DARKER SIDE : The Lost

Chapter 7

The weight of Alcinder's revelations hung heavy in the air, entwining with Rahul's growing unease. His ancestors' pact with dark forces and the chilling sacrifices painted a disturbing backdrop to his family's history. The realm of gods and demons, once relegated to myths, now seemed unsettlingly real, demanding his attention in ways he couldn't ignore.

Amid the echoes of ancient stories, Rahul's thoughts were shattered by a more immediate concern – the sudden disappearance of his daughter, Dakshina. Dhanya's frantic call still reverberated in his mind, a stark reminder of the urgency that gripped him.

Days of tireless searching alongside the police had yielded no clues about Dakshina's whereabouts. Every step felt like a dead-end, and frustration gnawed at Rahul's determination. It was then that a thought, like a beacon of hope, struck him. The road where he had first met Alcinder held the answer – the one who had revealed these mysteries might hold the key to saving his daughter.

With renewed determination, Rahul hopped onto his bike, the engine's roar drowning out the whirlwind of thoughts in his mind. The road where he had first met Alcinder beckoned, its familiarity a stark contrast to the enigma it represented.

As he rode, the wind carried a sense of urgency, whipping against his face and tousling his thoughts. The memories of the past days, the chilling tales of demons and sacrifices, intermingled with the present reality of his missing daughter. Each twist and turn of the road echoed his internal turmoil.

Finally reaching the spot where his life had taken a bewildering turn, Rahul skidded to a stop. The air was thick with anticipation, and his heart pounded in rhythm with the engine's fading hum. With the bike now silent, he called out, his voice laden with a mixture of longing and desperation.

"Alcinder!"he shouted, the syllables hanging in the air,"I need your guidance once more."

The surroundings seemed to hold a hushed reverence, as if the road itself was a conduit between the mysteries of the past and the uncertainties of the present. Rahul's breath hitched as he waited, his senses heightened in anticipation of a response. Every passing second felt like an eternity, each heartbeat a testament to the gravity of his situation.

Then, a rustling in the nearby foliage caught his attention, and his gaze locked onto a figure emerging from the shadows. Alcinder's presence seemed to materialize from the very air, his enigmatic aura unchanged.

"You've returned," Alcinder's voice carried a sense of quiet certainty as he stepped into Rahul's view.

"I sensed your need for answers, Rahul."

Rahul's words came in a rush, a torrent of worry and urgency pouring forth.

"My daughter, Dakshina... she's gone. Vanished without a trace. I've searched everywhere, but..."

Alcinder's gaze held a glint of understanding, and he nodded solemnly.

"I am aware of your plight," he replied. '

"The forces we grapple with are not confined to history or myth. They intertwine with the present, their influence more pervasive than you can imagine."

Rahul's frustration and desperation mingled with a newfound hope.

"Can you help me find her?" he implored, his voice cracking with emotion.

Alcinder's eyes seemed to hold a depth of knowledge that transcended time itself.

"I can guide you," he said, "but be prepared, Rahul. The path ahead is treacherous, and the answers you seek may test not only your beliefs but the very core of your existence."

With a nod of determination, Rahul took a deep breath. "I'm ready," he declared, his voice unwavering.

"For my daughter, for my family, and for the truth that must be uncovered!!"

Alcinder's expression remained serious as he continued, his words carrying a somber weight.

"There's something you must know, Rahul. It's possible that Skorious, driven by the ancient pact, might be manipulating your grandfather. His actions, including taking your daughter, could be part of a sinister plan."

Rahul's eyes widened, the gravity of the situation sinking in.

"You mean he might have taken my daughter for the next sacrifice?!!"

Alcinder's nod confirmed Rahul's fears. "It's a possibility we cannot ignore. The cycle of sacrifice has endured for generations, and its influence might extend even to the present."

Rahul's heart pounded, a mixture of dread and determination coursing through his veins.

"I won't let that happen," he vowed, his voice a fierce whisper. "I won't let my daughter become a victim of this... this horror."

Alcinder's eyes softened, a glimmer of approval in his gaze. "Your resolve is commendable," he said.

With his daughter's face etched in his mind, Rahul squared his shoulders, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. "Lead the way," he said to Alcinder, his voice resolute. "I'll follow, no matter where this road takes us."

Alcinder's expression turned determined, and he locked eyes with Rahul.

"We must act swiftly," he urged. "Time is of the essence. But take heart, Rahul. While the threat is real, Skorious won't act hastily. He has a sinister plan, one that revolves around gaining power through calculated means."

Alcinder's gaze grew somber, his next words heavy with import. "Rahul, your daughter holds a unique and precious significance. As the last girl child in the Hinadians tribe, her blood possesses an unparalleled power, capable of bestowing demons with strength beyond measure."

Alcinder continued gently. "Skorious seeks to harness the potency of her blood to elevate his own power. However, the ritual requires a crucial and unsettling condition: the father of the child must be the one to take her life!!"

Rahul's heart sank, horror and understanding mingling. "So, Skorious won't kill Dakshina outright. He'll manipulate me into... into ending her life."

A grave nod from Alcinder confirmed Rahul's understanding.

"Exactly. Skorious requires her life to be taken by the hands of her own father. This twisted act is integral to his plan."

Rahul's heart clenched as the weight of the truth settled over him, a mixture of fear and unwavering resolve gripping his core.

"We have no time to lose,' he declared firmly. "Skorious cannot exploit my love for my daughter."

Alcinder's gaze held both empathy and determination. "We'll find a way, Rahul. We'll stand against the darkness and thwart Skorious."

As the weight of his daughter's fate rested heavily on his shoulders, Rahul steeled himself for the trials ahead. The darkness that sought to claim Dakshina would not relent easily, but neither would he. The road ahead was treacherous, fraught with challenges that would test his resolve to its limits. But as he looked to Alcinder, a beacon of hope in the encroaching shadows, Rahul knew that the fight to save his daughter was a battle he could not afford to lose.