ATN 3: THE JAR IN THE MAZE

I AM TAUGHT THREE LESSONS

"See how easily we could change your fate?" Clotho asked me, as the three started descending slowly, "See how terrible we could make life for you?" 

"Give us one reason," Lachesis said, as the Fates came down on the ground, "one reason why we should not make your life exactly the way we showed to you." The voices seemed to be resonating around the hall.

"Please, don't." I said, joining my hands, "O the all powerful weavers of destinies, inflict your curse on me. Just me. I am your culprit, not my friends." Words came to me from inside. 

"Do you know, son of Hecate, why you have not been killed instantly after stepping your foot here?" Atropos spoke for the first time.

"No."

"It is because of the good deed you did on your way to our abode." Atropos said, "You saved those two little boys and sent them to their parents."

"Are they safe?" I asked, genuinely concerned.

"They are, dear mortal." Clotho said, "All thanks to you."

"Ladies of destiny," I addressed the three, "Is there any way to fill the hole created between the living and the dead worlds?"

"Asking for a favor after committing such a foolish act?" Lachesis asked, "Have you no shame?"

"Quiet, Lachesis." Atropos said, "It was an honest mistake, driven by the love for his cousin. Jay Chatterjee, I believe that an all powerful master sorcerer must have found a way yourself?"

I had my head down. I knew how to be modest when taught a lesson. I answered negatively. "I see." Atropos said, "Sadly, the curse has to be completed. These ghosts are out with a purpose. Do you know how they could harm you?"

I answered negatively again. "Clotho, dear?" Atropos asked.

"The ghosts are dead, so can't be killed in battle again." Clotho spoke, "However, they can touch and feel things, just like you. So, it is impossible to kill ghosts. If the ghost of the son of Heracles is out, he shall face absolutely no obstacle in reaching the Divine Source, and destroying it. Understand the problem you have gotten yourself and your friends into?"

I nodded. I carefully listened to the three. I had heard that Atropos was the shortest, eldest and fiercest of them all. But, whenever possible, Atropos was also the kindest of them all. Clotho and Lachesis followed her lead.

"Weaving a life thread is not an easy task, son of Hecate." Lachesis said, "Look around yourself. All these life threads are intertwined. The ones above are less intertwined, but still are. Destroying all our hard work does call for a curse. For, no person, no matter how powerful, no person can change theirs or someone else's fate. If they, somehow, do, they face a terrible curse. You are facing the same."

"But it's not just me." I said, "All of us are. Why do they have to face the curse? They did nothing wrong."

Clotho was about to say something, to which Atropos stopped her. She called the other two close to her, and they talked in some very ancient language, way beyond my reach of understanding.

"Come." Clotho finally said, "Let's show you something." The three sisters of Fate reduced themselves to my size.

She held me by my shoulder, with slight hardness. Lachesis and Atropos climbed the stairs and disappeared. She pointed towards all the webs that had been spun. "These are webs spun by me. Webs of life, spun in my spindle. See how they are intertwined?" Clotho told me. She picked me up, and flew to the farthest corner, "People meet, Jay Chatterjee. They meet, they form a relationship, whether love or hate, but their lives connect, they intertwine. That is why, when one has his or her fate changed, it affects the others too."