Vishwa and the others stood frozen, mouths agape, their eyes wide with shock as they processed the bewildering sight of Mina vanishing into thin air. The stillness of the forest was palpable until Neel shattered it with a voice laced with concern. “Is she dead?”

In an unexpected twist, Mina's voice rang through the trees, sharp and clear, startling them all. “Who are you calling dead, you idiot?” Her tone was a mix of annoyance and bravado, cutting through their shock.

Kiran, yelled back, “Where are you, Mina?” Her voice echoed, reflecting the desperation and confusion of the moment.

Mina’s laughter danced through the branches above them. “You guys can't see me! That's strange.” She took a moment to consider their expressions. ‘Their reaction doesn’t seem to indicate that they witnessed what I went through during my test. That’s fortunate; otherwise, Missy’s true identity could have been revealed.’ With a hint of triumph in her voice, she explained, “I guess I have passed the test successfully. This is the final challenge. I can see the teachers in the distance, and twenty transparent water bubbles are lined up in a neat row. You guys are trapped inside one of them.”

A wave of relief washed over Vishwa as he let out a deep sigh. “That’s good. Can you tell us what the test was like on your side?”

Mina hesitated, pondering her words carefully. “Umm, how should I say this?” The pause felt heavy as everyone waited with bated breath. “Ah yes! Just be true to yourself, and you will pass,” she finally concluded.

Neel frowned, deeply perplexed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Go figure it out yourself,” Mina retorted playfully, her tone lightening the mood slightly. “I died inside, but it had no external effects.”

Trusting her assurance, Kiran approached the woman-shaped tree. As she touched it, her eyes fluttered open to reveal her grandfather standing before her. “Kiran, do you remember the story of the Demon invasion I told you about?” he asked, nostalgia clear in his eyes.

“Yes, because of it, all the silver-haired citizens were killed in the Mauryan Kingdom, and the previous king died while defending against the demons,” Kiran replied, her mind racing with memories. ‘This feels like the conversation we had right before I left for the Mauryan Kingdom to study. Let’s see what this illusion is testing me for. Mina said to stay true to myself, hmm...’

“Right, there’s a boy who survived that catastrophe. He’s being looked after by your Aunt Alka—the current Queen of the Mauryan Kingdom. I want you to befriend him,” her grandfather instructed, a serious look settling on his face.

Kiran's eyes brightened with enthusiasm. “I will do as you say, grandfather! Where is he? I’ll share all my toys and sweets with him!” Her excitement was infectious.

Her grandfather, however, shook his head gently. “You have to join Gurukul in the Mauryan Kingdom under your aunt's protection. You like to study, don’t you, my child?”

“Do I really have to leave you, Grandfather?” Kiran asked, a sense of dread creeping in.

He nodded solemnly, and with a reluctant sigh, Kiran muttered, “Okay.”

As the scene played out again, looping like a stubborn melody, Kiran felt trapped in a cycle. “Do I really have to leave you, Grandfather?” she repeated, feeling the weight of the words.

Once more, her grandfather nodded, his expression unwavering.

‘The last time I agreed, and now it’s repeating itself. I don’t want to leave my grandfather alone in this empty mansion, but how can I go against his wishes?’ With trepidation creeping into her heart, Kiran finally said, “I don’t want to go there,” before bolting out of the room. ‘Sorry, grandfather, but I have to pass this test.’

Mina, watching Kiran flee, couldn’t help but shout after her, “You old man! What did you do this time to scare her like this? I will not forgive you!” And with that, she took off in pursuit of her friend, determined to bring Kiran back from the brink of uncertainty.

On Gagan’s side, the morning began with a rude awakening as a series of loud bangs echoed through the door, jolting him from his sleep. Groggy and disoriented, he stumbled out of bed and swung the door open, revealing the imposing figure of his older brother standing there, his expression twisted in irritation. “You useless thing,” his brother barked, “Father has a task for you. Go and meet him in his chamber.”

Feeling the frustration boil within him, Gagan clenched his fist tightly and, in an instant of defiance, threw a punch at his brother. The impact was swift and startling; his brother vanished as if he had been nothing more than a mirage. Gagan stood there momentarily stunned, then he retracted his fist and a grin spread across his face. “This is fantastic, I can do what I want here,” he thought, a sense of freedom coursing through him.

Determined to comply with his father’s demand, Gagan made his way through the corridors toward the royal chamber. As he approached, the heavy door swung open on its own, revealing a scene of gravity. Inside, several high-ranking officials were gathered around an ornate table, deep in discussion with his father. Gagan stealthily positioned himself in the corner, patiently biding his time until he was called upon, eager to grasp the weight of the conversation.

One of the officials spoke up, his voice dripping with deference, “Your Majesty, I also think your idea is great. Let's get this into motion.” Hearing this, Gagan’s father, King Suraj, nodded in agreement. Turning his gaze toward Gagan, he beckoned him forward. Gagan stepped into the room with his head lowered, addressing the gathering in a hushed tone, “Greetings, everyone.”

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

King Suraj began to explain the complications that had long plagued their kingdom. “You know we have feuds with the Mauryan Kingdom for over a decade, but do you know why that is the case?” he inquired, his eyes locked onto Gagan’s.

Gagan swallowed hard, feeling the heat of shame wash over him as he replied, “I’m ashamed I don’t know that, father.”

“The last King of the Mauryan Kingdom was my close friend, and I believe he was murdered. Since that grim event, the relationship between our two kingdoms has deteriorated immensely, impacting everything from our business dealings to trade agreements,” King Suraj elaborated, casting a glance at an officer seated nearby.

The officer rose to his feet, ready to continue the king’s narrative. “For ten years, our Chalukyan Kingdom has endured a one-sided assault, all out of respect for the last King. However, we’ve reached our limit and enacted multiple offensives against the Mauryan Kingdom.” He paused, fixing Gagan with an intense stare. “Your task is to infiltrate one of their Gurukuls and unearth the truth about the events surrounding the last King's death through the noble's children.”

Another officer interjected, “I know you are ostracised here due to your water magic, but as a Prince, you must understand the significance of fire and earth magic for our people.”

King Suraj’s tone turned stern, “You’ve built an army under the radar and executed various operations for the benefit of our citizens. I trust you will not disappoint me. Consider this a punishment for your previous mischief.”

Gagan’s thoughts spiralled as he scoffed internally, ‘Aren’t you effectively telling me to go and risk my life with my team in another Kingdom?’ Nevertheless, he nodded in agreement, a smirk creeping onto his face as he departed. ‘You’ve never treated me as equals, yet now you expect my respect. Just wait and see what I’m capable of.’

As he moved down the corridor, a nagging thought interrupted his flow. ‘Hold on, why am I still here? What task did I need to complete? It’s just a memory of mine.’ Confusion washed over him as he followed the familiar hallway back to his room.

Turning to the right, a realisation hit him. ‘Don’t tell me I have to speak with her.’ He shook his head to dispel the thought and moved past a grand door, making his way to his chamber. Upon entering, a loud knock echoed from the door behind him. He opened it once more, and to his dismay, it was his brother again. “You useless thing, father has a task for you. Go and meet him in his chamber.”

Gagan clenched his fist once again and struck out, watching as his brother vanished into thin air yet again. “As much as I relish hitting you, I don’t have time for this,” he muttered, contemplating the upcoming conversation with her.

The familiar sequence played out once more as he faced the imposing door again. Hesitating, he knocked softly, and a maid answered promptly, allowing him to enter the chamber quietly. He settled onto the plush couch as the maid poured tea for him. “Where is she?” he inquired, impatience seeping into his voice.

“Your Highness,” the maid replied, “I have informed Her Majesty. She should be here soon.” Lowering her voice, she added, “She was very happy with your arrival.”

Gagan shot a glare at the maid, who quickly silenced herself. Moments later, his mother, the second Queen of the Chalukyan Kingdom, entered the room. Her eyes sparkled with delight upon seeing her son, although she maintained her regal composure as she took a seat on the central couch in the visitation room.

Breaking the tension, Gagan stood up, summoning his courage. “Mo.. ahem! Mother, I am leaving for the Mauryan Kingdom under father’s orders,” he announced, his voice steady.

His mother acknowledged him with a faint smile, her voice smooth yet layered with implication. “It was a surprise for me when you visited, but nonetheless, thank you for informing me.” There was a subtleness to her words, indicating her understanding of the tension that must have accompanied his decision to come here.

“Sure.” Gagan responded curtly, a hint of frustration creeping into his tone. With that, he turned and exited the room, the air thick with unspoken thoughts. He swiftly found himself at the side of Kiran and Mina. “This test is horrible; it makes you do things you don't want to do,” he grumbled in annoyance.

Kiran nodded in agreement, but Mina, ever the pragmatist, narrowed her eyes and countered, “Really, I didn’t think my task was that bad. If given a choice, I will do the same.”

Gagan pondered her words, reflecting, ‘It truly makes your inner desires surface.’ His gaze drifted towards the other water bubbles surrounding them, “We need to hurry up; other teams are catching onto us,” he urged, the pressure of competition pressing on his mind.

Hearing the desperation in Gagan's voice, Neel felt compelled to move forward, stepping up to the woman-shaped tree. A moment later, his vision changed to the gritty streets of the slums, two days after his mother’s death. The bitter reality hit him hard: he faced a heart-wrenching choice—to succumb to despair alongside his sister or to muster the strength to find a way for them to survive.

As he and his sister sat on the pavement, lost in their grief and hunger, a merchant approached, his figure contrasting sharply with the squalor around them. “Do you guys want food?” he asked, his voice slick and inviting.

Neel’s internal monologue sparked to life, recalling the worst decision he had made in his past. He remembered how he had ignored the warning signs of his mind, thinking he could trust this man, only to find himself trapped in a life of hard labour in the mines for a year. “Sir, you look wealthy. We would like to work for you, but please give us food first; we haven't eaten for two days,” he replied, masking his apprehension with politeness.

“Of course, look, I have already brought food for you guys,” the merchant said, producing a modest pile of bread and fruit.

His sister’s eyes lit up, a small beacon of hope amidst their despair. “Brother, can we eat this much food?” she asked, her innocence shining through the shadow of their situation.

“Yes, we can. He is offering this food to us. So eat to your heart's content,” Neel reassured her gently, masking his own turmoil. Internally, he strategised, ‘I remember some guards are about to patrol this area; he will hide when they come. That’s when we will run.’

As predicted, the scenario unfolded just as he remembered. “Kids, follow me to that alley; it’s not safe here,” the merchant beckoned, a feigned urgency in his tone.

“Why are you in a hurry, sir? Let us eat first,” Neel replied respectfully, biding his time.

“Okay then, eat fast; I’ll be back over there,” the merchant said, darting towards another alleyway with an air of impatience.

Seizing the opportunity, Neel swiftly gathered all the food and, grabbing his sister's hand, bolted towards the public transportation station. ‘It might be fake but this time, I will not let my sister and myself suffer in those mines for a year,’ he thought, determination propelling them forward. They managed to sneak into the back of a wagon, hoping to escape unnoticed.

“Brother, where are we going?” his sister asked, her brow furrowed in confusion, innocence still clinging to her voice.

Neel rested his palm gently on her head, offering a reassuring smile. “To a place where you will have a lot of friends to play with,” he replied, infusing their perilous journey with a glimmer of hope for a brighter future.