Adventures of Advik (Part 6)

They reached the end of the corridor and pushed open the door. Indranil’s room was revealed. A crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, a desk faced the window and a blue and gold rug lay across the floor. Kadru was curled up on a pile of gold and jewels in a chest on the desk. The emperor and his wife, Pari were sleeping in bed…and Kiaan was holding a knife, prepared to strike…

Kiaan was knocked against the wall thanks to Samira. “Stop right there, you jerk!” yelled Advik. As Kiaan got to his feet, Indranil and his wife woke up in fright. “Who dares intrude on us?’ he asked. “I do,” answered Kiaan, his staff emitting a sickly green light. Indranil looked at him and narrowed his eyes. “I know you, Kiaan. I banished you and your sister.” 

“Which was a huge mistake on your part,” growled Kiaan. 

“Guards!” yelled Indranil but he was cut off as Kiaan grabbed his throat in a deathlike grip. Pari screamed and held up her arms in fear. “You have no idea how much I have suffered in the slums,” Kiaan stated. “You banned magic because of your own selfish desires, all out of illogical fear! Now I will take your place and you will meet the god you were named after!” 

“Not today, brother!” yelled a voice. Kiaan looked in surprise as Parinazz stormed in and flicked the knife out of Kiaan’s hands. “Eva!” cried Advik and Samira. The three family members ran and embraced each other in a tight hug. “Mom are you alright?’ asked Advik. “Yes, I’m fine now,” replied Samira. “How did you find us?” asked Samira. “I could not have done it without my wonderful friend.” Hiran hugged Advik tightly. “And my trusty cat,” he added with a meow of approval from Ojas. “Come on, let’s get out of…URGH!” He screamed in pain as fangs sank into his legs. He threw Kadru aside with magic, but the venom was already in his veins. Advik crumpled to the ground and Samira supported him. She muttered healing spells, but they did not last long. 

Suddenly, the white doors opened and troops of men in black armor marched inside. They quickly surrounded Indranil and looked around the room. “That’s him,” said a guard, pointing at Kiaan. “That’s the leader of the vermin rebels.” “So?” asked Kiaan. “So, you are going to be arrested for…” the guard finished his sentence with a series of croaks. A green frog stood in the spot where the guard was moments ago. “Carry on,” Kiaan said with a wave of his hand. “I have a kingdom to rule.” “Not while I am here," said Parinazz. Their foreheads glowed at the same time and the beams of light hit each other full force. Eva turned toward the empty hole in the wall and heard noises and shouts getting closer. The rivals had gotten through the barrier. 

“Over there!” said a guard and several ran into the opening. Soon, the clashes and shrieks of battle could be heard. The only one who got into the room was Taaj, who strutted into the room with a look of triumph. He turned to Advik, who was still moaning in his mother’s arms. “It seems that your little group of friends have fallen,” he stated. “Regarding that leader girl and your other dark-haired friend, I think I may have killed one of them.” Advik and Hiran gasped. “Not my friend, you jerk!” yelled Hiran. He charged at Taaj, but he threw him aside with magic. Kadru stared at Indranil, Samira and Advik, who were soon frozen in place. “Now, Advik, you ungrateful brat, I will put you out of your misery.” He was silenced by a rapid fist to the head. 

Samira, Advik, Eva, and Hiran gasped. Shray had come through the doorway, along with more guards. “What are you doing here?” growled Hiran. “You tried to beat us to death back at your house!” Shray sighed and said, “I couldn’t leave my family in danger. Shiva was calling to me to rescue all of you and he unlocked the door for me.” Samira closed her eyes and her forehead glowed again. “He is telling the truth,” she confirmed. Then she looked back at her husband. “How dare you abuse our son like that?!” 

“How dare you hide the fact that you had magic?!” Shray argued back. 

Shray grabbed an antidote from one of Taaj’s pockets and handed it to her. She took it without a word and poured it on Advik’s wound. “Ack! That burns!” he cried. “This will be the last time I say ‘thank you’ to you,” said Samira to Shray. “After that, I’m getting a divorce.” “You can’t do that,” said Shray in a threatening voice. “I am the head of our house and every one of you will do as I say.” “Oh, and I suppose the gods told you that, as well?” asked Eva. She seemed to be on the brink of tears. “Uh, guys,” asked Hiran. “You might want to get back and fight? Because…” With a loud bang, the guards were thrown back and the rivals entered the room.

The scene was chaotic. Weapons clashed as the guards fought the rivals. Taaj and Advik were in a wild fistfight. Kiaan and Parinazz were still blasting each other with magic. Parinazz was being pushed back by Kiaan. With painstaking effort, Parinazz reached into her pocket and took out the potion. “Here, take it. It will show you and your family your destiny.” Eva took the potion and went over to Advik. Advik’s muscles acted on their own, after many sessions of martial arts. With the help of his father and his magic, Advik took Taaj down. Two guards quickly carried an unconscious Taaj away, barely getting hit by a spear thrown across the room. As the emperor was comforting a shaking Pari, Kadru snuck up behind them, fangs bared. Eva raced over and sliced Kadru’s head off with a knife. It fell to the floor with a thud. The elite couple gasped and Pari whispered, “You saved us…”

Indranul’s guards were getting hit by magic left and right. Soon, there would be no more of them left. Parinazz was worn out by the fight, and was holding her hand over her forehead. Kiaan looked worn out as well, but he still looked at the emperor and Advik with absolute hatred. Turning his gaze to Parinazz, he scowled. “You have chosen the wrong side, sister. You would let an ignorant coward like him control your life instead of yourself? We could have ruled this land together and allowed magic back. We could have brought the gods closer to our world and be favored and wealthy beyond our imagin…” A hard slap to his face was his sister’s response. “Tempting as it is,” said Parinazz, “I never needed any of that. All I cared about was helping people in need and doing everything I could to ensure my survival and yours.”  “You have wasted your gift,” he spat. “You have wasted your life hiding underground, mellowing in your misery” responded Parinazz. “I begged you to come with me, but you wouldn’t listen. I have missed you all those years.” “You should have joined me and help take down the emperor,” said Kiaan. “I can tell that you still miss your wife and children,” Parinazz said with sadness in her voice. “I can still hear the sound of the earthquake…” 

“ENOUGH!” Kiaan yelled. He raised his staff in the air and it cracked with green electricity. Just then, Advik got an idea. “Everyone, hold hands with me. Too terrified to refuse, his family and friends joined hands and closed their eyes. “What are you doing?” shouted a guard. “Now is not the time for meditation!” Pari and Indranil covered their eyes in a corner. Channeling the energy of his loved ones, his forehead glowed brighter than ever. With a final scream, Kiaan shot the lightning from his staff and it clashed with the golden beam of light. The beam pushed back the lightning and Kiaan struggled against the powerful force. The light was overwhelming and Kiaan fell to the ground.

Kiaan’s clothes were ripped and smoking from the magic. His magic staff lay in pieces on the floor. Two guards grabbed him by the arms and dragged to the dungeons. He weakly lifted his head and muttered “This isn’t over.” By this time, more of Indranil’s reinforcements had arrived. “Arrest all the citizens that aided Kiaan,” ordered Indranil. The rivals attempted to use magic, but where frozen by Advik, Samira and Parinazz. After they were taken away, Indranil said, “I want to thank all of you for saving not only my life, but this land as well. As a reward, my wife will give extra rupees to help your families.” Everyone beamed, except Pari who glared at him. “Self-centered prat,” she muttered. “Furthermore,” the emperor continued. “Since many of you demonstrated your bravery through magic, you will have the privilege of…awaiting trial in the prison cells with the others.” “What?!” bellowed Shray. “This is an outrage!” Advik had never seen his father so deviant before. He yelled and tried to escape a guard’s firm grip on him. “Let us go,” ordered Advik. “Unless you want to be sentenced to death like Kiaan’s and Parinazz’s rebels, you will comply with my rules,” stated Indranil. “Magic is still forbidden in my empire, no matter what intent it is used for.” Advik could only look on with sadness and shock as he was taken away.

The walls of the cells were plain gray stone, except for small windows that let in some rays of light. Holes in the floors served as toilets, a faucet handles holding cold water served as sinks and beds consisted of old mattress pads and pillows. The hot heat from outside was still felt by the people inside. Kiaan was alone in one cell and Taaj alone in another. They had iron manacles wrapped around their heads that seemed to block their magic. Kiaan looked weaker now that he was powerless. He was a man that fell from grace. Shray and Eva were together, and Parinazz, Advik, and Samira were in separate cells. Eva and Shray were the only ones who did not have iron bands on their foreheads. At this very moment, Indranil, judges, and his council were meeting to decide their fates. The main door creaked open and the guards were dragging people along. “What is the meaning of this?” one prisoner asked. “Your arrogant emperor will pay for this,” said a second one. “Our group fought to protect the emperor, not try and bring him down!”  yelled a third. The third voice sounded familiar to Advik. He moved his head as much as he could and saw Mitul. He was put in another cell and the guards walked off.  “Mitul, you’re alive,” cried Hiran. “What happened?” “What happened,” Advik interrupted, “was that instead of helping us, he decided to stay behind and fight.” “I couldn’t leave Keye to fight all by herself,” Mitul argued. “You know with that hot temper and perseverance of hers, she can take care of herself?” asked Advik. “You know nothing about her or me, you freak,” said Mitul. “Bully him one more time, and our friendship ends right now,” said Hiran through the bars.

Eva looked at the clear potion bottle some more, before handing it to her father. “What is that supposed to do?” he asked. “It tells what your destiny will likely be. Just look at the liquid inside.” Shray looked at the liquid that started to shimmer and change shape. His worst fear was confirmed as he saw himself as a little boy, rubbing his head as his mother towered over him. Small dark green leaves were tied to her dress and scarf. The image shifted and changed to Samira, Eva and Advik being led away by guards to a watching crowd. He saw their faces again, but then they faded away. “No, no, this can’t be. This cannot be happening!” He threw the potion in the air and Eva caught it. He buried his face in his hands and muttered, “What have I done… what have I done?” Eve held out the potion through a gap in the bars and showed it to Advik. “Can you see it Advik?” she asked. “What is it?” said Advik. “Look into the liquid and see your possible destiny,” said Eva. Advik squinted his eyes to get a better look. The liquid changed shape and he saw Hiran dancing with a woman. His heart sank as they embraced. So this was the future; Hiran would love someone else and Advik would be…where? What would he do with his life? The woman turned around and smiled at him. The eyes looked familiar; warm and brown like his mother’s. The Swastika symbol glowed on her forehead. ‘Great’ thought Advik. ‘Hiran is going to fall in love with a woman who can do magic.’  

The woman winked at him and something clicked in his mind. His eyes looked the same as his mother’s. That meant that the woman’s eyes…were his eyes. Advik gasped and said, “That’s me, right there in the glass. I’m a woman!” Mitul rolled his eyes and Shray tried to stifle a laugh. Only Samira, Hiran and Eva were looking with interest. “Son, don’t be ridiculous,” said Shray with disgust. “You are a man and you always will be.” “You are wrong,” replied Advik. “I have always been a female. I was just born in the wrong body.” “Are you saying that the gods made a mistake?” asked Mitul, but Shray quickly followed, “The gods never make mistakes!” “Yes they did,” said Hiran. “They got into trouble many times in the legends!”  “The gods made me who I am,” stated Advik. “Nothing can change that. Someday, I will be able to embrace my true self.”

The following morning, several guards came in and stood by the cells. “His Majesty and the council have decided to let all who helped him, go free. That means Hiran, Mitul, Advik and his family.” There were many sighs of relief. Ojas was let out of a cage by the wall. “Therefore,” said the guard. “They must vow to not enter his Majesty’s property again without permission. Guards will now patrol the not so secret passage.” Everyone nodded. ‘Also, they must not use magic in any form in public, or sell any magical items to others.” After a brief hesitation, they nodded again. “Good,” said the guard. I will remove your restraints outside the palace gates.” The cell doors were unlocked and the group was being led out, with one guard in the front and one in the back. Advik asked, “What about the others?” He looked at the rivals and rebels staring into space in their cells. “Since they did not aid the emperor directly and many of them used magic to invade, they will be sentenced to death.” Advik’s heart froze. “But they are innocent! The rebels tried to help us and even the rivals didn’t know what they were doing. They were manipulated by Kiaan!” 

“Kiaan and Taaj will handle themselves just fine in there. His Majesty wants them in case their magic helps with the threat of the war.” “That’s insane,” said Hiran. “Rules are rules,” said the guard. “And lives are lives,” retorted Hiran. The guard glared at him. “Are you considering wanting to go back into prison to think about your situation? If so than, I can let his majesty know…” He was interrupted by a yelp. 

Eva had tripped and fallen to the ground. One of the guards went over to help her up…and was met with a quick kick to the shin. Seizing the opportunity, Shray brought him down with several hard punches. He fought the other guard as Eva grabbed the keys from his belt. “Hurry, Eva,” called her mother. “Unlock us first!” Eva removed the iron restraint from Advik’s head and Advik could feel the warmth of magic surging back. Eva had just freed Samira when the thundering footsteps of more guards were heard outside. “Free the others,” said Samira. “I will handle the rest!” The guards burst in with their spears at the ready, only to find that they were frozen in place. “Stand back,” ordered Samira and she then blasted a huge hole through the wall with her hands. Crowds of people made their way through the hole, just before the spell on the guards wore off. “After them!” shouted the guards.

Indranil was addressing the crowd on a podium in a central part of the village. Several nooses swung ominously in the wind. Indranil heard the commotion in the distance and looked. “What in the world? They are getting away!” The crowd turned and saw the prisoners escaping. Some of the citizens were cheering while some of the upper class citizens gasped and groaned. Indranil saw Parinazz and yelled, “How dare you let them out?!” “How dare you capture us without a trial?” she replied. “Also, Advik’s family helped us escape.” “What?!” he cried. “You insolent old…moo!” Indranil looked around and saw that he had become a white cow. Parinazz stifled a laugh. “Cows are sacred in India. It really suits you for a couple of hours, don’t you think?” Angry moos came from the cow as Parinazz went back to join her friends. The guards fearfully stepped back from the cow and scattered away. Shocked gasps came from the crowd. The people did their best to admire and praise the emperor in is new form. Then a small boy said, “Daddy! Mommy! The emperor isn’t wearing any clothes!” At that statement, the crowd burst into laughter. For the first time in his life, the emperor felt nothing more than utterly humiliated.

The prisoners ran as fast as their legs could carry them, in the direction of the hideout. The rivals were advancing on them fast, but Parinazz lifted her hands and said “Everyone stop!” They fired more spells at the rebels but Advik, and Samira made golden shields with their magic. “Listen!” cried Mitul. “Kiaan was not selling his potions to help you. He was doing it so that he could use you to defeat the emperor.” “Well, the emperor should have been defeated the moment he decided to abandon his people!” remarked a man in a turban. “I did turn him into a cow,” added Parinazz. The spell casting rivals froze in disbelief. “But it will only last for a couple of hours,” she said. With no one casting any more spells, Hiran continued. “If Hiran ruled this land, he would have made the upper class his servants and the lower class his slaves.” “But slavery still occurs under Indranil’s rules,” said a woman. “Trust me,” Hiran said, “It would be much worse under Kiaan’s rule.” They heard yelling in the distance and Samira said, “Everyone, you must go back to your homes or you will be arrested again. The guards are coming!”  Instead of running, the people turned around and stood by Parinazz. “We will not leave you,” one person said. “We will protect this land and ourselves,” added another. For the first time, the rivals and rebels were working together to reach a single goal: freedom. Advik, Parinazz, Samira held hands, and gradually, the crowd did the same. A blinding golden light spread forward toward the guards. After the light faded, the guards dropped their spears and looked around in confusion. “Where did all those people come from?” one guard asked. “I don’t know,” replied another. “Let’s go back and check on the emperor.” The guards marched on, letting everyone go.  The crowd cheered and hugged their family members. “Wow, a memory spell!” exclaimed Advik. “That was amazing! We better get going before it wears off!” Parinazz turned to Advik’s family and smiled. “You have all done well, especially Advik and Eva. I thank all of you for helping…me…fulfill…my…destiny…” Sweat soaked her forehead and she slipped to the ground. Several people immediately started helping her up. “Come on, let’s get her in the shade. She used up her magic and energy in this heat.”

 The crowd went on their way and Advik headed home with his family. Ojas was curled up in Eva’s arms. Samira thought she saw the brown face of Shaki smiling at her in the sky. Then Samira blinked and nothing was there. They reached the door of Advik’s house. Mitul shifted his feet and looked at the ground. “I just wanted to say, I am sorry for behaving like a jerk to you, Advik.” Advik looked at him, brief suspicion crossing his face, but then he relaxed. He didn’t need magic to know that Mitul was being genuine after the recent events they went though. “Where is Keye?” Hiran asked. Mitul’s silent response was more than enough to give them the answer. Both Hiran and Advik put their hands on his shoulders. “I am really sorry about that,” said Hiran.  “She was so brave down in the cave,” explained Mitul. “Taaj had me cornered but Keye stepped in and took him on herself.  In the end… well, let’s just say that the wand was mightier than the sword.” 

Advik sadly hung his head. “She had this dreamy look in her eyes as she died, almost like she was being honored by Kali herself.” For the first time in a while, all three men hugged each other like they did when they were younger. 

They let go and Mitul stood up. “I should get back home. I need to be alone for a while.”  Advik and Hiran nodded in understanding and Mitul sadly walked away.

They entered the house and sat down to rest. “I’ll wait outside,” said Hiran as he walked to the balcony. Shray stood in front of his family and announced, “I know I have done many things that were harmful to all of you.” “Not just harmful,” said Advik who stood up from a chair. “Downright cruel! How could you act like that? You didn’t let me be myself though out my childhood. You were strict with us, especially with mom after she worked as hard as you. Then, you try and beat up me and my boyfriend and threaten to send me and my sister away.” 

Eva brought her face to her knees and sobbed. “What kind of a father are you?” Shray tried to speak, but no words came out. After an agonizing silence, Shray said the words he knew would break everyone’s hearts: “I have decided to leave tomorrow.” “W-what?” asked Eva through her tears. “How will we manage without you, Dad?” asked Advik. “Where will you go? You can’t just leave us, even after what we went through,” mentioned Samira. “I feel like it is for the better,” replied Shray. “I have a friend who is willing to let me stay with him. Eva and Advik can help with work and getting food. You don’t have to take action for a divorce.” 

Emotions swept through Advik like a raging sand storm. As much as he wanted to pursue his interests, and potential transformation without interference, it was sad seeing his father leave. “You saved us,” mentioned Eva, lifting her head. “You broke the rules…for all of us.” “Yes, I did save you,” said Shray. “Now I am going to save all of you again…from myself.” The family came together in a group hug, tears soaking their faces. “Promise, you won’t be gone forever,” said Advik, burying his face in his father’s shirt. To that, Shray answered, “I will come back when I am ready.”

The group pulled apart and went back to their chores in silence. Advik went out to the balcony where Hiran looked out in the distance. Nothing had changed much outside. Hordes of people made their way to the market or back to their homes. Mules carried heavy items in carts and the shouts of shopkeepers selling their goods was heard. The people down below did not know that the world had changed in an instant for Advik. Looking at the world go by, he felt stuck in a point in time. It was a good feeling, almost like meditation. With life so busy and unpredictable, he wished that there were more times like this to self-reflect and heal. 

Advik did not know what the future would bring, but for now, it felt good to remind himself that he was alive, standing here at this moment. Even the burning heat of the day did not bother him. Advik felt fingers meeting his own. He looked over at Hiran, who was holding his hand. In his warm brown eyes, Advik could see guilt, sadness, and relief. Yet, over all those emotions, Advik saw love and acceptance. “I do not care who you claim to be,” said Hiran. “All the things we have done are in the past. For now, let’s us focus on our life ahead of us.” Our life, thought Advik. Not just a life lived alone. Advik wrapped his arms around Hiran and he returned the gesture. Slowly, Hiran leaned in and put his lips to Advik’s. Sealing the bond, Advik returned the kiss. Advik’s forehead glowed as he closed his eyes. Time stood still, it was a state of pure bliss that went beyond mortal comprehension. The moment was theirs, and they wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.