21. The Land of Ruins.....

SuryaGarh, once a magnificent realm bathed in the golden light of prosperity, now lies in shadowed despair under the iron grip of its ruthless ruler. The kingdom, named for its radiant sunlit splendor, tells a stark tale of collapse. Towers that once soared to touch the heavens now crumble; marketplaces once brimming with life are deserted wastelands; even the mighty rivers, once lifelines of abundance, seem to weep for their fallen glory.

The despot who rules with unyielding cruelty has plunged SuryaGarh into endless turmoil, consumed by his obsessive quest for immortality. His greed knows no bounds—his advisors' warnings, the people's cries, and even the ancient wisdom of SuryaGarh's ancestors fall on deaf ears. Resources of the land, once harnessed to nurture growth, are now exploited to fuel arcane experiments. Countless souls toil in harrowing conditions as they are forced to gather rare, mystical materials for their ruler's grim pursuits.

For the poor, survival itself is a battle. Hunger gnaws at their bellies as crops lie untended, scorched under skies devoid of hope. Disease festers in the streets, and the once harmonious bond of SuryaGarh's community fragments into desperation and distrust. The weary gaze of peasants turns to the distant horizon, searching for a glimmer of the old Sun, praying for its eventual return.

In these ruins, Maya stands at the cliff's edge, gazing at her once-vibrant kingdom, now devastated by its tyrannical ruler. 

"If only General Rudranath were here with us today! This kingdom would not be in such disarray." 

He had cautioned the ministers of SuryaGarh about the dangers posed by Dhrupad, but his warnings went unheeded. Ultimately, he was branded a traitor for opposing Prince Dhrupad. 

"Behold, people of SuryaGarh! This is the consequence of your actions! You vilified my Master and sought his demise! Now, you face death in the guise of hunger and poverty." Filled with fury, she mourns the tragic state of the kingdom into which she was born.

Her gaze is captivated by an eagle gliding gracefully through the vast expanse of the sky, stirring memories of her master's loyal pet eagle, Bazigar, who had been a steadfast companion on all their adventures. As she reminisces, tears begin to fill her eyes, a poignant reminder of the troubled state of her homeland.

"Master! Where are you? You cannot have vanished so easily. You must still be alive. If you can hear me, please respond. I yearn to see you again. Return! SuryaGarh is in desperate need of your presence. Come back and free this land from the grip of its oppressive ruler! Please, come back!" 

Overwhelmed by her emotions, she kneels down, sobbing uncontrollably. In that moment, an eagle swoops down and perches on her shoulder. She carefully transfers it to her finger, feeling a surge of renewed strength and hope.

"Bazigar... It's truly you! Where is my master? I always believed he was still alive!" With Bazigar at her side, she finds comfort in the belief that her master endures. Since, the pet eagle dies with it's master's death.

In King Dhrupads court:

The golden chandeliers cast a magnificent glow throughout the grand court, filling the space with a dazzling light. King Dhrupad sits regally upon his opulent throne, adorned in sumptuous silken attire, and his crown glimmers with the brilliance of the sun. He surveys his ministers with a piercing gaze, his voice echoing powerfully across the vast hall, commanding attention and respect.

"Esteemed ministers, enlighten me on the measures a man must take to achieve immortality. I am destined to rule eternally! My name shall be remembered for generations, and my reign will never come to an end!"

The ministers exchange nervous glances, yet one by one, they step forward, eager to appease their sovereign.

Minister Vashran addressed the assembly with great reverence, stating, "Your Majesty, the esteemed alchemists have brought to our attention an extraordinary elixir known as Amrita, reputed to grant eternal life. By exploring the profound knowledge embedded in ancient manuscripts, we may be able to unveil the secrets necessary for its creation."

Minister Harin added, "Noble King, the wise sages proclaim that through the execution of the most splendid yajnas and by securing the favor of the divine, one can transcend the limitations of mortality. If you offer the heavens the most magnificent tributes, they are likely to bestow upon you the precious gift of everlasting life."

Minister Rajan interjected, "Your Highness, while your physical existence may ultimately diminish, your legacy has the potential to endure indefinitely. Monuments and literary works can serve to immortalize your name! The most esteemed rulers continue to live on in the hearts and minds of their subjects."

King Dhrupad, however, expressed his skepticism, scoffing as he tapped his fingers impatiently on the armrest of his throne.

King Dhrupad: "I'm not merely reminiscing about fleeting memories! I demand genuine immortality! A body that never decays, a mind that remains eternally sharp! I will take on time itself!"

An elderly sage, frail and positioned at the edge of the assembly, finally speaks up. His voice is steady but carries a profound seriousness.

Sage Rishvar: "Your Majesty, you are pursuing what is beyond human capability. Immortality is a gift of the divine, not a privilege for kings. Even the most powerful rulers have fallen to the relentless march of time. Such aspirations will only lead to your ruin."

The air grows heavy with tension. King Dhrupad's expression darkens, his fury igniting.

King Dhrupad: "Silence, you senile fool! You dare to stand against me? Are you implying that I am lesser than the gods? That I am bound by the same fate as ordinary mortals? You bring shame upon your king with your cowardly words!"

Sage Rishvar: "I do not stand against you, Your Majesty, but I must warn you. Those who chase after the impossible often find themselves engulfed in darkness."

King Dhrupad rises, his robe billowing like a tempest. His voice booms throughout the hall.

King Dhrupad: "Enough of this nonsense! If I cannot attain immortality, then I will not tolerate the words of those who claim I cannot! Guards! Seize this pathetic sage! Let his downfall serve as a stark warning to anyone who dares to challenge my rule!"

The guards rush in, dragging the frail sage away. Yet, Rishvar remains unyielding. His gaze is unwavering, and a faint smile dances on his lips.

Sage Rishvar: "You may bring me down, but remember this, King Dhrupad. It is not I who will turn to dust... but you. You will face the consequences of your arrogance and your insatiable thirst for immortality. I curse you! You will meet your demise at the hands of your very own Creator!"

The colossal doors slam shut behind him, casting the court into a heavy silence. Yet, even in that stillness, the sage's words resonate, lingering like an unavoidable shadow.

The entire court cast fearful looks at one another, each person acutely aware that challenging the prophecies of Sage Rishvar was simply out of the question. The atmosphere was thick with tension as they stood rigidly, their pride barely masking their dread. Dhrupad, brimming with arrogance and fury, roared once again, "How dare he! He will face the most brutal punishment conceivable! I will cast him to a hundred ravenous lions, and let it be clear—anyone who has the audacity to stand against me will share the same gruesome fate!" His voice echoed through the hall, a chilling reminder of the consequences of defiance.

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Today marks the Trojan festival, a time when it is said that the gates to heaven swing wide open at midnight. Aditi's mother has long been a devoted follower of the Trojan tradition, with her lineage tied to some of the most devout religious sects of ancient India. As a result, she felt compelled to pay a visit to the temple of Goddess Zenora.

Incredible! Everything here is absolutely magnificent. This is exactly what inspired the Temple of Zenora that you talked about in your first book! 

"Absolutely, Aish. This temple means the world to me. My family and I used to come here every year. But now... I just wish my brother could be here with me today..." 

"Come on, Adu! He'll be back before you know it. Don't stress!" Yash attempted to comfort her. 

She felt a deep ache for her brother, as it had been far too long since she last heard from him.

She turned to face Arjun, her eyes sparkling with a mix of excitement and determination. "I can't believe you actually came!" 

"I made the trip just for you," he replied, his voice steady and sincere. 

As they stepped into the temple, Aditi was immediately drawn to the altar, an overwhelming attraction pulling at her heart as if it were being beckoned by some mysterious power. Her pulse quickened, each beat echoing the urgency of the moment. 

With a sense of purpose, she placed her hands on the altar, and in that very instant, the torches lining the temple ignited into brilliant silver flames, illuminating the chamber with an otherworldly glow. They all crossed the threshold into the sacred space, the atmosphere thick with anticipation.

The atmosphere crackles with energy, and a gentle yet authoritative voice resonates throughout the corridor.

Goddess Zenora: "You arrive in search of clarity, but destiny has already made its selection. A darkness hangs over your journey, and only the one who dares to accept the fire of truth will forge ahead."

The group remains motionless, grappling with the significance of her message.

The earth shakes violently beneath their feet, and Arjun catches glimpses of an impending conflict—a city engulfed in fire, a shadowy foe, and himself at a pivotal juncture, compelled to confront a choice that seems utterly unthinkable. 

A silver mark, shaped like a flame, materializes on Aditi's wrist, shimmering briefly before disappearing into thin air.

Zenora's words linger in the air: "Your journey starts now. Stay on course, for the road to truth is shrouded in lies."He gasps, clutching his head as the vision dissipates."

Arjun is agitated and torn, grappling with his vision and questioning whether he should place his faith in something that defies reason. 

Yash and Aishwarya share uneasy looks, coming to the unsettling realization that this situation is far more significant than they had anticipated.