The keeper of time

Chapter 16: Whispers in the Shadows

The road beneath Anaya's feet was hard, the ground dusty and uneven, as they moved toward the heart of the ancient city. Aryan walked next to her, his steps purposeful, as if he had done this a thousand times before. She stole glances at him every now and then, still processing everything she had learned. His face was calm, unreadable, but she could sense something bubbling beneath the surface.

The ancient city they entered felt almost surreal. The towering stone walls, the bustling streets filled with people wearing garments she had only seen in history books—it was like stepping into a living painting. Vibrant silks in every shade imaginable adorned the people around her, from deep crimson to shimmering gold. Men walked with turbans wrapped intricately, while women in long, flowing saris moved with grace, their eyes filled with curiosity as they passed.

The scent of spices wafted through the air—cumin, turmeric, and something floral that reminded her of jasmine. Anaya tried to keep her composure, but the unfamiliarity of it all left her head spinning. She was overwhelmed, feeling out of place in her modern attire, the stares from passersby adding to her discomfort.

Aryan seemed to notice her unease. "Don't worry," he murmured quietly, leaning slightly toward her as they walked, "they're just curious. You stand out."

"Yeah, no kidding," she muttered, tugging at the sleeve of her simple, modern top. "I'm not exactly blending in."

Aryan's eyes sparkled with amusement. "We'll fix that soon enough. But I think you look good like this. Different. In a good way." He shot her one of those teasing smiles that she found equally irritating and charming.

Anaya rolled her eyes. "Right, because being the center of attention is so fun." But even as she said it, she couldn't help but feel a strange warmth at his comment.

Just ahead, Arjun was walking with the group, his posture stiff and tense. He had been distant ever since Aryan's revelation, barely saying a word to her. Anaya could sense the growing rift between them, and it hurt more than she expected. She didn't want to lose Arjun as a friend. But she also couldn't deny the strange connection she was starting to feel with Aryan, despite how infuriating he could be.

As they neared what appeared to be a grand palace, Aryan slowed his pace, turning toward Anaya with a more serious expression. "We're heading into dangerous territory now," he said quietly, his voice losing its teasing edge. "Stay close to me. Don't trust anyone but us."

Anaya frowned. "Why? What's going on?"

Aryan's gaze flickered toward the palace, then back to her. "There are things at play here that you can't imagine. Power struggles, betrayals... it's why we were brought back. To stop something."

Her heart quickened. "What are we stopping?"

Before Aryan could respond, Arjun interrupted, his voice laced with tension. "We should keep moving. The guards are watching us."

Anaya looked ahead and noticed several palace guards, dressed in armor that gleamed in the afternoon sun, eyeing them suspiciously. She swallowed hard, realizing that whatever Aryan had been about to say, it would have to wait.

They approached the palace gates, where two guards stood, their spears crossed in front of them. Aryan stepped forward, his posture suddenly regal, commanding attention without a word. He didn't speak, but the guards seemed to recognize him immediately, lowering their spears and bowing slightly. Anaya watched the interaction with growing suspicion.

As they entered the palace grounds, the grandeur of it all took her breath away. The walls were adorned with intricate carvings, telling stories of battles won and gods worshipped. The floors beneath their feet were smooth marble, and the scent of sandalwood filled the air. Everywhere she looked, there were signs of a kingdom steeped in history and power.

Aryan led them through a series of corridors, his steps quick and confident. He didn't explain where they were going, but Anaya trusted him, even if she wasn't sure why. There was something about the way he carried himself here—like this world belonged to him.

They reached a smaller chamber, tucked away from the grand hallways, and Aryan finally slowed down. He gestured for Anaya and Arjun to follow him inside, closing the heavy wooden doors behind them.

"What is this place?" Anaya asked, her voice a whisper in the stillness.

Aryan turned to face her, his expression serious. "It's where we can speak without being overheard." He glanced at Arjun, then back at her. "There are people in this palace who would kill us if they knew why we're really here."

Anaya's throat tightened. "Why? What's happening, Aryan? You need to tell us the truth."

He hesitated for a moment, then sighed, running a hand through his hair. "This kingdom... it's on the brink of collapse. There's a plot to overthrow the current ruler, and we've been brought back to stop it. But there's more."

Anaya's heart raced as she waited for him to continue. "More?"

Aryan locked eyes with her, his voice low and steady. "The plot to overthrow the king... it's tied to the altar we found. That's why we were brought back. Someone from our time is working with people here to alter history, to change the future."

The weight of his words hit her like a punch to the gut. "Someone from our time?"

Aryan nodded grimly. "Someone who knew about the altar, about the key to time travel. They're using this power for their own gain, and we have to stop them before they succeed."

Anaya's mind raced. This wasn't just about ancient history anymore. It was about their world, their future. She looked at Aryan, seeing the determination in his eyes, and realized just how much was at stake.

But before she could process it all, Aryan gave her a small, teasing smile, the tension in the room easing just slightly. "Don't look so serious, Anaya. We've got this."

Anaya couldn't help but roll her eyes, though a smile tugged at her lips. "You're so irritating."

Aryan chuckled. "You love it."

Despite herself, Anaya laughed, shaking her head. "I definitely don't."

Aryan stepped closer, his voice dropping to a playful whisper. "Keep telling yourself that."

Anaya felt her heart flutter in her chest, and she cursed herself for letting him get under her skin. But before she could respond with a witty retort, Arjun cleared his throat loudly, cutting through the moment.

"We need to focus," Arjun said, his voice hard and tense. "This isn't a joke."

Aryan shot him a look, his smile fading slightly. "Relax, Arjun. I'm taking this seriously. But we also need to keep our wits about us."

Arjun clenched his jaw, clearly frustrated with Aryan's nonchalant attitude. But Anaya could sense the real reason behind his tension. Arjun didn't like the way Aryan had been flirting with her, and she couldn't blame him.

The three of them stood in tense silence for a moment, the weight of their mission pressing down on them. But as they prepared to face the unknown dangers ahead, Anaya couldn't shake the feeling that their journey was only just beginning—and that the bonds between them were about to be tested in ways none of them could have imagined.