NOVEL NEXT Chapter 8: The Mysterious begger...
The next morning dawned bright and golden, with the sun casting its warm rays over the lush greenery surrounding Mohini Jungle Stay Resort. Birds chirped melodiously, the mist slowly receding into the dense forest. The resort's vibrant flower beds swayed gently in the cool breeze, adding a touch of serenity that belied the recent chaos.
Arjun stood silently by his window, staring at the vast expanse of forest that stretched endlessly before him. His mind was a whirlwind of memories. He could see Shreyas' face vividly, laughing during their Mumbai adventures, celebrating cricket matches, and enjoying late-night parties. But now, all those joyous moments were shadowed by the haunting image of his friend's sacrifice in the forest. A tear trembled at the edge of his eye before he quickly wiped it away as he heard the soft sound of footsteps approaching.
Aditi stepped into the room, her expression laced with concern. "Arjun… are you okay?" she asked softly.
"Yes, I'm fine," Arjun replied, his voice unsteady as he forced a smile. "What could possibly happen to me?"
But Aditi saw through his facade. She walked closer and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "It's okay to let it out, Arjun. I know you're hurting. Shreyas meant a lot to you… to all of us. It's not easy to lose someone like that."
Her words broke the dam Arjun had tried so hard to keep intact. He turned to her, his emotions overwhelming him as he pulled her into a hug. Tears streamed down his face as he spoke through his sobs.
"That monster… that monster killed my brother. I won't let it get away with this. I will end it. I swear I'll send it to hell."
Aditi, holding back her own tears, whispered, "Arjun, I know it's painful. But Shreyas wouldn't want you to give up. He sacrificed himself so you could live, so you could protect everyone else. Be strong… for him. We'll face this together."
Arjun stepped back, wiping his tears. "Thank you, Aditi. You're right. It's time to finish this once and for all."
Before he could say more, there was a knock on the door, and Mohini entered. "Arjun, Dr. Vaani has arrived. She's waiting in the lobby."
Dr. Vaani was an imposing figure, her sharp features framed by a cascade of curly hair tied into a neat bun. She wore a practical jacket and cargo pants, her confident gait hinting at years of fieldwork. Her eyes held a spark of intelligence and curiosity, tempered by a calm demeanor.
As Arjun greeted her, she immediately sensed the tension in his voice.
"Dr. Vaani, thank you for coming on such short notice," he said. "We're dealing with something… unusual. I don't know where to start."
"Why don't you start from the beginning?" she suggested, her tone steady.
Arjun recounted everything: the resort's history, the holy banyan tree, the mysterious attacks, and the horrifying death of his friend. He spoke of his recurring dreams and the inexplicable pull he felt toward Shimla.
Dr. Vaani listened intently, her brow furrowing deeper with each detail. "It sounds like you're dealing with a Brahmarakshas," she finally said.
"A Brahmarakshas?" Aditi repeated, confused.
"Yes. Brahmarakshasas are cursed beings—souls of scholars or sages who committed grave sins. Their knowledge makes them powerful, but their curse makes them vengeful. Cutting the holy banyan tree may have disturbed such a being, trapping it in a state of rage."
Arjun interjected, "Dr. Vaani, I've been having dreams… about a temple in Shimla and a sage who transforms into a monster. Do you think they're connected?"
Dr. Vaani's eyes lit up with realization. "The temple in your dreams might be the Shri Trilok Nath Mandir in Shimla. It's famous for its inscriptions and the statues of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva that symbolize unity and strength. The inscriptions, found along the Giri River centuries ago, are said to contain hidden truths. Your dreams may be guiding you to uncover those truths to defeat the creature."
With Mohini's assistance, the group set off toward Shimla in one of the resort's vehicles. The winding roads took them through breathtaking landscapes—verdant valleys and towering pine trees—though the beauty of their surroundings did little to lift their spirits.
When they arrived at the temple, it was a sight to behold. The structure stood majestically against the backdrop of snow-capped peaks. The intricate carvings on its stone walls glowed golden in the afternoon sunlight, and the air seemed to hum with an ancient energy.
Inside, the inscriptions covered the walls in an undecipherable script. Dr. Vaani examined them closely. "These are written in an ancient dialect. We'll need an archaeologist to decode them."
A raspy voice interrupted her. "Perhaps I can help."
They turned to see an old man standing at the temple's entrance. He was wrapped in a tattered shawl, his dark skin weathered and his uneven beard adding to his disheveled appearance. His eyes, however, were piercing and sharp his height was quiet large seemed to be of about 8 to 9 feet, the old man bore an unsettling scar etched deep across his forehead, from which a dark crimson trickle emerged. The air around him carried a faint, acrid tang, a scent so unsettling it seemed to whisper of ancient wounds and untold agony, belying his beggar-like appearance.
"Who are you?" Arjun demanded.
With a voice as deep and resonant as a war drum, he replied, "Just a wanderer who knows the language of these inscriptions. I've spent my life studying them."
"Why would you help us?" Dr. Vaani asked suspiciously.
The man smiled faintly. "Because what you're dealing with concerns more than just you. And , I am aware about all the hardships you all are facing till now. I am just a wanderer, who is seeking redemption for the sins of a lifetime and answers to questions only the gods dare to ask."
Arjun's instincts told him the man wasn't ordinary. Was he a savior or someone with his own hidden agenda?
As the group exchanged wary glances, the man approached the inscriptions, while was trying to read those words in the inscribed rocks, Vaani was wondered by the extraordinary height of the man. Not only her but Arjun and Aditi were astonished, Vaani, "is he some kind of Aghori or a Naga sadhu?" She thought in her mind , the man's fingers tracing the ancient script with a familiarity that suggested he wasn't lying.
To Be Continued...