ep 46

The days following the collapse of the temple were quiet, but the weight of everything that had happened lingered heavily over Aryan, Kiara, and Shiv. They had returned to Mumbai, trying to piece together their next steps while processing the magnitude of their victory—and the dangers that still lurked.

Aryan sat on the balcony of their apartment, staring at the mangalsutra in his hand. Its glow had dimmed since the events at the temple, but he knew the power it held hadn't diminished. There were still too many unanswered questions, and he felt the pressure of responsibility more than ever. Kiara emerged from the apartment and sat beside him, her eyes on the city lights.

"Do you think it's really over?" she asked quietly.

Aryan shook his head. "No. We may have stopped Aaryan, but this… it's not over. The artifacts, the power they hold—it's too much for any one person to control. As long as they exist, we're in danger."

Kiara nodded, though her expression remained pensive. "I've been thinking about the history Shiv mentioned, about how these artifacts came to be. There's something we're missing, Aryan. We don't understand enough about their origins or their purpose. We can't protect something we don't fully comprehend."

Aryan sighed, his gaze distant. "We need answers. Real answers. And I think there's only one place we can get them."

Before he could say more, Shiv appeared in the doorway. "You're right," he said, his voice solemn. "I've been doing some digging, and there's one person who knows the truth about the artifacts and their origins—the Scholar."

Kiara frowned. "The Scholar?"

Shiv nodded. "He's an expert on ancient relics and the forgotten history tied to them. He disappeared years ago, going underground after he was targeted by people who wanted to use his knowledge for their own gain. If anyone can tell us what we need to know, it's him."

Aryan stood, his eyes narrowing with determination. "Then we need to find him. We need to know the truth."

---

Two days later, they found themselves in the old district of Mumbai, navigating the narrow, crowded streets in search of someone who could lead them to the Scholar. Shiv had arranged a meeting with a contact, a man named Rakesh, who supposedly had information on the Scholar's whereabouts.

They entered a dimly lit café, its walls lined with faded photographs and paintings. The smell of strong coffee filled the air as they approached a table at the back, where a man sat nursing a cup of tea.

"Rakesh?" Shiv asked as they approached.

The man looked up, his dark eyes scanning them suspiciously before nodding. "You're the ones looking for the Scholar."

Aryan wasted no time. "Do you know where we can find him?"

Rakesh took a sip of his tea, his gaze never leaving them. "The Scholar doesn't want to be found. But… for the right price, I might be able to point you in the right direction."

Shiv's jaw tightened, but he slid a small envelope across the table. Rakesh opened it, briefly counting the bills inside before pocketing it.

"He's hiding out in an abandoned monastery in the Western Ghats. It's deep in the mountains, off the grid. It won't be easy to get there."

Aryan leaned forward, his voice low. "We'll find him. What else do you know?"

Rakesh shrugged. "Not much. Just that the Scholar's been obsessed with finding a way to neutralize the power of those artifacts. He believes there's a way to destroy them—or at least, render them powerless."

Kiara's eyes widened. "Destroy them?"

Rakesh nodded. "That's what he's been working on. But no one knows if he's succeeded. He's been in hiding for years, and very few people even know he's still alive."

Aryan exchanged a glance with Kiara and Shiv. They finally had a lead—a real chance at finding out the truth. But it wouldn't be easy.

---

Two days later, they began their trek into the Western Ghats. The mountains rose steeply before them, covered in dense forests and mist that clung to the peaks like a veil. The journey was grueling, with steep, uneven paths and thick vegetation slowing their progress.

They traveled mostly in silence, each lost in their thoughts. Aryan couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched, the sense of unease growing with each passing hour. The artifacts seemed to hum faintly in the background of his mind, as if they were reacting to their proximity to something—or someone—important.

By the third day, they reached the outskirts of the monastery. It was a crumbling structure, half-consumed by the forest, with vines creeping over the stone walls. The air felt heavy, as though the weight of centuries hung over the place.

"This is it," Shiv said, his voice barely above a whisper. "The Scholar is here."

Aryan and Kiara exchanged a look, both knowing that whatever awaited them inside could change everything.

They pushed open the heavy, creaking door and stepped into the monastery. The interior was dimly lit by what little sunlight filtered through the cracks in the ceiling. Dust filled the air, and the faint smell of damp stone clung to everything.

As they ventured deeper into the building, they heard a soft rustling sound. Shiv drew his dagger, and Aryan's hand instinctively went to his own weapon, ready for anything.

But as they rounded a corner, they saw him—a frail, elderly man sitting at a makeshift desk, surrounded by piles of ancient books and scrolls. His eyes, though clouded with age, were sharp and focused as they fell on the group.

"You've come," the Scholar said, his voice raspy but firm. "I've been expecting you."

Aryan stepped forward. "You know why we're here. We need to know the truth about the artifacts—about how to stop them."

The Scholar's gaze lingered on the mangalsutra in Kiara's hand, and a faint smile crossed his lips. "Ah… the relics of the past. You seek to end what was started long ago. But the answers you seek come with a price."

Aryan's heart pounded. "What price?"

The Scholar leaned back, his eyes narrowing. "Knowledge is dangerous, my friends. The truth… it will change everything you know. It will force you to question everything about the world you live in, about the choices you've made."

Kiara stepped forward, her voice steady. "We're ready. We need to know what happened in the past—what these artifacts are and how to stop them from falling into the wrong hands."

The Scholar's expression darkened, his fingers tracing the worn edges of the ancient scroll in front of him. "Very well. But be warned—what you are about to learn may not be the salvation you hope for."

And with that, the Scholar began to tell the story—a story of betrayal, power, and a curse that had spanned centuries. A story that would change everything Aryan and Kiara thought they knew.

But the real question was—could they handle the truth?