The jungle canopy filtered the morning sun into scattered beams, casting dancing shadows on the forest floor. Kiara adjusted her grip on the satchel containing the rudramani, while Yuvaan's eyes scanned the dense greenery, ever alert.
Angad let out a low whistle, his excitement barely contained. "I swear… this feels like one of those live adventure shows on TV. Every step we take, I'm half-expecting a hidden camera to pop out!"
Kiara chuckled, nudging him lightly. "Relax, Angad. Only real dangers here—no scripted stunts."
Yuvaan's lips twitched in a smirk, though his tone was serious. "I still can't believe I'm… helping you find my enemy. Me, the former Kaal, hunting a Reevavanshi?"
Kiara shot him a playful glance. "Hey, maybe in this birth you and Jishwa could become friends. You've changed, after all. You don't follow the path of Kaal anymore."
Yuvaan snorted, shaking his head. "Friends with Jishwa? Don't make me laugh. We can never get along. Not in this life, not in any life."
Kiara's eyes sparkled as she teased, "Never say never, my devil in shining armor."
Yuvaan's gaze softened for a moment, but only briefly. Then he crouched slightly, scanning the undergrowth ahead. "I don't make promises to friends I haven't met… only enemies I intend to crush."
Angad laughed nervously, sensing the tension. "Well… at least we know which side he's on now."
Kiara exhaled, her resolve hardening. "Then let's make sure we find Jishwa first, before Kaal—or whoever he was—has a chance to strike."
The trio moved deeper into the jungle, the rustle of leaves and distant calls of unseen creatures marking their journey. Every step brought them closer to the unknown, and closer to the fate that awaited the world.
The wind swept across the rugged hills of Divyanchal, rustling the dry grass as Varun and Mishka climbed the steep slope. The path was narrow, jagged rocks jutted out at sharp angles, and the air smelled faintly of damp earth and herbs.
Mishka adjusted her bag of relics and glanced at Varun. "You know, for all the stories about Divyanchal, I didn't expect it to be this… unwelcoming."
Varun smirked, though his eyes were serious. "It's called a protective terrain for a reason. The hill itself senses intruders. One wrong step, one miscalculation, and it won't hesitate to throw you off balance."
Mishka raised an eyebrow. "You sound like uncle's training ground for you. So… are we ready for that?"
Varun's jaw tightened. "Dad's training made me ready for anything. And don't forget—this is more than a hill. Somewhere up here lies part of Jishwa's divine power. We can't afford mistakes."
Mishka nodded, then paused, sensing something. "Varun… do you feel that?"
Varun slowed, scanning the surroundings. The air felt heavier, charged, almost alive. A subtle hum vibrated through the ground beneath their feet.
"This isn't just terrain," Varun said quietly. "It's a test. Divyanchal doesn't give up its secrets willingly."
Mishka's lips curled into a grin. "Then we'll just have to convince it, won't we?"
As they pressed forward, the first challenge revealed itself: a series of floating stones forming a pathway across a deep chasm, with the wind howling between them. Each stone shimmered faintly, a magical aura that reacted to their movements. Misstep, and the fall would be fatal.
Varun took a deep breath. "Stay focused. Remember the balance, the rhythm. One wrong move, and it's over."
Mishka nodded, following his lead, each step careful, deliberate. The journey to the first fragment of Jishwa's power had begun, and failure was not an option.
The jungle around them seemed alive in a way that unnerved even Yuvaan. Branches bent unnaturally, roots shifted underfoot, and the path they thought they were following twisted and doubled back as if the forest itself were playing a game.
Yuvaan slowed, scanning the surroundings with a raised brow. "I think… we've been walking in circles." His tone was casual, almost amused.
Angad let out a low whistle, shaking his head. "Human walks, cars drive, animals also walk… and now trees are walking. Lovely. Next time someone says nature is peaceful, remind me of this."
Kiara chuckled softly, wiping a bead of sweat from her forehead. "I used to feel the same way when I first started exploring the forests near my village. It's disorienting… but the feeling? It's mutual, Angad."
Angad laughed despite the tension. "Good to know I'm not imagining it."
Yuvaan smirked, adjusting the strap of his bag. "Stay alert. Whether the trees are alive or not, this place isn't going to make it easy for us. It wants something."
Kiara glanced at him, eyes narrowing. "Then we'll give it something to remember us by."
The trio pressed forward, carefully watching the forest shift around them, each step a test of patience and resolve.