Part 1: The Map of the Forgotten Kingdom
The sun dipped lazily behind the horizon as the small hill-town of Ranglok prepared for another quiet evening. Lanterns flickered to life, children were called back into homes, and the birds retreated into their nests. But for Aarav, the night was far from ordinary. His heart was racing, not with fear — but with excitement.
He had just discovered something impossible.
Inside the dusty wooden trunk his grandfather left before disappearing years ago, there lay a map — but not just any map. It was drawn on thick ancient parchment and sealed with a faded emblem: a crowned serpent wrapped around a sword.
Aarav traced the symbol with his finger.
“Impossible…” he whispered.
The symbol matched the one in his grandfather’s journal — the symbol of Ksharashtra, a long-lost kingdom said to have vanished nearly a thousand years ago. Most believed it was only a myth, a story told to children to make history feel magical.
But this map seemed real.
Next to him, his childhood friend Maya stood wide-eyed, clutching the journal they had found earlier.
“Aarav, this… this could change everything,” she said, her voice trembling with excitement.
Aarav nodded. He remembered the stories his grandfather used to tell — stories about hidden temples, ancient guardians, and treasures protected by time itself.
And then — the final line of the journal:
“Only those who find the map may awaken the path.”
Suddenly, the wooden floor beneath them vibrated — just for a second — as if something inside the earth reacted.
Maya gasped.
“Did you feel that?”
Before Aarav could reply, a loud beeping noise erupted from his backpack. It was his satellite tracking device — something he never used unless hiking deep into the forest.
He pulled it out — eyes widening.
A coordinate had just appeared — automatically.
Not typed.
Not triggered.
Sent.
And next to the numbers… was the same crowned serpent symbol.
Maya swallowed hard.
“It wants us to go there.”
Aarav took a deep breath, thinking of his grandfather — a brilliant explorer who vanished without a trace.
Maybe this wasn’t a coincidence.
Maybe his grandfather wanted someone to find the map.
Maybe — the adventure was meant for him.
The Journey Begins
By dawn, their backpacks were ready — ropes, GPS, torches, a compass, dried food, water filters, and the journal.
The coordinates pointed toward the Damdama Forest Reserve, a place locals warned children never to enter. Rumors claimed strange voices echoed from the caves, and lights flickered at night.
Aarav and Maya ignored the warnings.
For them — curiosity was stronger than fear.
As they walked deeper into the forest, the trees grew taller and denser. Sunlight struggled to reach the ground, and the air felt heavy with ancient silence.
After hours of trekking, Maya stopped beside a moss-covered stone pillar standing unnaturally upright among the wild bushes.
“This stone isn’t natural,” she said.
Aarav brushed off some moss — and there it was — the crowned serpent.
Exactly like the map.
Maya whispered, “We found it…”
But before she could finish, the ground trembled again. Birds fled. Branches shook.
And a portion of the earth slid aside, revealing a hidden staircase descending underground.
A cold gust of air escaped the passage — as if something ancient had been trapped inside for centuries and finally breathed again.
Aarav and Maya exchanged looks — half fear, half thrill.
“Ready?” Aarav asked.
Maya tightened her grip on the backpack.
“No. But if we wait until we are ready, this door might close again.”
They stepped into the dark.
The Cave of Echoes
The staircase took them deep underground. The walls were carved with strange runes, and faint blue crystals embedded in the stone glowed just enough to guide their way.
“What are these?” Maya asked, touching one crystal.
Before Aarav could stop her, the crystal pulsed — glowing brighter — and suddenly, a soft musical hum filled the cave.
Aarav froze.
“Maya… the map said something about sound guardians.”
The humming grew louder.
Then — from the shadows — a shape moved.
A statue, carved like a warrior with a lion’s face and golden eyes, began to shift.
Stone crumbled off it as if shedding a cocoon — revealing metal armor beneath.
Its eyes glowed brighter.
Aarav whispered, “It’s… waking up.”
The statue lifted a massive stone spear and slammed it against the ground, sending echoes bouncing across the cave.
Then — in a deep ancient voice — it spoke:
“Only the blood of the rightful path may enter.”
Aarav and Maya stared at each other, hoping it wasn’t asking for what it sounded like.
The guardian stepped closer.
“State your claim,” it demanded.
Aarav pulled out the map with shaking hands.
The guardian’s eyes widened.
“Bearer of the Serpent Crown… you may proceed. But only if you prove worthy.”
A low rumbling noise echoed through the cave as a second doorway opened — shaped like a serpent jaw, filled with darkness.
Maya whispered, shivering:
“Aarav… whatever your grandfather discovered… it wasn’t just history.”
Aarav nodded, his heartbeat heavy in his ears.
“It was a kingdom hidden from time itself.”
Together, they walked through the serpent-shaped doorway, unaware that something — or someone — was already following them in the shadows.
Part 2 is coming soon…..
