Chapter 12 : Unveiling Secrets

  The trio wandered through the market, the air thick with the mingling scents of spices and fresh produce. Each step they took seemed to lead them deeper into this world—one that felt both ancient and yet alive with an energy they couldn’t fully grasp. It was a society that thrived on magic, but they still knew so little about its true scope.

  Arjun kept his eyes sharp, scanning the faces in the crowd, his thoughts racing. The more he observed, the more questions piled up. How did magic work here? Was it something that could be controlled, or was it a natural gift? Were there rules governing its use? And most importantly—how did they fit into all of this?

  The others seemed distracted, caught up in the strange spectacle of the market, but Arjun couldn’t afford to lose focus. He needed answers.

  "Hey, check this out," Rohan said, suddenly stopping in front of a stall. He pointed to a series of shimmering bracelets stacked neatly on a wooden table. "These look like the ones we have. Do you think—"

  Arjun’s heart skipped a beat. His hand instinctively brushed the bracelet on his wrist. The faint glow he’d noticed earlier was still there, though it was barely perceptible in the dimming light of the late afternoon. Could these items somehow be connected to the magic?

  “I’ll check it out later,” Arjun replied, his voice low. “We’re not here to shop for trinkets. We need to figure out more about this world.”

  Kabir, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, suddenly spoke up. “I get it. We need to understand how the magic works here. But what if we’re missing something? What if we’re supposed to be here for a reason?”

  Arjun looked at him, eyebrows furrowed. “What do you mean?”

  Kabir shrugged, his eyes scanning the crowd. “I mean, we’re not just here by accident. This... this place is built on magic. We’ve got these bracelets, something’s happening with them, and now everyone seems to be using magic in their daily lives. Doesn’t that tell you something?”

  Arjun’s mind raced. Kabir had a point. The more he thought about it, the more he realized that everything around them—every oddity, every moment of magic—wasn’t random. There had to be some sort of purpose, some greater design to it all.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  “We need to find out who controls the magic,” Arjun said, the decision settling in his mind. “That’s where we’ll start.”

  Rohan rolled his eyes. “Great. So we’re going to play detective in a world where everyone has magic. Fantastic.”

  “Shut up, Rohan,” Kabir shot back, giving him a playful shove. “We’ve got to figure this out. You heard what Arjun said.”

  Arjun’s gaze fell to the ground as he thought, his mind working through the possibilities. It was becoming clear that understanding the magic would be the key to going home. And the more he thought about it, the more he was certain of one thing—he wasn’t just a bystander here.

  “Let’s split up,” Arjun said after a beat. “We’ll cover more ground that way. We’ll meet back here in an hour and compare notes.”

  “Sure,” Kabir said, already looking around. “Just don’t charm every girl you see, alright?”

  Arjun smirked, but the joke didn’t make him feel any lighter. The weight of what lay ahead was starting to settle on him.

  As they went their separate ways, Arjun couldn’t shake the feeling that the answers were out there, hidden just beyond his reach. The magic wasn’t just a force to be reckoned with—it was a key to something far more significant.

  He walked past the stalls, trying to blend in, keeping his eyes peeled for anything out of the ordinary. He couldn’t help but feel the pull of the glowing stones again. The merchant who’d been selling them earlier was still there, his eyes locked on Arjun with an unreadable expression.

  Arjun stopped in front of the stall, his curiosity piqued. The stones seemed to hum with energy as he approached, and for the first time, he noticed the small symbols etched into each one. They weren’t the same as the Indus script on the tablets he’d found in his grandfather’s research, but they were undeniably familiar.

  "How much for the stones?" Arjun asked, his voice steady despite the excitement building in his chest.

  The merchant smiled knowingly, his eyes narrowing as he studied Arjun’s bracelet. “Ah, you’re a keen observer. But these stones are not for sale in the traditional sense. They must be earned.”

  Arjun raised an eyebrow. "Earned? How?"

  The merchant leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Through deeds. Only those with the proper alignment can wield them.”

  Arjun’s pulse quickened. Alignment. That word echoed in his mind, and for the first time, he felt like he was on the verge of understanding something important. The bracelet. The magic. The purpose of being here.

  “I’ll be back,” Arjun said, his mind already racing with possibilities.

  As he walked away, he spotted Kabir in the distance, talking to an old woman who was showing him a small, intricately carved box. Arjun hesitated. He couldn’t shake the feeling that their time here of essence. There was something they had to do—and soon.