Prologue 10

Visnu stood on the top floor, an air of anticipation swirling around him. The atmosphere was different with Ameya alone, distinct from their interactions in a group. As he observed her approach, Visnu couldn't help but feel the shift in their dynamics. A tension lay beneath the surface, waiting to be explored.

He couldn't hold back the burning question any longer. "What happened back then?" he asked, his voice quivering with a mixture of curiosity and lingering pain.

Ameya met his gaze, her expression one of somber reflection. "I had to go back" she explained a hint of regret in her voice. She chose her words carefully, knowing the weight of this moment.

Visnu's eyes glistened with unshed tears, and a melancholic smile danced on his lips. "You didn't answer my question at that time," he whispered, voice barely above a breath. His eyes bore into Ameya's, searching for something that lingered in the unspoken spaces between them.

Ameya's features shifted with a complex mix of emotions. She wanted to reach out and comfort him, to mend the bond that had been strained. "Maybe you did", She longed for Aiedrow to be present, as his presence often made these difficult moments easier to navigate. Yet, he was absent, and confronting this sea of emotions alone was daunting.

Visnu was keenly aware of the undercurrents in their silence. "Leave that behind now," he urged gently. His pain was evident, and he longed to heal the fractures that had formed between them.

Ameya hesitated for a moment, her heart heavy with words left unsaid. "Before The National Exams and even before the state rankings were out..." she began, her voice trailing into the depths of memory but Visnu interrupted her. "VEDA," he stated abruptly. Ameya's words were halted in her throat. "This is the file you guys gave us, is it not?"

Visnu had a determined look in his eyes. He was digging deep into matters that had been hidden for far too long, and the intensity in his gaze unnerved Ameya. "Listen, Visnu," she began, her voice gentle.

But Visnu's patience was wearing thin. "Why?" he demanded. "Because you wouldn't have understood otherwise, Even if the approach was different" a calm and composed voice entered their conversation.

The two of them turned to see a fair-skinned young man standing before them. His straight hair was pulled into a bun secured by a string of tulsi threads, and he wore rudraksha beads and three metal rings.

"Shiv Shastri, they invited you as well?" Visnu inquired, momentarily distracted from his earlier questions. Shiv nodded. "Yes, I was invited at the same time as you, though it was challenging to get here given the situation in Kashmir," he explained.

"And despite knowing all this, you..." Visnu trailed off, leaving his question unspoken.

"Yes," Shiv replied firmly. "It's not what you think. Besides, you are too entangled in the waters of the past, and you can't see the divine streams of the future and the present. You don't even fully comprehend the past, you're just drowning because you don't know what it truly is."

Visnu sighed, "Listen, There was a lot that happened before we talked, and I had to leave," Ameya interjected.

"You left!!! You didn't have to leave, you made a choice, it was not a hard question!" Visnu muttered, swallowing hard as he fought back the emotions rising within him. Ameya remained silent, processing her own thoughts. Meanwhile, an attentive silence settled between them, heavy with the weight of their shared history. Visnu's emotions played on his face like a delicate symphony, each note filled with longing, hurt, and a glimmer of hope for resolution.

Finally, she spoke, "Before the National Exams, and even before the state rankings were out..."

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In the car, Aiedrow and Oviyan continued their conversation. Aiedrow leaned back comfortably as the car navigated the road.

Oviyan's curiosity got the better of him, and he asked, "Who is this Pratham guy?" In the file, there was a name that had piqued his interest – Pratham Shukla.

Aiedrow responded, "For now, just know he is useful. Among all of us, he's the only one who has some experience in the world of the paranormal."

With limited information about Pratham, Oviyan's curiosity was only growing. "And the others?" he probed. Aiedrow simply said, "You'll meet them once you get there."

Oviyan sensed a larger story behind this endeavor. "How did this all start?" he asked.

Aiedrow grinned slightly as he began to explain, "So, a few years back, there was an organization..."

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Niyank continued his story to Dev. "It was called Akhil Vishwa Vaidik Parivar," he began, referring to an organization that held a significant place in the lives of many.

Dev was intrigued. "What was this?" he asked, eager to learn more.

"The founding father of this organization was Pundit Shree Bharat Verma," Niyank explained. "He was a renowned scholar who had spent more than 20 years of his life in the Himalayas, gaining an incredible grasp of Vedic texts. When he returned, he began a mission to change and transform the world."

"Tell me more," Dev encouraged.

"Soon, within just ten years, the organization expanded across the world. It wasn't as flashy as other organizations, but it was making slow and steady progress," Niyank continued. "Eventually, it ventured into education with a purpose: to nurture and shape individuals who could lead the world."

Dev's interest was piqued, and he was eager to learn more about the organization's journey.

"And that's how Akhil Viswa Vidya Peeth was established. Following this model, several other organizations were formed, including the Vidyarthi Parishad, which now serves as the National Student Council," Niyank added.

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"But this Vidya Peeth had a unique goal. It aimed to identify geniuses from the country through a rigorous exam and then train them," Aiedrow explained.

"So they were supposed to be trained by Pundit Bharat Verma himself?" Oviyan inquired.Aiedrow's face became somber. "No, unfortunately, before the first exam even took place, Mr. Verma passed away. He had completed the basic curriculum for the exam, but he hadn't progressed much beyond that. His ambitious vision wasn't documented; it was all in his mind.

After his passing, this exam became just another academic competition, and his grand vision remained unfulfilled. It's a shame, really," Aiedrow said, a hint of sadness in his voice.Oviyan, puzzled, questioned further. "So, what happens now? Will someone else take on his role in training the geniuses?"

Aiedrow chuckled, "No, sadly, Mr. Verma had finished the basic curriculum, but he barely had time to complete anything else. Scholarships were awarded to those who ranked highest, but the true depth of his vision remained a mystery, and it went with him."Oviyan looked puzzled. "I don't quite understand. What do you mean, 'only he knew the entire story'?"

Aiedrow continued, "He didn't leave behind detailed documentation of his vision, just his grand ideas, which were locked away in his mind. He passed away, and the project was left incomplete."

Oviyan was still curious. "So, you're saying that only he had a clear vision for this project, and now, there's no one to continue his work?"

Aiedrow laughed, "Precisely. It was one of those ambitions that would have changed the course of the future, and nobody else could see it the way he did. His passing left many aspirations unfulfilled."

"Incredible," Oviyan murmured.

"It's more complex than it seems," Aiedrow replied with a sigh. "There were plenty of elements that he hadn't shared with the rest of the world."

As their conversation continued, they left the city behind and headed toward a different destination, a new chapter waiting to unfold.

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On the outskirts of the city, Pratham Shukla, a young man in his early twenties, found himself surrounded by a group of elderly individuals. They were engaged in an earnest discussion, seeking answers to profound questions.

Pratham leaned forward, his youthful face betraying the depth of his knowledge and curiosity. "Yes, it is possible," he affirmed, his voice carrying the weight of conviction. "I know of individuals who have achieved it. Pundit Verma, for instance."

"Pundit Verma?" one of the elders inquired, raising a skeptical eyebrow.

"Yes, Pundit Verma was someone who remembered his past lives," Pratham elaborated, his words measured and deliberate, "and he continued to build upon the work he had initiated in those previous lives. He ultimately transcended."

"So, did he achieve everything he aimed for?" another elder inquired, their eyes reflecting the earnest desire for enlightenment.

Pratham paused, gazing into the distance as if searching for the right words. "As far as I know," he began, "he did go beyond the cycle of life and death. He left this world with some regrets, but he did so with the knowledge of the future. This allowed him to transcend rather than be caught in the cycle of reincarnation."

Amid the attentive audience, the first man questioned further, seeking clarity. "Based on the stories we've heard about him, there were no unfinished tasks left behind, am I right?"

Pratham couldn't help but smile at the man's question. He offered a sheet of paper, a "Certificate of Participation" with the title "AIR Rank 1, The first Akhil Viswa Vidya Peeth Exams, Pratham Shukla" prominently displayed. The man read the certificate and then looked back at Pratham. The elders had assumed that Pratham was merely a young individual with above-average intelligence and a curiosity for spiritual matters. Little did they know that he held a rank that showcased his unparalleled excellence in all of India.

"It is a remarkable achievement," the first elder commented, his voice laced with respect. "But showing us this... What message do you intend to convey?"

Pratham's smile faded as he offered them an unopened letter and a file. "This is what Pundit Verma couldn't complete," he explained, his tone growing somber. "It's something he left for the next generation of Devputras to finish."

The audience exchanged puzzled glances. "What do you mean?" another elder inquired.

Pratham's smile returned, and he handed them an unopened letter and a file. "Burn it after reading, my friends," he tossed them an unopened letter and a file as he rose and started walking toward the road.

A car pulled up in front of him. The elder looked at the file, "Project Veda", the file title said.

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Amidst the discussion between Dev and Niyank, Pratham's name came up. They talked about the generations of students in Akhil Viswa Vidya Peeth and the distinctions between their years. Pratham, whom Niyank referred to as "Senior," appeared to be a prominent figure.

"Amongst the first year of the batch, Sir Pratham is coming," Niyank mentioned, hinting at a significant event or reunion. Dev listened, captivated by the unfolding story. "I and Shiv, from the second and third years, and you, being from the fourth," Niyank explained.

Dev sought clarification, "So, Aiedrow gathered all of you?"

"Yes, he did," Niyank confirmed. The young men from different years had all been summoned for a particular purpose.

Niyank proceeded to describe previous gatherings. "After the first exams, the finalists assembled and held some sort of event. But then they all dispersed to their separate locations. Only Pratham appeared unaltered."

"What do you mean?" Dev inquired, his curiosity piqued by Niyank's intriguing stories.

"Nothing," Niyank said as he hesitated for a moment before he continued. "During the second year, there was no such event. In the third year, the gathering was notably bland. An examiner commented that the batch that year couldn't compare to the 10th rank of the first-year examinees." Niyank's voice hinted at their collective disappointment.

Dev pressed for more information. "And then?"

"Our pride hurt, we protested and talked about our achievements," Niyank leaned in and lowered his voice as if sharing a secret. "There was a senior from the second year years present there – 'Rank 2 of the second batch, Asva.'"

Dev leaned in, curious to learn more. "And then?"

Niyank divulged the rest of the story. "He defeated all of us in a scholar's debate. He was an absolute genius in every realm. It was rumored that he wanted to challenge Senior Pratham and defeat him."

Dev couldn't hide his interest. "Why isn't his name on the list of invitees, then?"

Niyank's expression turned serious as he recounted a fateful incident. "He vanished by the end of that year when the bus he was on fell on the way to Kedarnath. Miraculously, nobody else died in the accident except for him and two orphaned children who were passengers on the bus."

Dev tried to speak, but Niyank anticipated his question. "One of the children's names was Rudra. I can't quite recall the name of the other child." The pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place, creating a sense of intrigue and mystery that enveloped Dev.

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Aiedrow's smile was warm and welcoming as he made the introductions. "And this... This is Pratham Shukla," he announced, gesturing towards the elder gentleman who had arrived to meet them. Pratham, a distinguished figure with silver hair and a poised demeanor, returned the gesture with a friendly smile. His eyes held a wisdom earned through years of experience.

"Nice to meet you, Junior," Pratham greeted Oviyan with a warmth that spoke of camaraderie. Oviyan, clearly impressed by Pratham's presence, extended his hand. However, Aiedrow intervened, touching Pratham's feet in a traditional gesture of respect. "Bless me for success, Senior," he said, his voice reflecting the reverence he held for Pratham.

Pratham chuckled at the unexpected show of respect. He reciprocated by placing his hands gently on Aiedrow's head. "Since when did you need anyone's blessings?" he mused. The ambiance seemed to shimmer with the exchange of words and glances. Pratham's tone took on a more serious note, and he uttered a Sanskrit phrase, "Ajeya Bhava," which roughly translates to "Be Invincible."

A moment of profound silence enveloped them, filled with an unspoken understanding that went beyond words. It was a quiet affirmation of respect and mentorship, a connection between mentor and mentee that had been forged through shared experiences and hardships.

The moment lingered for a heartbeat, and then Pratham broke the silence. "But the time for pleasantries is over," he said, addressing Aiedrow, his expression gravely serious. "I am sure you know this too, it is nearing. Now, do your duty." His words held a sense of urgency, a reminder of the mission they were all embarking on.

Aiedrow nodded in response. "After you, Senior," he said, a sense of deference in his voice. He opened the car door, and Pratham, the seasoned warrior, got in. Aiedrow followed suit. The exchange between them was an unspoken promise of shared responsibility, with a weighty destiny looming on the horizon.