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The Forgotten Realm

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Noni shayan

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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...

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The Forgotten Realm

Heroine

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  • 1. The Forgotten Realm - Chapter 1

    Words: 1634

    Estimated Reading Time: 10 min

    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."

  • 2. The Forgotten Realm - Chapter 2

    Words: 1043

    Estimated Reading Time: 7 min

    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.

  • 3. The Forgotten Realm - Chapter 3

    Words: 1035

    Estimated Reading Time: 7 min

    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.”

    ---

    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.”

    ---

    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.

    ---

    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?

    ---

    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.

  • 4. The Forgotten Realm - Chapter 4

    Words: 1002

    Estimated Reading Time: 7 min

    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.

  • 5. The Forgotten Realm - Chapter 5

    Words: 1002

    Estimated Reading Time: 7 min

    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.

  • 6. The Forgotten Realm - Chapter 6

    Words: 1005

    Estimated Reading Time: 7 min

    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.

  • 7. The Forgotten Realm - Chapter 7

    Words: 1123

    Estimated Reading Time: 7 min

    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.

  • 8. The Forgotten Realm - Chapter 8

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