Prologue

In the hallowed heart of Shambala, verdant landscapes stretched across the horizon like an emerald tapestry woven by celestial hands. As ancient as time itself, this mystical realm whispered secrets of its storied past, with each breath of wind through the leaves and every trickling rivulet that wound amongst the lush foliage. Towering above this verdurous wonderland, hook-shaped mountains reached for the heavens, their craggy peaks standing sentinel around an institution of grand learning—the academy.

To the east, a range of steep mountains surrounded by forests and rushing streams formed an imposing barrier, separating the spiritual kingdom from the mortal world. To the west, a forested valley ran parallel to the mountains, connecting

A vast palace stood at the heart of the academy, its grandiature a sight to behold. White marble columns rose from the ground to support a veranda roof.

 to the east through a range of rugged foothills.

 The academy itself was a marvel of architecture, a testament to the ingenuity of the ancient souls who had first constructed it. Its colossal edifice loomed over the landscape, yet there was a subtle harmony between the imposing structure and the surrounding nature. Boring yet intricate carvings cursed its walls, depicting scenes of enlightenment and transcendence that seemed to come alive as the shadows danced upon them.

As the sun's rays fell upon the academy, a myriad of colors emanated from its pristine whiteness, creating an otherworldly glow that was both soothing and mesmerizing.

It was here, in the heart of

 the academy, that Vidya was to be initiated. Once the young girl who constantly shivered, her green body turning clammy and her silver eyes fixed upon the majestic structure of the school. A small bundle of hope and fear, she approached the school gates, her heart thumping frantically. She was about to emerge from the relative comfort of her sandy home during her mortal life and enter the unknown.

In a state of panic, she clutched her bundle of belongings

 tightly, her shaking hands opening and closing around her beloved stuffed animal, a mouse she'd named "Kamru". The mouse was her only remaining connection to her beloved mother, a woman she'd never known, whose name

."I'm sorry to tell you this, but your life had been taken abruptly on the train station in Aurangabad, when a criminal had lunged towards a woman with a spoon but she pushed you in harms way and you were stabbed in the eye, your father tried to call to fix your injuries but it was no use, the spoon went deep through your right eye and got to your brain."

Vidya titled her head, unsure how to take news like this, "You were beyond saving at that point, I'm aware it's probably a lot to take in, but now from here you will start your new life, in Shambala, you were be a student to our academy, I'm sure you're wondering who or what I am since you can only hear me, however I don't really have a name, but you can just refer to me as the Buddha."

Vidya stared at the gates in wonder, the words that came out of the Buddha's mouth sounded surreal and yet she knew they were real. the Buddha continued, 

"Now I'm going to send you through these gates, you must follow my instructions to a tee, 

 otherwise you will be cast out of Shambala, you will still be a spirit, but your capabilities will return to that of a regular human girl and you will most likely die as your spirit core is consumed." the Buddha had not told her what the instructions were yet, however she didn't doubt their importance.

Vidya looked around nervously, unsure of what to say, "My instructions will be simple though, enter the academy, and don't leave, if you can follow that you will be fine, but let's see just how long you or your fellow classmates can agree to that."

The Buddha had not told her the consequences of breaking the rules of the academy.

The gates of Shambala opened, and the spirit girl entered the school in a daze.

As she slowly emerged from

 the darkness, she saw the massive walls of the school, overgrown with vines. The inside of the building looked like they hadn't been renovated in centuries. She caught a glimpse of a girl with a large bone through her nose, and

 a spirit whose entire body seemed to be covered in tribal tattoos.

She was surrounded by spirits who all seemed to have a story of some sort of tragedy, she felt scared, and she started to shake.

"Hey, it looks like we have a new student, my name is Draven, and what's yours?"

She couldn't hear Draven, and she had no idea who he was. 

She looked at the ground to avoid eye contact.

"Hey, come on don't be like that." She curled up into a ball and tried to scream, but they couldn't hear her, just a she couldn't hear them, the only one Vidya could hear was the Buddha, and only he could hear her. "It will be a long and painful journey for you, but do not fret, I have faith in your ability to unlock the new part of yourself that lays dormant." Vidya, with some idea of what the Buddha was talking about, had no idea what was going to become of her, she'd sweat if she was capable of doing so, but it was apparent she was scared out of her mind.

"Ah, Rajani, my dear," intoned Amitava Kaelum, his golden hair dancing in the breeze. "To think of all the knowledge we shall find within these hallowed halls, 'tis enough to set one's soul alight with boundless enthusiasm!"

"Indeed," murmured Rajani, her silver eyes reflecting the ethereal glow of the dull crystals embedded into the academy's walls. "One can scarce imagine the profundity of wisdom hidden within."

The academy itself was a marvel of architecture, a testament to the ingenuity of the ancient souls who had first constructed it. Its colossal edifice loomed over the landscape, yet there was a subtle harmony between the imposing structure and the surrounding nature. Boring yet intricate carvings adorned its walls, depicting scenes of enlightenment and transcendence that seemed to come alive as the shadows danced upon them.

"Would you take a gander at those crystals?" exclaimed Amitava, his voice breaking Rajani's reverie. "One might suspect the very lifeblood of Shambala courses through their veins, imbuing this place with its otherworldly power."

"Quite so," Rajani agreed, her gaze lingering on the faint glimmers of light that played across the surface of the crystals. She felt a sense of awe and humility wash over her, a reminder of her place in the grand scheme of things. "We are but humble seekers of knowledge, Amitava. It is our solemn duty to uphold the traditions and rules of this hallowed institution."

"Ah, yes, the rules," Amitava sighed, his countenance suddenly becoming more somber. "One can scarce forget the whispers of banishment that haunt these halls like wayward spirits. 'Tis a fate I would not wish upon my most loathed adversary."

"Nor I," Rajani concurred, her thoughts turning inward as she contemplated the gravity of their situation. How many souls had been cast out into the void, forever severed from the realm of knowledge they so desperately sought? The thought sent a shiver down her spine. "We must tread carefully, Amitava, for the path we walk is fraught with danger and temptation."

"Indeed, my friend," Amitava replied, placing a reassuring hand on Rajani's shoulder. "Together, we shall navigate the treacherous waters of academia, our souls steadfast in their pursuit of enlightenment."

With determination burning in their hearts, Rajani and Amitava stepped forward into the hallowed halls of the academy, ready to face the challenges and trials that lay ahead on their journey toward truth and wisdom.

Throughout the academy, the air brimmed with anticipation and the hum of scholarly pursuit. In hushed tones, young souls like Rajani whispered amongst themselves as they navigated the labyrinthine corridors lined with ancient tomes, each one filled with wisdom gleaned from the ages. The vast libraries stretched on for what seemed like an eternity, their shelves groaning under the weight of countless volumes, their pages pregnant with secrets that could reshape worlds or crumble empires.

In the classrooms, amidst the claustrophobic embrace of those towering bookshelves, fierce intellectual debates crackled and snaked through the air like incandescent lightning, illuminating the minds of all who bore witness. There, Rajani found herself enraptured by the arcane knowledge that danced tantalisingly upon her every breath, yearning to grasp it, to hold it close and nurture it within the deepest recesses of her soul.

The meditation chambers, sanctuaries of quiet introspection and spiritual enlightenment, served as a stark contrast to the animated symphony of the classrooms. These hallowed spaces provided solace for weary minds, allowing them to seek refuge in the soothing balm of silence as they endeavored to unravel the intricacies of their own existence.

Rajani, a curious soul whose visage seemed to shimmer with an ethereal luminescence, moved gracefully through the academy's halls, her long, flowing silver hair cascading down her back like a silken waterfall beneath the moonlight's tender caress. Her eyes, twin pools of celestial radiance, held within them a voracious hunger for knowledge that belied her gentle demeanor.

"Ah, Rajani," murmured an elderly scholar, his voice laden with the wisdom of countless years spent plumbing the depths of the academy's teachings. "Thou art a most welcome addition to our esteemed institution. Thy thirst for knowledge is commendable, yet I beseech thee, tread carefully lest thou be consumed by the flames of curiosity."

"Indeed, Master," Rajani replied, her voice a mellifluous symphony that seemed to resonate with the very essence of creation. "I am ever mindful of the dangers that lurk within these hallowed halls, yet I cannot quench the fire that burns within my breast. It is as if an insatiable beast dwells within me, its voracious appetite for knowledge driving me ever onward."

"Ah, 'tis a noble pursuit, dear child," the elderly scholar conceded, his weathered visage creased with lines of wisdom and sorrow in equal measure. "Yet take heed, for the path thou hast chosen is fraught with peril, and there are those who would see thee fall from grace."

Rajani nodded solemnly, fully aware of the delicate balance she must maintain between her desire for enlightenment and the strictures imposed upon her by the academy. With a determined glint in her eyes, she vowed to herself that she would not be swayed from her chosen path, no matter the trials that awaited her beyond the library's looming walls.

In the weeks that followed, Rajani became a veritable whirlwind of academic fervour, her insatiable appetite for knowledge prompting her to delve ever deeper into the academy's hallowed repositories of wisdom. It was not an uncommon sight to behold her seated amidst a sea of ancient tomes, their parchment pages whispering secrets untold as she eagerly devoured their contents. Nor was it unusual to find her engaged in spirited discourse with her fellow scholars, their voices rising and falling like the waves upon an ocean of intellect as they debated the mysteries of existence.

"Pray tell, brethren," she queried one fateful morn, her eyes alight with curiosity as she brandished a scroll of arcane symbols, "what are your thoughts on the nature of time? Is it, as some have posited, a river that flows inexorably toward the sea, or might it be more akin to a tapestry, its threads interwoven in intricate patterns beyond our ken?"

"Ah, sister Rajani," replied a fellow student, his brow furrowed in contemplation, "that is a conundrum most vexing, and I confess I have oft pondered its complexities, yet found no satisfactory answer."

"Indeed," concurred another, her gaze distant as she gazed through a window at the verdant landscape beyond. "It is as if we stand upon the edge of a great abyss, peering into the darkness in search of illumination, but finding only shadows."

As Rajani listened intently to their musings, her heart swelled with a sense of camaraderie and belonging, for here at last were kindred spirits who shared her desire to plumb the depths of the unknown. Yet even as she reveled in their discourse, she could not escape the nagging sensation that there was something amiss within the hallowed halls of the academy.

For amidst the symphony of learning that reverberated through its ancient corridors, there lurked a dissonant note, an undercurrent of fear and trepidation that whispered like the wind through the boughs of a gnarled and twisted tree. It was said that those who strayed too far from their prescribed path of study risked not only censure but banishment, cast forth from the embrace of Shambala to wander the barren wastes beyond, bereft of the light of knowledge.

"Take heed, sister Rajani," cautioned a fellow student, his voice barely audible above the susurrus of rustling parchment, "for the masters keep watchful eyes upon us all, and woe betide those who incur their wrath."

"Indeed," she mused, her thoughts a turbulent maelstrom as she considered the implications of his warning. "I must walk a fine line between my thirst for wisdom and the strictures that bind us here, lest I find myself outcast and alone."

Yet even as she resolved to tread carefully in her pursuit of enlightenment, she could not quell the fire that burned within her soul, its flames beckoning her ever onward into the labyrinthine depths of the unknown. And though she knew that danger lurked around every corner, she vowed that she would not be deterred, for the call of the mysteries that lay hidden within the academy's walls was one that she could not resist.

The dappled sunlight streamed through the lattice windows of the academy's hallowed halls, casting a chequerboard pattern upon Rajani's face as she stood before her classmates, her heart aflutter with conflicting desires. One moment saw her eager to impart her newly gleaned wisdom upon those who struggled to comprehend the intricacies of astral mechanics, whilst the next found her questioning the very foundation upon which their education was built.

"Perchance, dear brethren," she ventured hesitantly, her words a delicate tapestry of compassion and conviction, "we might consider the possibility that our esteemed masters have not yet illuminated every corner of this vast universe? For surely there exist realms beyond our ken, whose secrets lie in wait for bold souls such as ourselves to uncover."

Her fellow students exchanged furtive glances, their faces an ever-shifting tableau of emotions as they weighed the merits of Rajani's daring proposition against the looming spectre of punishment should they dare to challenge the accepted wisdom of the academy.

"Thou speakest with great ardour, sister," said Ananta, his brow furrowed in consternation as he strove to reconcile the maelstrom of thoughts that churned within him. "Yet I fear that to question the veracity of our teachings is to court disaster, for we are but humble aspirants in pursuit of enlightenment, and our path is one beset by perils both seen and unseen."

"Indeed," echoed Kalyani, her voice quavering with trepidation, "for it is whispered among us that those who seek knowledge beyond the sanctioned borders of our curriculum risk not only the ire of the masters but also the eternal damnation of banishment from Shambala."

Rajani's countenance grew pensive, her eyes shimmering pools of ethereal light as she contemplated the gravity of her friends' admonitions. And yet, even in the face of such dire warnings, she could not bring herself to renounce her burning desire for truths as yet undiscovered.

"Wouldst thou not agree, dear comrades," she ventured once more, her voice trembling with emotion as she sought to inspire within them the same insatiable hunger that gnawed at the very core of her being, "that our quest for knowledge is but a journey without end? That each revelation we uncover serves only to illuminate further mysteries that beckon us onward into the vast and uncharted realms of the unknown?"

Her impassioned plea hung in the air like a gossamer thread, its tenuous strands wavering between hope and despair as her classmates pondered the import of her words. It was then that Rajani knew she must tread carefully upon this perilous path, lest she lose her footing and plunge headlong into the abyss that yawned before her. And as her thoughts coalesced into a steely resolve, she vowed that come what may, she would not be deterred from her pursuit of truth, no matter the cost.

Upon the morrow, as the sun cast its golden beams through the mists that enveloped Shambala, Rajani found herself once more amidst the hallowed halls of the academy, her footsteps echoing with a sonorous cadence that belied the turmoil brewing within her heart. In a secluded corner of the vast library, she chanced upon an ancient tome, its faded parchment and crumbling spine bearing testimony to the wisdom of ages past.

"Lo and behold!" cried one of her classmates, a young soul named Chandrakant who had been poring over the same arcane text, his eyes alight with wonderment. "Herein lies the tale of Aparajita, a student of yore who dared to defy the edicts of our venerable institution, and was henceforth banished from this very realm."

"Banished?" echoed Rajani, the word resounding like a thunderclap in the cavernous depths of her mind, its implications causing her breath to catch in her throat. "Pray tell, my dear fellow, what fate befell this hapless soul?"

"Alas, I know not the details," replied Chandrakant, his countenance now clouded with a mixture of curiosity and trepidation. "Yet it is said that she was cast out into the void, nevermore to set foot in Shambala, nor partake in the bountiful feast of knowledge that we are privileged to enjoy."

"Verily, such a punishment seems most severe," observed Rajani, her voice barely a whisper as she contemplated the grim fate of Aparajita and others who might have shared her doom. "To be forever severed from the font of wisdom must surely be akin to eternal damnation for souls such as ourselves."

"Indeed," concurred Chandrakant solemnly, his gaze lowered in a gesture of reverence for their fallen predecessors. "We must needs take heed of these cautionary tales, lest we too become ensnared in the web of our own insatiable curiosity."

"Yet how can one discern the path of righteousness from that of folly?" queried Rajani, her brow furrowed with consternation as she grappled with the conundrum that now presented itself before her. "If we are to learn from the mistakes of those who have gone before us, must we not first seek to understand the nature of their transgressions?"

"Thou speaketh true, dear Rajani," acknowledged Chandrakant, his countenance now suffused with a newfound resolve. "But let us be wary in our quest for enlightenment, for it is said that the line 'twixt virtue and vice is oft-times blurred, and even the most resolute of souls may falter when confronted with the temptations that lie hidden within the shadows of ignorance."

Rajani nodded solemnly, the gravity of Chandrakant's words weighing heavily upon her heart as she pondered the consequences of her actions. Would her unquenchable thirst for knowledge lead her down the same dark path as Aparajita? Could she resist the siren call of forbidden wisdom, or would she too succumb to the allure of secrets best left undisturbed?

"Mayhap I shall tread carefully henceforth," she murmured, her fingers tracing the embossed lettering of the ancient tome with a reverence born of both awe and trepidation. "For while I yearn to drink deeply from the wellspring of knowledge, I am loath to invite the ire of those who hold dominion over our fates."

"Take courage, my friend," encouraged Chandrakant, clasping her hand in a gesture of camaraderie and support. "Together, we shall navigate the treacherous waters of enlightenment, ever mindful of the perils that lie in wait, yet undaunted in our quest for truth and wisdom."

"May we indeed find our way through this labyrinth of shadows," whispered Rajani, her heart swelling with a mixture of determination and apprehension as she gazed into the infinite depths of the library, each dusty tome a testament to the knowledge that had been both the salvation and the undoing of countless souls who had come before her.

As Rajani stood before the towering shelves of ancient manuscripts, her heart pounding with a curious mixture of anticipation and trepidation, she could scarce believe that within these hallowed halls, she would find the answers to questions that had plagued her since time immemorial. The air was thick with the scent of musty parchment and the faintest whiff of burning incense, lending an aura of mystique to the otherwise serene atmosphere.

"Rajani," Chandrakant whispered, his voice tinged with urgency as he beckoned her toward a dimly lit corner of the library. "Look yonder! I have made a most curious discovery."

"Pray tell, what hast thou found?" inquired Rajani, her eyes widening with interest as she followed her companion's gaze to a hidden alcove, obscured from view by an imposing tapestry depicting the celestial dance of the gods.

"Behold!" exclaimed Chandrakant, drawing back the heavy fabric to reveal a narrow passageway lined with even more books, their spines adorned with cryptic symbols and runes that seemed to shimmer and writhe like living entities. "I dare say we have stumbled upon a secret repository of forbidden knowledge!"

"By the gods," breathed Rajani, her pulse quickening at the prospect of delving into the hidden depths of Shambala's arcane wisdom. "We must proceed with all due caution, lest our transgression be discovered and our fate sealed."

"Agreed," nodded Chandrakant, his expression one of steely determination as he led the way into the shadowy recesses of the hidden chamber. "Let us tread lightly upon this treacherous path, for the price of failure is banishment from this realm of enlightenment, and a life consigned to eternal ignorance."

As they ventured deeper into the darkness, the sense of foreboding that had been niggling at the corners of Rajani's consciousness began to grow more insistent, until it threatened to consume her entirely. She could not help but recall the whispered tales of those who had dared to defy the academy's strictures and paid the ultimate price for their hubris - banishment from Shambala, their souls cast adrift in a sea of eternal darkness.

"Chandrakant," she murmured, her voice barely audible above the sound of their footsteps echoing through the narrow passageway, "I fear we may be venturing too far down this path of forbidden knowledge. What if we are discovered and suffer the same fate as those wretched souls who have gone before us?"

"Rajani, my dear friend," Chandrakant replied, his tone suffused with a quiet confidence that belied the gravity of their situation, "fear not, for we shall proceed with utmost discretion, guided by the light of reason and the unwavering strength of our resolve."

"Verily, thou speakest true," conceded Rajani, her spirits buoyed by her companion's faith in their shared quest for truth. "Let us then press onward, undaunted by the spectre of banishment, and seek out the secrets that lie hidden within these ancient tomes."

Just as they seemed to reach the end of the passage, a sudden gust of wind snuffed out their flickering torch, plunging them into impenetrable darkness. Rajani felt her heart race, a sense of impending doom enveloping her as she blindly reached for Chandrakant's hand.

"By the gods..." she gasped, her words trailing off into silence as an eerie, disembodied voice echoed through the chamber, its origins impossible to discern.

"Thou hast trespassed upon sacred ground, and now thou shalt face the consequences..."

The chilling pronouncement hung in the air, leaving Rajani and Chandrakant rooted to the spot, their fate uncertain as they stood on the precipice of an abyss from which there could be no return.

"Though we stand now on the very brink of banishment," murmured Rajani, her voice quavering with a mingling of fear and defiance, "I shall not waver in my quest for enlightenment. For it is written that only through trial and tribulation can one attain true wisdom, and I am resolved to face whatever challenges lie ahead, though they may lead me unto the very gates of oblivion itself."

"Indeed," echoed Chandrakant, his grip upon her hand tightening in a show of solidarity. "Together, we shall brave the darkness and emerge triumphant, our souls illuminated by the eternal flame of knowledge, no matter the cost."