TANGLED IN THE SHADOWS

Part -26

Outside the temple, Dhoni, Krunal, Shubman, and Rahul stood amidst the echoing voices of the possessed. Their anxiety levels were skyrocketing. Dhoni, still puzzled, asked, "Why were we told to stay outside? Why is Jadeja inside if he's not directly involved? And why were Shubman and Rahul sent out?"

Before anyone could respond, the first pandit they encountered approached them, motioning for them to follow him into a dimly lit chamber. Once inside, the pandit began to explain the tasks given to their partners.

"Ishan has been instructed to go to the graveyard at midnight," the pandit said gravely.

Shubman’s eyes widened in fear. "What? Alone?"

"Yes," the pandit nodded. "Hardik must return to the palace, but he must go alone."

Rahul's face turned pale. "Alone? How can he possibly—"

The pandit raised his hand to silence him. "Jadeja will stay here and perform his ritual within the temple."

Dhoni, trying to maintain his composure, asked, "Why can’t the rituals be done here? Why send them to such dangerous places?"

"The grip of the spirits is very strong on them," the pandit explained. "They were very late in seeking help. They must get rid of the spirits by themselves, with guidance from the old pandit."

Krunal, his voice trembling, asked, "When do they leave? I need to see Hardik before he goes."

The pandit sighed. "Ishan and Hardik have already left. They wanted to finish the rituals before three days, so they had to leave early to reach their destinations in time."

Shubman shouted, "I can’t allow Ishan to go alone! This is insane!"

Dhoni placed a calming hand on Shubman’s shoulder. "Isn’t there a way for them to do the rituals here itself?" he asked the pandit.

The pandit shook his head. "It’s too late for that. They must complete the tasks where the spirits have the strongest hold."

Krunal, desperate, pleaded, "Can I at least join Hardik on his journey? He’s terrified of traveling alone. He’s so vulnerable."

The pandit’s expression softened for a moment. "I’m sorry, but they must face these tasks alone. It is part of breaking the spirits’ hold on them."

Rahul sat in the corner, tears streaming down his face but his expression blank, as if he were lost in his own despair. The pandit then moved to the door and locked it from the outside.

"You must stay here. You cannot leave this room until the rituals are complete. It’s for your safety and theirs," the pandit instructed.

Dhoni, trying to suppress his frustration, nodded. "Alright, we’ll stay."

As the door closed with a heavy thud, the room fell into a tense silence. They could do nothing but sit, wait, and pray for the safety of their loved ones facing unimaginable horrors outside the temple walls.

Krunal looked at the others, his voice barely a whisper. "We have to trust them. They’re strong. They’ll come back to us."

Shubman, still trembling, nodded. "They have to. They just have to."

Dhoni sat beside Krunal’s empty seat, his heart heavy with worry and love. "We’ll make it through this."

Rahul, staring into the void, finally spoke, his voice breaking, "We have to believe in them. It’s the only thing keeping us from falling apart."

And so, they waited, hearts pounding, in the hope that their friends and loved ones would return safely from the nightmare they were thrust into.