Aditi's Perspective:
I was taken aback and bewildered by the fact that the mural on the wall had begun to speak! Yet, it appeared that I was the only one who could hear it, as Arjun stayed silent, and both Yash and Aish didn't seem nearly as astonished as I was. Perhaps this was just another hallucination, reminiscent of that day in the hotel. My visions have been intensifying with each passing day. I can't shake the feeling that my time is running out.
Aditi! What's that strange mark on your hand? Yash asked, still reeling from the shock. I glanced down at my palm and noticed a flickering flame. A memory stirred within me—this fiery symbol was something I had written about in my book years ago. Why did it resonate so deeply with the marked men of SuryaGarh, just as I had described?
"I'm not sure," I replied, rubbing my hands together in a futile attempt to erase it. The mark stubbornly remained.
"Hey everyone! Look, it's the first rain of the season! Let's celebrate!" Aish exclaimed, gesturing toward the sky. I turned to Yash, and it was clear he was smitten with Aish. His affection brought me a sense of comfort, knowing he would have someone to lean on after I was gone. But then my gaze shifted to Arjun. A wave of sadness washed over me as I saw the emptiness in his eyes. He appeared so lost, so alone, and the thought of his loneliness tugged at my heart.
I grasped the hands of Yash and Arjun, and together we stepped into the rain. At first, he hesitated, but soon he let go of his reservations and joined us. We twirled and swayed, lost in the joy of the moment. I yearned for time to stand still, wishing I could hold onto this bliss just a little longer.
Next day, next morning:
Arjun POV:
I sat at my desk, deep in thought about the strange occurrences that unfolded at the temple of Goddess Zenora. I have always been skeptical about the existence of a higher power. To me, if gods were real, the world wouldn't be filled with such cruelty, especially towards innocent lives lost to violence. Yet, I found myself agreeing to visit the temple after Aditi encouraged me to go. What happened next was completely unexpected: the mural on the wall began to speak. It left me utterly bewildered. I learned that shadow weavers could only inhabit individuals who embodied one of the seven deadly sins, a concept that seemed to resonate with everyone around me, as it appeared that no one was entirely free from these vices. This raised questions in my mind: what could the Goddess's blessing truly mean? And why was Aditi the one chosen for this enigmatic role?
What was the importance of that unusual vision? Take a moment to contemplate, Arjun... Contemplate. I closed my eyes to explore my inner thoughts more thoroughly. What was that striking red object? A sun shining with intense brightness—what could it signify? It resembles a flag. This flag is embellished with a magnificent red sun. A luminous sun! It symbolizes the flag of SuryaGarh!
At that moment, I realized that everything that transpired at the temple was connected to Aditi. SuryaGarh also had ties to her. The strange vision seemed to indicate that the kingdom was summoning us both... but for what reason?
I spot Rohan making his way down the corridor.
"Sir, there's a strange man who seems very eager to talk to you! We tried to stop him, but he refuses to back down."
Who is this unusual person so intent on meeting me?
"Fine, let him in."
As the door opens, I see an elderly man resembling a sage, dressed in worn-out garments. His skin is weathered, yet he carries an aura that feels otherworldly.
"Hey Murkh! Don't get in my way, or you'll be reduced to ashes!" I saw him shouting at one of my workers. But the realization later shocked me!
What on earth? This man is speaking SuryaGarhi! He's actually communicating in SuryaGarhi!
He halted when he noticed me. It is deemed disrespectful to gaze at a sage adorned with a flame atop their head. Such sages are believed to be devoted followers of Goddess Zenora. This flame manifested on Aditi's hand at the temple just yesterday.
I bowed in reverence. The one group I would never dare to disobey is the Zenora Sages. Every utterance from their lips is regarded as truth. What brings this sage to our realm?
"Rudranatha!" He called my name. He recognizes me.
I touched his feet as a sign of respect. He spoke in SuryaGarhi.
"May Goddess Zenora bless you!"
"Mighty Sage, may I inquire why you are here in this realm?" I asked quietly, lowering my head.
"I had no intention of entering this realm! However, I received a message from the Goddess herself to visit you!"
What a peculiar man! Does he really expect me to believe him?
"What message are you referring to, my lord?" I asked, trying to avoid offending the elderly Man.
"I know you lack respect for me, Rudranatha! But at least show some reverence for Goddess Zenora! She is the supreme creator!"
Ah, so he intended to recruit me as one of Zenora's followers?
"How could I possibly disobey you, Almighty!"
"That's wise of you! I've come to deliver a message. It's not for you, but for her. However, since you protect her, I thought it best to approach you first. Goddess Zenora has faith in you!"
Why would the Goddess of snakes ever place her trust in me?
"What message? Just tell me, you foolish Man!"
"Watch your words, General Rudranath! It won't end well for you or for HER if the Goddess gets angry! Do not provoke her!"
I chose to stay quiet, not for my own benefit, but for hers. I wanted to avoid causing her any trouble, as my interactions with Goddess Zenora often resulted in unforeseen complications.
"She has been watching you! From the heavens. She is particularly interested in your dear Aditi."
"What do you mean by interest, My Lord?" It seems these deities are always on the lookout for new human distractions.
"Life! She desires a few more years of vitality. Each time she visits the Temple, she asks for additional years of good health."
I was taken aback. I had no idea she was in such a difficult situation. It must take immense faith for her to mention Zenora in the book, creating a unique link between our worlds.
"You know as well as I do! The Goddess is the only one who can grant the gift of extended life."
"This isn't Suryagarh, where the goddess can unleash her power!" I screamed, growing irritated by his constant pressuring.
"She is the goddess of both realms and holds immense strength."
"And what deal is she making to grant Aditi these extra years? "
"A lifetime deal! She must fulfill a task set by the Goddess, after which she will receive years filled with prosperity and health."
"I suspected as much. The Goddess is truly devious. I won't let her use Aditi as a pawn. Regarding Aditi's life, I plan to trade my own future years with God Zenor."
As I turned to leave, the sage halted me, saying:
"Zenor is just as deceptive, if not more so, than Goddess Zenora. Consider this: even if you offer Aditi your years, will she truly be content knowing they are yours?"
The answer was NO. She would never be happy knowing that it was my life. It didn't matter if she got some extra years to live her life. Maybe those extra years will overshadow her sad and miserable life.
" You dont know if you are going to survive just another day Rudra. What if you die just one day after her destined death! Will that day just be enough for her?! If you really want to give her a life filled with happiness and prosperity, take her to the shadow weaver! He'll help you to reach at the start of journey. Do not come in between Goddess's destined plan. OR IT WILL BE WORSE FOR BOTH OF YOU!", saying this he disappeared into the thin air.
What the actual fuck! This fucker had come just to blackmail me into trapping Aditi into Goddess Zenora's trap?! And all those kidnappings were done by Shadow Weaver. Meaning all these days the one behind kidnappings was Goddess Zenora herself!?
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Tip: The timeline for Book realm is ahead by 100 years to real world timeline. Meaning whatever happens at Book realm has occured atleast 100 years ago according to real world.
Inside the book realm:
100 years ago.
The wind howls fiercely, carrying the whispers of time. At the peak of the mountain, surrounded by burning torches and ancient carvings, KING DHRUPAD, frail but unwavering, balances on one leg. His robes are tattered. His beard, white and flowing, reaches the ground. His eyes are closed, lips moving in a relentless chant.
KING DHRUPAD (chanting, voice echoing)"God Zenor… give me immortality… God Zenor… give me immortality…"
The air grows heavier, crackling with unseen energy. Thunder rolls across the sky, though there are no clouds. Suddenly, the torches extinguish with a hiss. A beam of blinding silver light descends from the heavens. The earth trembles.
From the light, GOD ZENOR materializes — a towering figure of radiant light and shifting forms, eyes like galaxies, voice deeper than eternity.
GOD ZENOR (thunderously)"Who dares summon me with such desperation… and such devotion? You've impressed me with your devotion. What do you aspire my child.....I am ready to fulfill your wish."
KING DHRUPAD (opening his eyes, voice raspy but resolute)"I am Dhrupad… King of the Eastern Lands… For fifty years I have forsaken all, standing on one leg beneath the heavens, calling to you. I seek what no man has dared to demand—immortality."
"Immortality… is not a gift, mortal. It is a burden. A curse in the guise of power. You must ask me anything other than Immortality. "
" Very well. Grant me this desire of mine:
No one from this realm shall be able to inflict harm upon me. No deity can cause me injury. I shall not perish by any weapon known in the universe. I shall not meet my end at night or during the day. Not by the claws of a beast or the sting of a plant. No illness shall ever touch me."
"Very well I grant you this wish, my son. No human from this realm can harm you. No diesease can kill you. No weapon can harm you. You'll never die by any animal or plant. You will not die at day or at night. "
An old Dhrupad gets a new avatar. His wrinkles perish. His skin glowes and he once again becomes Young.