Stepping out of the portal, Sam found himself back in the ordinary world. The cool evening air was a stark contrast to the ethereal warmth of Pushp Lok, but it felt refreshing. He looked back at the spot where the portal had been, still amazed by the mystical experience he had just undergone. The lush, expansive fields, the vibrant flowers, and the humming life of Pushp Lok—all of it seemed like a dream.
Sam's mind raced with thoughts about his new inheritance. He felt a sense of duty, excitement, and curiosity about the myriad possibilities that awaited him. As he walked away from the portal's location, he began to process the enormity of what had just happened. He was the owner of a mystical sub-space with boundless potential.
Lost in his thoughts, Sam was startled by a sudden rush of air. He turned just in time to see something emerge from thin air, hurtling toward him at an incredible speed. Instinctively, he tried to dodge, but the object moved faster than his reflexes. It collided with him, and he braced himself for impact.
To his astonishment, there was no pain. Instead, he felt a strange warmth on the back of his hand. Looking down, he saw a delicate flower mark etched into his skin. The flower was intricate, with petals that seemed to shimmer in the fading light. It was royal, elegant, and exuded a sense of timeless beauty.
"What just happened?" Sam muttered, his heart racing. He scanned his surroundings, half-expecting another strange occurrence, but everything seemed calm.
Before his anxiety could take hold, he heard the familiar voice of Pushp, the spirit of Pushp Lok. "Do not be alarmed, Sam Walker."
"Pushp?" Sam asked, both relieved and surprised. "How can you talk to me here? I'm outside of Pushp Lok."
"As the owner of Pushp Lok, I can communicate with you telepathically, no matter where you are," Pushp explained. "Moreover, as an entity similar to artificial intelligence, I can also contact you via electronic devices if necessary, though telepathy is far more efficient."
Sam nodded, his initial shock giving way to curiosity. "What was that thing that flew at me? And what is this mark on my hand?"
"That object was the land deed of Pushp Lok," Pushp replied. "It has now merged with you, symbolized by the flower mark on your hand. This signifies your ownership of Pushp Lok. From now on, you no longer need to return to the specific location where you first entered. You can open a portal to Pushp Lok from any place on this planet."
"Really?" Sam said, the possibilities spinning in his mind. "How do I open the portal?"
"All you need to do is concentrate on the flower mark and command the portal to open. The mark will then create a portal wherever you are."
Sam looked at the flower mark, its intricate petals glowing softly. "This is amazing. I can't believe how much there is to discover about this place."
"There is indeed much to explore, Sam Walker," Pushp said. "Pushp Lok is vast and full of wonders. Your journey has only just begun."
With this new information, Sam felt a surge of excitement. He was eager to explore more of the lands his grandfather had left him. "I should find the next piece of land," he said, pulling out the map. "Pushp, can you guide me to the closest land?"
Sam unfolded the map, expecting it to reveal the locations as it had before. To his surprise, the map was back to its initial state, showing nothing but the original contours and lines.
"What's going on?" Sam wondered aloud. "Why isn't it showing the locations?"
Thinking back to how the map had revealed the lands before, he remembered accidentally piling the deeds on top of it. Maybe that was the key. He took out the remaining deeds and carefully placed them on the map, hoping for the same result.
Minutes passed, and Sam watched the map intently. But nothing happened. The map remained unchanged, its surface blank and unresponsive.
A wave of panic washed over him. "No, no, no," he muttered, his hands trembling. "Why isn't it working?"
He rearranged the deeds, trying different combinations, but the map remained stubbornly blank. His mind raced with fear. What if he couldn't find the other lands? What if Pushp Lok was all he had, and the other properties were lost to him?
Sam's breath quickened, his chest tightening with anxiety. The enormity of the situation pressed down on him, threatening to overwhelm his newfound confidence. He had come so far, and now it felt like everything was slipping away.
He clutched the map, his knuckles white, desperately hoping for a sign, a clue, anything. But the map remained silent, and his panic grew.
The evening air, which had felt refreshing moments ago, now felt cold and foreboding. Sam's thoughts spiraled as he grappled with the sudden uncertainty. The future that had seemed so bright and full of promise now felt precarious and uncertain.
His mind reeled with the weight of the unknown, and he felt a deep sense of fear. "What if I've lost everything?" he whispered to himself, his voice barely audible.
As the last light of day faded, Sam stood alone, his panic a dark cloud over the brilliant horizon of his new world.