Day of Mahashivratri.
The sky is still tinted with dark when the first bells echo across Vhalgren. The air carries the
scent of wet soil and sandalwood. Today is Mahashivratri and the whole village is already
awake.
Children run barefoot across the temple, their laughter rising as women sweep the porches
and decorate the thresholds with vibrant rangoli. Small oil lamps flicker with glow beside
doorways. The scent of boiling rice and jaggery fills the air.
Near the temple on the hill, Brann, Dareek, and a few other elders Theon, Garron, and Kael
are already gathered. They remove their sandals, wash their feet at the steps, and enter the
space with folded hands. A flowered idol of Lord Shiva stands at the center.
"It's beautiful…" Dareek whispers, looking at the temple priest.
Yorrik, the village priest, smiles and holds up the brass pooja plate. "Let the blessings begin."
The men bow their heads as the conch shell blows. The early morning abhishekam begins
water, milk and ghee are poured over the Shiv Ling while chants fill the hall. The women,
including Merra, Elia, Saela, and Pavi, stand outside with baskets full of flowers and fruits.
They sang old bhajans while preparing garlands and clay lamps.
Merra calls gently as her daughter carries a lit diya to the temple step. "Lina be careful with
that lamp"
Lina replies, her face glowing from the flame. "I'm holding it straight"
Aldric and Konrad, dressed in simple white, helping the younger boys arrange pots of water
and fruits near the temple. Thomas, slightly apart, lifts two sacks of grain onto a cart bound
for the communal cooking space.
After the pooja, the village gathers in the square where volunteers distribute the morning
prasad sweet rice, coconut, and panchaamrit. Children sit cross legged on the grass.
By late morning, the village bustles with preparations for the afternoon meal. Men help
erect a large cloth in the square, while others peel vegetables, carry firewood, or grind
spices. Laughter is everywhere when women tease their husbands for chopping onions with
tears, while elders joke about who ate the most prasad.
Kael chuckles "I saw you take a third spoon, Theon!" elbowing the older man.
Theon fires back with a grin. "Only because you were blocking the sweets!"
As the sun dips low, golden rays stretch over the trees. The sound of drums begins to rise.
Evening pooja preparations begin. This time, everyone dresses in their best. The men bring
water from the well, while Merra and Elia help Saela prepare offerings of fruits, prasad, and
ghee.
By twilight, the temple glows with hundreds of lamps. The entire village, now seated
together in the square, watches as Yorrik begins the evening pooja. The diyas reflects in
everyone's eyes as the chant of "Om Namah Shivay" echoes under the stars.
The day ends with a grand night feast. Leaf plates are spread, and everyone sits in rows from
elders to children. The meal is simple sweet rice, ghee, prasad & fruits.
Garron murmurs as he takes his seat beside Brann. "Feels like Shiva himself is watching
over us tonight" Brann nods. "Let's pray it stays this way."
The villagers eat together, sing together. For a brief, beautiful day Vhalgren is nothing but
peace, joy, and light.
Evening falls upon Vhalgren with a soft, golden glow, the air thick with incense and the faint
hum of prayers still echoing from the temple. The villagers gather in the large courtyard near
the temple square, mats spread across the stone floor, candles flickering gently in the wind.
Laughter and devotion blend into a comforting harmony.
Platters of warm food are passed from hand to hand. At the center, a large brass pot holds
steaming prasad, blessed during the evening pooja. The elders sit in small circles, smiling at
the little ones chasing each other between the rows. While the men talk about crops, family,
and the festival.
Darrek lifts a cup of sweetened water. "To Shivratri and to peace among us."
Everyone cheers softly, lifting their hands or cups. Aldric sits beside Konrad, both their plates
empty. Konrad grins, "You think next year, we'll be the ones leading the pooja?"
Aldric chuckles "Only if we stop sneaking the laddus before they're offered."
Lina nudges them "I saw that, by the way. You're both awful."
As the dinner wraps up, one by one, families rise and take blessings from the elders and the
temple priest. They pledge thanks to Lord Shiva, to the harvest, and to each other.
Merra Harken places a gentle hand on Aldric's head. "May the gods guide your heart, my
son." Aldric smiles, a soft peace resting in his chest.
Slowly, the square clears as lanterns are put out and footsteps fade. Villagers walk home
under the moonlight, full and satisfied. Doors close. Candles dim. The village quiets into a
peaceful lull.
But peace does not last long. A sharp cry breaks the silence.
"Lira!" a woman's voice echoes. "Liraaa! My daughter! Gods, please! LIRA!"
Doors slam open, one after another. Konrad rushes out, shirt half buttoned. Aldric follows,
wide eyed.
"Who's shouting?" Thomas asks, pushing through the crowd.
They run toward the scream. Near the weaver's hut, a woman Anira is on her knees,
clutching her shawl, her hair loose and her voice breaking.
"My daughter was just with me… she helped me clean, we had dinner… she went to the
well for water and she never came back!"
Brann steps forward, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Anira, breathe. We'll find her."
"She's gone! She's gone, Brann!" she shrieks. "My Lira is gone!"
Men scatter in every direction with lanterns. The festival's joy, now replaced with cold fear.
Darrek turns to the crowd. "Wake everyone. No one sleeps tonight."
"LIRA!!" she cries again, her voice raw and panicked. "LIRA, WHERE ARE YOU?!"
Darrek asks, kneeling next to her. "Where did you last see her?"
"Dinner" Anira sobs. "She was eating beside me… she said she'd go wash her hands and
then… then she was gone. I waited, I searched nothing!" Panic spreads. Konrad and Aldric
exchange a glance.
"She's only fourteen…" Merra whispers from behind, holding her shawl tightly.
Brann's voice booms across the courtyard. "No one returns to their homes! We'll search
everywhere. Now!"