CHAPTER 8: THE MYTH

THE MYTH

Raj opened his laptop. He was sitting near the window of his room, which was a hub of luxury. The room was filled with expensive furnishings and decor, each piece exuding elegance and opulence. A table made of rich ebony wood sat near the window, polished to a sheen that reflected the soft glow of the room's ambient lighting.

He settled into the plush chair, his gaze drifting momentarily towards the forest outside. The dense trees stood silhouetted against the dusky sky, their shadows casting an eerie, enticing allure. Lost in thought for a moment, Raj felt the pull of curiosity about the woods.

Shaking himself from his reverie, he turned back to his laptop and began typing, "History of Mumbai's forest," into the search bar. Leaning forward, eyes narrowing in concentration, he carefully examined the results that appeared on the screen.

The results that popped up were a mix of the familiar and the unexpected:

* Aarey Forest - Wikipedia: The official page detailed the forest's origins as a government milk colony, its rich biodiversity, and ongoing conservation efforts.

* 5 Reasons Why Aarey Forest Is Important to Mumbai: This article highlighted the forest's role as the city's "green lung" and a crucial habitat for various species, including leopards.

* Mythical Creatures of Aarey: A blog post by a local historian delved into ancient folklore surrounding the forest, mentioning tales of shapeshifters and spirits lurking in the shadows.

* The Lost Tribe of Aarey: A cryptic forum thread discussed a rumored tribe that vanished centuries ago, leaving behind enigmatic cave paintings and artifacts.

* Werewolf Sightings in Mumbai: A sensationalized news article detailed unconfirmed reports of werewolf sightings in the forest, fueling speculation and fear.

Raj's interest was piqued by the mix of historical facts and mythical whispers. He clicked on the blog post about mythical creatures. As he scrolled through the text, A chilling thought crossed his mind: Could the legends be more than just stories?

He recalled the unsettling moment when Amavas's eyes turned completely black. The eerie transformation seemed too otherworldly to be a coincidence. Could Amavas be connected to this ancient, mystical past? The notion took root in Raj's mind, intertwining with the historical and mythical threads he had been unraveling.

Next he clicked on the link to "Mythical Creatures of Aarey," The blog post, written by a self-proclaimed "Aarey enthusiast," was a treasure trove of local legends and folklore.

As Raj scrolled through the text, a section titled "The Guardians of the Forest" caught his eye. It described a race of shapeshifters, beings that could transform into powerful wolves under the full moon. However, the post painted a darker picture than he expected.

These werewolves were not benevolent protectors, but savage predators. They were said to terrorize the forest and the surrounding villages, their bloodlust insatiable.

The blog post continued with a chilling legend: "The Ancient One." This story spoke of a werewolf unlike any other, a being of immense power and ferocity who ruled over the forest. The Ancient One was said to have lived for millennia, his strength and cunning growing with each passing century.

He was known as a brutal and merciless hunter of those who threatened the innocent and the weak, his howls echoing through the night, striking fear into the hearts of evil men and beasts alike. It was said that he had single-handedly driven out other mythical creatures from the forest, either killing them or forcing them to flee.

While feared by those who preyed on the weak, he was revered as a protector by the tribes who lived in harmony with the forest. The blog post claimed that the Ancient One of Aarey was not just a legend, but a living reality. It spoke of sightings by tribal elders, of mysterious wolf tracks that appeared overnight, and of the eerie silence that fell upon the forest when the full moon rose.

It also spoke of the Ancient One's unwavering protection of the innocent, a beacon of hope in the darkness.

Raj's mind raced as he connected the dots. Could Amavas be the Ancient One, The guardian of the forest? Or was he something more sinister, an evil that had resurfaced, as the post warned?

The duality of the legend left Raj with more questions than answers.

He closed his laptop, his mind abuzz with conflicting thoughts. He glanced out the window towards the dark forest, its shadows seeming to writhe in the moonlight. The howling he had heard earlier echoed in his memory, sending a shiver down his spine. The mystery of Amavas had taken hold of him.

Then he looked for the next search link. Intrigued by the mention of a lost tribe, Raj quickly clicked on the link for "The Lost Tribe of Aarey." The forum thread was a series of posts filled with speculation and fragmented information, but one recurring theme emerged: a tribe that vanished without a trace.

A few posts referenced an ancient story etched onto birch bark scrolls, a tale passed down through generations. The story told of a tribe that lived in harmony with the forest, their lives intertwined with its rhythms. They were led by a wise and benevolent leader named Chandra, who, alongside his wife, guided their people in the ways of the forest.

The tribe was said to possess a deep connection with the natural world, their knowledge of herbs and healing unmatched.One night, under the glow of the full moon, the entire tribe vanished. Their dwellings were left untouched, their fires still smoldering, but not a single soul remained. Some whispered they had been taken by forest spirits; others believed they had simply wandered off into the unknown.

The birch bark scrolls hinted at a darker possibility: a massacre. The tribe had been known for their peaceful nature, but they also possessed valuable knowledge of the forest's secrets. Some speculated that outsiders, driven by greed or fear, had attacked and wiped out the tribe, erasing their existence from history.Raj's heart pounded as he read the final post in the thread.

It mentioned Chandra and the mystery surrounding the tribe's disappearance. A thought struck him: Could those birch bark scrolls still exist somewhere? Perhaps hidden deep within the forest, waiting to be discovered?If he could find them, it would not only be a historical discovery but could also prove that all these folk tales were true, that the lost tribe was more than just a myth.

He leaned back in his chair, his mind racing with possibilities. If he could find those scrolls, they might hold the key to unraveling the mystery of the lost tribe and perhaps shed light on other secrets hidden within the depths of the forest. And maybe, just maybe, they would offer a clue about who Amavas is and why he had been staring into the woods, what are his true intentions.