In the morning, Samaya, Neel, and Samaya's pet dog Bloody woke up near the river. The day was calm, and the sound of flowing water filled the air.
Samaya walked to the river and began washing his face. At the same time, Neel—careless and half-awake—started peeing into the same river where Samaya was washing his face.
When Samaya realized this, he became furious.
"Neel!" he shouted.
Neel laughed and ran away. Samaya chased him along the riverbank, angry and shouting. Bloody watched them fighting and ignored it at first, as if it was nothing new.
Suddenly, Bloody stopped.
A few miles away, he noticed an old man lying helpless on the ground.
Bloody barked loudly, as if saying "That old man needs help!" and ran toward him.
Samaya and Neel stopped fighting.
"Where is Bloody going?" Neel said.
Both of them started running after Bloody to see what was happening.
⸻
Bloody reached the old man first.
A goblin was attacking him.
Without hesitation, Bloody jumped forward and fought the goblin. The fight was short but fierce. In the end, Bloody defeated the goblin, and the creature fled away.
The old man was saved.
Neel rushed to him and asked many questions at once.
"Are you okay?"
"Where are you from?"
"You're not from here, are you?"
The old man looked at them and said softly,
"I come from the Lost Village."
He continued,
"I have a small souvenir shop. If you want, you may take one item for free. Choose whatever you like."
Neel's eyes went to a necklace and a map.
Samaya picked up the map.
Written on it were the words:
MYSTERIOUS VILLAGE
The old man hesitated and then said,
"This map shows the exact location of the mysterious village. Everyone who has gone there has never come back. If you want to take it, you may. I will not stop you."
But his face showed fear.
Samaya and Neel looked at each other.
They smiled.
Together, they said,
"We will go to this village."
They returned to their house before sunset.
From a distance, an old man stood quietly, watching the three figures enter.
Samaya.
Neel.
And Bloody.
The old man clasped his hands together and whispered a prayer.
"God… protect them.
Guide them to the mysterious village… and bring them back safely."
His eyes followed them until they disappeared inside.
⸻
That night, the house felt different.
All three packed what little they had.
A small bag.
Basic supplies.
Hope.
Samaya's eyes shone with excitement.
"A mysterious village…" he said with a smile.
Neel said nothing.
His thoughts were heavier.
What will happen when we reach there?
Will we survive it?
Samaya didn't think about any of that.
He only looked forward.
⸻
They spread the old map on the floor.
Neel traced a finger along a faded path.
"This road," he said. "It leads straight into the unknown."
Samaya nodded.
They didn't hesitate.
⸻
The next morning, they stepped onto the path.
The jungle welcomed them with strange beauty.
Cute animals darted through bushes.
Bright fruits hung from trees.
But danger lingered in the silence.
They walked.
They ate as they moved.
They stayed alert.
⸻
Then Samaya stopped.
Ahead of them—
A small creature sat alone.
A three-horned bear cub.
Its eyes were wide.
Soft.
Lonely.
Neel crouched slowly.
"…Where's your family?" he whispered.
The cub made a small sound.
Samaya smiled gently.
"I'll call you… Third Horn."
The cub tilted its head.
Just like that, it followed them.
Four travelers now walked the jungle path.
⸻
(IN MIDNIGHT WHILE THEY STAYED IN JUNGLE ALL FOUR OF THEM)
As Neel prepared food near their camp, Samaya sat apart.
His head throbbed.
A voice echoed inside him.
Kill the government.
Kill them all.
Samaya grabbed his head.
"Stop…" he whispered.
His breathing grew uneven.
Nearby, Bloody and Third Horn played, unaware.
They noticed Samaya's distress and rushed to him.
Bloody nudged his hand.
The voice faded.
Samaya slowly calmed.
⸻
"Food's ready," Neel called out.
They gathered near the fire.
The jungle glowed under the night sky.
Stars shone through the trees.
For now—They were safe.
Night Scene – The Sound in the Bushes
The jungle slept.
But something moved.
A faint rustling slipped through the darkness.
Third Horn's ears twitched.
He stood up slowly, staring into the bushes.
Bloody noticed.
His body stiffened.
The sound came again.
Soft. Careful.
Third Horn took a step forward, curious.
Bloody took a step back.
A low growl escaped his throat.
Samaya stirred.
He opened his eyes and saw Third Horn standing still, focused on something unseen.
"Third Horn…?" Samaya whispered.
Bloody suddenly rushed back and pressed himself against Samaya, trembling.
Samaya froze.
This was new.
Bloody had never been scared before.
Samaya followed Third Horn's gaze.
"What are you seeing?" he asked softly.
The bushes moved.
Leaves parted.
Something tiny stepped forward.
At first glance, it looked like an insect.
Then it stood upright.
A human.
No bigger than an ant.
Samaya's breath caught.
Bloody whimpered and hid behind him.
Third Horn, however, tilted his head—interested, not afraid.
The tiny human moved carefully, collecting seeds and dried leaves, placing them into a small basket.
Preparing for winter.
Then she looked up.
A young girl.
Her eyes widened as she saw them—giants towering over her world.
Fear flickered across her face.
But she didn't scream.
She hesitated.
Then smiled.
A small, brave smile.
Samaya slowly lowered himself to one knee.
Careful not to frighten her.
"I won't hurt you," he whispered.
The jungle fell silent.
Two worlds stood face to face for the first time.