Agnira returned to the inn quietly and slipped into her room. The Tribe Mother saw her enter but said nothing, her gaze unreadable.
As soon as Agnira entered into her room, the Tribe Leader—Mohini—brought her fingers together and spun her hand gracefully before snapping her fingers.
A radiant butterfly of pure magic appeared, settling gently upon her thumb and middle finger. Mohini lifted it close to her lips and whispered:
"The storm draws near… fate has shifted its course. At last, we have succeeded in breaking the seal that bound her spiritual powers."
With those words, she released the butterfly into the sky, letting it carry the message to somewhere.
Darkness was fading, and the heavy night was giving way to a new dawn, scattering its colors across the sky.
Jhumki stretched lazily and stepped out into the hall, where life was already in motion.
Some girls were busy freshening up and combing their hair, others adjusting jewelry and dresses, while a few tuned their instruments or prepared songs. Laughter and chatter filled the space, as some praised their wifes and others playfully argued over choices.
Meanwhile, under the soft rays of the morning sun, Agnira practice her daily routine.
Her hands pressed against the ground in push-ups, her breaths steady like the rhythm of battle. She shifted into sit-ups, her body rising and falling with controlled strength, then lifted weights as if preparing for war.
Every movement carried her passion, her determination, and her silent vow to never grow weak.
Jhumki, still heavy with sleep, let out a soft yawn.
"For us girls, mornings usually begin with the sweet fragrance of flowers and a glimpse of our own reflection… but for him, mornings always begin with his burning passion."
" And this passion—suit on her."
Stretching lightly, she murmured, "Let's see what else is going on," before walking toward Taal's room. She knocked gently.
The door opened, and there he stood—Taal—holding delicate blush-pink flowers in his hands.
"Good morning," he greeted her, smiling warmly.
"Good morning…" Jhumki replied, her lips curving into a soft smile. Her eyes lingered on the flowers. "These flowers are so beautiful."
Taal's smile deepened as he extended them toward her. "The one giving them is beautiful too."
He added softly, "I found out that these flowers are considered the most beautiful in all of Shimrath. They only bloom for three months in the whole year… that's why I brought them for you."...
Everyone was busy getting ready in their rooms. Jhumki tried on a pair of earrings, then turned to Agnira with a troubled look.
"I don't know what to wear… there will be so many beautiful girls at today's festival. It's a good thing the ceremony is scheduled after the festival."
" I heard this year's celebration in Shimrath will be grander than ever—because guests have come from every kingdom. "
"And you… you're not even ready yet!" she sighed in frustration.
Agnira smirked, her tone calm yet edged with pride. "No matter what I wear, it ends up looking good on me anyway."
She picked up an elegant pair of earrings from the box, tossed them lightly to Jhumki, and said with quiet confidence, "Here. These will suit you better."
Without another word, Agnira began slipping into her own dress.
As Jhumki put on the earrings in front of the mirror, she smiled softly. "She always knows… my dearest friend,"she muttered softly."
One by one, all the tribe members began gathering in the great hall near the pond.
Jhumki looked radiant in her lovely dress, her hair adorned with the delicate flowers Taal had gifted her.
Taal himself wore a white outfit that perfectly complemented hers. The other tribe members, too, were beautifully dressed, their jewelry and hairstyles making them shine even brighter.
Niritya and her inseparable friends, Chanchal and Chunri, had gone a little overboard, dressing in colorful clothes and layering themselves with far too much jewelry—yet their laughter and chatter made them glow.
Even Taal's parents shared a sweet moment, exchanging shy glances. His father whispered, "This hairstyle looks perfect on you."
To which his mother replied with a blush, "Of course, it does—since my husband styled it."
Nearby, Jhumki's mother lovingly handed her a pouch of coins. "Here, take this. Buy whatever your heart desires. And take care of yourself, my precious girl." Jhumki smiled warmly, touched by her mother's affection.
Just then, Agnira stepped forward, clad in a navy-blue and black jacket that gave her the sharp look of a soldier. Her hair, tied neatly in a pony braid, added to her fierce aura.
"My, my," Jhumki's mother muttered, eyeing her with surprise. "Agnira's hairstyle looks quite bold today."
Agnira smirked, tossing a wink at Jhumki. "Dashing, aren't I?"
The tribe leader finally raised her hand, drawing everyone's attention. "Since you're all here, it's time. Each of you will need an identification seal for your safety and recognition."
At her signal, a tribe member stepped forward, distributing small wooden seals carved with protective runes.
"Keep these with you at all times," the leader instructed firmly. "They will ensure your passage and safety. Now go, my Swarjans—enjoy Shimrath's grand festival. From dawn until night, the celebration awaits you."
Everyone entered through the city festival gate. The Tribe Mother, guiding the others, spoke with calm authority:
"Simhrath isn't just the capital of the Vanrakshak Kingdom — it is its most precious jewel."
"Here, the White Lion soul beasts walk with pride. They descend from royal bloodlines, and for that, they are honored above all.
Even the royal guards aren't ordinary jackal or dog soul beasts. No — they Horse and Camel soul beasts, creatures of strength and nobility."
"So listen carefully. Do not try to act clever or start fights here. Walk as guests — calm, quiet, and obedient."
Jhumki grinned mischievously, tugging at Agnira's hand.
"Got it, Tribe Mother, don't worry! We'll behave and follow everything… but first — what are these golden swirls? Jalebi?"
"Jalebi!"
"Jalebi!"
Without waiting for a reply, she darted off toward the food stall, dragging Agnira with her.
Agnira winced slightly, her arm already bruised from earlier. "Ah..."she let out a faint groan.
Tal noticed immediately. "What happened? Are you hurt?"
Agnira tried to brush it off, her usual defiant smirk returning. "No - Looks someone here is a little too desperate for sweets."
Jhumki shoved a piece of warm jalebi into Agnira's mouth. "Less talk, more eat."
Soon, the rest of the tribe scattered excitedly, exploring the majestic Simrath city.
Agnira chewed slowly, her eyes lighting up in surprise. "Whoa... What a taste!"
The stall owner, a kindly woman with large spiraling horns, laughed as she watched Agnira eyeing the sweets.
"Is this your first time in Simhrath? We of the Goat Clan make the kingdom's most delicious treats."
With pride, she handed Agnira a peda.
One by one, Agnira sampled the delicacies, her usual aloof, warrior's face breaking for the first time into something unguarded—a smile. After biting into a peda, her eyes widened in shock.
"Oh. My... This is sorcery!"
She dropped her coin pouch onto the counter with a decisive thud.
"Give me everything you've got."
Moments later, she sat cross-legged at a table, her spoils spread out before her like a dragon hoarding treasure.
From across the market, Jhumki pointed dramatically, calling out to Taal.
"Look at her! Yesterday she called me greedy—and now, one sniff of jalebi and she's forgotten the whole world!"
Agnira, both cheeks stuffed with jalebi, waved them off without shame, signaling with one hand that she was far too busy to care.
A few minutes later, the sweet-shop aunty was joined by her husband—a tall man with a long white beard and kind eyes.
By his side stood his soul beast: a proud old goat with long, sharp horns. He placed a tray before Agnira, laden with imartis and a bowl of thick, creamy rabdi.
"Watching you eat takes me back to my youth," he said with a chuckle, his voice warm. "Young people these days are too fragile. Eat these together—and then you'll truly understand flavor."
Without hesitation, Agnira dove in, stacking imartis and drowning them in rabdi like a warrior conquering her battlefield.
"This… THIS is divine," she mumbled through full cheeks.
But then—suddenly—the marketplace stirred.
From the narrow canal running through the city came rising voices and shouts of excitement.
Agnira paused mid-bite, eyes narrowing. Guards, maids, and soul beasts gathered near the waterway as a magnificent boat slid into view. Its deck was covered in fresh flowers, petals fluttering down into the canal.
At its center stood a breathtaking woman—her upper body regal and human, her lower half concealed by graceful octopus limbs that shimmered like liquid sapphires. In one hand, she held a crystal staff swirling faintly with iridescent light.
Behind her swam her soldiers: warrior-women with the torsos of fighters and the tails of sleek, powerful fish, cutting through the water with deadly grace.
The crowd erupted into cheers, petals raining down around them.
Agnira, half an imarti frozen in her hand, stared with unblinking eyes.
"That," murmured the old shopkeeper, his voice reverent, "is Queen Ashtika of Jalnandan."
Agnira popped the imarti into her mouth slowly, never breaking eye contact with the queen. She chewed, thoughtful, her expression unreadable.
"She's beautiful," she said at last. Then her smirk returned, sharp as a blade. "But beautiful things… are often the most dangerous."
For a fleeting heartbeat, her gaze locked with Queen Ashtika's—a shimmer of recognition, like fate itself knocking on a long-forgotten door inside Agnira.
Suddenly, the waters behind the queen rippled with menace. Two massive shark-bodied soul beasts emerged, their dorsal fins slicing the surface like blades. Their powerful presence sent a wave of awe across the cheering crowd.
The celebration continued in full splendor. Firecrackers sparkled in the sky, garlands of sea lilies floated in the canals, and guests were arriving by jeweled boats. It was a spectacle of magic and royalty.
Agnira quietly returned to her seat, where two tiny rabbit soul beast children now stood near her table. Their fluffy, drooping ears twitched gently as they stared longingly at the sweets in front of her.
She tried to ignore them and placed another sweet into her mouth. But their innocent faces and wide, expectant eyes made her pause midway. With a quiet sigh, she set the sweet back down.
Coldly, she said, "Eat what you want."
She gently gestured for them to sit, then looked at the shopkeeper's wife and handed her a few shining coins. "Here are coins for them."
Goat Lady looked at the children and said, "Such adorable little ones. Anyone's heart would melt just by seeing them… they can steal anyone's heart."
Agnira chuckled, "Adorable … they are Devils - Already launched an attack on my sweets."
Without glancing back at the children, she added in a firm tone, "And you two—chew slowly, then wipe your mouths. After this go straight home. No wandering around the festival."
"Got it!"
The little boy and girl made an innocent face and said, "Thank you, pretty sister."
Agnira turned with a smirk, raised an eyebrow, and replied, "I'm not just pretty—I'm beautiful."
She winked and walked ahead, disappearing into the crowd filled with shops and street performances.
To be Continued...