𝐈𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐚~𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐞 | 𝟐𝟏+

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫|𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠

The cold wind rustled through the trees, their branches bending under the weight of the night's darkness. Aadhisha could feel the chill in the air, but it wasn't just the temperature that made her skin crawl. The weight of the unknown pressed down on her, a constant reminder of the dangers lurking in the shadows.

The woman who claimed to be her mother walked ahead, her movements graceful and determined. Aadhisha and Shivaay followed, their footsteps barely audible on the soft earth beneath them. Despite the quiet, Aadhisha's mind was anything but calm. She had so many questions, so many things she needed to know. Who was her mother really? Why had she abandoned her all those years ago? And what were the true motives of the man she had called father-Keshar?

But none of those questions were answered yet. They continued walking through the dense forest, the path narrow and winding, until they arrived at a small clearing. The air was thick with an eerie sense of anticipation. The woman stopped and turned to face Aadhisha and Shivaay.

"This is as far as we go," the woman said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Aadhisha raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean? This is it?"

The woman nodded, her expression serious. "This is where I leave you. What happens next is for you and you alone to decide."

Shivaay stepped forward, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. "What exactly are you saying? You're just going to leave us here?"

The woman's gaze softened. "You've come far, Aadhisha. Farther than I ever imagined you could. But the truth, the real truth about your past, about your father, lies ahead. Only you can uncover it. And only you can decide what to do with that knowledge."

Aadhisha clenched her fists, frustration bubbling to the surface. "So you're telling me that you've known everything, and now you just expect me to figure it out on my own?"

The woman's eyes flickered with something like regret, but she didn't back down. "Your journey has always been yours to walk, Aadhisha. I was only ever a small part of it. And now it's time for you to step into your own destiny."

Aadhisha's breath caught in her throat. The weight of the moment hit her like a physical blow. This was it-the point of no return. The truth she had been seeking for so long was just ahead. But was she ready for it? Was she strong enough to face whatever lay ahead?

Shivaay reached out, his hand resting gently on her shoulder, grounding her in the present. "We'll face this together, Aadhisha. No matter what."

Aadhisha looked up at him, her heart swelling with gratitude. She had been through so much already, but having him by her side made it all seem a little more bearable. She didn't have all the answers yet, but she knew one thing for sure-she wasn't alone.

The woman gave a final nod before turning and disappearing into the trees, leaving them with only the sound of the wind in the branches and the faint rustling of leaves. Aadhisha took a deep breath and turned to Shivaay.

"Let's go," she said, her voice steady despite the uncertainty in her heart. "It's time to find out the truth."

They walked together into the darkness, their footsteps in sync, the bond between them strengthening with every step. Aadhisha could feel the tension in the air, the weight of the truth pressing down on her chest. She didn't know what she would find, but she was ready to face it.

The path ahead was long, and the journey was fraught with danger. But as long as Shivaay was by her side, she knew she could face anything.

---

Hours later, they found themselves standing at the entrance of an ancient temple. The stone walls were weathered, but the carvings etched into the rock seemed to pulse with an energy Aadhisha couldn't quite explain. It was as though the temple itself was alive, waiting for them.