As the three sat on the yali, the creature spread its long, golden wings, planted its feet on the ground, and leaped into the air.
The king watched their departure with troubled eyes.
Yali soared through the sky, faster than the wind. Unable to keep up with its speed, Maya's hair whipped around her face.
Yali ascended rapidly, aiming for Trikuta Hill.
The trio felt as if they were in heaven as they flew through the fluffy clouds. They shared the sky with a multitude of birds.
For several minutes, they were captivated by the breathtaking scenery.
Disturbing their silence, Yali spoke.
"Second Prince! I have a question."
"What is it, Yali?"
"Yesterday, you three were alone with Prince Shesha! He returned to the palace after celebrating Vesak with you! How could this have happened to him before dawn? What do you think?"
"Yes, Yali! We were together yesterday! I bought him some 'dhodhol,' and he loved them. We enjoyed many sweets, but my brother didn't eat any! I still don't understand how this happened to him so quickly."
Yali blinked its tired eyes and said in a worried voice, "Oh, my poor Prince!"
Maya listened quietly to their conversation. Then she heard someone singing softly.
Slowly rolling her eyes, she thought, "Whose voice is that?" She turned her head from side to side, but saw no one.
Nisha noticed that Maya, usually so talkative, was unusually quiet today.
"Maya! If you're tired, lean on my shoulder," she offered.
Maya immediately leaned against Nisha, and Nisha gently caressed her cheek with her hand. Tears streamed down Maya's face.
"Don't worry, Maya," Nisha consoled her, assuring her that Prince Shesha would be alright. Maya fell asleep on Nisha's shoulder.
A few hours passed, and Yali gradually slowed its flight.
"Friends! We have reached Trikuta Mountain, home of the Rakshasa clan," Yali announced.
"Maya! Maya! Wake up! We're here!" Nisha gently patted Maya's cheeks.
Maya squinted her eyes as she awoke from a deep sleep. A gentle, cool breeze brushed against her face, dispelling her drowsiness.
She couldn't believe her eyes.
The landscape was lush green, like a vast green cloth spread across the ground. Crystal-clear blue water cascaded down numerous waterfalls. Everywhere they looked, they saw graceful deer and dancing peacocks.
Yali flew towards the falls.
Maya gently touched the water with her long, slender fingers. The beauty of the place stirred a familiar feeling within her, as if she had visited this place before.
This feeling lifted her spirits. A faint smile touched her lips.
After flying a short distance further, Yali gradually slowed down and landed softly on the ground.
"What are you still sitting on me? Get down! My back hurts!" Yali complained.
Rudra jumped down in two swift movements. Nisha and Maya carefully dismounted the yali.
"I'm very tired; I'm going to rest here for a while," Yali said as it staggered towards a tree.
"I'm hungry!" Nisha declared, touching her stomach.
"Wait a minute, Nisha! I'll go find some wood for a fire," Rudra said, starting to walk and look around.
"I'm also a bit tired. My back and hips are aching! I'm going to rest with Yali until Rudra returns," Nisha said, looking at Maya as she walked towards Yali.
Instead of replying, Maya simply nodded her head in agreement.
"What is happening in this story? Why has the plot suddenly changed? What is going on here? The animal named Yali appeared much earlier than expected! The author hasn't even revealed who poisoned the Prince or why! What should I do now?" A wave of questions crashed over her.
Lost in thought, Maya sat beside Nisha. Soon, she drifted off to sleep without realizing it.
Immediately, a series of horrifying visions filled her mind.
Blood stained the ground. Thousands of soldiers lay dead, arrows protruding from their chests. Women and children wept around the fallen. In the center of the carnage stood a shadowy figure wielding a sword. The figure's face was obscured, and Nisha lay dead at its feet, her throat slit.
"No, Nisha...!" Maya cried out in terror, her eyes wide with shock.
Nisha and Rudra stood before her, looking at her with concern.
"Maya! What happened? Did you have a nightmare?" Nisha asked, her voice filled with love as she gazed at Maya's distressed face.
Seeing Nisha alive, Maya hugged her tightly. "I won't let anything happen to you. No matter the danger, I will save you, sister," Maya whispered, tears welling up in her eyes.
Nisha's eyes filled with tears. She realized that Maya was deeply troubled by the nightmare. "As long as you and Rudra are with me, nothing will happen to me! Don't be afraid, my dear!" Nisha soothed, gently stroking Maya's head.
The three of them then enjoyed dinner together and went back to sleep.
However, Maya couldn't sleep. She tossed and turned, unable to find rest.
She sat up.
Her mind was consumed by thoughts of Prince Shesha.
Gazing at the bright crescent moon, she thought to herself, "I don't know what he's doing now. I just want to save him."
Suddenly, the same eerie song echoed in her ears, sending a shiver down her spine. The screeching of an owl in the night amplified her fear.
"Who is that? Tell me who is that?" she whispered, her voice trembling. There was no response, only the song growing louder. Terrified, Maya lay down, clutching her ears tightly.
.................
To uncover the identity of the person who had poisoned the Crown Prince, King Sanga Babu had ordered a thorough search of the entire kingdom.
Heavy security measures were implemented throughout the land, day and night, making it virtually impossible for anyone to infiltrate.
Despite this, a butterfly, undetected by the guards, fluttered into the Prince's room.
The moment it entered, the colorful insect transformed into a handsome man and slowly approached the unconscious Prince.