Paraedons: A War beginning

**Chapter 5: The Race Against Time**

MacMillan's heart pounded as he arrived 1,200 years in the past, right in the middle of a terrifying battlefield. The scene that unfolded before him was like nothing he had ever seen-chaos, bloodshed, and the sound of war cries echoed through the air. The two tribes, the Jaba and the Paraedons, were locked in a deadly struggle, their warriors fighting with a ferocity that seemed almost supernatural.

He could feel the tension in the air, the desperation in the eyes of the fighters. This was no ordinary battle; it was a fight for survival, a clash that would determine the fate of two civilizations. MacMillan felt a chill run down his spine, his stomach churning with fear. He had never witnessed such a brutal war before, and it was clear that this was a fight to the death.

MacMillan knew he had no time to lose. He had to find the child whose mother, Admari, had hidden him all those centuries ago to save him from the wrath of the Paraedons. This child was the key to protecting the remaining descendants of the Jaba tribe who still existed in the present day.

**The Search Begins**

As MacMillan searched the battlefield, his eyes scanned the landscape that would one day be known as Gujarat. The sun was sinking lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the ground. He remembered Mayi Ji's warning clearly-he had to complete his mission before the sun set, or his soul would be trapped in the past forever while his body remained in the present.

The pressure was mounting, and MacMillan's sense of urgency grew stronger with every passing second. He waded through the chaos, dodging warriors and narrowly escaping the deadly swings of swords and spears. His breath came in ragged gasps as he desperately tried to locate the hidden child amidst the turmoil.

**A Mysterious Encounter**

Just as the sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, MacMillan felt a sudden force push him from behind. He stumbled forward and tumbled into what felt like a large wooden box-an ancient coffin or a tabut. He landed hard inside, the impact knocking the wind out of him. As he looked around, he was momentarily blinded by a brilliant light that seemed to emanate from within the tabut.

To his astonishment, he realized that the light was coming from the very child he had been sent to find. This child, the source of the power that Admari had sacrificed her life to protect, was glowing with an otherworldly radiance. Admari had hidden her child here, in this tabut, to shield him from the Paraedons and to keep his existence a secret until the right time.

**The Call to Mayi Ji**

Without wasting another second, MacMillan reached for the child, gently cradling him in his arms. He could feel the immense power pulsing from the small body, a force that could change the course of history itself. He remembered Mayi Ji's instructions and knew that he had to act quickly.

With the child in his grasp, MacMillan began to call out to Mayi Ji. His voice trembled with urgency as he shouted into the sky, hoping against hope that his words would reach her. "Mayi Ji!" he cried. "I have found the child! Bring us back, now!"

Though he was 1,200 years in the past, his voice seemed to transcend time itself, reaching out across the centuries. Back in the present day, Mayi Ji, sitting in her humble hut in Madras, heard MacMillan's call. Her eyes snapped open, and she immediately began the process of summoning him back, chanting in the ancient language with a speed and intensity that matched the dire circumstances.

**The Return**

The sun had almost set, its last rays barely visible on the horizon. Time was running out, and MacMillan could feel his spirit weakening, struggling to remain tethered to his physical form. The world around him seemed to flicker and blur as he felt the pull of Mayi Ji's magic drawing him back to the present.

Just as the darkness of night was about to engulf the battlefield, MacMillan felt a powerful force envelop him and the child. The ancient magic that Mayi Ji wielded wrapped around them like a protective cocoon, pulling them through the fabric of time. In an instant, the battlefield, the war, and the chaos all vanished.

MacMillan's vision blurred once more, and he felt himself hurtling through space and time, the world spinning wildly around him. He held the child tightly, his heart pounding, unsure if they would make it back in one piece. Then, with a sudden jolt, he was back.

He opened his eyes and found himself back in Mayi Ji's hut. The air was still, the familiar scent of incense filled his lungs, and he was safe. He looked down at the child in his arms, now lying peacefully, the glow slowly fading. Mayi Ji stood before him, her eyes filled with relief and pride.

"You did well, MacMillan," she said softly. "The child is safe. And with him lies the hope of a future free from the curse of the Paraedons."

MacMillan nodded, still in shock from everything he had just experienced. But he knew this was only the beginning. The battle to save the descendants of the Jaba tribe and put an end to the Paraedons' tyranny was far from over.