BEASTS AND BANTER

Chapter 06: Of Beasts and Banter

The land was covered in dark clouds and shadows. The light couldn't penetrate the deep darkness. The mysterious land once had day and night but now it's like a never ending shadow land. The presence of light is like the light which falls through the gaps of leaves in deep thick forest. There were only rays of light or a beam which touches the land and brims the area where it landed. The little glow of that beam of light always gave a mesmerizing effect on the inhabitants of the land. Even some of the wild beasts those who are not affected by the dark powers still enjoys it. What I was mentioning is that there wasn't much difference between day and night in Abhivyktadesh. But fortunately Alokdhama was blessed with more land where light beams are brimming with.

The light beams cast a yellowish glow over the tranquil clearing where Karna and his friends had set up camp. They sat huddled around a crackling bonefire, their faces illuminated by the mesmerizing dance of the flames. Laughter and amiability filled the crisp night air as they celebrated in their hard-fought victory over the enigmatic Midnightshadow Panther.

Sachin, nursing a bruised arm with a wry grin, couldn't resist a teasing jab at Karna. "Karna, Bhai, your 'ponthi' moves saved us, but I bet you'll be bragging about it forever, right??"

Karna shot back with a playful glint in his eyes, "Absolutely, Bhai. It'll become a legend! 'Karna and the Mysterious Crimson-Horned Panther.' Sounds good, don't you think?"

"Hahahahahah", their laughter filled the woods.

Deeru chimed in, still catching his breath but eager to join the banter. "Talking about legends, Sachin, your battle cry could be heard from miles away. 'Aaaarghhh,' it echoed through the woods like a battle horn!"

Sachin chuckled, raising an eyebrow in mock pride. "Well, my battle cry is legendary in its own right. You're all just jealous of its intimidating power."

"As expected of you Bhai", Deeru giggled.

Anurag, the wise one in the gang, chimed in with a sly grin. "Jealous of your battle cry? Come on, Sachin, we're just glad you didn't start narrating dark beast tales during the battle!"

Their laughter echoed through the clearing, washing away the tension and fatigue that had gripped them during the battle. As the night deepened, they continued to treat each other with stories of their past experienceswith the beats within the mystical forest. Each retelling added a layer of exaggeration and humor, turning ordinary encounters into epic adventures.

Deeru, famous for his lively tales, shared a funny story about meeting a playful jungle spirit. "You won't believe it, it looked exactly like Sachin from behind. I was all set with my weapon, ready for a serious showdown. But when it turned around, it had a crown of flowers on its head and burst into laughter. I've never felt more embarrassed!"

"Hahhahaha", everyone joined in guffaw.

The elder couldn't hold his grin at all. He burst out in laughter but controlled so fast as the group couldn't catch his sound. "Damn!! These fellows... Heheh... They so good kids."

He disappeared again in the shadows.

Sachin, keen to join the light-hearted banter, replied, "And remember that day when I had a showdown with a swarm of fireflies? Those bright little critters thought they could outshine Sachin, the Bug Battler!"

Karna, who had quietly enjoyed their banter, decided it was the right time to address a more serious topic. He leaned in closer to the campfire, casting a thoughtful gaze over his friends. "You know, I've been hearing rumors about a guardian who was once a hero but turned to darkness, betraying his duty to protect the world."

The friends exchanged puzzled glances, the amusement fading from their faces. Anurag furrowed his brow. "You mean Mayukh? But he's supposed to be the guardian of light, isn't he?"

Karna nodded slowly. "That's what makes it so troubling. I can't help but wonder if there's some truth to those unsettling rumors."

Their conversation eventually shifted to the next phase of their trial: hunting down ten beasts to unlock the baffling clues to the Deva's Trial.

Karna listened to their spirited banter, realizing that these moments of camaraderie were precious. They needed to stay united, especially if they were to face the darkness that Mayukh had seemingly embraced.

As the campfire crackled and the time passed, darkness deepened, illumination of the light beams reduced, the friends exchanged stories of their past, dreams of their future, and plans for the trials yet to come. They shared jokes, fears, and aspirations, creating a bond that was as unbreakable as their resolve.

As the hours passed, fatigue eventually began to replace their laughter. They knew that their journey was far from over, and the mystical forest held countless secrets. With a shared understanding, they settled in for a night's rest, their hearts and spirits fortified by the warmth of friendship and the flickering flames. Under the watchful gaze of the elder monk in the shadows, they drifted into dreams, ready to face whatever challenges the mysterious forest would present in the days ahead.