Genesis of the Soul

Chapter 2: The Unbearable Truth

Vishwa quietly slipped into his room, an air of urgency hanging over him. He pulled out a long pillow, arranged it to mimic his sleeping form, and draped a blanket over it, creating a decoy that would hopefully keep prying eyes away. With the mansion's hustle and bustle echoing in the distance, he took a deep breath, cautiously exiting through the back door, ensuring no one noticed his departure.

Standing on the edge of a cliff, he looked down at the village sprawling beneath him and then up at the majestic mountain looming above. Memories flooded back of his Nanny's words: "The King's Castle rests at the mountain's peak, and it is a forbidden area. No one enters without permission." His heart raced at the thought of the secret passage he had discovered while playing. 'Could this be the way to my brother's mansion?' he wondered, invigorated by the prospect. Determined, Vishwa began making his way toward the dense, lush trees lining the foot of the mountain.

After some climbing and moments of parkour-like agility, he reached a curious arrangement of large stones that concealed the entrance to the hidden passage. Gripping his magic lamp tightly, he squeezed through the stones and entered the darkened tunnel. As he flicked the lamp on, its glow illuminated the hanging roots above, which dangled ominously from the ceiling and were propped up by sturdy wooden planks. This light provided a sense of comfort and clarity as he navigated the quiet passageway, with only the echo of his footsteps breaking the stillness. Thoughts swirled in his mind. 'Father said I can't meet them, so I won't. But I just have to catch a glimpse of who my siblings are?'

Vishwa pressed on, ascending a seemingly endless flight of steps until he finally encountered a divider that presented him with a choice: left or right? A wave of uncertainty washed over him as he pondered his options. After a moment's hesitation, he steeled himself and opted to go to the right. A few hundred meters later, he found himself standing before an imposing door. Anxiety surged within him. 'What if I get caught? Should I turn back now?' He gently pushed the door, but it creaked loudly in protest, making his heart race and his hands tremble. 'No, I can't do this. I'll definitely get caught.'

Taking a moment to calm himself, he peeked through the newly created space from the door. To his surprise, he found himself staring out across a graveyard. Confused, he pushed the stone door open fully and stepped outside into the chill of the early morning. "The sun isn't even up yet," he murmured to himself, realising he had taken a wrong turn. 'I should have gone the other way from the divider. I wanted to see my brother Ravindra.' With curiosity guiding him, Vishwa wandered through the graveyard, his eyes focused on the distant outline of the King's Castle.

As he approached it, he stealthily crept toward a window, using a tree for cover. He peered inside, eyes wide with wonder. 'There's so much stuff in there! It's beautifully decorated, unlike my mansion made of cold rocks.' His gaze was drawn to the hustle in the kitchen, where a large cake was being prepared. 'For whom is this cake for?' he thought, disheartened. 'They celebrate my birthday here every year without even noticing me.' A twinge of bitterness tugged at him, but he quickly dismissed it. 'They must have their reasons; I shouldn't pry.'

Continuing his exploration, Vishwa strolled through a gorgeous flower garden, where he spotted a woman cradling a child in her arms. 'That must be the second Queen, and the little one must be my sister, Kriti Maurya.' A smile tugged at his lips as he contemplated their connection. He walked back the way he came to go back, but he suddenly froze. His parents had arrived and were seated at a grand dining table, eyes alight with joy as the chefs presented a towering one-foot cake. 'I should watch them for a moment; I won't be able to see them for the next two years.'

Just then, a Fourteen -year-old boy burst into the room, running straight to the Queen, wrapping his arms around her and then sitting beside King Mahendra. 'Is he my brother, Ravindra? What is he doing here instead of in his mansion?' A storm of emotions washed over Vishwaas he stood hidden behind the tree, watching the family celebration unfold. 'Why do they love him so much? We're the same age, share the same skin colour and blue eyes. Sure, my hair is silver, while his is black, but aren't we both their children? Is it because I haven't awakened yet? What can I do to get their attention?'