TARA : Beyond The Time ( Under Editing)

End or a new beginning

Author's POV 

As Dhruv, Rudra, Tara, and Ria made their way back to the palace, the dense forest surrounding them began to thin out, revealing a narrow mountain path. The air grew colder, and the sky turned a deep shade of blue as the evening descended, casting long shadows over the landscape. The distant sound of a river flowing in the valley below added to the eerie stillness of the night.

Tara rode alongside Dhruv, feeling a mix of relief and unease. She was glad to be out of Agha's clutches, but the treacherous path ahead was daunting. The narrow trail wound its way up a steep cliff, with sheer drops on one side and the dark valley on the other.

Suddenly, a low rumble echoed through the mountains. Dhruv halted his horse, his senses heightened. "What was that?" he asked, looking around cautiously.

Rudra riding slightly ahead of them, turned back with a frown. "It sounded like the mountain itself."

Before anyone could react, the ground beneath them began to shake violently. An earthquake. The horses whinnied in fear, struggling to maintain their footing on the unstable ground. Rocks and debris started to tumble down the mountainside.

"Hold on!" Dhruv shouted, grabbing Tara's hand as their horse reared up in panic. Ria and Rudra were similarly struggling to control their mounts.

In the chaos, Tara's horse lost its balance, slipping dangerously close to the edge of the cliff. Tara tried to steady herself, but the shaking ground made it impossible. Her fingers slipped from Dhruv's grasp, and with a scream, she tumbled off the side of the mountain, disappearing into the darkness below.

"Tara!" Dhruv's voice was filled with desperation as he watched her fall. He dismounted in a heartbeat, running to the edge. Rudra quickly followed, trying to assess the situation.

Below, the valley was shrouded in darkness, the sound of the river rushing ominously in the distance. There was no sign of Tara. The ledge where she might have landed was obscured by shadows and the dense foliage of the cliffside.

"We have to find her!" Dhruv said, his voice shaking with urgency.

Rudra nodded, but his face was grim. "It's too dark, Dhruv. We can't see anything. We could lose our footing and fall ourselves."

Dhruv, overcome with emotion, shook his head. "I can't leave her out there, Rudra. We have to try."

Dhruv began to descend the treacherous slope, using his hands to grip the rocky outcrops for support. Rudra and Ria also flowed , knowing the dangers but unwilling to abandon their friends.

Minutes felt like hours as Dhruv searched the dark valley, calling out Tara's name with increasing desperation. Exhaustion and fear began to take their toll on him. The relentless darkness and the roar of the river made it almost impossible to hear anything but his own heartbeat.

Rudra again tried to pursue him "Dhruv, it's too dangerous! Let's go  back. We'll send search Squad."

But Dhruv pressed on, driven by love and fear. Finally, his strength gave out. His vision blurred, and his legs buckled beneath him. He fell to his knees, the enormity of his loss crashing down upon him. Unable to continue, he slumped to the ground, unconscious.

Rudra and Ria, seeing Dhruv collapse, knew they had to act quickly. Rudra carefully made his way  to where Dhruv lay, lifting him onto his shoulders with Ria's help. Together, they began the arduous journey back up the cliffside.

As they reached the top, they mounted their horses and rode swiftly back to the palace. Dhruv's unconscious form was draped across Rudra's horse, his face pale and drawn.

Upon arriving at the palace gates, they were met by Dhruv's family, who had been anxiously awaiting their return. His mother, her face etched with worry, rushed forward. "What happened to dhruv? Where is Tara?"

Rudra, his voice heavy with sorrow, replied, "We couldn't find her. The earthquake... she fell. Dhruv wouldn't stop searching until he collapsed."

Entire royal family gathered around him, their faces a mix of grief and concern. They carried him inside, laying him gently on a bed. His mother sat beside him, holding his hand, her heart breaking for her son and the daughter she just lost.

As the night wore on, the palace was filled with an overwhelming sense of loss. Dhruv lay unconscious, his dreams haunted by the image of Tara falling into the dark valley. His family and friends kept a vigil by his side, praying for his recovery and hoping against hope that somehow, Tara might still be found. The events of the previous night had cast a long shadow over them all.

The first light of dawn began to creep through the windows, casting a faint glow over Dhruv's pale face. His mother held his hand tightly, her tears silently falling.

Outside, the palace grounds were eerily quiet. The news of Tara's disappearance had spread quickly, and the palace of Vijaygarh mourned alongside their king. The air was thick with a sense of loss and hopelessness.

As the morning sun rose higher, Dhruv began to stir. His eyes fluttered open, and he looked around, disoriented and weak. His mother's face lit up with relief, but the sorrow in her eyes remained.

"Dhruv," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "Thank the gods you're awake."

Dhruv blinked, his memories flooding back in a painful rush. "Tara..." he whispered, his voice raw with anguish. "I couldn't find her. I lost her."

His mother stroked his hair gently, her own tears mingling with his. "We'll continue searching, my son. We won't give up hope."

Before Dhruv could respond, Rudra approached, a grave expression on his face. "Dhruv, there's something you need to know. After you collapsed, something strange happened."

Dhruv looked at him, his brow furrowing in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Rudra took a deep breath. "Tara's uncle and brother—they disappeared right in front of everyone. One moment they were there, the next they were gone. It was like they vanished into thin air."

Dhruv's heart skipped a beat. "Disappeared? How is that possible?"

Rudra nodded. "I don't know. But it made me think... what if Tara also time traveled back to her own time? What if she's safe, just not here?"

A flicker of hope sparked in Dhruv's eyes. Could it be possible? The thought that Tara might have returned to her own time, safe and sound, brought a surge of relief and determination. "Maybe you're right," he said slowly. "Maybe she was taken back to her own time."

His mother squeezed his hand, her eyes filled with a new light. "If that's true, then there's still hope, Dhruv. She could be safe."

Dhruv felt a sense of purpose rekindling within him. He knew that life would go on, and he would continue to rule his kingdom with strength and wisdom. But now, there was a glimmer of hope that Tara was somewhere out there, waiting for him.

One evening, as the sun set and the palace was bathed in a warm, golden light, Dhruv stood on the balcony, looking out over his kingdom. The river in the valley below glimmered in the fading light, a silent witness to their tragedy.

He closed his eyes, a single tear slipping down his cheek. "Tara," he whispered to the wind. "Wherever you are, know that I will always love you. Our story may be unfinished, but you will forever be in my heart. And I will find a way to reach you, no matter what."

To Be Continued...

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Dear Readers,

Thank you for joining us on the captivating journey of Dhruv and Tara in "TARA: Beyond the Time".

The story continues in our next enthralling installment:

"TARA: Echoes of a Lost Love"