Chapter 39: The Watcher in the Shadows

A soft shuffle echoed through the chamber. Satya's grip tightened around the flashlight as he swung it toward the entrance.

Nothing.

Saanvi's breath came in shallow gasps. "Someone's here," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Satya took a cautious step forward, scanning the room. The feeling of being watched grew stronger, an invisible weight pressing on them. Then—a faint creak.

His flashlight beam caught the edge of a dark silhouette lurking near the entrance of the tunnel. A man, dressed in an old-fashioned coat, stood just outside the chamber's light. His face remained in shadow, but his presence sent a chill down Satya's spine.

Saanvi turned slowly, clutching the edge of the stone slab for support. "Who are you?"

The man didn't respond. Instead, he took a step closer.

"I should be asking you that," he finally spoke, his voice deep and measured. "You're trespassing on something that should have remained buried."

Satya squared his shoulders. "We're only searching for the truth."

The man let out a dry chuckle. "The truth? Some things are better left forgotten, boy." His tone was laced with warning.

Saanvi's fists clenched. "What are you trying to hide?"

A tense silence filled the room before the man's expression darkened. "Veer's story ended long ago. If you keep digging, you might not like what you find."

Satya's heart pounded. This man knew something.

"Who are you?" Satya asked again.

The man finally stepped into the dim light. His face was aged, but his sharp eyes carried an unsettling familiarity. He looked like someone who had lived with secrets for far too long.

"My name is Devraj Rathore," he said. "A descendant of the Rathore family."

Saanvi's eyes widened. "You're from the same bloodline?"

Devraj nodded, his gaze unreadable. "I know the story of Veer and Meera. And I know how it ended."

Satya's pulse quickened. "Then tell us."

Devraj's expression turned grim. "No. Some things are not meant to be known."

He took a step back into the shadows, his voice dropping to a whisper.

"If you value your lives, leave this place. Forget Veer. Forget Meera. And never return."

Then—he was gone.

The chamber fell into a suffocating silence. The weight of his words lingered in the air.

Saanvi turned to Satya, her face pale. "We can't stop now."

Satya exhaled sharply. "No. We're closer than ever."

They both knew Devraj's warning wasn't just words.

Someone didn't want them to uncover the truth.

And that meant one thing—they were on the right path.