Episode 2 – The Dark Tunnel and That First Touch

Episode 2 – The Dark Tunnel and That First Touch

The darkness was so deep that Arav felt as if he was drowning in a black ocean. Only the blue light coming from Ananya’s locket showed them the path ahead. The tunnel was so narrow that they had to walk shoulder to shoulder. The air was cold and rotten, as if a sealed room had been opened after centuries.

The air inside the tunnel grew heavier. Arav’s breathing became faster, but Ananya’s hand was still tightly holding his. The blue light of the locket had now dimmed into a small spark—as if even it was exhausted.

Arav whispered,

“How far is this path? It feels like we’ve been walking for years.”

Without stopping, Ananya replied,

“This tunnel changes every 108 years. Sometimes short, sometimes long. Sometimes straight, sometimes twisted. The treasure hides itself so that the greedy can never reach it.”

Arav looked back. The darkness was so deep that the mansion’s door was no longer visible.

“And Rudra Pratap? Will he find us?”

For the first time, a slight fear entered Ananya’s voice.

“He will. Because he also has a locket. A black locket. It connects to the other side of the treasure. It is the light of greed.”

Suddenly, a faint scream-like sound echoed inside the tunnel. Arav stopped.

“What was that?”

Ananya tightened her grip on his hand.

“The voices of past guardians who failed. They are only warnings now.”

The voice came again—closer this time.

“Run… greed is coming.”

Arav’s body shivered.

“Ananya… will we really survive this?”

Ananya looked into his eyes. In the blue glow, her eyes shone deeply.

“If your heart stays true… then yes.”

They moved forward. The tunnel now sloped downward. The floor became wet, as if water was dripping somewhere. Arav’s shoes sank slightly into the mud.

Suddenly, a huge stone door appeared in front of them. The same symbol was carved on it—half sun, half moon. But this time, red letters were written on it:

“The first touch will be of truth.

If you lie, death will take both.”

Arav looked at Ananya.

“Again… this truth thing?”

Ananya placed her locket in the center of the door. The blue stone glowed, and a small crack appeared.

“Yes,” she said. “The treasure reads hearts. We must touch each other… and speak a truth we have never told anyone.”

Arav’s throat went dry.

“I… I have never truly loved anyone. I have always been alone.”

Ananya looked into his eyes.

“Then it’s time for the test of truth.”

She placed her hand on Arav’s chest. A cold sensation spread—but this time there was no pain, only strange calmness.

Arav also placed his hand on her shoulder. They came closer. The blue stone began glowing brighter.

Ananya whispered,

“I… I have been wishing for death for 300 years. Every love only increased my pain. If you can truly love me this time… maybe my curse will break.”

Arav’s eyes became moist.

“And I… I am afraid that if I love you… you will disappear. I cannot be alone again.”

The door slowly began to open. Blue light filled the entire chamber. Inside was a small room with a stone throne and a glowing blue crystal on it.

But just as they stepped inside—heavy footsteps echoed behind them.

Rudra Pratap.

He was not alone. Two men in black clothes stood with swords in their hands. Rudra’s eyes burned red with greed.

“Arav… Ananya… how nice to see you together,” he laughed. “The treasure is mine. And this time… no guardian will survive.”

Arav pulled Ananya behind him.

“You killed my father?”

Rudra shrugged.

“He was too stubborn. Refused to reveal the secret.”

“Now you will… or choose death.”

Ananya raised the locket. The blue stone glowed so brightly that the entire room turned blue.

“This treasure does not belong to the greedy.”

Rudra pulled out a gun.

“Then I’ll take it by force.”

Suddenly, a powerful blue wave burst out from the crystal, throwing Rudra and his men backward. But the door behind them started closing.

Arav looked at Ananya.

“We’re going to get trapped!”

Ananya looked into his eyes. Her voice trembled.

“Arav… if you feel something real for me… say it. Now.”

Arav’s heart was racing. He looked at her—her eyes, her hair, her pain.

“I… I don’t know what this is… but I don’t want to lose you.”

Ananya smiled—a real smile for the first time.

“That is enough… for now.”

They escaped just before the door closed. Outside, rain was still falling.

But Rudra’s voice echoed behind them:

“This is not over! I will stop the 108th love!”

Arav and Ananya ran toward the forest, soaked in rain. They stopped under an old tree.

Ananya looked at him.

“Now… we must go to the temple. The Kali Mata temple. The first clue will complete there.”

Arav nodded.

“Let’s go.”

They entered the forest. Rudra’s men were searching behind them.

The forest was dense. Tree branches seemed like hands trying to grab them.

Suddenly, Ananya stopped.

“Stop.”

Arav asked,

“What happened?”

She pointed ahead. A small pit was glowing with blue light.

“This… is the first clue.”

They approached it. Inside was a small piece of blue stone.

Ananya picked it up.

“This is the first fragment. We need three more. Then the treasure will fully open.”

Suddenly Rudra’s voice echoed again.

“Very good… now the real fun begins.”

Arav grabbed Ananya’s hand.

“Run!”

They ran again. The forest became darker. The rain grew heavier.

They reached a small cave-like place and went inside.

Arav took a breath.

“Now what?”

Ananya said,

“Now we wait. Rudra will find us. But we will be ready.”

Arav looked at her.

“Ananya… I really… don’t want to lose you.”

Ananya tightened her grip on his hand.

“Then we will fight. The 108th love is ours now.”

Suddenly Rudra’s voice came from outside:

“I found you!”

Arav and Ananya looked at each other.

Will they survive Rudra’s attack inside the cave?

What secret will the first blue stone fragment reveal?

And Arav’s feeling of “I don’t want to lose you”… is this the beginning of true 108th love?

Next Episode – Episode 3: The Secret of the Cave and Rudra’s First Attack

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