The group continued their exploration of the city, which seemed frozen in an ancient Indian era. The people went about their daily lives with an air of calm, seemingly oblivious to the tensions that had plagued their history.
Arjuna and Bhima were deep in conversation about their past when Ritsuka noticed an elderly man watching them with curiosity. He had a wise, weathered face and a calm demeanor. Ritsuka approached him, hoping to gather more information about this alternate timeline.
Ritsuka introduced himself and asked, "Can you tell us about this city and its history?"
The elderly man looked at Ritsuka and then at Arjuna and Bhima. "This city has long been a place of peace, untouched by the great war you speak of. Our history was rewritten, but we remember the legends and the gods who shaped our world."
Arjuna's eyes narrowed. "The legends speak of a great conflict—the Mahabharata. Did it not occur here?"
The old man shook his head slowly. "The war did happen, but it was as if the fabric of our history was altered. The heroes of the past are now seen differently. Many of our people believe that the Pandavas were not the saviors but the villains."
Bhima frowned. "But we fought for righteousness. How could our legacy be twisted so?"
The man sighed. "Suryodhana, the Kaurava king, had powerful allies who manipulated the narrative. They turned the tale in their favor, casting you in a negative light. The true story was lost to time and propaganda."
Kadoc, who had been listening intently, added, "So, this Lostbelt altered history to portray you as villains. But why maintain peace here if it was all a lie?"
The old man shrugged. "The peace we have is a fragile illusion. It's maintained by those who benefit from the false narrative. But the truth remains buried."
Arjuna and Bhima exchanged worried glances. "If the truth is hidden, it means there's a deeper corruption at work. We need to uncover it to restore our true legacy," Arjuna said.
Ritsuka nodded in agreement. "Let's investigate further. We need to understand how deep this alteration goes and find a way to correct it."
As the group continued their investigation, they noticed that some citizens seemed wary of them, whispering among themselves. Ritsuka approached a few individuals, trying to gauge their reactions.
One woman, looking around nervously, finally spoke. "There are rumors of a powerful figure who controls the narrative. They say this person has immense influence and ensures that the truth about the past remains hidden."
Ritsuka's interest piqued. "Do you know who this person is?"
The woman hesitated before answering, "It's said that this figure is closely connected to the royal family, someone with the power to manipulate both history and perception."
The group realized that their next step was to investigate the royal palace and uncover the truth behind this enigmatic figure. With a sense of determination, they headed towards the palace, prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
Inside the palace, they found themselves in a grand hall adorned with tapestries depicting various historical events. The air was heavy with a sense of grandeur and secrecy. They were greeted by the palace guards and led to an audience chamber where they were introduced to the current ruler, a regal figure who radiated authority.
The ruler, upon learning of their arrival, welcomed them with a mixture of curiosity and caution. "I understand you have questions about our history and your place in it."
Ritsuka stepped forward, his voice steady. "We have learned that the narrative of the past has been distorted. We seek the truth and wish to correct the injustices done to our legacy."
The ruler's expression remained unreadable. "The truth is a delicate thing. What you seek might disrupt the peace we have cultivated."
Bhima spoke up. "Peace built on lies is not true peace. We must set things right, not only for ourselves but for the future of this land."
The ruler considered their words carefully. "Very well. I will grant you access to our archives. But be warned, uncovering the truth might come with consequences."
With the ruler's permission, the group was led to the palace archives, where they began their search for the hidden truths. As they delved into ancient records and scrolls, they uncovered evidence of the manipulation of historical events and the deliberate suppression of certain facts.
Their findings pointed to a network of influential figures who had shaped the narrative to serve their interests. Among them was a shadowy figure who had orchestrated the distortion of history for personal gain.
Realizing the gravity of their discovery, the group prepared to confront this hidden manipulator and reveal the truth to the people. The challenge ahead would test their resolve and courage as they fought to restore their rightful place in history and bring justice to those who had been wronged.
As the group left the palace, Kama voiced her frustration. "This situation is baffling. I can't believe the ruler's story. If altering a single event can create such a divergence, it should be classified as a Lostbelt."
Mash agreed, adding, "Yes, this doesn't fit the typical Lostbelt pattern. The closest comparison might be Charlemagne's Lostbelt."
Ophelia chimed in, "Even Charlemagne's Lostbelt was a paradox. This one doesn't seem to fit that description."
Aozkai nodded. "A Lostbelt is usually a timeline where a ruler who should have perished continues to rule, leading to a dead timeline. This situation doesn't align with that concept."
Ritsuka sighed, clearly frustrated. "Yeah, this is confusing. We need to dig deeper to understand what's really going on here."
The group decided to explore the city further to gather more information. As they walked through the bustling streets, they observed the peaceful life of the citizens, but they also noticed subtle signs of tension and unease among them.
They came across a local historian in a small, quiet corner of the city. The historian was an elderly woman with a keen intellect and a deep understanding of the city's history. Ritsuka approached her, hoping she could shed light on the peculiarities they had encountered.
"Excuse me," Ritsuka began, "we're trying to understand the history of this city and why it seems so different from what we know. Can you help us?"
The historian looked up from her books and studied them carefully. "I've heard whispers of outsiders questioning our history. What is it you seek to know?"
Mash spoke up. "We're trying to understand the nature of this city and why it doesn't align with the Lostbelt patterns we're familiar with."
The historian's eyes narrowed. "This city is unique. It was indeed influenced by powerful forces that rewrote its history, but not in the way a traditional Lostbelt would."
Ophelia asked, "Could you explain more about these influences and the nature of the changes?"
The historian sighed. "Long ago, there was a struggle for power among various factions. One faction sought to preserve their legacy by altering historical records. They wanted to create a new narrative where they were seen as the rightful rulers, suppressing the truth about their adversaries."
Ritsuka nodded thoughtfully. "So, the changes are more about historical revisionism rather than a complete timeline divergence."
"Exactly," the historian confirmed. "The city is a reflection of that revised history. It's not a dead timeline but a living one shaped by propaganda and deception."
Arjuna looked at the historian. "Is there a way to uncover the original history and reveal the truth?"
The historian smiled. "The truth is hidden in the archives and in the memories of the old. You'll need to dig deep into the forgotten records and speak with those who remember the past."
Kadoc then looked at the Historian. "Wait how do you know about the lostbelt".
The historian took in her coffee. "Will simple what else should I call this timeline"
Kama looked at her, her eyes narrowing. "You said timeline, what do you mean by that".
The historian then spoke. "Simple I not from the Lostbetk I have been just calling it that, especially after what I have learned about it".
Kadoc just looked at her. "Wait don't tell your from".
The historian looked at them. "Proper human history yes".
Ritsuka looked baffled. "How, how are you here".
The historian then spoke. "Same you I clipped to the ground and came here".
The group just Hurd that went away, as For Ritsuka be was panicking as having Flash Back of the 6th lostbelt aka Fairy Britain before the reset, and how people and items from Proper human history went there, Ritsuka was panicking like never before.
As Ritsuka's panic escalated, recalling the traumatic events of the 6th Lostbelt, Kama noticed his distress. She stepped forward, her face a mix of concern and resolve.
Without hesitation, Kama moved to Ritsuka's side and placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "Ritsuka, calm down. Panicking won't help us."
Ritsuka looked up, his eyes wide with fear. "But if people from Proper Human History are being pulled into these Lostbelts or altered timelines, that means—"
Kama cut him off. "We don't know the full picture yet. We need to stay focused and figure out how to handle this situation. We've faced worse."
The reassurance helped to stabilize Ritsuka, though he remained visibly shaken. The group gathered their composure and refocused on the task at hand. The historian's revelation added a new layer of complexity to their mission, but they knew they had to push forward.
Kama glanced at the others, making sure they were ready. "We need to investigate further and understand why this historian is here and how it connects to our objectives."
Ritsuka took a deep breath and nodded, steeling himself for the challenges ahead. "Alright, let's continue. We need to uncover more about this timeline and the truth behind the manipulation."
Kadoc looked at Ritsuka. "Chill dude, it is not like we are going to be fighting Cernunnos in this Lostbelt plus there is a British lostbelt in this reset as well, so yeah don't worry we will fight him later".
Ritsuka then went it ball, as he remebers the Celtic God that almost killed in the previous timeline, as Mash, Ophelia and Kama just looked at Kadoc.
Mash just glared at Kadoc. "Congratulations Kadoc you made our boyfriend go full panic, PTSD mode".
Kadoc, taken aback by Mash's sharp glare, held up his hands defensively. "Hey, I was just trying to lighten the mood. Didn't mean to trigger anything."
Ritsuka took a moment to calm himself, breathing deeply as he tried to push past the distressing memories of Cernunnos. He met Mash's concerned eyes and managed a strained smile. "Thanks for the reminder, Kadoc. I'll try to keep it together."
Mash's expression softened as she saw Ritsuka's effort to regain control. "We're all in this together. Let's focus on our current situation."
Ophelia, sensing the tension, stepped in with a calming presence. "We need to understand the implications of the historian's presence and how it affects our mission. Let's not get sidetracked by past events."
The group nodded in agreement, refocusing their efforts. The historian's appearance was a critical piece of the puzzle they needed to solve, and they needed to handle it with care.
The team continued their investigation, with Mash and Kama keeping a close eye on Ritsuka, ensuring he stayed grounded. Kadoc, feeling the weight of his earlier comment, resolved to be more mindful of the group's emotional state as they pressed forward in their quest.
Bhima's question hung in the air as Arjuna, Rama, and Sita considered the implications.
Arjuna furrowed his brow. "Yes, we do. In our mythology, there are several deities connected to nature and the earth. Why do you ask?"
Rama nodded in agreement. "Indeed, we have deities like Prithvi (Earth) and Varuna (Water), among others. Their powers are crucial for maintaining balance in the natural world."
Sita looked thoughtful. "If this Lostbelt is as disrupted as it seems, it might be worth seeking out these deities. They could provide insights or assistance, given their roles in nature and the cosmos."
Ritsuka, now somewhat composed, joined the discussion. "It makes sense. If there's a disturbance in the natural order, these deities might be aware of or even involved in what's happening here."
Kadoc, still processing the new information, added, "If they are involved, they might have their own agendas or be affected differently. It's worth considering their perspectives."
Arjuna and Bhima exchanged glances. "We should seek out these deities," Arjuna said. "Their guidance could be invaluable in understanding the nature of this Lostbelt and finding a solution."
Sita then spoke. "But if we are going to fight a pure god of Nature that would be Aranyani".
The momern sits said that, Ritsuka just layed on the floor ready to die, Kadoc just looked at him.
Kadoc looking at his Best friend spoke. "What are you doing".
Ritsuka looked at him wait a face that says kill me. "Ready to meet god again"
Kadoc raised an eyebrow at Ritsuka's dramatic display. "Come on, it's not like we're guaranteed to fight Aranyani. And if we do, we'll have a plan. Besides, you've faced worse, right?"
Ritsuka groaned, playing along with the joke. "Sure, but there's always a new level of 'Oh no' in every Lostbelt."
Sita chuckled at the exchange. "Well, at least we'll have some powerful allies on our side. But let's not jump to conclusions. We should first see if Aranyani or any other nature deities are involved."
Rama nodded. "Exactly. Let's gather more information before we prepare for a showdown."
With the tension slightly eased by the light-hearted banter, the group set off with renewed determination to seek out the deities of nature and unravel the mysteries of the Lostbelt.
To be continued
Hope people like this Ch and give me power stones