The forest was too quiet.
Tejas noticed it before anyone said a word.
No birds.
No wind.
Not even the sound of insects.
Just their footsteps.
He adjusted the strap of his backpack and glanced behind him.
"Are you sure this is the right way?"
"Relax," Kiara said, not even turning around. "It's literally a straight trail."
"That doesn't make it right," he muttered.
Diya let out a small laugh. "We've been walking for, what, an hour? It's fine."
"Yeah…" Mia hugged her arms slightly. "…but doesn't it feel a little off?"
That made Tejas pause.
Because it did.
No one answered.
At the back, Anish walked quietly, his gaze shifting between the trees instead of the path. He hadn't said much since they started.
Like he was listening to something the others couldn't hear.
"Wait."
Kiara suddenly stopped.
"What now?" Tejas sighed.
"Don't move," she said, slowly raising her phone.
Everyone followed her gaze.
Perched on a low branch ahead—
was a bird.
It didn't belong there.
Deep blue feathers shimmered faintly, catching the light in a way that felt unnatural. Its eyes—bright, glossy green—reflected them like glass.
Too clear.
Too aware.
Diya lowered her voice. "Have you ever seen something like that before?"
Mia shook her head. "No…"
The bird tilted its head.
It was looking directly at them.
Not scared.
Not curious.
Just… watching.
Kiara took a step forward. "Hold on, I'm getting a picture of this."
"Don't get too close," Tejas warned.
She ignored him.
The bird didn't move.
It waited.
Just as Kiara lifted her phone—
It flew.
A flash of blue vanished deeper into the trees.
"Hey!" Kiara snapped. "No way I'm missing that."
"Kiara, leave it—" Tejas started.
Too late.
She was already running.
"Great," he muttered. "Now we're definitely lost."
"Wait!" Diya called, rushing after her.
Mia hesitated only a second before following. "Guys, slow down!"
Anish lingered.
Just for a moment.
His eyes shifted to the branch where the bird had been.
Empty.
Then—
he followed.
Branches scraped against their arms as they pushed through the trees.
"Kiara, stop!" Tejas shouted.
"I almost had it!" she called back. "It went this way!"
The forest grew denser.
Darker.
Quieter.
Then suddenly—
Kiara stopped.
The others nearly ran into her.
"What now—" Tejas began.
Then froze.
A structure stood before them.
A temple.
Ancient. Crumbling. Covered in vines and roots that had claimed it over time.
It didn't belong there.
It was too large.
Too deliberate.
Mia stepped back. "We should go."
"No way," Kiara said, her eyes lighting up. "This is amazing."
"It's abandoned," Tejas said. "And probably unsafe."
"Or it's just old," she shot back. "You guys are seriously scared of a building?"
Diya stared at the entrance. "…It feels strange."
"Exactly," Mia said quickly. "Let's just go back."
Kiara rolled her eyes. "You all can go. I'm checking it out."
She walked forward.
"Kiara—" Tejas called.
She didn't stop.
He exhaled sharply. "…We can't leave her alone."
And just like that—
They followed.
The air inside was colder.
Each step echoed against the stone walls.
Light filtered faintly through cracks above, barely illuminating the space.
Mia stayed close to Diya. "I don't like this…"
"It's okay," Diya said gently. "We'll just take a look and leave."
Anish's eyes moved along the walls.
Symbols carved into stone.
Worn.
Unreadable.
Unfamiliar.
"Guys…"
Kiara's voice echoed from deeper inside.
They followed it.
And then—
They saw it.
A statue.
Massive.
Standing at the center of the temple.
Its body was intact, carved with intricate detail—
but its head…
Was gone.
Broken off.
Behind it—
four large wings spread outward.
Frozen in stone.
Mia's voice trembled. "What… is that?"
"No idea," Tejas said quietly.
Diya frowned. "…It feels like it's watching us."
"That's creepy," Mia whispered.
"At least it's interesting," Kiara said, stepping closer.
"Don't touch anything," Tejas warned immediately.
"Relax."
At the base of the statue—
something rested.
A book.
Old. Dust-covered. Out of place.
Kiara crouched. "What's this?"
"Kiara, don't—" Tejas started.
Too late.
She had already picked it up.
Dust scattered as she opened it.
Inside—
strange symbols filled the pages.
None of them could read it.
Anish stepped closer, eyes narrowing slightly.
"…These aren't any scripts I've seen."
"Of course you haven't," Kiara said. "It's probably just ancient."
Mia shook her head. "We shouldn't be messing with this."
The air changed.
Subtly.
At first.
Then—
the symbols began to glow.
Faint.
Green.
"Guys…" Diya whispered.
The light grew stronger.
"What did you do?" Tejas snapped.
"I didn't do anything!" Kiara shot back.
Wind rushed through the temple—
even though there were no openings.
The light spread.
From the book—
to the statue—
to the entire room.
"Close it!" Mia cried.
"I'm trying!" Kiara shouted, panic slipping into her voice.
The ground trembled.
The wings of the statue seemed to—
move.
"Everyone stay together!" Tejas shouted.
Diya grabbed Mia's hand.
Anish stepped back, eyes locked on the statue.
"…This wasn't random," he said quietly.
"What?!" Tejas snapped.
But before he could answer—
The light exploded.
Everything went white.
Silence.
Tejas groaned as he pushed himself up.
The ground felt different.
Softer.
"…Is everyone okay?"
No response.
He forced his eyes open.
Trees.
Tall. Dense. Endless.
Not the same.
"…Guys?"
"Tejas?"
Relief hit him as Diya's voice answered.
"I'm here," she said, sitting up nearby.
Mia curled in on herself, shaking. "What just happened…?"
Kiara sat up abruptly. "Where are we?"
Anish stood a few steps away.
Looking.
Watching.
"This isn't the same forest," he said.
Tejas swallowed.
He already knew that.
The air felt different.
The silence felt heavier.
"Hey…"
Mia's voice trembled.
"Where's the bird?"
No one answered.
High above—
hidden among the leaves—
a flash of blue moved.
Watching.
End of Chapter 1
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