The passage was narrow, the air thick with the scent of dust and forgotten time. Satya led the way, gripping Saanvi's hand tightly as they moved forward, each step echoing against the stone walls. Virendra and Professor Raghav followed close behind, their eyes darting around for any sign of danger.
As they ventured deeper, the passage split into two directions.
One path was short and slanted upwards, leading toward a dimly lit exit—the other, darker and colder, stretched further into the unknown.
Satya's instincts screamed that the real answers weren't toward the exit. He turned to the others. "We should check what's inside first."
Saanvi hesitated. "What if it's another trap?"
Professor Raghav examined the ground. "Someone has been here before. Look—faint footprints in the dust. This passage hasn't been abandoned."
Virendra nodded. "Then we're not the only ones searching for Veer's truth."
Satya steeled himself. "Let's find out who."
They moved into the darkened passage, their lantern barely illuminating the path. At the end of the corridor, an old wooden door stood slightly ajar. The hinges creaked as Satya pushed it open.
Inside, a room—cramped, lined with bookshelves, scattered papers, and a simple wooden bed.
Someone had lived here.
Saanvi inhaled sharply. "This wasn't just a hiding place. Someone was researching Veer Meghawal's past."
Satya stepped closer, eyes scanning the desk covered in loose papers, ink-stained quills, and an oil lamp long burned out. He picked up one of the scattered pages.
It was a letter.
"Veer's story was never meant to be erased. I know the truth lies within these walls. If anyone finds this… keep searching. You are not alone."
No signature. Just a symbol at the bottom—two intertwined rings.
The same mark from Veer's sketch.
Virendra's expression darkened. "Whoever stayed here knew something."
Professor Raghav rummaged through the desk. "This wasn't just research. It was an obsession."
Satya's gaze fell upon a large sketch pinned to the wall—a faded drawing of a masked figure standing behind Veer, his hands gripping a dagger.
Saanvi swallowed hard. "That's the moment of betrayal."
Beneath the sketch, a single name was scribbled in faint ink.
"Devashish."
Satya's pulse pounded. "Devashish was involved in Veer's death."
Before they could react, a sudden noise echoed from the passage.
Footsteps.
Someone was outside.
Virendra reached for his dagger. "We're not alone."
Satya extinguished the lantern. "Hide. Now."
The door creaked open. A shadow loomed in the doorway.
A figure stepped inside.
And the past was about to collide with the present.