Trees so tall and huge, casting heavy shadows over the soil as far as one could see, rays of the setting sun peeking through the gaps in between them, providing the otherwise dark and seemingly gloomy place with some glow. 

The sky was coloured in gorgeous hues of orange, clear over the lake in the middle of the forest that was otherwise filled with tall trees, plethora of bushes and vines wherever you step foot. Snakes crawled over the trees, in between the bushes, soft, distant sound of hissing as well as the sounds of other insects filling the space like air.

Although the forest was beautiful, the sky painted with gorgeous hues of orange and pink and clear white clouds, luscious greenery and myriads of flowers surrounding the environment, it did not seem welcoming at all. It was an enchanting beauty, but one you would only want to admire from afar and never come even an inch close.

A forest so dense it might suck your soul in, trapping you in a beautiful but never ending maze of unsolved mysteries. The flowing breeze, although soft, seemed to be whispering tales of hidden secrets; secrets buried in the depths of this place.

The rustling of the leaves, gentle lapping of water against the shore of the lake and distant sound of animals, hauntingly eerie to the year yet rather comforting to the young man laying on the shore of the lake, his one hand dipped in the water, playing with it. His soft features shone in the clear lake, his eyes, a pretty brown colour, very wise and old yet filled with a hint of vibrancy and liveliness, stared back at his own reflection with an unfocused gaze.

A soft sigh escaped the man's lips as he withdrew his hand from the lake. Closing his eyes, he laid his face on the soft grass, feeling the breeze caressing his face, the sensation soft and tender, like a mother's touch- A mocking chuckle left his lips at the thought. Mother's touch? Like you know how a mother's touch feels.

Only a few seconds had passed when his eyes snapped open again, hearing footsteps behind him. He turned, his hand going to the dagger strapped to his boots as if it was a muscle memory; however his body relaxed immediately as he registered the familiar face of the intruder.

"Ahiraj," The man let out a breath of relief, tucking the dagger back in its rightful place. "It's you. You startled me."

The man, named Ahiraj, dressed in their familiar palace uniform, bowed slightly. "My deepest apologies, my lord. That was not my intention."

The young man sighed, a small smile slipping on his lips as he stood up. "No worries. May I know what brings you here?"

Ahiraj gave a curt nod, expression as solemn as ever. "I again apologize for disturbing you but Lady Visha had requested your presence so you may come with me." 

A deep frown etched onto the young man's forehead, but he quickly composed himself, simply following Ahiraj out of the forest.

After a second of hesitation, he asked. "Do you know why she wants to meet me?"

Ahiraj's answer was simple. "No, sir, I do not know. I have only been ordered to bring you to her chambers."

The man nodded, falling into his thoughts. Why am I being called? Did I do something? He wondered, his heartbeat fastening, feeling oddly anxious. No, I didn't. And even if I had, it's not that she's gonna eat me. I'm worrying for no reason.

His thoughts were cut short as he heard Ahiraj's voice addressing him again. "I apologise for speaking too much, sir, but being alone in the forest like this is dangerous for you. You need to be more careful, there are chances of attacks."

A smile pulled the young man's lips as he noticed the concern in Ahiraj's voice. "Don't worry, Ahi. I'm always armed."

Ahiraj did not looked like he was convinced, but nodded nonetheless, ending the topic. "If you say so."

He might not show it, but he does care. The young man though as they continued their way to the palace. It took them around fifteen minutes to get out of the forest but now they could see the palace.

A huge, majestic castle, lined with many guards at the entrance. The palace garden was breathtaking, growing all kinds of flowers. A pond was in the middle of the garden, with beautiful statues of women carved around it. The marble path to the main entrance was carved with utmost perfection.

"We could have simply teleported here as well." The young man said as they entered inside.

"We could've but we should not use our powers if not necessary." Ahiraj answered.

The young man hummed even though he secretly thought it was stupid to not use the powers if they have them.

He took a deep breath as they reached Lady Visha's chamber. The guards on the gates opened them, informing that the lady had been waiting for them only.

The room was kind of dark, but the woman sitting on the bed, her face buried in some papers, could be seen clearly.

"Who do they think we are? Have they forgotten our dynasty is not the one to be messed with?" The woman said to the man standing beside her with one more stack of papers in his hands. Her tone was gentle yet firm, her aura being one of authority and power.

"My lady, they said it was simply in our agreement." The man replied, his tone respectful and formal.

The woman looked up from the papers, her sapphire gaze holding a firm glare in it. "I know very well what was in the agreement and this is not it." 

Before she could say more, her eyes caught the sight of the new guests and a small smile instantly lit up her face.

Handing the papers to the man beside her, she ordered. "Arrange a meeting with the group in an hour from now. You may leave."

The man bowed, leaving the room.

The woman turned her eyes to Ahiraj and the young man, nodding a bit, indicating them to come closer.

Ahiraj bowed slightly in greeting. "Good evening, my lady." The woman nodded towards him, passing a smile.

The young man bowed his head as well. "Good evening."

"Good evening, Ishan." The woman, Visha, replied. "Please sit." She said, gesturing to the sofa infront of her.

Ishan, the young man, smiled a bit, sitting down.

"How are you doing this evening?" Visha asked.

"I'm doing good, sister." Ishan replied politely.

"Good to hear." Visha smiled, her deep blue eyes shining in the soft light of the room. "I wanted to have a conversation with you."

"Yes, please. Go ahead." Ishan said.

Visha's eyes went to Ahiraj and she spoke softly. "Ahi, you may leave. And I would like to meet Shreyas, so please send him here as well."

Even though it was brief, Ishan noticed a tinge of frustration passing through Ahiraj's expression and he had to bite his lips to stop himself from chuckling. 

For Ishan, it was very fascinating to see how a man as solemn and composed as Ahiraj would always be at the edge of annoyance and a second away from bursting like a volcano whenever Shreyas was near. He couldn't blame him as well, Shreyas had pretty much made it his job to push Ahiraj's buttons at all times. These two were Ishan's free entertainment in this lonely castle and his isolated world.

The only person to ever bring any emotions out of Ahiraj had always been Shreyas. Maybe it was because they knew each other since they were kids so Shreyas knew what would set him off.

Even though, Ahiraj would always act annoyed when Shreyas would force him to spend time with them, he also was never able to hide his smile when they would crack silly jokes. And Shreyas, even though often very annoying and "bossy" as Ishan would term it, was always there whenever Ishan needed him. These two people were the only reason Ishan hasn't gone insane while enduring these decades and decades of isolation, with almost no companions.

Ahiraj had left and Visha's focus was back on Ishan. Ishan would be lying if he said he wasn't nervous about whatever Visha wanted to talk to him. They might be siblings but weren't close enough to have casual conversations for no reason.

Visha was not a bad sister, in fact she was a very good one, always doing everything in her power to ensure he was fine and happy, but she wasn't only a sister afterall. She was also the second in command after their Queen, pretty much all the responsibilities of this world were on her shoulders, so she never really had much time to spend with him and for their bond to grow. They were close when Ishan was younger but as she got busier and busier, they kind of grew out of that close relationship.

"So, I thought about your request, Ishan." Visha said softly. "Tell me, do you still want to go to the human world?"

"Yes." Ishan replied immediately, his eyes widening a bit at the unexpected question. He could already feel his heart thruming in excitement. Is it what I think it is?!!!

"Okay then. You're allowed to go." Visha told him.

Ishan blinked, shocked out of his wits. "Are you serious?!"

"Yes, I am." Visha replied as she stood up, her black gown flowing like a river as she walked to her book shelf.

"But you have to follow some rules." She said, searching something in there.

"And what are those?" Ishan asked. Honestly, he was ready to follow any rule as long as he could go out of this prison he needs to call home. And he had heard that human world is fascinating. From shreyas of course, since the man had been there a number of times.

"Rule no. 1, you have to be cautious of your surroundings at all times." Visha said, as she walked back to him, in her a hand a pendent, the deep blue stone mirroring her eyes.

"And rule no. 2, do not get attached to humans. At any cost." She added, holding out the pendent to him.

Ishan picked it up, the material cold against his flesh. He looked back at his sister with a questioning look.

"This is like a conversation device, you can talk to us by its help, but that's not the reason I'm giving this to you." Visha said as she sat back down. "I've been wanting to give this to you for a while now, this was actually mother's. She wanted me to give this to you but unfortunately we had lost it, I just found this again a few days back."

Ishan looked at the pendent. He could see some of his reflection in the stone. Mother. He actually never knew his mother, she died when he was just an infant, but he had heard a lot about her from the people in the castle. Apparently, she was the second in charge before Visha. But one thing that has always confused Ishan was no one knew how she died. Expect some people, but they were not even allowed to talk about that.

He was again pulled out of his thoughts by Visha's voice. "You may go now. And you can leave for the human world tomorrow."

"Do not forget those rules, Ishan." Visha said again when he was at the gates. "And take care of yourself." Even though she said the last line very quietly, Ishan heard it, a genuine smile gracing his lips.

As he walked out of the chamber, he had mixed feelings about this whole ordeal, he was, of course, excited to go to a world completely different from his and explore new things, but suddenly there was a weird feeling in his chest, as if something in him was trying to stop him.  His heart was beating unusually fast. He felt as if something very big is about to happen, something that would change the very thing he calls his life forever.

-

Hello, cute people. Are we liking the vibe?

Okay, so, I must warn you, this story is going to be heavy on angst. Now I know, not everyone like angst, so I am already telling y'all in advance.

Also, the updates might be a bit slow, because honestly, even though I have this plot in my mind for a while now, almost two or three years, I only wrote this chapter to get a break from my devastating studies. Also, this one feels kind of challenging for me to write and execute but I will try my best.

Tell me if you liked the chapter.

Bye-bye.
I love y'all.
Remember, you matter ♥️