"First, we need to confirm this fact, entirely. We can't just go into the military base, announcing that Pralaya is a killing device." Karan said.
He had a good point.
"You're right. We can't do something dangerous merely based on possibilities. After all, we know how many enemies India has, and this might be their plot all along, hidden in plain sight."
Saying this, Ishar was about to turn back when he heard a knock on the door.
He mentally groaned. He had forgotten to tell others about Venkatesh's bonfire tradition. Aniket opened the door and was met by the merry form of Venkatesh.
"So, you all are coming, right? It's about to start…".
Aniket was about to refuse, but luckily remembered that he was working on a cultural project on Aramal's traditions and heritage.
"Yep! Of course! Come on everyone."he replied.
Slowly, one by one, everyone started to leave the cabin. As usual, the magical aura of the forest seemed to vibrate in each cell. The dipping sun faded into the dark shadows. Venkatesh came near them with the same broad, strong man he had seen earlier that day.
"This is my father, the village head, Adithan Adhiratha. And that, over there-," he pointed towards the kind, old woman, "is my grandma, Harini."
Adithan smiled and held his hand forward. Ishar grasped his hand and shook it.
Surprisingly, it was a stronger handshake than Ishar had expected, and it felt like the hand of a warrior.
Even the fire in Adithan and Venkatesh's eyes were those that were commonly seen in any Indian soldier's.
Thinking along the same lines, Pratap asked, "Have any of you served in the Army before?"
Adinath grinned, as if expecting to be asked this question, "None of us have, but we like to think about ourselves as warriors. After all, the forest has more secrets than it lets on."
Well, it was true. The forest did seem to have hosted the homes of thousands of predatory animals and bloodsucking insects. If only Ishar had known at that moment, that Adinath wasn't talking about animals, but so much more.