Glided Whispers: Unveiling Love and the Lost Treasures of Vijayanagar

This work of historical fiction is a product of imagination and creativity. It is important to note that the events, characters, and settings portrayed within these pages are entirely fictional and should not be misconstrued as a reflection of reality or an accurate representation of any historical event or person, living or deceased.

The purpose of this book is solely to entertain and engage readers through a fictional narrative set within a historical backdrop. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or individuals, whether past or present, is purely coincidental.

Furthermore, it is crucial to emphasize that this work is not intended to hurt, defame, or disrespect any person, community, or historical event. The author holds deep respect for history and recognizes the significance of real-life events and the individuals involved.

Gilded Whispers: Unveiling Love and the Lost Treasures of Vijayanagar

Hi everyone,

             I'm Sashi, coming from Ramapuram village located near Penukonda town in Andhra Pradesh. Despite trying for 2 years, I haven't been able to find a suitable job. My friend Shiva, a civil engineer, also wants to build his own house, but he too has been unable to find a well-paying job to fulfill his dream. He is currently working in a private company with a minimal salary. So, my friend Shiva and I came to the village to take a break from job-related stress.

        After arriving in the village, Shiva and I met our best friends Raja and Brahma. Raja is an MSc chemistry student who is currently working in a fertilizer company, and Brahma is a farmer. Tomorrow is the Dasara festival, the biggest festival in the Penukonda area, and it will be traditionally celebrated at the Parameshwari temple in Penukonda.

          Every year, my friends and I celebrate this festival. After discussing the festival celebration, my friends and I decided to go to Penukonda to celebrate the Dasara festival tomorrow. Brahma's sister, Anusha, is also coming with us to Penukonda to perform Durga pooja in the Parameshwari temple.

         The next morning, we all went to the festival celebration and had a great time after many years. At the celebration, we danced together and acted in a drama. We also played games organized by the temple committee. Brahma won the pot-hitting game, and he used the winning amount to buy bangles for Anusha. After the festival celebration, we sent Anusha home with my brother, Kalyan.

             Later, the four of us friends sat near the temple and discussed our life problems. Shiva and I were struggling to find good jobs. Shiva desired a stable job to propose to Anusha, Brahma's sister, and to build his own house. Brahma's goals involved arranging his sister's marriage and taking care of his mother. Raja aimed to establish his own company. We shared our dreams and aspirations with each other.

           Upon analyzing our shared dreams, we recognized that money and employment were the root causes of our problems, as well as potential solutions. If I had sufficient funds, I would start my own business, but unfortunately, I lacked the necessary capital. Shiva's wish was to secure a job so he could seek permission from Brahma to marry Anusha and build a home. Brahma's aspirations revolved around his sister's marriage and his responsibilities towards his mother. We identified the need for money but struggled to find quick and substantial earning opportunities. We were all approaching our 25th birthdays.

         Since my childhood, I had heard stories about the buried treasure of Vijayanagara somewhere in Penukonda. Discovering it would resolve all of our problems. However, there were rumors that the treasure was safeguarded by the mystical powers of Nagas and cursed as well. Those who dared to enter the cave supposedly met their demise on the spot.

                Twenty years earlier, my father Ramana, Shiva's father Ramulu, and Brahma's father Venkateswarlu had attempted to locate the treasure. Based on the tales from the Vijayanagara kingdom, they knew the treasure was concealed in a cave near Penukonda town. However, they were unaware of the exact location. After two years of searching, they finally discovered the cave. Upon reaching the entrance, they encountered naga snake sculptures and a warning sign indicating that entering the cave would lead to death by the curse of Nagas. Yet, human nature often disregards warnings. They decided that one of them would enter the cave, securing a rope around their waist to prevent falls. In case of any danger, they could easily be pulled back to safety.

             Brahma's father, Venkateswarlu, bravely volunteered to enter the cave. He assured his friends that he would signal them once he found the treasure. He would shake the rope, and then the two others would join him to retrieve the treasure. Inside the cave, darkness enveloped them, and their visibility was limited to a mere 10 feet . Venkateswarlu took a torch and ventured forth. Initially, it seemed like nothing eventful was happening as he had covered his face with a towel. However, after walking around 15 meters, the curse took hold of him. In his cursed state, he dropped the torch and succumbed to death within the cave, before even reaching a distance of 20 meters. Unaware of his fate, my father and Shiva's father believed that he had discovered the treasure, which explained his lack of movement and the dropped torch. They patiently waited for an hour, but when Venkateswarlu remained motionless, they sensed something was amiss. They pulled the rope, only to discover his lifeless body.

      They carried Venkateswarlu back to Ramapuram village. The news of his demise spread rapidly, fueled by rumors of his cursed fate at the hands of the Nagas within the cave. My father and uncle Ramulu halted their treasure hunt, cautioning everyone about the treacherous nature of the cave and the curse that awaited those who dared to pursue the treasure.

          Despite the warnings, one of our fellow villagers ventured forth, determined to retrieve the treasure. He declared that he would bring it out of the cave. Tragically, he too met his demise within the depths of the cave. Witnessing another life lost, my father became resolute in his decision to seal the entrance of the cave and keep its location a secret. He covered the entrance with rocks, effectively closing off any access to the cave. For the past 20 years, the exact whereabouts of the cave have remained unknown. With our discussion concluded, we returned home from Penukonda, mindful of the dangers that lay hidden within that cursed cave.

           In the morning, we gathered at the high school ground to delve into the curse surrounding the treasure. Being modern-day boys, we held skepticism towards any notion of magical curses. Raja, utilizing his knowledge of chemistry and Hollywood movies, proposed that the cause of death inside the cave could be poisonous gas. He suggested wearing gas masks equipped with filters to counteract the gas. Shiva expressed concerns about hidden snake chambers, considering the cave's protection by Nagas. I mentioned the possibility of using infrared goggles to detect any hidden elements within the cave. We believed that technology could aid us in our quest.

      Now, our requirements were infrared goggles, a metal detector for locating buried treasure, and a shovel for digging. Brahma already possessed a shovel, while Raja had access to gas masks. Shiva and I discreetly ordered the infrared goggles and metal detector online. The only remaining task was to discover the precise location of the cave. My father and Shiva's father, Ramulu, were the sole individuals aware of its whereabouts. However, Ramulu vehemently opposed another treasure hunt. On the other hand, my father was a gentle and caring person, and I believed he might disclose the cave's location. I informed my friends that I would seek his guidance.

          In the evening, I casually broached the topic of the cave with my father. To my surprise, he claimed ignorance about it. I knew he was intentionally keeping it a secret, fearing the potential harm another treasure hunt could bring. He dismissed the rumors of the Vijayanagara kingdom's treasure, asserting that King Thirumalaraya had transported his riches to his new capital, Chandragiri, upon establishing the Aravidu dynasty. However, when I inquired about Venkateswarlu's uncle's death, my father struggled to explain the exact cause. Eventually, he admitted being aware of the cave's existence but was hesitant to disclose its location. I assured him that my intentions were solely for academic research, intending to study the cave for my thesis, with no intention of entering it. Reluctantly, he agreed to accompany me and reveal the cave's location.

      The following morning, accompanied by my father, my friends and I made our way to Penukonda. My father emphasized the importance of keeping the cave's location strictly confidential. We headed to the Chennakesava Swamy temple, where my father guided us to a mandapa housing the statue of Prasanna Anjaneya Swamy, situated near a large well. From there, he led us to the overgrown ruins of the cave. Armed with cutting tools, we cleared away the bushes, and after painstakingly removing rocks for half an hour, we finally unveiled the entrance to the cave. The entrance stood grand and adorned with sculptures of Nagas on either side. I captured photographs of the cave while Raja used chemical paper to gather an air sample, confirming the presence of poisonous gas within.

      Having obtained our samples and documentation, we returned to the village to conduct further research. Our findings supported Raja's earlier speculation about the presence of poisonous gas in the cave. Thus, to venture inside safely, we knew we would need masks. However, we needed a well-devised plan to ensure that we would not be discovered by my father. We agreed to embark on the treasure hunt a week later. In the meantime, we focused on procuring the necessary equipment, which we managed to gather before the week came to an end.

         When the time arrived, we informed our parents that we were going swimming and trekking in the Penukonda forest, assuring them that we would return before sunset. We packed our belongings and set out for Penukonda, all the while keeping the location of the cave confidential amongst ourselves. Upon reaching the cave, we equipped ourselves with masks and infrared goggles for added protection. Considering the unfortunate fate of uncle Venkateswarlu, who perished in the pursuit of the treasure, we devised a plan. Given that I had an elder brother who could take care of our parents in case of any untoward event, 

       I volunteered to be the first to enter the cave. Meanwhile, Shiva and Raja were their parents' only children, and Brahma shouldered the responsibility of providing for his family. Even in the worst-case scenario, should I meet my demise, I knew my brother would look after our parents' well-being.

         Once inside the cave, I securely fastened the rope around my waist and proceeded deeper into its mysterious depths. After walking a distance of 20 feet, I stumbled upon the haunting sight of a villager's skeleton, a grim reminder of the perils that awaited those who sought the treasure. Despite the eerie encounter, I steeled my resolve and ventured forth, aware that the rope was insufficiently long for my friends to follow suit safely. Using hand signals, I beckoned them to join me, and together, we gathered closely, finding solace in each other's presence.

        To ensure our safety, I picked up a nearby stick and tapped the cave floor cautiously, on the lookout for any hidden traps. It was during one such tapping that a mechanized arrow trap was triggered. Double-headed arrows shot forth from both sides of the cave walls, catching us off guard. It posed an unexpected obstacle, leaving us uncertain about how to overcome it. However, Shiva keenly observed that the arrows on each side were being reloaded after firing, suggesting a finite number of arrows in the trap. Thinking quickly, he grabbed a shovel and halted the lower line of arrows, recognizing the danger posed by deflecting the upper line and potentially harming us. By stopping every arrow in the same line, he counted a total of four arrows on each side, requiring us to neutralize eight arrows in order to create a safe passage.

       With Shiva taking the lead, we cautiously proceeded, triggering the arrows and carefully maneuvering to avoid their deadly trajectory. However, Raja faced a unique challenge due to his larger physique, as the confined space increased the risk of being struck by the second line of arrows. Shiva determined that attempting to deflect the second line might inadvertently harm the rest of us. Therefore, Raja controlled his breathing and gingerly maneuvered his way through the narrow space, carefully navigating past the arrows. After a nerve-wracking ten minutes, we successfully cleared the trap, allowing Raja to breathe a sigh of relief as he emerged unscathed.

      Undeterred by the ordeal, we pressed onward and eventually encountered a locked door, adorned with an inscription in ancient Telugu. The inscription warned that pulling the lever to open the door would summon the god of death, invoking the ashta digbandhana curse. Reading the inscription, I contemplated the potential dangers, wondering if it held a naga curse that could release poisonous gas or unleash a barrage of stones or weapons upon me. Though not overly concerned, I urged my friends to keep their distance from the door, proceeding cautiously. Deciding to take the risk, I resolved to pull the lever, aware of the potential consequences that lay before me.

       When pulled, an arrow shot from behind but it injured Brahma. In that moment of despair, trapped within the cave with no visible way out, I felt the weight of responsibility for the predicament we were in. The realization dawned upon me that my insatiable desire for the treasure had led us to this dire situation. With a heavy heart, I admitted to my friends that I was at fault for dragging them into this perilous adventure and offered my sincere apologies. However, they reassured me that they bore no ill feelings and emphasized that joining me on this quest had been their own choice.

Together, we brainstormed possible solutions to escape our entrapment. Shiva suggested that we use the shovel to try and dislodge the block of rock obstructing our path. With Brahma's condition worsening and time running out, we knew we had to act swiftly. We exerted all our strength, leveraging the shovel against the immovable rock, hoping for a breakthrough.but no results for that attempt.

        So, as we remained trapped, facing the imminent threat of death, Shiva made a courageous decision to open up about his secret love affair with Anusha. He revealed that he had been in love with her since childhood and had aspirations to marry her, but wanted to secure a stable job before proposing. Upon hearing this, Brahma smiled warmly and offered his support, promising to speak with Shiva's parents about the marriage and offering his sister's hand to him. Shiva's face brightened up with happiness upon hearing this news. In a surprising turn of events, Raja also disclosed that his father had been discussing potential marriage prospects within their relatives, and he had found a suitable match.

          Finally, it was my turn to share my own story. My friends inquired about my plans if we managed to escape from the treacherous cave. I informed them that I intended to apply for a new job. They then questioned why I hadn't mentioned any plans for marriage, prompting me to explain that I harbored deep feelings for someone who loved another person. They teasingly speculated about my sexual orientation, but I clarified that I was not gay and simply grappling with unrequited love. Intrigued, they urged me to share the details of this one-sided love story.

        And so, I began recounting the tale of my profound connection with a girl who felt like my soulmate. Krithi was my classmate during my studies in M.A. Ancient History and Archaeology at the University of Mysore. In our small class, consisting of only five students, I was the lone male amidst two married female classmates who attended solely to write exams. Fortunately, there were no seniors to contend with, which allowed me to focus on studying alongside my regular classmates, Krithi and Mani Meghana.

           Within our tiny class, comprising just the three of us, our professor, Dr. Chandra, would diligently conduct regular classes, offering practical and comprehensive explanations. He often expressed his melancholy over the dwindling number of students and the prevalent disregard for historical knowledge among contemporary historians. Despite our intimate class size, we seldom interacted with one another. I harbored a fear of conversing with girls and thus avoided any form of communication with them.

          But one day, fate took us to a folklore museum at our university, where we ventured to conduct research on artifacts related to janapadas. As we entered the museum, we realized it was a holiday, and only the four of us were present. While exploring the exhibits, Mani encountered some doubts and sought clarification from the professor. Sensing that it would take some time, the professor suggested that Krithi and I explore the museum together. My heart began to race with anticipation, and I responded with hesitant words, "Okay, sir."

         As we proceeded together, I maintained a slight distance, unsure of how to behave. Observing my unease, Krithi playfully remarked, "I'm not a ghost or an animal, so please treat me normally." Her words struck a chord, and I adjusted my behavior accordingly, maintaining a comfortable proximity.

            Unexpectedly, while exploring a dimly lit room, the electricity abruptly went out, enveloping us in darkness. In that moment, something extraordinary happened—Krithi tightly embraced me and pleaded for me not to leave her side. My heart raced like an engine running at full throttle, synchronized with her fast-beating heart. We could feel the rhythm of each other's hearts, as we stood there for what seemed like an eternity, consumed by the darkness. 

       After five minutes that felt like a lifetime, the electricity was restored, and Mani arrived at our location, aware of Krithi's fear of darkness. However, before she arrived, we discreetly separated from each other, pretending as if nothing had transpired.

                At that moment, it felt as though my heart had been captured by her essence. I found myself unable to look away, observing her every move. As she walked away with Mani, she never glanced back, while I remained fixated on her, resembling a statue frozen in time. Suddenly, the professor approached from behind and called out, "Sashi!" Yet, I remained entranced, unable to hear anything but the echoes of her words. It was only when the professor tapped me that I snapped out of that enchantment.

              Later that night, as I lay in my hostel bed, I could only dream of that magical incident. The following morning, we reconvened in class as usual. I took my seat, and both Mani and Krithi sat on their respective benches, unaware of my hidden gaze fixed upon her. I soon realized that I had fallen in love, though uncertain of her feelings towards me. Thus, my love remained unrequited, and I yearned to initiate a conversation but lacked the courage to do so.

             However, in the third semester, we were assigned a group project that compelled us to collaborate and communicate. I was overjoyed at the opportunity to finally interact with her. After a year of being in the same class but barely exchanging words, we had a chance to converse. As we began working on the project, I couldn't help but act as I did before, causing her to jokingly remind me once again that she was not a ghost and that I should treat her normally. Encouraged by her words, I mustered the courage to engage in conversations with both her and Mani. Over time, our interactions flourished, and we gradually transitioned from occupying separate benches to sharing the same one. Whenever I sat beside her, I wished for those moments to stretch into eternity. However, time pays no heed to such desires. As days turned into months, our bond deepened, and we became the best of friends.

         When the day of the Rakhi festival arrived, I found myself plagued by a nightmare. In the depths of my dream, I imagined resting my head upon Krithi's lap, only to find myself dreaming within the dream. In this inner dream, Krithi adorned my wrist with a rakhi. Startled, I abruptly awakened, determined to stay awake and avoid further slumber until morning.

          On the day of the festival, Krithi called and requested a meeting near the Buddha statue at our university. As I approached the designated spot, my eyes fell upon the rakhi she held in her hand. My heart skipped a beat, causing it to seemingly reside in the palm of my hand. An instinctual urge to escape washed over me, but just as I began to make my exit, she noticed and called out to me, questioning my intentions. I hastily concocted a lie, claiming that I had an urgent call to attend to and promised to return after completing my "important" task. She insisted I wait for five minutes, mentioning Mani's desire for my presence and emphasizing the significance of celebrating the festival together to strengthen our bond. Inquiring about Mani's whereabouts, Krithi informed me that she was engaged in a religious ritual back at the hostel. Reluctantly, I agreed to wait for Mani there, as Krithi had requested. However, she did not tie the rakhi on my wrist during that encounter.

             Continuing on, every passing second seemed to intensify the rapid rhythm of my heart. I had assumed that both Mani and Krithi would tie the rakhi on my wrist together, but after the allotted five minutes, Mani arrived at the spot and took the rakhi from Krithi's hand, securing it on my wrist. She playfully inquired about her gift, to which I confessed my lack of preparation and promised to give it to her at a later time. Mani then expressed that Krithi held a special place in my life as I treated her like a sister, despite not having any siblings of my own. She emphasized the importance of finding a special gift for her and assured me that I could present it whenever I was ready.

           Meanwhile, Krithi received a phone call from her friend Chennappa, with whom she often conversed. Taking the opportunity, I approached Mani to inquire about Krithi's perspective on the rakhi festival. Mani revealed that Krithi didn't celebrate festivals in the traditional sense, as she believed in the bond between individuals rather than the mere act of tying a rakhi. Learning this filled me with immense joy, for it meant that without the rakhi, I remained a cherished friend rather than being bound by a brotherly bond.

           In the following days, I delved into research, seeking out special gifts that would resonate with Mani. Knowing her love for stargazing, I embarked on a quest to find a gift related to the sky. During my online exploration, I stumbled upon a ring made from shooting star remnants. According to Japanese culture, making a wish when witnessing a shooting star ensures its fulfillment. However, the shooting star ring carried a hefty price tag, prompting me to save diligently and even borrow some money from my brother Kalyan. Determined to purchase two rings, one for Mani and one for Krithi, I continued saving until the final semester approached.

              As the last semester commenced, the impending sense of separation loomed over us. Being just three members in the class without any senior or junior distinctions, we had never celebrated welcome or farewell parties. Determined to create a memorable farewell celebration, we brainstormed ideas. Mani proposed a trip to Krithi's grandmother's village, Subramanya, renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty. Moreover, Krithi's expertise in rock climbing meant that she could teach us the art. With unanimous agreement, we decided to embark on a journey to Subramanya.

           Upon arriving at the village, I discovered that Krithi belonged to the Kodava tribe. It was here that I encountered guns, which struck me as unusual given the norms in India where owning guns at home is uncommon. Curiosity piqued, I inquired about the legality of possessing firearms, prompting Krithi to explain that their community held the right to possess weapons without licenses. While some villagers owned guns, their purpose was not for malicious intent but rather for protection against animal attacks and as a display of their heritage.

        With this newfound knowledge, we immersed ourselves in exploring the rich Kodava culture. The diverse array of food captivated our taste buds, but it was the vibrant village dances and traditional attire that enchanted me the most. Along the way, I made new acquaintances and struck up a friendship with Krithi's childhood friend, Chennappa. The four of us spent abundant time together, making memories and cherishing our camaraderie. As Mani and I prepared for our departure, tomorrow being the last day of our stay, we decided to embark on a final adventure—a trekking and rock climbing expedition to Pushpa Giri Betta Hill.

           But in the morning, Mani told us that she was not feeling well because of her periods. She had cramps, so she wouldn't be coming with us. Chennappa also had some work at home, so he couldn't join us. Mani advised us to go without them, but I insisted that we cancel the plan if they couldn't come. However, she convinced me to go trekking, knowing my love for nature and trekking. Krithi also assured us that we could go together and return soon. In my mind, I thought it was the right time to confess my love to her. Thus, we proceeded with our trek in the jungle and eventually reached Pushpa Giri Betta hill, where we sat at the edge to rest.

          After our break, we started practicing rock climbing. Suddenly, Krithi's hand slipped, causing the rope she had tied to the rock to slip as well, and we fell into the valley. During the accident, Krithi injured her leg, making it difficult for her to walk. Our bags were also left at the top of the cliff, leaving us without any supplies to treat her ankle sprain. Krithi suggested seeking shelter in Sri Shanta Mallikarjuna Swamy temple, which was located nearby. Without hesitation, I lifted her and carried her to the temple, where we sought refuge for the night as darkness was setting in.

         Given her ankle pain, I decided to treat her sprain by venturing outside to gather medicinal plants. With the help of the plants, I administered treatment to alleviate her pain. As she began to feel better, I initiated a conversation about our future plans to distract her from the discomfort. I inquired about her aspirations, and she shared her desire to find a good job related to archaeology. Subsequently, I brought up the topic of marriage, and she revealed that she was in love with someone dear to her heart and wished to marry him. Upon hearing this, I felt a deep sadness and suspected that Krithi might be in love with Chennappa. Trying to conceal my emotions, I responded, "Okay, that's a good plan."

          Later, she expressed curiosity about my own plans. I conveyed my intention to join the defense services, which prompted her to question why I didn't consider a regular civilian job. I explained my desire to serve my country as a soldier and my firm decision to join the defense services. She then inquired about my future marriage plans. In a playful manner, I jokingly replied that after joining the defense forces, I would marry a beautiful girl. Her response was silence, and we found ourselves staring at each other, lost for words and unable to continue the conversation.

          Now it was nighttime, and the cold was piercing. Krithi wanted me to stay close to her, so I sat beside her. After some time, she heard a howling sound of an animal, and she hugged me, urging me to stay with her. At the same time, I felt a sense of sadness due to her love story, longing for a comforting embrace from my own loved one. I also embraced her, wishing for this moment to last forever, as it could potentially be the last time we would be together. Gradually, my heart synchronized with her heartbeat, and I found solace in listening to its rhythmic melody. Eventually, I drifted into a peaceful sleep.

             However, in the middle of the night, I was abruptly awakened by the sound of a bear near the temple. As I surveyed our surroundings, I spotted the bear approaching us. Krithi was in a deep sleep, and I felt helpless without any weapons. I searched for something to defend ourselves and managed to find a plate used for offering prayers and a small trishul. Realizing that they wouldn't be sufficient for protection, I recalled my friend Brahma's advice about scaring away bears with loud noises. Taking the small trishul and the plate, I ventured outside and began making loud sounds. Miraculously, it worked, and the bear retreated. Krithi woke up startled by the commotion and quickly came out of the temple. She hugged me from behind, pleading for me not to go anywhere. I reassured her that I wouldn't leave her in any situation, and we returned inside the temple. I remained awake throughout the night to safeguard her from potential encounters with wild animals.

              In the early morning, Chennappa arrived in search of us. He noticed our bags at the top of the cliff and utilized a rope from Krithi's bag to descend and find us. Now that Krithi was able to walk, we embarked on our trek back to the village.

           Due to the cold temperatures, I developed a fever, which led to the cancellation of my plan to return home that day. Chennappa went to fetch a doctor to treat me, but Mani was nowhere to be found. I inquired about Mani's whereabouts from Krithi, who informed me that Mani had received a call informing her of her father's heart attack. She had gone home to be with her father and left a letter for both Krithi and me. Unfortunately, I was unable to give her the ring since I didn't know her address. I contemplated sending the ring by post instead.

           Later on, Krithi took care of me as I recovered from the fever, which took two days. However, deep sadness lingered within me, as I feared it might be the last time I would physically see her. The uncertainty of our future encounters weighed heavily on my heart. On the morning I was set to return home, I presented her with one of the rings I had bought for us, perhaps the final gift I would give her. When offering it to her, she requested that I place it on her left-hand ring finger. I hesitated, explaining that according to Hindu tradition, putting a ring on the ring finger signifies engagement. Despite her disregard for such beliefs and traditions, my hesitation remained, especially with Chennappa being present. However, Chennappa expressed that not putting the ring on would disappoint her. In an effort to avoid causing her sadness, I placed the ring on her left-hand ring finger. In return, she gave me a Kodava men's traditional dress as a memento, bidding me farewell.

        During my journey, hunger struck, prompting me to request my co-passenger to watch over my luggage while I stepped outside to buy food. However, in the midst of purchasing food, a pickpocket snatched my wallet from my hand and fled. Determined to retrieve it, I pursued the thief without realizing that the train had departed. After four minutes of chasing, I managed to catch the thief and retrieve my wallet. Unfortunately, I lost my mobile phone and the certificates I had brought for the interview. This setback dashed my hopes of fulfilling my life ambition.

            Later, I contacted railway authorities, but my luggage couldn't be located at the next railway station. With some money in hand, I managed to reach home, yet I had lost two significant things simultaneously. Subsequently, I was unable to attend the interview and resigned myself to the fact that Krithi loved Chennappa, signifying the loss of my love as well. I yearned to forget her, as losing my mobile phone made it easier to erase her from my life, given that all our photos and contact information were stored on it.

          Obtaining duplicate certificates from education boards took a year, and the exams were scheduled to take place in six months. To fill the time, I attempted to secure a job in the private sector but struggled to find suitable and well-paying employment. As a result, I ended up working in a call center.

          As for the rest of the story, we all know what transpired. Despite my efforts to forget Krithi, I vividly remembered every detail about her because of the depth of my love. Returning to the present, my friends questioned why I never attempted to understand Krithi's feelings regarding love and whether she truly loved Chennappa. I explained that I didn't want to envision her with someone else, so I refrained from discussing the matter with her. Furthermore, I had no desire to marry another woman, as placing the ring on her finger had symbolized an engagement in my mind. Hence, I considered myself engaged to her. Ultimately, all the stories have come to an end.

            So Shiva wanted to check for an escape route again. He started another way to get out of here. So Shiva stood up and began his search to find the other way. He went back to the end of the cave, and with the help of infrared goggles, when he reached the end, he looked at the top of the cave walls and found more heat on the ceiling of the cave. He found something hotter than any other place. So he concluded that there might be a possible exit up there.

         Shiva came to us and informed us about the heat signature. So we decided to dig a hole through the roof. However, the roof is 10 ft high. So Shiva and I made a plan to climb on top of each other and dig a hole. Shiva climbed up on me and began digging a hole. After 15 minutes of digging, we found ourselves in an old well located in Chennakesava temple. With the help of a rope, we were able to get out of it. We were very happy about it.

          When we were out of the temple, Brahma fell unconscious. So we took him to the hospital. Raja went to inform Anusha and her mother about Brahma. Meanwhile, when the doctor came out of the ICU, he told me that Brahma had been slowly poisoned by the arrow. And he had only half an hour left in the world. We were devastated by the news. We rushed into the ICU. When we went inside, Brahma knew that he was going to die, so he took a promise from Shiva to marry his sister and take care of his mother. And he died in front of my eyes.

            We wanted to keep the treasure hunt a secret because if anyone knows about it, they may start a treasure hunt, even though there was nothing in the cave. So I met the doctor and requested him not to tell Anusha that her brother died because of a poisoned arrow. I requested him to tell them that it happened because of a sharp stick that he fell on when he was swimming. He agreed to tell them as I requested.

               Raja brought Anusha and her mother a little late. They were unable to see him alive for the last time. When they found him dead, they burst into tears. Everyone in the hospital was in a sad mood. Anusha came to me and asked me what happened to him. I told her that Brahma died because of that accident. She fell there and cried a lot. We took Brahma's body. It took 2 days to complete the funeral process. But I felt guilty about his death because of my idea.

          Anusha is also like my own sister to me, so I went to Anusha's home and told her the truth about his death. She cried again. When I tried to calm her down, she slapped me and asked me not to show my face in the village again and never call her sister again. After hearing those words, I also cried. But I couldn't do anything after his death. I could do one thing. That is to request Shiva's father about the marriage of Shiva and Anusha. So Raja and I went to Shiva's home and requested their permission for their marriage. We were able to get their permission. Uncle accepted their marriage because Shiva is his only son. So Shiva's father went to Brahma's home and asked about their marriage. Aunty also accepted it, and they decided to marry them after 3 months.

          So I went back to my normal boring work with guilt in mind. I was unable to concentrate on anything. I didn't pass my exam, so I continued with my job. Time flew by quickly. It was one week before Shiva and Anusha's marriage. Shiva called me and invited me to come to his wedding. However, I told him that I had a busy workload and couldn't attend their marriage.

       Months passed, but I still felt guilty about Brahma's death. Then, on July 28, 2023, while I was watching TV, I saw an interview with my university professor, Dr. Chandra. He was discussing a recently discovered talapatra, which contained information about the aftermath of the Talikota war. According to the inscription, King Tirumala Raya had hidden the royal treasure in a secret place in Hampi, along with a map to the diamond mine, which was said to be larger than the diamond mines in South Africa. The treasure was hidden in Hampi by Tirumala Raya after Aliya Ramaraya was captured and killed in the battle.

        The talapatra mentioned that the treasure was sealed with a naga bandhana, similar to the Anantha Padmanabha Swamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram, which is believed to be protected by the demi-god Kanjirottu Yakshi. It can only be opened using the Garuda bandhan mantra.

        However, some historians believe that it could be a hoax. But the professor said, "I believe it is buried in Hampi. I will find strong evidence to prove it, and I believe it will be worth trillions. If we find it, it may change the destiny of India." That moment, I remembered the wishes of my late friends. With a newfound hope, I decided to meet Professor Chandra about the treasure. I traveled to Bengaluru, where the professor was working as the Superintending Archaeologist of the Bengaluru circle of the Archaeological Survey of India. I met him at his office.

       I told the professor about the incident in Penkonda, and upon hearing it, he asked me to join him in the search since I was one of his favorite students and I had expressed a desire to find the treasure. So I joined him.

            Finally, the professor confirmed that the treasure was hidden in Hampi. But we needed to find the clues that would lead us to it. He also instructed me to keep it a secret. Thus, we began studying the entire history of the Vijayanagara Kingdom to learn more about the treasure. We studied numerous manuscripts from various libraries in Bengaluru, but we didn't find anything substantial. The professor suggested that we should search in the Hampi circle of the Archaeological Survey of India, so we traveled to Hampi.

       When I entered the Hampi office, I saw Krithi, whom I hadn't seen in two years. She was working as a junior Superintending Archaeologist in the ASI Hampi circle. I felt both happy and sad about the encounter, but I couldn't talk to her at that moment since she was busy with her work, and I was occupied with the professor's tasks for the day. We visited the library in Hampi to search for clues. We went through numerous books and manuscripts, but unfortunately, we had no luck that day.

       We stayed in the ASI quarters, where Krithi was also residing. After having dinner, I went to her room to talk. She greeted me with a smile and asked me what I was doing at that moment and why I had become disconnected from her and Mani. I explained to her that I had lost my mobile phone and bag when I left her village. While traveling

       She then asked me why I had not contacted the university for their details. I told her, "I forgot about it at that time." She also inquired about my job search and what happened with the interviews. I explained, "I was unable to crack the interview because of the train incident." I mentioned that I was currently trying for another job.

       Later, she asked about my plans and marriage. I expressed my desire to stay single and explained that I had always imagined one particular girl as my wife, but I didn't disclose her name. Krithi respected my decision and said, "Okay, it's your personal matter." I felt a bit uneasy about it and wanted to change the subject, so I started asking her about her job but avoided any questions related to her own marriage and love life. I never asked her about those aspects. Instead, I shifted the conversation towards Mani and inquired about how they were doing. Krithi replied, telling me that her job was going well, and she also shared that Mani was doing good.

       It had been three years since I last spoke to her on the phone, so Krithi decided to make a video call to Mani. I told Krithi that I would surprise Mani in the middle of the conversation, so I hid behind Krithi as the call connected. Mani asked Krithi about her job, and she responded positively. Then, Krithi asked Mani the same question. Mani mentioned that she was now doing business with her husband and expressed her happiness.

              Later, Mani asked Krithi about her marriage plans, and I discovered that she was still single after getting a job. Krithi told Mani that she didn't have any marriage plans at the moment. She also hinted that she had a surprise for Mani. Curious, Mani asked, "What is it?" That's when I surprised her by entering the frame. Mani was overjoyed to see me after such a long time, and we reminisced about the sweet memories we shared in the past. I, too, felt immense happiness seeing my best friend after such a long time. After an hour-long conversation, we ended the phone call.

       It was 11 PM, so I returned to my room with a mix of happiness and relief. Knowing that Krithi was still single meant that she hadn't fallen in love with Chennappa. I decided that I would propose to her after the treasure hunt. I remembered the ring I had given her and noticed that she was still wearing it during our conversation. With a content heart, I went to sleep, feeling relaxed and hopeful.

        The next morning, Krithi joined me in the search for clues. While searching, she stumbled upon a book written by Unnayi Warrier, considered the father of Kathakali. In his book, he mentioned that his ancestors hailed from Hampi, where their great grandfather served as a supervisor of the Hazara Rama temple. However, after the defeat of Aliya Ramaraya in the Battle of Talikota, their ancestors migrated to Kolathunadu, and some of them eventually settled in Irinjalakuda. Unnayi Warrier also noted that the family of the royal priest accompanied them during their migration and settled in Kolathunadu, where they currently oversee the Vidyaranya Swami temple.

         Krithi shared this information with me, and I believed we had found a clue. The royal priest would only receive important orders from the king, such as the Nagabandhana, which meant they might also possess knowledge of the Garuda bandhan mantra, as they were responsible for performing royal rituals. We decided to gather more information about it.

      Then, I stumbled upon a manuscript written by poet Hanumappa. According to the manuscript, the reason for the Vijayanagara army's defeat in the Battle of Talikota was attributed to the royal sword believed to belong to King Sala, the founder of the Hoysala dynasty. The sword had been brought back from a pooja (religious ceremony), but bandits attacked the royal guards during the journey and intentionally touched the sword. It was touched by non-royal family members after the war's pooja. Before the Battle of Talikota, the people of Hampi feared their imminent defeat by the Bahamani kings.

          Their fears eventually turned into a nightmarish reality when the Bahamani kingdom destroyed Hampi. The royal sword was seized by King Ibrahim Shah of the Bahamani dynasty. It was believed that the sword held the key to Vijayanagara's hidden treasure, located in Hampi. However, when the Bahamani kings attempted to loot the treasure, they found nothing. Enraged, they destroyed everything they believed could be a hiding place for the treasure, killed every Vijayanagara soldier, looted all they could, and committed atrocities such as rape on their way. They ravaged the land like wild animals.

        I felt that I had discovered another clue, revealing missing pieces of information about the lost treasure of the Vijayanagara kingdom. I decided to pause my research for the day. In the evening, we gathered to discuss our findings. When I shared my discoveries with Professor Chandra, he informed us that he knew the location of King Sala's sword, which was currently housed in the National Museum in Delhi. He assured us that he could acquire it discreetly. However, I questioned the need for secrecy, suggesting that we could obtain permission from the Director General or Assistant Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) since we were conducting this search for the benefit of our country.

       The professor warned us about corrupt officials and illegal treasure hunters who could pose a threat to our mission. If they were aware of the clues we had found, they might attempt to eliminate us. Thus, we needed to keep this operation a secret. I asked the professor why he trusted us, and he explained that we had been his students for two years, and he was familiar with our character and talents. I then informed him about Unnayi Warrier's book and the royal priest who had settled in Kolathunadu.

          Curious about Kolathunadu, as we were unfamiliar with it, I inquired with the professor. He revealed that Kolathunadu was the old name for the Kannur district in Kerala. Additionally, the professor mentioned that the priest and his descendants, if they possessed the knowledge of the Garuda Bandhana mantra, could be of assistance in our treasure hunt. If we could locate them, they might provide valuable information. Therefore, our next destination would be Kannur, specifically the Vidyaranya Swamy temple where they were believed to be located.

        Then I recalled my best friend Devika, who is from Kannur, and I informed the professor about her. I realized that if I could contact Devika, she might help us gather information about the priests. So, I decided to travel to Kannur to meet her. The professor assured us that he would bring the sword from the museum, while Krithi expressed her intention to delve deeper into the history of the Vijayanagara kingdom to uncover more clues.

         I contacted Devika and asked her about the Vidyaranya Swamy temple. Although she was unfamiliar with the priests, she offered to take me there. Therefore, the next day, I had to embark on a journey to Kannur to meet Devika. The professor had already left for Delhi in the evening.

      During lunch with Krithi, she inquired about Devika and how I had made friends in Kerala, considering that I wasn't usually talkative with girls. I began recounting the story of how I met Devika.

           After sharing the story, I prepared myself for the journey ahead. The next morning, I visited Devika's home, where I was warmly received by her father, Mohan Uncle. We planned to visit the Vidyaranya Swamy temple together. Devika, being a devotee of Lord Shiva, wished to accompany us to offer prayers for her upcoming civil services mains exam, which was scheduled for the day after tomorrow, coinciding with her birthday. She hoped for some divine intervention. Thus, we set off to visit the Vidyaranya Swamy temple.

         To my surprise, when we arrived at the temple, the assistant of the priest was already waiting for me. He guided me directly to the priest, while Devika and her father proceeded to have darshan (sight) of Swamy. As I entered the priest's room, he greeted me in Telugu and asked me to sit in front of him. He expressed that he had been waiting for me his entire life. I was taken aback, wondering what was happening and why the priest had been anticipating my arrival.

        I asked the priest why he was waiting for me, and he revealed that he knew about my search for the Garuda Bandhana mantra and Vijayanagara's treasure. I was shocked because only three people were aware of the treasure hunt, and I hadn't disclosed it to anyone, including Devika. When I inquired about how he knew, he surprised me once again by stating that I wasn't looking for the treasure; rather, the treasure had been awaiting my arrival for about 460 years. This left me even more bewildered. I asked him to clarify why the treasure was waiting for me and why he had been anticipating my arrival.

         The priest explained that I needed to hear a story to clear my doubts. He assured me that it was my own story, and I agreed to listen. Intrigued, I prepared myself to hear the tale as he began recounting it from the beginning.

         The story unfolded during the fall of the Hoysala kingdom. When the Vijayanagara king, Harihara, launched an attack on the Hoysala empire, the last Hoysala king, Veera Ballala the 3rd, was slain in the Battle of Madurai. Impressed by the skills and dedication of the Hoysala king's bodyguards, known as the Garudas, Harihara asked them to serve as his own bodyguards. Initially, the Garudas refused, but Harihara reminded them of their commitment to protecting the king from harm.

        Being bound by their word, the Garudas eventually agreed to serve Harihara as his bodyguards. Over the years, the Vijayanagara kings continued to appoint Bahmani commanders, known as the Jilani brothers, to lead their army. These commanders, who were loyal to the king, had been servants of Sultan Adil Shah. When Aliya Ramaraya, a Vijayanagara ruler, supported the sultan in a war, as a token of gratitude, the sultan appointed his best commanders to the Vijayanagara army

        I asked the priest to continue with the story, eager to uncover the connections between the past and my present. He revealed that I was born as the leader of the Garudas on the auspicious day of Garuda Panchami. On the same day, one more child was also born in the town:, and Devika, the daughter of Mohan Warrier, the supervisor of the Hazara Rama temple. My father, filled with joy, named me Sashidhar, as I was born on the day of the Garuda Panchami festival, which held great significance for our clan.

          As I grew up, I eventually became a Garuda and was appointed as a bodyguard to King Tirumalaraya. The king would visit the Hazara Rama temple every week, a temple exclusively dedicated to the royal family, where no one else was allowed to enter. During one of these visits, I first laid eyes on Devika as she was picking flowers with her sister, Arya, for their prayers. I was captivated by Devika's beauty and instantly fell in love with her. I watched her from a distance, spellbound by her presence.

         At that moment, my friend Gunananda called me, signaling that he was going to search the surroundings for any signs of enemy spies. I took over his duty of guarding the temple entrance. After Devika finished gathering flowers, she approached King Tirumalaraya alongside her sister and presented him with the flowers. I was mesmerized as Devika walked past the temple entrance. After presenting the flowers, she returned home, and I continued my post at the entrance, dutifully ensuring the security of the temple.

            Later that evening, Gunananda and I went to practice martial arts, where Commander Ghiyasuddin Jilani was imparting his knowledge and skills. I was his most accomplished student, praised for my exceptional abilities. Despite Khaleel, the commander's son, training alongside me, he could never defeat me in any of our duels. Over the years, Khaleel developed a personal grudge against me, fueled by his father's constant comparisons. He desperately yearned to defeat me at least once in a duel, which further intensified his animosity towards me..

      I repeated the same action as before, finding myself eagerly listening to the continuation of the story. The priest continued, recounting my experiences at the Hazara Rama temple and the longing I felt to see Devika once again. The following Monday, as King Tirumalaraya visited the temple, I searched for Devika but could only spot her sister, Arya, picking flowers. I assumed she hadn't come that day, and my heart sank with disappointment.

        I took my post at the temple entrance, guarding it dutifully as the king entered. However, to my surprise and delight, Devika suddenly appeared from another side of the temple, carrying a different type of flowers. She approached the king and offered him the flowers, standing right in front of me. My eyes were fixated on her, while she conversed with her sister Arya. Her radiant smile made her appear divine in my eyes.

        In my mind, I wished that the king would prolong his prayers, giving me more time to stay in Devika's presence. However, the king concluded his rituals swiftly, and I accompanied him back to the palace. Throughout the night, my thoughts revolved solely around Devika, and I couldn't bear the anticipation of seeing her again. I realized that if I wanted to know more about her, I needed to seek information from my father, starting with details about the temple itself.

          That night, I approached my father and inquired about the Hazara Rama temple. He informed me that it held great significance for the royal family and was supervised by the Mohan Warrier family. My mother then shared an interesting piece of information, revealing that Devika was the daughter of Supervisor Mohan Warrier and belonged to the Varassyar lineage. My heart soared with joy upon hearing her name. I immediately requested my mother to provide me with Devika's address, and she revealed that it was located near Rani Mahal.

          The following morning, as I awakened, news spread about intruders at Rani Mahal. The previous night, two intruders had attempted to assassinate Princess Krithikamba, resulting in the deaths of numerous guards. Although they managed to enter her room, the guards valiantly fought back and killed the intruders before any harm could befall the princess.

          Following the assassination attempt at Rani Mahal, King Aliya Ramaraya organized an urgent meeting with high-ranking royal bodyguards and commanders to discuss the incident. The king sought to determine the possible culprits behind the assassination plot, but the gathered officials were unable to definitively identify the intruders. Various suspicions were voiced, including my father's suggestion that it might have been planned by Sultan Ibrahim of Golkonda or Adil Shah. However, Commander Jilani expressed his doubts, speculating that the Mughals could be behind the attack, aiming to provoke a war between the Bahmani and Vijayanagara kingdoms.

          The king himself entertained the notion that the Mughals may be involved. He recalled that the five Bahmani kings had never dared to attack the royal family since King Aliya Rama Raya had previously defeated them. Nevertheless, Aliya Ramaraya deemed it necessary to strengthen the palace's defenses, preparing for any future assaults. The Rani Mahal, where the queen and princess resided, was guarded solely by eunuchs, and no man was allowed entry into that area. However, the recent attack had exposed the vulnerability of the guards, and the king desired robust soldiers to protect the palace.

        During the meeting, Commander Ghiyasuddin Jilani proposed that both I and Khaleel were the finest fighters in Hampi and could effectively safeguard Rani Mahal. Recognizing our capabilities, the king decided to appoint us for the task. The following evening, Commander Jilani instructed us to ensure the security of the princess and other members of the royal family. Thus, it became our duty to guard Rani Mahal, and we promptly assumed our positions there.

        As I continued my duties of guarding Rani Mahal at night, I had the opportunity to see Devika again. To my surprise, she was staying with Princess Krithikamba, who had requested her presence after the recent attack. This realization filled me with joy, knowing that I could now see Devika every day due to her friendship with the princess. However, I was aware of the rule that prohibited us from entering and conversing with the queen and princess without their permission. So, my interactions with Devika were limited to glimpses as she arrived from her home.

         While I was deeply in love with Devika, I was unaware of Khaleel's growing infatuation with her. Khaleel had a tendency to pursue beautiful girls and was also attracted to Devika when he saw her. Unbeknownst to me, this added another layer of complexity to our shared connection. Nevertheless, I cherished every moment I could observe Devika, even if it was from a distance.

         One day, as Devika was returning home, I gathered the courage to approach her and asked if I could accompany her on the journey. I lied, telling her that my home was also on the same route. After a brief moment of consideration, she agreed, but on the condition that I act as her bodyguard. Without hesitation, I accepted her condition, and from that day onwards, we became friends and eventually grew closer.

             Two months passed, and I felt the time had come to confess my love to Devika. In the evening, I went to her home and asked her to join me. I offered to accompany her on the journey to Rani Mahal. As we entered the flower farm near the palace, I plucked a flower and mustered the courage to propose to her. Addressing her as "my princess Devika," I expressed my desire to serve her as a bodyguard and requested her acceptance. Understanding my intentions, Devika responded with a beautiful smile and accepted my request. She also made me promise to never leave her and protect her until death separates us. Overwhelmed with happiness, we proceeded to Rani Mahal together.

         From that day on, we secretly met every day on the flower farm, cherishing our time together. However, one day Devika informed me that the princess had learned about me and expressed a desire to learn martial arts. The princess wanted to see me at night to teach her how to fight and defend herself in case of another attack. Devika and I went to the princess's room, and as I stood in front of the curtain, I sought permission to enter. Once inside, the princess requested to learn various fighting techniques, particularly how to defend herself when weapons were not readily available. Understanding the princess's wishes, I decided to teach these skills to Devika, who would then pass them on to the princess, as it was forbidden for me to use weapons in training with the royal family.

          . As Princess Krithikamba expressed her desire to learn martial arts, she informed me that the rules only pertained to protecting against attacks. Therefore, teaching her martial arts would not violate any regulations. However, I raised my concerns about seeing the faces of royal women, as it was strictly forbidden. In response, the princess suggested that she cover her face with a scarf during our training sessions, ensuring that I could teach her without breaking any rules. Grateful for her understanding, I agreed to start teaching her from the following day and asked her to prepare appropriate clothing and weapons for sword fighting.

         The next evening arrived, and I began instructing Princess Krithikamba in the basics of sword fighting. To my astonishment, she displayed remarkable progress and quickly absorbed the lessons. After two months of diligent teaching, she had mastered the art of sword fighting. However, during our final practice session to assess her skill level, a powerful strike from me accidentally dislocated her arm, causing her immense pain. I was immediately concerned and wanted to provide treatment, but the princess resisted, stating that she did not wish to be treated conventionally.

         Recalling my own childhood experience of dislocating my arm while practicing, I shared with the princess how my father had treated me by hugging me from behind and distracting me with stories. With his hand placed gently upon mine, he posed a difficult question, allowing me to focus on finding the answer. When my mind was occupied, he swiftly corrected my dislocated arm without causing any pain. Inspired by this memory, I suggested a similar treatment for the princess, assuring her that it would be painless. She agreed to try it.

       As instructed, the princess stood still while I approached her from behind and embraced her gently. With great care, I held her injured hand, and to distract her, I began asking questions about the perimeter of Rani Mahal, explaining that I wanted to understand its security. Lost in thought, she pondered the question, providing me with the opportune moment to treat her dislocated arm. However, despite my intentions, she experienced some pain, and tears welled up in her eyes. Devika, who had joined us, rushed to her side, offering comfort and tending to the swelling. After treating the princess's hand, I advised her to rest for a month before resuming our lessons.

     Although she agreed, I sensed that the incident had deepened the princess's feelings for me. Furthermore, my absence during her recovery only seemed to intensify her emotions, moving beyond mere liking.

          I found myself in a familiar situation, yet with a new twist. The spies from the Vijayanagara Kingdom had brought news of a war plot by the Bahamani kingdoms, planning to invade Vijayanagara. Despite Aliya Ramaraya's confidence in the might of the Vijayanagara army, King Tirumalaraya advised against taking chances and emphasized the need for increased security, including the protection of male members of the royal family. Consequently, my father reassigned me as the bodyguard of King Tirumalaraya, removing me from the Rani Mahal and separating me from Devika. In my place, my friend Gunananda became the guard of Rani Mahal, fully aware of my affection for Devika. This new arrangement meant that meeting Devika became even more challenging, as I was required to be by King Tirumalaraya's side at all times.

          However, with the help of Gunananda, I managed to send messages to Devika regularly. Meanwhile, Princess Krithikamba, unable to venture outside Rani Mahal due to the threats of war and assassination, sought a way to meet me without arousing suspicion. She devised a plan to disguise herself as one of her maids, with her face covered by a veil. In the morning, she emerged from Rani Mahal accompanied by Devika. Claiming they were going to the Rajmahal garden to collect flowers, they approached me. As the King had strictly forbidden the entry of strangers into Rajmahal, I questioned their purpose. Devika explained that they sought a specific flower that grew only in the Rajmahal garden, as per the Princess's request.

        Although I was initially skeptical, I requested the Princess to reveal her face before granting them access. Reluctantly, she removed her veil, revealing her breathtaking beauty. It was the first time I had seen Princess Krithikamba's face, as I had not encountered her within the confines of Rani Mahal. Filled with curiosity, I turned to Devika, eager to learn more about the Princess and her newfound maid. Devika informed me that the Princess had recently hired her as a maid, and the special flower was meant for Rani Mahal.

     With my permission, they entered the flower garden, and throughout the time we spent together, the Princess observed me with a smile hidden behind her veil. Oblivious to her gaze, I remained focused on Devika, unaware of the Princess's growing fondness for me. Once their task was complete, they returned to Rani Mahal, leaving me longing for further encounters.

      Two weeks have passed, and Devika usually comes daily to collect the flowers. However, she did not come today. I waited for them at the Raja Mahal, but they never arrived. Today is a festival day, so everyone is busy with their work. The princess had to stay for special prayers, and Devika stayed with her. However, I really wanted to see her today and introduce her to my mother at home.

     Therefore, I asked my friend Gunananda to deliver a message to Devika. In the message, I requested Devika to meet me in the Rani Mahal garden. While Gunananda was on his way to deliver the message, he was called by the queen. Consequently, he handed the message to Khaleel, instructing him not to open it as it was from Rajmahal. However, Khaleel had doubts about the message, considering that it came from Rajmahal and was meant for a regular girl like Devika. He couldn't resist his curiosity and opened it, only to discover that it was from me, not Rajmahal.

       Khaleel, driven by his malicious desires, devised a plan. He decided to alter the message and moved the meeting place from Rani Mahal garden to the outskirts of the temple complex. Today, the temple complex is devoid of human presence due to the festival. Khaleel then handed the message to Devika. Meanwhile, I assigned my friend Gajendra as the bodyguard for King Thirumalaraya, and I headed to meet Devika. Arriving at the Rani Mahal garden, I was disappointed not to find Devika. I assumed that she might be delayed due to her prayers, so I waited for her in the garden.

     When Gunananda returned to the palace, he noticed Khaleel's absence. He searched for him and questioned everyone in the palace. A person outside the palace informed him that Khaleel was following Devika, heading towards the temple complex. Upon hearing this, Gunananda realized that Khaleel was not a trustworthy person and hurriedly ran towards the temple complex.

      Inside the temple complex, while Devika was waiting for me, Khaleel approached her from behind and embraced her. Initially, Devika mistook him for me, but upon seeing his hands, she turned around and realized it was Khaleel. She forcefully freed herself from his grasp and questioned him about his presence and misbehavior. Khaleel smiled at Devika and asked her why she loved me. He proposed marriage, promising to treat her like a princess, and boldly stated that she was the most beautiful girl in all of Hampi. He shamelessly added, "I want you in my bed every night."

       Upon hearing these words, Devika warned him about his inappropriate behavior and threatened to inform Sashidhar, who would surely take severe action against him. Khaleel laughed at her and challenged her to a duel, claiming that he would win. He told her that if she agreed to his proposal, he would marry her, but if not, he would force himself upon her. He believed that by doing so, he would also defeat me.

         Devika refused Khaleel's advances, prompting him to chase after her. However, before Khaleel could harm Devika, Gunananda came to her rescue. Gunananda intervened and questioned Khaleel about his actions. In response, Khaleel warned Gunananda to leave Devika and return to Rani Mahal, threatening to harm Gunananda if he didn't comply. But Gunananda stood his ground, warning Khaleel to seek forgiveness from Devika or face the consequences.

      Meanwhile, back at Rani Mahal, I anxiously awaited Devika's arrival in the flower garden. However, she still hadn't appeared. Finally, I decided to go to Rani Mahal and approached the individual who had provided information about Khaleel to Gunananda. The person informed me that they had gone towards the temple complex. Feeling suspicious, I hurriedly made my way to the temple complex. At the same time, Khaleel and Gunananda were engaged in a fight. Khaleel had the upper hand and was attempting to kill Gunananda. When I arrived, Khaleel was on the verge of executing his deadly strike. Acting swiftly, I rescued Gunananda, engaged in combat with Khaleel, and emerged victorious. I then took Khaleel to the court of Aliya Ramaraya, known as Aliya Ramaraya court.

         Upon learning of the incident, King Aliya Ramaraya was enraged. He ordered Dandanayaka to behead Khaleel right then and there in the court. However, Commander Ghiyassudin Jilani, Khaleel's father, pleaded with the king to spare his son's life and show mercy. After a brief moment of consideration, King Aliya Ramaraya instructed Dandanayaka to confine Khaleel to a solitary underground cell, keeping it a secret. We returned to our regular duties as per the king's orders.

         Two days after the incident, the Bahamani kings launched an attack on the border areas of the Vijayanagara kingdom, with the intention to invade the kingdom. In response, my father, the king, and other commanders held an emergency meeting to discuss the impending war, urging everyone in the kingdom to remain vigilant. Following the meeting, King Aliya Ramaraya dispatched around 8,000 troops, led by his brother Venkatadri Raya, to defend the border. Additionally, he ordered all residents of the royal palace to stay alert.

         At Rani Mahal, Devika expressed her desire to stay with Princess Krithikamba, but the princess sent her back home, stating that she was capable of defending herself and didn't want to endanger her friend. Consequently, Devika remained at home, while I continued to serve as a guard for Tirumala Raya. Meanwhile, Ghiyassudin conveyed vital information about the Vijayanagara army to Sultan Adil Shah. Later that day, Venkatadri Raya was killed in battle, prompting Aliya Ramaraya to mobilize every soldier and prepare for war. The king assigned me as a bodyguard for Prince Raghavaraya at Raja Mahal, along with a force of 100,000 cavalry soldiers, 30 war elephants, and 200 chariots in readiness for the impending conflict.

         Before heading to war, there was a traditional royal sword prayer ceremony. During this ceremony, the top commander of the Vijayanagara army would take the sword to the temple and return it to the king after the prayer. The sword was believed to be the key to Vijayanagara's treasure and protection, and only members of the royal family were allowed to touch it. It was believed that if anyone outside the royal family touched the sword, it would result in defeat in battle. Therefore, the sword was kept in a box, and only the king had the authority to open it.

      Ghiyassudin, seeking revenge for his son and intending to destroy the Vijayanagara royal family, devised a deceitful plan. When the sword was being returned to the king, Ghiyassudin Jilani took the sword to the Hazara Rama temple and performed prayers. He then set up a scenario where bandits would attack him on the way back to Raja Mahal, pretending to protect the sword. As planned, Ghiyassudin successfully defeated the bandits, who fled before being captured. Ghiyassudin instructed his soldiers to inform the king that the sword had been touched by the bandits during the fight. The news of the royal sword being touched quickly spread throughout Hampi, causing fear among the people. However, King Aliya Ramaraya delivered a speech before going to war, assuring everyone that they had the best soldiers and emphasizing that the entire Bahamani kingdom's soldiers numbered only 32,000. The king vowed to win the war at any cost.

        Following the speech, King Aliya Ramaraya traveled to the Rakasi and Thangedi villages where the war was taking place. As they arrived, Bahamani soldiers positioned themselves on the north side of the Krishna River, while King Aliya Ramaraya and his army were on the southern side. According to the rules of war, they did not engage in battle after sunset. Aliya Ramaraya established his camp opposite the Bahamani camp. My father also joined the war alongside Aliya Ramaraya.

          During the night in the camp, while King Aliya Ramaraya was strategizing, they noticed thousands of torches heading westward across the river. Ahmed Jilani and Ghiyassudin Jilani approached the king, informing him that the Bahamani soldiers were moving towards the west side, and action needed to be taken to stop them. Aliya Ramaraya and his companions stepped out of the camp to observe, but they found no lights on the opposite side of the river. Returning to the camp, they devised a plan where 80% of the army, led by Tirumala Raya and Ghiyassudin, would follow the Bahamani army, while the remaining 20% would cross the river and capture the entire Bahamani kingdom. Aliya Ramaraya believed that this plan would lead to the complete destruction of the Bahamani sultanate.

      So, Aliya Ramaraya sent 80 percent of the army in the west direction to track the Bahamani kingdom's army. He eagerly awaited the sunrise, unaware that the torches he saw in the distance were actually bullock carts. Sultan Ibrahim had cleverly arranged four thousand carts, each tied with eight torches, as a decoy to deceive them. Ibrahim sent these carts towards the west, while the Bahamani soldiers turned off their camp torches and concealed the area with bushes. They patiently waited for the Vijayanagara army to proceed further west.

       Later that night, the Bahamani soldiers silently crossed the river and attacked the camp with cannons at 3 am. Ahmed Jilani, along with his 10,000 soldiers, was instructed to attack the remaining Vijayanagara army. The Vijayanagara soldiers became confused amidst the chaos, unable to distinguish between friend and foe. Despite their smaller numbers, Aliya Ramaraya and a few loyal soldiers valiantly tried to defend themselves. Tragically, my father fought alongside them but was betrayed and killed by Ahmed Jilani, who had pretended to fight on their side.

     As Aliya Ramaraya continued to fight, the opium administered by Ahmed took effect, causing Ramaraya's elephant to collapse. Ahmed Jilani seized the opportunity and captured Aliya Ramaraya, subsequently taking him to Sultan Adil Shah.

       Meanwhile, when the army that had ventured westward reached the other side, they realized they had been deceived by Bahamani's war tactics; the bullock carts were nothing more than a ruse. They hastily returned to the camp only to discover that Ramaraya had been captured. Thirumalaraya Raya, the leader, ordered his soldiers to engage the enemy, but Ghiyasuddin Jilani and his soldiers also launched an attack on the Vijayanagara forces. Caught in a three-front war, Tirumala Raya decided to retreat and return to Hampi. Along the way, he alerted every small king about the impending attack. Once in Hampi, he ordered the tightening of security measures.

      Additionally, Thirumalaraya Raya ordered the royal treasure to be transported to Penukonda. However, upon inspecting the treasure, it became clear that moving all of it would not be feasible. Thirumalaraya was determined to prevent the treasure from falling into enemy hands, so he instructed the royal priest to safeguard it using Naga bandhana (a protective charm). However, the priest revealed that they required the blood of a girl and a boy born on Garuda Panchami to seal the doors securely.

        In Hampi, there was only one girl, Devika, who was born on that day. As for the boy, it was me. King Thirumalaraya ordered me to bring Devika and myself to the Rajamahal and lock the door the next day. My friend Gunananda accompanied the royal priest to his home. When they arrived, Gunananda noticed a suspicious individual. He decided to hide in the garden and waited for the person to enter the house. Approaching the window, Gunananda overheard their plan. It became clear that Ahmed Jilani, who had met with the priest before the war, knew that the king intended to secure the treasure with Naga bandhana. Ahmed and his troops were expected to reach Hampi by the following day. The royal priest was the only one who knew the secret passage to a hidden location.

      The spy revealed that if the royal priest informed Ghiyasuddin about the secret place, the priest would receive 20 percent of the treasure share. However, they needed the royal sword to unlock the door. The priest disclosed that during the next day's prayers, they could attack the king and seize the sword from a member of the royal family. After the prayers, they planned to take the sword and kill Prince Raghavaraya. The spy also shared that Ahmed Jilani would give the priest his share of the treasure. Unfortunately, one of Jilani's men noticed Gunananda eavesdropping on their conversation. The man attacked Gunananda, rendering him unconscious. Though Gunananda remained partially conscious, he pretended to be unconscious to gather more information about their plan.

       Jilani's men confined Gunananda in a room, securely tying him up. As they conversed, Gunananda discovered their intention to kill the priest's family once they obtained the sword. They planned to find another priest who knew the necessary mantras to unlock the treasure. Aware of their intentions, Gunananda patiently awaited their departure, hoping for an opportunity to free himself from the tightly bound ropes.

       The following morning, I received a message from Princess Krithikamba. I met with her, and she asked for advice on protecting themselves and escaping in case a war broke out. I showed her the escape tunnel in Rani Mahal, which led outside of Hampi. I suggested that they stay together with other family members to facilitate an easy escape if necessary. After discussing these matters, the princess unexpectedly emerged from behind a curtain without her scarf. I was surprised to see her, as she was the same girl who used to come with Devika to Rajmahal to collect flowers. She approached me and asked to meet her after the battle, as she had something important to share. With that, the princess retreated back into her room. I was left pondering why she had said those words and what could be so crucial in her life. However, pressed for time, I pushed those thoughts aside and returned to Rajamahal.

      When I was returning to Rajmahal to guard Prince Raghavaraya, my friend Gunananda ran towards me in the middle of my journey. He had been released by the son of the royal priest. Gunananda informed me about a plot to kill the prince and the priest's family. I immediately instructed him to escort the priest's family and Devika's family out of town. Additionally, I asked him to inform my brother Veera to take care of our mother.

        After analyzing the situation, I realized that if I were to inform the king about the plot, the first Naga Bandana ceremony would be jeopardized, as it required the presence of a priest. This would provide an opportunity for the enemies to loot the treasure. Thus, I decided to wait until after the Naga Bandana ceremony to inform the prince. Once I arrived at Rajmahal, I spotted Devika, as we were both born on the same day and I felt compelled to accompany her.

      Upon hearing Gunananda's warning, the prince accepted our plan. I discreetly instructed Gunananda to leave the city as soon as possible and to alert everyone in town if we did not return to Rajmahal. Later, we embarked on our journey towards the temple complex, accompanied by my fellow royal bodyguards.

        Upon reaching the temple complex, Raghavaraya ordered the guards to remain outside and prevent anyone from entering. Inside the complex, he asked Devika and me to blindfold ourselves, ensuring we wouldn't see the secret passages leading to the treasure. After a long walk, we arrived at a temple and cautiously descended underground. We walked approximately one and a half kilometers until the prince instructed us to remove our blindfolds.

         There, I beheld a statue of King Sala engaged in combat with a lion, his hand positioned in an unusual manner. Raghavaraya approached the statue, fixing King Sala's sword in place. As the hand moved forward, the sword descended upon the lion's neck. The door before us swung open, revealing a room. We proceeded inside, advancing about 100 meters until we encountered a large carved Naga symbol on a door. This door would be locked by the Naga Bandhana spell, only to be opened when the Garuda Bhadana mantra was chanted while applying Devika's and my blood to it.

         After making the necessary preparations, the Royal priest took a bowl and made incisions on our thumbs to collect our blood. He then chanted the Naga Bandhana mantra, sealing the door.

And so, we retraced our steps back to the statue of King Sala. Prince Raghavaraya removed the sword from the statue's hand, causing the door to close behind us. With our eyes still blindfolded, the prince guided us out of the temple. As we approached the entrance, a grim sight awaited us—Ahmed Shah's men had slain the royal guards, executing their planned ambush.

           Prince Raghavaraya and I fought to protect Devika and the priest, but suddenly, Khaleel appeared out of nowhere and plunged his sword into Devika. Later he also backstabbed me . In the midst of the chaos, Khaleel also struck me, but I swiftly retaliated, swiftly beheading him before he could harm Prince Raghavaraya.

           However, Devika's condition was critical. I rushed to her side, cradling her in my arms as she wept. In her dying moments, Devika expressed her desire to stay with me for a lifetime, lamenting that she couldn't be protected as a princess. I reassured her that the term "lifelong" doesn't simply signify a hundred years together but rather the commitment to remain united until death separates us. I vowed to marry her as I had promised in the past, asserting that Garudas always honor their word. Although she couldn't be revived, I wished to fulfill my promise by marrying her.

        Initiating the saptapadi mantras, I began chanting them with determination. However, before reaching the seventh mantra, Devika passed away before my eyes. Overwhelmed with grief, I held her hand and made a solemn vow that if the opportunity arose for us to be reborn, I would protect her and marry her in that life. I pledged that my soul would forever remain with her, even in the next birth. In the temple complex, I breathed my last alongside Devika.

      Meanwhile, Prince Raghavaraya valiantly fought against the assailants, desperately trying to escape the treacherous situation. In a shocking revelation, the prince realized that the royal priest was also a traitor and had been involved in the plot. Determined to survive, the prince confronted the priest and ultimately struck him down in combat.

     As the events unfolded, the royal treasure's secrets remained secure, but the prince's valiant fight came to a tragic end, resulting in his death.

        Ahmed Jilani's men now possessed the Royal sword, yet they remained unaware of the treasure's location. Following Prince Raghavaraya's demise, Ghiyasuddin's soldiers, disguised as Tirumala Raya's men, launched a widespread attack. They opened the gates of Hampi, allowing the Brahmani soldiers to enter the city. However, Tirumala Raya managed to escape from Raja Mahal using an underground tunnel.

         Princess Krithikamba received a warning through the war bells and quickly gathered everyone in Rani Mahal, urging them to escape through the tunnel. She decided to remain behind, buying them time to flee. She concealed the entrance to the tunnel by placing an almirah and a statue to cover it. The princess joined forces with the soldiers and napunsak soldiers to engage in battle.

           When Ghiyasuddin reached her chamber, he demanded information about the royal family. Krithikamba, feigning ignorance, claimed she had no knowledge of their whereabouts. Enraged, Ghiyasuddin attacked her, and though she fought bravely, her efforts could only delay him, allowing her family to escape. Sadly, she couldn't withstand his onslaught and perished in the midst of battle. Her dying wish was to see me one last time, but she passed away before it could be fulfilled, taking her love for me to the grave.

            Once the magnificent city of Hampi now lay engulfed in flames, as the Bahamani kings successfully invaded Vijayanagara. In the evening, they beheaded Aliya Ramaraya in front of the people, displaying his head at the entrance of Hampi. Tirumala Raya managed to escape with the royal family, seeking refuge in Penukonda. Accompanied by my brother Veera, they made their way to Penukonda, where King Thirumalaraya established the Aravidu dynasty.

              Devika's family and the priest's family found refuge in Kolathunadu, eventually settling there. In the aftermath of the invasion, Ahmed and Ghiyasuddin searched the temple complex for the treasure but came up empty-handed. Unaware of the clues inscribed on the royal sword, they resorted to destroying everything in frustration. The looting of Hampi by the Brahmani soldiers took four long months.

          After four months, the Brahmani sultans organized a dinner with Ghiyasuddin and Ahmed. During the dinner, Sultan Adil Shah poisoned both Ghiyasuddin and Ahmed, causing their deaths. Adil Shah eliminated them as they were deemed no longer useful and posed a potential threat due to their treacherous nature.

             Returning to the present moment, I inquired how he could be certain that I was the one he spoke of and how he knew the entire story. He revealed that Gunananda, a friend of Sashidhar, had accompanied them and had settled in Kannur. Gunananda informed him that Sashidhar and Devika were killed in the temple complex, and their souls were trapped within the Naga bandhana. Their blood had been used to seal the treasure's door, binding their souls to it. The priest explained that only through rebirth would their souls be freed from the Naga bandhana, and the Royal treasure could only be unlocked by performing the Garuda Bhadana mantra. He further disclosed, "We have been awaiting your rebirth to release their souls."

         He continued, emphasizing that the timing of Devika's rebirth as your friend and Devika Varassyar and your rebirth as Sashidhar on Garuda Panchami was no coincidence. Only Devika and you possess the ability to open the door on Garuda Panchami. The priest handed me a talapatra on which the Garuda Bhadana mantra was inscribed. He explained that the door would open on Garuda Panchami.

        

       However, I expressed my confusion, questioning how I could fulfill my promise to marry Devika while being in love with Krithi. In response, he unveiled yet another twist in the story. He revealed that Krithi was the reincarnation of Krithikamba and that she too was destined for me. Krithi had been born for the sake of our love, which explained how we had met at the university and fallen in love with each other. These revelations left me with a whirlwind of emotions and further questions.

        Seeking clarity, I asked him how I could honor my promise to Devika and how Krithikamba, now Krithi, could fulfill her unexpressed love in this complex situation.

           Then I stood up and exited the temple, where Devika was patiently waiting for me. Seeing her, my mind raced with various thoughts. To begin, I checked both Devika's and my date of birth. Mine was July 27th, 1998, while Devika's was August 15th, 1999, both falling on Garuda Panchami. This alignment of dates strengthened my belief in the words of the priest. When I looked up the next Garuda Panchami date, it was revealed to be on August 21st, 2023, a mere ten days away. However, I now faced two challenges: discovering the location of the hidden treasure in Hampi and releasing the souls of Devika Varassyar and Sashidhar from the Naga bandhana.

          I was determined to find the treasure as quickly as possible, so Devika and I embarked on our journey to Hampi. While walking together, memories of the unfulfilled saptapadi from our past relationship resurfaced, causing my thoughts to become muddled. Realizing this, I focused my mind and returned my attention to reaching Hampi to meet Krithi and gather more clues.

           Meanwhile, back in New Delhi, my professor arrived at the national museum. There, he encountered a skilled swordsmith who specialized in creating replica swords. Requesting a replica of King Sala's sword, the professor obtained one. Leveraging his reputation, the professor sought permission from the ADG of ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) to examine the original sword for research purposes, which was granted. He discreetly swapped the original sword with the duplicate and sent the genuine artifact through a parcel service. Then, assuming a different identity, the professor returned to Hampi.

          Later that day, we all convened in Hampi and closely examined the sword. We discovered several symbols inscribed upon it. The first symbol depicted a flower with circular markings resembling arrows. The second symbol featured the image of Nandi, while the third displayed the Vijayanagara flag. The fourth symbol portrayed the Nataraja Swamy statue, and finally, we observed King Sala slaying a lion depicted in the fifth symbol. These symbols held potential clues to unravel the mystery and locate the treasure.

           Based on the information we had, it became apparent that the final symbol represented the location where King Sala's sword should be placed to open the door. However, the meaning of the other symbols remained elusive. Our professor expressed a suspicion that the Nandi symbol might indicate a Shiva temple in Hampi, of which there were approximately 20. Unfortunately, many of these temples had been destroyed during the war, further complicating our search. Over the course of eight days, we diligently scoured the area for clues, consistently finding Nandi symbols but none of the other designated symbols. The first symbol seemed to be unique and distinct, but no temple matched its description. With only three days remaining to find the treasure, our search efforts seemed to be in vain. We turned to ancient scripts and historical texts related to the Vijayanagara kingdom, hoping to uncover any relevant information, but our endeavors proved fruitless.

       During my online search for information about the Vijayanagara kingdom, I stumbled upon a video detailing the Virupaksha Swamy temple, which was exclusive to the royal family. The video disclosed that the temple had once been submerged underwater, with its water source remaining a mystery. At present, the temple was still partially submerged in three feet of water. Interestingly, the video also mentioned an underground tunnel connecting the temple to the palace, and how the royal family employed the temple's reflection to access a secret passage. Intrigued, I resolved to visit the temple the following day.

On August 19, 2023:

           In the morning, I set out in search of the Nandi symbol. Upon reaching the Virupaksha Swamy temple, I noticed a Nandi statue positioned in front of the Garbhagudi (sanctum sanctorum). My search continued, and I eventually discovered the Vijayanagara flag symbol on the backside of the Garbhagudi. This find confirmed that we were on the right track. However, the circle-like structure remained elusive within the temple premises. Determined, I decided to examine the temple from an elevated vantage point in hopes of spotting the symbol. Despite my efforts, I found nothing. Disappointed, I began to make my way back to my quarters when I inadvertently stepped on a stone, causing it to split in two. As I recoiled, I noticed that the broken stone bore the depiction of the flower with a circle-like structure. With this discovery, I was fully convinced that we had found the symbols we had been searching for.

         After sharing the newfound information with the professor and Krithi, their excitement was palpable. We realized that we possessed all the necessary elements to rewrite history. However, the realization struck me that we needed Devika to accompany us to open the doors of the treasure. Despite having the Garuda Bhadana mantra, the priest had made it clear that the doors could only be opened during the Garuda Panchami festival. Thankfully, a fortunate turn of events occurred during dinner. The professor received a call and went upstairs, while Krithi was occupied with her unfinished office work. Seizing the opportunity, I perused Instagram videos and coincidentally stumbled upon a reel posted by Devika about her visit to Hampi. She had just finished her exams and decided to take a break from studying, making her way to Hampi to visit the Hazara Rama temple. Overjoyed, I immediately contacted Devika and informed her of my presence in Hampi, offering to show her the famous monuments. Delighted, she accepted my invitation, and we arranged to meet the next morning.

        The following day, the four of us set off to visit the Hazara Rama temple, exploring numerous other temples together. As evening approached, we returned to our quarters. The subsequent day held the auspicious occasion of Garuda Panchami and Naga Panchami. Being a devotee of Lord Shiva, Devika expressed her desire to visit a Shivalayam to commemorate Nag Panchami. In response, I suggested that she join us on our visit to an ancient Shivalayam, allowing her to partake in her prayers. Devika gladly accepted the invitation, and the following morning, we packed our belongings and embarked on our journey, with Devika accompanying us.

      Upon reaching the Virupaksha Swamy temple, I encouraged Devika to commence her prayers while we investigated the first clue. Upon examination, we discovered that it was rotatable, but initially, nothing seemed to happen. Undeterred, we ventured inside the temple to search for additional clues. Krithi focused her attention on the royal flag symbol, while I carefully examined the Nandi statue. Simultaneously, the professor dedicated his efforts to studying the temple's reflections, hoping to unlock further secrets.

        After Devika finished her prayers, she joined us inside the temple, taking a seat near the Nandi statue. She immediately noticed that the Nandi was facing the wrong direction and decided to adjust it accordingly. As she moved the Nandi, a remarkable event occurred—the water within the temple began to drain rapidly. In just a minute, the entire temple was devoid of water, and a hole near the Vijayanagara flag symbol emerged, draining the water away before sealing shut once more. This discovery indicated that we had found the entrance to the secret tunnel. However, we still needed to determine how to open it. Remembering the significance of reflections, I realized that the reflection of the royal symbol could potentially guide us. Upon cleaning the designated spot, we found a distinct stone. Krithi pressed it, and as a result, the entrance to the tunnel opened before us.

       With caution, we ventured into the cave, aware of the risks involved. Having experienced the loss of a close friend in a previous attempt, I was determined not to let any harm befall my companions. I suggested that we tie a rope around our waists, with Krithi positioned at the back to observe any suspicious activity. Leading the way, we walked approximately 200 meters until we encountered a section of the floor comprised of white tiles. Upon stepping on one of the tiles, the entire line of tiles collapsed, revealing a deep hole beneath. It became clear that stepping on the wrong tile would lead to certain peril. Thinking quickly, the professor utilized a stick to touch and test the tiles before proceeding. With caution, we continued along the path.

      However, as fate would have it, the professor's leg slipped, causing him to inadvertently step on the wrong tile. In an instant, all the tiles began to crumble, and we found ourselves on the verge of plummeting into the dungeon below. Desperate to save ourselves, I managed to grab hold of the wall, but the weight and movement caused my grip to weaken. Realizing the imminent danger, I urged everyone to stop moving to prevent a catastrophic fall. Krithi, skilled in rock climbing, identified a fault and retrieved a shovel from Devika's bag. Using the shovel, Krithi was able to anchor herself and provide support. Unfortunately, as I released my grip, Devika and Krithi tumbled to one side while the professor fell in the opposite direction. We struggled to find a stable grip on the surface, and even the shovel began to lose its hold.

        In that critical moment, believing that our lives were hanging by a thread, I mustered the courage to confess my love to Krithi. I poured out my feelings and explained how I had failed to grasp her signals in the past. To my surprise and delight, Krithi smiled and revealed that she had been in love with me all along. She recounted the times she had left subtle hints and even confessed that she had hidden a love letter in the traditional dress she had gifted me. Unfortunately, I had lost it, and we had never connected on the matter. Krithi reminded me of the day in the temple when she had asked me to place a ring on her finger, considering it as an engagement. We both embraced the joy of this newfound realization, and our spirits soared.

       Inspired by this newfound love and determination, Krithi devised a plan. She retrieved the sword from the bag and created holes in the wall to provide us with handholds. Utilizing the sword, we climbed the wall, overcoming the treacherous obstacle and reaching the other side. Continuing our journey, we soon encountered the statue of King Sala. Recognizing its significance, I handed the sword to Krithi, acknowledging her as the reincarnation of Krithikamba and a member of the royal family. With the sword in her possession, she approached the door, and as she inserted the sword, it opened, granting us passage.

Advancing further into the tunnel, we walked for approximately 100 meters until we came face to face with the actual Naga bandana door. Devika, astounded by the sight, looked on in awe and curiosity.

         At that moment, I requested Devika to extend her hand, and I retrieved a bowl from the bag. Making a small cut on her finger, Devika grew even more bewildered, questioning my actions. I explained that we needed the blood of a girl born on Garuda Panchami. To fulfill this requirement, I also cut my finger and blended our blood together. Cautioning everyone to stand clear of the door and remain vigilant, I commenced chanting mantras, delving into the sacred ritual. The process involved offering the five elements of nature and applying the blended blood to the five chakras of the Naga bandana. With utmost focus, I continued reciting the mantras, determined to unlock the mysteries that lay beyond the door.

     Reciting the mantra, "Om Garuda Deva Namah Nagabhandahana Nirviryam Bhumi Shakthi Samarpayami," I offered the dust, symbolizing the Earth. Proceeding to the next element, Agni (fire), I took a lighter from my professor and ignited some camphor, creating a flame. Chanting, "Om Garuda Deva Namah Nagabhandahana Nirviryam Agni Shakthi Samarpayami," I offered the flame.

        Moving on to Jala Shakthi (water), I utilized the water from my bottle. Reciting, "Om Garuda Deva Namah Nagabhandahana Nirviryam Jala Shakthi Samarpayami," I offered the water. For Vayu Shakthi (air), I took a cover, blew air into it, closed it, and chanted, "Om Garuda Deva Namah Nagabhandahana Nirviryam Vayu Shakthi Samarpayami."

         As I approached the final step, Akasha Shakthi (space), I realized I lacked an item representing the sky. Remembering that Krithi was wearing a ring made of an asteroid, I requested her to give it to me. Hastily, I took the ring and recited, "Om Garuda Deva Namah Nagabhandahana Nirviryam Akasha Shakthi Samarpayami," offering the ring.

          Applying the blended blood as instructed, we anxiously awaited the outcome. At first, nothing seemed to happen, but suddenly, two flashes of light emanated from the door, and it began to move. Overwhelmed with a sense of accomplishment, I realized that I had succeeded in releasing the souls of Devika, Varassyar, and Sashidhar.

           However, upon entering the room, we were greeted by a magnificent sight—a chamber filled with gold artifacts, diamonds, swords, shields, armor, and crown jewelry. In the midst of our awe, the professor urged me to search for a secret map of diamond mines. Following his instructions, I diligently sought out the map, which I found in a box near the swords.

      As I turned to share the map with the professor, an unexpected turn of events occurred. Without warning, he brandished a sword, attempting to attack me. Reacting swiftly, I armed myself with another sword and engaged in a fight. Leveraging my knowledge of self-defense techniques, I was able to overcome the professor and immobilize him by tying him up with a rope.

           Confused and seeking answers, Krithi confronted the professor, demanding an explanation for his betrayal and attempted murder. Refusing to disclose any details, I took it upon myself to recount the incident that had transpired two days prior. I revealed how I had overheard the professor's conversation with renowned diamond businessman Gokul Shetty, exposing their plot to claim the treasure, obtain the diamond mine map, and eliminate the three of us.

       As the professor laughed, claiming that escape would be futile due to waiting rowdies outside, I confidently revealed that I had already informed the Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India, Vidyavathi Madam, about their plans. I assured them that she had dispatched a police force, and at that moment, the rowdies were likely counting bars in jail. With the imminent rescue, we returned to the entrance but found ourselves stuck at the tile obstacle with no apparent solution.

     Acknowledging our predicament, Krithi expressed her concern. However, I reassured them that Vidya Madam would send a rescue team to retrieve us. So, we settled down and engaged in conversations about our future plans. Meanwhile, Devika explored the cave and discovered a dusty Nataraja Swamy sculpture in a corner. Driven by her devotion to Shiva, she couldn't resist cleaning it. Inadvertently, she lightly pressed the statue, triggering a mechanism that restored the floor to its original state. With the obstacle cleared, we crossed to the other side and encountered another Nataraja Swamy statue, also covered in dust. I couldn't help but reflect on my oversight regarding the clues that stabilized the floor.

      Exiting the tunnel, we were welcomed by Vidyavathi Madam, who had been waiting for us. Following that eventful day, we successfully brought the treasure outside the tunnel. Later, Devika, Krithi, and I visited the Vidyaranya Swami temple and met with the priest. I shared the entire journey with him, and he expressed great joy upon learning that the souls had been released. Intrigued by my question about the keys to the Anantha Padmanabha Swamy temple's locker and Shashidhar's promise to Devika, the priest cryptically responded that time holds the answers to every question. Hearing his words, I handed him the talapatra.

     Subsequently, we visited Devika's family, and that night, Devika took us out for ice cream. While enjoying the evening, I contemplated the complexity of my relationships. Devika, whom I loved in my previous life, was now my dear friend, while Krithi, who loved me dearly, was my partner. Fulfilling my promise, I found contentment. Eventually, I married Krithi and settled in Subramanya village. With the reward money, I supported my friends in pursuing their dreams.

      After six months, I received a call from Vidyavathi Madam, informing me of the clues her team had discovered regarding the secret chamber of the Anantha Padmanabha Swamy temple. However, Krithi was now pregnant, and initially, I hesitated to join the research team, prioritizing her health and well-being. Nonetheless, Krithi assured me that her family would take care of her, urging me to embark on the journey. With her encouragement, I made the decision to travel to Thiruvananthapuram. Before leaving, I promised Krithi that I would return before her delivery and be by her side during the process. After packing my belongings, I embarked on the journey to Thiruvananthapuram, unaware that a new chapter of my life was yet to unfold.