NOVEL NEXT Chapter 44: The Manipulation of Ley Lines
A day had passed since Svetavastra started meditating under the tree by the stream. Manu had kept vigil and did not even take a short break for the entire time. Finally registering both of their presence after an entire day, the preta who had been meditating under the same tree hidden by the spiritual barrier broke its meditation.
This meditating woman looks similar to No-god God, thought the preta. Is she No-god God? If so, what happened to her blindfold? And why is she here with a man?!
The preta tried to get out of the barrier to have a closer look at the meditating woman but it found itself trapped within the barrier.
I can’t get out of this barrier! the preta thought.
“No-god God! No-god God—
The preta started to shout but stopped mid-sentence. If it’s really No-god God, I shouldn’t disturb her divinity while she’s in cultivation.
The preta sighed and hovered in despair inside the barrier and after a short while turned its attention to the man instead.
Who is this pleasant-looking young man? It thought and scratched its head with its make-believe translucent hands. Why is he keeping guard? It’s good that he’s keeping guard. He seems vaguely familiar. But I can’t recall where I’ve seen him.
Should I frighten this man by trapping him in an illusion? the preta thought. He is standing guard and if this is really her divinity, I shouldn’t disrupt this man’s service.
The preta sighed again. I’m trapped and I’m tied by morality now! Speak of influence of association! No-god God, all of this is your fault!
Large and dark clouds slowly covered the sky and hid the waning full moon and soon the sky became a shroud of darkness. Manu furrowed his eyes in concern as he looked up at the dark sky. The air grew colder in an instant, a sharp contrast to the warm night. The ley line intersection, previously invisible to the eye, began to crackle and glow with an ominous red energy. A vortex of red energy emerged from the intersection of the ley lines and spit out grotesque rogue pretas that made unholy sounds that sent shivers down the spine of both the preta protected by the spiritual barrier as well as the unarmed and unprotected human.
Rogue pretas again! The preta protected by the spiritual barrier thought.
Manu quickly placed himself as a shield protecting the meditating Svetavastra. The rogue pretas were all but ready to pounce on Manu and eat his flesh - at once, Svetavastra covered her eyes with the blindfold she hid in her robes and leapt into air hovering over the stream to attract the rogue pretas away from the human. Since she possessed spiritual energy, made more pure and attractive to the pretas by her white robes, the rogue pretas quickly turned and swarmed towards her. Manu stood by the bank and helplessly watched Svetavastra fend the hungry rogue pretas all by herself.
The preta from the spiritual barrier also watched the scene unfold with growing alarm. It is No-god God! It thought to itself, as the woman’s identity was finally confirmed.
“Use the pretabandana, No-god God!” it shouted from the spiritual barrier.
As if hearing the preta’s words, Svetavastra brought out the pretabandana, the ghost-capture urn and thrust it up into the air. The spiritual device cast a net around the swarming rogue pretas and within moments captured them all into the urn. Svetavastra having expended all of the spiritual she recently acquired from a day’s cultivation, collapsed from air and fell into the downward-flowing stream. Manu quickly jumped into the stream himself and swam towards her.
“No-god God! No-god God!” shouted the preta banging the spiritual barrier with its make-believe hands to no avail. “Don’t leave me behind!”
Manu's breath came in ragged gasps, each inhale a struggle against the cold, swirling water that threatened to drag him under. His eyes were fixed on Svetavastra, her white robes a stark contrast against the dark, churning water. She floated, unconscious and vulnerable, her form tossed about like a rag doll. The current carried her further away, and for a heart-stopping moment, she seemed almost out of reach. Manu's heart pounded in his chest, fear mingling with determination as he surged forward.
Water splashed into his face, blinding him momentarily. He blinked rapidly, trying to clear his vision, his arms aching from the constant, powerful strokes. Just when it seemed he might not reach her, his fingertips brushed against the fabric of her robe. The brief contact sent a jolt of hope through him, and with a final, desperate lunge, he extended his arm fully, his fingers curling around her wrist.
He pulled her towards him with all the strength he could muster, the effort nearly causing his muscles to cramp. Her body was limp and cold against his, her head lolling to the side. Manu tightened his grip, wrapping his arm securely around her waist, and pulling her close to his chest.
“I’ve got you,” he told her unconscious self between his gasps.
As Manu looked forward he noticed the sharp fall of the water at some distance. They were heading towards the precipice of a waterfall! Holding her with one arm, he tried to steer towards the bank swimming against the current. He found a branch of a tree as a last respite and held onto it, gasping for breath and trying to keep Svetavastra’s face above water. He adjusted his grip on her and pulled her closer.
The branch creaked with the heavy weight and cracks started to appear at the base. Manu tried to get Svetavastra onto the bank and just as he was about to reach the edge of the bank, the branch gave away and both of them got caught up in the swirl of the current and headed precariously towards the edge of the water.
Unable to swim against the current any longer, Manu held Svetavastra close to him and wrapped his hands around Svetavastra’s head.
“I’ll protect you,” his voice broke through the din of water, strained but unwavering. His grip on her tightened as his desperation increased.
Ahead, the stream’s roar grew louder, the edge of the waterfall drawing near. Manu’s eyes narrowed. “I’ll protect you,” he said again.