THE SNAKE ISLAND-EXPLORE THE DEATH

Part 5: The Serpent's Call

The island trembled beneath their feet, a living force awakening as the ancient curse stirred from its slumber. The mist that poured from the chasm beneath the shrine of Ananta coiled around the ancient stones like serpents made of smoke. The ground was unstable, as if the very island itself was coming apart, but Priya couldn't move. She stood transfixed, staring into the dark abyss that had opened at the base of the shrine, her thoughts consumed by the cryptic inscription she had just read: "Only the blood of the true heir can break the curse."

Ravi grabbed her by the shoulders, shaking her out of her trance. "Priya, we have to go! This place is falling apart!" His voice was panicked, his eyes darting to the chasm, where the mist continued to rise, swirling faster and thicker.

But Priya couldn't shake the feeling that something was calling to her. She looked up at the idol of Ananta—the massive stone serpent whose eyes glowed red—and felt a pull deep in her chest, as if an invisible thread was binding her to the island, to the curse. It wasn't just a legend; it was her family's legacy. The blood of her ancestors had tied them to this place, and now the island's ancient power was awakening, waiting for her to make a choice.

"I can't leave," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the sounds of the island crumbling around them.

"What?" Ravi's face was pale, fear etched into his features. "Are you out of your mind? The island is collapsing, and those snakes... they're not normal. We need to get out of here!"

She shook her head, pulling away from him. "It's me, Ravi. The curse is tied to me. My family... we're connected to this place, to the Nagapasham."

Ravi's eyes widened as the realization hit him. "What are you talking about? How is that even possible?"

Priya's mind raced as she tried to piece it all together. The stories her great-uncle had told her, the inscription on the copper plate, and now the warning on the shrine itself. The blood of the true heir. Her family's connection to the Chola dynasty, their role in sealing away the island's secrets. It was all connected.

"I think... I think I'm the key to stopping this." Her voice was steady, despite the fear gnawing at her insides. "The inscription said that only the blood of the true heir can break the curse. That must be why my family has been guarding this secret for generations. The Nagapasham—it's tied to my bloodline."

Ravi's face tightened in disbelief. "And what does that mean? Are you saying you can control this thing? Stop it from destroying everything?"

Priya didn't know the answer. She only knew that if she didn't do something, the island's curse would consume them all. The serpents, the mist, the power emanating from the chasm—it was all waiting for her to act. She had come this far, and now the weight of her family's history pressed down on her like a tidal wave.

The Decision

The earth groaned beneath them, and the mist grew thicker, enveloping the shrine in a cold, suffocating fog. The massive serpent that had slithered from the jungle coiled itself around the idol of Ananta, its ruby eyes glowing brighter with every passing second. The smaller snakes surrounding them hissed in unison, as if they too were waiting for something.

Priya took a deep breath and stepped closer to the chasm. The air around her crackled with energy, and she could feel the island's pulse, like a heartbeat beneath the earth. It was alive, and it was calling to her. She reached out her hand, her fingers brushing against the ancient stone of the shrine.

"Priya, don't!" Ravi's voice was desperate, but she knew this was something she had to do.

The moment her fingers touched the stone, a surge of power rushed through her. Images flooded her mind—visions of the past, of ancient rituals performed by the Naga Sramana priests, of her ancestors standing at this very shrine, sealing away the Nagapasham to protect the world from its power. The priests had bound the island with their blood, and now it was her turn to either break the curse or unleash its full fury.

The ground shook again, and the chasm beneath the shrine widened, revealing more of the dark, swirling mist. The island was waking up, and Priya knew she didn't have much time. She could feel the pull of the Nagapasham, the ancient relic hidden somewhere beneath the shrine. It was waiting for her, and she had to make a choice.

The Serpent's Choice

Priya knelt down by the chasm, her heart pounding. She reached into her bag and pulled out the leather-bound book her great-uncle had given her. The ancient Tamil verses had guided her here, and now they would help her understand how to control the power of the Nagapasham. Flipping through the pages, she found a passage that seemed to glow with significance, as if the words were meant for this moment.

It spoke of a ritual—one that required a sacrifice of blood. Not just any blood, but the blood of the heir. The one chosen by the serpent god, Ananta.

Priya's breath caught in her throat. The realization hit her with full force. She would have to offer her own blood to complete the ritual. The island's curse was tied to her family, and only her blood could seal it away forever.

Before she could act, the massive serpent around the idol hissed, its eyes glowing brighter. The smaller serpents slithered closer, forming a circle around Priya and Ravi. They weren't attacking, but they were waiting, watching. It was as if they knew what was about to happen, as if they were the guardians of the Nagapasham itself.

"Priya, we need to go," Ravi pleaded, stepping back toward the jungle. "This is insane!"

But Priya shook her head. "I have to do this, Ravi. I'm the only one who can."

With trembling hands, she pulled out a small ceremonial knife from her bag. The blade had been passed down through her family for generations—a relic from the Chola dynasty, its hilt engraved with the symbol of the serpent. She had never known its purpose until now.

She turned to Ravi, her eyes filled with determination. "You should leave. I don't know what's going to happen."

Ravi looked at her in shock, torn between staying and fleeing the island. He opened his mouth to protest, but something in Priya's expression stopped him. He knew there was no convincing her otherwise.

"Please be careful," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "I don't know what I'll do if something happens to you."

Priya gave him a small, sad smile. "I'll be okay. I promise."

Ravi hesitated for a moment longer before turning and disappearing into the jungle, leaving Priya alone with the serpents and the shrine.

Blood and Power

Priya knelt before the idol of Ananta, the massive serpent coiled above her, its eyes locked onto hers. The mist continued to swirl around the shrine, thick and suffocating, but Priya's mind was clear. She knew what she had to do.

Taking a deep breath, she raised the knife and made a small cut on her palm. Blood welled up, crimson and thick, and she held her hand over the chasm, letting the drops fall into the dark void below. The moment her blood touched the mist, the ground shook violently, and a deep, resonant hiss echoed from the depths of the chasm.

The mist swirled faster, rising up to envelop her, and the serpents around the shrine began to writhe and hiss. The massive serpent above her uncoiled itself, slithering down from the idol and circling her, its glowing eyes never leaving her.

For a moment, Priya felt the weight of the island's curse pressing down on her. The power of the Nagapasham was immense, and it was testing her, judging her. She could feel it probing her thoughts, searching her soul. It wanted to know if she was worthy.

Then, suddenly, the mist parted, and a glowing light emerged from the depths of the chasm. It was the Nagapasham—a small, smooth stone idol, glowing with an otherworldly light. The serpents hissed in unison, as if they were bowing to the object.

Priya reached out, her hand trembling, and grasped the idol. The moment her fingers touched it, a surge of power rushed through her body, and she felt an overwhelming sense of connection—to the island, to the serpents, and to the curse itself.

The island's curse had been waiting for her. And now, she had to decide its fate