I heard some locals mention they've seen shadows moving in the ruins." "Shadows? Like, actual ghosts?" Abhay's playful tone shifted, a hint of nervousness creeping in. "You're kidding, right?" "Not at all. Most legends are rooted in truth. Just think about it. What if the souls of Sayola are still wandering, searching for salvation?" Karan's voice grew softer, more serious. "What if they want us to know their story?" "Now you're just trying to freak me out," Abhay said, poking at his food. "Or I'm trying to inspire you." Karan smiled knowingly. "Either way, we're going." "Fine!" Abhay threw up his hands in defeat, but the laughter escaped him again. "But you owe me one if we end up running for our lives." "Deal," Karan echoed as he gathered his notes, excitement thrumming in the air between them. As they left the library, the sun dipped low, casting long shadows that danced like spirits in the fading light. The world outside buzzed with life, but Karan's mind swirled with ancient whispers, the promise of discovery pulling him forward. The adventure awaited, and with it, the chance to unravel the secrets of the past - and perhaps, their own futures.





At night abhay and karan are ready to go the haunted place, villagers try to stoped them but they didn't listened to anyone



The night cloaked the ruined palace in shadows, the air thick with an unsettling silence. Abhay and Karan trudged along the overgrown path, the crunch of gravel beneath their sneakers the only sound breaking the stillness. "Do you hear that?" Abhay whispered, his voice barely rising above the rustle of leaves.

Karan stopped, tilting his head. "What? The crickets? They're usually louder."

"No," Abhay shook his head, eyes wide. "That? laughing. It's coming from the palace." Karan grinned, the thrill of the unknown sending a rush through him. "It's just the wind. Probably just some old branches creaking, or maybe a stray cat."

"Not a cat, Karan. It sounds... wrong." Abhay stepped back, instinctively retreating.

"Come on, Abhay. We've come all this way." Karan stepped closer to the iron gate that loomed ahead, rusted and partially ajar. "We'll find out what's really going on here." Abhay hesitated, his heart pounding. "What if it's dangerous? We're not equipped for this. I mean, we're not ghostbusters or something." Karan chuckled, a confident glint in his eyes. "Big risk, big return, right? Besides, I want answers. You know how this town has treated us. The haunted palace? It's our chance to prove everyone wrong."

Abhay swallowed hard, glancing at the foreboding structure. "This is your idea of a good time? You know it's just a story, right?

"Then what are we afraid of?" Karan stepped forward, nudging Abhay with his shoulder. "Let's go see if there's any truth to the legends." "Legends?" Abhay's voice pitched higher. "More like curses! This is not a normal night, Karan. Just look at this place! It's - " "Please," Karan interrupted, rolling his eyes. "You're being dramatic. Just think of it as an adventure. If we solve this mystery, we'll be heroes. Everyone will want to know us." Abhay sighed, the weight of Karan's excitement pulling him in despite his instinct to flee. "Or we could end up as ghost stories ourselves."

"Exactly! And think of all the girls who will swoon over us." Karan winked, nudging him again. "Let's see what's behind the gate. Together."

With a reluctant nod, Abhay stepped forward, their feet crunching on the gravel as they approached the gate. The laughter faded, leaving behind a heavy silence that pressed against them. Karan pushed the gate, and it creaked open, revealing a dark hallway shrouded in shadows.

"See?" Karan's grin widened. "Nothing to worry about." "Except the fact that we're about to enter a haunted palace," Abhay muttered, inching closer to Karan, who strode confidently into the darkness.

Inside, the air was stale, carrying the scent of mildew and dust. Cobwebs hung from the ceiling like delicate chandeliers, and the faint moonlight barely illuminated the dilapidated walls. "Do you feel that?" Karan asked, his voice echoing in the emptiness. "What?" Abhay looked around nervously, his eyes darting. "It's like? like the palace is alive." Karan paused, a shiver of excitement running through him. "It's almost like it's waiting for us." "Waiting for what? To eat us?" Abhay's voice trembled. Suddenly, a soft ball rolled across the floor, coming to a stop at their feet. Both boys jumped, staring at it wide-eyed.

"See? Just a ball. Nothing to be scared of," Karan said, though his bravado wavered slightly. He picked it up, inspecting it. "It's old? but it looks like it has some history." "Let's just leave it here and go," Abhay suggested, backing away from the ball as if it were a venomous snake. "Not until we find out what's happening!" Karan insisted, glancing around. "Where's the laughter now?" "Probably behind us, ready to pounce," Abhay said, his voice tight. As if in response, a voice echoed through the hallway, deep and melodic, "Raj Kumar Chandrapratap? you came." Karan froze, eyes wide. "Did you hear that?" "Yes! And we should definitely leave!" Abhay urged, gripping Karan's arm. "Wait? who are you." Karan's gaze shifted to the far end of the hall, where a figure sat on an ornate bed draped with tattered silks. "Me. Chandrkanta." "Are you out of your mind?" Abhay hissed. "That's just a ghost! We need to get out "No, it's not just a ghost," Karan said, his heart racing. "It's a part of the history. She's waiting for someone to tell hwe story. "But that's not us!" Abhay protested. "What if she's angry? What if she - " "Shh!" Karan silenced him, stepping cautiously forward. "I need to understand." "Understand what?" Abhay whispered, panic rising in his chest. "This is madness!" Karan took a deep breath. "The truth. Why she is here" Chandrkanta's figure shimmered in the dim light, her presence both ethereal and haunting. "you have come?" Her voice echoed, laced with a strange familiarity that sent chills down Karan's spine. "I? I'm looking for answers," Karan stammered, his bravado dissolving under her gaze. "About who are You. About this palace." "Then you must seek the truth," she said, her eyes piercing into his soul. "But be warned, the truth comes with a price."

Abhay tugged at Karan's arm, panic flooding his voice. "Let's go, Karan! She's not real! We don't know what we're getting into!" Karan hesitated, torn between the pull of knowledge and the fear of the unknown. "I can't leave without knowing," he finally replied, determination hardening his voice. "As a historian I need to discover who are you what the story of this place." The laughter returned, echoing through the halls, sinister and mocking. "Then you should have stayed away" Chandrkanta's voice rang out, a smirk playing on her lips. Abhay's breath caught in his throat. "We're in over our heads." Karan squared his shoulders, feeling the weight of destiny pressing down on him. "Maybe? but I need to know what this place holds. For my curiosity." The palace seemed to breathe around them, a living entity filled with secrets, shadows, and mysteries waiting to be unraveled. "Let's find out together then," he said, stepping further into the darkness, Abhay reluctantly following, their fates entwined in the haunting night.