30. Meeting Sayera

At that moment, as the echoes of the previous trials still reverberated in his mind, Sambh's gaze locked onto the golden badge provided by Ruchi. Its gleam held his attention, and for a long heartbeat, it remained silent—a mute testament to the power and mystery of his journey.

Then it didn't ask any further question about being spy as its eyes locked the badge in a glance. May be it got aware of the badge that it was from the royal place and none dared to go against it.

Then, unexpectedly, a voice resonated from the same spot, clear and resonant:

"Congratulations, you have been selected as a member of the Divine Army."

Sambh's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Whatt??" he stammered, the incredulity evident in his tone.

Before he could process the declaration, a blue light erupted from the badge, imprinting a strange mark on his left hand. Almost simultaneously, the old man standing behind him spoke in a gruff, disapproving tone:

"You are the weakest among the entire army ever selected. Your life will be very tough."

Without waiting for further explanation, the old man escorted him to another room. As they walked, he announced,

"This is the Jury."

Inside the hall, seven children dressed in crisp white uniforms sat neatly in the front. The atmosphere was surprisingly formal, yet there was a hint of mischief in the air. A fox clad in a white coat stepped forward, addressing the assembly with a refined air:

"Your Lord, this is one of the culprits—the most wanted thief in the entire Golden City."

He gestured toward a small baby doll standing timidly among a group of soldiers at Sambh's left. The judge, seated at the center of the hall, then asked in a measured tone,

"Do you accept your crime?"

There was a tense pause before the little doll, in a surprisingly clear voice, replied,

"Your Lord, I stole just one grain of rice, but you are taking it so seriously."

The judge frowned, then declared,

"Since you have accepted your crime, you will be detained on Prison Island."

At that moment, a soldier moved swiftly and led the doll away.

As the hearing progressed, Sambh—now recognized as a time traveller—stepped forward along with the old man. Just as he advanced, a small figure suddenly clutched at his leg. A familiar voice, tinged with humor, whispered,

"Boss, you are here too."

Looking down, Sambh was startled to see the same doll from earlier. Before he could speak, a soldier intervened, tugging the doll away,

"Leave him now, Bdoll!" the soldier commanded.

The doll's eyes sparkled with mischief as it replied,

"Don't you remember me? I am Saera—the one who drove your car from all the mountain, smashing the rock."

Sambh's surprise deepened as he murmured,

"You are here too?"

Saera nodded, and with a curt gesture, the soldier opened a swirling portal. Before Sambh could react further, he was roughly dragged toward it. Desperately, he asked,

"Is it your new form?"

Saera's voice echoed as he was pulled inside,

"Yes, I will be waiting for you there on Prison Island."

Amid the commotion, the soldiers cautioned,

"Please don't listen to him. Check your body—he must have stolen something from you."

With that, they vanished into the portal, leaving Sambh to steady his racing heart.

Gathering himself, Sambh approached the jury once more. The same white-coated fox addressed the assembly,

"Your Lord, this man has time travelled. You must be well aware of how the last time travellers brought calamity upon our era."

Sambh interjected with quiet determination,

"You must also know that everyone here is a time traveller."

The judge, seated in the middle, leaned forward and inquired,

"Every time traveller comes here with their own purpose. What is your reason behind time travelling?"

Without hesitation, Sambh replied,

"I came here to meet my dad."

He paused, surveying the hall filled with soldiers in white coats and listening intently.

A giant bear, also clad in white, stationed near the judge's desk, spoke in a deep, reassuring tone:

"Your Lord, the reason behind his time travelling is clear—it carries no threat. Moreover, he has been instructed to be sent to the palace. The ruler there can handle him."

From the left, another judge remarked,

"If he is the one mentioned in the prophecy, then it would be better to inform the Divine Land."

But the judge in the middle countered firmly,

"Since we cannot disobey the direct order from the palace, you will be sent back there for now. That will be the safest place for him."

With that decision made, Sambh was led out of the chamber along with the old man. Outside, as the cool air brushed against his skin, the old man stated,

"I am responsible for sending you back to the place."

He then produced another portal. Curious, Sambh asked,

"Since you can open the portal so easily, you must have a very high rank in this city."

The old man nodded with a slight smile,

"Yes, I am the Chief Adviser here."

As they moved toward the portal, Sambh's curiosity was far from sated.

"Do you have any idea regarding the prophecy?" he inquired.

The old man's expression grew pensive.

"So far, I know it is a message sent by a former Divine Time Traveller. It prophesied that a monk would come... but that is all I know."

Sambh fell silent, absorbing the weight of those words, as he stepped into the portal, the old man following closely behind. With a soft whoosh, the portal closed behind them, sealing their fate.

At that moment, amid the uncertainties of time and destiny, a new voice emerged from the darkness—one that held both promise and menace. The golden badge's silent glow, the imprint on his hand, the cryptic conversations, and the prophecy all converged into a single, overwhelming truth: the path ahead was fraught with peril, and every step could be the difference between salvation and oblivion.

As they ventured deeper into the unknown, the old man's parting words echoed in Sambh's mind:

"Your journey has only just begun. The trials you face will test not only your resolve but the very fabric of time itself."

In that charged, uncertain moment, as the portal's light dimmed to reveal the shadowed corridor behind him.