42.Mirror of Fate

The mirror beckoned Sambh to gaze into its depths. As he peered into its silvery surface, a haunting vision unfurled before him. In the reflection, he saw himself clad in a regal, well-crowned robe, radiating an otherworldly light.

Yet the splendor was marred by a grim tableau: thousands of arrows were embedded in his body, and he was plummeting into the void—a darkness where burning planets exploded and the cosmos itself seemed to be under siege.

With a jolt, Sambh awoke from the vision. He found himself resting on a modest bed, surrounded by concerned faces. Ruchi and several others lingered nearby, while maids busied themselves, fanning him gently.

Jigartala, her tone both soothing and urgent, said, "You are awake, Sambh. We were quite worried about you."

He was still unaware that where he was. He immediately looked around as he found himself back in the golden city. he looked those unusual faces near him covered in beautiful dresses.

"Where am I?" He asked the question looking around him. His eyes were searching Ruchi presence everywhere. Then his eyes caught the presence of Jigartala near him and realized that he was in palace.

Sambh slowly lifted his elbow and sat up, replying, "I'm okay."

He assured himself feeling comfortable with his voice. It had very long that he had become familiar with this world unlike the worldd from before. He spoke assuring,"Its fine."

Ruchi, holding his ancient sword with reverence, added, "This is one of the sacred swords of old. There's a legend that it chooses only one master for its entire age. What connection do you have with the fallen warrior?"

Sambh studied the sword before answering, "It came into my hand by itself. I know nothing of its legend."

Ruchi's eyes softened as she continued, "It is said that this very sword was once wielded to vanquish the ghost king, Vall-eran."

Breaking into their conversation, Jigartala inquired, "What of the Mirror of Fate? Did you receive it? Do you know your purpose as a time traveller?"

With a heavy sigh, Sambh admitted, "I have no idea. The mirror only offers us glimpses-fragments of our future."

"What did you see?" Ruchi pressed.

Sambh recalled the grim vision. "I saw myself dying in space, pierced by countless arrows," he murmured.

Concern etched on her face, Ruchi asked, "Did you bring the Mirror of Fate with you?"

Without hesitation, Sambh produced the small, radiant mirror from within his robes. Ruchi examined it intently. "How does it reveal our fate?" she queried, her voice trembling with both wonder and anxiety.

At Sambh's quiet command, the mirror demanded a precious offering. Ruchi removed her ring and placed it before the mirror. In a flash, the ring vanished from her finger and reappeared on Sambh's hand.

"Are you the owner of the ring?" Ruchi asked softly.

"Yes," Sambh confirmed, the gravity of the moment weighing heavily on him.

Gazing once more into the mirror, Ruchi's eyes widened as it displayed another vision. In it, she saw herself battling an army of the undead. With fierce determination, she hurled a golden spear toward Sambh.

Yet, in that vision, Sambh floated into the air, deflecting the attack with his sword. Then, astonishingly, a giant snake emerged from his other hand and bit her. The vision darkened further.

Sambh seized her spear, pierced her chest, shattered a mighty chariot into fragments, and scattered lifeless remnants across the battlefield. Shocked, Ruchi whispered, "It's useless…" as the horrifying scene faded away.

Before they could process the grim images, a guard burst into the room. "Your Highness, we have a letter for you," he announced.

Jigartala confirmed, "For Sambh."

Ruchi, curious and uneasy, asked, "Who could it be?"

The guard replied, "It's from the businessman, Wei."

Sambh interjected, "It's my uncle, Weismeir."

Ruchi added, "Wei is one of the most successful businessmen here; he even mentors many apprentices in the divine land."

Sambh rose from the bed, took the letter, and carefully unsealed it. The letter read:

  "Dear Sambh,

  The wheel of time has trapped me like the sun's light caged in a diamond bulb. My time is nearly ended, and nature calls me with its final breath. I hope to see you at the birth of this light before my eyes behold the sea of eternity.

  Sincerely,

  Your Uncle, Weismeir"

Tears welled in Sambh's eyes as he read the heartfelt words. In a trembling voice, he said, "Would you send me to him? Perhaps he can provide the answers to all my questions."

Jigartala stepped forward, puzzled, "But he arrived here more than a hundred years ago, and you have only recently come. How is he your uncle?"

Sambh explained quietly, "He was the one who brought me back from the monastery on behalf of my father."

Ruchi added, "Then we must meet him; time has aged him as well."

Determined, Ruchi opened a portal, and together they stepped through, emerging near a small, tranquil lake. The soft lapping of water and the gentle rustle of leaves provided a stark contrast to the visions and turmoil of the past moments.

Yet, a sense of urgency hung in the air as Sambh's mind raced with the images from the mirror, the ancient sword's mysterious legacy, and the cryptic letter from his uncle.

As they neared the lake, Sambh glanced at Ruchi, his eyes reflecting both hope and uncertainty. "Do you truly believe the Mirror of Fate can reveal my destiny?" he asked in a hushed tone.

Ruchi's voice was steady despite the anxiety, "It shows us only fragments, but sometimes those fragments guide us through even the darkest paths."

Their conversation was suddenly interrupted by a faint, eerie glow that danced across the water's surface - a signal that the fabric of time itself was shifting. Sambh's grip on his sword tightened as he murmured.

"Whatever awaits us, we must face it together."

The lake's surface rippled with an otherworldly light, and the portal behind them shimmered with promise and peril.