Chapter 3 — The Possession
The night sky above the forests of Karnataka was dark and heavy with clouds.
Villagers gathered near the sacred temple under the giant banyan tree. Oil lamps flickered everywhere, and the deep sound of drums echoed through the forest.
The ritual had begun.
The priest stood before the shrine of Panjurli, holding sacred fire in his hands.
"Tonight," he said loudly, "the spirit will speak."
Shiva stood in the middle of the ritual ground. His friends watched nervously.
"This is crazy," one of them whispered.
But Shiva was strangely calm.
Earlier that day he had tried to ignore the strange feeling inside him. But the energy inside his body kept growing stronger.
It felt like the forest itself was breathing through him.
The priest slowly placed the sacred Bhoota Kola mask on Shiva's face.
The drums grew louder.
DUM… DUM… DUM…
Suddenly Shiva's body began to shake.
His breathing became deeper.
The wind began to swirl around the temple.
Villagers stepped back in fear.
Then Shiva's voice changed.
It was deeper.
Older.
Stronger.
"WHO DARES HARM MY FOREST?"
The entire village froze.
The spirit had arrived.