The Arcane Heir

Chapter 1: The Forgotten Key

Andheri raat thi. Sheher ki har gali shant aur viran padhi thi, jaise hawa bhi apni saansein rok kar kisi ka intezaar kar rahi ho. Ek purani library ke peeche wale chhupay hue raaste se ek patli si parchhayi tez kadam bhar rahi thi.

Yeh parchhayi Kiaan Blackwood ki thi—ek 15 saal ka ladka, jise humesha lagta tha ki woh iss duniya me fit nahi hota. Uske gehre neeli aankhon me hamesha ek ajeeb si pyaas hoti thi—jaise woh kisi aur jagah belong karta ho.

Aaj raat, uske haath me ek ajeeb si purani chaabi thi—ek purani, kaali pad chuki chaabi, jispar ajeeb se rune-like symbols bane hue the.

"Kiaan, jaldi kar!" Ek awaz goonj uthi.

Uska dost Ronan ek diwar ke paas khada tha, jisme ek chhupa darwaza nazar aa raha tha—pattharon se bana ek prachin dwar, jo samay ke saath lagbhag mit chuka tha.

"Tu pakka hai ki yeh chaabi kaam karegi?" Ronan ne dheere se pucha.

Kiaan ne gehri saans li aur dheere se chaabi lock me daal di.

Ek tez chamak hui! Darwaza hilne laga, aur ek purani, bhooli-bisri duniya ki khushbu hawa me ghumne lagi.

Aur phir…

Khhhrrr…

Darwaza dheere dheere khulne laga!

Lekin andar jo tha…

Usse dekh kar dono ke chehre ka rang udd gaya! 

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Chapter 2: The Hidden Passage

Darwaza dheere-dheere khula, aur ek thandi, ajeeb si hawa bahar aayi.

Kiaan aur Ronan aapas me ek dusre ko dekha. Andar ek puraana, gehra surang tha—diwaron par purane symbols chamak rahe the, jaise koi purani, bhooli-bisri kahani ab jaag rahi ho.

"Kya tujhe lagta hai hum andar jaana chahiye?" Ronan ne dheere se pucha.

Kiaan ne chaabi ko zor se pakda aur bola, "Hum yahan tak aaye hain, ab peeche nahi ja sakte!"

Dono aage badhne lage.

Jaise hi dono surang ke andar gaye, peechhe ka darwaza zor se bandh ho gaya!

Dhhhaaaammm!

Ronan ne tez se ghoom kar dekha, "Abey yeh kya tha?!"

Kiaan ne deewaron ko dekha—wahan likha tha:

"Jo iss raaste me ghus chuka hai, uska wapas jaana sambhav nahi…"

Kiaan ne gehri saans li.

"Lagta hai hum kisi bade raaz ke kareeb pahunch gaye hain…"

Lekin tabhi…

Surang me ek awaz goonj uthi!

"Tumhe yahaan nahi hona chahiye…"

Ek tez hawa ka jhonka aaya, aur saamne ek parchhayi ubharne lagi! 

Chapter 3: The Whispering Shadow

Kiaan aur Ronan sann reh gaye. Samne jo parchhayi thi, woh dheere-dheere ek aakaar lene lagi.

Uska chehra ekdum dhundhla tha, jaise hawa me bani koi tasveer. Lekin uski aankhein… ekdum chamak rahi thi!

"Tum yahaan nahi aa sakte…"

Woh awaaz ek sitti ki tarah goonj uthi!

Kiaan ne ek kadam peeche liya, lekin uska haath ab bhi woh chaabi mazbooti se pakde tha.

"Hum sirf yeh jaanna chahte hain ki yeh jagah kya hai!" Kiaan ne zor se kaha.

Parchhayi halki si hansi.

"Agar tumhe sach jaan'na hai… toh apni pariksha ke liye tayyar raho!"

Aur tabhi…

Poora surang hilne laga!

Deewaron se tez roshni phootne lagi, aur neeche ki zameen ekdum do tukde ho gayi!

Kiaan aur Ronan girne lage!

Tez hawa me girte hue, Kiaan ne dekha—neeche ek anya duniya thi!

Ek bada, purana school, jisme ajeeb si roshni thi.

Ronan chillaya, "Yeh kya ho raha hai?!"

Aur agle pal… dono neeche ja gir gaye!

Lekin… woh school khaali tha.

Ekdum shaant…

Jaise kayi saalon se yahaan koi aaya hi nahi tha… 

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Chapter 4: The Forgotten School

Kiaan aur Ronan zamin par gire pade the, lekin dard ka koi ehsaas nahi ho raha tha. Jaise koi adbhut shakti ne unhe surakshit utaar diya ho.

Kiaan ne idhar-udhar dekha—samne ek bhavya school ki imarat thi, jo bahut purani lag rahi thi.

"Ye kahan aa gaye hum?" Ronan ne dheere se kaha.

Kiaan ne ek purana patthar uthaya, jo dhoop me chamak raha tha. Uspar kuch ajeeb shabd likhe the:

"Arcanum Vidyalaya - Jahaan gyaan aur rahasya ek saath chalte hain"

Vidyalaya?!

Lekin yahaan koi bhi nahi tha…

Bas hawa dheere-dheere chal rahi thi, aur andar se kuch sitti jaisi awaaz sunai de rahi thi.

"Hum andar chalein?" Kiaan ne pucha.

Ronan ne haath jod liya, "Mujhe lagta hai hume wapas chalna chahiye!"

Lekin tabhi…

Darwaza apne aap khul gaya! 

Aur ek thandi si fiza baahar aayi… jaise andar kuch hume bula raha tha!

Chapter 5: The Whispers of Arcanum

Kiaan aur Ronan dhadakte dil ke saath school ke andar gaye.

Andar sab kuch purana tha, lekin ek ajeeb si chamak bhi thi. Uunchi deewarein, purane chandeliers, aur ek lambi seedhi jo upar kisi andhere hall ki taraf ja rahi thi.

"Ye school hai ya koi purani haveli?" Ronan ne dheere se kaha.

Tabhi… ek sitti jaisi awaaz phir sunai di! 

Kiaan ne peechhe mudke dekha, lekin wahaan koi nahi tha.

"Shayad hawa hogi..." usne khud ko samjhane ki koshish ki.

Lekin tabhi…

"Tum yahan kya kar rahe ho?"

Ek tez awaaz goonj uthi, aur ek patli si parchhayi unke saamne aakar ruk gayi!

Kiaan aur Ronan peechhe hatne lage, lekin wo parchhayi dheere-dheere roshni me badalne lagi.

Aur jab roshni gayi… ek lambe chaure teacher khade the—ek kale chugha me, aankhon me gehra tajurba!

"Tum dono naye vidhyarthi ho?" Teacher ne gusse se pucha.

Kiaan aur Ronan ek dusre ko dekhne lage…

Kya sach me ye school ab bhi chal raha tha?! 

Chapter 6: The Forbidden Library

Kiaan aur Ronan sammohan ki tarah us teacher ko dekh rahe the.

“Tum dono naye vidhyarthi ho?” Teacher ki awaaz ekdum thandi aur kathor thi.

Kiaan ne dheere se sir hila diya.

Teacher ne ek gehri nazar un dono par dali, phir apni chhoti si lakdi ki chhadi ghumaai. Hawa me ek halki si chamak uthi, aur ek purani kitaab unke samne aakar ruk gayi.

“Tum dono ka naam kya hai?”

"Kiaan Arvind!"

"Ronan Mishra!"

Teacher ne ek pal ruka… phir ek halki si muskurahat aayi.****"Toh tum woh ladke ho… jinhe Arcanum ne khud chuna hai!"

Kiaan ne hairani se Ronan ki taraf dekha.

“Arcanum?” Ronan ne pucha.

Teacher ne haath uthaaya aur ek diwar ki taraf ishara kiya. Wahan ek purani library thi, jo sadiyon se band lag rahi thi.

“Yahan jo kuch bhi hai, wo sirf tumhare jaise chune gaye logon ke liye hai,” teacher ne kaha. “Magar yaad rakhna—jo bhi iss library me bina ijaazat ghusta hai, wo kabhi wapas nahi aata…”

Ek tez hawa ka jhonka aaya, aur library ka darwaza dheere se khul gaya. Andar sirf gehra andhera tha.

Aur phir… ek kitab khud-ba-khud shelf se gir gayi.

Kiaan aur Ronan saansein rok kar uss kitab ki taraf badhne lage… 

Chapter 7: Whispers of the Past

Kiaan ne dheere se kitaab uthai. Jaise hi usne uspar haath rakha, ek tez bijli ki tarah ek tasveer uske dimaag me chamki—ek purani mahal jaisi jagah, ek mujhdoor si roshni, aur ek aadmi jo safed poshaak me tha…

“Kyaan… tum theek ho?” Ronan ne uska haath hilaya.

Kiaan ne halki si saans bhari. “Mujhe kuch dikha, jaise koi yaad…”

Lekin uske kehne se pehle, kitaab khud hi palatne lagi!

Purane panne khud-ba-khud udne lage, aur ek gahri awaaz goonj uthi—jaise koi purani kahani sunai ja rahi ho!

“Ek samay tha, jab Arcanum ek shanti ka sthal tha… magar phir ek vichitra balak janma… ek jo iss jagah ki taqat ko pura palat sakta tha…”

Kiaan aur Ronan saansein tham kar sun rahe the.

“Us balak ko Arcane Heir kaha gaya… ek aisa waris jisme pura samay palatne ki shakti thi… magar uske aane se pehle hi, usse mitane ki koshish ki gayi… uska namo-nishan mitane ke liye puri duniya ek ho gayi…”

Ronan ne gulp liya. “Ye toh kisi purani kahani jaisa lag raha hai…”

Lekin tabhi… library ki diwaron par badi-badi chhayaayein nikalne lagi!

Ek tez, bhayanak hasi goonj uthi—

“Tum dono yahan nahi hone chahiye…”

Aur usi pal… library ka darwaza ek zor se band ho gaya!

Chapter 8: Shadows in the Library

Darwaza ek zor ki aawaz ke saath bandh ho chuka tha. Kiaan aur Ronan ne peechhe mud kar dekhne ki koshish ki, lekin library ka andhera aur gehra hota ja raha tha.

"Ye sab ho kya raha hai?" Ronan ki awaaz kanp rahi thi.

"Mujhe bhi nahi pata…" Kiaan ne dheere se kaha, "Lekin jo awaaz abhi sunai di, wo…"

Phir se wahi hasi goonj uthi! Library ki diwarein hilne lagi, aur kitaaben apni jagah se girne lagi.

Achanak, ek patli, kaali parchhayi ek bookshelf ke peeche se bahar nikli. Uske na naak thi, na aankhein—sirf ek andhkaar se bhari shakal!

"Tum dono yahan nahi hone chahiye…"

Ronan ne ghabrakar ek kitaab uthai aur uss parchhayi ki taraf phenki.

Lekin jaise hi kitaab uske paas pahunchi… wo bas hawa me ghul gayi!

Kiaan ne tez dimag lagaya. "Ronan, ye sirf ek aatma hai! Hume ise rokne ke liye koi shakti chahiye!"

"Aur wo shakti kahaan se milegi?!" Ronan chillaaya.

Usi waqt, library ki ek purani shelf khud-ba-khud khul gayi, aur usme ek chamakta hua chhota sa patthar dikha!

Kiaan bina soche us patthar ki taraf bhaaga, lekin jaise hi usne usse chhua…

Ek tez roshni phooti!

Aur pura library ek pal ke liye andhkaar se bharke dobara shaant ho gaya.

Parchhayi gaayab ho chuki thi.

Ronan halki si saans bharta hua bola, "Ye kya tha?!"

Kiaan ne patthar ko zor se pakad rakha tha, "Mujhe nahi pata… lekin shayad ye hamari madad kare…"

Lekin unka khauf abhi khatam nahi hua tha…

Kyunki library ke ek kone se… phir se ek kitaab khud se palatne lagi thi!

Aur is baar, ek navin sandesh likha tha—

"Arcane Heir ab jaag gaya hai…"

Chapter 9: The Cursed Tome

Library ab bhi ek ajeeb si sannate bhari hawa se bhara hua tha. Ronan aur Kiaan ek dusre ki taraf dekha, phir us kitaab ki taraf jo khud-ba-khud palat rahi thi.

Uske cover par sunehre aksharon me likha tha—

"The Cursed Tome"

Kiaan ne dheere se haath badhaya, lekin jaise hi usne kitaab ko chhua… ek tez jhatka laga!

"Aah!" Usne turant apna haath peeche kheench liya.

Ronan ne ghabraakar dekha, "Kiaan, tu thik hai?"

Kiaan ne apna haath dekha—uski ungliyon par ek kaala nishan pad chuka tha! Jaise koi purani mohar lag gayi ho.

Aur tabhi library ka darwaza zor se khul gaya!

Ek lambe kad ka aadmi andar aaya—uski aankhein surakh thi, aur haath me ek chhoti si chhadi thi.

"Tum dono yahan kya kar rahe ho?" Uski awaaz gussail thi.

Kiaan ne turant apni jeb me patthar chhupa liya. "Hum… hum bas library explore kar rahe the…"

"Jhooth mat bolo!" Aadmi aage badha.

Uski black robe par school ka emblem tha—wo Library Master—Professor Aldric tha!

Usne ek hi jhatke me wand ghoomai, aur kitaab khud hi uske haath me aa gayi. Usne Kiaan ke haath ka nishan dekha, aur ek pal ke liye rukh gaya.

"Tumne… is kitaab ko chhua?"

Kiaan andar hi andar dar gaya, lekin dheere se sir hilaya.

Aldric ki aankhon me ek ajeeb si chamak aayi. "Bohot buri galti kar di tumne…"

Aur usne ek zor ka jadoo chhoda—ek gehri neeli roshni Kiaan aur Ronan ko gherne lagi!

Aur tabhi… sab kuch andhera ho gaya!

Chapter 10: The Forgotten Prophecy

"Utho!"

Kiaan ki ankhon ke saamne ab bhi andhera tha. Sir me tez dard ho raha tha. Usne dheere se apni aankhein kholi, to dekha ki wo ek purane kamre me pada tha.

Ronan uske paas hi behosh tha.

"Ye hum kahan aa gaye?" Kiaan ne dheere se kaha.

Tabhi ek halke neeli roshni wale shabd hava me ubharne lage. Jaise diwaron me chhipa koi purana raaz samne aane wala ho.

"The Arcane Heir shall rise,
Bound by fate, cursed by lies.
In darkness deep and secrets old,
A tale of magic yet untold…"

Kiaan ne ghabraakar dekha. Ye to ek bhavishyavaani thi!

Lekin iska matlab kya tha?

Tabhi Ronan ka hosh laut aaya. Usne sir ko hilaya, "Kiaan… ye kya ho raha hai?"

Kisi ne hume yahan bheja hai," Kiaan ne dheere se kaha, "Aur ye prophecy…"

Tabhi hawaa tez hone lagi!

Ek aawaz goonj uthi—ek aurat ki aawaaz.

"Tum dono sachai ke kareeb ho… par kya tum is raah par chalne ko tayyar ho?"

Aur phir ek prachand tej roshni chhayi!

Sab kuch ghoomne laga… aur agle hi pal, wo dono fir se library me the!

Lekin ab sab kuch badal chuka tha…

Chapter 11: Shadows in the Library

Kiaan aur Ronan ekdum sakt ho gaye. Library me ab bhi wahi kitaabein thi, wahi purani lakdi ki almariyan, lekin ab sab kuch ajeeb lag raha tha.

"Hum wapas aa gaye… par wo bhavishyavaani kya thi?" Kiaan ne dheere se kaha.

Ronan ne library ke ek kone me chhaya jaisi koi cheez dekhi. Ek parchhayi… jo hil rahi thi!

"Kiaan…" Ronan ne dheere se kaha, uska gala sookh gaya tha.

"Mujhe bhi mehsoos ho raha hai…" Kiaan ne kaha, "Koi hume dekh raha hai."

Tabhi hawaa ekdum thandi ho gayi. Parchhayi dheere dheere un dono ke kareeb aane lagi.

"Tumhe sacchai kabhi nahi milni chahiye thi…"

Ek bhootiya, susk si aawaz goonj uthi.

Kiaan ne jaldi se apni wand uthai, "Lumos!"

Ek tez roshni chamki, aur parchhayi ek tez cheekh ke saath gaayab ho gayi!

Ronan ne gehre saans li. "Ye kya tha?"

Kiaan ne library ki ek almari ki taraf dekha. Uspar ek patthar ka chhota sa tokra rakha tha, jisme ek purana parchha tha.

Usne use uthaya aur dheere se shabdon ko pada:

"Shadows guard the past,
Truth hides in the last.
He who seeks,
Must pass the dark’s grasp."

Ronan ne Kiaan ki taraf dekha, "Mujhe lagta hai, ye sirf shuruaat hai…"

Aur tabhi… ek aur almari zor se hilne lagi!

Kya sachmuch koi aur shakti library me chhupi thi?

Chapter 12: The Cursed Book

Almari zor se hil rahi thi, jaise andar koi cheez band ho jo bahar aana chahti ho. Kiaan aur Ronan peechhe hat gaye, dono ki saansen tez ho gayi thi.

"Kiaan, yahan se nikalna chahiye!" Ronan ne dheere se fufkar kar kaha.

Lekin Kiaan ka dhyaan almari par tha. Uski dil ki dhadkan tez ho gayi thi, par dar ke bawajood uske andar ek ajeeb si utsukta thi.

"Agar ye almari itni ajeeb tarah hil rahi hai, toh isme kuch aisa zaroor hai jo chhupa hona chahiye!" Kiaan ne kaha.

Usne apni wand uthai aur dheere se almari ka darwaza khola.

Creeeaaaakkkkk!

Darwaza dheere se khula, aur andar ek purani, kali kitab rakhi thi. Uski satah futi-futi si thi, jaise uspar kisi ka purana jaadu tha.

Jaise hi Kiaan ne haath badhaya, kitab khud hi palat gayi!

Uske andar sunehre aksharon me likha tha:

"Jo is pustak ko kholega, wo andhere ki pehli shart sweekar karega."

Aur usi pal, hawaa ekdum bhaari ho gayi. Library ki roshni kam hone lagi, jaise andar koi kala jaadu jag chuka ho!

"Kiaan, ise chhod do!" Ronan ne cheekh kar kaha.

Lekin ab bahut der ho chuki thi. Kitab se ek kali dhoondh nikli, jo dheere dheere un dono ki taraf badhne lagi.

Aur tabhi… ek aur awaz goonj uthi:

"Tumne usse chhoo liya... ab tum peeche nahi hat sakte!"

Chapter 13: Shadows of the Past

Hawaa ekdum thandi ho gayi thi. Kitab ke safon se nikalti kali dhoondh dheere-dheere Kiaan aur Ronan ki taraf barhne lagi.

"Isse rokne ka koi tareeka hoga!" Kiaan ne tez dimaag lagaya. Lekin uske haath thande ho gaye the, jaise kisi ne uski energy kheench li ho.

Tabhi library ke ek kone se ek kadam ki aahat sunai di.

Ek lambi parchayi deewar par ubhri—ek saya, jo dheere-dheere unki taraf aane laga.

"Tum yahan nahi hone chahiye..." ek bhari, purani awaaz goonj uthi.

Ronan ne tez ghoomkar dekha. Samne ek ajeeb sa aadmi khada tha—ek chhaya jaisa, lekin aankhon me gehri chamak thi.

"Tum kaun ho?" Kiaan ne sahas jhutaya.

Woh aadmi aage badha aur usne haath uthakar kitab ki taraf ishara kiya. Ek tez roshni nikli, aur kitaab zamin par gir gayi. Dhoondh turant wapas andar sama gayi.

"Tum dono bahut badi galti kar rahe ho…" aadmi ne dheere se kaha.

"Yeh pustak shraapit hai."

Kiaan aur Ronan ne ek doosre ki taraf dekha.

"Shraapit?" Kiaan ne dheere se poocha.

Aadmi aur kareeb aaya. Uski aankhein ab bhi ek ajeeb chamak se bhari thi.

"Yeh kitab tumhare school ki sabse badi rahasyaon me se ek hai… aur tumne ise jaga diya hai."

Usne ek pal ruk kar gehri saans li.

"Ab tum is kahani ka hissa ban chuke ho."

Aur usi pal… Library ke sabhi diye ek saath bujh gaye!

Chapter 14: The Cursed Prophecy

Pura library andhere me doob gaya. Sirf ek halki si neeli chamak uss aadmi ki aankhon me dikh rahi thi.

"Tumne shraapit kitab chhoo li," uski awaaz gambhir aur bhari thi. "Ab tumhe pura sach jaana hoga."

Kiaan ka gala sookh gaya. Ronan ne tez saans li aur bola, "Agar yeh kitab shraapit thi toh yeh yahan kyun rakhi gayi thi?"

Aadmi ne ek halki si hasi ki. "Kuch raaz sirf unke liye hote hain jo unhe samajhne layak hote hain."

Kiaan ne halki roshni ke andar kitab ki taraf dekha. Uska title ab chamak raha tha—"The Arcane Heir"

"Arcane Heir?" Kiaan ne dheere se pada. "Yeh kya hai?"

Aadmi ne gehri saans li.

"Ek bhavishya, ek bhayanak bhavishya, jo is school se juda hai."

Usne apna haath hawa me uthaya, aur library ki deewaron par chhaviyaan ubharne lagi—ek ranbhumi, jalta hua ek mahal, aur ek ladka… jo Kiaan ki tarah dikhta tha!

Kiaan ek jhatke se piche hata. "Yeh… yeh kaun hai?"

Aadmi ne uski taraf ghoor kar dekha.

"Yeh tum ho, Kiaan. Tum ho Arcane Heir."

Chapter 15: The Hidden Truth

Kiaan ke dimag me tufan sa chal raha tha. Library ki deewaron par chhaviyaan ab bhi chamak rahi thi—ek ranbhumi, ek jalta mahal, aur ek ladka jo uski tarah dikhta tha.

"Main… Arcane Heir?" Kiaan ne dheere se pucha.

Aadmi ne gambhir nazar se uski taraf dekha. "Haan, tum wo vardhak ho jo ant aur aarambh dono ko likhne wala hai."

Ronan ne Kiaan ke kandhe par haath rakha. "Par iska matlab kya hai? Arcane Heir ka kya matlab hai?"

Aadmi aage bada aur usne hawaa me ek gehray neelay rang ka daayra banaya. "Arcane Heir ek purani bhavishyavaani ka hissa hai. Ek aisi shakti jo sirf ek vyakti me jagrit ho sakti hai. Ek aisi taqat jo ya to iss duniya ko bacha sakti hai… ya usse tabah kar sakti hai."

Kiaan ab aur zyada ghabra gaya tha. "Mujh me aisi kya khaas baat hai? Main to ek aam ladka hoon!"

Aadmi ne halki muskurahat di. "Jab tak tumhe sach nahi pata hoga, tab tak tumhe lagta rahega ki tum aam ho. Lekin jo sach hai, wo sirf tumhi jaan sakte ho."

Tabhi library ke darwaze ke paas ek tez awaaz hui.

"Humne unhe dhundh liya!"

Kiaan, Ronan aur wo aadmi ek saath mud gaye.

Darwaza zordar dhakke se khula, aur teen kale chogha pehne shikshak andar aaye.

Ek ne tez awaaz me kaha: "Tumhe humare saath chalna hoga!"

Chapter 16: The Forbidden Secrets

Kiaan peechhe hata, uske dil ki dhadkan tez ho gayi thi. Teen shikshak jo kale chogha pehne the, unki aankhon me ek ajeeb si chamak thi—jaise wo kuch chhupa rahe ho.

"Agar tumhe sach janna hai, to humein saath chalna hoga," ek shikshak ne kaha. Uska swar sakt tha, jaise ki ek hukum diya ja raha ho.

Lekin Kiaan ab bharosa nahi kar sakta tha. Library ki diwaron me jo chhaviyaan usne dekhi thi, usme ek jalta mahal, ek ladka jo uski tarah dikhta tha, aur ek purani bhavishyavaani sab kuch ab ek alag hi tasveer bana raha tha.

Ronan aage badha, usne kale chogha wale shikshakon ko ghoora. "Pehle batao tum kaun ho, aur tumhe Kiaan se kya chahiye?"

Ek shikshak ne halki si hasi ki. "Hum wahi hain jo is school ke niyam banate hain. Tum jaise chhoti soch wale ladkon ko nahi pata ki yeh duniya kitni badi hai."

Dusra shikshak aage aaya. "Kiaan, agar tum humein mana karte ho, to tum sirf apni jaan nahi, poore school ki jaan khatre me daal rahe ho."

Itna sunte hi Kiaan ke andar gussa ubhar aya. "Agar tum sach me school ki raksha karna chahte ho, to pehle sach kyu nahi bata rahe?"

Achanak library ki deewaren kampne lagi.

Ek tez aawaz goonj uthi—jaise ki ek prachin mantra bola ja raha ho.

Shikshakon ke haath hawaa me uthe, aur ek gehri neeli roshni unke ird-gird chamakne lagi.

Kiaan peechhe hata, lekin tabhi aadmi ne uska haath thaam liya.

"Yeh tumhe le jana chahte hain, lekin abhi waqt nahi hai. Tumhe sach khud dhoondhna hoga, Kiaan."

Aur agle pal, poori library ek zor se dhamake ke sath roshni me doob gayi!

Chapter 17: The Hidden Chamber

Jab roshni dheere-dheere feeki padne lagi, Kiaan ne dekha ki wo ek alag jagah par khada tha—school ki library ab wahan nahi thi.

"Yeh jagah...?" Usne aaspaas dekha. Diwaron par prachin likhavat thi, upar se chhatt tak chandni ki roshni gir rahi thi. Beech me ek bada lohe ka dwar tha, jisme ek aakarshak pratik bana hua tha—do sheron ka mukh, jo ek doosre ki taraf dekh rahe the.

Ronan bhi wahi tha, lekin shikshak gayab ho chuke the.

"Yeh sab kaise ho gaya?" Ronan ne hairani se kaha.

Kiaan ne samne wale dwar ko dekha. Uske haath apne aap aage badhne lage, jaise koi anjaani taqat use kheench rahi ho.

Jaise hi usne dwar ko chhune ki koshish ki, ek garm lehar uske shareer se guzar gayi!

Achanak, ek awaaz goonj uthi—jaise kisi ne bohot purani bhasha me kuch kaha ho.

"Sirf khoon hi dwar khol sakta hai."

Kiaan ne peechhe murkar Ronan ki taraf dekha.

"Mera khoon..." Kiaan ne dheere se kaha.

Usne apni ungli par ek halki si chot lagai, aur ek boond khoon dwar par tapak gaya.

Ek tez roshni ka jhalak hua, aur phir… dwar dheere-dheere khulne laga!

Andar ek lambi surang thi, jisme prakash ka koi chinh nahi tha.

Lekin surang ke ant me ek chhoti si aag jal rahi thi—aur uske saamne, ek prachin kitab padhi thi.

Kiaan ne gehri saans li. Yeh sach ka raasta tha!

Lekin jaise hi usne ek kadam aage badhaya, ek shadayantrakari awaaz goonj uthi—"Tum yahan nahi aana chahte, warna..."

Aur tabhi... surang ka zameen hilne laga! 😨🔥

Chapter 18: The Cursed Tome

Jaise hi zameen hilne lagi, Kiaan aur Ronan peechhe hatne lage, lekin tab tak surang ka madhya bhag khul chuka tha.

Ek bhayanak hawa ka jhonka unke chehron se takraya, aur ek gambhir awaaz goonj uthi—"Jo iss pustak ko chhoega, uska bhaagya swayam likha jayega..."

Ronan ne Kiaan ki taraf dekha. "Yeh pustak mujhe acchi nahi lag rahi..."

Kiaan ne bhi andar se ek ajeeb si ghabrahat mehsoos ki, lekin uska man jaanta tha ki yehi woh raaz hai jo uske jeevan ko badal sakta hai.

Usne dheere se kadam badhaye aur prachin pustak tak pahunch gaya.

Pustak ka aakaar bada tha, uska cover kaala pad chuka tha, aur uspar ek ajnabi bhasha me kuch likha tha—jaise ki koi prachin mantra.

Jaise hi Kiaan ne pustak ko chhooa, ek tez bijli ki tarah ka jhatka uske shareer me daud gaya!

Uski aankhein ek pal ke liye safed ho gayi... Aur phir wo kisi aur jagah pahunch gaya!

Ek bhayankar sapna, ya koi doosri duniya...?

Usne dekha, ek vyakti, safed kapdon me, ek laal talwar pakde khada hai.

"Aakhir tu aa gaya... Arcane Heir!" Us vyakti ne kaha.

Aur tabhi... Kiaan ki duniya ekdum andhkaar me dub gayi! 

Chapter 19: The Prophecy Unveiled

Kiaan ki aankhein tez roshni se chamak uthi. Jaise hi usne chhaya mein khade vyakti ki taraf dekha, uske dil ki dhadkane tez ho gayi.

"Main… Arcane Heir?" Kiaan ne halki awaz mein kaha.

Vyakti ne muskurakar apni talwar neeche ki. "Haan, aur ab tujhe apni taqdeer swayan likhni hogi…"

Poora aasman laal rang ka ho chuka tha, aur neeche sanket de rahi rakh se bani rekha dikh rahi thi.

Vyakti ne hawa mein ek chhoti si pustak uthai—ek prachin granth. Usne Kiaan ki taraf badhate hue kaha,

"Yeh vidhi ka likha hua hai, lekin agar tu isse samajh gaya, toh apni vidhi swayam likh sakta hai."

Kiaan ne sandeh bhari nazar se pustak dekhi.

Uske haath jaise hi us pustak tak pahunche, ek tez bijli ki ghoonj hui, aur saari duniya andhkaar me dub gayi!

Lekin iss baar…

Wo ek naye jagah par tha. Ek school ke andar.

Ek aisa school, jo is duniya ka nahi lag raha tha… 

Chapter 20: The Enchanted School

Kiaan ekdum chok gaya. Uske chaaron taraf ek alag hi duniya thi—bade-bade minar, hawa mein tairte deepak, aur chhat se latakte hue purane parchhayi wale jharokhe.

"Yeh jagah… kya yeh ek school hai?" Usne dheere se kaha.

Ek mujhse tez awaaz aayi, "Welcome to Arcane Academy!"

Kiaan ne peechhe mudkar dekha—ek lambe qad ka aadmi khada tha, ek lambi kaali robe pehne hue. Uski aankhon mein ek gehra raaz tha.

"Main hoon Professor Aldric. Tum yahan ek chhatr ki tarah aaye ho, lekin yeh mat bhoolo—tum Arcane Heir ho."

Kiaan ne idhar-udhar dekha—saare vidyarthi hawa mein udte hue pustak pad rahe the, kuch jaadu se likh rahe the, aur ek taraf ek shikshak hawa mein mandrata hua shikshan de raha tha!

Uska dil zor zor se dhadak raha tha.

"Magar yeh sab… sach hai?"

Achanak, ek tez cheekh goonji!

Kiaan ne peedhe ki taraf dekha, jahaan ek vidyarthi hawaa mein uchalne laga—jaise koi adrishya shakti use kheench rahi ho!

Aldric ne ek shabd bola, aur hawa ekdum shaant ho gayi.

Wo ladka neeche gir gaya, lekin wo ro raha tha.

"Yeh school jitna adbhut lagta hai, utna hi khatarnak bhi hai," Aldric ne kaha. "Tumhe yahaan sirf seekhna nahi hai, balki jeetna bhi hai."

Kiaan ne gehri saans li.

Usne abhi tak sirf kahaniyan suni thi… lekin ab wo us kahani ka ek hissa ban chuka tha!

Aur sabse badi baat…

"Main Arcane Heir hoon…"

Chapter 21: The Forbidden Library

Raat ka samay tha, lekin Arcane Academy kabhi soyi nahi thi.

Kiaan apne kamre me pada tha, lekin uska man shant nahi tha.

Uske dimaag me sirf ek sawal goonj raha tha—Arcane Heir hone ka asli matlab kya hai?

Tabhi, ek patang ki tarah udti pustak uske khidki se takraayi.

Flap!

Usne us pustak ko uthaya—wo ek pracheen jaadu granth tha!

"Yeh yahaan kaise aayi?"

Tabhi, ek murmuring sunai di.

Kiaan ne khidki se jhank kar dekha—ek ladka aur ek ladki, school ke peeche wale hisse me jaa rahe the.

"Forbidden Library…" ladki ne dheere se kaha.

Kiaan ka mann ekdam utsuk ho gaya.

Kya wahan kuch aisa tha jo mujhe jaana chahiye?

Usne jaldi se apni robe pehni aur chupke se un dono ke peeche chala.

Forbidden Library…

Wo school ke sabse purane aur sabse rahasyamay jagah thi, jisme wo pustakein thi jo sirf bade jaadugar hi padh sakte the.

Jab wo library ke paas pahucha, uska dil zor zor se dhadak raha tha.

Samne ek bada lohe ka darwaza tha, aur uspe likha tha—

"Sirf wohi andar ja sakta hai jise andhere ki satta sweekar kare."

Ladka aage badha, aur usne apna haath darwaze par rakha.

Ek tez chamak uthi!

Aur darwaza dheere se khul gaya…

Lekin jaise hi ve teeno andar gaye, ek tez hawaa ka jhonka aaya.

Aur phir, ek bhootiya awaaz goonj uthi—

"Tumne ek aisi jagah pravesh ki hai jo tumhare sapno ko tod bhi sakti hai aur pura bhi kar sakti hai…"

Kiaan ekdam sitti pitti gum ho gaya! 

Chapter 22: The Whispering Shadows

Jaise hi Kiaan, wo ladka aur ladki andar gaye, unke chaaron taraf gehra andhera cha gaya.

Forbidden Library ke andar kitabein hawa me tair rahi thi, jaise koi adrishya shakti unhe palat rahi ho. Har ek panna khud-ba-khud palat raha tha, jaise woh kisi rahasya ka sanket de rahi ho.

Tabhi…

"Tum yahan nahi aana chahiye tha…"

Ek sannate me goonjti awaaz sunai di.

Kiaan ne idhar-udhar dekha, lekin koi nahi tha. Sirf parchhaiyan thi… hilti-dhulati, jaise zinda ho!

"Kaun hai?" Usne dheere se poocha.

Ek puraana shelf ekdum hil gaya, jaise kisi bhoot ne dhakka diya ho.

Ladka, jo ab tak shaant khada tha, aage badha aur bola, "Hume jo dhoondhna hai, woh bas ek hi jagah mil sakta hai—The Book of Lost Names."

"The Book of Lost Names?" Kiaan ne hairani se poocha.

Ladki ne dheere se kaha, "Haan. Kehte hain yeh ek aisi kitab hai jo har uss vyakti ka naam janti hai jo bhul chuka hai ya bhula diya gaya hai…"

Kiaan ke pair ek second ke liye jam gaye. "Toh kya is kitab me mere maa-baap ka bhi naam ho sakta hai?"

Usne tez dimaag lagaya aur socha—agar yeh sach hai, toh mujhe ye kitab dhoondhni hi hogi!

Lekin tabhi…

Library ke andhere me ek parchhayi hilne lagi…

Aur ek bhayanak awaaz goonj uthi—

"Sirf khoi yaadein nahi… yahaan woh bhi likha hai jo bhavishya me kho jayega!"

Aur phir ek tez jhatka laga…

Library ka pura andhera ekdum jeevit ho utha…

Aur ek bhootaha haath Kiaan ki taraf badhne laga! 

Chapter 23: The Book of Lost Names

Kiaan ek kadam peeche hata, lekin wo bhootaha haath aur tez aage badhne laga.

"Kyaan karo?!" Usne ghbrahat me kaha.

Ladki ne jaldi se apni pocket se ek chhoti si vial nikali—usme ek chamakdar neela taral tha.

"Ye mana gaya tha…" Usne dheere se kaha, lekin phir bhi vial ko tor diya.

Ek tez roshni phooti… aur library ek pal ke liye jagmagane lagi!

Bhootaha haath peeche hata, jaise us roshni se jal raha ho. Ek cheekh goonji, aur wo parchhayi ekdum hawa me ghul gayi!

"Jaldi, hume kitab dhoondhni hogi!" Ladka bola.

Woh tezi se andar bhagne lage, ek shelf se doosre shelf tak… lekin jo bhi kitab uthate, wo ya toh khud-ba-khud hawa me udd jaati, ya toh safed ho jaati, jaise koi shakti uske shabdon ko mita rahi ho!

Tabhi…

Ek alag si chamak aayi.

Ek bohot purani, kali pad chuki kitab ek akeli table par rakhi thi. Uske cover par ek naam likha tha—"The Book of Lost Names".

"Mil gayi!" Kiaan ne haste hue kaha.

Lekin jaise hi usne kitab uthai…

Pura library hil gaya!

Shelf girne lage… hawa ekdum bhari ho gayi, jaise koi unsuni cheekhein goonj rahi ho!

Aur tab…

Ek aur bhootaha awaaz sunai di…

"Tumne galti ki hai… ab tumhara naam bhi is kitab me likha jayega!"

Kiaan ki saansein ek pal ke liye tham gayi… 

Chapter 24: The Vanishing Names

Kiaan ke haath se kitaab ek pal ke liye chhutne ko thi, lekin usne apni poori taqat jodkar usse mazbooti se thaam liya.

Hawa aur tez ho gayi, jaise library zinda ho chuki ho! Shelves apne aap girne lagi, kagaz hawa me udne lage, aur ek ajeeb si phusphusaahat goonjne lagi—jaise hazaron awazein ek saath kuch kehna chah rahi ho!

Ladki ne Kiaan ka haath pakda aur cheekhi, "Is kitaab me likha naam agar mit gaya, toh wo insaan hamesha ke liye khatam ho jayega!"

Kiaan ne darr ke maare kitaab kholi. Pehla panna khaali tha.

Lekin jaise hi usne doosra panna palta, uski dil ki dhadkanein tez ho gayi.

Ek naam dheere dheere ud raha tha…

“Aarav Vaidya”

"Yeh toh hamare school ka ek student hai!" Kiaan ne hairani se kaha.

Ladki ne gabhra kar ek aur panna palta.

Ek aur naam mitne laga tha…

“Professor Reyansh…”

"Hamare teacher ka naam bhi?!" Kiaan ki awaz ekdum bhaari ho gayi.

Tabhi, ek tez cheekh goonj uthi!

Kiaan aur ladki peeche mud gaye… aur unka khun jam gaya!

Ek parchhayi dheere se library ke ek kone se ubhar rahi thi… uski aankhein ek dum kali thi, jaise andhera andar samet rakha ho!

Aur uske hothon se ek hi shabd nikla…

"Der ho chuki hai…" 😨🔥

Chapter 25: The Shadow’s Warning

Library ke andar sannata cha gaya. Kiaan aur wo ladki us parchhayi ko tak rahe the, jo dheere-dheere ek thos roop le rahi thi.

Uski aankhein gehre surang jaisi thi, jaise andhera nigalne ko taiyaar ho. Uska sharir dhundhla tha, lekin uski awaz bilkul saaf goonj rahi thi—ek thandi, ched dene wali awaz…

“Der ho chuki hai…”

Kiaan ne himmat jod kar pucha, “Kaun ho tum? Yeh kitaab kya hai?”

Parchhayi ne ek bhayankar hasi ki. “Tumne ek aisi cheez chhoo li hai jo kabhi kisi jeevit insaan ke haath me nahi aani chahiye thi.”

“Agar tumne kitaab band nahi ki, toh ek ek karke naam mitte jayenge… aur jin logon ka naam mit gaya, wo hamesha ke liye bhool diye jayenge…”

Ladki ne tezi se kitaab band kar di, lekin naam mita tha ya nahi, yeh jaane bina jaana khatarnaak tha.

Parchhayi aur kareeb aane lagi. “Agar tum sach me jaanna chahte ho, toh us jagah jao jahan se sab shuru hua tha…”

“…School ke purane wing me jo chhupa hai, wahi is raaz ka jawab hai.”

Aur ek jhatke me wo parchhayi hawa me ghul gayi.

Kiaan ne gabhra kar ladki ki taraf dekha.

"Hume school ke purane wing me jaana hoga!"

Lekin… wo jagah band thi. Aur jo waha gaya tha… wo wapas nahi aaya tha!

Chapter 26: The Forbidden Wing

Raat ka samay tha, aur school ke purane wing ke samne sannata cha gaya tha. Kiaan aur woh ladki chhupkar dekh rahe the, kyunki yeh hissa saalon se band pada tha.

“Hum andar kaise jayenge?” Kiaan ne dheere se pucha.

Ladki ne idhar-udhar dekha. School ke guards door patrul kar rahe the.

“Ek tarika hai…” usne kaha.

Puraane wing ka ek chhota sa janla khula tha, lekin waha tak pahunchne ke liye unhe ek doosre ke kandhe par chadhna tha.

Kiaan ne saath diya, aur kuch hi der me dono andar the.

The Fear Within

Jis moment dono ne pair rakha, ek thandi hawa ka jhonka aya. Diwaron par purani tasveerein bani thi, jo ab murjha chuki thi.

Har taraf dhool thi, aur hawa me ek ajeeb si badbu thi—jaise kisi cheez ko band karke rakha gaya ho.

Ek purani ghanti jhool rahi thi. Hawa ke bina bhi wo dheere-dheere hil rahi thi.

"Mujhe yeh jagah pasand nahi aa rahi…" ladki ne dheere se kaha.

Aur tabhi…

Ek zordar awaz goonji.

"Kaun hai waha?"

Kiaan aur ladki ekdam se chauk gaye! Kya kisi ne dekh liya?

Ya phir… yeh koi aur tha?

Chapter 27: The Whispering Shadows

Kiaan aur woh ladki ekdam sookh gaye. Awaz bahut kareeb se aayi thi.

"Kaun hai waha?"

Andhere me koi aage badh raha tha. Pairon ki halke se ghisatne ki awaaz goonj rahi thi.

Ladki ne Kiaan ka haath zor se pakad liya.

"Hume yahan se nikalna chahiye!" usne dheere se kaha.

Lekin tabhi… diwaron par chhayaaye hilne lagi.

Aisa lag raha tha jaise deewarein zinda ho gayi ho.

The Dark Path

Kiaan ne aage dekha, ek patli si gali ja rahi thi.

"Wahi ek raasta hai…" usne kaha.

Dono tez kadam badhane lage, lekin jaise hi unhone gali me kadam rakha, ek thandi hawa ka jhonka aaya.

Aur ek sirsirahat bhari awaaz goonj uthi:

"Tumhe yahaan nahi aana chahiye tha..."

Kiaan aur ladki ne peechhe dekha.

Ek lambi, kaali parchaayi unka peecha kar rahi thi…!

Chapter 28: The Shadow's Grip

Kiaan aur woh ladki tez daudne lage. Aadhe andhere raaste me sirf unki saansein sunai de rahi thi.

Lekin woh kaali parchaayi unke peeche-peeche badhti ja rahi thi.

"Yeh kya hai?!" Kiaan ne ghabrakar pucha.

Ladki ne peechhe dekha aur uska chehra zard pad gaya.

"Yeh koi aasan bhoot nahi hai… yeh ek Rakt-Chhaya hai!"

Kiaan ne hairani se uski taraf dekha.

"Rakt-Chhaya?"

Ladki ne darr se kaha, "Yeh woh hai jo zinda insaan ka khoon peeti hai… jo ek baar iske kabze me aa gaya, wo kabhi wapas nahi laut saka!"

Aur tabhi…

Ek sard haath Kiaan ke kandhe par aaya!

Chapter 29: The Blood Shadow's Curse

Kiaan ke kandhe par padte hi us thande haath se ek tez jhatka sa mehsoos hua. Jaise koi uska sara bal khinch raha ho!

"Hato!" Usne zor se cheekha aur turant ghoom gaya.

Par jo dekha… usse uska dil thum gaya.

Ek siyah dhundhli shakal—do surang jaise andhere ankhon wali—uski taraf badh rahi thi.

"Tum mujhe nahi rok sakte… tum meri shakti ho… tumhi mera bhojan ho!"

Kiaan ne gabrahat me apna haath uthaya, par tabhi…

Ladki ne ek chamakti hui lakdi nikal kar zameen par kheech di. Ek laal mandal sa ban gaya.

"Jaldi! Iske andar aao!"

Kiaan tez kadam bhagta hua uske paas aaya, aur jaise hi wo us mandal ke andar ghusa, woh kaali parchhayi zor se cheekh uthi.

"Tum log bach nahi sakte… yeh sirf shuruwaat hai!"

Ek tez jhatke ke saath woh hawa me bikhar gayi, aur sab kuch phir se shaant ho gaya.

Kiaan huff huff karta hua neeche baith gaya.

"Yeh sab… yeh sab ho kya raha hai?"

Ladki ne gehri saans li aur kaha…

"Yeh shuruwaat hai… sirf ek bhayankar shuruwaat…"

Chapter 30: The Forbidden Prophecy

Kiaan ki saansen ab tak tez chal rahi thi. Uske dil ki dhadkane kano me goonj rahi thi.

Ladki ne uski taraf dekha—uski aankhon me ek ajeeb si paheli thi.

"Tum kaun ho?" Kiaan ne finally poocha.

Ladki ne ek pal ke liye chup rehkar kaha, "Mera naam Ira hai. Aur tumhe yeh sab jaanne ka adhikaar nahi hai."

Kiaan hairan reh gaya. "Matlab?"

Ira ne ek gehri saans li.

"Tum soch rahe hoge ki yeh sab tumhare saath kyu ho raha hai…"

"Haan! Kyu ho raha hai? Mujhe kisi ne bataya bhi nahi ki main kisi ajeeb si cheez me fas chuka hoon!"

Ira thodi der chup rahi, fir dheere se boli…

"Kyunki tum… tum woh ho jinke baare me puraane grant likhe gaye hain. Tum Ek Arcane Heir ho, Kiaan!"

"Arcane Heir?" Kiaan ne paagalon ki tarah Ira ki taraf dekha. "Yeh kya mazak hai?"

Ira uski aankhon me dekh kar boli, "Yeh mazak nahi hai. Tumhi woh ho jo is shraap ka tod nikal sakte ho… Tumhi woh ho jise andhere ke devtaon ne khatam karne ki kasam khai hai."

Kiaan ke hoth sukh gaye.

"Yeh toh sirf ek shuruwaat thi, Kiaan…" Ira ne dheere se kaha. "Ab asli khel shuru hoga!"

Chapter 31: The Shadow Council

Kiaan ke dimaag me sab kuch goonj raha tha—"Arcane Heir… shraap… andhere ke devta…" Yeh sab sapna lag raha tha, lekin uske saamne khadi Ira ki sachchai ne usse hila diya tha.

"Mujhe sach batao, Ira! Yeh sab kya hai?" Kiaan ne zor se kaha.

Ira ne idhar-udhar dekha, jaise ki koi unhe dekh raha ho. Fir usne Kiaan ka haath pakda.

"Yahan se nikalna hoga. Agar tum sach me jeena chahte ho, toh mere saath chalo!"

"Lekin kaha?" Kiaan ne ghabra kar kaha.

"Shadow Council ke samne. Wahi tumhare sawalon ka jawab de sakte hain."

Kiaan ab aur adhik confuse ho chuka tha. "Shadow Council?"

Ira ne sir hila diya, lekin uske chehre par ghabrahat thi.

"Ek baar tum wahan pahunch gaye, toh wapas lautna mushkil hoga… Lekin agar tum nahi gaye, toh tumhari maut tay hai, Kiaan."

Ek tez thandi hawa chali, aur ek bada saya Kiaan ke peeche aakar khada ho gaya!

Ira ne uski taraf dekha aur cheekh padi—

"Bhaago!"

Aur usi pal sab kuch andhera ho gaya!

Chapter 32: The Forbidden Passage

Kiaan ko mehsoos hua jaise uska sharir hawa mein ud raha ho. Uske kaan se ek tez goonjati awaaz takraayi, jaise koi prachin mantra gunguna raha ho.

Achanak uski aankhein khul gayi.

Woh ek ajeeb jagah par tha—ek lambi, andheri surang jisme deewaron par ajaani bhaasha mein likhawat thi. Ira uske bagal mein thi, uska chehra ghabrahat se bhara tha.

"Hum yahan kaise aaye?" Kiaan ne dheere se poocha.

Ira ne chup chaap samne ishara kiya.

Ek bada, kaala darwaza saamne tha—uspar ek chinh bana tha, jo Kiaan ke gale me latak rahe taaveez se milta-julta tha.

"Ye Shadow Council ka dwar hai," Ira ne kaha.

Kiaan aage badhne laga, lekin uske kadam achanak ruk gaye.

Darwaze ke neeche ek laash padhi thi!

Uski aankhein khuli thi, aur uska haath ab bhi darwaza par tha, jaise usne andar ghusne ki koshish ki ho.

"Yeh kaun tha?" Kiaan ne ghabra kar poocha.

Ira ne ek thandi saans bhari.

"Jo bhi bina anumati ke andar gaya, uska yahi haal hua…"

Darwaza halke se kampaya, jaise andar se koi usse kholne ki koshish kar raha ho!

Aur phir…

Ek bhootiya, murda haath darwaze ke neeche se bahar aaya!

Chapter 33: The Whispering Shadows

Kiaan peechhe hata, lekin uska dil zor-zor se dhadak raha tha.** Murda haath darwaze ke neeche se nikal raha tha**, uske naakhun bade aur tez the, jaise andar koi jeevit lash ho.

Ira ne tez awaaz mein ek mantra bola, aur ek tez roshni ki lehar darwaze tak pahunchi. Murda haath ek jhatke se pichhe chala gaya, aur darwaza ek bhayanak cheekh ke saath khud hi khul gaya!

Andar sirf andhera tha… aur ek halki si fiza mein goonjti awaaz:

"Tum aa hi gaye, vaaris…"

Kiaan ek pal ke liye jam gaya.

"Ye awaaz kiski hai?" Usne dheere se poocha.

Ira ne uski taraf dekha, uski aankhon mein dar tha.

"Yeh woh hai jise hum sirf 'The Whispering Shadows' kehte hain…"

Andar se ek tez hawaa ka jhonka aaya, aur uske sath kayi parchhayiyaan nikalne lagi—lekin yeh aam parchhayiyaan nahi thi. Yeh hil rahi thi, ghoom rahi thi… aur dheere-dheere Kiaan aur Ira ke paas aa rahi thi!

Ek parchhayi bilkul Kiaan ke kareeb aayi aur uske kaan mein fufkara:

"Tumhe pata hai na ki jo andar aata hai, woh wapas nahi jata…?"

Kiaan ne ek thandi saans li.

Lekin wapsi ka rasta band ho chuka tha.

Aur ab sirf ek hi rasta tha—andar jaana!

Chapter 34: The Cursed Chamber

Kiaan aur Ira dheere-dheere andar badhne lage. Andar ek ajeeb si thandi hawa thi, jaise hawaa bhi unka swagat kar rahi ho.

Samne ek bada hall tha, jisme behad purane deepak jal rahe the. Deewaron par ajeeb-shadeeb chihre bane hue the, jo kabhi ro rahe the, toh kabhi has rahe the.

Tabhi ek tez awaaz gunj uthi—

"Tum log bahut samay baad aaye ho…"

Ek bade singhasan par ek chehra ubharne laga. Ek bhootiya aur peela pada chehra, jo tez laal aankhon se Kiaan aur Ira ko dekh raha tha.

"Tum kaun ho?" Kiaan ne hichkichate hue poocha.

"Main woh hoon, jise iss duniya ne bhula diya… magar tum mujhe nahi bhool sakte, Kiaan…"

Kiaan achanak ruk gaya.

"Tera naam kaise jaanta hai ye?" Ira ne dheere se kaha.

"Kyunki…" Us chehre ne ek tez hasi ke saath kaha, "Tum meri virasat ka hissa ho! Tum woh ho jo mera kaam pura karega!"

Aur tabhi…

Poori zameen ek jhatke se hil gayi, aur Kiaan aur Ira neeche girne lage!

To Be Continued…