Chapter 6. The Unknown Realm Of Lost Souls (Part 4)

The guard trembled when he gathered the courage to open his lips, he said, "Yes...yes! It is true Senior Svapn, we-we tried our best to stop student Samay but he tricked us and ran away to the Real Gate!!"

Svapn was furious, with big eyes he yelled, "W-what are you saying?! He can not go there. He is not strong enough to protect himself there!!" Svapn was not himself anymore because of the way he was speaking; without any manners or polite tone.

Advik was surprised to see this side of Svapn, because even when Advik made the Prime Minister angry he was just a bit annoyed, however, right now he was burning with rage. 

Advik came close to Sidharth and whispered, "Chief Minister, why is this guy so angry? Who is Samay they all are talking about?" The soul was a little curious to know who the person could be to make Svapn like that. 

The Chief Minister quietly murmured, tilting his head slightly toward Advik, stone-faced, "Samay is a disciple here. He is a promising student but most importantly he is the little brother of our ex-prime minister Vansh."

Advik didn't know what to say anymore so he just said "Oh!" in a satisfied tone for the reply and became silent again.

Svapn grabbed the elbows of the guard who was answering his questions, he was trying to stay calm but erupted, "Take me there! Take me there right now! If anything happens to him, what am I going to say to Vansh?!" his grip tightened as he shook the guard. 

The guard started to feel terrified as he begged for mercy, "I-I b-beg for mercy, Your Excellency."

The guard was so scared by the furious and mad Prime Minister that tears and horror spread and dripped from his eyes. But Svapn did not want to leave him - it was like he wanted to kill this guard right there.

One by one some guards who were behind started to speak in a hesitant and pleading voice, "Please spare his life, Your Excellency. We really tried our best to stop student Samay but he didn't listen to any of us. We are mere insignificant servants of this palace. How could we stop disciple Samay if he really wanted to leave."

Another guard who was a little prideful murmured, "Even if that kid is a talented kid he still is a child. He can never make it out if he went inside the Real Realm, don't you think Prime Minister?"

"Yes yes, you are right. That place is terrifying, no one can leave that place even after they die."

"P-Prime Minister Svapn... I-I think you should forget to save Samay. Don't put our lives in danger just...just for one person, please!"

"What did you say?" Svapn raged, his eyes turning red as he raised his hand to slap the guard.

Just when he was about to hit the guard the Emperor spoke in a little loud tone and commanded him, "Prime Minister Svapn, please be calm."

Svapn's hand stopped halfway, he put down his hand and inhaled some air before turning to see the Emperor who was standing behind and listening to every word thoughtfully.

The Emperor spoke, serenely, "What are you doing Prime Minister? You cannot forget your position. Do not hit those who are weaker than you." The Emperor came closer to him, "You know how Samay is. How stubborn he becomes when someone orders him to not do something, he will do the exact same thing to annoy them. No one knows that better than you."

Sidharth was standing there soundlessly but then he also stepped in to talk, he smiled softly, "Samay is a clever and intelligent child. It won't be any problem for him to trick them, don't you think, Senior? Even you were tricked by that little devil, once! Please calm down first and then start searching for him." Sidharth tried to make Svapn find his usual calm and gentle nature again.

Advik was just confused by everything. He didn't understand anything except that someone named Samay was missing and everyone there was very anxious to find the kid as soon as possible. Because he was so confused and clueless about the whole situation, he lost his interest easily.

When the Chief Minister left him to talk with the Emperor and others he started looking around out of boredom. He examined the place with amusement.

Nothing else but walls of gold decorated with precious stones were encircling him.

He glanced around to see everything and scan everything with his sharp and doubtful eyes. The thing about trusting and believing these gods was just a white lie.

To be honest, he didn't fully believe what the gods said to him. Nonetheless, he couldn't show what he felt to them so he tried his best to act like a foolish soul. After all, fools can be easily ignored. 

Advik knew everyone in the palace was at least a highly skilled cultivator if not a god. He knew that they could hear the sound of a pin drop even if it fell in the crowd of thousands of people and they could easily catch his lie. However, they all were all humble and respectful people who would not tell him on his face about his lie just to not embarrass him. And that was what he wanted, his play finally started: eyes widened as he whispered to himself, "I can become a millionaire if I could steal even one gemstone from here," his pale fingers slightly touching and feeling everything near him with an awestruck face.

"This place is really heaven for a thief like me," he said. The prosperity of that palace was unreal. Even if it was only the corridor where he was standing he still felt the wealth of the palace. The corridor was furnished by many things that were making it extremely fancy and royal.

Advik was wandering aimlessly while exploring the palace to figure out what to do next. He wasn't that far away from others but not that near to them as well. 

His feet halted when his eyesight froze on a flower pot: a beautiful white flower pot that had different kinds of flowers in it. However, his eyes were only seeing those blue flowers - those forget me not. While gently gazing at the flowers he walked closer to touch them.

His fingers' tips lightly creased the petal of the blue flower, it was smooth and fragile. The touch of the flower made him remember about someone - a blurry image flashed before his eyes. His lips curved upwards thinking about it.

The Emperor and others were still discussing. 

"Emperor I--" Svapn was hesitant to say something but before he could finish what he wanted to say the Emperor smiled and said instead, "Prime Minister can go, I know how important Samay is to you. No need to ask for permission."

Svapn had a surprised look on his face hearing that one simple line from the Emperor, he pleasantly nodded, "Mmm... Thank you so much, Your Majesty!" Svapn clasped his palms in front of the Emperor before hastily rushing outside to find Samay.

The Prime Minister had just taken a few steps when he heard a voice. He turned and saw the Chief Minister.

Sidharth asked serenely, "Wait, Senior, I am coming along with you," the Chief Minister waved his hand to stop Svapn. Sidharth ran as fast as he could to catch up with his senior. When he caught the pace of Svapn, he humbly suggested, "Senior, we should also take Advik with us. Maybe this small journey could help him in some way. Can you ask the Emperor to tell him to follow us."

Svapn carefully thought about what Sidharth just said before he spoke, "I am not sure whether it is a good idea or not but if you are insisting then I will ask His Majesty by sound transmission."

They were not that far away from the Emperor but every moment was precious to them and they cannot waste it hence, running while using the sound transmission technique was the best way to communicate. 

Sidharth just 'hummed' as the reply.

Svapn concentrated to connect with the Emperor while running at a rapid pace in the direction of the Real Gate. After a few moments, a voice ringed in his mind. It was the Emperor who asked in his mind with a calm tone, "What happened, Prime Minister?" 

"Majesty, could you tell Advik to run in our direction? The Chief Minister said that if he comes along with us he will get some help by seeing everything himself."

"Hmm... That's very thoughtful of Sidharth however the kid has already left this palace after you two left. He asked me for directions and I told him. He is also running toward you two," the Emperor said.

"Oh no! I am afraid that he will get himself in trouble," Svapn was worried. 

The Emperor spoke again with an assuring tone, "Do not be afraid you are aware of how capable the soul is. His cultivation skills are extremely high. Advik can help himself in any danger I am sure. You just focus on finding Samay."

Svapn was not so satisfied with what His Majesty said, still he just responded softly, "Yes, Your Majesty." He disconnected himself and tried to focus his eyes on the path with a troubled and grim face.

When Sidharth saw his senior having such a look he couldn't stop himself from asking, "What happened, Senior? You are looking troubled by something."

While rushing in his path Svapn said with a serious tone, "Advik has already left the palace and maybe he is following us," he sighed.

Sidharth was surprised and his eyes grew bigger, "What!!?"

"Yes, His Majesty said not to worry about him for now and concentrate on finding Samay."

The Chief Minister thought and then spoke, "That child, Advik. There is something very wrong with him."

Svapn replied in a worried tone, "Yes, there is something demonic in him. I sensed it when I was trying to get his memories back." 

"He can be a big problem for us in the future, don't you think, Prime Minister?" Sidharth was also bothered as they tried to find their way to the Real Gate.

"I also worry about it but if the Emperor didn't point out anything in specific then I believe that it will be fine," Svapn smiled with slight assurance.

Sidharth nodded and smiled as well, "Right! For now, let's focus on finding this troublesome brat Samay."

Svapn said in a heavy voice, "You are right, this time I am not letting him go that easily, I swear!" Then both of them ran in a darker path.

--

The fast and light as air steps were moving in the direction of the back of the palace. It was day time. The backyard was so huge to be called a backyard, rather it was more like a big garden or forest with many trees, plants, bushes, fountains, lakes, and flowers. It was a beautiful sight because of all those things in the garden and the atmosphere was very calming as well. Advik said while running like wind, his face showing no expressions, "It wasn't difficult to escape from those people. I can not just sit and watch everything. I have to do something on my own or else I will be stuck here forever and that is something I would never let happen." 

His speed wasn't rapid because of his weak body but he was still running with all his might. He had all his concentration on the road yet he was carefully examining the environment around him. Everything was different and unusual for him. The sun was bigger than normal, the sky was higher and bluer than he had ever seen, the breeze had a very high spiritual energy flowing with it which was totally new for him and strangely it pacified his tangled heart.

"They think they can chain me in that palace, impossible. Not even God has that kind of power. How can they even imagine stopping me? Fools," Advik was having some thoughts in his mind until he stopped seeing a mountain like a gate in front of him.

There were two guards protecting that gigantic gate so Advik immediately hid behind a tree to check upon them. He was heavily breathing, some drops of sweat were rolling down from his tensed forehead and neck. He was tired because of his weak body and invisible wounds. He glanced at those guards from behind the tree.

He tried to hear the guards but they were standing there like a statue. He couldn't hear anything even if he wanted to. Advik just wanted to stay away from any unnecessary attention because right now getting noticed by anyone could be a bad for him.

He saw the fifty meters high walls that stood on both sides of the gate. It was unimaginable to cross them. The only option was to pass through that gate. He grimaced. Why these two guys aren't saying anything? How can I pass from the gate? It's as huge as a mountain. What can I do? Desperate thoughts and frustration filled his head.

He was a little exhausted after running because of his weak body. He couldn't think of any idea to make himself free from that place. Even if it was just for a moment he wanted to rest. He leaned his back against the tree and slowly slid down. He squatted down himself to collect his energy.

Should he climb those walls, should he try to ask the guards to let him go, should he try to cross the gate secretly, should he try to dig a small tunnel, should he just kill those guards or should he go back to the palace and wait for things to settle down on their own - there were so many thought rushing and swirling in his mind making his head explode any moment.

He was trying to think of every possible way to pass from the gate but most of them were just useless. Tricking or killing those guards was the easiest option for him. It was as easy as killing an ant to him however he didn't want to do it.

The bloodthirsty scenes he had witnessed in that war which he could not forget even if he truly wanted to was enough for him to not meddle with those things for years. He just wished to stay away from blood and killing as far as he could. And the last option of going back to that palace was something he will never ever choose. 

After exhausting himself with so many thoughts his eyes slowly closed themselves.