Vani : A saga of Mystery and Love

Plans

Veer and Bani stood before the sage of Cheel Lok.

"Markaat ka shraap gehra hai," the sage said, his voice echoing in the shrine's stone chamber. "Usse harane ka raasta Tripura Parvat ke log jaante hain. Wahan ke prachin cheel Markaat ke itihaas aur uski kamiyo ka gyaan rakhte hain."

Thanking the sage they left the house of sage.

Bani frowned, her sharp features darkened with suspicion. "Hum unpar kaise vishwas karein? Yeh tumhare log hain, Veer, mere nahi."

Veer glanced at her, a glint of amusement in his stormy eyes. "Relax, sweetheart .Unka koi agenda nahi hai, jaise tumhara. Woh Switzerland ki tarah neutral hain." He smirked. "Aur waise bhi, tumhe unhe trust karne ki zarurat nahi. Sirf mujhe karo."

Bani’s lips tightened, her eyes narrowing. "Zyada overconfident mat ho, Veeranshu."

The sage interrupted their banter, his voice grave. "Yaad rahe, Tripura Parvat ki yatra tumhare rishte ki pareeksha legi. Sirf ekta mein tum Markaat ka samna kar paoge."

Bani muttered under her breath, "Rishte? Koi rishta nahi hai."

Veer’s smirk deepened. "Abhi nahi hai. Par hoga."

*****

Mayuri and Jai stand over a map, Shukla lurking in the shadows.

Mayuri tapped her nails against the table explaining what she got to know from her minions about Veeranshu and Bani searching everywhere for Maarkat's information.

Jai grinned, his eyes gleaming with malice. "Kuch nahi kar payenge dono milke bhi. Aur maine Jo socha hai unke liye vo guess bhi nahi kar payenge."

"Kya socha hai?" Mayuri asked with curiosity.

Jai pulled out a small bottle filled with a dark liquid. "Yeh zeher Veer ke cheel shaktiyon ko khatam kar dega. Ek baar woh kamzor ho gaya, toh hamla asaan ho jayega."

Mayuri smirked. "Aur Bani? Woh humare raste mein aa gayi toh?"

"Usse sambhalna tumhara kaam hai," Jai said, leaning back. "Usse raste se tum bhatka dena."

Mayuri nodded ,"Fine ."

As Mayuri left, Shukla stepped closer to Jai, his voice low and reverent. "Markaat se salah leni chahiye."

Jai nodded. "Mandir chalo. Aaj Markaat humse baat karega."

******
At  temple hidden deep in the forest. Statues of serpents and eagles intertwined in battle decorate the walls.

Jai and Shukla stood before the towering statue of Markaat, its eyes glinting with an unnatural red glow. The air was thick with the scent of incense and something darker, metallic.

Shukla began chanting an ancient mantra of markaat.

The statue’s eyes glowed brighter, and a deep, guttural voice emerged from the stone.

"Jai, tumne mujhe phir se kyun bulaya hai?" Markaat’s voice rumbled, shaking the ground beneath their feet.

"Mahaan Markaat," Jai said, bowing deeply. "Veeranshu aur Aadinaagin humare liye khatra bante ja rahe hain. Humein batayein, unka vinaash kaise karein?"

Markaat chuckled darkly. "Murkh. Veeranshu aur Aadinaagin ki taqat iss jagat se pare hai. Par ek raasta hai… kismat ko todne ka."

"Kya raasta hai?" Shukla asked eagerly.

Markaat’s voice turned icy. "Unhe mere paas le aao. Sirf tabhi main unka ant kar sakta hoon."

Jai frowned. "Par aap toh Kaal Lok mein hain. Aap yahan kaise aa sakte hain?"

Markaat growled. "Mujhe azaad karna mushkil hai namumkin nahi meri sena kuch na kuch kar hi legi."

Jai’s sinister smile spread across his face.

*******

Veer  watched  Bani pace back and forth. Her frustration was palpable, her movements sharp and restless.

"Tripura Parvat where only cheels love," she muttered

Veer chuckled, his voice low and teasing. "Bani, my people won't hurt you if I am with you . Tomorrow, we face the mountain. Tripura Parvat isn't just a place; it's a challenge. And if anyone’s ready for a challenge, it’s us."

Bani gave him a sharp look. “What if the place has traps”

Veer’s eyes glinted with determination. “Trap or not, we’re going to make it. Together.”

Bani narrowed her eyes, still unsure about trusting him completely. But his words... his confidence... she couldn’t deny the weight they carried. It was the first time in a while that she felt something other than doubt.

“You think you’re ready for what’s up there?” Bani asked, her voice steady but with a hint of challenge.

Veer laughed softly, stepping closer, the air between them crackling with energy. “I was born ready. But I like that you’re testing me.”

He leaned in just enough for her to feel his presence, but Bani didn’t flinch. Instead, she held her ground. “We’re not in this together by choice. But the moment we get to that mountain, we need to be in sync. No distractions.”

His smile didn’t falter. “No distractions, huh?” He took a step back, “We’ll see about that. But one thing’s for sure—when we reach that mountain, we’re not coming back until we have all the answers.”

Bani paused, eyes softening for a moment as she looked at him. “If we make it out alive.”

Veer met her gaze, the smirk slowly fading. “When we make it out. We’re not just any two people. We’re the ones who will defeat Markaat. And nothing—nothing—is going to stop us.”

His words hung in the air, powerful and resolute.

“Let’s make it happen,” Bani replied, her voice filled with a quiet fire.

**************