𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕃𝕒𝕞𝕡 𝕠𝕗 𝔻𝕦𝕣𝕪𝕠𝕕𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕒

Ch.23

Aiden and the others looked back to Sage Vyasa. With Aru gone it was as if Aiden was the alpha leader now. He looked back at his team, and their faces alone told them their answer to the Sage's offer. He looked up to the Sage once again, and agreed to his offer.

" Pandavas beware. The answer you seek shall not come easy. It will have twists and turns like never before. Secrets of the mind shall be spilled as a price. Are you sure you wish to embark on this journey?" Sage Vyasa informed them.

Aiden nodded to him, his arms limp, although he was slightly intimidated by the 'Secrets of the mind,' as a price. He gulped, unsuccessfully hiding his fear. The Sage smiled, though this smile was knowing, fearful, and...concerned.

The Sage continued, "Then, Pandavas, the safest way to get there is to find the Tunnel of Sunrise. It is the safest gateway to the palace. The Tunnel of Sunrise ironically opens up at night, in a very dark area. You will see what I mean once you get there. As a price to enter, you must give a droplet of your blood, in order for the gate to know that you are of Divine Soul. You may start your journey tomorrow. For now I implore you, eat, drink water, and rest. You have a small but difficult journey ahead of you. Not difficult for the body, but difficult for the mind. If you are still sane by the time you leave, then the world will hopefully be saved," with that, Sage Vyasa went inside, probably conjuring up some rice for everyone to eat.

Mini and the others thought nothing of the warning since they were used to almost going insane, but Aiden was perplexed. He didn't want to go insane; he didn't want to tell his secrets to anyone, but the world was at stake. Aru was at stake. He decided to choose if and when he got to Lord Surya, and he went inside to join the Sage and the others(who had already left him to think).

~~

In the morning, the teens and half-snake, woke up only to find Sage Vyasa meditating under a Bonsai tree near the ashram. They sat by his feet until he opened his eyes. The unearthly smile Grace-d(lol the puns again -Trips) his features as it usually did as the children paid their respects. They insisted on giving him the Gurudakshana

( payment to the teacher) of the most prized possession they had with them. This was for his hospitality.

Nikita gave him her sketchbook. Sheela gave him the clip one of her foster brothers gave her, though she gave it to him with a heavy heart. The Sage gave Sheela a sad smile, but accepted the gift. Rudy gave the Sage his Sleeping Ruby. It was a jewel that helped him fall asleep, a gift given to him by an old friend. Mini gave the Sage a figurine of a book that her mother gave her. Brynne gave him her apron with tears in her eyes. Finally, Aiden gave the Sage something he deemed very precious to him. It was a necklace. Aru had gotten it for him on his birthday, before they got together. It was his favorite gift, since she tried so hard to find it. It was limited edition and was released by one of top jewelry makers in their town. Aru put her whole allowance into it. He gave it to the Sage, not letting the tears that threatened to come out, well, come out.

The Pandavas paid their respects to the Sage once more and left the ashram(they used Karen to create a portal that was close to the Tunnel of Sunrise) with heavy but determined hearts. They were going to the Tunnel of Sunrise, and even if they didn't have their prized possessions with them, they were happy. Do you want to know why? It was because, after all of this was over, they would finally be free to be themselves. No more death defying quests. No more freeing corrupted souls. No more losing the people they loved. So yeah, they were determined to finish this quest, even if it meant losing a part of themselves in the process.