Aru Shah and the Chamber of Lies

Date Night with a Side of Prophecy

Aru Shah was dreaming. Again. She felt her hands in her dream go clammy, if that was even possible. A scream crawled up her throat, but no sound came out. She was floating around in the same black space, with no one or nothing around but her.

Aru steadied herself and took multiple deep breaths. Wake up, she told herself. It's just a dream, wake up!

But she couldn't. No matter how hard she tried, she stayed in the lonely expanse.

Arundhati...

Aru whirled her head around, but couldn't pinpoint where the eerily familiar voice was coming from.

The voice chuckled creepily, and said, Over here, my dear.

To her right, her father appeared. Well, at least, his body did. She wasn't so sure who was actually speaking to her though.

Who are you?! She wanted to yell, but her mouth seemed glued shut.

Her father put his finger to his lips, his black eyes glinting dangerously. Now, now. Let's listen to what I have to say first, hm?

Aru gritted her teeth and glared at him. Strange black marks swirled up her father's body and he walked towards her like a marionette. His limbs jerked weirdly and Aru unwillingly took a step back in fear. She'd seen scenes like these tons of times in horror movies, but seeing her own father/previous enemy like this was horribly unnerving.

I have a proposal for you, Aru Shah. Will you hear me out?

Aru shook her head, but he went on anyway.

I have a unique...ability, he said, staring at his fingernails disinterestedly. He snapped his head up and smiled, his wide mouth stretching from ear to ear. Would you like me to change the future? He snapped his fingers and the vision of her betraying her sisters popped up. Or perhaps you would like to be able to see your father again? This time, an image of a smiling Suyodhana showed up, his arms out in front of him as if beckoning her to go to him.

Aru stilled, glad that she could not speak, for she was afraid what may have burst out of her mouth. Sobs? Screams? She wasn't sure, but tears silently trickled down her cheeks.

The images vanished and he continued on. I can do anything you want, for a price, of course. He winked at her and Aru scowled.

"Who are you?!" She put her hand to her mouth in surprise. She could speak now!

Her father gave her a lopsided smile and shrugged. I am- he suddenly stopped mid-sentence and frowned. His image wavered, literally. He started flickering, like a light, until finally...

"Aru!"

Aru whirled her head around and saw her younger sisters bound towards her. She wasn't in her nightmare anymore. Nikita and Sheela must have pulled her out of it. Now, Aru was in a workshop that had stars hung on the walls, and various pieces of clothing and other materials were strewn on tables here and there.

Nikita strode up to her, fashionably dressed in a baby blue knee-length dress that had soft, white daisies sewn on the hem. Leaves were woven in her hair, and a gorgeous tiara topped it off. Sheela, by stark contrast, was wearing a much simpler lilac-colored dress, with silver stars decorating the sleeves.

Sheela hugged her and asked, "Are you alright, Aru? You seemed like you were having a nightmare." She touched Aru's wet cheeks.

Aru quickly wiped the tears away. "Yeah, I'm alright," she replied hoarsely. Eager to change the subject, she asked, "Where are Brynne and Mini?"

Right on cue, her other two sisters popped up. Brynne scowled and complained, "Seriously? I was just in the middle of winning a cooking competition!"

"You're always dreaming about that anyways," Sheela pointed out.

"I was dreaming about going to a store, where the only thing they sold was hand sanitizer," Mini added pleasantly.

Nikita facepalmed. "I'm not even surprised."

"What about you, Shah?" asked Brynne, throwing her a questioning glance.

Aru hesitated. On one hand, she knew that she had to tell them, but on the other, she kinda wanted to have more information on the creepy dude. She didn't even know his name.

"Aru?" prompted Mini.

Aru took a deep breath and tentatively said, "I...had the same nightmare again." She explained what had happened, and by the end of it, her sisters had equally perplexed and worried looks on their faces.

"He didn't tell you his name?" Nikita asked.

Aru shook her head. "I think he was about to, but then you guys took me out of my dream. But I'm pretty sure he's powerful. He said something about granting any wish I have."

"What did he want in return?" Mini questioned.

Aru shrugged helplessly. "I have no idea."

Mini frowned. "We should meet up tomorrow and figure this out."

"I call my place! I've perfected my lasagna recipe, so you guys can be my guinea pigs." Brynne piped up, grinning.

Sheela nodded thoughtfully. "Can we also bake some cooki-"

Her breath suddenly hitched and she began to tremble.

"Sheela!" Nikita cried. She ran over to her twin's side and held her as Sheela continued to shake.

"Is it another prophecy?" asked Brynne nervously.

"Probably," answered Mini, putting a hand on Sheela's shoulder.

Sheela screamed, and a harsh wind started to ripple through the area. Clothes flew off the tables, and tape measures and pin cushions began flying through the air. Aru grabbed onto a floor-lamp, struggling to keep herself planted on the dream ground.

Above all the chaos, Sheela slowly rose in the air, her tiny, dark brown braids waving around wildly behind her and her eyes glowing a mysterious, silvery color.

"Sheela! Stop!" Brynne yelled.

But the young Pandava didn't seem to hear her. Instead, she tipped her head back, and spewed out ten lines that would decide their fate:

The whole world will fear

As Evil draws near

No difference between new and old

New secrets and stories shall unfold

Daughter of lightning has been given a cursed gift

Know that the price of knowledge may cause a rift

Seven shall travel west for the sun

For they will need her when the time has come

In seven days hence, fate will decide

Whether the world will look upon them with contempt or pride