Dread started creeping into my heart as I watched my wife in an endless pool of tears.

Where was Rudra? He was here just a few minutes ago, I had gone to collect some fruit for breakfast, not even venturing far. Everyone was always in my line of sight as I had left, just at the perimeter.

Where was he!

I had no time to dawdle, my son was in danger. I needed to find him, he couldn't have gone that far. It hadn't been that long.

Slowly, I moved to Saag and Devi, the former comforting my wife as she lay, her eyes bloodshot, body huddled close with her head in Saag's lap.

" Devi, Devi listen to me, I'll find him, alright? Don't worry. I'll find him, " I said and she nodded, though I doubt she was even listening to one word I had said.

As Yudhishthir and I were about to leave, I felt a hand encircle my wrist.

" I'll als-also come, " She rasped, her eyes still moist.

But I couldn't put another one of my family in danger. I am very sure that my wife is far stronger than me, but she's hurt, her heart is hurt. So, I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and held her face, " No Devi, I'll go. Please wait here. If he comes here, I need you to care for him, alright? You can do that can't you? " I stepped closer to her as she broke into a sea of tears once more, pulling her into the briefest of hugs.

" I will find him and I will kill anyone who dared to injure him, " I whispered to her and for once, I felt myself being one hundred percent truthful.

" Carefully AJ. Yudhishthir. Be careful, both of you. I need all three of you back here, " Saag warned, her own eyes misty.

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We left that very moment, eyes tracking every movement.

My heart beat erratically as I looked around, searching for any sign of movement when Yudhishthir shook my shoulders.

" Ajatshatru, this way, " He guided, eyes tracking the footsteps on the ground.

They moved into the forest's darkest sections, the ones mostly inhabited by wild animals and  as Yudhishthir very evidently pointed out, monsters.

" But they don't look to be a human's footprints, " I said, bending to observe the pattern.

" But they aren't in pairs for them to be an animal either, " Yudhishthir said to me as he studied ahead.

" Either way, we have to follow them, "  I moved ahead, tracking the footprints with a sharp eye.

We walked deep into the forest, there was no signs of light, I had to squint my eyes hard, small spiders, scorpions and venemous snakes moved through, rustling the dead leaves making me watch each step I made.

" There, " Yudhishthir murmured and I moved my eyes up to watch how the steps disappeared under water.

" Are you sure they aren't followed on the other side? " I scowled.

" No Ajatshatru, had that been the case, we would have been able to spot the knave from here, or even detect movement. It hasn't been that long to be able to cross a nearly ten feet wide river. " He said and I agreed.

" Well, then, into the water we go, " I murmured, watching as the dark river flowed at a calm pace, yet it's murky waters made me want to jump and sit with my wife and child with a campfire far away from it.

We picked up our weapons. I took in a deep breath and plunged in.

Immediately I could feel the darkness and dismal energy in the water. It was freezing cold, the kind that gets into your bones, freezing you mind. The water, devoid of any sunlight looked just as haunting as it was from above, with near darkness surrounding me.

I felt a sudden touch at my shoulders and flipped my sword which landed right at Yudhishthir's neck. He raised his hand in peace and I shook my head, pulling the sword down.

However as we moved deeper I saw a light in the darkness. Much like Atlantis.

It was a hub of bright golden light, shining and spreading the river bed.

We could see it, glimmering in the water.

My breath was running out too, so it was a relief when we reached the lights and were sucked in by the invisible barrier. The place was still surrounded by water, but I found myself being able to breathe.

We gasped, nearly choking on the water as oxygen returned to our brains.

" Where do you think we are? " I asked and he shook his head.

" No idea, I wasn't sure there existed something akin to this, it's unusual. " He said, eyes dark as he surveyed the surroundings.

And we were about to move forward when I felt myself losing my breath. I spun around to see Yudhishthir, a mistake, because I had been losing oxygen anyways.

" Yu-" And my vision went dark, hands still trying to grasp anything.

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" Yudhishthir? " I said, eyes flitting when I heard the sound of rustling leaves. Both Devi and Abhi were asleep, tired.

Devi had cried so much, I was sure she nearly fainted from exhaustion.

I still felt as if someone was watching me.

" Don't you dare come out. You do not know who you are fighting, " I warned, trying to track who was spying on us.

" Didi? " I heard a voice call in the woods .

Mini? Here? That's impossible. Someone is playing tricks on me.

But I was doubting myself as a young woman made her way from the bushes. She looked akin to what I imagined a grown Mini would. She would be near twenty two now.

" Didi? " The voice called again, but I had my reservations.

" What ice cream did I buy you the day I won first prize in the sanskrit skit competition? " I asked, voice cold.

She answered, " - a chocolate scoop? " and I hesitated.

Sorry, but you need to leave fake Mini.

I shot a bolt of hot white fire at her and the scream haunted my soul.

" A triple scoop sundae from Nirula's in CP."  I said, watching the stupid monster disintegrate.

I sighed as Devi stirred in my arms.

" Are they back? " She rasped, voice tight with emotion as she fought back her tears.

" Not yet, sleep Mano, I'll wake you soon," I said and she shook her head, sitting up.

" What did I do wrong? " She said, voice barely a whisper.

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Okay people, sorry for it being too late... I had too much to do today 😭

Anyways tell me how it was and do vote if you enjoyed.

Much love

Radhekrishn ♥