Fights with evil forces!

 Adventures of Ahillya

Story one

Fights with evil forces!

 By

Sanjay Sonawani

 

       "Ahillya, Ahillya..." A call in a horrific voice shattered the thick silence.  Ahillya flinched as that shrill voice struck her ears.

       Who is this? She looked around furiously but could see no one around. The breeze was creating ripples on the vast lake surface, making a sonorous noise as if softly tickling the silence.  Did I really hear that calling? She wondered.

       "Who's this?" she asked loudly, picking up the sword that was lying next to her.

       “It’s useless to look around. I am an invisible spirit, Ahillya,” the same hoarse voice irritated her even more.

      “Do not try to terrify me. Whoever you are, come forward or else…” She snarled and lifted the sword. The laugh of that invisible man was raucous, and as his laugh receded, he said,

       “Remember, years ago, I was killed cruelly by your father thinking I was a criminal.  Fiend, I became after that heinous death and continued to wander in this land yearning for revenge! When I readied myself, now I have come here to announce revenge...” as if that rude voice had come closer.

       Astonished Ahillya looked at the bottomless lake in front and then at the sprawling forest, and said,

       "Even if you want to avenge, you have to have a name, right? If you want to take revenge, take pleasure, but tell me your name first!”

       "When I was alive, everyone called me Kalmukh. I was a good person, but your father…who thinks of himself as a just king...proved to be evil, though I was innocent of the crime they claimed I committed. His soldiers caught me and...punished me with a cruel death!” Now fiend’s voice sounded angry.

                Ahillya was astonished at this revelation. How could she forget Kalmukh, a black magician?

                She got up and said,

                “I remember you now...Kalmukh...the one who used black magic to make small children disappear! The children were never seen again! Did you kill them or have you kept them locked somewhere? You didn't tell, even though you were tormented. You are already infamous enough for your ghastly deeds! My father punished you with the death you deserved!” Ahillya said in an enraged tone.

                “Your father not only killed me...but also banned black magic in his kingdom...why should he do that? Black magic could have made his kingdom grow...prosper and powerful...”  Kalmukh was speaking angrily.

                On this Lila smiled sarcastically to herself and asked,

                “Even after asking you repeatedly, you never told us what you did to those boys...! Now tell me, what did you do to them? Where did the children disappear?”

                "Why should I tell you that?" Kalmukh’s voice sounded the same, arrogant.

                "Then don't tell me!" Ahillya said nonchalantly. "With white magic we'll find them someday...will bring them back from wherever they are!"

                “With White magic?” Invisible Kalmukh gave a raucous laugh.  “It's been so long... did you find those children? White magic is powerless! It has been proven many times. And even though you have banned black magic, many people secretly practice it...one day black magic is going to rule this planet, I warn you!” Kalmukh said adamantly.

                “Warn me? Well ...good to hear that even the fiends can have dreams!” She said superficially with a sneer though she shuddered inside.

                “Don't laugh... at this moment your life is in my hands..”

                "Let me see you first...how shall I believe in things which are invisible?" She said in the same mocking tone.

                “What do you think? You dare me because you think you are protected by a white magic shield so no one can hurt you? But wait...” Kalmukh shouted and Ahillya was lifted suddenly from her seat and thrown away.

                Ahillya hit the distance. All her limbs went numb. She screamed.

                She had never imagined that this could happen to her when she had a strong protective shield of white magic on her!

                “I could have killed you right away and could have exacted my revenge...but I won't. I have come here  to give you one message for your father...” Kalmukh’s fierce voice echoed.

                “What message?" Ahillya said in pain while sitting up.

                “I am now the emperor of the dark world. I have so many followers in this state that you can't count! Terrible calamities are going to fall on this kingdom that you have not even imagined. People will lose their lives. And lastly your evil father Pratikand you are going to be beheaded. Your white magic or martial prowess will be useless before our powers. That's all I came to say." He said in a cruel voice.

                “That's all you wanted to say? And to tell this a dead mighty magician Kalmukh himself had to come?”

                Ahillya's voice was still laced with mockery.

                “And I do not listen to the threats of invisible men...If you dare, show me yourself. At least I will know what fiend looks like...”

                “I can kill you right now, but even if I wished I won't! You and your old father will first witness all the citizens die. Then only you and your father will be killed ceremoniously!”

                Kalmukh's last voice was heard and then everywhere was a mute calm.

                Ahillya somehow managed to get up.

                Her whole body ached.

                Stepping with great difficulty, she approached her sword. The jeweled hilt of the sword glittered in the sun. She raised her sword and turned around, looking at the bottomless reservoir in front of her. Silence had overpowered again. She waited to sense the fiend’s existence but nothing happened.

       She applied her white powers, but alas…they were not working today.

                Or whether Kalmukh was now controlling white powers too? The thought disturbed her. 

                She glanced at her horse tied to a tree. He stood still burying his mouth in the thick grass.

                She was deep in thought.

                She knew how evil Kalmukh was. The thought that even after his death he was only bent on revenge and was going to bring some calamity to her kingdom with black magic made her heart tremble.

                She didn't know what exactly he was going to do. He didn't say either.

                As she approached her horse Shyamakarna, he nodded and said,

                "Well done, you Ahillya! Great mighty Ahillya, how is it that you are so suddenly lifted up and thrown when you have a protective shield?”

                "Now don't ask stupid questions..." Ahillya said in a frustrated tone. “Come on, we have to reach the capital at once...” She took the reins and leaped over him.

                "Is there any trouble?" Shamkarn asked as he ran.

                “Yes…calamity is coming on the whole kingdom...we have to stop it...” Ahillya said and closed her eyes and tried to swallow the pain.

                The talking horse, Shyamkarn, also started trotting towards the capital without asking her further questions to Ahillya’s relief.

 

•

                There were few settlements on the way. People were seen working in the fields. Everything seemed so normal that she wondered didn’t the people ever come across some black magic practitioners or devotees?

               Or many were hidden among them, acting normal?

               She couldn't determine.

               She was too suspicious today.

                In fact, today, she had come to the forest for her usual amusement. Sitting on the banks of the lake and enjoying the peace and sonorous sound of the waves was her favorite pastime.

                Today, she had come to find her reveries in the jungle. But, she had to face this unexpected situation that she had never imagined.

                Though her body was aching, she forgot her pain at the thought that she would soon have to face some unforeseen crisis.

                Kusumpur was the capital of the Bhadra Kingdom.

                The capital city had such a beautiful structure that it seemed as if a lotus had bloomed.

                She entered the city through a door in a petal-shaped tower.

                The citizens were bowing respectfully before their beloved princess.

                In the middle of the capital city was the palace with minarets piercing the sky.

              She got off her horse and ran inside the palace.

                Like the wind, she swiftly climbed up the spiral staircase that was in the middle of the ground floor's extra-large hallway.

                In a well-decorated, huge hall on the upper floor, King Pratik was sitting on a high throne discussing urgent affairs concerning the state with some of his ministers.

                When he saw his daughter rushing in, he abruptly ended his discussion and asked her with concern,

                "Dear Ahillya, why are you looking so serious today? Has anything unpleasant happened to you?”

                “Father, Kalmukh is hell-bent on exacting revenge. His evil ambition is still alive. He is going to bring calamities to our kingdom.” Ahillya said breathlessly.

                King Pratik was shocked.

                “But he is dead. How a dead can avenge?” He asked incredulously.

                "He is alive in the form of the spirit. Fiend he is now. I heard him. I experienced his powers though I have a protective shield of white powers. Evil people get blood-thirsty after death...” Ahillya said hurriedly in a serious voice.

                “Don’t worry Ahillya, a spirit can't do anything...It may cause minor trouble to some...but our White Powers will certainly subjugate him again and make him a toothless wolf." King Pratik said.

                “It's not that easy, Father.” Said Ahillya in a tone of urgency, “He seems to have gathered more powers and has become the emperor of black magic. After death, his powers seem to have greatly enhanced. He just warned me today. He wants to take revenge on us...on all our citizens! And he has proven that he can do it!”

                Now King Pratik got worried.

                “I will discuss it with our high priest. If the crisis is serious, it must be prevented anyhow! You look tired...scratched...get treated and rest.”

                Ahillya left from there to see her mother Queen Sonal, but Kalmukh's words were still ringing in her ears.

                She was restless, though everything seemed right and as usual.

                She recounted the whole episode to her mother.

                Mother Sonal patted her head and said, "Dear, you are a brave girl, and your father is a mighty king. I am sure you both will encounter that evil."

                This soothed her a little and she tried to forget that incident.

                But unforeseen was bound to happen!

                And within a few days, frightening reports started pouring in from all sides.

                At night, monstrous, gigantic, violent birds suddenly started descending on the earth and carried off goats, sheep, cows, buffaloes, and people sleeping in the courtyards. No one knew where they were taken or killed!

                With just a flutter of the bird's wings, the roofs of the houses flew like light feathers. Their eyes would emit fire and would set farms on fire. People were terrified and were looking for safe shelters but in vain!

                        No one had ever seen such monstrous birds.

                   They really had brought an insane calamity.

                People were afraid to come out of their houses, let alone at night, even during the day. But still, those birds were busy taking their toll.

                All of a sudden the kingdom was under the spell of a terrible fear.

                Hearing this, Ahillya got perturbed, then she got angry.

                She realized that this was the life-threatening crisis brought about by Kalmukh.

                It had to be fixed at all costs.

                King Pratik commanded, "Increase the deployment of troops everywhere...kill those birds."

                “But we don't know exactly from where those birds come and where they go. They suddenly land anywhere at night. And their size is so gigantic that four birds together cover the entire sky...Even the arrows shot by our soldiers cannot affect them!” General Vajrasen said.

                “Then put your white magic skills to work. This crisis must be resolved immediately...” commanded King Pratik.

                “I tried that too, my lord...but it was in vain! Don't understand how the white magic failed this time! I don't understand how the black magicians got so much power. I don't even understand how these people grew so suddenly. I don't know what to do!” said the Chief Minister in a desperate voice.

                King Pratik became worried after hearing this.

                “There must be many people secretly practicing black magic in our kingdom...we must find them...” Ahillya said in an urgent voice.

                “But how to recognize them? How can we know who is secretly practicing black magic?” asked the general.

                “Summon the chief priest Priyavrata. We have to settle this issue first. This vile has become troublesome even after slaying him! We must also know what happened to the boys he had kidnapped. Tell Priyavat to exert all your might but bury Kalmukh forever. Find out where those boys are on a war footing.”

                Do it, was the command of the king. Chief Priest Priyawrat started making concerted efforts to destroy the black magic by chanting spells of the Sun God in his mansion. His chanting created a mysterious atmosphere over the city. Everything became still and radiant.  Every person in the state felt as if they were super strong. 

                But the same night there was another attack at many places, which took a toll on many unfortunate citizens and domestic animals. This was serious. The sun god had never failed the chief priest. This was the second time he had tried to search for kidnapped kids he failed and now his chants were making no impact on black powers.

                Ahillya was angry, angry against Kalmukh and the black powers he commanded

                When she sensed that the terror over their kingdom had not yet been controlled and people were being killed she had no choice but to march for a mission. She wanted to find the source of the black magic and those monstrous birds.

                With the knowledge of white magic, she was confident to find them, even if the great magicians of the state had failed.

                This was a daring decision on her part.

                Since Kalmukh was a spirit, invisible, she too knew it was not that easy to find him, but he had colleagues…a set of living black magicians. They could be located and destroyed, she had thought.

                She carried a bow and arrows that were specially treated. Despite the protests of her father, Pratik, and mother, Sonal, she left her palace.

                She sat on the back of her favorite talking horse, Shyamkarn, and with a few soldiers started for the forest. The scene of the forest didn’t provide her any solace.

                She felt that the shadow of the dance of ghastly death was dancing everywhere.

                She was now in a dense forest. As it was still daylight, everything seemed calm but threatening.

                She went deep into the forest and she heard someone weeping.

                She was astonished. As she walked in that direction, looking everywhere with caution, she saw an old shepherd sitting on a boulder, crying.  She was surprised. She jumped down off her horse, went near him, and asked him in a sympathetic voice,

                “Why are you crying, old man?”

The old shepherd looked up at her pitiably and said through sobs,

                “Kid, I saw those devilish birds coming up from the Valley of Terror. At first, they looked tiny and as they flew up, they gradually became as big as the sky...They emit fire from their eyes. They consume whatever they see! I think they were born in that valley. Last night, they killed my sheep, kid. I somehow survived their attack and now crying on my worst destiny.”

                And he started crying loudly.

               Ahillya felt immense pity for him. She got down and while wiping his eyes, said in a determined tone,

                "I am Princess Ahillya. I will save everyone. Trust me, we will destroy them. Destroy this brutal black magic. No one in the world will die such an indecent death. But now tell me, how are you so sure that these monster birds are born in the valley of terror? No one dares to go near that valley because there are stories…very bad stories…” Ahillya said in a confused tone.

                “Young Princess, I am a shepherd and know every tree, stream, and river in this vast forest.  Last night when they attacked my hamlet, killed my herd and set fire to my thatched hut, I was across a stream to bring water. I saw that terrible incident. I saw them flying towards villages on the borders of the forest. I kept watching in horror. About the time the morning star shone in the sky, I saw them returning and flying over my head towards that valley of terror. I ran like a madman behind them. Their speed was terrible. But I knew the direction. I kept on chasing them. And I came near the valley of terror and found a few birds hovering over that narrow valley, gradually becoming smaller, smaller than sparrows. I realized, these birds must be Dorkhuns, a species that had ruled our planet a millennium ago. Yes Princess, they originated from that valley, I am sure…”

                Dorkhuns were mythical birds; no one now believed they really existed ever.

                While deliberating with herself, confused, she asked one of her fellow soldiers to drop the old man at his home and set off for the Valley of Terror.

                As this valley is as terrifying as the name suggests, no one usually wanders there. It was dark even during the day in that narrow and very deep valley. As the rocks were jagged and as long as tree branches, no one imagined descending into that valley.

                No one knew what lay at the bottom of the valley.

                 Some say that it is the valley of demons and some say that evil spirits live there. They created such a valley because they cannot tolerate light. So there is so much darkness!

                But the shepherd had informed her that she should go to the valley to find what really was hidden in that mysterious valley.

                But she had no idea how they would fight with these monstrous birds!

                Whether the spirit of Kalmukh was hidden in the dark realms of that valley, she didn’t know.

                Did those black magicians use that valley of terror to conduct these vicious rituals, she didn’t know.

                Considering every possible danger, she sent back the accompanying soldiers to the city. They protested, but she was firm. She did not want to risk their lives.

                Now she was alone. Her heart was full of immense curiosity as well as fear.

                On the border of the forest, there awaited the valley of terror. Beyond the gorge was an ancient abandoned street. She glanced at that narrow gap from where she could hear the chirping of innumerable birds from deep in the valley.

                But there was no bird in sight. They would be buried deep in the valley itself. She guessed that they would not come out unless Kalmukh gave the order.

                Or unless it was dark!

                Could Kalmukh have kidnapped children to feed these cannibals?

                The thought made her shiver.

                No...Kalmukh will be using those boys for something else! He has only given the citizens of the kingdom to feed these evil birds, Dorkhuns!

                But what should be done now?

                There was darkness in this valley.

                These birds could have been kept there by Kalmukh.

                So what if these birds are afraid of the light?

               But how can they emit fire but are afraid of the light?

               They are afraid of Sun light, not the light of fire, she concluded.

               But she could use their weakness against them…

                Her eyes sparkled.

                The spell of Sun God

                The thought was encouraging.

                Now the sun was about to set. It would be dark in no time. Those devilish birds were about to come out...for extermination. Hundreds of lives were at stake today as well. There was no point in going back.

                She had to stop them!

                But she had to face many strange and frightening situations!

                "What to do?" She pouted in a desperate tone.

                Shyamkarn snorted and then laughed.

                "Now what happened to knock your teeth out?" Ahillya said angrily.

                “How did you forget that you know white magic? Darkness is black magic. Sun light is white magic. You have a bow in your hand. Magical arrows are loaded on your shoulder, and you know white magic well. If you use some common sense, you will understand what I am talking about!”

                Ahillya got angry with Shyamkarn.

                Should this imbecile horse tell me what to do?

 

                  "Well, well...don't be fooled. I know what to do…” Ahillya said adamantly.

                In front of her was the straight rift of the valley of terror. The orange light of the setting sun spread everywhere. Not even a butterfly was seen in this area. This was a lifeless area as if the rest of the lives had abandoned this area in fear. The only sign of life was the terrifying sound of birds that was echoing from the depths of the valley.

                Ahillya walked a few steps towards the gap in the valley. The vicious chirping of the birds was now so loud that it would tear the eardrums. She bent down to look but saw nothing but that blinding darkness. She picked up a stone and dropped it...but didn't even know how deep the bottom was because no sound from the stone reached the top.

                Oh my god!

                She turned back. Shyamkarn was looking at her with difficulty.

                “You go back to the forest and find some shelter otherwise; these birds would feast upon you."               

                 As she said this, Shyamkarn exclaimed, "Oh my god…” and ran away at a frightening speed.

                Ahillya burst out laughing.

                She came to a high rock and sat on her knees with a bow in her hand. An arrow was attached to the string and she waited for darkness.

                The sun sunk below the horizon. The shadowy light spread and the sound of chirping birds from down the gap grew deafening.

                This was the opportunity.

                It was the time when there was neither day nor night.

                 There was no darkness or light in the world outside.

                She pulled the bowstring up to her ear and began chanting the fire spell while looking intently at the arrowhead.

                And aiming the bottom of that gap, she released the arrow.

                Sensationally, the arrow split open, and the whole valley was filled with the red light of the huge flames.

                As soon as she attached another arrow to the bow, she heard the wailing of many birds erupting from the deep valley.

                   The sound of helpless flapping shattered the calm of the evening.  

                And suddenly she was stunned as a threat was pronounced from below the valley.

                “Ahillya, you fool, now your end is certain...” It was certainly an ugly voice of Kalmukh.

                Ahillya wasted no time in answering him. She released the second arrow while chanting the same magical verse. Now the valley was filled with flames as if the volcano had erupted. As she guessed, Kalmukh was certain to use his black spell to stop her.

                 And he did it.

                The huge rock she was sitting on suddenly split and she fell down and uncontrollably started rolling down the sharp slope.

                Before the sound of splitting the rock, vicious gurgling started from below the valley. As she rolled down and was near about the edge of the slope she felt her fall was certain. Hurriedly she drew an arrow from the quiver and quickly plunged it into the ground, stopping her wheezing with its support.

                Then some birds flew up from the valley.

                Now, it was getting dark.

                A bird swooped towards her with an angry screech. Now his shape was so large that she could not see even the sky. She hurriedly sat up. The bow was ready. She aimed at his gigantic eye and shot the arrow with magic chants.

                The bird was startled by the balls of fire that came out of that arrow. He lost sight. He started helplessly screaming.  And as soon as the magical arrow pierced his eye, with shrieks he fell down on the ground in agony. As his massive body fell, a barrage of rocks bounced everywhere.

                Then Ahillya managed to escape from the splashing pieces of the stones. She tried to sit on her knees somehow and released one arrow after another to fill the sky with stupendous light. The birds that had started flying above the valley with agonized shrill turned back to find shelter in the darkness of the valley. Arrows started raining in that valley too. The entire valley was burnt by fire.

                After some time the cries of those vicious birds were over, as the flapping of the wings was becoming dull.

                “Ahilyya, now your death is inevitable...” Kalmukh roared in an angry voice that echoed in the valley.

                “Oh Kalmukh, it is you who is dead. Will you tell me now where the children you had kidnapped are?” she asked, releasing another arrow, and creating a firestorm. But now there was nothing in the valley except the sound of falling rocks.

                Without waiting for the flames to die down, she started down the narrow valley. She was holding the outer edges of rocks from both sides of the narrow valley as support to climb down. It was dangerous. Her hands and feet were burning but she didn't care. Her only goal was to destroy Kalmukh no matter what. She was scuttling down, holding on to the rocks, and her feet on either side of the ravine. It was not known where Kalmukh was hiding. He is now spirit and no one can tell where the spirits are for they are invisible. But he had to be eliminated somehow.  

                She was thinking furiously but she didn’t know how to kill the spirits.       

                As she descended further, she noticed that the valley was gradually widening. She decided to take off on one side. Although it was narrow at the top, the gap widened as it went down, so much so that the other end of the gap could not be seen.

                She kept going down. How deep is this valley? She didn’t know as the dark had swallowed that mysterious valley.

                 She fearlessly continued her descent.

                After some time and painful steps, her feet hit the ground.

                She cautiously pulled out the bow, attached an arrow and with chanting a spell, released it. Suddenly a divine light flooded the valley, so bright and blinding that as if thousands of Suns had risen in the valley.

                She was amazed to see the view inside the valley. There were barren lands on both sides of the valley. There was a huge reservoir at a distance. The corpses of numerous evil birds were floating on it. There was no trace of trees or grass left in the valley. Where did the plant and animal food come from in this dark valley? It is so rude that they should have taken shelter here!

                But animals and humans were their diet…she thought ruefully!

                She looked around in the now fading light. There must be a cave somewhere in this rocky wall. In such a dark cave, Kalmukh, who is afraid of light, would be hiding...

                She began her search for a cave.

                And after some time she found a cave...on the other side.

                She ran across the rocky ground.             

                By the time the cave was approached, the pitch darkness had overwhelmed again.

                She had to be careful as the powers of the fiend in the dark would become more powerful.

                And now she had only three arrows left.

                She attached an arrow to her bow and cautiously stepped in the cave.

  She tried to listen carefully, before taking further steps.

                She heard the faint sound of water that was flowing somewhere.

                That is, she thought. There is a stream somewhere in this cave!

                She began to take careful steps in that direction.

                After taking a few steps, she felt that the cave was closing. The sound of water was coming but from where? She didn't understand.

                There was no option now.

                She released the arrow.

                The cave was filled with light.

                A swarm of bats flew over her body. She was stunned but recovered immediately.

                She saw a gaping void. The sound of water was coming from there. She entered the cave but before that, she picked up the arrow that had fallen from hitting the roof of the cave.

                She had to crawl carefully through that gap. She was getting tired of going through those crazy twists and turns. The stench was unbearable, suffocating her.

                Once that void was over, she noticed that there was an underground stream inside. She started walking sideways anticipating the sound.

                As she walked carefully ahead, suddenly Kalmukh's thunderous laugh shattered the peace.

                "Finally I brought you into my closet..." he said in an arrogant voice.

                "Where are you hiding?" she asked in an angry tone.

                Before she could finish her question someone pulled her in the water.

                Oh, he can only find shelter in the water...or can he take water form? She thought as               She lost her balance and fell into the stream. As her nose and mouth were pressed by an invisible force, no matter how desperately she tried to release herself from that evil force life in her began to slip.             

                There were only moments at hand, or death was inevitable.

                But how to steer a bow in water?

                Struggling, she took down the bow and attached an arrow.

                Against all the force that was stopping her, she released the arrow with a spell.                

                Instantly the water was filled with a flood of light. The invisible force that had begun to fall around her dissipated.

                She quickly dived to the surface. She was drenched. She sat on the rocky bank while controlling her breath. She looked at the shining water in fear that something evil would rise out of it.

                But as if Kalmukh had disappeared somewhere in fright of the light.

                She got up and proceeded cautiously.

                This cave must have another opening somewhere to give way to this stream!

                 But where and how far?

                After she walked some distance, the light she had created disappeared again. The sound of the water became loud.

                But the stream was flowing as if there was no end to this cave. She was getting desperate and impatient.

                Just then, she heard a muffled voice...a human voice...a low voice.

                Aren't those children who Kalmukh had kidnapped?

                She felt hopeful. She quickly started walking towards the sound.

                Just then, the ghostly image of Kalmukh rose high in the form of the water pillar.

                She noticed it from the sound of splashing water. She was ready for any kind of attack.

                “Kalmukh...you condemned man...” and with this, she shot an arrow towards the surging water column.

                The arrow hit the column and a fire started. That pillar began to shatter in pieces. The huge drops of the water began to shatter and then started collapsing with vile shrieks. 

                With this, an image of Kalmukh was disintegrating.

                And finally, that column disappeared.

                The water of the stream began to flow calmly again.

                But the light was still intense...

                And in it, she saw…

                A crowd of about one hundred and fifty children were running towards that light.

                They had not seen the light in many years!

                She was astonished at their sight….though since many years they were missing; age hadn’t etched any sign of the time on them…

                They were looking as young as they were when they were kidnapped.

                This was something mysterious, but she had no time to think over this.

                She looked at them, raised her hands and said with a cheer…

                “Kids, now you will be free! The evil darkness in your life has been destroyed and the kingdom of light has come!”

                The boys and girls were momentarily stunned to see her, and then the cave was filled with a cheer!

                Ahillya looked at them with teary eyes. 

                Her fight with evil force was finally successful!

                She carefully walked with them along the stream. This stream must be surfacing somewhere, she knew. But it was a long strenuous walk. When they were about to collapse in exhaustion, they saw the light. It was an opening from where the stream was leaping down.

                They were mesmerized at the sight of the world they had lost hope for.

                They climbed down the fall. Ahillya was happy that she had mitigated a grave danger to her kingdom and had saved the kids who were kidnapped with some vicious intention long ago.

                She stepped further and as she started to climb the slope suddenly a pillar of light appeared on the hilltop and said to her,

                “Well done, Ahilya. Now another adventure is waiting for you. The Lord Jambu has invited you. He has something to tell you…will you go visit him?”

                She knew Lord Jambu was the supreme deity of this planet and she knew she could not neglect his commands.

                But how to reach him?

                She was about to ask that pillar but as she looked up, the pillar of light vanished.

                Ahilya did not know what new adventure was waiting for her.

                She gathered the kids and led them towards the capital of the Bhadra kingdom!

 

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