She was once chosen to guard, but power turned her wild. Some spirits are born to guide—others, to deceive.
~~~~~
The light coming from Ahmaya doesn't stop.
It pulses, radiant and violent, from Ahmaya's being—unstoppable, relentless. The cave begins to crack. The ground trembles. Rocks break loose. The entire space threatens to collapse.
Ayani, barely conscious, watches in awe and fear.
She knows Ahmaya must be calmed—if not, the destruction will be catastrophic.
Staggering to her feet, Ayani reaches out and places a hand on Ahmaya's shoulder.
"Everything's okay… I'm okay… please… calm down," she whispers before collapsing again.
Ahmaya sees her fall and catches her.
The golden glow around her fades. Her rage cools. She cradles Ayani gently.
"Are you okay? Let's get out of here. Do you know the way out?"
"There is no exit to this place," Ayani whispers weakly. "But hold my hand. I will take us outside."
"Can you even do that like this?"
"Yes. Just… hold my hand."
Ahmaya clutches her tightly. She closes her eyes.
A portal opens in front of them, swirling like a gentle vortex.
They step through.
And suddenly, Ahmaya finds herself standing in a beautiful home.
She gasps, looking around. "What is this place?"
"This is my house," Ayani says softly as they arrive. "How are you feeling, by the way?"
Ahmaya says, "I feel... uncomfortable. Is this the strength you were talking about? I don't even know what happened; it was so quick. It seemed like my feelings were not mine anymore. I still feel this strange energy pulsing inside me."
"It's okay," Ayani reassures her. "It was your first time sensing your energy. Your first time releasing it. Here, have some tea—I need to go dress my wounds."
"Let me help you." Ahmaya assists Ayani with her wound, her hands gentle but steady. "What was that place? And who was that woman?"
"That was Pataallok (netherworld)," Ayani explains, wincing slightly as Ahmaya ties the cloth. "And that woman… she is Gyaanwati, once an Aokma—like me. A forest spirit."
"She was?" Ahmaya asks, surprised.
"But she abused her power; she had a lot of power, and she had trained herself extensively, but she abused it, breaking the rules of God and nature. So the Divine stripped her of her title and asked her to repent. She was given a chance to return if she chose the right path."
Ayani pauses, then adds darkly, "But she didn't. She joined hands with the leaders of Pataallok. She began using her power to mislead other Aokmas and divine beings. She tricks them, trades promises for their energy, and absorbs their essence. That's how she's grown so strong."
"She is a dark force" Ayani continues "And she's nearly impossible to defeat. But you…." Ayani looks at Ahmaya intently "you overpowered her. Your light cast her out. That's incredible. It means you're not just any spirit. You're special, even among us."
Ahmaya swallows, unsure what to say.
"How long were we there?" Ayani wonders aloud, staring out the window. "Time works differently in that realm." She lets out a long sigh. "I wonder how much has passed in this world."
"What… do you mean?" Ahmaya asks, heart sinking.
"In Pataallok, time works differently," Ayani says. "Sometimes, I stay there for days and return here to find only minutes have passed. But sometimes… minutes there turn into months here. It's a dangerous game of time."
Ahmaya leaps up, panic rushing in. "We need to check! What's the date now?"
Ayani grabs the local newspaper.
"Today is… 19th January 1936," she reads aloud.
Ahmaya's eyes widen. "What? What was the day I left?"
"I am not sure, I found out you are gone because that young boy and his friends were looking for you. They said you had disappeared the day before."
"Which date?"
"I am not sure but maybe it was… 17th October."
"October 1935. And now it's January 1936," Ahmaya whispers. "Three months have passed… Shit. Shit."
"What happened?" Ayani asks, sensing her dread.
"Kitbok," Ahmaya says.
"Kitbok? That young boy?"
"He must be worried. I was living at Rupomoi's house and then I just vanished."
"Don't worry," Ayani says. "You can stay here with me now."
"It's not about where I stay—I need to find him. Please, take me to Rupomoi's home."
Ayani nods, and moments later, they arrive.
Ahmaya pushes open the door without hesitation.
"Rupomoi!" she calls. "Where is Kitbok?"
Rupomoi turns, startled. "Oh—it's you! How are you? Did you find your home?"
"It's a long story. Please—can you call Kitbok?"
"He must be at the university right now," Rupomoi answers, vaguely.
Ahmaya turns to leave immediately.
"He's getting married, you know," Rupomoi calls after her. "Being seen around a single woman isn't good for his image anymore."
Ahmaya hears it—but says nothing.
"Take me to the university," she tells Ayani.
"University? What's going on?"
"Just take me. Please."
Ayani brings her.
Ahmaya runs through the grounds, searching, desperate.
She finally spots him—Kitbok, standing alone on the field.
She sprints toward him.
"Kitbok! Kitbok, I'm so—"
He turns to face her.
"Who are you?" he asks, calmly.
"What? It's me. Ahmaya. You helped me….remember?"
"I'm sorry, miss," he replies with a slight bow. "I don't know you."