Rajmahal - Deep within the Palace
Raghav and Karan treaded cautiously through the maze of corridors, the vastness of the palace daunting. The air was thick with an eerie silence, and every shadow seemed alive, watching their every move.
Raghav whispered, "I think we should split up. It'll be faster if we search separately."
Karan frowned but nodded. "How will we know if one of us finds Sakshi?"
Raghav thought for a moment. "We'll use a signal. If either of us finds her, we'll light a small fire with our enchanted stones. That'll be the sign to regroup here."
Karan agreed, though the worry lingered in his eyes. Before they parted ways, Karan unexpectedly pulled Raghav into a tight embrace. "Don't die, my man," he muttered with a grin that didn't quite reach his eyes.
Raghav chuckled, lightly patting Karan's back. "You too. Let's get her and get out of here."
---
Raghav moved swiftly but silently; his senses heightened. After passing by a few empty chambers, he approached a room that felt... different. There were more guards stationed here, standing rigidly like statues, their ghostly armor glowing faintly in the dim light.
Raghav's heart raced. *This must be where Sakshi's being held. *
He quickly scanned the area, formulating a plan. Spying a set of vases on a nearby ledge, he stealthily knocked one by using the hilt of his sword. The shattering sound echoed down the corridor, and as expected, the guards rushed toward the disturbance.
With the path clear, Raghav slipped into the room. His breath caught in his throat—not from relief but from surprise.
It wasn't a prison cell. It was a child's room.
The furnishings were ornate yet innocent, with toys scattered across the floor. And in the center of the room stood a small boy, no older than five, with a soft glow surrounding him. He was dressed in the royal attire of the ghost realm, his emerald-green eyes shimmering with curiosity.
Before Raghav could react, the boy darted toward him with incredible speed, wrapping his small arms around Raghav's legs.
Startled, Raghav quickly composed himself, realizing the child must be from the royal family. He bent down and greeted him like a proper palace guard. "Greetings, young master."
The boy looked up at him, silent, but there was a gentle smile playing on his lips.
Raghav awkwardly scratched his head. *What do I do now? * He wondered. *This boy isn't speaking, and I need to find Sakshi. *
Suddenly, the boy tugged at Raghav's sleeve, gesturing for him to lift him up. "Up, up," he whispered, his voice sweet and soft.
Raghav crouched down to his level and tried to reason with him. "I'm sorry, young master, but I must report to the Princess. I can't carry you right now."
The boy's smile faded slightly, but his eyes remained warm. "Bye," he said softly, stepping back with an innocent wave.
Raghav felt a pang of guilt seeing the boy's saddened expression. He was a child, after all. But there was no time to dwell on it. He needed to stay focused. He knelt down again and showed the boy a rough description of Sakshi, her long blue hair and golden eyes. "Do you know where this woman is? Have you seen her?"
The boy's eyes lit up, and he nodded enthusiastically.
Relief washed over Raghav. "Can you take me to her?"
Without saying a word, the boy began to float in the air, glowing with a soft blue light. Raghav followed as the boy led him through hidden passages within the palace, ones Raghav never would have discovered on his own. Each time a servant or guard approached, the boy raised his hand, emitting a blue light that caused them to fall unconscious instantly.
Raghav marveled at the boy's power. *Who is this child? * His doubts grew, but there was no turning back now. He had to trust the boy.
After what felt like an eternity, they reached the farthest end of the palace. There, behind a heavy iron door, was Sakshi.
---
Reunion
The moment their eyes met; the world stopped.
"Sakshi…" Raghav whispered, his voice breaking as he saw her chained, worn, but alive.
Sakshi's golden eyes shimmered with unshed tears; her relief evident. "Raghav… You came."
Raghav rushed to her side, his hands trembling as he examined the magical chains binding her. They were stronger than any ordinary shackles, pulsing with dark energy. Despite his strength, he couldn't break them.
"Sakshi, I'll get you out of here," Raghav promised, unsheathing his sword. The weapon was engraved with the name of an ancient god, and as he chanted the sacred words, the blade began to glow with golden light.
Just as he was about to strike the chains, the boy stepped forward and grabbed Raghav's hand.
Raghav stared at him, confused. "Child, move aside. I don't want to hurt you."
But the boy stood firm, his grip surprisingly strong. "No," he said softly, his voice filled with an odd sense of authority.
Sakshi, her face pale with urgency, shoved the boy aside. "Raghav, he's not human! Hurry, cut the chains! We need to leave!"
Before Raghav could react, a voice echoed from the shadows, cold and commanding.
"What's happening in my house?"
A chill ran down Raghav's spine. Both he and Sakshi froze as they turned toward the voice. Emerging from the darkness, Princess Nandini stood, her eyes burning with fury and something more dangerous—a deep, unspoken power.
The air in the room grew colder as Nandini stepped closer, her gaze fixed on Raghav.
"You thought you could take what's mine and walk away unscathed?" Her voice was soft but laced with menace.
The boy, now standing next to Nandini, looked up at her with the same innocent smile. "Mama, don't hurt him."
Nandini's eyes flickered to the boy, her expression softening for a brief moment before she turned her deadly focus back to Raghav and Sakshi.
"You shouldn't have come here, Raghav."