The summit of Asuri is reached by a path of ten thousand steps, filled with all kinds of ascents. Along the way, there are around a thousand small and large temples, about ten waterfalls, and a wide variety of animals, birds, and living creatures.
Since ancient times, this mountain had been famous for its many unbelievable stories.
As the three of them drew closer to Asuri, they began to sense Asuri's negative energy. Ansh and Sapna had come here many times before, but they were experiencing this sensation for the very first time.
Ansh, Sapna, and Yug reached the foothills of Asuri. Adhir, Sheetal, and Suraj were already waiting for them there. They halted their horses and dismounted.
On seeing Yug, Ansh's friends bowed respectfully. Then Suraj, looking at Ansh, said,
"You took quite a long time!"
With a soft laugh, he added,
"Ansh didn't wake up on time, did he?"
"That's not true at all!" Ansh replied. "I was the first one to wake up."
"Then it must have taken time to convince you to come, since you'd be too scared," Suraj teased with a laugh.
Angrily, Ansh shot back,
"I'm not scared of anything. Grandma woke up and kept stopping us, so it took time to explain things to her."
"Of course she would refuse," Suraj mocked. "Even she knows this isn't your kind of task. You'll probably turn back halfway out of fear."
Saying this, Suraj clapped hands with Adhir.
Enraged, Ansh replied,
"Come on, let's see right now. I can climb this mountain alone if needed. Want to bet?"
Sapna intervened calmly,
"They're just joking. Don't get angry for no reason, Bhailu."
Suraj and Adhir both hugged Ansh and said,
"Yes, Anshu, we know you're fearless."
After two or three minutes of light-hearted teasing, everyone sat down on a stone platform nearby. Yug sat on one side, and his five disciples sat opposite him.
Looking at Yug, Sapna said,
"So the legends of Asuri aren't just stories. I've never experienced such strange energy before."
Suraj added,
"Yes. It feels as if something is draining energy directly from my body."
Yug replied,
"Yes. Today is Amavasya (new moon), and it is also Brahmamuhurta. At this time, Asuri energies are at their strongest. That's why you're experiencing this for the first time."
Ansh asked,
"Have you felt this energy before? Have you ever climbed Asuri at this time?"
Yug answered,
"Yes, I've experienced this energy many times, but I have never climbed before sunrise."
Adhir asked,
"Has anyone else ever climbed during such a time, on such a day, under these conditions?"
Yug replied,
"Yes. Many people have tried. But under all these conditions combined, only four people have ever reached the summit—and that too in extremely bad condition."
Sheetal asked,
"Who were they?"
Yug said,
"Your fathers. The way you five form a group today, Suraj's and Sheetal's fathers were friends with Karna."
Sapna and Ansh both stared at Yug in shock, because moments like these—when they heard anything about their fathers—were extremely rare.
Yug continued,
"Fifteen years ago, their group of seven climbed this mountain. They lost three companions, and none of the others returned uninjured."
A grave silence fell over everyone.
Adhir asked quietly,
"How old were they then? About our age?"
Yug replied,
"No. They were around twenty years old. But they did not possess the abilities and powers that you do."
Everyone grew somber, lost in deep thought.
Seeing this, Yug addressed all five of them,
"Do not worry. I trust you. Over the past five years, I have trained you to the best of my knowledge so that you may reach your highest potential. This training is the foundation of your lives—and also the foundation of this world's future."
With determination, Ansh said,
"Yes. All of us together will complete this climb safely."
The others nodded in agreement, gaining some courage.
Yug continued,
"This is not the time for further advice or knowledge. At the end of the journey, I will give you today's special teaching. For now, remember this: use your training wisely. True victory lies in unity. If obstacles arise, face them together. And if you ever lose your way, follow the guidance of your inner soul."
Pausing, Yug added,
"You may begin the climb now. Raj and Mahish and I will follow after sunrise to support you."
The five disciples took Yug's blessings and began their ascent. Each of them carried a walking stick, a bag with some snacks and water.
Adhir carried an additional bag containing a robot he had created himself. The robot obeyed only Adhir's commands and could transform into various gadgets. It also stored vast knowledge of history, geography, and science—an example of advanced artificial intelligence.
As the journey began, a monkey started moving around them at the foothills. During the climb, it continued to follow them, often jumping onto Ansh's shoulder. Ansh played with it affectionately, as if they shared an unspoken bond—like souls that had known each other in another life and met again after centuries.
After climbing around a hundred steps—
Ansh complained,
"This is getting boring. Let's play some game while climbing."
Suraj agreed,
"True. Grandpa's talk already filled our minds with heavy thoughts, and now this silence."
Sheetal said,
"You're right. I'm starting to feel a little nervous too."
Ansh teased Suraj,
"What happened, Suraj? You were acting so brave earlier."
Suraj replied,
"I'm not scared. But if no one has managed to climb successfully until now, there must be some mystery, right?"
Silence returned. Only the sounds of forest animals echoed around them. Worry was visible on everyone's faces.
Seeing this, Sapna said,
"Come on, let's play something. Say, say."
Ansh suggested,
"I spy, 20 Questions, Nature Bingo."
Sapna replied,
"'Nature Bingo' and 'I Spy' won't work at night—you can't see anything. '20 Questions' could work."
Suraj added,
"Then let's make it a race till 500 steps."
Sapna objected,
"No. That will waste energy, and we might get separated."
Sheetal agreed,
"She's right."
Turning to Adhir, Sapna asked,
"Adhir, you've been quiet. Why are you lost in thought?"
Ansh added jokingly,
"Yeah, Adhir. Talk a little. Don't worry, I'm here."
Adhir smiled faintly.
Suraj said,
"You seem different today. Is something wrong?"
Adhir replied,
"No, nothing. I'm just having some strange sensations today."
Sapna asked,
"What kind of sensations?"
"Nothing special," Adhir said. "But I have an idea for a game we can play while climbing."
Excited, Ansh said,
"Tell us!"
Adhir replied,
"Animal Track Detective, or Sound Scavenger Hunt."
Sheetal said,
"These games are hard to play while walking."
Adhir then gave a command to his robot,
"Hello, Shiro. Wake up."
Shiro activated. Although it primarily followed Adhir's commands, Adhir had also programmed it to recognize his four friends' voices for basic tasks.
In a pleasant female voice, Shiro spoke,
"Hello. Good morning. It seems you all woke up earlier than your usual time today."
Adhir replied,
"Yes, Shiro. My four friends and I have started climbing Asuri early this morning. Suggest a game we can play while climbing."
Shiro asked,
"What kind of game would you like? Competitive games like races? Task-based games like 'I Spy'? Or something without a result that can last longer, like Antakshari?"
Suraj said,
"A competitive one!"
Sheetal countered,
"But then we'll get bored again soon."
Adhir said,
"Shiro, suggest a game that lasts longer and doesn't get boring—like Animal Track Detective, Sound Scavenger Hunt, Nature Bingo, or I Spy—that we can play even without much light."
Ansh agreed,
"Yes, Shiro. Give us something like that."
Shiro replied,
"May I combine two or three games?"
Sapna said,
"Definitely—but it should not drain too much energy or separate us."
Shiro responded,
"Okay. I'll design a game for you within two minutes."
Thus, the journey up Asuri continued. The group had no idea of the troubles that awaited them ahead. The ease with which the journey progressed now stood in stark contrast to the unimaginable dangers silently waiting in their path.