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Vol 5 - "An Old Ending"

Ch 3 / 4

Shyam ran back to where Raitha and Ritika had been waiting.

But when he arrived—there was no one.

No sign of them. No footprints. Nothing.

A cold shiver ran down his spine as he frantically searched around. Did they leave? No… that didn't make sense. They wouldn't just disappear without telling him.

As his eyes darted around, something else caught his attention.

A small, old statue stood nearby, its nameplate still intact.

"God of Love? …There's actually a god like that?"

Strangely enough, the statue looked pristine—as if someone had just cleaned it. Unlike the rest of the shrine, which was decayed and falling apart, this statue felt untouched by time.

A creeping suspicion settled in his mind. How could something so well-preserved exist in a place that's been abandoned for years?

Pushing the thought aside, he turned to leave and continue searching for Raitha and Ritika—

But the moment he stepped towards the exit…

BAM!

An invisible force stopped him in his tracks.

Confused, he reached out, only to feel an unseen barrier blocking his way. He tried kicking it. Punching it. Even slamming his whole body against it.

Nothing worked.

Defeated, he dropped to the floor, his mind racing for another solution. But before he could think of one—

A voice.

Soft. Ethereal. Otherworldly.

It echoed around him, vibrating through the air, through his bones—

And suddenly, everything around him changed.

The shrine vanished.

His surroundings melted into a vast, endless dimension of golden light.

Everywhere he looked—only yellow.

And then—

"What is this? An outsider, are you? Speak, mortal—what purpose does your visit serve today? Perhaps I may grant you the privilege of my knowledge."

Shyam turned, and his breath hitched.

A woman stood before him.

She looked just like the statue—but alive. Her silver hair flowed as if caught in an invisible breeze, her sapphire eyes glowed with an ancient wisdom, and her lips—red as roses—curved into a knowing smile.

She radiated power. Grace. Authority.

Shyam stood frozen, unsure whether to bow or run for his life.

Was she… a god?

He pinched himself.

"Ouch."

So—this wasn't a dream.

"You… you're real? But how…?"

The goddess chuckled softly. It was barely audible, yet somehow filled the space around them.

"Ah, so you carry someone within your heart! How delightful. To witness the young mortals of this era daring to tread the path of love—it is indeed a wondrous sight to behold."

Her voice carried an almost teasing warmth, like the autumn wind before winter.

And for the first time—Shyam felt something else besides fear.

Embarrassment.

His face grew warm, his eyes darting away from hers.

But before he could recover, she vanished—

And reappeared right in front of him.

"Tell me, mortal—why do you hesitate?"

Her words echoed, settling deep into his heart.

Shyam swallowed hard.

He had to choose his words wisely. This wasn't just anyone—this was a goddess.

His hands trembled. Sweat beaded his forehead, despite the perfect temperature.

Seeing his struggle, she took a few steps back and spoke again.

"I see the reason behind your unspoken love. Mortal, if you cannot summon the courage to answer a simple question, how then can you hope to voice the depths of your love for the one who holds your heart?"

Her words struck deeper than any blade could.

Shyam's throat tightened.

Because she was right.

He had always known his feelings for Raitha.

He had always wanted to tell her.

But—

"It's not that I don't have the courage…" he finally admitted, voice barely above a whisper. *"I just… I fear losing her.

What if she doesn't feel the same?

What if I ruin what little we already have?

What if she rejects me… and never speaks to me again?"*

His voice cracked.

"She's the only one I have… I can't afford to lose her. But I guess… that just means I really don't have the courage, huh?"

Silence filled the golden space.

His hands clenched into fists. His eyes burned with unshed tears.

The goddess observed him quietly, then—

"Such a sorrowful soul you bear," she murmured.

Her tone held neither pity nor judgment—only understanding.

"But tell me, mortal… do you truly wish to remain only as friends? Or do you wish for something more?"

Her words were like a gust of wind against a house of cards.

Shyam had never let himself ask that question before.

Because he was afraid of the answer.

The goddess continued, her voice like falling leaves.

**"It is not a sin to speak the truth of your heart. Even if she does not return your affections, she will not turn away from you.

Know this, mortal—this is the counsel I offer you, as the God of Love."**

Her figure shimmered.

Her golden glow began to fade.

And her final words echoed through the vast emptiness—

**"Now, go and speak the truth of your heart to her. If you do not, this room shall remain closed to you, and you will find no escape.

Know that the barrier that binds you… is not of this world.

It is the barrier of your own unspoken desires.

Only by revealing your love… will you break free from its grasp."**

Shyam gasped.

And in the next instant—

He was back.

The shrine. The night air. The cold wind against his skin.

But something had changed.

The statue—the once untouched, perfect statue—was now shattered into pieces at his feet.

Shyam exhaled, his heartbeat slowing.

The goddess's words lingered in his mind.

Her encouragement, her gentle push—it was the little nudge he had needed.

Because now, he knew.

It wasn't just about not losing Raitha.

It was about wanting her.

To be with her.

Forever.

Even after death itself came for him.

And for the first time…

He was ready to tell her.

To be continued…