All my life was a lie. I heard what I shouldn’t have. I should run, or else ill die. Run, Evara, run... I was shivering, My legs turned blue, and m ands were frozen. I was unable to breathe, and darkness enveloped me.
I am Evara, the only child of my parents, soon to be the queen of
Dwarika. My father, the present ruler, is known for his charm an ysterious aura. Our kingdom, once focused solely on building, is no elebrated for its people, art, and culture, thanks to my parents' blood,
sweat, and tears. People book months ahead to get a glimpse of ou orld.
Now, the same is expected of me.
It’s my 18th birthday, and the palace is busy with preparations for th rand celebration. Today is special. For the first time in 18 years, I wil eet outsiders. I have been confined to this beautiful palace; no one ha een me before. My parents believed it was for the best, but I held ecret even though they didn’t know. Kings and queens from differen erritories were invited to my engagement. Though my parents neve xplicitly told me, I knew it was expected of me to marry before m nauguration.
I wore a red saree, made of rose-thread (tissue). The anticipation of th eople to see if I matched their imagination was thrilling.
My mother, draped in a black saree, entered with my father in a blac herwani. They were a match made in heaven. She stilled when she sa e. I turned to the mirror and understood her reaction. My beauty wa esmerizing, even to myself. The moonlight from the window enchante e even more.
“You are indeed our Moon Daughter, our most precious gift, Evara,” sh aid, her voice filled with awe. I never asked why they called me Moon
Daughter. My curiosity got the better of me when he called me that, but
my search for answers only revealed stories of a foolish, spoiled princes idden away because of her clumsiness. I was about to ask them wh hen a knock on the door interrupted us—the ceremony was about t tart. I was excited but nervous about meeting outsiders for the firs ime. I thought that I was an idiot, a spoiled ++princess for them unsettl e even more.
My parents assured me they would be by my side the entire time. The old me to be confident and left the room. I walked towards the window,
breathing in the fresh air. It was a full moon night. The breeze was cold,
trees swaying as if dancing, and squirrels played on the palace walls. I oosted some of my confidence. Sometimes I feel, the moon gives m nergy, it was my only companion in my highs and lows. My mother’ ords replayed in my mind: ‘Moon Daughter’ and 'most preciou ift’—what did that mean? I decided to ponder it later. For now, I neede o focus on the ceremony. As I turned to leave to face the world, uffled paper caught my eye.
When I opened it, I froze. It was a letter. ‘You are too beautiful to be rea n that red saree, Eva. Waiting for you at the ceremony.’ Only he calle e Eva. He would be there. Goosebumps ran up my arms, mixed with trange sense of satisfaction.
It was time to go. I made my way towards the spiral staircase that led t he party hall. At the bottom, my father waited for me.
Despite my shivering, I held my head high. My father took my hand an ed me to the center of the hall. All eyes were on us, whispers filling th oom. The look on their faces was spectacular. The ceiling was made o lass, and moonlight poured over us, giving a silver essence to the hall.
My father delivered a welcome speech and introduced me as th pcoming queen of Dwarika. The crowd cheered. Despite the attention,
my eyes searched for him. Guests lined up to greet us, kings and queens
introducing their sons. Though charming and noble, none held m ttention. They all felt scripted praising me just for my beauty.
Then I saw him. Forest green eyes that held me captive. Sensing m ension, my mother rubbed my back. She must have thought it wa ecause of the crowd.
I tried to keep my conversations with the other princes short. They likel hought I was an ignorant princess. After what felt like an eternity, hi urn came.
He greeted my father, then my mother. When it was my turn, he took m and and kissed the back of it. I stilled. No one had dared such a gesture,
especially in front of my parents. My father’s death stare did not faze him.
The room was a mix of shock, cheers, and glares from those wanting m o marry their sons. But he remained calm and composed. “Happ irthday, Evara. Have a lovely night, princess,” he said, the emphasis on
'Eva.' When he left, I found a small, ruffled piece of paper in my hand.
After greeting a few more people, we headed to our seats. His was in th pposite row, a few seats away, facing me. I opened the paper. ‘Thi ight will be memorable.’ I looked at him, confused. His eyes promise nswers. I looked away to avoid suspicion. The dance performance began,
dedicated to our history of being nothing to desired tourist attraction. Th ancers were captivating. One dancer, a charming woman, hugged m oftly when appreciated her for her amazing dancing skills and handed m ruffled piece of paper, whispering, “We need you, Moon Daughter.
Please come back.” I looked at her, then followed her gaze to him. tared for a second before shifting my gaze back to her.
I returned to my seat and unfurled the paper: ‘Everyone is not what the eem, Eva; sometimes our teeth bite our tongue.’ Another unsettlin ote. I looked at him, his forest-green eyes drawing me in. Suddenly, th oom disappeared, and I was in a dark forest. It was pitch black, the onl ight coming from the full moon. A cold breeze hit my skin, and my
anxiety rose. I wanted to run, but my legs wouldn’t move. My scream ere inaudible. I heard a child’s scream and tried to follow it, but my leg ave way, and I fell on the wet soil then I saw someone deep in th orest, his face unclear, but his body looked like a child’s. he was crying,
his words begging to save him were audible to me, and In a second, h anished.
“Evara… Evara…” My father’s voice called out. He was there but no isible. “Evaraaa,” my mother’s familiar soft voice joined in. Suddenly, elt someone hold my wrist, but no one was visible. I was about to attac hen everything cleared. The decorations, the music, the hall, and m other’s concerned face came into view. We were in the corridor. M ather handed me a glass of water “How are you Evara? Are you feelin etter?” Mother asked softly. I nodded. “why we are here and not in th eremony hall? What happened to me? I cannot recall anything” I told m other, my voice barely audible she said, “During the music performanc ou went to the restroom. When it took so long, we came to check on yo nd found you fainted in the corridor.” “ohh I had a bad nightmare, I wa lone. Everything was dark, I was unable to move” I told them bu omething restrained me from telling them about that child. “You haven’ aten anything since morning; it must be exhaustion,” Dad said whil atting my head softly.
He had a point. Nightmares are common during exhaustion. But it didn’ eel like a nightmare.
We returned to the ceremony before any rumours started. It was time fo inner. Everyone took their seat in the dining hall, except him, his sea as empty, my eyes roamed around the room searching for him bu ound nothing. He wasn’t inside the room. the mouthwatering aroma o ishes filled the room yet my appetite was gone. the screams of the bo rom the nightmare flashed before my eyes sending shivers down m ody. My father rubbed my back calming me without anyone noticing. m other holding my hands giving me a little squeeze. I was overwhelmed
by their gesture, the hint of pain in my dad’s eyes and the emotion wirling in my mother’s, the sadness of not being able to ease my pain, now it very well, they have always been like that, they loved me to uch. Because of that the guilt to not tell them about the boy was to uch. Oh god! I can die for them. My mind calmed. I took a bite an hewed, it felt like paper. Again, the surroundings were glitching, peopl ere glitching, I could feel my mother’s hand on my wrist but she wa litching, she was disappearing, and everything blacked out, it was dark,
everything was dark, I was in the forest again. I tried to remain calm, as still able to feel my mother’s palm, but she was not visible. I tried t emain calm, it was difficult, I had never experienced this before, I ha ever felt pain before, but the headache was terrible. I tried to focus o y breathing, it was extremely hard, but I tried, I was about to lose hop ut then I started hearing minor dining discussion, the laughs of people,
and the voices were too low but it gave me hope, I tried hard to focus,
and the voices grew louder and louder. And again the surrounding tarted glitching, but this time I felt relieved. My vision was clearing. An gain the hall came into view but this time the chair was not empty. H as there, eating silently."My heart raced, and my hands trembled as his eyes locked onto mine."
sensing my terror he smirked.. He whispered something to the waiter an fter a minute the waiter handed me a ruffled paper. His eyes told me t pen the paper. I was surprised by the fact that this man knew even ou eople and that no one noticed, not even my father, who has the mos alculated gaze. I opened the paper ‘I will be waiting for you in the librar fter ceremony. All your answers will be given moon daughter.’ I looke owards, his was chatting with others causely as if he had not scared th ell out of me.
“Noone will dare to touch you again my girl.” Father said softly looking a e them his gaze hardened as he looked at him. Father sensed m iscomfort and his gaze softened again but this time something wa ark inside it. “who is he father?”I asked “A wolf in the skin of
sheep who introduce himself as the guardian of world, when he wa he one who attacked us 18 years ago. Leaving us into ruins. You randfather died because of him protacting Dwarika.” Never in m ntire life has father told me about our history. “why you invited th nemy ?”I asked with anger directing towards the mysterious man.
”power play my girl and don’t worry about him, he can’t d nything, not today. Not before full moon night.” He said powe ominating his voice.”full moon night! That’s the day of m nauguration. What will he do that day ? my voice stuttering. “h ill not be able to do anything my girl, I will do necessary before h an do anything.” He said with a cunning smile. ”I trust you dad.” aid. I very rarely said dad, he looked at me with tense xpression, I never saw that look on his face.
I stormed into my room, the door slamming behind me. My heart raced,
anger boiling inside me. I had seen the bottom of my dress, th exture of the soil on my fingertips—it was real. That forest, tha oy, the terror I felt—it was all real. I was not just a naive princes ocked in a beautiful palace; I was in the midst of something dar nd dangerous.Unable to contain my frustration, I turned an eaded straight for the library. My footsteps echoed through th mpty halls, my mind a whirlwind of questions and fears. I reache he library, its massive doors looming before me. Pushing the pen, I stepped inside, the quiet and stillness almost suffocating. tarted tearing through the room, pulling books off shelves,
scattering papers, creating a storm of chaos. And then, in the di ight at the end of the library, I saw him. He was sitting calmly,
watching my turmoil with a smirk on his face. His forest green eye linted in the shadows.Without thinking, I lunged at him, my nail igging into his skin as I attacked in a blind rage. "Why are yo oing this to me?" I demanded, my voice trembling with anger and
fear. "What are you trying to prove?"he didn't flinch. He grabbe y wrists, his grip firm but not painful. "Evara, stop," he said, hi oice calm but commanding. "I am not your enemy. I am Kush, th rotector of this world," I am here to save you, Evara.” “Save me?”
I scoffed, stepping closer, my hands trembling with fury. “Fro hat? My own family?” “Yes,” he said simply."Let go of me!" elled, struggling against his hold. Memories of the scar on my wris lashed through my mind—the scar he had inflicted on me the firs ime we met when I slapped him out of rage because he wa hreatening me."Remember this?" he asked, releasing one hand t race the scar on my wrist. "You attacked me then too, when I trie o teach you self-defense. You were foolish and naive, just lik ow."I froze, tears welling up in my eyes as regret washed over me.
Slowly, I stopped struggling and slumped onto a nearby desk, a fe eet away from him. "I'm sorry," I whispered, tears streaming dow y face. "I didn't know... I didn't understand."Kush sighed, sittin own opposite me. "Naive, weak, and impulsive—that's not what eed from you, Evara. I didn't train you to see you fall apart lik his. You were a spoiled princess, but you have grown. You've rea he books I recommended, you've trained hard. You're better tha his."I wiped my tears, taking a deep breath to calm myself. "Wh m I, Kush?" I asked softly. "What is happening to me?"
He looked at me, his eyes filled with a mixture of sadness an etermination. "You are the Moon Daughter, Evara. You possess power eyond your understanding—powers that your father seeks to stea hrough dark magic. Your father sacrificed his own son for your birth, oul for a soul, and now he plans to kill you to take your powers fo imself."
His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I staggered back, my min eeling. "I had a brother?" I whispered, tears streaming down my face.
I slumped onto the desk, my body trembling, the weight of Kush’ evelations pressing down on me. He looked at me with a mix o ompassion and determination.
"Evara," he began, "the Moon's blessing grants you immense powers. A he Moon Daughter, you will have the ability to control minds an anipulate the tides. These powers are meant to protect the world an ring peace."
I looked at him, my eyes wide with shock and fear. "Why me?" hispered. "Why was I chosen for this?"
Kush's expression softened. "Evara, you were not chosen. You wer tolen. Your real parents are the Moon itself. Your current father stole yo y sacrificing his own son for your birth into their dynasty. A soul for oul. They needed a Moon Daughter to gain the power to control th orld, and they performed a dark ritual to bring you here."
My mind raced, struggling to process everything. "So, if I go through wit he inauguration, I'll gain these powers, but I'll also be in danger from m wn father?"
Kush nodded. "Yes. Your father wants to kill you after the inauguration t ake your powers for himself. He believes that by doing so, he can gai ontrol over the entire world. But the truth is, if he disrupts the natura alance any further, you will lose your life saving the world."
Your mother hated the plan,” he continued, “but she believes if you die,
her son will come back. It’s a lie, but she clings to that hope.”I wanted t cream, to deny everything he was saying, but deep down, I felt odd. Th limpses of my father’s cunning smiles during our conversation, the wa y mother’s eyes were always shadowed with pain—it all made sens ow. “Why should I trust you?” I asked, my voice trembling. “You fought
against my kingdom 18 years ago. You’re no protector; you’re an enemy.”
Kush stepped closer, his gaze unwavering. “I fought to protect the worl rom your father’s tyranny. He stole you from the moon and killed yo hrough ritual for your rebirth into his dynasty. I failed you before but no his time.
Tears welled in my eyes as the weight of his words sank in. My entir xistence was built on a foundation of blood and betrayal. ”Tears welled i y eyes as the weight of his words sank in. My entire existence was buil n a foundation of blood and betrayal. “What do you want from me?” sked, my voice breaking.“I will help you, but even if we will likk you ather, you wil lose your life.” Kush said. “are you willing to lose you ife?; to stop your father and save this world.”, fear and doubt clouded m ind. “I need time,” I whispered. “I need to think.”Kush nodded,
understanding in his eyes. “Take your time, but be careful. Your fathe nows I’m here, and he will do anything to keep you under his control.” eft the library, my mind a tangled mess of thoughts and emotions. eeded answers, but I couldn’t face them alone.
I decided to confide in my father, hoping to find some semblance of truth.
As I approached my father’s wing, I heard voices—my father and mothe alking. I crept closer, hiding in the shadows."Everything is prepared fo he inauguration and the ritual," my father was saying. "We have all th ecessary witchcraft materials."My mother’s voice was choked with tears.
"I miss him so much. Are you sure this will work? Will we get our so ack?"My father’s voice softened as he consoled her. "A soul for a soul,
my love. It is real. We will get our son back after 18 years. We just nee o complete the ritual."My blood ran cold. My legs felt like they wer ade of lead, and my hands were frozen. I wanted to run, to escape, but
I couldn’t move. My parents, whom I trusted the most, were planning m eath.
Betrayal
and
fear
overwhelmed me, and everything went
black.When I woke up, I was in my bed, my parents by my side. rembled, but their worried faces relaxed me. "What happened?" I asked,
my voice weak."You fainted in the corridor, just a few feet from the door,"
my mother said softly. "The doctor said it was due to exhaustion. He sa ou didn't eat anything during dinner and scolded you to take better car f yourself."I nodded, my mind racing. Was it all just a dream? Could m arents really harm me? I decided to test the waters. "I had ightmare," I said hesitantly. "About a man named Kush. He told me as a moon daughter and I had powers."My parents' faces darkened. "ye ou are our moon daughter, as beautiful as moon, Nightmares are mean o be scary, dear,don’t pay attention to it" my father said, his voic oothing. "they are just dreams. You are safe here. "Despite thei eassurances, a part of me knew that it was not a nightmare. Deep down,
I felt the truth in Kush's words. But out of love and fear, I kept quiet, no entioning that I had met Kush in the library.
You are not to leave until the full moon night,” he ordered. “It’s for you wn safety.”Days passed in a blur of isolation and fear. My father’s tru ature was becoming more apparent with each passing moment. He wa master of deception, and I was his pawn.The night of the full moo pproached, and the palace was abuzz with preparations for m nauguration. But I was locked away, a prisoner in my own home. M other visited me, her eyes filled with sorrow. “It’s for the best, Evara,”
she said softly. “We have to do what’s necessary for the kingdom.” anted to scream, to tell her that this wasn’t necessary, that this wa adness. But the words stuck in my throat. I was alone, trapped, with n ne to turn to.On the eve of the full moon, Kush appeared at my window.
“We don’t have much time,” he said urgently. “Your father will perfor he ritual tonight. We must act now.”I hesitated, fear gripping me. “Ho an I trust you?” I asked. “when I was betrayed by the people whom oved the most,I have nothing left now.“.Kush’s eyes softened. “as yo aid you have nothing left to lose. you will die either way so give my pla try. Dwarika’s people need you. You are the queen, you are responsibl or their safety. Fulfil your duty Evara.” . I had to trust him, no matter
how scared or unsure I felt. The fate of my kingdom depended on it. Eve f I have to give up on my life.
With a deep breath, I nodded. “What do we do?” I asked. Kush outlined lan, and together we prepared for the confrontation that woul etermine the fate of the kingdom.
It was 21st September, the inauguration ceremony will begin at night and
I was still locked inside my bedroom, As I stood gazing at my birthday' ivine red saree, a wave of sorrow washed over me. What should hav een a day of joy had transformed into a nightmarish ordeal—the ver evelation that my own parents sought my demise had rendered m umb. The realization had extinguished the soul within me, leaving m ollow. And soon, in a matter of hours, I would finally find release fro his agonizing torment. trailing my fingers over the rose petal I found int of soil at the bottom of the saree, the rose petals were dirty with dr oil, and sudden realisement hit me, I was not hallucinating, the cries o hat child, him calling out for help it was all real. I was in the forest. tarted trembling, my legs gave up and hit the floor even the pain wa ot enough to distract my thoughts from that child’s wailing. I felt sham or even thinking about what my parents did with his own child and wa bout to do with other. I felt helpless and guilty even though it wasn’t m ault.
Some people does not deserve to be parents. Grief and anger, it
was all mixed, but anger was dominant and I lost my control, I starte cattering all my things, tearing the bedsheet, the pillow, throwin utlerys on the wall, whatever I could grab and threw it and the mirro hattered into pieces, cutting the innerside of my foot. i grabbed fe ieces and shoved it even deep, maybe those pain could wash away th atred I started growing for my parents and even for me. The doo pened, through my peripheral I saw my parents entering the room, thei yes reflected false concerned. I took a piece of mirror and starte ttacking my father. “why father? Why? How can you kill your own son?”
Unable to restrain myself, tears began to flow from my eyes. My mother
reaction said everything, even she couldn’t restrain herself form crying,
soft tears rolling down her cheeks.
Father grabbed my wrist deadly
holding me in place“never ever try to even raise your voice Evara, no on ad ever dared to do what you did before, I am fully capable of hurtin ou. And if you ever tried to hurt yourself, I swear every child of thi ingdom will suffer. Go through the inauguration and the ceremon illingfully if you care even a bit about those child otherwise I am capabl f different ways you won’t like. Am I clear?” he said in stern, icy,
menacing voice. I nodded dispite my denial. All the hope I had shattere nto pieces same as the mirror. Death is the destiny so let’s die this way.
It was late evening few hours before the inauguration. I was sitting i ront of the mirror, watching my reflection as the women dressed me up,
ruby and those precious jewels adorning my body like stars in the dar ight, yet my reflection was dull, lifeless. I saw my parents reflection i he mirror, for a second I panicked but they were their usual self no sig f the conversation earlier. After a moment when womens left the roo e threaten me not to create any scene and then I realised we have to ac appy complete family for the show.
The music began and I walked to the centre of the hall, everyone wer ooting, cheering, praising. They were genuinely happy, no pressure o imulating emotions. It was their day. The moonlight was falling upon m s the priest began the inauguration, he light the fire in fire pit an tarted chanting as minutes passed by I started feeling positivity aroun e, I was feeling different, more calm, collected and powerful. th oonlight intensity deepened even I could feel I was glowing. after som ime The priest told me I was blessed my moon and now I have to lea nto action like an avatar to activate my blessings.
I took an oath in front of my people for fulfilling my duty as a queen an y ministers took oath for serving to me. Everyone was cheering and
congratulating me, as the clock strike two my father announced the star f ceremony, we all went to the garden where everything for ritual wa rganised, I sat in the middle, the priest sprinkled harina (spell made u f bones)on me and everything around me changed, I was inside a house,
smelled like dried blood, everything was scattered, from the view it was hild’s room, cool breeze sending chills down my spine, there was indow, the outside was traumatizing, someone was there watching me ould feel it. I searched for exit inside the house, after searching for s ong, I found one. It was uninviting. Taking shaky steps I moved forward,
It opened to the same place I saw from the window.far away there wa ense forest. I saw someone there, I moved towards it, it ran inside th orest. I was following it when my legs slipped and I fall, a child from fa way was watching me, I have seen him before, ahhh! When a familia ace from behind him appeared, my heart raced, kush, he was there, no y brother is safe. he will protect him. He whisphered something to m rother and my brother was saying something maybe shouting, but wh e was shouting, he was inaudible to me. And in a minute second kus lashed his wrist and then throat, my brother! He fall down on the soil,
lying lifeless. One minute before he was there and now gone. I wa nable to process anything. There were no tears, no wails, even m eartbeat stopped for a minute. I was motionless, maybe dead inside. imply closed my eyes trying to process everything.
Minute whispers disturbed me and when I opened my eyes I was back t he reality, but this time kush was standing in place of
father, “Run
Evara, Run”father was shouting,he was there, my gaze were unfocused. ried to refocus and found him tied with rope at the corner. He wa ruised. Tension lingering all over his face. I could feel the feel when ound the reason, my mouth dried, blood was dripping from my fingers. ried to stand, “it was too easy to manipulate you Evara, I thought I hav o do a lot of hardwork since you were moon daughter but rumors wer rue, you were an easy fool.” He said with disguist all over his face. “I am
sorry father.i am sorry for not trusting you. It all happened because o e.” My voice stuttering. “Run my child, Run, we have all life to talk i ou will run. Kush cannot touch you since you are blessed now. But hi en’s can. Use your powers Evara, chant the words with all your heart,
try all the training you have done till now for this day. This is our las hance my child.” he passed out as he finished his words. As second assed I was regaining my consciousness. There were spells all aroun e. After a deadly fight with the priest I coerced the harina(spell) an prinkled it on the priest and kush with chants. They will not be able t ee me for about 10 minutes. I came out of the circle, and trie emembering the chant to activate the power, after trying for straight 5
minutes I remembered the correct one. I used all the emotions an raining into chanting that mantra, it needed time minimum 10 mintues if
I devote my soul into chanting and I tried, I was feeling alive again, mor alm, more sensible. As seven minutes passed they were starting t egain consiouness. I was hiding inside the palace, 3 more minutes left. evoted my body, soul, mind, everything into it, never have I eve hanted with this dedication.as 5 sec were left, I heard his voice, 4 hi teps were closer, 3 “you cannot escape me, Eva” 2
I could feel his
breathe over me. 1 everything blacked out.
Dawn rays waking me as I was in my comfortable bed. “Wake up m hild, today is your first day as a Queen” father said in his genteles oice, while caressing my head. His bruised was gone. “how did w urvived father? Is kush alive?” I asked in frightened voice.”wha appened Evara and who is kush?” he was confused as if he had heard i or the first time. “he was about to kill me father?” I said tears rolle own my cheeks.”it might be your nightmare ,my girl, I was by your sid hole night.” He said calmy.”but father..” I tried to protest when he said
”it’s okay babygirl, you are safe with me, no kush exits, no one will har ou. You are safe, my girl” he said hugging me. When I asked others
about kush no one heard that name before. But there were tiny marks o y fingers from where the blood was driping last night. When I wa alking in the gardern I saw a note between bushes,”it was a nightmare,
Eva, let it go.goodbye”.
The end
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