Blood and Gem

Shapra, Anmol, and the poojari walked down the dark tunnel, their footsteps echoing off the damp walls. The further they went, the more the air felt thick, almost heavy with secrets. After what felt like an eternity, they reached the end of the passage. The atmosphere suddenly shifted. The dim, murky darkness of the tunnel gave way to a space bathed in bright, ethereal light. The room ahead was far more expansive than Shapra had imagined, and the walls were decorated with vivid, colorful paintings.

The room was divided into multiple compartments, each one showcasing scenes of meditation, divine gods, and ancient historical events. Shapra stared at the paintings, feeling a mix of confusion and awe. The symbols and stories were foreign to him, and he couldn't make sense of them.

Turning to the poojari, Shapra asked, "What do these paintings mean? What are they showing?"

The poojari's face grew tense as he answered. "These paintings tell the story of the poojaris who meditated here long before me. They came seeking strength and power through their deep meditation. They connected with the elemental forces of this world."

Shapra felt a jolt of recognition. He recalled the powers his father, Siddarth, had revealed to him recently. The elemental powers, the very same that the Zarians possessed. Powers that could control fire, water, earth, and air, and much more. He shuddered at the thought, but decided not to bring it up. Not yet. This wasn't the time.

He pressed on with his questions. "So, who taught them? Who is this master they speak of?"

The poojari shook his head, his expression shadowed. "I don't know. The master's identity has been lost over time. But the powers... they were passed down through meditation. It's said that whoever connects with the elements in the right way gains unimaginable strength."

Shapra felt a flicker of unease. The more he learned, the more he realized that everything was connected, but there were too many missing pieces.

After some research and investigation, Shapra and Anmol couldn't find any clues about the master or the origins of the powers. Frustrated and exhausted, they decided to head back the way they came.

As they were walking back through the tunnel, Shapra couldn't help but ask, "Poojaari, why did you talk so heavily before we entered this path? You said all those ominous words. Why?"

The poojari paused for a moment, his face breaking into a half-smile. "Ah, well... you see, I wanted to scare you a little. It's not easy to have strangers poking around places like this. Sometimes a little threat goes a long way in keeping the curious away."

Shapra and Anmol exchanged amused glances, both trying not to laugh. Finally, they couldn't hold it in anymore and burst out laughing.

"So you were just trying to scare us into leaving?" Anmol asked, still chuckling.

The poojari grinned, rubbing his chin. "Maybe just a little. But honestly, I didn't want you two getting too close to something that's meant to stay hidden."

The lighthearted moment helped ease the tension, but as they continued walking, Shapra's eyes caught something odd—a rock carved with strange symbols. It was hidden at the edge of the wall. Curious, he knelt down to get a closer look, but when he stared at it, his vision began to blur.

As his eyes refocused, the symbols on the stone morphed into words:

"Her blood was of this world, but not entirely human, a hidden truth that lingered just beneath the surface. The gem's energy made the child feel an uneasy link to something she couldn't escape."

Shapra felt his heart race. The words felt like they were meant for him. But before he could dive deeper into his thoughts, he felt a sudden hand land on his shoulder, snapping him out of his trance.

"Shapra, are you alright?" Anmol's voice broke through the fog in his mind.

Shapra blinked, still trying to grasp the meaning of the message. "I… I saw something. A message. Something about blood and a gem..."

Anmol raised an eyebrow, concerned. "It's probably just the darkness getting to you. You've been through a lot today, man. You're probably imagining things."

The poojari gave Shapra a silent glare, but said nothing. The air in the room felt suddenly tense. Shapra didn't argue. He quickly snapped a photo of the strange rock with his phone, hoping he could figure out what it meant later.

As they left the underground chamber and walked back toward the temple, the poojari spoke again. "It's late. You two should head home. It's already 11 PM, and I'm sure your parents are worried."

Shapra and Anmol nodded, both feeling the weight of the day pressing down on them. As they exited the temple, Shapra broke the silence, his voice still filled with curiosity. "So, what did you tell your parents?"

Anmol grinned sheepishly. "I told them I was going to your house."

Shapra raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Really? I told my parents I was going to yours for test practice."

They both stared at each other for a moment before bursting into laughter. The absurdity of the situation seemed to lighten the mood, and the tension from earlier melted away.

"Okay, okay," Anmol said between laughs. "You lied to me about your mom and grandparents. Now, tell me everything!"

Shapra took a deep breath and finally told Anmol everything—the truth about the Zarians, the mysterious photo of his grandparents, and how his mother had reacted earlier that day. When he finished, Anmol sat there in silence, clearly deep in thought.

After a long pause, Shapra asked, "What's going on? You're thinking about something, aren't you?"

Anmol looked at him with a serious expression. "I've heard the word Zarian before. But I can't place where. It's on the tip of my tongue..."

Shapra's heart skipped a beat. The mystery was only deepening. And now, more than ever, he felt like everything was connected.

To be continued…