Sidharth woke on the river bank alone in a cold dark night. The fog had covered the whole area but the moon was still clearly visible, he could see his own breath because of cold, and fear making the situation worst. Again: he thought while shivering, he was wearing an army type lower and black inner (his night dress), he was busy in thinking when suddenly he saw a figure emerging from the river and slowly floating toward him. the figure seemed to be a man in black regs, his face covered with his hairs, literally flying toward Sidharth. his heart started to jackhammer in his ribs. The cold increasing as he was coming closer. Sidharth started to run. In the haze, he was trying hard to reach the highway but the way didn't seem to end. He stopped with a shock when he found himself again in front of the dark shape. He tried to run back, but this time he fell on his hips. The dark figure landed on his feet and took some steps toward Sidharth who was dragging himself backwards. When he came closer Sidharth saw his face. His long grey hairs were like the thin jute ropes, and he had a long beard which was badly sticking. He had pure white eyes without irises. His forehead was covered with white ash. 'get up, my servant' said the man in a hoarse voice. Sidharth skin crawled when he listened to the voice. He tried to speak but fear clogged his throat. His body was pearlized. The man rose his hand and Sidharth's body flew from the floor. And he finds himself face to face with the sorcerer. His body rejected his commands, the only thing which seemed to be working, was his eyes and his heart which was thudding lauder and lauder. The sorcerer grabs his head and with his one hand and immediately Sidharth fully opened his mouth and took a deep breath, his eyes seemed to be filling with black liquid and then everything went black.
Next day they spent, gathering the things they need. Rajveer managed to bring three rods. They were gathering those things in Aditya's car. When Rajveer came with the rods, Aditya told him every think his brother told him about the Mantrik, his previous life, about Sidharth possession and what he thinks about the death on the river, Aditya was sure that the Mantrik had killed the poor fisherman, he was thinking perhaps, the fisherman had found the bottle in which the Mantrik was, and opened it. Aditya told Rajveer that if what he was thinking is true, then they have to be double careful. Rajveer assimilates all with a little confusion. His expressions were like: what? hmm-hmm, okay. At that time Sidharth was gone for ropes. Aditya pulled out the thread from his jeans pocket and tied it on Rajveer's arm the same way his brother did. After that Aditya showed him a pocket knife. Rajveer checked it and it was really sharp then they put that with the rods in the car's trunk. After that, they went to search for the lock, which was the most difficult part, they searched in three different markets for it. eventually, they found a lock which was not exactly the same but they have no other choice, till then Sidharth had also brought the rope. The rope was white and about 3 inches in thickness and about 15 feet in length. Rajveer and Aditya were both astonished when they saw Sidharth with the sailing rope. 'how do get it' Aditya asked while checking the rope but Sidharth put the rope in the trunk without answering Aditya's question. Sidharth was looking different today, he was wearing a black hooded zipper with a spider printed on the chest with white colour and a black lower, with the dark spots under his eyes, he was looking like he hadn't slept from days. He was behaving weirdly since this morning, he wasn't laughing which he mostly use to does, even without any reason, he wasn't talking too much which was completely opposite from his personality. Now when Rajveer knew that his friend was under possession, it was hard for him to resist the urge to unwind the thread from his hand and tie that on his hand but Aditya had told him that they had to let it happened it was the only way. If the Mantrik was free from his prison he could easily possess all three and make them do anything, so it was better to let him think that they were doing what he wanted and overturn the game in the end.
'so, when we are' Sidharth asked flatly 'going'
'tonight' Aditya replied 'its Friday and museum is closed today, well that hardly matters but, the sooner the better, right'
'okay, then' Rajveer said 'let's go home and get ready, concoct excuses for the night out'
'we have to get out about 10 p.m then we will wait somewhere for an hour, I think 11 in the night must be fine to sneak in'
And then they went to their homes. After reaching home Rajveer called Pakhi and asked her to come, the back side of her house in an empty street so they can talk. When she came, she was wearing a white top with a black jean, she had left her light brown hairs open (like she always does). Her hairs were a bit curly, her brown eyes had a shade of gold. She had fair and delicate skin, and as she was coming closer a shy smile on her beautiful face increasing her prettiness a hundred times. She was like an American girl who was accidentally born in India. When she came Rajveer took his hands and told her everything. They both shear everything with each other. From little things like taking with someone else to the big one like this. After listening to Rajveer, Pakhi was looking very wistful 'I don't know what are you saying but please don't go' she pleaded
'we have to, we are already in danger' Rajveer insisted 'if we backed up now, it can be dangerous for Sidharth'
'then take me with you' Pakhi said
'no, I can't put you in any risk'
'what about you, if something happened to you'
'I told you because this is the right thing to do and my friend is in danger, I have some responsibilities toward my friends, too'
She slumped down her face, took a deep breath then managed smile 'okay' she nodded.
'that's my girl' Rajveer grinned while cupping her face with his hands
'but no injuries' she finger-said 'or I will kill you' but her voice was less threatening and more like a complaining baby. Because of Rajveer's martial arts, injuries were a very usual thing but Pakhi used to be angry every time Rajveer got hurt, but this was not a wushu tournament. They could be got killed or arrested by the police.
'we will back, safe and unharmed' he promised.
then they said bye and Rajveer came bake to his house.
At 11:30 a grey alto stopped far before the tomb's gate very silently, headlights off as well the engine in a dark street. On the right side of the car was a 7 feet tall wall including the spiky fencing and on left was a factory, at least they thought that as a factory, the wall was about 12 feet high. Rajveer was the first one to get out of the car. He was wearing a black zip-up hooded black sweatshirt and black bag on his shoulders. From the waist down, he was wearing a black Nike lower and shoes, in his one hand was black a metal rod, almost touching the ground. Within a second, he made a quick look around, then he knocked on the door of the car. Sidharth and Aditya got out, both wearing black, Sidharth a black sweatshirt like Rajveer but a white spider printed on his chest, so he was looking like a low budget black Spiderman (in venom suit). Aditya was wearing a black woollen sweater and his head was covered with a black cloth, only his eyes were visible: the hollow man's look. They both have a black metal rod also. They started to move but Aditya stopped them 'if we get caught' he tremored. which was true if someone spotted three hooded men with the rod in hands at this time of night, the person will defiantly call the police. In that case, things could get ugly.
And suddenly the perfect plan was not looking so perfect. from Aditya's voice, Rajveer knows that he was badly shivering and Rajveer was also in the same condition. The only person who was looking fine was Sidharth. he was standing still, facing the way, looking very keen to go in.
'no, we don't' Rajveer said trying to sound brave 'let's get going and if something happens, get separate, we will meet again nearby our car' and Rajveer helped Aditya to climb on the roof of the car, from there Aditya grab metal spike, climbed and jumped to another side. Then after Sidharth, Rajveer climbed the roof and jumped. From there the did their best for not getting noticed, by using every tree and brushes in the park. They were quite sure that nobody had sawed them when they reached the ruin. Rajveer patted on Sidharth shoulder and gestured him to go first. Sidharth obeyed started to climb on the cave's wall. Suddenly a voice came nowhere and Sidharth stopped in his way 'going somewhere?' a strange voice asked when he turned, he saw his friends facing an old man. The old man was wearing a winter cap and blanket over his shoulder, his back was bent and in his one hand, he had a cane. They were scared but more then scared they were wondering how this old man reached so close without getting noticed and one more thoughtful thing was, even if he saw them it was foolish for an old man to came in front of three thieve with rods in hand. 'tell me' the old man said coldly 'what are you doing here or..' 'we.. we are sorry' Aditya said first 'we heard stories about the tomb' 'about ghosts, so we wanted to check' Rajveer joined when he got hint about Aditya's plan 'is it true or not' 'you are lying' the old man said are like two persons speaking together. Aditya and Rajveer sheared a confused look while Sidharth jumped from the wall and ran toward the old man, he was holding his rod like a baseball bat. He would have opened the head of the old man if Aditya and Rajveer didn't stop him. 'what the hell' Rajveer cursed 'are you thinking' 'put the rod down' Aditya ordered 'right now' Sidharth didn't say anything and put the rod on the ground. Even after that, the old man was still standing calm. 'tell me the truth' old man said 'perhaps I can help you boys' Rajveer swallowed and make an eye contact with Aditya who nodded and Rajveer told the old man their real intention in "without Mantrik version".