Meeting the 'Paradox' - or...?

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-"Beware Maharshi, don't go too close! This could be dangerous." Ashtabasu warned him from behind.

In return Maharshi waved his hand to assure everybody behind; then he put some more steps forward cautiously. Nothing unusual happened so far, what if he moves a little more forward?

The real show began when Maharshi Valmiki moved some more steps forward to the 'vehicle' defying the hesitation he had. At first, it feels like the temperature is little increased; then he gradually realised that his legs are stuck! In the end, he realised that he was caught in the trap of an unseen cobweb voluntarily. Neither he is able to move his arms or legs, nor even he can call in for help to his disciples standing behind! He is completely captivated or entrapped into something invisible!

His disciples behind too felt for something bizarre; but when they tried to move forward, they could not move an inch! It seemed like some sort of heat emission from an unknown source burning them out to their bones; to get rid of it the only remedy is to step backward. What should they do now?

When everybody stood perplexed, Maharshi Valmiki is almost out of his senses, suddenly it seemed like a vent or a door like something in the vessel opened and a sound reverberated to their ears-

-"Aha! Maharshi Valmiki? Is that you? Aah, sorry! Let me fix that for you-"

(Later on, when Ashtabasu was asked about describing this first encounter he described it as – "when the vent or the door of the vessel opened it has a close resemblance to something very natural, like, as if an alligator wide opens its mouth; the vent or the door opening seemed alike to me!")

Slowly the ambience returned to normalcy. Gradually Maharshi realised that his normal physical strength is restored; temperature cools down to the normal state; there's no more breadth-taking situation as it was seemed to be moments earlier. Everything is perfect!

-"Sorry for all these unnecessary suffering you had. How are you now, Maharshi Valmiki?" – The stranger asked now.

-"It would rather be meaningful if you asked 'How were you!'" – Maharshi Valmiki replied the stranger while rubbing his own nape – "Anyway, everybody bow to him; this is Maharshi Markendeya. And Maharshi, these are my three followers and apprentices. I have personally selected them as per your instruction."

-"I haven't gained such wisdom yet to 'instruct' you Maharshi Valmiki. I might become popular later with my mere mortal name; but my own name shall forever be unspoken, unsung, untold! This is a destiny designed for me. But you... let's leave the topic now! No need to talk about the future, we are all the sons of present continuous events, isn't it?"

In these moments between the conversations of two wise and senior sages, the rest of the people there had a quick closer look on Maharshi Markendeya. There seemed to be nothing special in him to be marked as 'Paradox' or something like that; instead, they spotted a very gentle, humble and aged person reflected on him who much matches with someone from the neighbourhoods. Three disciples had a quick exchange of glances with each other; was Maharshi Valmiki right about Maharshi Markendeya?

-"...come inside please; have some time spent with us Maharshi." – Maharshi Markendeya invited them all now to step into the 'vessel'.

-"' Us'?"

-"' Kaalatit' himself wants to talk to you. I have the responsibility to make it sure you meet."

Ashtabasu noticed that Maharshi Valmiki got both serious and cautious right after hearing this name. Who is 'Kaalatit'?

-"But where is he? I heard his name for ages; where is he now?"- Maharshi Valmiki asked.

-"Come, please step into our vessel first. It is twilight now. Nocturnal beasts crawl around the place the more the night goes denser. Come, let's have some conversation inside."

-"So, I made no mistake then..." – Ashtabasu keeps thinking in mind while he moves to the vessel with the others – "This is a vehicle indeed. But he mentioned it as 'vessel'. It means a 'ship' as generally we mean a ship by it in our local term. What kind of ship is it? The coastline is miles away distant from here, no connecting river within; moreover, this place is atop the hill! Then how comes this ship is here with such erected posture?"- While thinking all about this bizarre incident Ashtabashu entered into the vehicle.

No one followed it up that after they had entered into the vessel, the entrance to it was closed at once.

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