The dismissal tone Saesha used for her changed to strict as she beckoned someone to her. And it consumed Khushi's whole strength to not scream in fright watching a totally white wolf towering her sitting form walk towards Saesha from somewhere behind her. God, what was the problem with these people? Who names such dangerous animals such cute names? Snowy!!! The wolf's head might easily reach above her chest when she is standing. Who names such giant wolf snowy?

"Umm...don't mind Snowy Khushi, he is still young and he wanted to steal the food, he doesn't mean any harm," Saesha said apologetically noticing Khushi's frightened look, running her fingers through the pristine white fur of the wolf, Snowy.

Snowy who passed her a sly wolfish smile. Great, now she knows what a real wolfish smile looks like and kid if he is a kid.

"How large he is supposed to be?" Khushi asked wide-eyed.

"Well, his height is supposed to be 6 feet and large enough for two grown-up humans to easily ride him, " Sid answered her question, noticing even Saesha looked uncertain.

"Though he is a spoiled brat, " Arnav added his very important piece of information, sticking his tongue out at Snowy.

Snowy rolled his eyes at Arnav and Khushi didn't know how; him being spoiled mattered in this situation?

"Well, you see little Mister snowy is bhai's first gift to bhabi. So, he is a little extra pampered brat, " Arnav spoke in a very conspiratory tone "though I'm still bhabi's fav, ain't I, Bhabi ma"

Was he aware he was competing with a pet for affection? Khushi thought looking at Arnav with an odd look?

"Sid is my fav, " Saesha informed Arnav flatly.

"Now, I'm gravely wounded, bhabi ma. My heart is breaking in tiny pieces. I'm dying, dying of the heartbreak, oh!! my fair maiden, thou gravely wound me, "

Everyone on the table ignored Arnav's theatrics even snowy-the wolf.

"Do you want some deserts, Mr wounded heart?" Saesha asked Arnav ignoring his broken heart drama.

"Yes, absolutely bhabi ma. I love you, you're the best, " Arnav said perking up instantly.

Sometimes, Khushi really feels she is more mature than this born demigod and this reminded, her of the question that was troubling her from the moment they disclosed everything.

"You said, The weather changes with upheaval in my emotions. My anger, pain, happiness, and everything ignites it....but, I..." Khushi didn't know how to tell them she had broken down several times since her revival. How to tell them she had cried every night for everything she lost? Why didn't the weather change then? Why didn't thunder crack and rain hail a storm then? But she didn't have to as Sid and Arnav seemed to understand her unasked question again.

"Because we were neutralizing it. Since, the moment we got to know the source of such disturbance we neutralized it, " Sid answered somberly.

And a "how, " escaped her lips before she could even think it over. And she didn't at all like the answering smirk that lit up on Arnav's face.

"Because sweetheart we are the Jeeva clan, " said Arnav with a playful smirk playing on his lips as he wiggled his fingers in her direction.

Why was he saying hi to her? Was the first thought that came in her mind. But it soon turned into shock, Khushi was sure her mouth must be hanging open for flames danced above Arnav's index finger, water shape-shifted on his middle finger, air swirled above his ring finger, vines wrapped around his pinky and a white and black mist looking almost like a ying-yang orbited around his thumb.

Jeeva-control all.

Khushi couldn't tear her eyes away from the display of control by Arnav. He was yielding all the five powers together and there wasn't even a little strain on his face. They were perfectly controlled. They were perfectly complimenting each other and even though Khushi really wanted to slap away that infuriating smirk from his face. She couldn't help but be in total awe of his control.

"Your control should be similar, " Arnav offhandedly informed Khushi and she literally choked on thin air.

She can't even summon the clouds consciously and he expected her to be able to summon lightning on her fingers, control it and play with it. Like it's not at all danger. He is totally insane.

She can't do that even if her seven lifetimes are combined.

"Well, How should we train her then, oh my brother dearest?" Arnav asked Sid feeling really gleefully of her horrified expression.

She looked cute, shocked.

Sid downed a thoughtful expression while Khushi glared daggers at Arnav and tried to rattle her mind for information on Jeeva clan.

What had Sid told her about Jeeva? They were considered the savages in the story and princess Anika despised her bethoral with Jeeva Ruler but why? Because no one knew much about them. They lived in seclusion. But Sid had said something about why they were established. What was that?
Rulers, they were some kind of rulers but what?

"Love, no need to put so much pressure on your brain. You'll learn all about us during the training" Arnav said with that mile-wide mischievous glint in his eyes.

And though, Khushi could feel a blush rising on her cheeks at the so casual use of love but she fought it down vehemently and instead scowled in Arnav's direction. One of these days, she might make a lightning bolt hit him accidentally.

"How...how are you going to train me?" Khushi questioned the thoughtful looking Sid totally ignoring Arnav. She can't deal with his teasing and mischief all day. Can't this guy ever be serious?

"Well, I've to talk with my brothers, first. Khushi, you see we might be able to control all the elements but we have born affinity towards some more than others like my affinity towards earth is stronger than my other powers, Arnav's affinity is towards the water. So, we have to discuss the course of action and what will suit you, " Sid said calmly as always.

Though Khushi wasn't at all feeling calm. From all the boys the ones she interacted most were Sid and Arnav. She was most comfortable with them and neither one of them had an affinity with her power. It was so bad.

Which brother had an affinity with her power?

She hopes it's not Iresh. She feels terrified in his presence. He has this officer aura which makes her feel inferior. She feels like a mischievous student called in principles office around him. Kanil, Kanil is fine but still, she feels awkward around him and Arjun, she hadn't even once heard him speak. He is too calm, too tranquil. It's unnatural. His expression is always set on unfazed mode. It's like nothing in this world can surprise him. How will she learn to control her power from any of them?

Why couldn't Arnav or Sid have an affinity with her power? She knew them. Sid knew how to make her feel comfortable and Arnav as annoying as he is - understands her.

Why didn't they have an affinity with her power?

"Don't worry, you'll learn to control your power from the guy blessed by Indra dev himself, " Arnav reassured her with a genuine soft smile.

See, that's what she was talking about - he understands her. And though, she nodded doubtfully in his direction. She didn't doubt the powers of his brother. She doubts whether she'll be able to understand from them or not.

"I highly doubt, you'll learn the practical art any time soon. Your body is still not ready for that you need to prepare it to harness and wield the raw airpower, " Sid added noticing her still skeptical expression.

She smiled genuinely this time, touched, how much this family tried to look after her and make her comfortable. No one ever thought this much about her feelings ever. No one besides Arya... No, Khushi -don't think about him. She ordered her mind.

"Well, I think we'll begin with knowledge and meditation first. After all, inner strength is the most important factor, " Sid said musingly and Arnav lit up like a 100-watt bulb while Khushi felt dread rising thinking about his idea.

"Yups, I can teach you all about human anatomy and Physiology, plant anatomy and physiology, animal anatomy and physiology, genetics, immunology, microbiology..."

As Arnav continued mentioning subjects with a gleeful expression. Khushi's expression turned alarmed. He can't mean she had to study all this? Can he? She was never good at science and here he is mentioning bio subjects with a maniacal relish.

She turned her attention to Sid for help. She'll take the practical part happily now if it saves her from studying all this.

"Knowledge is the world's sharpest and most lethal weapon, Khushi and you should be aware of your own anatomy and the anatomy of all those species you're going to be connected with, I think I'll do the meditation and help in the human and basic medicine study..."

And like that Khushi's plea to escape classes was rejected while Sid and Arnav divided the life science subjects. Saesha assured them that she'll teach Khushi the history of the clan world as Saesha had studied it recently too.

They decided to further ask Dhriti, Aashvi, Arjun, and Kanil what they will be able to teach. Riya and Iresh were left because of their busy schedules and so, were Khushi's suggestions.

Khushi felt she'll die because of the number of books they were mentioning. Arnav's looks did nothing to assure him. How did a bookaholic like him be such a prankster?

"Umm...should we show her the armory bhaiya?" Arnav asked Sid thoughtfully eating his third pudding.

"Sure, she can select her choice weapon though she won't be able to train with yet. It won't do her any harm, " Sid said looking at Khushi.

Khushi was still nibbling on her first bowl of pudding. Their training plans had filled her stomach already. So, when they mentioned an armory she followed them silently knowing they'll explain everything in due time.

Or

A time that suited them anyway. Her eyes lingering on the many Sanskrit quotes on the wall though she didn't know the meaning of even one as she wasn't aware of Sanskrit. She decided to ask Arnav what they meant later.

Sid and Arnav pushed opened an ancient-looking heavy silver door and led her in the armory. Khushi again couldn't help but gasp watching the scene in front of her.

The armory room was a large, a very large room seemingly fully made of silver and bronze. There was a large Sanskrit written quote on the wall opposite the door.

" अनभ्यासे विषं शास्त्रमजीर्णे भोजनं विषम्।
दरिद्रस्य विषं गोष्ठी वृद्धस्थ तरुणी विषम्।।"

"It means, that just like the best food doesn't help the body in the problem of indigestion and works like poison, the absence of sustained exercise of skills and subjects also does the same thing to a professional, " Arnav translated the shlok for Khushi watching her eyes stuck on the wall.

Khushi just nodded her thank you to him. Flushing slightly.

"So, welcome to the dearest armory of my Iresh bhaiya, if he was here, he would likely tell you always respect the weapons and that we don't choose a weapon, our weapons choose us, " Arnav spoke intimating Iresh's best serious professor like tone.

Khushi just stared at him amused. How can someone make serious lines sound comical? But it seems to be Arnav's inbuilt talent.

"Don't let jyest ever catch you speaking like this, Nav, " Sid warned Arnav laughing as he led Khushi towards the different looking weapons kept respectfully around the room.

He first led her to the section of armors or "Kavach" as they were calling the armors.

" You know like singing, dancing, and everything is called a God gifted talent. The art of using a particular weapon is also a talent. Every protector is gifted with a special weapon like Iresh bhaiya's chosen weapon is Trishul, Dhriti bhabi's choice weapon is a scimitar, Kanil's mace and so on, "

Sid concluded knowing any more info will overwhelm Khushi and Khushi's eyes were locked with a celestial bow, he knew she got her chosen weapon.

"Go on take it, " Sid ushered Khushi towards the weapon.

As soon as Khushi touched the bow, a golden glow surrounded the bow, and vāta inscription appeared on the bow. A shocked Khushi turned to Sid for help but help came from Arnav.

"Vāta means airy element, congo, you got your chosen weapon, "

Arnav beamed at her though Khushi didn't understand, why? What was so special about this?

"Well, it's totally confirmed you're a demigoddess now. It's a celestial bow, it wouldn't have glowed if you weren't a demigoddess with power, " Sid cleared.

Though, Khushi was still confused as to why Arnav seemed so happy about this? It just didn't make any sense like many things about them. Why did they have a so large room just for weapons when they said their responsibility was to protect nature from humans? What's the need for all this weapon?

And from their words, it seems they practice with it daily. But why?

Khushi has so many questions but before she could ask about them to Sid and Arnav. She noticed the sudden pained expression on their face.

"Emergency, "

Both of them said this together and then rushed away from there. Khushi turned to Saesha confused, not knowing what all this was about? They were chatting happily just now then what happened? She just couldn't understand.

"Something happened in the jungle, " Saesha clarified and Khushi felt stupid again for being surprised.

Of course, something happened in the jungle. All of them were connected to the jungle. They might have felt the distress or something emitting from it.

How? She didn't know.

But still, there were so many "why's" swirling in her mind. There seemed many things about this world that were making absolutely no sense.
She was just so confused.

Why couldn't she be just normal?

Just Khushi.

~to be continued~

So, here's the next update guys.

The guesses were wrong. You're welcome to guess again. And you all might have heard about fire and water pairings.

But this time its water and air.

Excited.

Are you excited to know about the rules of this world? Are you also questioning everything like Khushi? Do you have why's in your minds? Then continue reading and find every answer with Khushi.

We are about to step in a totally imaginary world. Unleash, your imaginations and btw this is snowy.