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Chapter 27 - Whisper Before a Scream

What is real waits in small things — in falling paws, in golden light. And then the truth stirs….soft as a whisper before a scream, not loud, but full of intent.

~~~~~

Ahmaya sits on her bed, confused and quiet. Her heart knows it was all real — every sound, every tear, every vision. But her mind rebels. Logic clutches at illusions. It all feels too strange to explain, too magical to trust.

 

She tries again — calls out to her powers, reaches inside, hoping for a spark — but nothing comes.

 

She steps outside. Her eyes fall on the sandalwood tree. That same tree. Its presence gnaws at her. There's something in it, around it, through it — something she cannot name, but deeply feels. She knows her life changed the moment she touched its trunk. And yet… now, she's afraid to reach again.

 

 

She steps back inside. A strange unease wraps around her like mist. The ache of unknowing, of falling again into that grey space where questions blooms like thorns — and answers never come.

 

She reminds herself she has to be 'normal' — Her college application is still pending. She needs to submit it.

She finishes the form, taps the final key with a sigh, closes the browser, and stands up. Leaving her room, she walks toward the small window on the first floor of the house. From there, she can see the yard outside — tall trees swaying gently in the breeze.

 

A small cat-cub, maybe only a few days old, is stranded on a branch of a tree. Its soft paws tremble as it tries to balance. The wind picks up — the branch sways. The cub slips.

 

Her heart jolts.

 

 

"No!" she cries out, eyes widening, her hand shoots forward on instinct.

 

A golden light bursts from her palm. It wraps around the falling cub just in time like a gentle net. Its descent slows. The kitten floats, glowing, until it touches the earth softly, without harm.

 

Ahmaya stares at her hand in disbelief.

 

She whispers to herself,

"That… this means it was all true."

 

.

 

1936

The air in the throne hall of Pataallok is heavy, filled with shadows that breathe and whisper. At the far end of the hall, hidden behind a wall of dark fog, sits the ruler — unseen, but fully felt.

"You said the girl — Ayani, was in your clutches . That you would bring her dead body to me. But she fled. A mere Aokma escaped our territory!" His voice echoes, like thunder.

Gyanwati kneels at a respectful distance, head bowed.

"Your highness, I am sorry…I know the girl escaped. But I have a new plan. In one week, I'll destroy them all. Trust me."

 

The ruler says nothing — only the fog stirs.

 

Gyanwati rises, turns, and walks away.

Back in her chamber, dimly lit by flickering fire jars, she summons her most loyal warrior.

 

"Gather everyone," she says. "We have to finish this. In a week."

 

Her soldiers, fueled by ancient dark powers, spread across the world. She starts in South India — Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Hyderabad — then moves across Nepal, and even parts of Norway, Lithuania, Belarus, Benin, Egypt . Wherever the remaining Aokmas hide, she hunts them down.

 

To each one, she gives two choices:

"Either surrender your powers and live the rest of your life as a human or be tortured. Refuse, and we will strip it away forcefully. We'll drag your soul to Pataallok, and chain it there forever."

 

 

Some surrendered, broken by fear. Others fought, proud and furious. But one by one, the balance shifts in her favor.

The realm below grew stronger with every power seized.

 

News reached to Ayani and her family.

 

Ayani rushes to her father. "Dad, what we will do now? She will come to us anytime."

 

"We'll fight." He says.

 

"but she's too strong. Can we just hide? For some time?" She asks with concern.

 

"There's no point," he says. "She'll find us no matter where we go."

 

*DING*

 

The doorbell rings.

 

Her father stands, walks, and opens the door.

 

There she stands.

 

Gyanwati. Smiling. Waving. "Hi."

 

He freezes, blood running cold.

 

Ayani steps into view. She sees her — breath stops. Body stiffens.

 

Gyanwati waves again.

"Hi, kid."

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