Chapter 12
Entering the surynagar
As Aarav finished speaking, he slowly began descending from the mound. Bajrang followed him eagerly — his stride was filled with a different kind of excitement today, a strange restlessness. He would sometimes pick up a stone and toss it in the air, sometimes crouch down to examine an insect carved into the ground, and then hurl the stone far away with force. After a while, he would run and catch up to Aarav again.
It was the first time he had seen a city from so close — his eyes were filled with curiosity, and his face bore the innocent joy of a child. As the two approached the city, the noise grew — the clatter of bullock carts, the calls of merchants, and the melodic sound of temple bells.
Aarav walked ahead — his eyes scanning every direction with alertness.
Suddenly, he stopped for a moment. A stern seriousness swept across his face — as if a memory had stirred something within. His brows furrowed, lips pressed together… but the very next moment, he composed himself. He took a deep breath and moved forward.
The city gate was now in front of them.
Grand and towering. Built of high stone walls, with carvings of the sun on them. Above hung a sturdy metal plaque, upon which was inscribed in large golden letters:
Suryanagar
Aarav looked at the name for a few moments, then turned to Bajrang, who was still standing at the gate, staring at some statues.
"Bajrang," Aarav said in a serious tone, "This is Suryanagar — most Rankala Sadhaks live here. These people are steeped in pride. If something displeases them, they don't hesitate to attack. So... be cautious with every step."
Bajrang nodded immediately and followed without a word — his stride no longer playful, but now disciplined and serious.
Aarav approached the guards at the gate and pulled out a paper from within his garments. It was a sealed letter — marked with the insignia of the Rankala Sadhaks.
The guard glanced at the letter, then looked into Aarav's eyes. He asked no questions. He simply nodded and stepped aside, opening the gate.
"Welcome, Sadhaks," he said.
Without a word, Bajrang stepped in behind Aarav. As their feet touched the stone-laid streets of the city, a new chapter of their journey began.
The world inside Suryanagar was just as busy and vibrant as it was outside — but here, behind every sound was discipline, behind every alley a purpose. Aarav now walked even faster — as if heading somewhere specific, as if he already knew where to go.
Bajrang, who had been glancing at shops and passersby, now matched Aarav's pace.
Soon they turned into a narrow lane — no crowd, no shops. The path was tight, the walls high, and the air smelled of dampness and old sandalwood oil.
Aarav suddenly stopped at a corner.
On the left wall stood a broken stone pillar, with an old lamp hanging from it — now extinguished. Just below it, carved into the wall, was a faint symbol — a circle with a sun in the center.
Aarav stepped forward, placed his hand on the symbol, and in a very soft voice, chanted something like a mantra:
"Chetan Dwar — Rankala Sadhak is present.
That which was hidden, let it now be revealed.
Open — by the will of Rankala."
This was no ordinary chant — not just words, but energy concealed within them.
For a moment, everything was silent…
Then the wall began to vibrate slowly. Where there was once only stone and shadow, a crack began to form. In a few moments, it became a doorway — sliding inward like a well-tuned mechanism.
Without hesitation, Aarav stepped inside.
Bajrang paused for a moment — his face showed a mix of wonder and delight.
"Oh... now that I've seen this, nothing else will surprise me!" he whispered and followed Aarav inside.
As soon as they entered — the doorway closed behind them. The outer wall returned to its original state — as if no door had ever existed. That corner was again engulfed in mystery and shadow.
Inside was a long corridor — torches on the walls cast dim light. The air was cool, but the energy within was intense and vibrant.
Aarav walked ahead, his eyes now glowing with a different light.
And Bajrang?
He looked more serious than ever… but the fire within him was clearly visible in his eyes.
As they proceeded through the misty-lit corridor, the air seemed to hum — as if echoes of centuries of discipline, determination, and rivalry still floated there.
After a few more steps, they reached a large chamber.
It was circular — stone walls engraved with Rankala symbols. Above, in the center of the domed ceiling, a blue light flickered — like a fragment of a galaxy frozen in place.
At the center of the chamber was a large pedestal — upon which lay an open book. Beside it sat an old attendant, wearing a small copper cap, his eyes full of calmness and disciplined sharpness.
The old man looked at them both and asked,
"Names?"
Aarav answered, "Aarav… and this is Bajrang."
The old man nodded and gestured to the book.
"This is the Rankala Register. If you seek admission to the Gurukul, write your names here. It is not merely a signature — it is a vow. The name written here will be inscribed in the Jyotipath of Takshashila. Choose wisely."
Without hesitation, Aarav stepped forward. He picked up a pen made from a special liquid and confidently wrote his name:
Aarav
Bajrang stared at the book for a while… then silently stepped forward. With his name, he wrote just two words:
Bajrang
As soon as their names were written, a soft blue aura spread over the page and then gradually faded.
The attendant smiled and said, "Your names are registered. But this is not entry yet. To enter Takshashila, you must be selected — through a competition."
"Competition?" Bajrang asked.
The old man took a deep breath and said,
"Yes… only the best are allowed into the Rankala Gurukul. Three days from now, in this very chamber, there will be a test — both physical and mental. Only the victors will go to Takshashila."
Three days had passed.
Today was the day when all Rankala Sadhaks were to gather at the 'Ravipath Sangam.'
The morning air was fresh, but Aarav and Bajrang carried a different kind of awareness within — like an invisible thread pulling them toward a turning point. Covered in robes, eyes calm yet alert, they walked through the city streets toward the narrow trail that led directly to the Sangam.
As they entered the lane, Aarav paused. A short distance ahead, a young man — dressed in fine, expensive clothes — was blocking a young woman's path and saying something. The girl was visibly uncomfortable, trying repeatedly to escape. Aarav's eyes became alert, but he said nothing and moved on.
Just then, Bajrang — walking with a bit of playfulness — accidentally brushed past the young man.
"Are you blind?" the man snapped.
Bajrang stopped, looked at him — and calmly said, "I apologize."
But in return came a venomous laugh, "Apologize? People like you are born just to be a nuisance."
Bajrang's fists clenched, but he controlled himself. At that moment, Aarav came up and touched his shoulder, saying, "Let's move. Don't waste time."
They began to walk away.
But the young man couldn't bear the insult. "Stop! Answer me!" he shouted and lunged to attack Aarav from behind.
Aarav had already turned around.
He caught the man's hand mid-air — in an instant, his momentum stopped. "I told you, we don't seek conflict," Aarav said calmly, but his grip was like iron.
Two more young men ran up from behind — their faces filled with rage and pride.
The first one charged at Bajrang — but before he could strike, Bajrang hit his wrist sharply. The sword clattered to the ground.
He kneed the second in the stomach — the man staggered and crashed into a wall.
A few seconds of noise… and then silence.
The young woman stood frozen. Some townspeople who had seen the scene remained quiet, fearful.
Aarav released the first young man's wrist and looked into his eyes. "The hand you raised to intimidate… now you'll fear with it."
Bajrang stood silently beside him — no pity, just a stern warning.
"Let's go," Aarav said, and they walked away.
A short distance ahead, they turned at an old, walled corner and chanted the same mantra:
"Chetan Dwar — Rankala Sadhak is present.
That which was hidden, let it now be revealed.
Open — by the will of Rankala."
With a slow vibration, a doorway opened in the wall. The two stepped inside.
The door closed. The corner once again became a shadowed mystery.
Behind them, the three young men lay on the ground. The first one, sitting defeated, clenched his teeth and said, "They're Rankala Sadhaks… that's why they're so powerful. But listen — my brother is also a Rankala Sadhak. And he's in Takshashila… he'll meet you there."
But by then, Aarav and Bajrang had already entered the Ravipath Sangam.