[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-mahabharat-shiva-s-last-variable":3,"chapter-mahabharat-shiva-s-last-variable-mahabharat-shiva-s-last-variable-chapter-136":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Mahabharat: Shiva's Last Variable",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1857031,2464,"Chapter 136 - 134: When The Familiar Faces Calls... Face Turns Pale...","mahabharat-shiva-s-last-variable-chapter-136",136,"\u003Cp>(A\u002FN):\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drop a meme here that you find funny. Or reflects your mood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guys I hope you put more comments and power stones... Which will encourage me...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guys This volume will be filled with a little horrer elements... I hope you guys will like it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-------------------------------------------------\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The meeting place was a small clearing hidden within a forest close to the borders of Trivenivrata.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t the main gathering point of their clans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t the large forest camp where dozens of practitioners lived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This place had been chosen specifically because it was isolated and close enough to the kingdom for the five infiltrators to meet without attracting attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The night was dark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clouds covered most of the sky, allowing only a few stars to peek through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tall trees surrounded the clearing from every side, their branches swaying gently in the cold breeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the center, a small campfire burned steadily, its orange glow pushing back the darkness just enough for the five men to see one another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The practitioners had returned one after another after completing their assignments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each had successfully buried a tantra doll at the designated locations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One in the north.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One in the south.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One in the east.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One in the west.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the final one near the heart of the kingdom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weeks of planning, observation, and preparation had finally reached this stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The oldest among them sat down on a fallen log and stretched his tired legs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A rare smile appeared on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At least this time nothing exploded.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The joke was simple, but everyone understood it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the disaster involving the pishachas and the deaths of their fellow practitioners, even a small success felt worth celebrating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the younger men removed his cloak and tossed it beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The western route was easier than I expected.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He picked up a stick and pushed a piece of wood deeper into the fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There were barely any patrols.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The eastern side was quiet too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The only problem I had was avoiding a group of pilgrims.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The third practitioner chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I almost got caught by a drunk merchant.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That earned another round of laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He wouldn’t stop talking.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man groaned dramatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For half an hour he kept telling me how wonderful King Devara was.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others rolled their eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That had become a common experience inside Trivenivrata.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter where they went, people eventually started talking about Devara.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The king this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The king that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The king helped this farmer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The king solved that dispute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The king visited this temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The king spoke to those children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At times it became almost irritating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The oldest practitioner leaned back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ve never seen people speak about a ruler like this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They trust him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clearing became slightly quieter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others understood what he meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fear was common.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Respect was common.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Obedience was common.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But genuine trust?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was much harder to find.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The youngest practitioner threw another branch into the fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Maybe that’s why the kingdom feels different.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nobody replied immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because deep down, they had all noticed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people here smiled more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The markets were livelier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The villages seemed prosperous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even ordinary guards appeared less tense than those in neighboring kingdoms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The conversation continued for some time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each practitioner described the location where he had buried his doll and the precautions he had taken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything had gone smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No interruptions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No unexpected encounters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No signs of trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The oldest practitioner finally allowed himself to relax.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time in weeks, he felt as though they had gained some momentum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strange sound drifted through the trees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound was faint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So faint that for a moment the men thought they had imagined it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The conversation died instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All five looked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The forest became silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crackling of the fire suddenly sounded much louder than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The youngest frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Frown!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did anyone hear that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the others tilted his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hear what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That sound.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group listened carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the rustling leaves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few moments, the oldest practitioner shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Probably a branch.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed reasonable enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The conversation slowly resumed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the sound came again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ching... Ching...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time every one of them heard it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voices stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The smiles vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound was unmistakable now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Metal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Metal striking metal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like chains moving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The oldest practitioner’s eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nobody spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The forest around them suddenly felt much larger than it had a few moments ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the sound came a third time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Much closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CHING... CHING... CHING...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All five men rose to their feet almost instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound wasn’t stationary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was moving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fast. Extremely fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like someone was running through the forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chain sounds echoed from one side of the clearing to the other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One moment they came from the left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then somewhere ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The men turned repeatedly trying to locate the source.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But every time they thought they had found the direction, the sound shifted elsewhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The youngest practitioner’s hand instinctively moved toward the protective charms hanging beneath his robes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His throat suddenly felt dry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nobody answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because nobody knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The oldest practitioner began silently reciting a detection mantra beneath his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His senses expanded outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Searching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing. Absolutely nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No spirit. No animal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No human presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet—The chains continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly something rushed past the clearing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A blur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-FWOOSH!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too fast to properly see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fire flickered violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several loose leaves scattered into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One practitioner stumbled backward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It passed me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What passed you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t know!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man looked genuinely shaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It felt like someone ran right beside me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cold breeze swept through the clearing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Much colder than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The temperature seemed to drop several degrees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—A woman’s laughter echoed through the forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soft. Playful. Almost teasing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound lasted only a few seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"-Fufufu!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But every one of the practitioners heard it clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The laughter seemed to come from everywhere at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not loud. Not threatening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost amused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As though someone was watching them and finding the situation entertaining.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The youngest practitioner felt goosebumps rise across his arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The oldest practitioner’s expression hardened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who’s there?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice rang through the clearing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No answer came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then one of the men froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes locked onto something between the trees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others immediately turned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the briefest moment, they saw a figure standing among the shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long dark hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wearing White clothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Motionless as if she were a statue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nobody could clearly see her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The distance was too great.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And before anyone could react—She was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simply gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not running. Not walking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The practitioners immediately rushed toward the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Branches snapped beneath their feet as they searched the area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No footprints. No scent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No disturbed leaves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No signs that anyone had ever been there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The oldest practitioner slowly straightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A frown appeared on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone had been there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All five of them had seen her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet there was no trace whatsoever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the chains returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far away now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deeper within the forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ching...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ching...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ching...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound gradually faded into the darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The five men stood there listening until it vanished completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nobody was eager to return to the fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nobody was eager to admit what they were thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because for the first time since entering Trivenivrata, each of them felt the same unsettling thought creeping into their minds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What if someone had been watching them from the very beginning?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And what if whatever it was already knew exactly who they were and why they had come?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The five practitioners remained standing among the trees long after the sound of the chains disappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nobody spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nobody laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The relaxed atmosphere from earlier had vanished completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fire still burned back in the clearing, but somehow even its warm light no longer felt comforting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The oldest practitioner slowly scanned the darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His instincts, sharpened through decades of dealing with spirits, curses, and unseen forces, were screaming at him that something was wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Very wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet that was what troubled him the most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could not identify what it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A spirit should leave traces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wandering ghost should have a presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A malevolent entity should carry some form of corruption.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This felt like nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that frightened him more than any demon or spirit he had encountered before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The five men slowly began making their way back toward the campfire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The youngest among them kept glancing over his shoulder every few seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heart refused to settle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The forest felt different now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if the darkness itself had become aware of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—A voice spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost like a whisper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Son.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The youngest practitioner froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every muscle in his body locked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His breathing became uneven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because he knew that voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had heard it countless times during his childhood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He remembered hearing it when he was sick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he was afraid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he had nightmares.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mother’s voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she had been dead for nearly fifteen years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly, trembling slightly, he turned around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only trees. Only darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others noticed his reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What happened?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could answer—Another voice echoed through the forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time from a different direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Husband...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the older practitioners went completely pale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The color drained from his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His wife.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wife he had buried with his own hands years ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman whose funeral pyre he had personally lit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A third voice echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then a fourth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then a fifth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly the forest seemed filled with whispers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The five practitioners stood frozen as familiar voices called out from every direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Friends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brothers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teachers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Parents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lovers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every voice belonged to someone who should not have been speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone who was already dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One practitioner stumbled backward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, no, no...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because among the voices he heard were not only loved ones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people he had harmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people sacrificed during rituals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people whose deaths had advanced his studies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people whose faces he had tried to forget.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now their voices surrounded him from every side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calling his name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not screaming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not accusing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simply calling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which somehow made it worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The forest became a nightmare of memories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The practitioners looked around wildly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trying to find the source.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trying to locate the speakers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trying to convince themselves they were imagining it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then suddenly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A violent gust of wind exploded through the trees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>WHOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The force nearly knocked them off their feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Branches bent violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaves filled the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The campfire in the clearing stretched sideways as though an invisible storm had struck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The practitioners covered their faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind howled through the forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For several moments they could barely keep their eyes open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as suddenly as it had begun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly, the practitioners lowered their arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Figures stood among the trees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Women.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some stood near the fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others stood between the trees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others watched from deeper within the darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The youngest practitioner’s knees nearly gave out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because standing only twenty feet away was his mother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Exactly as he remembered her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same clothes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same gentle eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearby, another practitioner saw his dead wife.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another saw a childhood friend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another saw a teacher who had died decades ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And mixed among them were other figures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victims.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People they had sacrificed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People they had betrayed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People whose lives had ended because of their actions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The forest seemed crowded with the dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet something immediately felt wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The oldest practitioner realized it first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could see them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he couldn’t sense them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No spiritual energy. No ghostly presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No traces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as though they were there...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And not there at the same time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heart sank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are these things?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*******************************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(Author note:)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hope you guys give me your opinion and idea’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-->\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t forget to review guys...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guys I have a new fic which named: Karuppan: King of Openings.\u003C\u002Fp>",2072,"2026-06-10T05:05:13.714Z",1,"novelbin.me","c172bd03c491e1a535925a4511b9006c01695c575bdbc77d9e84481abbda2738","mahabharat-shiva-s-last-variable-chapter-137","mahabharat-shiva-s-last-variable-chapter-135",149,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmahabharat-shiva-s-last-variable-cover.jpg"]