0005 Disappeared

Darkness dispersed as the sun rose in the east, casting its golden light on the other side of the National Highway. The village awakened to the harmonious chirping of birds and the distinct calls of various animals, heralding the arrival of a brand-new day.

Nile yawned as he stretched, his body still waking up. His eyes fluttered open, and he found himself inside the house. Recalling that he had gone to bed here with Frost nearby, he didn't question it further. Instead, he folded the bedsheets and mosquito net, arranging them neatly in the wardrobe before stepping out.

In the lawn, he noticed his mother still lying within her net. Sulking, he muttered to himself, "There are still stars visible in the sky, and both the lovebirds are off somewhere, probably near the pond. And to think someone lectured me yesterday about being irresponsible, huh? But where has he gone without me?"

Brushing aside his thoughts, Nile walked to the water jar near the lawn gate, washed up, and refreshed himself. Feeling a bit more awake, he approached his mother and cheerfully called, "Rise and shine, Mama! It's morning!"

His mother stirred as though she had been waiting for his voice. Sitting up, she greeted him with a teasing smile. "Good morning, my boy. You're quite early today! Don't tell me you're so excited to see all the pretty girls in town that you couldn't sleep?"

Nile groaned, his irritation evident. "That's enough, Mama! Don't start your rambling again, or… or…" He trailed off, unable to come up with a suitable threat.

His mother chuckled, clearly enjoying herself. "Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore. But where's your friend? Both of you should prepare. I've already spoken to your Uncle James, and he's willing to take you to town today."

"Okay, Mama. You wash up. I'll go see where they are. Don't worry—I'll bring back something from the fields for lunch," Nile replied before sprinting toward the pond.

The sun climbed higher into the sky as Nile searched every nook and cranny near the pond, but there was no sign of Frost or Reema. His unease grew with every passing moment. Returning home empty-handed, he called out in a panic, "Mama! Has my sister come back?"

"No, she hasn't," his mother replied calmly.

Nile's anxiety spiked. "I've looked everywhere! She's not in the village, and neither is Frost!"

His mother gestured for him to calm down. "Wait a little longer. She might come back."

But as the minutes turned into hours, Nile's bad feeling only deepened. "Mama, it's been too long! We need to tell Uncle James and organize a search!"

His mother's expression turned serious. "Wait, Nile. Go inside and fetch the jade box I told you to keep safe."

Despite his worry, Nile obeyed. Retrieving the box, he handed it to her, saying, "I'm going to get Uncle James now!"

"Wait," his mother insisted. She opened the box and seemed to check its contents. With a deep sigh, she looked at Nile with an intensity that froze him in place.

"Sit down, my child. There's something important I need to tell you."

Nile hesitated but complied, his heart racing. "Mama, we need to hurry! Something feels wrong!"

His mother's voice was firm but gentle. "Nile, listen to me. Your sister has gone far beyond your reach as you are now. There are things you need to understand before you make any decisions."

Confusion clouded Nile's face as his mother continued, "You've always wondered why we live outside the village, haven't you? It's because people see you differently. They think you're… mentally unwell. The children even call you names like 'psycho.'"

"But that's because they can't see Brother Shakti or Sister Reema!" Nile protested.

His mother nodded solemnly. "It's not just that they can't see them, my child. I believe Shakti and Reema aren't human. As for Frost… I'm certain he isn't."

Nile's eyes widened. "What are you saying, Mama?"

"Quiet down and listen," she said. "Those three came into my life during my darkest moments. They saved me—and you. But in return, they told me a day would come when you would have to walk a path of no return—a path of power, strength, and martial cultivation. They forbade me from telling you until the time was right. That time has come."

Nile sat frozen, his thoughts racing.

"You have two choices," his mother continued. "You can live a normal life, and I'll do everything in my power to ensure it's a peaceful one. Or you can embark on this path of power—a path filled with countless challenges. But know this: your sister is far away. If you choose the normal life, you may never see her again."

The weight of her words settled over Nile like a heavy blanket. His mouth hung open, unable to form a response.

Sighing, his mother placed a hand on his shoulder. "Think carefully, my boy. Take your time and make your decision."

The village remained peaceful, the sounds of morning life carrying on as usual. But for Nile, everything had changed.

As Nile sat there, still processing his mother's revelation, her gaze became distant, her mind seemingly pulled into the folds of the past. Her hand lightly gripped the jade box, her fingers caressing the smooth surface, as though it held within it memories of another time.

Her voice was quieter now, almost like a whisper to herself. "I have seen this before, Nile... long ago..."

Nile looked up, noticing the shift in his mother's demeanor. Her eyes, once filled with gentle warmth, were now clouded with sorrow, lost in a vision only she could see. He leaned in slightly, unsure of what to say or do.

In his mother's vision, the scene before her shifted like a dream. She was standing in a vast, desolate valley, the air heavy with silence. The ground beneath her feet was cracked and dry, the sky above a dull gray, as though the world had forgotten this place. She waited, alone, her heart heavy with uncertainty.

The sound of soft footsteps disturbed the eerie quiet. From the distant horizon, an adult version of Frost appeared, his features sharper, his presence more commanding than before. He walked toward her, his expression unreadable, yet there was a hint of familiarity, as though their meeting had been foretold.

With deliberate steps, Frost reached her, and without a word, handed her a jade pendant, its surface glowing faintly in the dim light. He said, his voice firm and resolute, "Take this. It will keep you hidden from your pursuers. For as long as it remains intact, you will remain unseen, your presence undetected by those who would harm you."

His eyes locked onto hers, as if sharing a deeper truth between them. "But if one day it breaks, do not fear. It will mean that you are no longer in danger. The child you protect will be beyond the reach of any supreme force. No rule, no power, no search will be able to gleam through their location, their actions, or their destiny."

The words echoed in her mind, fading as quickly as they had come. Frost's form began to fade as well, retreating into the shadows of the valley. She reached out to him, but he was already gone, leaving only the jade in her hand and a sense of finality that had yet to reveal itself.

As the vision began to blur, the scene shifted once again. Her thoughts returned to the present, her grip tightening on the jade box as she looked down at Nile, who was still processing everything she had told him.

Just as her vision faded completely, her mind was filled with another memory—the return of Nile to Veena after he had been healed. She had seen it once, long ago, as she was instructed by Frost. When the time came, Nile would be returned to Veena, fully healed, and her task would be complete.

The memory of Nile's healed body being brought back to Veena had been ingrained in her mind. She remembered the moment when Frost, after fulfilling his part, left the child in Veena's care. His task was not only to heal Nile but to return him to the one who would help him, guide him, and protect him.

Her heart ached with the weight of the responsibilities she had carried and the decisions she had made. She had kept Nile safe for so long, knowing that one day he would have to make his own choice. Now that day had arrived, and the future that awaited him seemed both perilous and full of promise.

She sighed and closed her eyes, feeling the remnants of the vision slowly fade. "Nile," she whispered, almost as though speaking to both the past and the present. "The time has come. Your destiny is no longer mine to protect. What happens next… will be yours to choose."

Her words hung in the air, filled with unspoken meaning, as the quiet of the village settled around them. She knew that whatever choice Nile made, he was no longer just a boy from a quiet village. He was part of something much greater—a journey that would take him far from here, to places unknown, with dangers and revelations waiting at every turn.