LOVE AND BATTLE BETWEEN TWO WORLDS

CHAPTER 4

Chapter 4 :

After a moment, sensing the calm return to the atmosphere outside, Saanvi and Ravali relaxed and released each other, staring at one another in puzzlement. A palpable feeling of dread reflected in their eyes.

Breaking the silence, Ravali whispered,“Saanvi! What’s happening? Is this a coincidence or…!”, She couldn’t complete her sentence, fearing that some unknown source might overhear their conversation.

Trying to gather the courage, Saanvi took the calendar and checked the day. She gasped in astonishment, fear, and bewilderment. Enveloped in overwhelming emotions, she raised her head and looked at Ravali before whispering the fact.

“Today is a no-moon day!”, Saanvi exclaimed, her voice filled with fear, anguish, and a mixture of unknown emotions.

Ravali's eyes widened in shock as she gaped at Saanvi, whispering,“Are you saying the child will disappear today? What are you talking about, Saanvi? Do you believe it? Will it really happen? What century are we in?" Her voice was filled with uncertainty.

Saanvi shook her head, her expression troubled,“I don't know, Ravali! But everything that's happened is making me believe it. Why do all the children disappear on the no moon day? Why are only their clothes found, not their bodies? Do you have any explanation for the sudden change in the atmosphere when I voiced my doubts, as if nature itself is warning us? I can't be sure, but I believe this is connected to some form of black magic or a sorcerer”, she said, clasping her hands together.

With a voice filled with determination, she continued,“Whatever it is, I must stop it. If my analysis is correct and this is black magic, I'll risk my life to protect this town and its children from this atrocity”, Her words were filled with unwavering resolve.

Ravali was about to reprimand her for risking her life but stopped mid-sentence, noticing a change in the pendant that Saanvi was wearing around her neck. Alarmed by the sudden glow, she leapt to her feet and exclaimed in fear,“Saanvi! Your pendant is sparkling. There's light coming from it. What's happening? Take it off, quickly!”, She urged Saanvi, her voice trembling.

Terrified, Saanvi rose to her feet and stared at her pendant, which was now emitting an eerie light. She immediately tried to remove the chain, but it wouldn't budge. She looked at Ravali, her eyes wide with fear and helplessness.

“I can't get it off!”, she exclaimed, panic evident in her voice as the strange light continued to emanate from the pendant.

Ravali too came near and tried to remove the chain but all her efforts went in vane leaving both the girls helpless.

“Ravali! Remember what my grandmother said about this chain”, Saanvi exclaimed, her voice trembling,“She told me it can never be removed, broken, or cut. It's a protective ornament. If it's glowing now, it means it's trying to shield me from something related to what we were just talking about. This confirms my suspicion. It must be connected to black magic. What do you think?” Her grandmother's words echoed in her mind, adding weight to her realization.

Ravali grasped Saanvi's hand, her voice trembling as she whispered,“Saanvi, I'm scared. Let's not get involved in this any further. The town head will handle it. We should stay quiet, or we might be blamed. Everyone will suspect us”, Her voice was filled with worry and fear.

Glancing at Ravali with determination, Saanvi replied,“Ravali! I too am frightened by the thought of black magic. But think of those little children who are falling victim to this atrocity. Don't we have a responsibility to protect them? As a teacher, I cannot stand by and let my students suffer. I have to find a way to overcome this danger”, She continued to ponder possible solutions.Glancing at Ravali with determination, Saanvi replied, "Ravali, I too am frightened by the thought of black magic. But think of those little children who are falling victim to this atrocity. Don't we have a responsibility to protect them? As a teacher, I cannot stand by and let my students suffer. I have to find a way to overcome this danger." She continued to ponder possible solutions.

After what felt like an eternity, Saanvi came up with a solution and explained,“Ravali! You need to go to Lucky and, with his help, head to the city police station to meet Inspector Anurag. Explain everything that has happened over the past three months and my suspicions. Given that we found the clothes in the forest, I'm certain I can uncover more if I investigate the surroundings. We need to involve the police and let them take action. Let Anurag devise his own plan for entering the town. What do you think, Ravali?”, Her face was filled with hope.

Trembling in fear, Ravali replied, her voice quivering,“Saanvi! I'm afraid for you. You're putting yourself in danger. If your suspicions are correct and it's related to black magic, I fear for your life. Let's stay quiet for today. If the same thing happens again, then we'll inform the police. Please don't risk your life”, her voice laced with pleading concern.

Holding Ravali's hands reassuringly, Saanvi spoke softly, “Ravali! Nothing will happen to me. I won't expose myself to anyone. I'm just gathering some details. Don't worry. And remember the protection chain around my neck. I have faith in its power, so you shouldn't worry either. We need to move quickly. The sun is about to set. Come on, let's go”, With that, Saanvi led Ravali out of the house, gathered a few protective items, and they headed towards the forest, Saanvi gently guiding Ravali towards Lucky's house.

Ravali went straight to Lucky's house and found him outside, taking an evening walk. Seeing Ravali, Lucky approached her with a puzzled expression.

“Rav! What are you doing here? Is something wrong?”, inquired Lucky, concern evident in his eyes.

Hesitating for a moment, avoiding eye contact, Ravali whispered to Lucky, her words meant only for him to hear,“Lucky! Take me to the city right away. Saanvi is in danger. We'll talk on the way. Please!”, Her eyes nervously scanned their surroundings.

“Won't you at least make eye contact while asking for help? What happened to Saanvi? Where is she now? Take me to her”, replied Lucky, his voice tinged with concern.

“No! We have to leave immediately. I'll explain on the way. Please!”, Ravali pleaded, looking directly into his eyes.

Wanting to speak while looking directly into her eyes, Lucky, who had harbored unreciprocated feelings for her for a long time, couldn't ignore the plea in her gaze. Without hesitation, he led her to his car and helped her into the passenger seat. Then, he circled the car, took the driver's seat, and prepared to head towards the city.

Saanvi quietly headed towards the forest, unnoticed by anyone. Once she reached the forest, she hid herself and checked the surroundings of the path leading to her town. Despite her alertness and thorough scanning, a feeling of dread enveloped her, making her heart throb with pain. Strange emotions swirled in her heart as she tried to focus on her surroundings.

Unknowingly, tears streamed down her face as if she were losing someone very dear to her. Overwhelmed by the intensity of her emotions, she closed her eyes and envisioned a pair of eyes staring at her with longing, as if her soul were leaving her. Those eyes slowly closed, giving a final glance before falling into a pit and disappearing into a valley.

Gasping in shock, Saanvi abruptly opened her eyes and stifled the sound of her sobs, covering her mouth with both palms. She couldn’t comprehend why her heart was pounding upon seeing those eyes and how she was connected to them.

Unable to endure the agony, her heart screamed inwardly,“Who are you? Where are you? Why are you haunting me?”, Her cries traveled through the air, traversing the vast expanse until they reached the world of Quinonian.

Those words echoed through the valley and reached the man that appeared to Saanvi's eyes, startling the person who was tumbling down within it. Jolting back to his senses, the person struggled to grasp a rock to halt his fall, steadying himself with effort. Slowly adjusting, he quickly reached for the nearest branch, crossing his legs around it for support. Swiftly releasing his grip from the rock, he swung himself through the air, catching the branch with his hands and safely landing on the ground near the tree.

Before he could steady himself, a group of people surrounded him, forcing him to stop in his tracks. The leader of the group stepped forward.

“Hello, Philian! Trying to escape from me?”, taunted the person.

Philian, startled by the unexpected encounter, glanced at the person. His eyes widened in shock as he recognized him. “George! You? Why?”, he stammered, his voice a mix of bafflement and puzzlement.

He was even more astonished when he saw the person who appeared from behind George. He exclaimed in disbelief,“Rebekah! You? How dare you?”, His words were laced with fury.

Rebeka cast a mocking glance at Philian and rebuked,“Why wouldn’t I? I’ve admired you since I hit puberty. But now you're going to marry that princess after claiming the Earth planet. How could I let that happen? My brother George will go into battle and marry the princess after his victory, while you'll be my hostage until then. Later, you will marry me, as per the king's order orchestrated by my brother. How does that sound?”, she asked sarcastically.

Rebeka gestured to the men to capture Philian, but he swiftly attacked to defend himself. Rebeka and George joined in, trying to subdue him. Despite being outnumbered, Philian fought valiantly and knocked out the men.

Unable to bear the defeat, Rebeka drew her sword and plunged it into Philian's body. Gasping in shock, Philian turned towards Rebeka, who was looking at him disdainfully. He pushed her hand, causing her to stumble back and pull the sword from his body. Meanwhile, George struck him with a log, making him lose consciousness.

Before losing consciousness, Philian managed to push Rebeka, who was nearing him, and kicked George, sending him flying through the air and landing several steps away. Desperate to escape, Philian jumped into the river flowing through the valley and was carried away by the rushing water.