For a minute, Nandhimitra felt as if a thunderbolt had struck his chest after hearing Commander Asanka's words. His body shook with tension.
"What are you saying, Commander? Is Maya in the middle of Trikuta Mountain?"
"Yes! She's halfway there."
"I'm going there now, Commander! You take care of things here."
"Go carefully, Nandhimitra."
Bidding farewell to the commander, Nandhimitra raced towards his mansion.
He quickly entered the mansion and grabbed his bow.
"Lord Shiva!" he prayed, holding the seal of the eagle. "Protect me and bless me."
The next moment he grasped the seal, he vanished from that place. He disappeared from his room and materialized in the sky. He flew swiftly through the clouds towards Trikuta Mountain. His hair streamed in the wind, like a wave on the sea.
Maya slowly opened her eyes, emerging from unconsciousness. Her eyes widened in disbelief.
Towering green trees surrounded her, but the surroundings were bizarre. Where the sky should have been, there was water instead.
"This place is strange! I've never read about anything like this in any story! Where am I? What's happening? I don't understand!" Maya thought, walking cautiously.
Then, Nisha's and Rudra's memories flooded back.
"Nisha!... Nisha!..... Second Prince! Are you all here? Yali, where are you? Is there anyone here?" she called out, her voice trembling.Only the sound of her own footsteps echoed in response.
Her pulse quickened with fear, and she swallowed nervously.
"Oh my God! I don't know where I am! I'm scared, Nisha...! Prince! Yali! Is anyone there?"
As time passed, Maya's fear intensified. Her eyes welled up with tears. She stumbled, gasping for breath. Her limbs trembled uncontrollably.
Then, she tripped while walking blindly and fell. She raised her head and pushed herself up with her hands. Her breath hitched as she saw the sight before her. She gasped, her lips quivering. Her heart pounded in her ears, and her forehead throbbed with fear.
Before her eyes, many people lay unconscious within numerous water bubbles. Maya didn't know if they were alive or dead, and fear gripped her.
Praying fervently that Nisha or the Second Prince were not among them, she approached each water bubble, peering inside.Nisha, too, was unconscious within a water bubble. Maya's eyes widened in distress.
"Oh my god, how can I save Nisha now? I don't know what to do!" she screamed, shaking the pole holding the water bubble.
"This pole is so tightly attached to the bubble that it won't come loose! How can I save Nisha now?"
She shook the pole again and again. At one point, she cut her finger slightly while shaking it, but she ignored the injury. As she grasped the pole once more, it suddenly melted, and the bubble fell.
Without hesitation, she rushed to the fallen bubble, gently placing her hands on it. "Nisha... Nisha..." she whispered, tapping it lightly.
The bubble melted as soon as she touched it, and Nisha emerged, waking up in a daze.
"Nisha... Are you alright?" Maya asked, tears welling up in her eyes.she hugged her for a minute.
"Nisha are you alright? Scared to death, I thought that I can't save you! I was really scared for a minute. I can't afford to loose you" said Maya.
Nisha, clutching her chest and breathing rapidly, slowly shook her head. "I'm fine, but where is Rudra?" she asked.
Maya's heart sank. Nisha, without a thought for herself, was already concerned about Rudra. Overwhelmed by their love, Maya felt a pang of emotion.
"I don't know where the Prince is," she replied, her voice strained.
Hearing this, Nisha quickly stood up, holding several seals in her hands. She closed her eyes, and an orange light emanated from her.
Nisha slowly opened her eyes and spoke to Maya. "Maya, I've found Rudra with my third eye! Let's go there quickly," she said, grabbing Maya's hand and pulling her along.
Tears streamed down Nisha's face. Maya, witnessing Nisha cry for the first time, was also moved to tears. Unable to comfort Nisha, she hurried after her.
After walking a short distance, a large cave appeared before them. Nisha approached the cave, holding several seals in her hands and closing her eyes.
She slowly opened her eyes and nodded to Maya, then entered the cave. Maya followed closely behind. They both cautiously ventured into the dark cave. The cobwebs and the sound of bats made Maya's heart race. She gripped Nisha's hand, fear gripping her.
They slowly reached the center of the cave. Rudra was floating freely in the air, unconscious.
Seeing him in that state, Nisha felt her heart seize. Tears welled up in her eyes as she ran towards Rudra.
"Nisha, don't run! It's a trap!" Maya screamed, trying to grab Nisha's hand's to stop her.
But Nisha continued towards Rudra. Suddenly, from all sides, the roots of trees snaked out, wrapping around her legs and lifting her into the air. She was trapped.
Then, Maya heard someone approaching from the other side of the cave. Her legs trembled with fear.
Nisha turned her head towards Maya. "Maya, run from here! Get someone to save us! Run!" she urged.
Maya couldn't bear to leave them there alone, but she had no other choice. She turned and fled towards the cave entrance.