Chapter 30 Return and Betrayal
The moment they escaped the noise and crowd of Delhi Station a different kind of exhaustion settled over all four of them. The kind that shakes not just the body but the soul itself. They sat in silence inside the rickshaw. Karishma's eyes were fixed on the blurry city passing outside the window as if some answer was hidden out there. Nayan sat beside her. His gaze stayed on Karishma's hands which were still trembling faintly.
Aarav and Kiyan were in a separate rickshaw. The silence between them was heavy but there was no tension inside it. Just a mutual tired stillness. Like the quiet after a battle.
The rickshaws stopped one by one at their destinations. Nayan and Karishma parted at their doorsteps exchanging one last look full of worry. The rickshaw carrying Aarav and Kiyan stopped at the gate of Aarav's house.
Outside the gate in the yellow glow of the streetlight Aarav paused. He turned to look at Kiyan. In the play of light and shadow Kiyan's face looked somewhat shattered.
Kiyan Aarav said. His voice turned hazy in the cold night air. I need to talk to you about something. You will not get angry right.
Kiyan raised an eyebrow slightly. A rare faint curiosity floated into his eyes. I will not. Tell me. What is it.
Aarav stepped closer. He placed a hand on Kiyan's shoulder and brought his lips near Kiyan's ear. His whisper was so quiet that it nearly disappeared into the hum of the streetlight.
Whatever Aarav said made Kiyan's entire body snap upright in an instant. His golden eyes went wide. The shock inside them teetered on the edge of fear and disbelief. He stepped back and stared at Aarav as if he was seeing him for the very first time.
What are you saying Aarav. Kiyan's voice was a broken whisper.
Aarav looked into his eyes. Into those deep golden depths where a storm was now raging. You said you would not get angry.
Kiyan closed his eyes. The muscles of his jaw tightened. He dragged in a long trembling breath as if trying to control the storm inside him. When he opened his eyes again a painful stillness had settled into them.
Fine Kiyan said. His voice was flat and lifeless now. Whatever you say.
Come with me Aarav said.
They went inside. Aarav led Kiyan straight to his room. The sound of the door closing shattered the silence of the house for a moment. Inside no sound came for a while. Then roughly fifteen minutes later the door opened again.
Kiyan walked out. His face held no expression. He looked like he was wearing a mask. Without a single glance backward he headed toward the gate and vanished into the darkness of the night.
Aarav stood in the doorway watching him leave. A tangled mix of emotions filled his eyes. Grief. Determination. And a deep unspoken worry.
Then footsteps sounded from behind him.
Where have you been brother.
Arushi stood there. A strange mixture of relief and anger was written across her face. Her hands were on her hips and her eyes were scanning Aarav from head to toe as if searching for some hidden wound.
I have been calling you for the last two days do you even know that. Papa and I were so scared. You sent just one message saying you were going to Aagya Sangathan (the Aagya organization) and after that you did not even call.
Aarav closed the door to his room and stepped out. His face held a calm determined expression.
Didi he said. A new mature gravity filled his voice. I will explain everything to you. But first let Papa come.
Arushi stared at him for a moment then nodded. Fine. I will bring Papa.
Within minutes Bhaskar walked into the living room with Arushi. Worry lines were etched across his face too but his eyes still held a father's understanding.
Aarav what happened Bhaskar asked sitting down beside him. Did you go to Aagya Sangathan again.
Aarav took a deep breath. I found out something Papa. Do you remember your friend Dr. Vikram. Where is he now.
Bhaskar's face went pale for a few seconds. He glanced at Arushi then back at Aarav. Dr. Vikram. He just disappeared suddenly. A year ago.
Aarav nodded as if he already knew this answer. Then he began. The words came out slowly. Clear. Heavy. The truth about Aagya Sangathan. Girgit Raj (the Chameleon King a shape shifting dark entity). Karishma's secret. The death of Inspector Abhi. And finally the full conspiracy of the Golden Dagger and the experiment to make the Chhayagrasini (a witch like entity who drains age and life force) immortal.
As Aarav kept speaking the color drained from Bhaskar and Arushi's faces. Arushi covered her mouth with both hands. Bhaskar's eyes went wide. A fear that was unimaginable for a scientist now filled them. The fear of the supernatural.
Aarav finished speaking. Do not worry. Only one person is responsible for all these innocent deaths. And I will reach that person very soon.
Bhaskar stood up slowly. He walked over to Aarav and placed a hand on his shoulder. His touch was heavy but full of affection.
I trust you Aarav Bhaskar said. A father's pride and fear were both tangled in his voice. But son take care of yourself.
Aarav nodded. Yes Papa. I will be back soon.
And he walked out of the house. Into the night. Toward his next step.
Deep in the forest the mouth of the Andhkaar Guha (dark cave) was filled with a strange glow today. Inside the flames of candles mounted on the walls danced in the air. Their shadows painted enormous twisted shapes across the stone.
Kiyan stepped inside. His eyes landed directly on his mother who stood at the very center of the cave. Nishi the Chhayagrasini had dressed differently today. She wore a deep red lehenga. A garland of fresh flowers was woven into her hair. But there was no joy on her face. Only a strange lifeless readiness. As if a sacrificial animal had been decorated.
Ma Kiyan said. His voice echoed through the cave. Why have you dressed up so much today. Are you going somewhere.
Nishi the Chhayagrasini turned her head slowly. There was a glow in her eyes that frightened Kiyan. A hungry hollow glow.
Kiyan. You came son. No. I am not going anywhere. Today we have to perform a Aahuti Vidhan (sacred fire ritual). There is a threat hovering over you. Someone wants to kill you.
Kiyan's heart dropped. He took a step backward. A threat against me. From whom Ma.
Nishi waved her hand in an ominous gesture. I will tell you all of that later. First come and sit. Sit for this Aahuti Vidhan.
Kiyan looked around. The floor of the cave had been cleaned today. Where human skeletons had once lain scattered they were now arranged in a specific pattern. Along the edge of a large circle. In the center a Agni Kund (sacred fire pit) fire burned. Its flames were blue and green fed by strange burning herbs.
Two seats were placed before the fire. Nishi sat down on one. The other directly across from her was where Kiyan was meant to sit.
Kiyan stared at the seat. It was no ordinary mat. Strange carvings were etched into it. Snakes. Scorpions. Creatures that had never existed.
Ma Kiyan whispered. A child's fear trembled in his voice. What are you doing.
Nishi closed her eyes. All of this is for your protection son. Just do as I say.
Kiyan hesitated. The air inside the cave had grown hot and heavy now thick with the sharp intoxicating smell of burning herbs. Finally he sat down on the seat. The wood beneath him was unnaturally cold.
The Aahuti Vidhan began.
Nishi started chanting Naad Sutra (sacred vibrational chant) in a strange ancient tongue. Her voice bounced off the walls of the cave and warped into a terrifying melody. The flames of the fire began rising higher. Their color had now turned violet.
Kiyan closed his eyes. He felt a strange stirring deep inside his body. As if an invisible hand was pulling something out of his veins. There was no pain. Just a numb hollow sensation.
The whole day passed like this. The sun set. The light filtering through the mouth of the cave grew dimmer and dimmer until finally complete darkness swallowed everything. Only the violet flames of the fire now held the darkness at bay.
It was eleven thirty at night. The sky was black. The moon had glued itself behind the clouds as if it too was refusing to witness this scene.
Then Nishi stopped chanting. A long rasping silence fell.
Then she laughed. A laugh that echoed through the cave and made the very stones tremble. There was no joy in it. Only a mad triumphant hysteria.
Finally. Her voice turned into a shriek. My Aahuti Vidhan has succeeded. My work of so many years has succeeded.
She rose from her seat. A strange flow of energy was radiating from her body making her hair float in the air.
Kiyan stood up too. His legs had gone numb. He looked at his mother. An innocent hopeful expression lingered on his face.
Ma. What happened. Is there no threat against me now.
Nishi walked closer to him. The motherly affection had vanished from her face. In its place was a cold calculating satisfaction.
Yes son she said. A dangerous sweetness coated her voice. There is no threat against you anymore.
She stepped even closer.
Except from your own mother. My son.
And then with the speed of lightning she pulled out the Golden Dagger she had hidden in her hand and drove it straight into Kiyan's back.
A wet piercing sound.
Metal tore through flesh and bone.
Kiyan's eyes went blank for a moment. There was no shock inside them. Only a deep bottomless agony that threatened to drown even his golden glow. Tears. Silver tears. They spilled from his eyes and left gleaming trails down his cheeks.
He began to collapse. His knees hit the ground.
Nishi bent down and took his face in her hands. There was no love left in her eyes now. Only a hunger. An immortal hunger.
Why. Ma. Kiyan whispered. His voice was thick with blood. Why did you do this.
Nishi smiled. A smile that transformed her face into a monstrous mask.
To become immortal son.
Kiyan's body shuddered. Pain swallowed him whole. His breathing turned rapid and broken. The glow in his eyes began fading slowly like a sun sinking beyond a distant horizon. And in just a few moments his eyelids fluttered. And then they closed forever.
Inside the cave only the violet flames of the Agni Kund remained. And the victorious hollow laughter of a mother.
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