Chapter Twelve

The Humblest Warden

Fear of a doomed fall shouldn't stop humans from soaring the skies

Rigal RightHeart

Bliss (Aden) EarthYear 1997

Three new notifications were flashing on Rigal RightHeart's tab. He clicked on the one blinking in light green. Technically, he could have easily clicked the Raise button without even going through the profile, but he knew his assistant Kemar never referred obvious things to him. He decided to have a glance before making his decision.

Marcus Moriano had a lot of credit in the green section. His general traits in the green showed that he was a firm believer, a Bliss enthusiast, a law-abiding person who also visited the House of Almighty every week, and the list went on and on. However, something in the red section caught Rigal's attention. Marcus was flagged as a corrupt officer who exploited the weak and poor. He was known for taking bribes and extorting money and he once beat his maid so badly that she almost died. The system was flashing green and Rigal knew that these minor negative points weren't enough to overwrite the system.

Spengel, Rigal's brother, peeped into his tab. "Why didn't you finish your Transition list in the office itself? You know our Holy Father doesn't like anyone working from home."

"These last-minute scenarios keep popping up during the Bright Days. The moment the Abyss of Bliss opens, my staff gets overwhelmed. I have been asking for more hands for years now, but Holy Father doesn't listen."

"This person on your screen isn't even in orange. This should be easy. Why has this even been referred to you?"

"My assistant Kemar has a lot of sympathy for the weak and poor. And this Marcus seems to hate them."

"So Kemar wants you to relegate him?"

"He has referred him to me despite the green light, so what do you think?"

"You can't relegate a firm believer. You know that."

"Even if he has a long list of red traits?" Rigal asked his brother.

"You know how this system works. The core traits cannot be overlooked for tier two or tier three traits."

Rigal sighed and pressed the green Raise button. "We must surely have a relook at the classifications of our traits. A couple of days ago a rapist drug dealer was showing in green because he was a Pietious-fearing, Bliss-loving monster. I had to overwrite the system to relegate him."

"The system works on the criteria we have laid down for it and it is our job to ensure that such glitches are avoided. And my dear brother you should be thanking this automated. Our ancestors had to manually go through every individual's written profile to evaluate the greens and reds before deciding whether to Raise or Relegate."

Rigal agreed with his brother. "Yes, my million thanks to the current human generation for their advancement in the field of technology. Their inventions have made our job a lot easier."

"Yes, that technician Andrews whom we raised a few BlisSanah ago was no less than a miracle man. His Transition software is quite unbelievable."

Two notifications were still blinking on his screen. He clicked on the one flashing orange.

"Thomas McCoy, not a believer but has a long list in the green section. Loves charity, helps poor, even runs an orphanage, etcetera etcetera."

"Belief is the foundation of nobility," said a loud voice behind them. Rigal and Spengel quickly got up from their chairs to greet their revered ancestor, His Eminence Gilbert RightHeart, Holy be his name. "If a person doesn't believe in Bliss and the Hereafter, then sooner or later he is going to divert from the righteous path."

"But Holy Father, his time on Earth is up and he hasn't diverted from the path." Rigal knew that the Warden of the Holy Gates of Bliss didn't like arguments, so he put forward his point as politely as he could.

"Only Supremes can see through a person's thoughts or beliefs. We make our decisions based on actions documented in our ledgers. In the past, some nonbelievers fooled administrators like you, by doing charities and faking good character. They started spreading their venom the moment they were raised to Bliss. That is why belief is the core trait and it shouldn't be overruled."

Rigal wasn't convinced. "But Holy Father, it can also happen the other way around. There is a possibility that someone might fake strong belief, like going to the House of Almighty every day only because he knows we are watching him, although his soul might be filled with darkness."

Gilbert closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "A soul reveals its darkness, one way or another. A corrupted soul can't go on showing green traits. Let me tell you, you know nothing about Souls. So just follow the instructions."

Rigal was not ready to give up. "This guy in question is showing many green traits apart from faith.."

Gilbert cut him short. "Bliss is built on the foundations of faith and nothing is above it."

"Holy Father, I believe we need to reevaluate our classifications of the traits. Some of the unnecessary tier-one traits are undermining other essential qualities."

Gilbert glared at his great-grandson. "This system has been devised by the Supremes and it has worked perfectly so far. I chose to be the Custodian of this Symphony, have discharged my duties for a millennium and I see no reason to change anything. These same classifications have helped us maintain these worlds and we don't need your expert opinion on them. That person on your tab must be relegated." Gilbert lifted his fork and his favorite Ribeye steak appeared on his plate. That was the end of the discussion.

RightHearts had been guarding this system since the first Reckoning but there had been not a single change to the guidelines laid down by Gilbert a thousand years ago. It wasn't because the system was perfect, but because Gilbert like Vasilias had not ascended to the Hereafter and he personally looked after the process. He never allowed anyone to make amendments to his sacred book, The Laws of Raising, Relegation and Recruitment.

Earlier anything marginally against the ordinary had to go through Gilbert, but because of his well-known contempt for human technology, he had reluctantly delegated his overwriting powers to his favorite great-grandson. Rigal quietly pressed the green Raise button on his tab. If his Holy Father wasn't ready to hear his suggestions, he wasn't obliged to follow his instructions either.

Gilbert had kept a close tab on Ascension and Relegation for a millennium because he knew it was essential for survival. However, he had no idea that there was a rebel right inside his house whose actions could turn this system upside down.

***

Mysha

Earth (India) EarthYear 1997

James Harbux Anderson was pacing around his cabin when Mysha entered the ship. "Where were you guys for three days? You know how worried we were?" Harbux shouted at Mysha.

"Well, I thought you will find a way to escape this ship and meet us ashore."

"This port is a fortress. Iron walls, metal gates, tall fences. There is no way any Soulment can teleport from the ship without hitting a barrier. Harbux sent out a few scouts, all came back bruised and battered."

"They are paranoid about Soulments. Anyways, they have allowed us to bring our Guardians. Others will be transported to some facility near the port."

"My girl, we can't leave all our armies at their mercy." Olivia wasn't too sure about this arrangement.

"They are pretty good hosts and they have no reason to harm our Unseens. Now we must get moving. And you both need to kind of turn back into your true avatars to pass through their Daewoo... Devadu... whatever gates, their dedicated Soulment entrances."

Harbux, Olivia, Stokes, and Wavey had to clear multiple levels of security checks before they were allowed to join their masters. The same carriage took them to the outskirts of the city.

"Strewth, are we gonna travel all the way to 'eir capital in this thin'?"

"Well, if you have a better idea I am all ears."

"I'm gonna puke."

The carriage stopped at another checkpoint. Despite having all the necessary documents, the carriage driver had to explain in detail why their special guests were traveling with alien Soulments. Finally, the large iron gate slid open to let them through. Their carriage traveled for a couple of minutes inside a huge campus before coming to a halt. Someone tapped on the door.

The familiar stone face was there to greet them. "You all need to get down."

"Jeez, we've reached already? I didn't know India's so tiny."

Again no response.

Mysha, does he keeps the same face when he gets intimate. I would murder him if I were his wife.

Mystic! That is gross. Why do you even have to imagine his intimate moments?

Mysha, you can't deny that he is far more handsome than the tiny bump and the baby giant, and much more well-behaved than that loose-panted moron. He is just the type you want to introduce to your mom.

Here we go again. Mystic, get lost.

Mysha noticed that Arun's cheeks had turned pink.

Mystic, did the statue just blush?

Yes Mysha, even stones get turned on by you.

Arun quickly turned his gaze away from Mysha. "Everyone, please follow me."

He took them inside a huge building through its eastern entrance. They crossed a long corridor and exited on the western side. Mysha yelped the moment they came out of the exit and Ryan's mouth fell open. They were standing in huge parking where tens of cars were parked in an organized manner.

"Crikey! These all look like cars from the future. Don't ya guys have somethin' normal?" Brendon asked inspecting one of the cars.

"This is the garage for long-distance vehicles. Lesser ones are in another parking."

"Ya engineers don't have an eye for beauty. That's some awful designin'. Ya gotta send them to the Mainland to learn some aesthetics."

Arun walked near a shining blue car, that resembled a Lamborghini roadster, however, it looked as if someone had welded some ugly aluminum sheets on its roof. "We will have to split up into two groups. The three boys can come with me and the girls, Mysha and Olivia, can hop into the other car."

"And what about Harbux?" James Harbux Anderson raised an eyebrow.

"You have to come with the girls. I am sure you can turn into a girl if you want to."

Harbux folded his hands around his chest. "Harbux never turns into a girl."

"For God's sake Harbux, my granny is a woman and you take her avatar every other day."

"She is an old hag. She hardly qualifies as a girl."

"You can become whatever you like, but these cars accommodate only four people so you have to come with Swati," Arun said gesturing towards a girl gracefully walking towards them. The girl, in her early twenties, was wearing a traditional Indian thigh-high light blue shirt called kameez, white skin-tight leggings, and high heels.

Brendon had by now scanned her from top to bottom."Jeez, I don't mind swappin' places with Harbux."

"Mr. Brendon, she is my cousin, and hence I insist that you come with me." Arun's tone made it pretty clear what he meant. "Swati, drive safely and reach on time," Arun called out to his cousin who had already jumped into the driving seat of a black car.

Brendon hopped into the front seat beside Arun. He checked out the car's interior. "Pretty cool. But that control panel's a little too sophisticated for my taste. N why ya've got a joystick for steerin'?"

"It gives better control."

"Mate, ya belong to the Royal family, hold a ministerial post, n ya still drive ya car. I mean can't ya afford a chauffeur? Or ya don't like spendin' money?"

"Here we prefer to do our work on our own. Mr. Brendon, I would advise you to buckle the seatbelt."

"No worries mate, I'm cool. I own a sports car back in Straya n I zoom at one-fifty miles without a care in the world."

Arun shrugged. "Okay as you wish."

Arun drove the car out of the parking space and raced it down a highway. He floored the accelerator and within seconds the speedometer had crossed one hundred and fifty miles per hour.

"Holy Angels! Your driving is quite opposite to your personality," Ryan quipped.

"Mate, take it easy. Strewth, Crickey. Oh my God! I'm dreamin'. This can't be true. " Brendon squealed as he saw the car take off the road and swiftly ascend toward the sky. Wings had opened on both sides of the car and Arun was calmly maneuvering the joystick to control the ascent.

"Damn! Your cars fly?" Max still couldn't believe his eyes.

"Not all of them. This is a Vayu-Vahan, an AirCar. In the last four to five decades we have made good progress in the field of aviation. This one is the latest model Vayu380. Just got delivered a few days ago."

"So the ugly designs were because of the foldable wings tucked under the roof."

"You don't need them when you are driving them on roads. So better to keep them tucked."

"Good Heavens! India never ceases to amaze."

Max looked outside his window as the things on the ground became smaller and smaller. "On the Mainland, we have sent satellites into space, but still there are no flying vehicles. For your information, we have beaten gravity but have never dared to send a human up in the air."

"And why is that?" Arun asked.

"There are hundreds of theories on why aircraft carrying humans aren't a possibility. From landing hazards to atmospheric conditions to a variety of utterly complicated scientific blabberings, but let me tell you, this is just a cover-up. There must be some other reason for not developing flying vehicles. Your AirCars confirm that science is not an issue."

Ryan audibly cleared his throat. "Max, our whole defense against Soulments is based on one thumb rule, that most demons can't fly. What if they get hold of these AirCars? No iron wall will be good enough if demons attack from the air."

They had reached an altitude from where everything on the ground appeared like tiny dots. Arun straightened the stick to maintain the altitude. "Surely our scientists must have thought about this before they took us up in the air."

"Let me tell you one thing Ryan, fear of a doomed fall shouldn't stop humans from soaring the skies. Some dreaded misuse shouldn't block our advancement. This is not acceptable."

They flew over rivers, lakes, and forests and then took a diversion around a mountain range. They spotted many cities and towns from a distance but never flew over one. Arun, their driver cum guide provided them with a detailed commentary of their scenic route. "This is the special air corridor between Mumbai and Delhi. AirCars are prohibited from diverging from this course."

"Tell me, why don't we fly over any cities."

"Not allowed. These air corridors are specially designed to avoid cities. People won't appreciate their peace being disturbed by cars flying above their heads."

"We haven't met any AirCar traffic yet. A few flying vehicles won't make people that uncomfortable, you know."

"Doesn't your illness limit your curiosity?" Arun asked Max.

"Nah mate, he asks questions even when he's unconscious."

"Mr. Max, we are flying at a special altitude, reserved only for government AirCars, so not much traffic here. And when you make laws you have to think about the future. At present, there are only a hundred thousand AirCars but the demand is increasing every day. A few years from now every family might own such a vehicle and then our kids won't see stars but only flying cars when they look to the sky."

After a four-hour-long joy ride, the AirCar descended on a long strip of road. Arun took it to a side road and entered a garage filled with different models of these flying beasts. The girls were already there.

"Mister I-tell-people-to-reach-on-time-and-then-arrive-late, we have been waiting here for almost twenty minutes," Mysha said with an exaggerated shake of her head.

"By reach on time I meant on time," Arun said with a questioning glance at her cousin. "Swati, you again exceeded the speed limit."

"I didn't. You were slow. Ask Mysha did she hear the speed warning go off even once."

Mysha didn't reply, but Olivia began singing Swati's praises. "This girl is a terrific driver, or shall I say a flyer? So nice to see a girl beating boys, hand downs. Mind my words, she will go very far in her life."

"Jeez, no one even told us that we're racin'," Brendon complained.

Arun gave a playful tap on Swati's forehead. "Yes, my dear cousin will go very far. She is one of the brightest Sunbornes. Now, let us move. The Humblest Warden must be waiting for us."

"Well, how far is his palace?"

"His residence," Arun corrected Mysha. "It is a few miles from here."

"For God's sake, then why did we land here?"

"No vehicles are allowed inside the city."

"Strewth, ya must be jokin'. Don't tell me we're gonna ride those horrible carriages again. I feel sick inside them."

Arun gave him another expressionless stare. "Can we get going?"

They walked towards a huge multi-storeyed building brightly lit with electric lights. An automatic door led them into a large crowded mall. For the first time, they were amidst the locals and quite expectedly most people threw awkward glances at them.

"Don't mind the stares. They are just curious. You are the first white-skinned people in the history of India to visit the capital."

"What is this place?" Mysha asked.

"This is one of our transit stations. People traveling out of the capital come to these stations to take their preferred mode of transport."

The group took an elevator to a basement. More surprises were waiting here for the visitors. This place was some sort of a metro station but rather than long trains, individual coaches were running on a maze of tracks.

"Hello, Arun." A young man in his twenties walked toward them. Like others, he too couldn't help staring at them for longer than required. "Your Rath is ready to take you to the India Gate Hub."

"Rath means a chariot," Arun explained to his guests. "We call these transport pods Rath."

The group boarded the pod, which looked like a small compartment of a metro train. The automatic gates closed and the Rath sped away on its own.

"The Wardens of India believe that our cities should be kept free from noise and pollution. Hence we designed a sophisticated underground public transport system. All the basic facilities inside most of our cities are available at a walking distance, but if you want to explore then walk to a hub and get the Rath."

The Pod traveled through a maze of tunnels and finally came to a halt at a long platform. They crossed the platform, took an elevator, and walked out of the Hub into a huge park.

Arun pointed to a large gateway. "That is the India Gate. One of the iconic landmarks of India."

Mysha looked around the park.

Mysha, why is this guy promoting tourism when they don't allow foreigners to enter India? Why the hell are we in a park?

Trees, flowers, fountains, children playing around, an old couple sitting on a bench. Mystic, everything here is so soothing.

Mysha, a young couple is cuddling under that tree. The action is about to begin.

Mystic, why are you hell-bent on becoming a Brendon?

Mysha, these are normal scenes from any park in this world. Why the hell are you getting so turned on?

Mystic, don't you feel the calmness? Serenity. Tranquility. A city without traffic jams, blaring horns, and overenthusiastic tourists looking to take selfies near anything. This is indeed a fourth world, very different from ours.

The park was surrounded by identical old-fashioned villas with stone facades. They looked ancient but elegant and blended very well into the surroundings. Arun took them to one of the villas.

"Well, I thought we were going to the king's palace," Mysha said to Arun.

"Not the palace, the official residence of the Humblest Warden. This is where he lives."

"Ya king lives here?" Brendon raised a brow after scanning the exterior of the house.

Arun shrugged. "Yes. My family lives a couple of houses down the lane."

"Zounds, my manager's got a bigger villa than this." Brendon couldn't believe that the ruler of this huge country lived in a house identical to fifty others on the same street.

A guard came forward to greet them. "Hello, Arun. Mahendra is waiting for you upstairs."

The guard escorted them to the living room. A man in his forties, tall, lean, with a well-trimmed beard and deep green eyes, greeted them with a warm smile.

"Hello, I am Mahendra Suryavanshi or Michael Sunborne, the Humblest Warden of this land."

Mysha, this man looks royalty from top to bottom.

Yes Mystic, he has an aura. Some sort of a charm.

Mysha, don't tell me you are into old men now.

Miss I-want-to-become-Brendon-Part-Two, just go away.

Mysha bowed her head. "Your Highness, I am Mysha."

"You don't need to address me with any of that highness formality dear. You can simply call me Mahendra or Michael. I prefer Mahendra but it is your choice."

"Yes, Your Highness, I mean Mahendra." Mysha never felt so nervous in front of anyone.

"And you must be Brendon. The rising star of the cricketing world," Mahendra said shaking Brendon's hand.

Brendon was stumped. "Ya know about cricket?"

Mahendra's face was as hard to read as Arun's. "We like to keep track of what is happening on the other side of the Sea."

"You are Max and you must be Ryan. Arun told me about you guys. And who is that pretty lady behind you?"

"The pretty lady is Olivia and the grumpy guy is Harbux, Guardians of Brendon and Mysha." Arun introduced the two Marids.

"Wow! We have two level five Marids in this room and one of them is a lady. I must admit that I am impressed."

"If you are done meeting your guests will you spare a glance at me?" Swati said rolling her eyes.

Mahendra spread his arms and Swati hugged him. "Look who is complaining. It has been months since you last visited your father. I don't know what is there in Mumbai which keeps you away from home."

"Crikey! She's a princess. I told ya there's somethin' more to her hotness. She's got Pieteous blood." Brendon whispered to Ryan.

"Holy Angels, keep your eyes off her. Mahendra is courteous but I don't think he will tolerate you ogling her daughter. The last thing we want is an infuriated king removing your eyeballs."

"Mahendra, Swati once again crossed the Fly-Speed limits," Arun complained.

"Arun, you are too slow. These Vayu380s fly like a dream."

"Arun, I told you to take a train," Mahendra interrupted his daughter.

"I wanted to test these new AirCars. We flew for four hours without the need to refuel. And our guests don't get aerial views on the Mainland so they enjoyed the ride as well."

"Can't scold Swati when his elder cousin doesn't follow my instructions." Mahendra turned his attention to his guests. "You all must be tired. Let us have dinner before you get some well-deserved rest in the Government Guesthouse down the lane."

There was a large feast laid out for Mysha and company. Indian cuisine was a blissful concoction of a variety of spices. Ryan doubted that Indians had found a way to import their curries from Bliss. However, from Buckingham to Mumbai and now Delhi, the last few weeks had been like a never-ending feast for Ryan.

All the Potens set aside their inhibitions and stepped into the culinary heaven.

"Well, here it feels likes we are on another planet," Mysha said dipping the delicious oven bread into a spicy cottage cheese curry cooked in cashews. "You all have kind of beautifully blended the old and new. The old-fashioned houses, cobbled streets, and vehicle-free towns remind us of some bygone era, but the AirCars and the Rats look right from the future."

"Raths, not rats, or you can call them pods. Our ancestors developed this land on the foundations of Dynamism. Sticking to traditions and embracing innovation. This land has always been blessed with some terrific brains. Theoreous and his successors nurtured that intellect and it helped us soar to the skies while keeping our roots firmly to the ground."

Ryan adjusted his glasses. "Good Heavens! So why have you people kept yourselves isolated from the remaining world? Why not share your success and help the whole of humanity?"

"I think you know that Theoreous had a little bit of fall out with the other Pieteous."

"Yeah, we've heard stories," Brendon said chewing on his juicy chicken tikkas.

"India was a wasteland till the last Reckoning. No one was here to guide its people to Bliss. Do you guys know what happens to human bodies once they stay beyond fifty years on this planet?"

Max despite his illness couldn't stop himself from joining the conversation. "Yes, their health starts to deteriorate, they catch diseases, and age very fast. In short, their lives become an unending torture."

"Right. That is why humans on Earth must leave for Bliss once they have completed their time here. But few Indians found their way to Bliss while others suffered in the latter half of their lives. After the last reckoning, the new Pieteous were tasked with bringing India under their fold to help its people avoid this misery. Theoreous came to India after that infamous fallout, but once he settled down he prohibited others from ever setting their feet here."

"Can someone tell me why such bitterness? Does anyone know what exactly happened?"

"People say that Theoreous was the most morally upright of the five Pieteous and he had some ideological differences with others."

"Strewth, r ya suggestin' that our ancestors weren't upright? 'eir moral compass was skewed?"

If Arun was good at hiding his expressions, Mahendra was in a league of his own. His every single word came out in a monotonous dull tone with the same stoic face. "Brendon, even if you and I have the same goal, we don't necessarily need to agree on everything. Differences amongst friends and partners are a part of life."

"For God's sake, from what you just said it didn't look like mere differences. It was an outright fight." Mysha didn't agree with Mahendra.

"Mysha your great-grandfather and mine, Vasilias and Theoreous, were childhood friends. They were so close that people joked that they could hear each other's thoughts. Vasilias was the first to accept the offer of returning to Earth and becoming a Pieteous. Theoreous followed his friend without worrying about the consequences. Yet during the final battle of Reckoning, Theoreous saw something. Things were never the same again."

"Well, it is four against one. There is a very good chance that Theoreous might be the one who was wrong."

"It was Vasilias versus Theoreous. The other three had no idea of what happened and Theoreous refused to say a word."

"Let me remind everyone that Theoreous was the mind reader. Did he see something inside the heads?" Although Max had enjoyed the AirCar and Pod journey, it had completely drained him. He wanted to go straight to their accommodation and fall on his bed, but he didn't want to offend their gracious host. However, this interesting conversation was working like a painkiller for him.

"Poten's powers don't work on one another," Mysha reminded Max.

"It is not about working on one another, it is about working together," Mahendra corrected her. "Let us play a game. Mysha, look into Max's eyes. And what is your trigger?"

"Finger snap."

"Okay look into his eyes and concentrate."

Mysha, this is ridiculous.

Mystic, what is he trying to prove?

Nothing Mysha. The king has gone nuts. Playing who blinks first with you and your useless boyfriend.

No Mystic, he is too smart to be just playing games like that.

"Mysha concentrate. Don't let your mind wander."

Mysha kept looking into Max's eyes till they both stopped blinking.

"Now snap," Mahendra whispered to Mysha.

Mysha snapped her fingers.

A ball of fire was charging at Max. Max was engulfed in fire. A little boy was screaming on a beach. Mysha was sitting near his bedside with a worried look on her face. Max was holding Mysha in his arms. She was smiling like an enchantress. They were about to kiss. Stop!!!! There were dead bodies all around him. Stop!!!! A pool of blood. Stop!!!!! Mysha, get out of my head. Stop!!!! A dark shadow towering over them all. Red eyes burning like flames. Stopppppp!!!!

Max turned his face away. The connection broke. Mysha and Max both were panting as if they had run a mile.

"Jeez, did 'ey just reach a mental orgasm?" Brendon muttered under his breath.

Mysha's cheeks were flushed while Max kept looking away from her.

"You and Max share a connection that transcends your powers." Mahendra's voice floated into their ears.

"Well, we are not in a relationship," Mysha blurted.

Mahendra gave a peculiar smile. The first time he gave any expression during this whole conversation. "You don't have to be a man and wife to have such a strong bond. Love is not what just exists between a girl and a boy, it is much more. True friendship is one of the purest forms of love. Mysha, you broke into his mind even though you are not the designated mind reader. Maybe something similar happened when Vasilias and Theoreous were connected. Maybe he saw something that he shouldn't have. It is just a guess, but a possibility."

"For someone's information, we can keep guessing the reason for the fallout for days and we won't be any wiser." Max's face was still drained of all the colors but his mind was back on track. More questions were coming Mahendra's way. "Now can someone tell me why didn't Theoreous's successors patch up with others once he was gone?"

"India had hundreds of tribes spread all over the place. Theoreous brought them together and gave them a semblance of civilization. But India is also a land of unknown riches. Theoreous and his successors feared that these riches might corrupt some weak consciences."

"Okay okay, it looks like Theoreous had completely lost faith in his brethren," Max said in a shaky voice.

"Vulnerable people of this land had to be protected against exploitation. Even if the Pieteous Scions had good intentions, there was no guarantee that their subordinates had the same noble hearts. Greed is the root of evil. Theoreous didn't want to take a chance so he told his successors to keep all others at bay. India was anyhow a wasteland so none of the Scions ever raised a voice against this arrangement."

"One thing still beats me." Max was now in full flow. Knowledge was the best medicine for him and even all the physical illness and pain couldn't stop his mind from racing towards this cure. "The main objective behind adding India to the fold was to make its people reach Bliss. But if you sever your ties with the Mainland how can your people reach the Valley of the Reckoning."

Mahendra gave another mysterious smile. "Valley of Reckoning is situated on the shores of the Small Sea. On your side, you jump into a whirlpool called the Abyss of Bliss. On our side of the sea, we have Swarg-Nayani, the Eye of Eden."

"What!!" The four exclaimed in unison. "You have your own passage to Bliss?"

Mahendra nodded. "This is the main reason why Theoreous cut off India from the Mainland. The Valley of Reckoning is protected with boundaries, walls, and above all, multiple layers of magical charms that have kept on adding for thousands of years. Here the road to Bliss was unguarded. Just imagine what would have happened if the common Mainlanders came to know about this. No security, no walls, no retribution, just come here and have a free jump into Bliss. All the criminals and thugs of the Mainland would have flooded India."

"Demon's curse, that would have been a certain disaster."

"Furthermore, all the chained Soulments would have sneaked to India to leap without completing their time on Earth and nothing could have stopped them. That would have been a bigger catastrophe."

"And Theoreous couldn't have let those poor Souls pass through Earth without becoming ignominious slaves." Harbux had been quietly fidgeting with his fork and knife throughout the dinner but when he finally spoke the loathful bitterness in his tone made everyone shift in their chairs. Harbux not eating wasn't strange, he never ate even when he was in his human avatar, but Harbux passing a chance to show off his knowledge in front of such an esteemed audience was highly unusual. Something was off.

"He was just protecting the system, Harbux," Mahendra tried to defend his ancestor.

"Harbux thought Theoreous was different. He was morally upright, had the guts to fight for the truth. He saw him take a stand against all his friends for something that they failed to notice. But even the righteous Theoreous turned a blind eye to the plight of Free Souls. He too failed them, just like others."

"Every note of this Symphony has some logic behind it. It has kept these worlds synced for thousands of years. Believe me, it is in the best interest of everyone, including the Soulments."

"My respected Humblest Guardian, just explain to Harbux what good this great system has done to the splintered Souls?"

Harbux's rising voice and imposing personality would have made most people cower, but Mahendra was unmoved. "Only darkness splinters from a person's Soul when he gets killed. You must know that since you have suffered that fate. This darkness grows with every passing day in Inferna and can only be cleansed on Earth. That is why Inferna has no direct passage to Bliss."

"Who told you that slaving for Pieteous cures our darkness or cleaning the dirty mess of humans absolves us from our sins?

"This is what our Holy Scriptures say. Darkness cannot enter Bliss. Serving humanity with a pure heart is the light that treats this gloom."

"No soul is without its share of darkness but not all have to suffer like us. And it is not necessary that only the darkness gets splintered from a Soul. Harbux knows this because he has suffered this fate. There are many things you don't understand."

"Your rants make no sense Harbux." It is quite impossible to tell someone that he is talking rubbish without raising your voice or at least showing your annoyance but Mahendra pulled it off with the same deadpan face and a flat morose tone.

"Harbux's arguments are senseless but your statement that serving some undeserving corrupt humans purifies a Soul from all its darkness is so very logical. Does Harbux need to tell you how hollow you sound or are you good enough to see your hypocrisy?" Harbux didn't wait for Mahendra's response and rather turned into his smoky self to whoosh out of the room.

"Zounds, the most revered grumpy Harbux has finally made an appearance."

Mahendra kept staring at Harbux's empty chair for a good whole minute. "A Soulment who can endure the pain of standing up to his masters is not good news for your cause," he said to Mysha.

Mysha, why can't your useless djinn keep his mouth shut?

Mister I-am-the-Union-Leader-of-Soulments-Liberation-Front keeps making things difficult for me.

You should punish him, Mysha.

Mystic, you know I can't do that. He has saved my life so many times.

Mysha, that is his main job. He is bound by Holy vows.

Yes Mystic, but he does this out of love. You can see that in his eyes. He cares for me.

"Don't worry, he is kind of touchy about Soulment issues." Mysha tried to downplay Harbux's outburst.

Harbux had once again taken everyone off the topic and Max was not amused by that. This whole conversation was like a therapy session providing him with some much-needed comfort. "So someone wants to say Theoroeus cut himself off from the Mainland to protect the passage of Bliss from intrusion." He pushed the train back on track.

"As per the legends, some divine intervention led Theoreous to the Eye of Eden. He sent eligible Indians to Bliss right away but ensured that the word didn't spread out of India. He then constructed boundaries and walls and used whatever charms he knew, but the protection on this side was never as good as on the Mainland."

"The Abyss of Bliss and the Eye of Eden. Can someone tell me do they also have a counterpart of Mount Tenebra?"

"No, we don't. There is no known entry point to India from Inferna. And I would like to add that we don't send people to Inferna as well. Theoreous was against Relegation."

"Strewth, ya don't punish people by creatin' a soulment out of 'em? Jeez! Harbux would've loved hearin' that. He walked out a little too early."

Mysha raised an eyebrow. "Well, then what do you do with those who are unworthy of Ascension? Let them pass? Isn't this what Theoreous kind of wanted to prevent in the first place?"

"There are no free passes. We lock up the guilty in cells and delay their ascension as per the quantum of their crimes. Some are delayed by a year, some five, some ten. Believe me, every extra year on Earth after turning fifty is a punishment in itself and there is no need for Inferna."

"Indians r so lucky to have such understandin' rulers." Brendon mocked him by using a heavy emotional tone. "All the thieves, looters, murderers would've wished 'ey were born here."

The jibe did not affect Mahendra. He was as calm as ever. "Power to relegate could be misused. A relegated Soul spends years in that hell where every minute is filled with misery and sorrow. This seemingly never-ending dreadful journey back to Earth is too big a punishment. No one, I repeat, no one deserves that."

"Ya n Harbux'll make a great gang. Ya gotta create a Save-the-Soulments Whatsapp group."

Max stopped Brendon from getting under Mahendra's skin. "Can someone tell me if they are so happy being cut off from the outside world, then why this sudden change of heart? Why this trade deal? Why even let people land on their shores?"

"Earlier only one ship in a decade sailed from the Mainland to India. It brought us the essentials for our sustenance and in return, we sent the ship back stocked with valuables. But then Elizabeth happened. That old hag arm-twisted us into increasing the so-called trade."

Mahendra had unknowingly ignited a flame and Brendon was ready to pour oil on it. "Yeah, she was an evil lady, I've heard a lot about her."

"She might have been a witch or a demoness. She was such a greedy, power-hungry..."

"For God's sake, can you stop admonishing a deceased person?" Mysha cut Mahendra short, although in a voice much louder than she intended.

Mahendra must have been startled by this unexpected loud response but this was not enough to break through his composure. "I understand you might be related to her and no one likes to hear bad things about their ancestors but believe me, my uncle, the first envoy to India was full of stories about her wretchedness."

Ryan cleared his throat. "Bless the Souls, Mahendra, she is not related to Elizabeth, she is Elizabeth. I mean she was, during her last stay on Earth."

For the first time, Mahendra didn't know what to say. He adjusted his napkin and tucked into a Gulab Jamun, a fried dough ball soaked in sugar syrup, a famous Indian dessert.

"Mahendra, I think Mysha'll surely like to listen to some of the wonderful stories ya uncle told ya about her." Brendon was not going to let the flame die till it turned into a full-blown rage.

"Maybe we can leave those stories for some other day." Mahendra kept concentrating on his Gulab Jamun.

"Well, I would certainly like to hear how the old hag arm-twisted you." Mysha once again took Brendon's bait and immediately regretted that but it was too late.

Brendon clapped his hands. "Sweetie, that's the spirit. Recognizin' ya dark side, repentin' for ya sins, that's the way to go. I've always felt there's gloom lurkin' behind that pretty face, it's time ya faced that ugly side of ya."

Mysha, why don't you blow his head off?

Brendon is playing with fire, Mystic. I promise you, he will pay dearly.

Mahendra sighed. "Okay Mysha, since you are insisting I will tell you some of the stories."

Mysha, don't get fooled by his sweet gentlemanly act.

I know Mystic. He is enjoying this as much as Brendon. He so dearly wants to give it back to the old hag.

"Theoreous and his successors needed armies of unseen to establish some sort of order in the chaos called India," Mahendra continued. "However, we had a little problem."

Max had already identified the issue. "India doesn't have a direct connection with Inferna. Soulments can enter Earth only through Mount Tenebra and your ancestors had to depend on the Mainland to provide you your share of the chained Soulments."

"Yes, as per the agreement reached by the Pieteous, forty percent of the recruited Soulments were to be assigned to India. These Soulments were critical for maintaining order and strengthening the defenses around the Eye of Eden."

"Crikey, ya so-called trade was slave tradin'? I'm happy that Harbux isn't here to listen to the sorry tales of Soul traffickin'."

Mahendra had become pretty good at ignoring Brendon's jibes. He treated Brendon as if he lived on some other plane and spoke on some other frequency. He just continued explaining his point. "Mount Tenebra falls under RightHeart's jurisdiction and they also govern the shores that connect the Mainland to India. Despite the fallout, they ensured that we got our supply of Soulments. In return, India's Wardens secretly sent them precious minerals as a token of appreciation. It went smoothly until she intervened."

Brendon was having a ball. "By she, ya mean that old bloodthirsty witch. Oh sorry Mysha, I just keep forgettin' that ya're here. So what did she do?"

Mysha, you must teach him a lesson.

Yes Mystic, I promise he will be out for a duck in his next five innings.

Mysha, that might get him dropped from the team. Finish his career.

Mystic, we must hit him where it hurts the most.

"Elizabeth sent some spies on a Soulment transfer ship and came to know about our secret payments to the RightHearts and about the vast petroleum reserves in the Arabian deserts lying to the east of India. Our next shipment of Soulments was put on hold."

"Well, what did I, I mean she, want?"

"Petroleum and gold. Insane amounts, to compensate for the earlier payments made to the RightHearts. My father, the incumbent Warden, sent Arun's grandfather Ajay as an envoy to negotiate but she was a hard nut to crack."

Brendon sniggered. "Nut? She's a hard rock. Her heart's made up of rocks."

"Ajay realized that this lady could stoop to any depth to get what she wanted. Can you imagine she threw Ajay, an envoy and a state guest, into a dark cell on false charges of insulting the Queen, just to soften him for negotiations? And that wasn't it."

Mysha, what more did you do?

Mystic, I should have never asked Mahendra to tell this story.

Mysha, you are an idiot who fell for Brendon's goading.

Now how to stop this, Mystic?

Mahendra was in no mood of stopping. "Elizabeth lashed Ajay's younger son, who was with him on the trip, for failing to appropriately greet the Queen. Some of our delegates were held as hostages. People say that this wasn't the worst. She used even more gruesome tactics to make people fall in line."

"Zounds." Brendon tried to make a sad face, although he looked as if he was about to puke. "Old habits neve' die, especially such violent streaks. They stay with ya even after ya've left this world. Poor Mysha, I'd think why's she such a heartless arrogant tyrant, but now I realize that this horrific nature is imbibed in her soul. It's a continuation of the sins of her previous birth."

"One more jibe from you and I will kind of don my violent avatar and beat all the sarcasm out of you."

"Strewth, she just can't control her violent streak."

Mysha, you need to show him his place.

Yes Mystic, this can't go on forever.

Mysha's chair fell back as she tried to leap at Brendon but Max held her back. "Calm down Mysha, he is just teasing you. Brendon, will someone please stop the nuisance."

Brendon sighed. "Crikey Max, it's not my problem if ya girl can't digest the truth."

A glass in front of Brendon blew up, covering him in orange juice. He slowly picked up a napkin to clean his face. "May God help her control the demons inside her. May God bless her tormented soul." Brendon's coach used to say 'Keep on piling the runs when the bowler is under the pump' and he was just doing that. Being an aggressive opening batter in cricket had taught him to be relentless.

Ryan was somehow controlling his laughter. Mysha looked like a bomb about to explode. However, Max was holding her down. "Mysha, someone can't lose her temper on such trivial things. Someone must learn to control her emotions. Just ignore him and look at me."

A ball of fire. A little boy screaming on a beach. Mysha sitting near his bed. Max holding a smiling Mysha in his arms. They are about to kiss. Dead bodies. A pool of blood. Stopppp.....

Max turned his face away. "And someone needs to stop breaking into my mind."

"Jeez, the love birds. That everlastin' bond. So cute. Sweetie, what'd ya see there? Hope ya didn't see ya self in a compromisin' position on his cozy little bed, doin' those unmentionable things ya keep tauntin' me about."

"Brendon, you know what?" Max shouted. "One more word from someone and I will join Mysha in beating the hell out of him." Max rarely lost his cool and Brendon now knew that it was time to end his innings for the day, he had already scored a century here.

Max straightened Mysha's chair and she settled back into it.

"Mysha, that fury could be quite a handful," Mahendra noted, calmly sipping his mocktail as if nothing had happened around him. "But Max is right, you need better control over it. That outburst was unwarranted despite knowing that Brendon is a moron whose mind is filled with garbage. I too contemplated Ryan's idea of removing his eyeballs when he was looking at my daughter, but I realized that a blind Poten won't be too good for this world. He is a licentious dog with a gutter for a brain, but you have to somehow learn to tolerate him." All those insults were hurled at Brendon through a blank wooden face.

It was Max's and Mysha's turn to laugh. "Well, no one could have described him better. That is the aptest description of Brendon."

"Strewth, he heard our conversation," Brendon whispered to Ryan.

"My little lecherous gnome, I am the heir of Theoreous, who read minds as if reading a book. Although I can't break into Potens' brains, I can certainly pick up their whispers."

"Just wanna clarify that I've got no bad thoughts about Swati."

"You just can't control that dirty brain of yours. You are sick."

"Yes, he gets attracted to anything that walks on two legs," Max said tongue in cheek

"I've got certain criteria."

"Bless the Souls! Must be a female and young. Those are the only two criteria that I know of," Ryan said while devouring his twelfth Gulab Jamun.

"In the northern forests, we have got young female gorillas that walk on two legs. We can send you there if you are interested." Everyone, including Olivia, burst out laughing. Mahendra was giving Brendon a very heavy dose of his own medicine.

Brendon replied with a bland smile. "Thanks for the generous offer, but I'm a celebrity n I've got girls fallin' all over me."

"I didn't know that girls on the Mainland have collectively lost their brains," Mahendra quipped. "Anyways, since you are staying here for some days I need to safeguard my family."

Mahendra waved his hand and a maid came rushing to his side. He whispered something into her ears. She returned a minute later holding a silver tray that contained a long beaded string with some sort of an amulet attached to its center.

"Swati, do the honors," Mahendra ordered his daughter.

"Will love to do this." Swati stood up from her chair and walked toward Brendon, flashing a mischievous smile. "Give me your hand."

"Jeez, my hand? Don't tell me we're gettin' married."

"Demon's curse! Bad joke. No one is laughing," Ryan grumbled.

Swati held Brendon's right hand and tied that string to it. She then playfully pulled Brendon's cheeks. "After twenty years I finally got a cute little brother."

Brendon's mouth fell open. "Brother? What?"

"That amulet is called Rakhi," Mahendra elaborated for Brendon. "Sisters tie that on their brothers' hands every year and in turn, the brothers swear to protect them from every harm. It is a divine bond, a holy vow. Swati is your sworn sister now."

"Well Brendon, congratulations. You just got a readymade elder sister." It was Mysha's turn to get back at Brendon. "Mahendra, shouldn't we kind of keep all the girls in the vicinity safe? I suggest we hold a ceremony where every girl in the city can tie that amulet to Brendon's hand?"

"Not a bad idea." Mahendra gave instant approval to Mysha's plan.

Everyone was having a hearty chuckle when Max started coughing violently. This bout of cough was so intense that Max almost fell off his chair.

"Will ya guys get off my back n divert ya attention to somethin' more useful? Sweetie, have ya forgotten why we've come here?"

Mysha, how can you get busy in all this nuisance when Max is suffering like this?

Mystic, he was looking alright.

Mysha, he is just keeping a strong face. He is withering from within.

Yes Mystic, even I felt that heat when I broke into his mind.

"You need to see a healer as soon as possible," Mahendra suggested.

"For God's sake isn't the mind-reader supposed to be the healer as well?" Mysha's voice came out louder than intended. "If you are Theoreous's Scion then why can't you heal him?"

"Not everyone is as legendary as Theoreous. He knew it would be way too difficult for one person to master both skills, mind control and healing. So Theoreous split his powers among his two sons. The descendants of his eldest son were made the Wardens, who besides governing this land also took care of the mental aspects. Whereas his youngest son was tasked to become the Healers, which I must admit is not an easy job."

"So you are just a mind-reader?" There was a hint of disappointment in Mysha's tone.

Mahendra nodded.

"Hell, now where are we going to find a healer?" Mysha asked fidgeting with a loose strand of hair.

"You don't just need any healer, you need a very powerful one. But don't worry, I have fixed your meeting with the very best in this world."