Never before in the history had Paramarashtrians closed the Fest of Vrindahina with a cremation ceremony, as per King Aghasthya's generalization.

Two days later, the alarming news of Doctor's demise became sensational and exaggerated a little bit more that the culprit was none other Rahu Kerenza-the recent intermittent events were leading to such statements. Although, to some extent, Sharad had made overnight attempts to pass the news through official high-pitched messengers, as in the country they were called Harakara, who carried the word of mouth.

However, this attempt later became necessary. It was a common knowledge that any news or rumour, if broken out in any corner of the country, went through door to door like a wildfire, reaching before a Harakara did. Just as in we came to hear from Dhanunjay that there had been a chaos and rampage among the members of Panchayat. All the kings. ministers and the head of every village called Sarpanch were infuriated about Ashwant Veer becoming the next master of Diamond. They weren't able to accept a person from an unofficial clan owning the most powerful stone. No one knew, including both Naag and Ashwant, how this could have happened.

"Maybe you are his own son!" Pruthvi had suggested.

"No, I am not!" Ashwant had replied, enraged, "How many times do I have to tell you? I know who my original parents are."

This had shut us up and we never cared to bother him again with this newly born confusion.

Pruthvi, Leena and I were staying in the guest bedroom of the Sharad's palace. We had a lot to catch up especially with their month full of horrific experiences. Pruthvi explained to me his ability. Maybe I should have guessed it at the beginning when Shourya specifically told me that Pruthvi was the first Samagraha to possess and sustain with double kinetic powers. He was unique in this matter and our uniqueness was our ability. Just like how I was called the Fire of Vengeance.

He moved on giving me an explanation about how and why he had confronted Zarina Khan and how ingeniously he made her divulge Shashi's mysterious personality. It was indeed shocking to know that he was capable to transfer his soul from one body to another. But then I was satisfied that this piece of information solved the mystery behind the painting hung in Rawat's court.

The remorse of killing a person was clearly seen in Pruthvi's face. It was understandable on his part, for we both went through the same situation.

"Look," I said, "The last thing Doctor ever asked me to do is it to wholeheartedly take up the responsibilities of a Samagraha. And I think we should honour his commitment towards the citizens. You killed Zarina Khan and in return, you saved a million. One such sacrifice is worth it."

For the moment, he nodded obeying my statement, but it felt as though he was still going through an emotional distress he wouldn't want to share.

Nazira disclosing about my grandmother came next, followed by why the women were the biggest target in Paramarashtra. King Agasthya might not have taken an extreme step against the powerful King of Madhyakshetra yet, but only for Leena's sake, he insisted Lithika stay with him in his palace for a few days until he sorted out what had to be done with the monsters showing reverence to Almourah. Leena and Lithka weren't in the best of their terms but she was happy, that atleast Lithika would be safe staying in front of her eyes.

The biggest shocking news among us was about the Codicil. Pruthvi was first taken aback but then he surprised me stating that it was meant to happen. Leena on the other hand, even though glad for the people of Rawat, wasn't able to handle it well. She was scared for me, she cried for me, she was afraid that Shashi might never stop hunting me down until he saw me dead. I wasn't worried about the future, not currently at the most but her concern towards me was highly appreciable.

I told them everything, about all the types of challenges and how different each realm from the other was, my fight with Shaytan Rup and the way I had to kill him. The only vital piece of information I was unwilling to share was everything personal that had happened between me and Nazira.

Nazira...

Thinking about her warmed my heart. I didn't see her since we had returned to the Sharad. I knew she was somewhere in the palace. Once or twice I sneaked out of the room to travel alone through the corridors only with a vain hope to meet her. After the unforgettable moment we had shared underneath the tree of Vrindahina, it was as if the distance between us, that I had gradually shattered throughout this job, felt reforming again.

She was back being my friend's sister.

Notifications were circulated that the following day was picked up for the cremation ceremony that was going to be held in Daulat Haat. Unlike in United States, we were specifically asked to attend the funeral in white. Ashwant helped us find the garments. Even in a traumatized condition, he was preparing for the ceremony very energetically. All the kings of Paramarashtra were going to show themselves, and he warned us about the Kings valuing their integrity, indirectly asking us to behave and let his father rest in peace.

In pure white shirt and jeans, I found myself silently walking down a lane, to wait for Pruthvi and Leena at the entrance of the hall. In an hour or two we were needed to travel to Doulat Haat. The palace seemed to be empty, everyone must have already gone, except for a couple of busy maids. I was keeping my eyes peeled, just in case, to change my direction of walking if any unwanted person I didn't want to talk came in my way.

I was walking through the hall of the palace, a few knights also in white, walking in and out of the entrance door and to my surprise I found King Agasthya standing in the middle of the hall giving instructions to Dhanunjay.

"...and don't forget about her, understand?" He was saying. Dhanunjay nodded looking aside as I walked closer. He smiled forlornly at me and then walked away showing himself out.

King Aghasthya folded his hands as I went ahead and knowing that it was difficult to escape, I stood in front of him to try and have a friendly chat while I waited for my friends.

"How are you?" he asked with a concerned voice.

I shrugged, not knowing what to answer. "I'm hangin'."

He nodded. "I haven't had time to personally talk with you. I presume you are finding all comforts alright."

"Yes," I said, "Don't worry about the formalities. Its the least we worry about right now."

He nodded again, looking intently at me. "I see you are still down. Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?"

There was nothing, honestly. It was just the matter of having more time for the healing process to be done. "There is something actually, that you can do," I, however, said, " only you can help us. We need an appropriate place to live."

King Agasthya frowned. "You can stay here. We have plenty of space left in the palace."

"No, we can't," I replied bluntly, "I mean, thank you but...we don't want you to get into any trouble because of us. Now that Doctor's gone, it's no surprise that Shashi'd be any unstoppable. So, we need to live away from you. Somewhere else. Can you help us with that?"

"You do want to stay back in Paramarashtra, right? You know we need you and your friends more than ever."

"Yes," I answered, "In Dakshinpur, mainly. It's even more than enough if you can provide us with a single room. We can all adjust. We just need a place to sleep and...eat."

"I will talk to Dhanunjay's father and help you get a vacant apartment ready. We have a four bedroom one, the three of you can comfortably live in it."

"Four," I corrected him immediately, and unknowingly.

"I am sorry?"

I swallowed. "We are four. Nazira Khan, Pruthvi's sister will live with us. She needs to live underground as well."

"Of course. I'll make the arrangements. Anything else?"

There was a sarcastic glint in his eyes and I understood why he was stressing too much to talk to him. Finally, I gave in. "We need to talk about the Codicil."

"Yes, we have to. As per directives, Ashwant has submitted it in the Panchayat and there might be deliberations. It's a formal process. You are only twenty and none of the earlier kings was crowned before twenty-five..."

"What if I say, I don't want to be a crowned at all?" I interjected before he made all the predictions and decisions for me.

His eyebrows bumped together. "It's not up to you. According to the Act of Nirnaya..."

"I'm aware," I interrupted once again, "I am just getting accustomed to being a Samagraha and....I hope you are understanding what I am saying?"

"We will see," he whispered.

Patting my shoulders and without arguing anymore, he walked past me. I guessed if he was disappointed in me for not being excited to replace his friend's title but I couldn't care less. Slightly shaking my head I resumed walking towards the exit and the next person I met, was one of those whom I didn't want to meet at all.

"Hayden?!"

It was my aunt, striding out from one of the corridors. In a white saree, and her hair tied in a low bun, she looked leaner than the last time I had seen her. I wanted to sleep placing my head on her lap, hearing some stories she used to narrate until I fell asleep while she caressed my hair all night long. Then I remembered all those stories were real, my signature on the document was real. My aunt was the one who had decided my fate.

"Oh Hayden," she whispered hugging me tight. "Heard you came back a while ago. You didn't want to see me?"

"I wonder why," I muttered, looking away and then pursing my lips.

She gaped at me unable to answer me. "You have no idea how happy I am to see you."

"We are going to go to a funeral, aunt. As far as I know funeral and happiness don't belong together."

She took a step back. "Are...are you mad?"

I crossed my hands across my chest. I had to deal with this someday or the other. So why not finish it now?

"Do you remember what I was a year ago?" I asked, in a sarcastic way "A normal teenager, who craved for good grades, loved to chew mint gums after partying only to not get caught by my mother, who loved to play baseball with my friends and my dad. Remember that guy?"

"Hayden..."

"That guy doesn't exist anymore, does he? Just like you wanted."

"Stop it, Hayden. You have no idea what you are talking about?"

"When did you and Uncle Ryan get divorced? Tell me the exact date and please don't lie. It doesn't make sense to lie to me anymore."

Her mouth fell open, eyes enlarged. "I admit," she said, her voice quivering, "He came to know about me and my nativity right after he found out about the Will. Things weren't going well between us since then. But we still tried to be together only in a condition that I cut all ties with you. But when he caught me talking to you over the phone, he couldn't take it anymore and we decided to separate."

"And I thought it was because of me you had to take this step."

"No! I never meant that."

"You have been in touch with Doctor a little too much. So tell me, did you or did you not know that Ashwant was going to be the next master of Diamond?"

"I...I don't know. I swear!"

"Oh god! Again with the lies..." I walked past her but then turned around and finished everything I had to say. "You know what, I am sick of this lies and deceptions. When are we going to realise that maintaining secrets has never brought any good to any of us?"

From the corner of my eyes, I watched two other people in white walking out towards the exit. One was Ira Zutshi, and the other was...