Aarvi, ek ordinary ladki, apni nani ke attic me ek purani silver key paati hai. Jaise hi woh key uske haath me aati hai, ek hidden darwaza khul kar use ek bhule-bisre realm me le jata hai. Yeh duniya jahan do chand chamakte hain, ped fusfusate hain a... Aarvi, ek ordinary ladki, apni nani ke attic me ek purani silver key paati hai. Jaise hi woh key uske haath me aati hai, ek hidden darwaza khul kar use ek bhule-bisre realm me le jata hai. Yeh duniya jahan do chand chamakte hain, ped fusfusate hain aur roshni bhi raaz chhupati hai. Lekin is khoobsurti ke peeche ek khaufnaak andhera hai—The Hollow One. Aarvi ek purani chhabi paakar ek aise darwaze se guzarti hai jo use ek bhule-bisre realm me le jata hai. Do chandon ki roshni, bolte hue ped aur chamakti jheelon ke beech, woh ek aise andhere ka saamna karti hai jo usse nigal lena chahta hai. Lekin jab ek roshni uske andar jagti hai, Aarvi samajhti hai ki woh sirf ek visitor nahi—balki is duniya ki chosen warrior hai.
The Forgotten Realm
Heroine
Kael
Hero
Serenya
Heroine
Page 1 of 1
Chapter 1: The Strange Key
Raat shaant thi, lekin usme ek ajeeb si gaharai thi. Bahar hawa pedon ke patton ko hila rahi thi aur purane ghar ki khidkiyon se halki si karahati hui aawaz nikal rahi thi. Aarvi apni nani ke purane ghar me aayi hui thi, ek aisa ghar jise log “Haveli” kehte the. Jungle ke kinare par khada ye ghar hamesha ek rahasya se ghira lagta tha. Din ke waqt yeh normal lagta, lekin jaise hi raat hoti, uske purane deewar jaise kahaniyan sunate.
Aarvi ke liye yeh ghar ek mixture tha—bachpan ki yaadein aur kuch ajeeb si ghabrahat. Nani aksar is ghar ke bare me purani kahaniyan sunati thi, jisme darwazon ke peeche chhupi duniya, purane jadoo aur bhule-bisre raaz ka zikr hota. Aarvi un kahaniyon par kabhi poora vishwas nahi karti thi, lekin unse ek fascination zaroor rakhti thi.
The Attic
Us raat barish ho rahi thi. Khidki ke sheeshe par paani ki boondein tik-tik kar rahi thi. Aarvi ek kitab padhti-padhti bore ho gayi aur bina soche samjhe upar ke attic me chali gayi. Attic—yaani purana store room—jahan sirf purane furniture, kapde aur anek purane trunks rakhe the.
Darwaza kholte hi ek tez se khushk hawa aur purane kagazon ki khushboo uske chehre tak aayi. Attic ki zameen dhool se bhari thi, aur kone-kone me makri ke jaale latak rahe the. Lakdi ki purani beams cheekh si karti thi, jaise kabhi bhi toot jaayengi.
Aarvi torch le kar dheere-dheere aage badhi. Uska dil zor se dhadak raha tha, par curiosity usse rok nahi rahi thi. Har trunk ek kahani tha—kisi me purane kapde, kisi me tooti-phooti ghadiyan, aur kisi me yellowed letters.
Aur tab uski nazar gayi ek aise trunk par jo sabse alag tha.
The Strange Trunk
Ye trunk dusre trunks se purana lag raha tha. Iska rang kaala tha, aur is par laal rang ka ek ajeeb sa naqsh bana hua tha—ek circle jismein chhote-chhote symbols the. Pehle toh Aarvi ne socha yeh sirf design hoga, lekin jaise hi torch ki roshni us par padi, usse laga jaise naqsh chamak gaya.
Usne ek purana trunk dekha jo hamesha se ek kone me rakha tha. Is trunk par ek laal rang ka naqsh bana tha jo dhundla chuka tha, lekin abhi bhi usme kuch chamak baaki thi.
Uska curiosity level aur badh gaya. Usne trunk ka tala khola. Andar purane kapde, ek diary aur kuch sikke the. Kapdon ke neeche ek chhoti si silver key rakhi thi.
Aarvi curious ho gayi. Usne trunk khola, jisme purane kapde, kuch letters aur ek chhoti si silver key rakhkar chhodi gayi thi.
Woh key aam nahi thi. Us par ajeeb runes (purane chinh) likhe hue the jo moonlight me chamak rahe the. Key ko haath me lete hi Aarvi ko laga jaise ek halki si electric current uske ungliyon me guzar gayi ho.
Woh key bilkul alag thi—barique designs, chhoti-chhoti curving patterns aur beech me ek nayi chamak. Jaise hi Aarvi ne use uthaya, uske haath me ek halki si current si daudi. Usne ek pal ke liye key ko chhodna chaha, lekin uske andar ek ajeeb si kheench thi—jaise key usse bulane lagi ho.
The Hidden Door
Key milte hi Aarvi ne kuch aur mehsoos kiya. Attic ki ek deewar par ek halki si roshni chamak uthi. Deewar pehle bilkul normal thi, lekin ab us par ek naqsh dikh raha tha—wahi circle aur symbols jo trunk par bane the.
Aarvi ka dil tez dhadakne laga. Usne key ko deewar ke paas kiya aur naqsh aur zyada chamak utha. Dheere-dheere woh naqsh ek darwaza ban gaya.Key haath me aane ke baad ek aur ajeeb baat hui—attic ki purani deewar par ek halka sa naqqash chamakne laga. Pehle toh Aarvi ne socha ki uski aankhon ka dhokha hai, lekin jaise hi usne key ko deewar ke paas kiya, naqsh badalne laga aur dheere-dheere ek darwaza ban gaya.
Woh darwaza wooden nahi tha, na hi metal. Uski surface par ek liquid-like glow tha, jaise paani ki leharon par chand ki roshni padh rahi ho. Aarvi ka dil tez dhadak raha tha. Usne apne dil ko samjhaya:
"Bas ek illusion hoga… main sapna dekh rahi hoon."
Darwaza bilkul aam nahi tha. Uski surface par aisi chamak thi jaise paani ki leheron par chandni nikal rahi ho. Usse lag raha tha ki darwaze ke peeche ek aur duniya hai.
Aarvi darr ke bawajood darwaze ki taraf kheenchti gayi. Usne haath bada kar darwaze ko chhua.
Aur us moment me darwaza dheere se khul gaya.
The Forgotten Realm
Darwaze ke peeche jo duniya thi, usne Aarvi ki saanson ko rok diya.
Ek jungle, lekin aisa jungle jaisa usne kabhi nahi dekha tha. Ped itne bade ki unke shikhar do chandon ke beech me gum ho gaye the—haan, asmaan me ek nahi, do chand chamak rahe the. Ek neela aur ek laal.
Har ped ke patton par chhoti-chhoti roshniyan chamak rahi thi jaise unme sitare band ho. Hawa me mithas thi, aur kahin door se ek sangeet jaisi awaaz aa rahi thi. Zameen par chhoti-chhoti fairy-like creatures ud rahi thi, unke pankh rainbow ke rang me chamak rahe the.
Aarvi ke liye yeh sab itna sundar tha ki usne apni aankhen jhapkayi, socha shayad sapna hai. Lekin sab kuch real tha. Uske pair ke neeche mitti ki khushboo, hawa ki thandak, aur pedon ki fusfusahat—sab asli the.
Par is sundarta ke beech ek ajeeb si khamoshi bhi thi. Ek andhera jo aas-paas ghuma raha tha.
Darwaza khulte hi Aarvi ke saamne ek aisi duniya thi jo usne kabhi sapne me bhi nahi sochi thi.
Ek lush jungle jisme har ped chamak raha tha, jaise unke patton par chhoti sitare bikhre ho. Hawa me ek mithas thi, phoolon ki khushboo aur ek ajnabi si dhun gunguna rahi thi.
Asman me ek nahi, do chand chamak rahe the—ek neela aur ek laal. Zameen par chhoti chhoti fairy-like creatures ud rahi thi, unke pankh rainbow ke rang me chamak rahe the.
Aarvi ne kabhi aisi khoobsurti nahi dekhi thi. Usne apna ek kadam aage badhaya, aur us moment me usse laga jaise uski puri duniya hi badal gayi ho.
The Shadow Creature
Aarvi ne mehsoos kiya jaise koi use dekh raha hai. Usne palat kar jungle ke kone me dekha. Wahan ek shadow creature khada tha. Uska chehra dhundla tha—na poora insaan na poora janwar. Lekin uski aankhen laal aag ki tarah chamak rahi thi.
Aarvi ki saans atak gayi. Us creature ki maujoodgi me hawa aur bhi thandi ho gayi, jaise roshni bhi uske aas-paas se bhaag rahi ho.
Woh creature chup tha, bas usse ghur raha tha. Aarvi ne ek kadam peeche hataya. Usne apni key aur kas ke pakad li. Uske dil me darr tha lekin saath hi curiosity bhi.
Lekin khoobsurti ke peeche ek khatra bhi chhupa tha. Jungle ke kone me ek shadow creature khada tha. Uski aankhein aag ke shole ki tarah chamak rahi thi, aur uska chehra dhundla tha—na poora insaan, na poora janwar. Aarvi usse dekhti hi jam gayi.
Wo creature chup tha, lekin uski aankhon me ek aisa bhookha andhera tha jo Aarvi ko thartharane par majboor kar raha tha.
Jab usne peeche hatne ki koshish ki, tabhi ek narmi bhari awaaz uske kaan me padhi
Liora
Tabhi ek halki si chamak uske saamne aayi. Us chamak me se ek ladki nikli—lekin wo aam ladki nahi thi. Uske lambe baal moonlight ki tarah chamak rahe the, aur uske peeth par transparent wings the jo hawa me hil rahe the.
Woh ek fae thi—pari. Usne Aarvi ko dekha aur uski awaaz me naram aur thodi si ghabrahat thi:
“Tumhe yahan aana nahi chahiye tha…”
Aarvi ne bas uski taraf dekha, bina shabd ke. Uske dil me sawal hi sawal the.
Ladki ne apna naam bataya: Liora.
“Ye jagah ‘Forgotten Realm’ kehlati hai. Jo yahan aa jata hai, woh wapas mushkil se hi ja pata hai.”
Aarvi ne hilti hui awaaz me kaha, “Main toh sirf ek key mili thi aur darwaza khul gaya… main yahan kaise aa gayi?”
Liora ki aankhen gehri ho gayi. “Woh key tumhari nahi thi. Woh ek ancient relic hai. Aur ab… tum uske dwara chuni gayi ho.”
Aarvi ka dil zor se dhadak raha tha. Usne peeche dekha, darwaza gayab ho chuka tha. Wapas lautne ka raasta band ho gaya tha.
Aur door se, woh shadow creature ab bhi usse dekh raha tha.
Aarvi’s Resolve
Aarvi ne apni mutthi me key ko aur mazbooti se pakad liya. Uske andar dar tha, lekin saath hi ek nayi himmat bhi. Usne apne dil me kaha:
"Agar mujhe yahan aana likha tha, toh main bhaagungi nahi. Main samajh kar rahungi ki mera raaz kya hai."
Aur us raat, Aarvi ki ordinary zindagi ek extraordinary kismat me badal gayi.
The Weight of Destiny
Jab Aarvi ne wapas darwaza dhoondhna chaha, usne dekha ki darwaza ab band ho chuka tha aur diwaar me gaayab ho gaya tha. Uske pair ke neeche zameen hil rahi thi, jaise duniya use apni taraf kheench rahi ho.
Liora ne Aarvi ke kandhe par haath rakha aur kaha:
"Ab tumhe ek faisla lena hoga. Ya toh tumhe apni duniya ko bhoolkar is realm ka hissa banna hoga… ya phir tumhe us andhere se ladna hoga jo abhi tumhe dekh raha hai."
Aarvi ne shadow creature ki taraf dekha jo ab aur paas aa raha tha. Uski saans ruk rahi thi, par uske andar ek nayi himmat jagi.
Usne key ko apne haath me kas kar pakad liya. Ye sirf ek key nahi thi, ye ek nayi zindagi ki chabi thi—ek zindagi jo adventure, khatre aur destiny se bhari hone wali thi.
Aur usi moment, usne apne aap se kaha:
"Main darr kar nahi bhaagungi. Agar mujhe yahan aana likha tha, toh main apna raasta khud banaugi."
Whispers of the Realm
Aarvi ne kabhi socha bhi nahi tha ki uski ek chhoti si curiosity usse ek aisi duniya me le aayegi jahan sab kuch alag hai. Jungle ki mitti ke har daane se ek nayi sugandh aa rahi thi. Hawa thandi thi lekin usme ek ajeeb sa jadoo tha, jaise woh uske andar ke har darr ko samet kar usse nayi taqat dena chahti ho.
Do chand asmaan me chamak rahe the—ek neela jo thandak deta tha, aur ek laal jo zameen par lahu jaisi roshni faila raha tha. Ye dono milkar jungle ke har kone ko ek ajnabi roop dete the. Aarvi ke pair ke neeche ghas itni mulayam thi jaise kisi ne puri zameen par hara rang ka resham bichha diya ho.
Uske saamne Liora khadi thi, ek fae, jiske transparent wings moonlight me chamak rahe the. Aarvi abhi bhi uske chehre ki roshni me kho gayi thi, lekin uske dil me sawal hi sawal the.
The First Conversation
“Tumhe yahan aana nahi chahiye tha,” Liora ne phir se kaha. Uski awaaz me ek aisi naramiyat thi jo dosti ka ahsas dilati thi, lekin uske shabdon me ek khatra छिपा tha.
Aarvi ne halki si ghabrahat me kaha, “Main toh… main sirf ek key uthai thi. Darwaza khud khul gaya.”
Usne apne haath me ab bhi chamakti hui silver key uthai.
Liora ne key ko dekha aur uske chehre ka rang badal gaya. “Ye key koi aam cheez nahi hai. Isse Celestara Key kehte hain. Ye hamare duniya ki sabse purani aur sabse khatarnak relic hai. Ye sirf unhi ke haath me aati hai jinke kismat se kuch bada likha ho.”
Aarvi ne key ko mazbooti se pakad liya. “Par main to ek normal ladki hoon. Mujhse aisa kya…?”
Liora uski baat ko beech me hi kaat kar boli, “Normal log yahan tak aate hi nahi. Tumhe kyun bulaya gaya, ye mujhe bhi samajh nahi aa raha. Lekin ek baat pakki hai—ab tum yahan aayi ho, toh tumhe apni kismat ka samna karna hi hoga.”
Aarvi ne ghabrahat me aas-paas dekha. Jungle shant lag raha tha, lekin us shanti ke peeche kuch ajeeb si aahat chhupi thi. Usne dheere se kaha, “Woh… woh shadow… jo mujhe dekh raha tha… woh kya tha?”
The Creature’s Name
Liora ke chehre par ek andhera sa aa gaya. Usne dheere se kaha, “Usse hum Umbra kehte hain. Woh is duniya ka shadow creature hai. Na poora insaan, na poora jaanwar. Woh andhere ka hissa hai—aur uska kaam hai tum jaise logon ko rokna.”
Aarvi ne uski taraf dekha. “Mujhe rokna? Lekin kyun?”
Liora chup ho gayi. Usne bas chhoti si baat kahi: “Kyuki tumhare paas jo key hai… woh uske liye sab kuch hai. Agar woh key uske haath lag gayi, toh yeh duniya dobara ujale me kabhi nahi aa payegi.”
Aarvi ke dil me ek thandi si lahar daudi. Usne key ko apni mutthi me aur zor se jakkad liya. Ab usse lag raha tha jaise woh key uski apni rooh se judi ho.
A Glimpse of Magic
Liora ne Aarvi ko jungle ke andar chalne ka ishara kiya. “Yahan khade rehna khatarnak hai. Chalo mere sath.”
Jaise-jaise woh dono jungle ke andar badh rahe the, Aarvi ko is naye jagah ka har kona ek sapne jaisa lag raha tha.
Bade bade pedon ke tanon par chhoti-chhoti glowing runes khudey the jo halki roshni dete the.
Aas-paas chhoti fairies jaise creatures ud rahi thi jo har pal rang badal rahi thi.
Nadi ke kinare par paani chamak raha tha jaise usme chaand ke tukde ghul gaye ho.
Aarvi ne apni ungli paani me dal di. Jaise hi paani uski skin ko chhua, usne mehsoos kiya ki uske dil ki ghabrahat kam ho gayi.
“Ye paani humare duniya ka Luminara Stream hai,” Liora ne bataya. “Jo isse chhuta hai, uske andar se darr kam ho jata hai. Lekin… ye hamesha sabko nahi apnata.”
Aarvi ne hairan hoke dekha. “Matlab ye mujhe apna raha hai?”
Liora ne uski taraf ghoor kar dekha, jaise uske andar kuch dhoondh rahi ho. “Shayad tumhe sach me is duniya ne bulaya hai.”
The Ambush
Lekin unki yeh shanti zyada der nahi tik payi. Jungle ke ek kone se ek tez si cheekh aayi. Hawa thandi pad gayi aur roshni dheere-dheere dhundli hone lagi.
Aarvi ka dil tez dhadakne laga. “Kya… kya yeh Umbra hai?”
Liora ne turant Aarvi ke saamne khade hote hue kaha, “Haan. Woh hamesha roshni ka peecha karta hai. Tum uske liye ek chimta hua sitara ho.”
Achanak, andhere me se Umbra nikla. Uski laal aankhen chamak rahi thi. Uski har chaal se zameen kanp rahi thi. Uska dhundla chehra Aarvi ke andar tak ghus raha tha, jaise uski rooh ko kheench lena chahta ho.
Aarvi ke pair jam gaye. Usne bhaagne ki koshish ki, par uske pair zameen se chipak gaye.
Umbra ek ghurhati hui awaaz me bola, “Key… mujhe do… warna tumhari roshni main nigal jaunga.”
Aarvi ka dil tharthara gaya. Usne Liora ki taraf dekha. Liora ne apne haath uthaye, aur uske wings se ek tej roshni nikal kar Umbra ki taraf gayi.
Umbra peeche hata, lekin uski awaaz jungle me gunj uthi:
“Yeh sirf shuruat hai. Tum mujhse bach nahi sakti, key-bearer.”
Aur jaise hi aaya tha, waisa hi woh andhere me sama gaya.
Aarvi’s Choice
Aarvi ki saansen tez chal rahi thi. Usne apne haath ki mutthi dekhi—key ab bhi chamak rahi thi. Usne ghabrahat me kaha, “Mujhe laga main mar jaungi… usne mujhe andar tak dekh liya tha.”
Liora ne uska kandha pakad kar kaha, “Umbra tumhara peecha karta rahega. Lekin tumhe darne ki zarurat nahi hai. Kyunki tum akeli nahi ho.”
Aarvi ne uski taraf dekha. Uske andar darr tha, lekin saath hi ek naya resolve bhi.
“Main bhaagungi nahi. Agar mujhe yahan bulaya gaya hai, toh main is key ka raaz samajh kar rahungi. Chahe kuch bhi ho.”
Liora ke chehre par ek halka sa muskaan aaya. “Toh tum tayyar ho. Lekin yaad rakhna, Aarvi… ye sirf ek safar nahi hai. Ye ek jang hai—jo tumhe apne andar bhi ladni hogi.”
Aasman ke dono chand un par chamak rahe the. Jungle khamosh tha, lekin us khamoshi me ek nayi kahani likhi ja rahi thi—Aarvi ki kahani.
Aarvi ki saansen tez thi. Uske haath me woh key chamak rahi thi jaise usme khud ek zinda roshni basti ho. Jungle ka andhera ab sirf andhera nahi tha—wo jinda tha, hil raha tha, saans le raha tha. Uske dil me dar ki lehr uthi, lekin us roshni ne jaise usse thama rakha tha.
Liora ne Aarvi ki taraf dekha, uski aankhen gahrayee se chamak rahi thi. “Tumne kar dikhaya, Aarvi. Key tumhe chun chuki hai.”
Aarvi ke hoth hilte rahe, lekin awaaz uske gale se bahar nahi nikal paayi. Ye sab ek sapne jaisa lag raha tha. “Yeh… yeh key hai kya?”
Liora dheere se aage badhi, usne apne narm haathon se key ke runes ko chhua. “Ye hai Celestara Key. Ek aisa dwar, jo tumhe tumhari asli pehchaan tak le jaayega. Aur ek talwar bhi, jo tumhe andhere se bachayegi.”
Zameen par ab bhi Umbra ke attack ki baaki chaap nazar aa rahi thi—jale hue patte, zameen par phaili hui kali dhool, aur hawa me ek bojhal gungunahat. Aarvi ko laga ki kahin se ab bhi us andhere ki fushfushahat aa rahi ho.
“Woh… woh wapas aayega na?” Aarvi ne ghabrahat se kaha.
“Umbra kabhi sach me chala nahi jata,” Liora ne shant swar me jawab diya. “Wo bas dekh raha hai, tumhari kamzori ka intezaar kar raha hai.”
Aarvi ne key ko aur zor se pakad liya. Uske dil me dar ke saath-saath ek ajeeb si taqat bhi thi. Jaise uske andar kuch jag gaya ho.
Aarvi ki rooh us lamhe ghabra gayi. Ek taraf use us dar ka ehsaas ho raha tha—Umbra ke chehre ki laal aankhen, uski andhere ki gaddi—jo use poori duniya se alag kar sakti thi. Aur doosri taraf, ek nayi zimmedari—ek aisi choti si roshni jo uske andar jag rahi thi, aur jo duniya ko bachane ki shakti thi.
Usne apni saanson ko sambhala. “Agar main yahan rakhne ke liye bulayi gayi hoon... toh main dar ke bawajood ladna chahungi.”
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Agli subah, dono jungle ke aur andar ki taraf badhne lage. Ped unke aas paas itne bade aur purane the jaise unhone hazaron saalon ka itihas apni chhalkon me basakar rakha ho. Kabhi-kabhi unki jadon se halki si roshni nikalti thi, aur unke patton se halki halki dhun sunai deti thi—jaise jungle unse baatein kar raha ho.
Aarvi ruk kar us khamoshi ko sunne lagi. “Kya tumhe… ye bhi sunai deta hai?”
Liora muskurayi. “Ye tumhare liye hai. Jungle jaanta hai tum wapas aa gayi ho.”
“Wapas?” Aarvi ne hairani se kaha.
Liora ne bas aage dekhne ka ishara kiya. “Sab kuch waqt pe pata chalega.”
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Safar ke beech unki nazar ek ajeeb si roshni par padi. Chhoti si chamakti hui jhalak unke saamne ud rahi thi, jaise ek firefly, lekin bahut badi aur zyada roshan.
“Tum bahut aage aa gayi ho,” Liora ne softly kaha. “Lekin ab tumhe samajhna hoga: is realm ko bachane ke liye roshni aur shadow ke beech ek balance zaroori hai.”
Aarvi ne pucha, “Par main kya kar sakti hoon? Main to bas ek visitor thi…”
Liora ne gaaharayi se nazar dagi. “Tum chuni gayi ho, Aarvi. Key sirf raasta nahi—jaise ek catalyst hai. Tumhe apne andar pehli baar ek energy feel hui hogi—woh jo tum reflect kar rahi thi crystal pond mein. Us energy ka naam hai Luminara's Ember—roshni ka ek jwala jo tumhare andar jagah bana chuka hai.”
Aarvi ne apna haath badhaya, aur woh roshni uske aas paas ghoomne lagi. Dheere dheere woh shape lene lagi—ek chhoti si makhi jiske par transparent the, aur jisme se soft blue light nikal rahi thi.
“Ye kya hai?” Aarvi ne hairan hokar pucha.
“Ye hai Lumora, roshni ke messengers,” Liora ne samjhaya. “Ye sirf unke saamne aate hain jinke dil me roshni hoti hai.”
Lumora Aarvi ke kandhe par baith gaya, aur usne ek halki si khushi apne dil me mehsoos ki. Ek pal ke liye usne apna dar bhool gaya. “Toh… main bhi roshni ka hissa hoon?”
Liora ki muskaan halki si udaas ho gayi. “Tum roshni se zyada ho, Aarvi. Tum dono—roshni aur andhere—ke beech ki kahani ho.”
Aarvi ka dil dobara ghabra gaya.
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Raat hone lagi thi. Dono ne ek chhote se jharne ke paas apne liye aaraam banaya. Paani me chand ki roshni chamak rahi thi, aur jahan ground par path ki tarah glowing runes bane the. Runes ek dusre se jurr rahe the—ek jaadu bhari mandala ban rahe the.
Lumora ab bhi Aarvi ke aas paas ghoom raha tha.
“Ye Sanctum of Bonds hai,” Liora samjha rahi thi. “Yahan tumhe apni roshni ko jagruk karna hoga, apne andar ek bond create karna padega—Light + Heart.”
Aarvi ne mandala ke beech me khadi hokar deep breath liya. Usne key ko upar raise kiya—uski chamak runes par girte hi woh aur bright ho gaye. Phir, dheere se, usne ke andar ek boond roshni me entry ki—ek sphere of golden light bana mandala ke beech, jahan runes converge hue.
Lekin Aarvi ne apne dil me ek ajeeb si bechaini mehsoos ki.
“Liora,” usne dheere se kaha. “Agar key ne mujhe chun liya hai… toh iska matlab main yahan se belong karti hoon? Ya main sirf ek aur khiladi hoon jo kisi aur ke khel me fasi hai?”
Liora uski taraf dekhti rahi, kuch pal chup rahi. “Sach yeh hai ki tum dono ho, Aarvi. Tum yahan se bhi belong karti ho, aur tum wahan se bhi. Aur isi liye tum khatra ho.”
Aarvi ne key ko apne dil se lagaya. Usne socha—agar main dono jagah ki hoon, toh kya iska matlab hai ki main dono jagah kho dungi?
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Raat aur gehri ho gayi. Aarvi ne aakhri baar key ko dekha, jisme runes dheere dheere glow kar rahe the, jaise usse bulane ki koshish kar rahe ho. Lumora uske aas paas phir se ghooma, jaise uske dil ke bojh ko halka kar raha ho.
Lekin jungle ke door kone me, ek aur andhera hil raha tha. Woh Umbra tha, jo abhi bhi Aarvi ko dekh raha tha. Uski awaaz halki si hawa me gungi:
“Tum jitna roshni me chalogi… utni tumhari parchai gehri hogi.”
Aur Aarvi ne mehsoos kiya— ki ye safar abhi shuru hi hua hai.
Jungle me phir se shanti chha gayi. Pedon ke patte halki roshni me chamakne lage, runes glowing naarmili roshni bana rahe the. Liora ne Aarvi ka haath pakda.
“Ab hum aage badhenge—ek aise safar pe jahan tum apni roots, is realm ka raaz, aur Umbra ke asli motive sab samajhogi.”
Aarvi ne deep breath liya, ek confident nod diya. “Mera naam hi nahi, mera kirdar bhi badal gaya hai. I am the guardian. Let’s go.”
Subah ka ujala do chand ke peeche se phoot raha tha, jab Aarvi aur Liora apne safar par nikal pade. Jungle ab itna khamosh nahi tha—pedon ke beech chhote creatures hilte-dulte nazar aate, unki aankhon me aisi roshni thi jo jaadu ka ahsaas dilati thi. Kabhi kabhi hawa me phool ki tarah chamakte motes dikhai dete, jo zameen par girte hi chhoti belon ko phool bana dete. Aarvi in sab par hairan thi, lekin uske dil me ek ajeeb si ghabrahat bhi thi.
“Hum kahan ja rahe hain?” usne dheere se pucha.
“Elarion—light ka shahar,” Liora ne jawab diya. “Yahan ke log tumhe samajhne me madad karenge. Aur shayad… tumhe apne guzar chuke rishte yaad aane lage.”
Aarvi ruk gayi. “Guzar chuke rishte?”
Liora ne sirf muskuraya, lekin jawab nahi diya. Us muskaan me kuch chhupa hua tha—ek raaz jo Aarvi ko khinch raha tha, lekin usse dara bhi raha tha.
The First Glimpse of Elarion
Kuch ghanton ke safar ke baad pedon ka ghana jhund halka pad gaya. Aarvi ki aankhon ke saamne ek aisa manzar tha jo usne kabhi sapne me bhi nahi dekha tha. Doosre pahaadon ke beech ek shehar chamak raha tha.
Shehar ki deewarein safed crystalline patthar ki bani thi, jo suraj ki roshni ko reflect kar rahi thi. Chhaton par chhoti chhoti towers khadi thi jinme se ek-ek light beam aasman ki taraf ja rahi thi. Sadkon par log chal rahe the—lekin ye log aam insaan jaise nahi the. Unke kapdon me woven light thi, aur unki aankhon me ek glow tha jaise unke andar chhoti roshni ke deepak jal rahe ho.
“Ye… ye toh jaise koi kahani ka shehar ho,” Aarvi ne dheere se kaha.
“Ye kahani nahi hai, Aarvi. Ye tumhari haqeeqat banne wali hai,” Liora ne jawab diya.
The People’s Reaction
Jab dono shehar ke andar ghuse, log ruk kar unhe dekhne lage. Aankhon me pehle hairani, phir phusphusaahat, aur phir ek tarah ka dar aane laga.
“Woh… key-bearer hai…” ek aurat ne apne bacche ko gale lagate hue kaha.
“Umbra ke saamne khadi hui thi kal raat… maine runes ka glow dekha tha!” ek jawan ne fushfushaya.
Lekin sab ki nazar ek baat par tik gayi—Aarvi ke haath me chamakti hui Celestara Key.
“Ye log mujhse aise kyun dekh rahe hain?” Aarvi ne halki ghabrahat se pucha.
“Kyuki tum unke liye ek hope ho… aur ek khatra bhi,” Liora ne shant swar me jawab diya.
The Whispering Shadow
Raat ko unhe ek guest chamber diya gaya. Aarvi apni khidki ke paas khadi shehar ki roshni dekh rahi thi. Thodi der ke liye usne socha ki shayad sab theek hoga. Lekin us shanti ko todte hue ek halki si awaaz aayi—jaise koi uske kaan ke paas fushfusha raha ho.
“Aarvi…”
Uska dil tez dhadakne laga. Usne khidki se bahar dekha—wahaan kuch nahi tha.
“Tum roshni ki beti nahi ho… tum usi andhere ka hissa ho jise tum mitane aayi ho.”
Aarvi ka gala sukh gaya. “K… kaun hai?”
Shadow dheere dheere uske kamre ke kone me shape lene laga. Ye Umbra nahi tha—ye uski ek aur form thi—ek Whispering Shadow jo sirf awaazon aur illusion me jeevit tha. Uski aankhen nahi thi, sirf ek shakal jisme se andhera beh raha tha.
“Ye sab jhooth hai jo tumhe bataya gaya. Roshni tumhe kabhi apnaygi nahi. Tum hamesha akeli rahi ho… aur humesha akeli rahogi.”
Aarvi ne apne kaan band kar liye. “Ye jhooth hai! Main akeli nahi hoon!”
Shadow hansa. “Tumhari duniya me bhi tumhe kisne samjha? Tumne kabhi apna ghar mehsoos kiya? Aur yahan… in logon ki aankhon me dar nahi dekha tumne?”
Aarvi ke dil me ek pal ke liye shak ka bij pad gaya. Usne khud ko beqarar mehsoos kiya. Lekin tabhi… key uske haath me chamak uthi, jaise usse yaad dilane ke liye ke woh akeli nahi hai.
The Memory Unlocking
Achanak, key se ek light blast nikli aur Aarvi behosh hokar zameen par gir gayi. Lekin uski aankhon ke saamne ek nayi duniya khul gayi.
Usne dekha—ek chhoti si ladki (bilkul uski tarah) jungle ke kinare khel rahi hai. Uske saath ek aur ladki thi—jiske par chandi ke jaise chamak rahe the.
“Liora…” Aarvi ne dheere se kaha.
Woh yaad dhundhli thi, lekin ek cheez clear thi—Aarvi kabhi is realm me reh chuki thi. Aur shayad… uski yaadon ko kisi ne jaan bujhkar mita diya tha.
The Confrontation
Jab Aarvi hosh me aayi, Liora uske paas khadi thi. “Tumne usse suna, hai na?”
Aarvi ki aankhen aansuon se bhari thi. “Woh mujhe keh raha tha ki main akeli hoon. Lekin… maine tumhe dekha, bachpan me. Liora, kya main… yahan ki hoon?”
Liora ne chup chap uska haath pakda. “Sachayi tumhe jaldi hi pata chalegi. Lekin yaad rakhna, whispering shadows tumhe todne aate hain. Unka kaam tumhare dil me shak dalna hai. Aur agar tum shak me doob gayi… toh Umbra jeet jaayega.”
Aarvi ne apna aansu pochha aur key ko zor se pakda. “Main tootne wali nahi hoon. Chahe mujhe apni yaad kio na dhoondhni pade, chahe andhere ka saamna kio na karna pade—main ladungi.”
Closing Scene
Shehar ki unchi towers se ek nayi light beam aasman ki taraf gayi—ek signal ke jaisi. Elarion ke logon ne isse dekha aur samajh gaye—key-bearer jaag gayi hai, aur uska agla safar shuru hone wala hai.
Lekin, kahin door, Umbra ke shadow ne fushfushaya—
“Jitni roshni barhegi… utna andhera aur gehra hoga. Let’s see how long you can fight, Aarvi.”
Aur us raat, pehli baar Aarvi ko laga ki uski apni kahani uske samne khul rahi hai.
The Fractured Memory
Night of Restlessness
Elarion ke mandir se lautne ke baad Aarvi ne neend ki koshish ki, lekin uska dil shaant nahi hua. Uske dimaag me woh bhavishyavani ghoom rahi thi— “roshni aur andhera dono ka sangam…”
Woh apne aap se sawal karti rahi. Kya main sacchi me dono hoon? Aur agar hoon, toh iska matlab kya main kabhi poori tarah roshni nahi ban paungi?
Lumora uske aas paas ghoomta raha, kabhi uski aankhon me dosti ki chamak, kabhi use tasalli dene ke liye roshni chhodta. Aarvi ne halki muskaan di. “Tum toh mere saath ho na, chahe jo ho?”
Lumora ek chhoti si awaaz nikal kar jaise haan bol gaya.
The Festival of Lights
Agli subah, Elarion shahar roshni se jagmag kar raha tha. Sadkon par rang-birange crystal latke the jo hawa ke saath ghunghuna rahe the. Ye tha Festival of Lights, ek purani parampara jisme shehar ke log roshni aur shakti ka jashn manate the.
Liora ne Aarvi se kaha, “Ye din tumhare liye khaas hai. Roshni tumhe apna ashirvaad degi.”
Aarvi ne logon ko dekha—bachche rangoli bana rahe the, auratein gaano me talmil rahi thi, aur purush sky lanterns ko aasman me uda rahe the. Ek pal ke liye Aarvi ko laga ki shayad wo ek aam ladki hai, jise bas ek tyohar enjoy karna hai.
Lekin logon ki nazrein usse kabhi nahi chhodi. Har ek aankh me ya toh umeed thi, ya darr. Jaise uske kandhon par poori duniya ka bojh tha.
The Mysterious Stranger
Festival ke beech Aarvi ne bheed me ek anjaana chehra dekha—ek ladka, usi ki umar ka, jiske baal kaale aur aankhein aise chamak rahi thi jaise raat ke sitare. Usne kapda pehna tha jo Elarion ke logon se alag lag raha tha.
Woh seedha Aarvi ke paas aaya. “Tumhi ho… woh jiska zikr bhavishyavani me hai?”
Aarvi ne peeche hatti. “Aur tum kaun ho?”
Usne ek pal ruk kar kaha, “Mera naam Kael hai. Main tumhara dost bhi ho sakta hoon… ya dushman bhi. Ye tumhare faisle par depend karta hai.”
Aarvi ne Liora ki taraf dekha, jo door khadi sab kuch dekh rahi thi. Liora ka chehra sakht ho gaya tha, jaise Kael uske liye ek purana khatra ho.
The Memory Shard
Festival ke dauran logon ne ek purana karyakram shuru kiya—Memory Shard Ceremony. Har vyakti apni yaad ka ek tukda ek crystal me band karta hai aur use aasman me bhejta hai, taki vo roshni ke saath ek ho jaye.
Aarvi ko bhi ek crystal diya gaya. Jaise hi usne crystal haathon me liya, uska dil tez dhadakne laga. Uski ungliyon se ek roshni nikal kar crystal me ghus gayi, aur crystal chamak utha.
Sab log chup ho gaye. Crystal me ek tasveer banne lagi—ek chhoti Aarvi aur ek ladki jo uske saath thi. Dono hansi khushi shahar ki sadkon par daud rahi thi. Lekin phir tasveer badal gayi—us ladki ka chehra andhere me doob gaya, aur woh Aarvi se door kheench li gayi.
Aarvi ne chilla kar crystal gira diya. “Yeh… yeh kya hai?”
High Seer aage aaye. “Yeh tumhari bhooli hui yaadon ka tukda hai. Tumhari kahani yahan se shuru hoti hai, Aarvi.”
Kael’s Truth
Ceremony ke baad Aarvi udaas thi. Kael uske paas aaya. “Ab samajh aaya? Tumhe sab kuch yaad nahi, kyunki kisi ne tumhari yaadon ko chhupaya hai. Aur wo koi aur nahi, balki yahi log hain jin par tum vishwas kar rahi ho.”
Aarvi chok gayi. “Tum kya keh rahe ho?”
Kael ne dheere se kaha, “Liora aur Elarion ke logon ne tumhari yaadein bandh di thi, taki tum kabhi apni asli taqat ko na samajh sako. Agar tumhe sachchai chahiye, toh mere saath chalo.”
Aarvi ke dil me tufaan mach gaya. Ek taraf Liora thi—jo uski madad kar rahi thi. Doosri taraf Kael tha—jo sachchai ka vaada kar raha tha. Aur beech me thi wo khud, jo apne hi tukdon me bikhri hui thi.
Confrontation with Liora
Us raat Aarvi ne Liora se poocha, “Kya tumne… meri yaadon ko chhupaya?”
Liora ne chup rehkar Aarvi ki taraf dekha. Uski aankhon me dard tha. “Tum abhi tayar nahi thi. Agar tumhe sab yaad aa jaata, toh tum apne andhere me kho jaati.”
Aarvi ke dil me gussa ubhar aaya. “Tumne mujhse jhoot bola! Tum mujhe bachana chahti thi ya mujhe apne liye ek hathaayar banana chahti thi?”
Liora ne aage badh kar uske kandhe par haath rakha. “Maine jo bhi kiya, tumhe zinda rakhne ke liye kiya. Tum samajh nahi pa rahi. tum bhut gusse me ho, Aarvi… tumhari taqat itni badi hai ki wo tumhe tod bhi sakti hai.”
Aarvi ne uska haath hata diya. “Shayad mujhe tootna hi chahiye, taki main apne asli roop ko jaan sakun.”
The Shadow Returns
Us raat, Aarvi akeli baithe ro rahi thi. Aur phir hawa thandi hui. Whispering Shadow wapas aaya.
“Dekha? Maine kaha tha na… tum par vishwas nahi kiya jaa sakta. Ye log tumhe apne pass nhi rakhna chahte hain, lekin tum sirf apni ho. Aur sirf main tumhara sach janta hoon.”
Aarvi ka dil tez dhadakne laga. Lekin is baar usne apna darr chhupaya nahi. Usne seedha shadow ki aankhon me dekha. “Tum shayad meri parchai ho, lekin main tumse bhaagungi nahi. Main apni yaadon ko dhoondh kar rahungi.”
Shadow muskuraya. “Acha. Tab dekhte hain ki tumhari roshni kitni der tak andhere se lad paati hai.”
Aur phir wo phir se gayab ho gaya.
The Crossroads
Subah Aarvi ne faisla kiya—wo Elarion me nahi rukegi. Usse apni yaadon ka sach jaana hi hoga, chahe iske liye use Liora ke khilaf jaana pade ya Kael ke saath chalna pade.
Usne apne dil me kaha, “Agar main sach me dono hoon—roshni bhi aur andhera bhi—toh mujhe apna raasta khud banana hoga. Itna bol kar vo Elarion se bhar Jane ki teyari krne lagi.”
Aur iske saath hi Aarvi apne pehle safar par nikalne ke liye taiyar ho gayi—jahan usse na sirf apna past milega, balki wo faisla bhi jo duniya ka bhavishya tay karega.
The Path of Forgotten Echoes
Departure at Dawn
Subah ka waqt tha, jab Elarion ke aasman me pehli roshni ne rang bharna shuru kiya. Shehar ke log abhi tyohar ki thakan se so rahe the, lekin Aarvi jaag chuki thi. Uska dil bhaari tha, lekin uski aankhon me ek naya iraada tha.
Usne apne chhote saamaan ko baandha, Lumora ko kandhe par bithaya, aur mandir ke entrance par ruk kar ek aakhri baar shehar ki taraf dekha. Elarion ne usse apna ghar diya tha, par saath hi sachchai chhupayi bhi thi. Ab Aarvi ko apna ghar khud banana tha.Vo sach janna tha jo sab ne chupa Diya tha us se.
Liora uske saamne aa gayi. “Tum ja rahi ho?” usne poocha, jaise usne pehle se andaza laga liya tha.
Aarvi ne haan me sir hilaaya. “Mujhe apni yaadon ka sach jaana hoga. Mujhe khud ko samajhna hoga.”
Liora ke chehre par dard tha, lekin usne Aarvi ko roka nahi. “Theek hai. Lekin yaad rakhna, tumhare raste khatre se bhare honge. Andhera tumhe bulayega, aur har sawal ka jawab tumhe turant nahi milega.”
Aarvi ne bas itna kaha, “Toh mujhe chalna hoga.”
Aur wo chal padi—apne pehle safar par.
The Whispering Forest
Aarvi ne apna safar Elarion ke bahar ke Whispering Forest se shuru kiya. Ye jungle apne naam jaisa hi tha—yahan har ped, har hawa ka jhonka aise lagta tha jaise kuch keh raha ho.
Lumora ne apne wings jhilkaye aur Aarvi ke aas paas roshni failayi, taki wo raste pe tik sake. Lekin jaise-jaise wo andar ja rahi thi, jungle ki awaaz aur tez hone lagi. “Wapas jao… tumhari jagah yahan nahi hai…”
Aarvi ka dil tez dhadak raha tha, lekin usne apne aapko sambhala. “Agar tum mujhe rok rahe ho, toh iska matlab yehi hai ki main sahi raste par hoon.”
Lekin achanak, pedon ke beech se ek aakar nikla—pura kaala, jaise jungle ki hi parchai ho. Usne Aarvi ko ghoor kar dekha. “Roshni ki bacchi… tumhe lagta hai tum jungle ko hara paogi?”
Aarvi ne apne haath uthaye, usme roshni chamak uthi. “Main tumse ladne nahi aayi ho. Lekin agar tumne mujhe roka, toh main peeche nahi hatungi.”
Shadow-jaisa prani kuch pal usse dekhta raha, phir dhire se muskuraya aur hawa me ghul gaya. “Aage badho, Aarvi. Tumhara past tumhara intezaar kar raha hai.”
Echo of a Forgotten Friend
Jungle ke beech Aarvi ko ek chhoti jheel mili, jiska paani itna saaf tha ki usme aasman ke sitare dikh rahe the. Thaki hui Aarvi ne wahin baithkar paani peena chaha.
Lekin jaise hi usne jheel me dekha, paani me uska chehra nahi, balki ek aur ladki ka chehra dikhayi diya— wahi ladki jo usne Memory Shard me dekhi thi. Us ladki ki aankhen dosti se bhari thi, lekin uske peeche andhera tha.
“Aarvi…” ek halki awaaz paani se nikli. “Tum mujhe bhool gayi?”
Aarvi ka dil kaanp utha. “Tum… tum kaun ho? Kya tum mere past ka hissa ho?”
Lekin paani ke upar ek andheraa chha gaya, aur ladki ka chehra gayab ho gaya. Jheel me sirf Aarvi ka apna reflection bacha—ek aisi ladki jo sachai ki talash me thi.
Encounter with Kael
Aarvi jungle se nikal hi rahi thi ki uske saamne Kael aa khada hua. Uski aankhen pehle ki tarah gehri thi, lekin unme ek ajeeb si kasak thi.
“Tum yahan tak aa gayi? Mujhe laga tha tum Elarion me ruk jaogi,” usne muskurate hue kaha.
Aarvi ne gusse se kaha, “Tumhe sab pata tha, hai na? Ki meri yaadein mujhse chhupayi gayi hain.”
Kael ne sir hilaaya. “Haan. Tumhe roka gaya tha… taki tumhe apni asli taqat na mile. Lekin ab tum apne raste par ho. Aur main tumhara saathi ban sakta hoon. Agar tum chaho.”
Aarvi ne thoda sandeh se kaha, “Aur agar main tum par bharosa karun aur tum mujhe dhokha do toh?”
Kael thoda ruk kar bola, “Tab tum mujhe hara dena. Shayad wahi tumhari asli pariksha hogi.”
The Ancient Ruins
Kael Aarvi ko jungle ke baahar ek purane Ruins tak le gaya. Ye jagah kisi prachin mandir ka bacha hua hissa lagti thi, jahan patharon par likhe hue symbols abhi bhi roshni chhod rahe the.
Kael ne kaha, “Yahan tumhe apni yaadon ka ek aur tukda milega. Lekin dhyaan rahe, har tukda ek pariksha ke saath aata hai.”
Aarvi ne haath rakha ek bade stone ke upar. Turant uski aankhon ke saamne ek nayi tasveer ubhar aayi—wo aur wahi ladki ek dusre ka haath pakad kar bhag rahi thi, lekin peechhe ek badi aag thi. Aur phir ek aawaaz aayi—“Tumne mujhe chhod diya, Aarvi…”
Aarvi cheekh kar peeche hat gayi. “Nahi… main tumhe kabhi chhod nahi sakti!”
Kael ne uska haath pakda. “Tumhe yaad aayega, Aarvi. Dheere-dheere tumhe sab kuch yaad aayega.”
The Shadow’s Trap
Jab dono ruins se bahar nikalne lage, tabhi aasman kala ho gaya. Whispering Shadow wapas aa gaya, lekin is baar wo pehle se bhi zyada shaktishaali lag raha tha.
“Tumhe lagta hai tum sachai dhoondh rahi ho, Aarvi? Lekin sach tumhe tod dega. Tum dono roshni aur andhera ho. Tum jaisi ho, waisi duniya ne kabhi nahi dekhi. Aur duniya tumhe kabhi kabool nahi karegi.”
Aarvi ne apni taqat jodi aur roshni ki ek wave banayi. “Shayad duniya mujhe kabool na kare… lekin main apne aapko zaroor kabool karungi!”
Shadow cheekhta hua hawa me bikhar gaya. Lekin uske jaane se pehle usne ek aakhri baat kahi—“Tum jise dhoondh rahi ho, wo tumhari dushman ban chuki hai.”
Aarvi ka dil ruk sa gaya. Kya wo ladki—jo uski yaadon me thi—ab uske khilaf hai?
End of Chapter 6
Raat hone tak Aarvi aur Kael ne ruins ke bahar camp banaya. Aarvi ne aasmaan ki taraf dekha, jahan sitare usse dekh rahe the. Uske dil me darr bhi tha aur umeed bhi.
“Main tumhe dhoondh kar rahungi,” usne apne aap se kaha. “Chahe tum meri dost ho ya meri dushman… mujhe sach jaana hi hoga.”
Aur is iraade ke saath Aarvi ne apni aakhon ko band kiya, ek naye kal ke intezaar me.
A Long Night
Raat thandi thi, lekin Aarvi ke andar ek ajeeb si garmi thi—wo tasveer jo usne ruins me dekhi thi, us ladki ka chehra, uske dil ko tod raha tha. Kael ne campfire jalaya aur kahaaniyan sunane ki koshish ki, lekin Aarvi khamosh rahi.
Usne aasmaan ki taraf dekha. “Wo ladki… usne mujhe dosti se dekha, phir bhi uski aakhri awaaz ilzaam se bhari thi. Main use kaise bhool gayi?”
Kael ne shant tone me kaha, “Kabhi-kabhi yaadon ko chhupaya nahi jaata, Aarvi. Unhe surakshit rakha jaata hai… taki hum toot na jaayein.”
Aarvi ne dheere se kaha, “Lekin mujhe tootna bhi manzoor hai, par sach jaanna zaroori hai.”
The Flame Dream
Us raat Aarvi ko ek sapna aaya. Wo khud ko ek bade hall me paayi—har jagah mashaalen jal rahi thi. Beech me wo ladki khadi thi, uski aankhen aansuon se bhari hui thi.
“Tumne mujhe chhod diya, Aarvi,” usne kaha. “Aur us din se aag mujhe kha gayi.”
Aarvi uske paas daud kar gayi. “Nahi! Main tumhe kabhi chhod nahi sakti. Tum meri dost ho!”
Lekin jaise hi usne uska haath pakadne ki koshish ki, ladki aag me jal uthi. Uski cheekh itni tez thi ki Aarvi ka dil phat gaya. Aur phir sab andhera ho gaya.
Aarvi ne neend se hichki le kar aankhen kholi. Uska dil zor-zor se dhadak raha tha. Usse samajh aa gaya—wo ladki uske past ki chaabi hai.
Journey Towards the North
Subah Aarvi ne Kael se kaha, “Mujhe us ladki ko dhoondhna hai. Uski kahani meri kahani se judi hai.”
Kael ne sir hilaaya. “Aur tumhe lagta hai ki uska pata hume kaha milega?”
Aarvi ne apne dil pe haath rakha. “Mujhe mehsoos ho raha hai… jaise wo uttar ki taraf hai. Aag ke shehar me.”
Kael thoda sachte hue bola, “Uttar me Cindralis hai. Ek aisa shehar jo aag ke devta ko poojta hai. Shayad tumhari yaadon ka tukda wahan tumhara intezaar kar raha hai.”
Dono ne apna safar uttar ki taraf mod diya. Jungle ke baad yeh zameen patthar aur pahadon se bhari thi, jahan hawa tez chalti thi. Aarvi ke kadam bhaari lag rahe the, par uske andar ki awaaz use aage dhakel rahi thi.
The Band of Rogues
Safar ke beech unhe ek chhoti gang mili—kuch chor jo travellers ko loot rahe the. Jese hi unhone Aarvi aur Kael ko dekha, wo haste hue unki taraf badhe.
“Chhod do apne saamaan, nahi toh jaan se haath dhona padega,” unke leader ne dhamki di.
Kael aage badha, uski aankhon me shaant sa gussa tha. “Hum apna raasta shanti se le sakte hain… ya tum hume rok kar bura anjaam dekh sakte ho.”
Choron ne hasta hua talwar nikaali. Tab Aarvi aage aayi, uske haath se roshni ki ek chhoti lehar nikli jo puri zameen pe fail gayi. Chor andhe ho gaye aur cheekhne lage.
“Wo… wo to Lightbearer hai!” ek chor chillaaya.
Ye sun kar Aarvi chok gayi. “Lightbearer? Ye sab mujhe aise kyun bula rahe hain?”
Kael ne uska haath pakda aur use aage kheench liya. “Tumhare naam ke peeche kahani hai, Aarvi. Aur wo kahani tumhe tab tak nahi milegi jab tak tum apni yaadon ka samna nahi karti.”
Arrival at Cindralis
Do din ke safar ke baad Aarvi aur Kael Cindralis pohonche. Ye shehar aag ke rangon se bhara tha—har gali me mashaalen, har building ke upar laal patthar, aur logon ke kapdon par aag ke symbols.
Jab logon ne Aarvi ko dekha, unki aankhen badalne lagi. Kuch log use respect se dekh rahe the, jaise wo unke liye koi devi ho. Kuch logon ke chehre pe darr tha, jaise uska aana unke liye shraap ho.
Ek buzurg aurat uske paas aayi aur uske pair chhune lagi. “Tum wapas aa gayi ho… Flame ki beti…”
Aarvi ghabra gayi. “Nahi! Aap mujhe kisi aur ke saath confuse kar rahi ho. Main… main to bas apna past dhoondh rahi hoon.”
Lekin buzurg aurat muskurayi. “Tumhe yaad nahi, beti? Yehi to tumhara ghar tha.”
Aarvi ka dil zor se dhadakne laga. Kya uska asli ghar yahi tha?
The Girl Revealed
Shehar ke beech ek bada mandir tha—Cindralis ka Temple of Flames. Aarvi ko wahan bulaya gaya. Mandir ke andar jaate hi usne hawa me ek alag hi garmi mehsoos ki, jaise aag ke devta khud uski jaanch kar rahe ho.
Aur tabhi… usne use dekha.
Wahi ladki, jise Aarvi ne sapno me dekha tha. Uski aankhen laal sholaon ki tarah chamak rahi thi. Uske baal aag ki tarah beh rahe the. Aur uske chehre pe nafrat thi.
“Aakhir tum aa hi gayi, Aarvi,” usne thandi awaaz me kaha. “Main intezaar kar rahi thi… tumse badla lene ka.”
Aarvi ke pair jam gaye. “Tum… tum meri dost ho na? Mujhe yaad hai… hum ek saath the!”
Ladki hansi. “Haan, hum ek saath the. Aur phir tumne mujhe aag me chhod diya. Tumhare wajah se mera sab kuch jal gaya. Ab main tumhe kabhi maaf nahi karungi.”
Mandir ki aag aur tez ho gayi. Aarvi ke dil me guilt aur darr ka tufaan uth gaya.
The Clash of Flames and Light
Ladki—jisne apna naam Serenya bataya—ne apne haath uthaye aur aag ka ek bada gola Aarvi ki taraf phenka. Aarvi ne apni roshni se bachne ki koshish ki, lekin aag itni tez thi ki uske haath jhul gaye.
Kael aage badha, usne apni talwar se aag kaat di. “Aarvi! Sambhalo apne aap ko! Agar tumhe usse rokhna hai, toh apni taqat par bharosa karo!”
Aarvi royi. “Lekin wo meri dost hai! Main usse kaise chot pohcha sakti hoon?”
Serenya cheekhi, “Main ab tumhari dost nahi hoon, Aarvi! Main tumhari dushman hoon!”
Uske shabd ne Aarvi ka dil cheer diya. Lekin us moment Aarvi ke andar kuch jag utha. Usne apni roshni ko apne dil se nikala, usme dard bhi tha aur pyaar bhi.
“Chahe tum mujhe dushman kaho, Serenya… main tumhe kabhi chod nahi sakti!”
Uski roshni aur Serenya ki aag takra gayi. Mandir ke beech ek bada dhamaka hua, aur dono behosh ho kar zameen par gir gaye.
End of Chapter 7
Jab Aarvi hosh me aayi, usne dekha ki wo mandir ke beech me thi, uske aas paas jalti hui mashaalen. Kael uske paas tha, lekin Serenya gayab thi.
Kael ne usse uthaya. “Ye ladki tumhari yaadon ka hissa hai, Aarvi. Lekin lagta hai ab wo tumhari sabse badi pariksha bhi ban gayi hai.”
Aarvi ne apni mooth band ki. Uske dil me dard tha, lekin iraada aur mazboot tha.
“Chahe wo mujhe nafrat se dekhe… main usse wapas apna bana kar rahungi. Serenya meri dost thi, aur main usse dobara khud se alag nahi hone dungi.”
Aur is iraade ke saath Aarvi ne apna safar aur gehra kar diya.
The Trial of Shadows
A Wounded Beginning
Mandir ke dhwaj jal rahe the. Aag ke sholay abhi tak hawa me gunguna rahe the, jaise devta khud gussa me ho. Aarvi behoshi se uth kar baithe hi thi ki uske haath abhi bhi dard kar rahe the—Serenya ki aag ne uske andar ki roshni ko jala diya tha.
Kael ne uske haath par lep lagate hue kaha, “Tumhe sambhalna hoga, Aarvi. Tumhare aur Serenya ke beech ka rishta sirf tum dono ko nahi, balki poore Cindralis ko prabhavit karega.”
Aarvi ne aankhen band ki. Serenya ka gussa uske dil me goonj raha tha. “Wo mujhe kyu dushman samajhti hai? Main use dard dena nahi chahti thi… main use bachana chahti thi. Par vo muje galat samaj rhi hai.”
Kael ne gahri saans li. “Kabhi-kabhi bachane ki koshish hi kisi aur ke liye barbaadi ban jaati hai. Shayad tumhari yaad ka wahi hissa tumse abhi tak miss ho gya hai.”
A City Divided
Cindralis ka shehar Aarvi ke aane ke baad do hisso me baant gaya tha.
Ek taraf log Aarvi ko Lightbearer maan kar puja kar rahe the. Mandir ke bahar phool chadhaye ja rahe the, aur log uske naam se geet ga rahe the.
Uski jai-jai kar ho rhi thi.
Dusri taraf, Serenya ke chele—jinhe Children of Flame kaha jaata tha—Aarvi ko shraap samajh rahe the. Unke liye wo wo hi ladki thi jiske aane se unki “Flame Sister” ka dukh shuru hua. Jiski wajah se aj vo itne dukh bardash kr rhi thi.
Shehar ki galiyon me poster lag gaye:
“Light ya Flame? Tum kis ki taraf ho?”
Aarvi ko lag raha tha jaise ek puri duniya ka bojh uske kandhon par hai.
The High Priest’s Summons
Cindralis ke High Priest Archan ne Aarvi ko bulaya. Mandir ke sabse gehre hisse me, jahan lava ki nadiya beh rahi thi aur dharti garam thi, Archan ne apni laal choga me khade hote hue kaha:
“Lightbearer… tumhe yaad nahi hoga, lekin tum aur Serenya is shehar ke do chehre ho. Tum dono ek hi divya shakti ka hissa ho—roshni aur aag. Jab tum dono ek thi, tab Cindralis me shanti thi. Lekin tumhari judai ne is shehar ko do tukdon me baant diya. Ab tum wapis aayi ho. Hum umeed krte hai sab pehle jesa thik ho jayega.”
Aarvi hichki le kar boli, “Agar ye sach hai… toh mujhe Serenya ko dobara apna dost banana hoga. Ye hi mera farz hai. Me use fir se mnaogi. Chahe muje uske liye kuch bhi karna pade.”
Archan ne muskurate hue kaha, “Tumhare liye ek rasta hai. Trial of Shadows. Ye pariksha tumhe tumhara asli past dikhayegi—par uske liye tumhe apne andheron ka samna karna hoga. Agar tum haar gayi, toh tum hamesha ke liye us andhere me atak jaogi.”
Kael ne turant virodh kiya. “Ye paagalpan hai! Uski jaan khatre me dalne ka matlab kya hai?”
Archan ne shant tone me jawab diya, “Kyunki bina sach ke Aarvi kabhi Serenya ko nahi samajh paayegi. Aur jab tak wo samajh nahi paayegi, dono ka yeh sangharsh khatam nahi hoga.”
Aarvi ne apna haath uthaya. “Main tayyar hoon. Muje apna sach janna hai. Main vha jaogi. Serenya ke liye jaaogi.”
The Descent into the Shadows
Mandir ke neeche ek purana dwar khola gaya. Wahan se ek bhayanak hawa uthi, jaise zameen ke andar koi bhoot saans le raha ho.
Kael ne Aarvi ka haath pakda. “Main tumhe akele nahi jaane dunga. Muje dar hai kahi tum apne andhere se lad na payi to ?"
Archan ne sir hilaaya. “Ye tumhari apni pariksha hai, Lightbearer. Kael, tumhe yahin rukna hoga.”
Aarvi ne Kael ki taraf dekha. Uski aankhon me dosti, dard aur bharosa tha. Aarvi muskurayi, “Mujhe bharosa hai main laut aaungi. Tum mera yha intzar Krna.”
Aur phir wo andhere dwar me kadam rakh gayi.
Hall of Memories
Dwar ke andar gehra andhera tha, lekin Aarvi ke andar ki roshni se raasta chamak raha tha. Dheere-dheere wo ek hall me pahunchi—wahan har diwar par tasveerein thi. Uski or Serenya ki.
Ek tasveer me wo aur Serenya hasi-masti kar rahi thi, ek chhoti library me baith kar kitaaben padh rahi thi. Dusre frame me dono ek dusre ko gale laga rahi thi. Aarvi ke chehre par aansu aa gaye.
Lekin teesre frame me… wo khud Serenya ko aag me dhakel rahi thi. Serenya cheekh rahi thi, aur uske chehre par dard tha.
“Nahi… ye jhooth hai!” Aarvi chillaayi. “Main aisa kabhi nahi kar sakti thi!”
Tabhi ek awaaz goonji. “Lekin tumne kiya tha, Aarvi. Tumhari roshni hi meri barbaadi bani.”
Aarvi ne mud kar dekha—Serenya ka ek shadow version uske saamne khada tha. Uski aankhen laal aag ki tarah jal rahi thi.
The Shadow of Guilt
Shadow Serenya ne kaha, “Tumhe sach dekhna hoga. Tumhari roshni ne meri aag ko bujhaya nahi… balki use tod diya. Tumne mujhe andhera banaya. Tume yeh sab Kiya.”
Aarvi ne aankhen band ki aur royi. Uske haath me ek chhoti flame aayi, jo usne apne dil ke paas rakhi.
“Shayad maine tumhe dard diya ho, Serenya. Shayad meri roshni tumhare liye zakham thi. Lekin mera dil tumhe kabhi chhod nahi sakta.”
Wo flame chamak uthi, aur shadow Serenya roshni me ghul gayi.
The Betrayal
Aarvi aage badhi aur ek aur kamre me pahunchi. Wahan usne apne aap ko dekha—lekin is baar ek aurat ke roop me, ek talwar pakde hue, Cindralis ke logon ke khilaf ladaai karte hue.
“Ye kya hai?” Aarvi ne fasaane me kaha.
Ek aur shadow saamne aaya. “Ye tumhara woh roop hai jo apne logon ke khilaaf ho gaya tha. Tumne shanti tod kar apne hi ghar ke liye khatra banaya.”
Aarvi ne zameen par baith kar apne haath se sar pakad liya. “Nahi… main aisa kaise kar sakti hoon?”
Roshni uske dil me goonj uthi. Aarvi ne dheere se kaha, “Agar maine galti ki bhi… main usse sudharne aayi hoon. Main apne logon ko dobara nahi todungi. Is baar me sab thik krogi. koi galti nhi krogi.”
Flames Against Light
The Dawn of Decision
Cindralis ke aasman par suraj nikal raha tha, lekin aaj uski roshni bhi bhojil lag rahi thi. Shehar ke do tukde—Lightbearer ke saath khade log aur Flame Sister ki kasam khaane wale—ek hi din me takraav ke kinare aa gaye the.
Aarvi mandir ki seediyon par khadi thi, uska dil ek anjaan dhadkan se bhar gaya tha. Usne abhi abhi Trial of Shadows poora kiya tha, apne roop ko samjha tha. Ab usse pata tha—wo sirf roshni nahi thi, wo flame bhi thi. Aur isi sachai ne usse tayyar kar diya tha Serenya ke saamne khade hone ke liye.
Kael uske paas aaya, uski aankhon me chinta aur wafadari thi. “Tumhe abhi ladai me utarna hi hoga, Aarvi?”
Aarvi ne uske haath ko kas ke pakad liya. “Ye sirf ladai nahi hai, Kael. Ye mera apna past hai… mera apna rishta. Serenya ko bachaana mera farz hai. Aur agar main use nahi samjha paayi, toh Cindralis kabhi dobara ek nahi hoga.”
Kael chup raha, lekin uski aankhon me aansu chamak gaye. “Tumhe kuch ho gaya toh… main khud ko kabhi maaf nahi kar paunga.”
Aarvi ne muskaan di, halki aur thehri hui. “Main vaada karti hoon—main lautungi. Lekin mujhe ye safar akela karna hoga.”
The Arena of Flames
Serenya ne Aarvi ko bulawa bheja tha. Shehar ke beech, ek purane amphitheatre ko Arena of Flames ke naam se jaana jaata tha. Wahi jagah thi jahan kabhi dono sisters—roshni aur aag ki—saath-saath perform karti thi, logon ko shakti aur ekta ka paath padhati thi.
Aaj wahi jagah jung ka maidan ban gayi thi.
Arena ke charon taraf hazaron log khade the. Ek taraf log Aarvi ka naam le rahe the:
“Lightbearer! Lightbearer!”
Aur doosri taraf log Serenya ke naam me cheekh rahe the:
“Flame Sister! Flame Sister!”
Dono ke naam ke naray shehar ki diwaron tak goonj rahe the.
Jab Aarvi andar aayi, uske dil me ek ajeeb si sukoon tha. Usne dekha—arena ke beech me khadi Serenya, uske baalon me aag jal rahi thi, uski aankhen sholay ki tarah thi. Uske haath me ek aag ka bhala tha jo zameen ko chu kar phatkar ki awaaz kar raha tha.
Serenya ke chehre par nafrat aur dard likha tha. “Toh tum aa hi gayi, Aarvi. Mujhe laga tha tum dobara mujhse aankh milane ki himmat nahi karogi.”
Aarvi ne ek kadam aage badh kar kaha, “Main tumse bhaag kar kabhi nahi jee sakti thi, Serenya. Tum meri behen ho. Tum meri roshni ho.”
Serenya garji. “Behen? Tumne mujhe dhokha diya tha! Tumhari roshni ne meri aag ko bujha diya, mujhe andhera bana diya. Aur ab tum mujhe apni behen keh rahi ho?”
Aarvi ke dil me trial ke hall ki tasveerein goonj gayi—Serenya ke dard, uska gussa, uska zakham. Usne gahri saans li. “Haan, maine galti ki thi. Lekin mera dil kabhi tumse juda nahi hua. Tum mujhe chahe dushman samjho, par main tumhe sirf apna hissa samajhti hoon.”
The Clash of Flames and Light
Serenya ne bina ek pal gavaaye apna bhala utha kar aag ka varsh kar diya. Arena ke andar sholay ghoom gaye, log cheekhne lage. Aarvi ne apne haathon ko joda aur roshni ki ek dhaar banayi jo aag ko tod kar hawa me bikher gayi.
Arena ke beech dono takraayi. Ek taraf aag ka tufaan, doosri taraf roshni ka samundar.
Jab dono ki shakti takraayi, zameen phat gayi, arena ki diwaren darak gayi. Logon ke chehre pehle khauf se, phir hairani se bhar gaye. Kyunki unhone pehli baar dekha—roshni aur aag ek saath takra kar ek rangin ujala bana rahi thi.
Aarvi chillaayi, “Serenya, suno! Tumhari aag aur meri roshni ek hi shakti ke do hissa hain! Hamari jung se sirf log marte hain—hamara dard aur gehra hota hai!”
Lekin Serenya ki aankhen aansuon aur gusse se chamak rahi thi. “Nahi! Tum sirf apne aap ko bachana chahti ho. Tumhe mere zakham ki koi parwah nahi thi!”
The Breaking Point
Serenya ne apna bhala zameen me gad diya. Arena hil gaya, aur neeche se lava uthalne laga. Puri jagah aag me lapet gayi. Log bhaagne lage, cheekhne lage.
Kael arena ke bahar se chillaya, “Aarvi! Bahar niklo, tum mar jaogi!”
Lekin Aarvi ne apne kadam jamaye rakhe. Usne apne dil ki roshni ko phir jagaya, aur dono haathon se ek narm, naram roshni nikaali.
Wo Serenya ke paas gayi, aag ke tufaan ko todti hui. Uske kapde jale ja rahe the, uske chehre par chhote zakham pad rahe the, lekin wo rukhi nahi.
Aarvi ne Serenya ka haath pakad liya.
Serenya ne gussa me usse dhakelna chaaha, lekin Aarvi cheekh kar boli:
“Chahe tum mujhe hazaar baar dhakel do, chahe tum mujhe marne par majboor kar do—main tumhe chhod kar nahi jaaungi! Tum meri behen ho, Serenya! Tum mera hissa ho!”
Serenya ki aankhen ek pal ke liye roshni se chamki. Lava ruk gaya. Arena me ek shant si goonj goyi.
The Glimpse of Truth
Us moment me Serenya ke dimaag me tasveerein chamak gayi. Usne dekha—chhoti Aarvi aur wo, ek library me baithe, ek doosre ko kitaaben suna rahi hain. Usne dekha, dono haath pakad kar arena me nach rahi hain, logon ko shanti ka paath padha rahi hain.
Usne dekha, Aarvi usse gale laga rahi hai, uske aansu pochh rahi hai.
Serenya ka bhala uske haath se gir gaya. Uske aansu uske chehre par behne lage. Usne dheere se kaha, “Aarvi… kya ye sab ab bhi sach ho sakta hai?”
Aarvi ne uska haath aur kas ke pakad liya. “Haan, Serenya. Ye hamara sach tha aur hai. Hum dono ek hain—aur humari shakti tabhi poori hogi jab hum saath honge.”
Unity of Fire and Light
Serenya ka dil pighal gaya. Usne Aarvi ko gale laga liya. Arena me ek dhamaka hua—roshni aur aag ek saath chamak gayi.
Asman me ek bada ujala chhaya. Arena ke charon taraf phool khil gaye, hawa me ek nayi taazgi aa gayi. Jo log ab tak nafrat me bande the, wo sab chup ho gaye.
Archan ne arena ke upar se awaaz lagayi, “Dekho! Roshni aur aag ek ho gayi hai! Ye dono behne Cindralis ka asli roop hain—ekta ka prateek!”
Logon ne zor zor se cheer kiya. “Unity! Unity!”
Kael ke chehre par aansu aa gaye. Usne dheere se kaha, “Tumne kar dikhaya, Aarvi. Tumne use jeet liya.”
A Fragile Peace
Lekin shanti abhi puri nahi thi. Jab Aarvi aur Serenya ek dusre ko gale laga rahi thi, ek chhaya arena ke andhere kone me chal rahi thi. Uski aankhen khoon ki tarah laal thi.
Wo dheere se bola, “Light aur Flame ek ho gaye? Achha hai… ab dono ek saath girengi.”
Aur usi ke saath hawa me ek kaali urja phail gayi, jo dono behno ke naye rishton ko dobara todne ki dhamki de rahi thi.
Shadows of Betrayal
The Afterglow of Unity
Arena ke upar se ujale aur aag ka sangam dheere-dheere kam ho raha tha. Log ab bhi apni seats par khade, hiran aur impressed the. Lekin Aarvi aur Serenya ko pata tha—ye shanti sirf pal ki thi. Naye shadow villain ki presence ne sab kuch badal diya tha.
Aarvi ne Serenya ki taraf dekha. “Tum theek ho?” uski awaaz me darr aur concern dono tha.
Serenya ne dheere se sir hilaaya. “Haan… lekin mujhe lagta hai kuch aur aa raha hai. Kuch… jo sirf hum dono ko hi nahi, poore Cindralis ko tod sakta hai.”
Kael arena ke edge se unke paas aaya. “Main ne bhi feel kiya. Ek ajeeb si energy hai… dark, aur powerful.”
Aarvi ne haath me light gather karte hue bola, “Toh hume ready rehna hoga. Sirf hum nahi, Serenya. Humari unity hi hamari sabse badi shakti hai.”
The Emergence of Shadow
Arena me achanak ek thandi hawa chal gayi.
Vha andhere kone me se ek ghaneri kaali urja ka jaal utha. Logon ne cheekh maar kar peeche hatna shuru kiya.Logon ne apni saansen roki, aur shor dheere ho gaya.Lekin us urja me ek shape form ho rahi thi—ek insaan ka, lekin sirf andhere se bana hua. Uski aankhen khoon laal thi, aur har kadam ke saath zameen kamp rahi thi.
“Kya ye… normal attack hai?” Aarvi ne pucha, haath me light ready karte hue.
Serenya ne aankhen tez kar di. “Nahi… ye kuch aur hai. Kuch… jo humne pehle kabhi feel nahi kiya.”
Arena ke charo taraf shadows ne dheere-dheere shape lena shuru kiya. Pehle sirf ek blur, phir dheere-dheere ek humanoid form emerge hua—kaali urja se bana, jiske eyes khoon laal chamak rahe the. Har step ke saath arena me ek eerie echo ghoom rahi thi, jaise pura shehar suspense me hold hua ho.
Logon ke chehre pe khauf tha. Kuch log apne seats se gir gaye, aur kuch cheekh uthe. Kael arena ke edge se chillaya, “Bach ke! Ye normal fight nahi hai!”
Aarvi ne apni light ko aur strong kiya. “Serenya… is baar hume sirf shakti nahi, strategy bhi use karni hogi. Ye shadow unpredictable hai.”
Serenya ne haath raise kiya aur fire ka small flame barrier create kiya. “Samajh gayi… aur hume ek saath chalna hoga. Ek galti aur… humara saara plan fail ho sakta hai.”
Aur phir, shadow ne dheere se hansi ki—ek hansi jo arena me echo kar rahi thi, logon ke dil me ek ajeeb si thandak aur darr dono bhar rahi thi. Aarvi aur Serenya samajh gaye ki ye sirf ek fight nahi… ye unke unity ka pehla real test hai.
Wo dheere se bola, “Light aur Flame… ek saath ho gaye? Interesting. Lekin main yeh dekhna chahta hoon—kitni der tak tum dono survive kar paoge.”
Aarvi ne apne haath me roshni ko aur tez kar diya. “Tum kaun ho? Tumhara iraada kya hai?”
Shadow ne hansi ki—aisi hansi jo arena ke charo taraf goonj uthi, logon ke dil me khauf bhar gayi. “Main… sirf ek observer nahi hoon. Main wo hoon jo tumhari unity tod dega. Tum dono jitni strong ho jao… main utna hi stronger ho jaunga.”
Serenya ne Aarvi ki taraf dekha. “Ye sirf humari fight nahi hai, Aarvi… ye test hai. Test hamare trust aur unity ka.”
Aarvi ne sir hilaaya. “Toh chalo, fir se. Lekin is baar… hum sirf ek dusre par depend nahi karenge. Hum poore Cindralis ke liye ladenge.”
The First Strike
Shadow ne ek haath raise kiya aur arena me ek black tornado create kar diya. Lava aur dark flames arena me phail gaye. Log bhaag rahe the, par Aarvi aur Serenya ne ek saath khade rehne ka faisla kiya.
Aarvi ne apne haath se ek shield of light banaya. Serenya ne aag se ek barrier create kiya. Dono ka shield milke ek vibrant, golden dome me transform hua. Shadow ki urja ko rokna mushkil tha, par unhone ek dusre ka support liya.
Kael arena ke bahar se shout kar raha tha, “Dhyaan rakho! Don’t get separated!”
Shadow hansi—ek hansi jo arena ke charo taraf echo kar rahi thi. “Kael… tum bas spectator ho. Ye battle… behno ka hai.”
Tactics of Fire and Light
Aarvi ne Serenya ko dekha. “Hamari coordination key hai. Main light se distract karungi, tum fire se counter attack karna.”
Serenya ne haath uthaya, aag ke sholay ready kiye. “Samajh gayi.”
Shadow ne phir se strike kiya—ek black lightning arena me gir gayi. Aarvi ne light ki beam se usko neutralize kiya, lekin shadow ke attacks continuously aane lage. Serenya ne ek moment me decide kiya ki unhe combine attack karna hoga.
“Ab!” Aarvi ne cheekha. Dono ne apni shakti combine ki—light aur fire ek perfect beam ban gayi. Shadow pe strike hua, aur wo peeche hil gaya. Lekin abhi bhi alive tha, aur uski urja aur bhi dark aur dense ho gayi.
The Revelation
Shadow ne dheere se bola, “Tumhe lagta hai ki tum mujhe defeat kar loge? Tumhe meri origin pata hona chahiye… tab shayad tum samajh pao ke tumhari unity kitni fragile hai.”
Aarvi ne poocha, “Origin? Tum kaun ho, sach me?”
Shadow ne apne hood ko hataaya. Aarvi aur Serenya ke chehre shock me aa gaye. Wo… ek familiar face tha—ek purana Lightbearer, jo kabhi Cindralis ke liye ladta tha, par betray kar gaya tha aur andhere me chala gaya tha.
“Main… Kael ka former mentor tha. Aur ab… main wahi karunga jo tum dono ne kabhi nahi samjha—power ka true meaning.”
The Test of Unity
Serenya ne Aarvi ko dekha. “Ab humara trust aur bhi crucial hai. Ek mistake aur… sab kuch khatam ho sakta hai.”
Aarvi ne uska haath pakad liya. “Hum saath hain. Humari unity hamari strength hai. Aur hum jeetenge—chahe jitni bhi darkness aaye.”
Dono ne ek nayi strategy banai—light aur fire ke alag-alag forms me attacks aur defenses. Shadow ne bhi adapt kar liya, aur arena me ek fast-paced, high-stakes battle shuru ho gayi.
Log ab bhi arena ke charo taraf khade the, par ab wo sirf spectators nahi the. Wo bhi pray kar rahe the, hope ke saath ki behne Cindralis ko protect karenge.
Cliffhanger Ending
Battle abhi start hi hua tha, aur Shadow ke powers ke hints aur uski strategy ne situation aur complex bana diya tha. Aarvi aur Serenya ka coordination test ho raha tha.
Shadow ne hansi ki—“Light aur Flame… tumhara combination impressive hai. Lekin… kya tum survive kar paoge jab main apne real form me transform ho jaoonga?”
Arena me aag aur light ek saath jag rahi thi, aur dark shadow ke aane se Cindralis ka future uncertain ho gaya tha.
Eclipse of Shadows
The Calm Before the Storm
Arena ab ek battlefield me badal chuki thi. Light aur Fire ke flashes har taraf ghoom rahe the, aur Shadow ka presence poore jagah me mahsoos ho raha tha. Log apni seats par khade the, kuch log cheer kar rahe the, kuch dar se apni aankhen band kar rahe the.
Aarvi ne Serenya ko dekha. “Ye sirf battle nahi hai, Serenya… ye humari unity ka test hai. Aur is baar, hum sirf apne aap pe depend nahi kar sakte.”
Serenya ne gehri saans li. “Haan… ab humari coordination aur timing perfect honi chahiye. Shadow ke attacks unpredictable hain, aur wo har galti ka fayda uthayega.”
Kael arena ke bahar se unki taraf dekh raha tha, uski aankhon me darr aur hope dono tha. “Dhyaan rakho, dono. Tumhari strength tumhari trust hai. Ek galti aur sab khatam ho sakta hai.”
The Shadow Strikes
Shadow ne ek haath raise kiya aur arena me kaali urja ka tornado create kar diya. Lava aur dark flames har taraf phail gaye. Arena ki zameen hilne lagi, aur log apni seats se girne lage.
Aarvi ne apni light ki beam create ki aur Shadow ke first strike ko neutralize kiya. Serenya ne fire ke sholay se counter kiya, lekin Shadow ke attacks continuously fast aur unpredictable the.
Shadow ne hansi ki, jo arena me goonj rahi thi. “Tum dono impressive ho… lekin tumhare attacks sirf surface pe hain. Tumhe mere true form ka samna karna hoga.”
The True Form
Shadow ne dheere se apna real form reveal kiya. Wo ek purana Lightbearer tha, Kael ka former mentor, jiska naam Morvane tha. Uski energy ka aura aur bhi dark aur intense ho gayi.
“Tumhe shayad pata nahi… main kaise create hua,” Morvane bola. “Cindralis me mere time pe logon ne mujhe samjha nahi, mera vision nahi maana. Tab maine darkness ko embrace kiya, aur power ka asli meaning seekha. Ab main wapas aaya hoon… aur tum dono meri test ho.”
Aarvi ne Serenya ki taraf dekha. “Toh ye sirf humari battle nahi hai… ye poore Cindralis ke liye hai.”
Serenya ne haath uthaya, fire ready kiya. “Haan… aur is baar hum aur bhi strong hain. Humara trust aur coordination unbeatable hoga.”
The First Clash
Morvane ne ek massive shadow wave arena me release ki. Arena me andhera chhane laga, aur log cheer kar rahe the, lekin darr ke saath.
Aarvi aur Serenya ne combine attack kiya—light aur fire ke beam ko ek saath shoot kiya. Beam aur Shadow wave takraayi, aur arena me explosion hua. Zameen phat gayi, aur log apni seats se gir gaye.
Morvane thoda peeche hat gaya, aur hansi ki. “Impressive… lekin tumhari unity sirf shuruaat hai. Tumhe meri full power ka samna karna hoga.”
The Strategy
Aarvi ne Serenya ki taraf dekha. “Hamari timing perfect honi chahiye. Main light se distraction create karungi, aur tum fire se critical strikes maarna.”
Serenya ne sir hilaaya. “Samajh gayi. Ab… ek saath.”
Dono ne apni powers ko synchronize kiya. Arena me ek coordinated beam of light aur fire create hui. Shadow ke attacks ko neutralize kiya, aur Morvane pe direct strike kiya.
Morvane ne urja ko absorb kiya, aur aur bhi powerful ho gaya. “Ah… tumhare combination kaafi strong hai… lekin mere andar ki darkness aur bhi intense hai.”
The Emotional Edge
Aarvi ne realize kiya ki Morvane ke attacks sirf physical nahi, emotional bhi hain. Usne dekha kaise Morvane ka past, betrayal aur anger unke current strike ko aur bhi dangerous bana raha hai.
Aarvi ne Serenya ki taraf dekha. “Hume sirf power pe depend nahi karna… hume Morvane ke emotions ko samajhna hoga. Uska past uske present ko define kar raha hai.”
Serenya ne haath pakad ke bola, “Haan… aur humara bond, humari unity hi wo cheez hai jo uske darkness ko break kar sakti hai.”
The Turning Point
Aarvi aur Serenya ne ek combined move decide kiya. Light aur Fire ko spiral me convert kiya, aur arena ke center me concentrate kiya. Morvane ki shadow energy pe direct impact hua, aur wo peeche hat gaya.
Morvane ne hansi ki, lekin is baar wo tension ke saath thi. “Tumhe lagta hai ki tum mujhe defeat kar doge? Tumhari unity strong hai… lekin kya tum emotional attacks se survive kar paoge?”
Aarvi ne gahri saans li. “Hume sirf survive nahi karna… hume samajhna hai ki tumhara dard kya hai. Aur hum tumhe Cindralis ke liye wapas laa sakte hain.”
The Emotional Confrontation
Morvane ke attacks slow ho gaye. Aarvi ne step forward kiya. “Tumne kya feel kiya hoga, jab tumhe samjha nahi gaya? Jab tumhara vision reject hua? Tumne andhere ko embrace kiya… lekin kya tumhe realize hua ki tum akela nahi ho?”
Morvane ke aankhon me shock aur guilt chamak gaya. “Ka… kaise tum… samajh gayi?”
Serenya ne aag ki light Morvane ki taraf softly shine karayi. “Hum dono bhi hurt hue, humari unity strong hai… aur hum tumhari unity bhi wapas lana chahte hain. Tumhara past tumhe define nahi karega… tumhara present karega.”
The Final Strike
Aarvi aur Serenya ne apni powers ko combine kiya—ek nayi, puri tarah refined aur balanced beam create ki. Beam me light aur fire, aur emotional energy mix hui.
Morvane ka shadow aura break hone laga. Uska darkness arena se fade ho gaya. “Tum… tumne… ye kaise…?” wo dheere se bola, weak aur vulnerable.
Aarvi ne haath extend kiya. “Ye sirf power nahi hai… ye unity aur understanding hai. Tum bhi hume join kar sakte ho, Morvane. Cindralis ke liye.”
Morvane ne gehri saans li. Aankhon me aansu the. “Shayad… main galat tha… aur shayad ab main wapas aa sakta hoon.”
Resolution
Arena me light aur fire ab calm ho gayi. Log cheer kar rahe the. Kael ne arena ke edge se smile kiya. “Tumne kar dikhaya… tumne shadow ko bhi jeet liya.”
Serenya ne Aarvi ko gale lagaya. “Humne sirf Morvane ko nahi, apni unity ko bhi jeeta.”
Aarvi ne muskaan di. “Aur ab… humara Cindralis ek nayi shuruaat ke liye ready hai. Unity ke saath.”
Foreshadowing
Lekin arena ke corner me ek aur shadow ka hint dikh raha tha—ye koi aur powerful enemy ka sign tha, jo abhi reveal nahi hua. Story ka next arc is new threat aur Cindralis ke naye challenges ko explore karega.
The Silence After the Storm
Arena ke beech me ek samay tha, jahan sab kuch ruk sa gaya tha. Na cheering, na shor, na ladayi ki awaaz. Sirf dhool aur smoke hawa me tair rahe the. Aarvi apne ghutnon par baithi thi, uske kapde jale hue the, haath zakhmon se bhar gaye the, lekin uske chehre pe ek ajeeb si sukoon tha. Usne apni behen ki taraf dekha—Serenya, jo aag ke beech bhi ab shaant khadi thi, jaise finally apna ghar pa gayi ho.
Log dheere-dheere apni seats se uthne lage. Pehle ek ya do awaaz aayi—“Lightbearer!” Phir ek aur—“Flame Sister!” Aur agle hi pal arena goonj utha:
“Unity! Unity! Unity!”
Ye nara sirf ek cheer nahi tha—ye unke dilon ki awaaz thi. Jo sheher kabhi do hisson me bata hua tha, wo ab ek jaisi saans le raha tha.
Kael, jo arena ke edge se ladayi dekh raha tha, aankhon me aansu lekar unke paas bhaaga. Usne Aarvi ke haath pakad kar kaha, “Tum dono… tumne kar dikhaya. Agar main khud na dekhta, toh kabhi yakeen na karta. Tumne Cindralis ke dil ko wapas jod diya hai.”
Aarvi muskurayi, lekin uske chehre pe thakaan thi. “Ye hum dono ne kiya, Kael. Main aur Serenya… ek hi flame hain.”
Serenya ne haath Aarvi ke kandhe par rakha. Uski aankhon me wo aag thi jo pehle destruction ka pratik thi, par ab usme warmth thi. “Shayad pehli baar… mujhe lag raha hai ki meri aag ne kisi ko jalaaya nahi, kisi ko bachaya hai.”
The People’s Voice
Buzurg Archan stage par aaye, unka chehra roshni me jagmagata tha. Unhone dono behno ki taraf haath uthakar kaha:
“Dekho, Cindralis! Ye hai hamara sach—roshni aur aag shatru nahi, ek hi shakti ke do pehlu hain. Aaj se koi ‘Lightbearer’ aur ‘Flame Sister’ alag alag nahi hongi. Aaj se dono milkar hamare yug ka naya prateek hongi—The Twin Flames of Unity.”
Logon ki aankhon me aansu aa gaye. Phool arena me barasne lage. Bachche khush ho kar “Twin Flames!” chillane lage. Aur purane log, jinhe lagta tha ki ekta kabhi wapas nahi aayegi, woh ghutnon pe gir kar dharti ko choone lage, jaise unhe apni purani duniya laut aayi ho.
Aarvi ne bheed ki taraf dekhkar apne dil me kaha: Ye hai asal jeet. Na sirf ek dushman ko harana, balki apni duniya ke dil ko heal karna.
Morvane’s Redemption
Arena ke beech me abhi bhi ek shakhs tha—Morvane. Uska shadow form bikhar gaya tha, lekin wo khud zameen par ghutne tek kar baitha tha, uski saansen bhaari thi.
Aarvi dheere-dheere uske paas gayi. Kael pehle resist karna chahta tha, par Aarvi ne haath se signal diya—“Use akela mat chhodo.”
Morvane ne apni aankhen uthayi. Uske chehre pe guilt tha, dard tha. “Tum… tum dono jeet gayi. Tumne mera sab kuch tod diya.”
Aarvi uske samne baith gayi, uski awaaz naram thi. “Nahi, Morvane. Tumhare andar jo andhera tha, wo tumhe tod raha tha. Humne sirf wo roshni dikhayi jo tumne khud ke andar bandh kar rakhi thi.”
Serenya ne apni fire softly uske aas paas jalaayi, bina dard diye, sirf warmth ke liye. “Tumne gussa aur ego me apna raasta khoya… lekin iska matlab ye nahi ki tumhe hamesha andhere me rehna hoga.”
Morvane ke aansu uske galle par gir gaye. “Main… Kael ke kabhi mentor ke laayak bhi nahi tha. Maine use power sikhayi, par sacrifice nahi. Aur tum dono ne jo kiya… main kabhi nahi kar paaya.”
Kael ne aage badhkar uska haath pakda. “Tum abhi bhi mere mentor ho. Tumne galti ki, par iska matlab ye nahi ki tumhara safar khatam ho gaya. Tum humare saath ho, Morvane.”
Morvane ne apna sar jhuka liya. “Mujhe chance do. Main apne gunahon ka bojh uthakar bhi tumhare saath ladunga. Agar tum chaho to main shadow ki tarah tumhara protector ban jaaun.”
Aarvi ne muskaan ke saath kaha, “Tum protector nahi, companion banoge. Cindralis tumhe maaf kar dega… lekin pehle tumhe khud ko maaf karna hoga.”
The Whispering Veil
Us raat, jab sheher ne celebration ki, Aarvi ek mandir ke andar chali gayi. Usne deep meditation kiya, apni roshni ko focus kiya. Pehle sab kuch shaant tha—jaise ek safed samundar uske andar baitha ho.
Lekin phir… ek awaaz uske dimaag me goonj uthi. Dheemi, lekin itni tez jaise kisi ne uske kaan me fufkaara ho.
“Lightbearer…”
Aarvi ka dil tez dhadakne laga. Ye awaaz Morvane ki nahi thi. Ye kuch aur thi.
“Tumhe lagta hai tumne jeet liya? Tumhe lagta hai tumhari unity tumhe bacha legi? Tum bhool rahi ho… main tumhe dekh raha hoon. Tumhari behen ko dekh raha hoon. Aur ek din… tum dono mere hi banoge.”
Aarvi ne aankhen kholi, uska saara sharir paseene se bheeg gaya tha. Usne zor se kaha, “Kaun ho tum? Dikhai do!”
Lekin bas ek hansi goonji—ek hansi jo thandi aur khaufnaak thi.
“Main hoon The Veil. Roshni ke peeche ka andhera. Flame ke neeche ka raakh. Main tumhara asli test hoon, Aarvi. Tum mujhe hara nahi sakti, kyunki main tumhare andar hi hoon.”
Warning from the Past
Agle din, Archan ne dono behno ko bulaya. Unka chehra pehli baar darr se bhara hua tha.
“Jo awaaz tumne suni, Aarvi… mujhe uska andaaza tha. The Whispering Veil. Ye ek prachin shakti hai, jo roshni aur flame dono ke khilaf hai. Uska uddeshya ek hi hai—ekta ko todna, aur tum dono ko ek dusre ke khilaf karna.”
Serenya ka chehra pale pad gaya. “Agar wo itna powerful hai… toh kya hum dono uska samna kar paayenge?”
Archan ne gehri saans li. “Agar tum dono ek ho, toh shayad. Lekin Veil tumhare trust par sabse pehla vaar karega. Agar tum ek dusre par shakk karoge, tum jeet nahi paoge.”
Aarvi ne apni behen ka haath pakda. “Toh phir ek hi raasta hai—hum apne bond ko aur mazboot banaye. Chahe Veil kitni bhi koshish kare, hum ek dusre ko kabhi nahi chhodenge.”
Serenya ne uska haath kas ke pakda. “Haan. Agar Veil aaya, toh wo hum dono ko ek saath paayega, alag nahi.”
The Red Moon Omen
Raat ko jab sheher ne apni khushi me deepak jalaye, aasman me ek ajeeb sa rang fail gaya. Chand laal ho gaya—ek khoon jaise chamakta hua orb.
Logon ne use sundar samajhkar gaane aur dance shuru kar diya. Lekin Aarvi aur Serenya ki rooh kaap gayi.
Kael un dono ke paas khada tha, usne dheere se kaha, “Ye koi celebration ka sign nahi hai… ye warning hai.”
Aur sach hi tha—laal chand ke peeche ek black veil dheere-dheere spread ho raha tha, jo sirf behne dekh pa rahi thi. Ek shadow jo poore aasman ko nigalne ke liye tayaar thi.
The Festival’s Silence
Cindralis ka sheher pehli baar ek nayi roshni me chamak raha tha. Aarvi aur Serenya ki unity ke baad logon me umeed jag gayi thi. Bazaar me rang-birange phool bik rahe the, bachche khilkhila rahe the, aur log ek dusre ko gale laga kar keh rahe the—“Light aur Flame wapas aa gaye hain.”
Lekin, usi khushi ke beech, kuch ajeeb sa shor hua.
Bazaar ki galiyon me chalti ek aurat apne bete ko bula rahi thi—“Rian! Mere paas aa ja!” Lekin uske aankhon ke samne, uska beta ruk gaya aur dheere-dheere uska chehra dhundhla hone laga. Aurat chilla uthi, “Tum… tum kaun ho? Yeh mera beta nahi hai!”
Log ghabra gaye. Doosre bhi apno ke chehre ko dekh kar uljhan me pad gaye. Ek aadmi apni patni ko samajhne ki koshish kar raha tha, lekin har nazar me uska chehra ek alag roop le raha tha—kabhi ajnabi, kabhi monster.
Shor mach gaya. “Yeh kya ho raha hai?!”
Morvane turant bazaar ke beech khada hua, apna staff zameen me gaad kar bola, “Shant raho! Yeh Shadow ka naya khel hai—Veil of Whispers!”
Sab chup ho gaye, lekin darr aur gussa unke dilon me baitha raha.
Doubt in the Sisters
Mandir ke courtyard me Aarvi aur Serenya baithi thi. Unke samne logon ki bheed thi jo unse jawab maang rahi thi.
“Hamare apne hume dikhai kyun nahi de rahe?”
“Yeh nayi aapda hai ya aap dono ki pariksha?”
“Kya aap hi iske karan hain?”
Aarvi ne apna dil sambhala aur kaha, “Nahi, yeh hamari wajah se nahi hai. Yeh ek illusion hai—Veil ka jaal, jisse wo humari aapas ki ekta todna chahta hai.”
Serenya ne logon ki taraf dekha, uski aag se bhari aankhon me ek kashmakash thi. “Aarvi sahi keh rahi hai. Lekin hum is khatre ko akele nahi tod sakte. Hume aap sabki himmat chahiye.”
Log ab bhi khamosh rahe, unke dil me shak tha. Aur wahi shak dheere-dheere behno ke andar ghusne laga.
Us raat Aarvi ne apne kamre me ek awaaz suni—faint, halki, lekin zehar jaisi.
“Serenya tumhari wajah se qaid hui thi… kya tum us par phir bharosa kar sakti ho?”
Aarvi ne apne kan bandh kar liye, par awaaz andar ghus gayi.
“Jis din tumhe usne dhokha diya tha, tumne apne aap se kasam khayi thi—kabhi wapas us par bharosa nahi karogi.”
Dusri taraf, Serenya ne bhi wahi awaaz suni.
“Aarvi tumse zyada roshni ko pyar karti hai… tumhari aag uske liye sirf ek bojh hai.”
Serenya ne apne aag ke jhalte huye haath ko dekha, aur uske dil me ek pal ke liye shak jag gaya.
The Market Illusion
Agli subah bazaar me aur zyada afra-tafri mach gayi. Log ek doosre par attack karne lage, kyunki unhe samne ke chehre monsters dikh rahe the. Bachche ro rahe the, aur bazaar ke rang ab andhere me doob gaye the.
Aarvi aur Serenya turant pohanchi. Aarvi ne roshni ka ek shield banaya aur chillayi, “Sabko roko! Yeh sab asli nahi hai!”
Serenya ne apni flames se ek barrier banaya, taaki log ek doosre ko chot na pahunchayein. Lekin jaise hi unhone barriers banaye, ek aur illusion unke samne khada ho gaya.
Aarvi ne dekha—uske samne khadi Serenya ek monster ke roop me badal gayi thi. Uski aankhen khoon si laal, uske haath me aag ka talwar, jo seedha Aarvi ki taraf nishana bana rahi thi.
Aur Serenya ke samne khadi Aarvi ek roshni se bani rakshasi lag rahi thi—uske wings kale, uski aankhen thandi aur sardi se bhari.
Log cheekh uthe. “Dekho! Sisters ek doosre ko maarne wali hain!”
The Illusion Battle
Arena jaise ek pal me bazaar ke beech me ban gaya. Aarvi aur Serenya dono ne apne “illusion” roop par hamla kiya, soch kar ki samne wala dushman hai.
Roshni ki dhaar aur aag ki leher takraayi, aur bazaar ke beech ek dhamaka hua. Dukaanen gir gayi, hawaa me dhool bhar gayi.
Aarvi ke dil me awaaz gunji—
“Yeh tumhari behen nahi hai. Usse khatam karo, warna wo tumhe khatam karegi.”
Serenya ke dil me bhi wahi awaaz gunji—
“Aarvi tumhara dard nahi samjhti. Uske liye tum sirf ek bojh ho. Use aag me jala do.”
Dono behne ek pal ke liye sach me confuse ho gayi.
Kael aur Morvane ne unhe rokne ki koshish ki, lekin dono sisters itni strong aura me thi ki koi paas nahi ja paaya.
The Breaking of Veil
Jab Aarvi aur Serenya ke attacks ek dusre tak pohchne wale the, tabhi Aarvi ne apne dil ke andar se ek purani yaad mehsoos ki. Chhoti Serenya uske saath library me baithi thi, dono ek dusre ko kahani suna rahe the. Us yaad ne uske dil me warmth jagayi.
Aarvi ne apne haath roke aur chillayi, “Serenya! Yeh sab jhooth hai! Main tumhe kabhi nahi maar sakti!”
Serenya ke dil me bhi ek yaad chamki—Aarvi uska haath pakad kar use arena me nachna sikha rahi thi. Serenya ke aankhon me aansu aa gaye. Usne bhi apna attack rok diya.
Dono behne ek dusre ke paas bhagi aur gale lag gayi.
Jaise hi unke dil ek huye, ek tez light aur flame bazaar me phail gaya. Aur wo illusions phatkar ki awaaz ke saath bikhar gaye.
Logon ke chehre dobara asli roop me wapas aa gaye.
Sabne dekha—Lightbearer aur Flame Sister abhi bhi ek hain. Aur Veil ki chhal kapat dobara fail ho gayi.
The Aftermath
Log cheer karne lage, lekin is baar unki awaazon me ek darr bhi tha. “Veil aur strong ho raha hai… agar yeh behno ke dil ko tod deta, toh hum sab khatam ho jaate.”
Morvane ne Aarvi aur Serenya ke paas aakar kaha, “Tum dono ne is dafa illusion tod diya. Lekin Veil ke paas aur bhi khatarnaak chal hain. Abhi yeh sirf tumhare dil ko todne ki koshish kar raha tha. Kal wo tumhari rooh todne ki koshish karega.”
Aarvi ne gehri saans li. Usne Serenya ka haath kas ke pakad liya. “Toh phir hume aur majboot banna hoga. Kyunki ab yeh sirf hamara safar nahi hai—yeh poore Cindralis ka hai.”
Serenya ne uski taraf dekha, uske aansu ab aag ki tarah chamak rahe the. “Aur main vaada karti hoon, Aarvi… chahe illusion ho ya sach, main tumhara haath kabhi nahi chhodungi.”
Arena me ek pal ke liye khamoshi chha gayi… aur us khamoshi ke beech, kahin door se ek thandi hansi sunayi di. Veil abhi hara nahi tha.
The Corruption’s Touch
The Uneasy Dawn
Cindralis me subah ka dhoop pehli baar thodi bhari lag rahi thi. Suraj ki kirne aaj utni chamakdar nahi thi jitni hoti thi, jaise aasman pe ek patla andhera chhaya ho. Bazaar me log dobara apni zindagi normal karne ki koshish kar rahe the, lekin unki aankhon me darr abhi bhi tha.
Aarvi aur Serenya mandir ke chhat pe khadi thi. Niche log unhe dekh kar shukriya keh rahe the, lekin unki aankhon ke kone me ek sawaal bhi tha—Kab tak?
Serenya ne apna haath railing par rakha, uski aag ki chamak dheemi lag rahi thi. “Kya tumhe lagta hai hum is baar bach gaye? Ya bas waqt kharid paaye?”
Aarvi ne aasmaan ki taraf dekha, uski light halka sa trembling kar rahi thi. “Mujhe lagta hai… Veil ab apna agla kadam lega. Aur yeh humari soch se zyada khatarnak hoga.”
Dono behne chup ho gayi, jaise unke dil me bhi wohi sawaal ghoom raha tha—Veil ki agli chaal kya hogi?
The First Signs
Us raat, sheher ke kinare ek kheton ke paas ek ajeeb si ghatna hui. Paas ke kisan ne dekha ki uske anaj ke podhe kale ho gaye the. Unke patte sookh kar kuch black tar se chipak gaye the. Jab usne haath lagaya, toh uske ungliyon par kala dhuaan chipak gaya aur uske andar ek halki si jalan mehsoos hui.
“Yeh kya hai?” Kisan cheekh utha.
Agli subah logon ne dekha ki kheton ka aadha hissa murjha gaya tha. Aur jo bhi wahan gaya, uske dil me ek ajeeb si ghabrahat uthti thi.
Morvane aur Kael turant us jagah aaye. Morvane ne staff zameen par rakha aur dhyaan diya. Uske chehre pe pehli baar asli ghabrahat thi.
“Yeh… Veil ki corruption hai. Illusions tak simit nahi rahi… ab yeh dharti ko choo raha hai.”
Kael ne mutthi band ki, uski aankhen Aarvi aur Serenya ko dhundh rahi thi. “Hume unhe turant bulana hoga. Agar corruption fail gaya, toh Cindralis sirf khauf ka ghar nahi banega—yeh ek kabristan ban jayega.”
The Sisters Arrive
Aarvi aur Serenya kheton tak pohanchi. Unhone us jagah ko dekha—zameen kali, podhe jale hue jaise, aur hawa me ek gharapan.
Aarvi ne haath badhaya aur light channel ki, lekin jaise hi roshni us mitti ko chhune lagi, ek karki si cheekh nikli aur roshni tod gayi. Aarvi peeche hatt gayi.
“Yeh… mera noor bhi yahan ghus nahi pa raha,” Aarvi ne halki si ghabrahat me kaha.
Serenya ne gusse se apni aag nikali aur mitti par phenki. Flames jali, lekin ek pal me kalapan ne unhe nigal liya. Aag dheemi pad gayi, jaise uska dam ghut gaya ho.
Serenya ke hothon par ek kadwa sa smile tha. “Toh ab yeh hamari shaktiyon ko bhi kha raha hai.”
Morvane ne unki taraf dekha. “Yeh corruption sirf mitti nahi kha raha… yeh zameen ki yaadon ko kha raha hai. Har podha jo yahan ugta tha, har kahani jo is zameen pe chalti thi—sab ghul raha hai.”
Kael ne apni talwar kheench li, jisme ab bhi ek halki roshni thi. “Toh hume ise khatam karna hoga, usse pehle ki yeh aur fail jaye.”
The Manifestation
Jab raat hui, kheton ka corruption ek naye roop me ugna shuru hua. Mitti ke andar se kuch hilne laga. Logon ne dekha ki kale podhe ek dusre se chipak kar ek giant figure banane lage.
Ek aakriti kheton ke beech se uth khadi hui—15 foot lambi, kali tar se bani, uski aankhen laal agni jaise, aur uska chehra jaise khud andhere ne tarasha ho.
Sheher ke log door se chillaye—“Yehi hai! Yehi Veil ka pehla roop hai!”
Wo shadow creature dheere-dheere sheher ki taraf badhne laga. Har kadam ke saath zameen black ho jaati thi, aur aas-paas ki prakriti marne lagi.
The Battle Begins
Aarvi ne apna staff uthaya, uski light trembling kar rahi thi. “Serenya, hum dono ko ek saath chalna hoga. Ye ab illusion nahi hai—yeh asli hai.”
Serenya ne uski taraf dekha, uski flames aur intense ho gayi. “Samajh gayi. Iss baar main apni aag peeche nahi rokhongi.”
Creature ne garaj kar haath uthaya, aur uske haath se black tar jaise tentacles nikal kar behno ki taraf chhode. Aarvi ne roshni ka ek shield banaya, par tentacles usme phas kar shield todne lage.
“Zyada der nahi tik paayegi!” Aarvi cheekhi.
Serenya ne apni flames blast ki aur tentacles ko jala dala. Jaise hi flames ne unhe chhua, creature cheekha aur peeche hila.
Kael aur Morvane bhi ladayi me shamil ho gaye. Kael apni roshni wali talwar se tentacles kaat raha tha, jabki Morvane chants bol kar creature ke andar ki corruption ko rokne ki koshish kar raha tha.
Lekin creature aur bada hone laga. Uski chaati khuli, aur usme se chhoti-chhoti shadow beasts nikalne lage jo sheher ki taraf daud pade.
The Struggle of Unity
Aarvi aur Serenya un beasts ka saamna kar rahi thi, lekin har beast jaise unke dil ke andhere ko copy karta tha. Ek beast Aarvi ka dark-roop tha, jisme uski light bujh gayi thi. Dusra Serenya ka roop tha, jisme uski flames andhera faila rahi thi.
Aarvi ne apna dark-roop dekha aur ek pal ke liye freeze ho gayi. “Yeh… main hoon?”
Serenya cheekhi, “Aarvi! Dhyaan mat bhatkao!” Usne apne hi shadow-roop ko jala diya, lekin us process me uske haath jal gaye.
Aarvi ne apna dil majboot kiya. Usne apne roop ki aankhon me dekha aur kaha, “Tu mera ek hissa ho sakti hai, lekin main tujhe apni roshni banne nahi dungi.” Aur usne ek powerful light beam chhod kar apne shadow-roop ko mita diya.
Serenya uske paas gir gayi, uske haath zakhmi the. Aarvi ne uska haath pakad kar healing light bheji.
Serenya ne uski taraf dekha, aansuon me bhi ek muskaan thi. “Shukriya… is baar tumne mujhe bachaya.”
Aarvi ne jawab diya, “Nahi, humne ek dusre ko bachaya.”
The Final Strike
Creature ab aur zyada gussa ho gaya. Usne apna pura badan shadow me badal kar sheher par chhaya daali.
Morvane cheekha, “Sirf tum dono hi ise rok sakti ho! Apni shaktiyon ko ek karo!”
Aarvi aur Serenya ek dusre ki taraf bhagi, dono ne haath jode. Light aur Flame ek saath phoot nikle, aur unke beech ek naya prakash bana—na sirf roshni, na sirf aag… balki dono ka sangam, ek Radiant Flame.
Dono ne us prakash ko creature ki taraf bheja. Creature cheekh kar hilne laga, uska badan se tar bikharne lage. Ek aakhri garaj ke saath wo creature phat gaya aur black smoke me ghul gaya.
Sheher ek pal ke liye andhere me doob gaya, phir dobara dhoop chamki.
Logon ne cheer kiya—“Sisters ne hume bachaya!”
The Cost
Lekin jab log khush ho rahe the, Morvane ne zameen par baaki bachi corruption ko dekha. Uska chehra gehra ho gaya.
“Ye toh sirf pehla kadam tha. Agar Veil ab dharti ko choo raha hai, iska matlab hai ki agla nishana sirf Cindralis nahi—puri duniya hogi.”
Kael ne apni talwar kheench kar behno ki taraf dekha. “Abhi hum jeet gaye… lekin asli jang shuru hi hui hai.”
Aarvi aur Serenya ek dusre ka haath pakad kar khamosh khadi rahi. Unke dil me pata tha—yeh sirf shuruaat thi.
Aur kahin door, us black smoke ke andar, Veil ki awaaz gunji—
“Tum chahe jitni baar mujhe roko… main wapas aaunga. Har roshni ke peechhe ek andhera hota hai. Aur main wahi andhera hoon.”
