The keeper of time

Chapter 28: Whispers of the Past

Anaya felt the prickle of awareness settle over her as she wandered through the village. The villagers went about their lives around her—women weaving, men shaping clay, children running through the dirt paths. It was peaceful, yet she felt the weight of invisible eyes on her, as if someone—or something—was observing her every move.

She stole a glance toward Aryan, who had positioned himself a little distance away, half-watching her with a slight smirk, as though daring her to make a mistake. She couldn't help but roll her eyes. There was something about him, his very presence, that made her feel both grounded and thoroughly irritated. His gaze held a mix of suspicion and curiosity, which only made her more determined to prove herself.

Deciding to break the tension, she approached a woman selling colorful beads and whispered a quick greeting in ancient dialect, hoping her pronunciation was passable. To her relief, the woman smiled, gesturing for her to look at the wares. Anaya tried to mask her wonder as she ran her fingers over the intricate beads, each one painstakingly crafted and dyed with natural pigments.

Suddenly, Aryan sidled up beside her, his expression unreadable. "Trying to blend in?" he asked, his voice laced with amusement. "Because you're not exactly subtle, you know."

Anaya looked up at him, narrowing her eyes. "I could say the same for you, Aryan. Not everyone in ancient India walks around with that level of smugness."

He smirked, leaning in just a bit. "Ah, but I'm not everyone, am I?"

The banter was interrupted by Arjun, who approached with a concerned expression. "You two, this isn't the time for flirting," he muttered, looking around warily. "There's something strange here. I can feel it."

Aryan's smirk faded, replaced with a serious gaze. "What do you mean, strange?"

Arjun glanced around before leaning in close. "It's almost like they recognize us. I caught a few people staring, whispering. They're acting... off."

Anaya felt a shiver run down her spine, her excitement mingling with apprehension. She had felt it, too—the stares, the whispers, the way some of the villagers looked at her as though they knew something she didn't. "Maybe they do recognize us," she said softly, glancing between Aryan and Arjun. "If this village has been protected through generations, maybe they have records or legends of people like us. Time travelers, maybe."

Aryan frowned, folding his arms. "Then we need to be careful. If they see us as threats, we could be in serious trouble."

Anaya met his gaze, feeling a surge of defiance. "Or we could be exactly who they've been waiting for."

Arjun stepped in, his face set with concern. "This is not the time to test theories. We need to find the clues we're here for and keep a low profile."

But Aryan only chuckled, throwing an arm around Anaya's shoulders with a casual ease that surprised her. "Come on, Arjun. Don't be so uptight. We're just taking in the sights."

Anaya felt her heart skip at the sudden warmth of Aryan's presence, his hand resting on her shoulder. She gave him a playful glare, pushing his arm off her. "Just so you know, Aryan, I'm not here to be your tour guide through ancient India."

He gave her an exaggerated look of disappointment. "And here I thought we were bonding over a shared sense of adventure."

Arjun rolled his eyes, clearly irritated. "Can we focus, please? There's more at stake here than your... whatever this is." His tone was sharp, a hint of jealousy coloring his words.

Anaya caught the flash of hurt in Arjun's eyes before he looked away, and her own amusement dimmed. She felt torn between the two, their conflicting personalities creating a tension that was both thrilling and unsettling. As they walked on, she felt herself drifting between them—Arjun's steady, familiar presence and Aryan's enigmatic, magnetic pull. She didn't want to hurt either of them, but in this strange, timeless place, emotions felt amplified, each interaction charged with intensity.

As they moved deeper into the village, a sudden cry caught their attention. They turned to see a small crowd gathering around an elderly man, who sat cross-legged on a raised stone platform. His eyes were closed, his hands resting on his knees, a faint glow of wisdom radiating from him. Villagers murmured reverently, bowing their heads in respect as they approached him. It was clear he was someone of great significance.

Anaya's heart raced. This was the moment they'd been waiting for. She glanced at Aryan and Arjun, who nodded in silent agreement. Together, they moved toward the crowd, blending in as best they could.

As they reached the front of the crowd, the elder's eyes opened, settling directly on Anaya. His gaze was intense, filled with an awareness that sent a shiver through her. It was as though he could see straight into her soul, past her thoughts and fears, into something ancient and buried within her.

"Ah," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, yet it carried to every corner of the crowd. "The three travelers have come, as foretold."

The crowd gasped, murmuring in awe and fear. Anaya felt the weight of his words settle over her, her heart pounding as she looked up at the elder.

"What... what do you mean?" she asked, her voice trembling despite her attempt at confidence.

The elder smiled faintly, a look of sadness in his eyes. "You come from another time, drawn here by fate and purpose. But the path you walk is one of shadows and sacrifice. The answers you seek come with a price."

Anaya glanced at Aryan, who was watching the elder with a sharp, calculating gaze, his usual sarcasm replaced with genuine curiosity. Arjun, on the other hand, looked tense, his posture defensive.

"What kind of price?" Aryan asked, his tone challenging.

The elder looked at each of them in turn, his gaze heavy with meaning. "Your greatest fears, your deepest wounds... all will be tested here. The past does not yield its secrets easily. And once revealed, those secrets may change everything you believe."

Anaya felt a chill run down her spine, the elder's words hitting her with an almost physical weight. She looked at Aryan, who met her gaze with a determined nod. Despite their differences, she knew they were in this together.

Arjun, however, seemed reluctant, his gaze flickering between her and Aryan, worry etched into his features. "Are you sure about this, Anaya? Maybe... maybe we're not meant to know these secrets. Maybe it's better to leave the past alone."

But Anaya shook her head, her resolve hardening. "We came here for a reason, Arjun. Whatever the price, we have to see this through."

Aryan placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, his grip firm. "Don't worry, princess. I've got your back."

Anaya allowed herself a small smile, grateful for his support despite the turmoil roiling within her. She looked back at the elder, who watched them with a sad, knowing smile.

"Very well," he said, his voice solemn. "If you are prepared, then follow me. But remember: once you begin this journey, there is no turning back."

With that, he rose, gesturing for them to follow him through the village. Anaya felt a surge of anticipation, her heart pounding as they moved deeper into the mysteries that lay before them. Each step felt like a step toward destiny, toward answers that could unravel everything they thought they knew.