Setting: On Sheel’s back, shortly after Episode 9 ends.

  Scene 1: A Breath Too Big

  Location: Near the edge of a glowing pond in Tapoban

  As Tapoban gently shifted with Sheel’s breath, Neel stumbled and nearly lost his balance again.

  Neel (grumbling):

  "Okay. I'm trying not to fall into a divine pond here. Does this tortoise have a slow-motion earthquake every few minutes?"

  Mahabir (smirking):

  “Sheel breathes once every few hours. You're lucky you didn’t walk during his sneeze.”

  Niki (deadpan):

  “You don’t want to see a forest fly.”

  Neel glances around, as a small creature hops past them with two blinking eyes and a spiral tail.

  Neel (pointing):

  “Hey… look at this little guy. Is he mocking me?”

  Creature (makes a squeaky noise that does sound suspiciously smug):

  “Squeeeee~”

  Mahabir (shrugging):

  “They do that. Tapoban’s full of beings that reflect your mood. If you're irritated, they'll tease. If you're peaceful, they'll sing. If you're scared—”

  Suddenly, something whistles overhead and drops a glowing seed on Neel’s head with a soft “bonk.”

  Neel:

  “Okay, I get it! I’ll meditate or whatever!”

  Scene 2: The Tree with No Shade

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  Location: A tree with glowing leaves that whisper mantras

  They rest under a strange tree whose leaves occasionally recite ancient Sanskrit verses like lullabies.

  Neel (whispering):

  “Does this tree just chant when the wind blows?”

  Niki (smiling):

  “It blesses travelers. And judges them a little.”

  Mahabir (tilting his head):

  “Last time I sat here, it told me I needed a haircut.”

  Neel (mock offended):

  “Well it just told me... ‘You walk like a mango thief.’ What does that even mean?!”

  A mango suddenly falls next to him.

  Mahabir (grinning):

  “Probably... that you’re chosen. But not very graceful.”

  Scene 3: Midway Reflections

  Location: Hilltop with view of the floating forest horizon

  The group settles for a moment, watching the “sky” ripple — not a true sky, but layers of dimensions gently passing by. Stars blink both above and below.

  Neel (softly):

  “You know… I keep thinking about Vahak. About all the ghosts. I didn’t think I'd feel pity. But I did.”

  Niki:

  “That’s why Tapoban opened. Not just because you fought… but because you listened.”

  Mahabir (nodding):

  “Sheel doesn’t carry warriors. He carries seekers.”

  Neel exhales slowly.

  Neel:

  “I just… I don’t want to become heartless. Even in this war.”

  A pause. Then:

  Niki (mischievous):

  “Good. Because I’m emotionally exhausted and need someone to cry with after every battle.”

  Neel (smirking):

  “Deal. As long as you don’t throw glowing seeds at me again.”

  Scene 4: Moving Toward Episode 10

  Location: As the forest shifts, they walk toward distant, flickering lights deeper in Tapoban

  In the distance, tiny golden lights begin to flicker among the trees.

  Mahabir:

  “We’re close to the Heart Grove. Where the fireflies whisper truths.”

  Neel:

  “Fireflies whisper now?”

  Niki (mock serious):

  “Only after dinner.”

  The group laughs lightly as the forest begins to glow warmer, leading us toward Episode 10’s mystical mystery.

  Narration (Neel’s voiceover):

  “Between battles and breath, I’m starting to realize… this journey isn’t just about fighting darkness.

  It’s about understanding the silence it leaves behind.”

  TO BE CONTINUED IN EPISODE 10: THE WHISPERING FIREFLIES OF TAPOBAN

  What happens after a divine tortoise carries you into a mythical forest?

  Do you jump right into fireflies and ancient secrets…

  …or do you trip over your own thoughts first?

  the divine doesn’t have to be distant. Sometimes it mocks you before it blesses you.

  feeling. That shift will matter more than any weapon he picks up later.

  — ?? rishi (Writer of Aagami)