Confronting the Spirit
Rukmini, a local priestess, approaches Aryan one evening, sensing his torment. She tells him that to free the spirit of Chandrika, they must perform an ancient ritual - a ritual that could either break the curse or make it worse. The ritual involves offering three sacred elements: a flame, a bowl of water from the village well (which is said to have healing properties), and Chandrika's anklet, which Rukmini reveals was stolen from her corpse by an unknownvillager. The ritual can only be performed at midnight, the time when the spirit is strongest. Rukmini warns Aryan that the tree is alive, and its roots will fight to keep the spirit trapped.