The treasures of SANUALI

Dvāram Ahutih

I

The Nishiddh forest was stretched for many acres across the lower elevation of blue, green, and brown mountains; that nourished it. A jungle full of Pine, Maple, and Himalayan rhododendron: it was home of deer, racoon, wolves, tigers, and numerous other animals of every kind—including from the subtlest to the most brutal ones. The trees in the forest that pierced through clouds enveloped wild shrubs, vines, and weeds while its rugged branches engulfed in the tiniest bit of Sun rays that dared intended scattering on the surface. 

The holy water of the river was flowing carelessly at a few yards distance, already accustomed to every tranquillity ever occurred. It wasn’t the first time someone was performing the Dvāram Ahutih at the banks that were scarce, unreachable but had been taken care of by nature and it, certainly, would never be the last. 

Birds peeked from nests as they silently watched the commotion, feigning peculiarity and obliviousness and so did the reptiles that crawled indolent beneath heavy rocks yet shuddered with every vibe; an only sound that filled the air was holy chants recited by the sage, echoed monotonously by the five followers afterwards. 

All trees swayed ghastly whistling and hollering in anticipation. Dust aroused from the surface and mingled everywhere, however was rendered helpless at front of a firm resolve of an old sage. 

Peril, with an ice-white beard that touched the grasses and equally white hairs secured in a messy bun on the equator of his head, stood rooted on the hilltop acquainted by five young men from age between twenty to seven and twenty in the deepest part of the Nishiddh adamantly; as if challenging its vivid energy. 

He continued performing rituals. Murmuring with closed eyes. Many a time, he would join his hands praying, bow to offer salutation. He, then, would pause—open his eyes and continue whispering and more murmuring would follow. His disciples mimicked his every gesture with cautious intensity—vibrating the air with occult and powerful runes. Their rob flew in all directions while their eyes wept, yet they stubbornly dug their feet deeper, neither blinking nor flinching, displaying a resolve as firm as a mountain. They stood guarding a temporary plinth—a hollow square which had heavy flames of a sacred fire. It rose to height matching pace with runes of ineffable mantras. 

The sage forwarded his hands to make a circular gesture and stopped abruptly. As if on cue; everything fell eerily silent. The wind retorted back to its serenity and so did the dust that fell everywhere in despair. The sage stood still to his full height while his companion imitated short after as they waited for their guru’s further instructions. 

‘Aum!’ Peril breathed, still lost in divine essence. 

‘Aum!’ The pupils roared in unison before everything fell silent again.

Cheerful chirping of birds and soft hisses of reptiles broke the silence as a few of them crawled their way out to mind their businesses. Dusk was falling in the sky, soon a full moon was to takeover, indicating a short-fall of time. 

Peril knitted his eyebrows and folded his hands to the chest. He looked sideways at the holy waters before casting a cunning look upon his pupils who were ready to depart for another world—a world with humans in dominance where words like ‘Druids’, ‘Sorcerers’ and ‘witches’ were considered plain myth and fictional. 

Lines of worries and anxiety were apparent on his broad forehead. His gaze deepened along with a dilemma as if reminding him of duty, a sacrifice he must perform at all cost.

‘Stand still!’ He grumbled. His students obeyed.

Peril had to deliver the final instructions no matter how concerned he was about everyone’s well-being. He must and so he would. But how should one start? How should he caution Sanualians of an uncertainty of another world and also of the unfortunate lurking at their doorstep?

Desis was back.

He had revealed his marks that were visible only to him. Everyone knew it. It was in the air yet they pretended ignorance. Again, how long could one avoid the truth? He must prepare them for what was to appear. His foresights bespoke disaster.  Being a president; he had prominent tasks at hand—tasks which strove his undivided attention. 

As that of sending the five chosen students of the University to another side of the earth—an inseparable facet for course completion so they could draft the desertion—terminate sorcery by end of the year. 

Peril needed to clear his thoughts. Worries, troubles, and uncertainty had been part of the universe ever since civilizations had come into existence and so had been dilemmas. He must snatch himself out of its venomous clutches. 

Dilemma—a situation, often undesirable than desirable, where one has to choose between options that are equally luring and sensitive. Options that could make or break: Peril was to choose wisely. His choices had always been precise in the past. Explicit of power and clarity yet he felt afraid. 

‘Afraid, you must be!’ His subconscious mind said. ‘A human is involved.’ He was reminded. Shaking his head, he dragged his attention back on the young sorcerers and preached what he might have told hundreds of time to hundreds of people.     

‘You can be anything, everything or nothing.’ Peril started metaphorically, inhaling so long a breath as an ocean. His voice quivered and came out in hushed whispers as he talked about something ineffable: it, however, had a tinge of wisdom dripping out of it, filled with the confidence of years’ accumulated austerities. 

‘It is your individual choice,’ He proceeded to look every one of the men in the eye. His owns were bloodshot and fearless. ‘Whether you want to be something or nothing will depend upon your decision, but ironically you will never be the one to determine. It’s all in your conduct. It’s your attitude that will determine your worthiness on both the faces of earth.’ 

His voice had regained its composure. ‘By now, you must have realized how fortunate each of you are for getting such an opportunity in worse of all times.’ The old sage coughed. His eyes darting back and forth between youngest to oldest of his pupils. 

‘No wonder, you five have been the best of two thousands and seven hundred aspirants in Aprameya. You have learnt the hymns, verses, chants by heart. Practiced all type of spells and won several duals, tournaments, but the place you are going to be in for next few months is nothing like ours. The creatures are different and so are their norms.’

The slow breeze flirted with their hairs. Stars twinkled. It was to be a beautiful night in Sanuali; however, the five young men wouldn’t be witnessing it. A bright sunny day awaited their arrival among humans yet Peril must warn them.

‘Our world is in grave danger. Evils are lurking around; their dark shadows have already invaded. Anything may happen anytime. I know that each of you are courageous, fearless and men of virtue but the place you are becoming part of is phantasmagorias. Where each of your quality will be tested perpetually. There is no the end and no beginning. Deception, seduction, and emotions, the one who masters it, masters the art of winning. Every one of your step must be deliberately calculated and taken after detailed analysis.’ He paused, casting another calculated glance upon the river. 

Almost immediately, his features relaxed. His wrinkled face radiated. Perhaps, it was the very confidence or the wisdom that had braced him with the position of ‘The President’ in assembly or could it be the respect and command he had earned among Sanualians through perseverance, immeasurable passion, and dedication of years.

A Scholar, Peril was known to be one of the best faculty who had instructed all chosen disciples of the Aprameya University of Sorcerers and Druids in the final year. He was one among the superior pundits of the Sanuali Civilization who had taught both good and evil, heroes and villains in their journey—and whose disciples had left their marks imprinted on history.

He was a perspicacious Druid who had moulded ordinary clays like Sanuali and Desis, into the finniest of sculptures. Nevertheless, he considered himself amongst unfortunate ones for whenever either among Sanuali or Desis was remembered he was to be recalled too. Being a common thread, which tied opposite poles together—he had kept them standing as long as he could. 

The world of Sorcerers, Swordsman and Druid was not unfamiliar for Peril. He knew the Sanuali Civilization like the back of his hand and had been in administrative control for more than seven decades now, however, he was not apt anymore and the hushed voices of opponents that recommended his retirement for years were getting louder and more audible. Turning a couple of hundreds and twenty-three; Peril was due for his promotion by the end of the year and brought along with retirement was the concern over rising powers of evils. Desis was back, came tailing after—was all such darkness and curses that sorcerers of Sanuali Civilization dreaded most. 

It had been years that Sanuali: the greatest of Wizard had trapped Desis, snatched his soul, and locked it inside a feeble character. Which one? No one knew and nobody cared so long it was keeping the latter devoid of any magical powers. But he is getting it back, all his powers. Peril knew it but was rendered helpless in preventing anything regrettable. Only the one designated for it could prevent it. And that one was not apt to combat somebody as evil as Desis. 

‘When the universe takes something away from you,’ Peril continued, eyeing the young man standing attentively in front of him. His eyebrows knitted; frown deepened. ‘It does so, because it has something else, something better planned for you. Trust the moment, believe in yourself, and don’t get drown in miseries. You are not the end and you were never a beginning.’ He paused. 

Relaxed, he stared at the soil before he continued. ‘Today, you are going to see the other side of the coin. The human kinds. There world is somewhat similar with ours in matter of administration and civilization, but they are different.’ He paced back and forth, looking torn, tired, and old—more than his presumed age. His face was heavily wrinkled—evidencing all the thrashes he had taken in his life while his body, a fragile mixture of flesh and bones appeared to be easily destroyable. He was old, but the youthful enthusiasm with which he cherished himself and the one he surrounds spread exuberant energy. 

‘You will visit many places-’

‘Will we see the Dharma-Prasth or meet the reincarnation?’ Svāhā, a young sorcerer of the age twenty and three asked disrupting Peril’s prattle. His honey-golden eyes were filled with mischief and his voice ebullient. He, like all his fellow mates, was excited about the journey. He had never seen a human in his life; however, his academic supplement had helped him with enough knowledge and curiosity. 

‘You would be placed where you are needed to be, Svāhā. The University knows every ambit of your study and all jurisdictions are allocated accordingly. You shall not try to supersede it at any cost. I hope you are already familiar with prevailing regulations and compliances over such teleportation. Non compliances shall lead to severe disciplinary actions including but not limited to seizure of your amulets. Mind those things, boys!’ Hissed Peril. His eyes zoomed on Svāhā who looked everywhere but him. 

‘But without our amulets we are powerless!’ shrieked Nemhata, a tall sorcerer in his mid-twenties. He was known to be cleverer and most deceptive among his peers. The others nodded as they looked upon their guru for clarifications. 

‘Yes, and upon surrendering—the same humans; upon whom, you don’t give two heads on strength and power would become your top most enemies. And I am telling you that they are worse of all if they become evil. They may seem powerless, but conspiracy is their biggest weapon. Enemies would come in disguise, wearing sweetest of smile. A single revelation and you would be lying in some laboratory under heavy surveillance—a matter of observation and research. Each of your body part would become subject of fascination for them. The Ministry of defence would bolt all entries to prevent invasion and you will be trapped forever in their world until you meet your end.’ Peril spoke each word solely and precisely—smirking at their aghast expressions. 

‘Will we be given an opportunity of being heard? I mean, we may commit some offence unknowingly. Wouldn’t it be unfair to make our amulet inoperative without listening to our side of stories?’ Svāhā asked what had been bothering him, blinking innocently or at least he tried. 

Peril fixed a stern look upon him that had him shift uncomfortably while his mates suppressed a giggle, nonetheless, his queries were answered. 

‘Every law of natural justice shall be followed with exception to three circumstances.’ The statement was a relief for Svāhā who was certain of all uncertainty that may happen with him. His recklessness had cost him great troubles many times and he was not expected any better with humans—adding more to his folk’s miseries.  

‘What are those? I haven’t read any in the regulations.’ Jumped Hefy as he opened the scroll of regulation and took a once over. He was a nerd among the five but respected for his unbeatable knowledge on least familiar of the subjects. A chubby amiable person, he was part of drafting committee.

‘Those are based on the judicial pronouncement. You haven’t read the case laws?’ Peril told and without waiting for an answer continued. ‘The first situation was dealt with over three hundred years back—a researcher accidentally killed a human by casting displacement spell by switching his body with that of a rabbit. The human body is fragile and cannot withstand powerful spells, yet he did it. It created havoc. For the first time, humans suspected something supernatural; consequently, they inspected the matter. If it were not for Qualisi’ s intervention—we would have been discovered. The jury prompted immediate termination and his amulet was seized. His entry was forbidden in our civilization and henceforth, it was announced that none of the specified spells could be practised or performed on humans without in-principal approval of Ministry of External Affairs.’ 

‘What happened to him afterwards?’ Questioned Svāhā, widening his eyes. He had never heard of the case nor had any of his parents discussed such grave incidence with him. 

‘He could not survive and died after a short while. His body was disposed of in river Himantura—a mirror version of our river Ayutthaya. You see the water here.’ Peril said, pointing towards the river bank. ‘You will find a same river there. Theirs are blue and calm while ours are red and stormy. Our will turn blue too when it will engulf Desis’s dark soul in it.’ 

Everything went calm again for no one could come up with an appropriate statement upon such subject. Desis was always an effable topic among Sanualians—most despised and looked upon. Everyone loathed him. 

‘What are the other two circumstances?’ Asked Hefy, taking a note of everything in his scroll. His index finger illuminated with a dot as he moved it along the length, engraving case laws for future reference.  

‘i*********e!’ Peril hollered as he straightened his composure whereas a naughty smile danced on the boys' lips. ‘You must not have an illicit i*********e with any human. It is against the law. Seduction plays its game when one feel insipid. s*x forms an energy, especially in case of Sorcerers and witches. The tradition of Sun and Moon required attention and unison of all your senses that often harmonize while having s*x. It’s our way of ameliorating. Never ever have i*********e with a human no matter how tempted you may feel.’ 

‘Who did it?’ Svāhā muttered, astonishingly amused. He had heard that female humans (he could not remember how to address them) were captivatingly charming and tantalizingly amazing in bed. They know to please and seek pleasure and it was one among the many things he wanted to verify. He felt disappointed and cursed the sorcerer who created such a m******e as to tag it as forbidden.

‘None of your concern!’ Snapped Peril. ‘Just don’t get carried away.’ 

‘But what if we meet our soulmates? It would nothing but natural to feel tempted.’ Svāhā insisted much to Peril’s irritation.

‘You are not a werewolf, Svāhā.’ Peril was irritated. ‘Still, until it all appear in perfect harmony—you cannot touch your woman.’ Peril snapped in a stern voice that left no room for arguments.  

Svāhā was left to contemplate over its meaning, but before he could ask more questions; Peril had already jumped to the last exception putting a full-stop on all his queries. ‘And now last, treason. Never ever think of going against our world. Any slightest hint and you would be vanished from both the faces of earth. Defence Ministry would not only seize your amulet, it will seize your soul. Sufferings is a worst of all curses. Stay loyal to Sanuali our great civilization no matter how persuaded you may feel. It’s for your own good. May the lordship grant you with immense power, enormous intelligence, stability of emotion and pursuit for accomplishment. Amen!’ The sage blessed. 

‘Amen!’ The pupils seek. 

‘Now one by one. Request our divine Dvāram to allow you passage. Remember the mantra to invoke all energies. It will only open once and you must pass hurriedly before it closes its wing for you. The tree will be visible only after your allocated time in human world gets exhausted and you are free of charges. Only pure and pious can enter. One more thing, boys.’ Peril spoke, averting his eyes on the tree again. ‘Once you reach there, you will meet many other sorcerers and witches who are already out there—working on some mission. Pay utmost regard and honour to them. They are the heroes who are sacrificing all comforts for us. Seek guidance and oblige their command. May you accomplish all your objectives and witness every vision come alive. Hefy, my child proceed!’

All of them advanced towards a mighty banyan tree that was hanging upside down. Its roots were clutching clouds while all its leaves, branches and buds hovered above them. 

It was the cursed tree. An entrance between two sides of the earth. It was growing contrary to any natural theory evolving into a humongous creation. It appeared in equal proportion on both sides with only a difference—its roots were visible to humans while its remnants were part of the supernatural world.        

The young sorcerers joined their hands together, bowed in acknowledgement of the magnificent tree and chanted verses in unison while Peril stood a few feet away from the quiet and observant as he had always been.

His eyes kept darting back on Svāhā whose messy brown hairs were flying carelessly. Peril knew who he was and what was written in his destiny yet he could reveal neither an inch about it. 

He just prayed silently in his heart to grant the young sorcerer all strengths and power he might need. 

‘I wish I could tell him that he is going near her. That his soulmate is already lying in somebody else’s arms and that it would take his efforts for him to win her. You don’t need her Svāhā, but she will need you. Become her armour, shield her, guard her, protect her but most importantly—love her. May the soul of Universe enlighten your path. Amen!’ Peril closed his eyes as he mentally bowed to the soul and when he opened them again: his pupils, the young sorcerers had already disappeared eaten away by the tree. It illuminated rays indicating safe departures.

Commencing a new history. 

II

The slow and steady breeze of early dawn was flirting with the glorious roughness of the Sanuali Mountain, slashing through all its curviness, valleys, and slopes. The wind was omniscient yet it whistled mockingly, pretending to be ignorant and enjoying the bitter-sweet tanginess of the day’s irony with a mischievous smile. It had always been as such—gossipy and flirty. 

A conspirator, it found ecstasy in everything for it wanted to witness everything and witness it did; from the conquest between the Sun and the Moon for taking over charge of the sky to all those fights between the Rivers and Mountains for spreading over the surface, it had been a constant companion of time altogether.   

However, it was not innocent. It was apparent to anything and everything—of past and present, it never forgets. 

Time and again, it was ready to witness another battle of power and realization as it welcomed the sorcerers in a new world who fell on the surface with a plop.

A world full of illusions welcomed them with nothingness: an arrogance of a kind. It was all but isolated near the cursed tree. Perfect time for the doors to open without risk of being noticed. Nothing magical happened!

The Ministry was alert and extra cautious. Yesterday’s stunt had cost them a great deal of time and risks of revelation. Matters had reached assembly and instant measures had been taken. New regulations were not only drafted but also enacted with immediate effect. Any traffic or movement to and from the human face of the earth was temporarily halted. However, the University and officials were excepted under rigid compliances.

Svāhā, Hefy, Nemhata, Ayat and Kushiro had stepped into a new world with tones of expectation and excited hearts; unaware. Not a single soul among the five could anticipate the future awaiting them. A future that had everything to do with Desis and Swamy.