tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3084541176646005482024-03-22T10:41:00.828+05:30The Voyager's JournalThe journal of a philosophical voyager and a struggling Author.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03424548496267776352noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308454117664600548.post-42256023730923632262014-05-27T22:47:00.003+05:302014-07-12T00:28:34.711+05:30The Wraithmaster's Chronicles IV : The Desolate Mansion<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:RelyOnVML/>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Chapter 4: The
Desolate Mansion </u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Location: Udaipur , India</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Time : 5:00 PM </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The plane landed on a small airstrip in Udaipur. Bobby
stretched his arms and yawned. It has been a long flight back to India. He realized that
Esckezi’s training had not quite solved any of his problems but had instead made him
more acclimatized to them. On his way to Udaipur he had sensed souls lost at the
sea, people who died decades or even centuries ago and many other things. They however no longer
terrorized him. He realized that they were more afraid of him than he was of
them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A small man with a shabby looking car waited for them at the airstrip. This was a
stark contrast to what Esckezi had provided for him. Bobby allowed himself to
smirk sarcastically at the millionaire’s meager offerings wondering if his
client was a miser.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The small man joined his hands. “Namaskar Sir, Singh sahib
has been waiting for you.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby noticed that the man had greeted Javier and not him.
He started laughing as Javier pointed at him. “He is your Ghost hunter not me.
I am just his assistant.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The man stared at Bobby for a second and said dismissively,
“What is this? Singh sahib called for a foreigner, not for a local.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby took offense. “Tell your ‘sahib’ that I have been sent
by Esckezi. Either use my services or we can fly back.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At that moment, another door in the car opened and a stout
but a more respectable looking man emerged. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Please excuse his manners. I just got a call from Mister
Esckezi suggesting that you are indeed our man. Please come in.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby looked at the second man. “Who are you?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I am Jaidev Singh. I requested Esckezi’s services.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Why did you come to pick us up personally?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I am in a bad state of financial affairs. I wanted to offer you my
best as a host. So this is all I could do.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby thought about the man’s words. Esckezi had mentioned
that the man was a millionaire but he looked a far cry from being a
millionaire. Javier and Esckezi dumped their bags in the car’s boot and sat in
the rear seats. The car was a small one with an air conditioning system that
did not work. Udaipur had hot weather on top of that too. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As the car pulled out, Jaidev who sat in the front seat
turned back. “I am sure you are wondering how a mansion owner like myself is in
such sad state of affairs.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby nodded. “That would be nice, Mister Singh.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I am a descendant of a prestigious land owner family. However,
something happened with my grandfather that changed our fortunes.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Your grandfather?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes, I grew up in affluence as a child however when I was
twelve, my grandfather died under very mysterious circumstances. He left my
father and my uncles the family estate. However one by one they all
died over the years before any of them could stake claim on the property. As of
now, I am the last of my line left.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Javier was looking out of the window. “This is a beautiful
city.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The driver nodded. “Indeed, it is Sir. I could arrange a
private tour for you…”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Singh shut him down. “Let us just talk business here
Ranveer.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby was interested in the story. “So why can’t your people
claim the family wealth?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You see, my grandfather didn’t believe in banks. He stored
all his money as gold inside his palatial mansion. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To get our inheritance we
need to take back the mansion and find a secret safe where my grandfather hid
his wealth.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I am wondering how you made a contract with Mister Esckezi
if you don’t have anything to pay us.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I told him the same story as I told you. He said he will
take the pay after I get back my wealth.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The car stopped outside a hotel and Singh pointed at it. “I
am sorry this is all I can afford. It’s a three star place but does fairly
well.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But neither Bobby nor Javier stepped out of the car. Bobby
rubbed his hair backwards. “Why can’t we go to your mansion right now?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Are you sure you want to go there at this time of the day? Its almost dark.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well, what good are we going to achieve if we drop in to
your mansion when your ghost is not active?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I know that I asked for your help but Mister…” Singh looked
at Bobby.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby realized he had not introduced himself yet. “Bobby,
Bobby Mehra.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But my previous attempts to cleanse the mansion haven’t
ended well. People who have spent a night there have returned crazy. And those
who dared to spend more than a night ended up being dead.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So I take it that you have not been inside your mansion?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No. I am not risking my life to go in there unless it is
cleansed.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Mr. Singh, people often believe in ghosts when they go to
places of tale. It is very possible there is nothing there.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I assure you that it is no tale. The people that went in
there, they were all experienced priests, exorcists and tantriks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their crazed screams are something I can’t forget.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And what makes you think we are the right people for your
job?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t know if you are. I got Esckezi’s name from a big
man I know.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Very well then, lets
head to your mansion right now. Let us do our job.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Singh’s driver Ranveer laughed. “Are you out of your mind?
No one goes there after dark. That is when the spirits are strongest in there.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Singh added, “Besides, the city’s administration bars people
from even going close to that place past six.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby wondered if the duo were serious with their need to
exorcise the ghost. “If you want our services, we need to be there when it
happens.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Singh reluctantly gestured and Ranveer started driving. The car moved
past the hotel. Soon the car was at the outskirts
of the town. There were no houses around and just short trees and barren land.
A small hill appeared and Ranveer made a turn towards it. Bobby noticed a large
mansion on top of the hill. It reminded him of the haunted Scottish castle.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The car stopped by a board on the road. The board was barely
visible being illuminated by the feeble evening light. It read, “Do not wander in this area after 6PM. For your own safety. – Archaeological society of Rajasthan.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Singh rubbed his hands. “All right, this is where I will
leave you. The mansion is located about a mile ahead on top of the hill.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Javier laughed. “You are making us walk now?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I am not going beyond this point. I will be here at eleven
in the morning to pick you up. May God be with you.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby and Javier got off with their bags and started
ascending the slopes of the hill in front of them. Singh’s car quickly backed
and sped away.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Javier looked at the car disappearing from the sight. “He
seems to be in a hurry.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby took out his camera and clicked the nearby
surroundings. “I feel our host did not tell us the whole story. Something feels off.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby and Javier traveled light. Other than a back pack
each, they had nothing else on them. Bobby wondered if this was simply a case of
‘power of suggestion’ where people imagine the unnatural. As they walked up the mountain Bobby didn’t sense any spirits.In fact, this was one of the best places for Bobby. He wasn't being stalked by needy ghosts for a change.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There were
a lot of wild animals on the hill. A monkey, rabbit or a fox would occasionally run
across the broken road. The sun set as the two neared the mansion. Bobby took
out a bunch of keys that Singh had given him and approached the mansion’s huge
door.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby smirked. “You could turn back if you want Javier.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I am to assist you at all times. Besides, anyone who has been living with Esckezi has little fear of ghosts.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Despite living with friendly ghosts for the past eight months, Bobby still feared the
unknown. As he turned the key, a chill ran across his hand. The fear in the air was
real. He closed his eyes and turned his right hand into a fist focusing his
energies around him.<br />
<br />
This was a basic dark energy technique taught to him by Esckezi. It was called a <b>“Dark
Wave”</b>. It allowed him to emit waves of dark energy around him which could intimidate
most spirits around him.The strength of the waves depended on the strength of the user. Bobby could only use the waves over a small area, a few paces around him. He was still a newcomer. Esckezi could use the waves over his entire island.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They entered the mansion, it was dark inside. The glass windows were so dirty that they barely let any light inside.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Javier took out a huge torch and switched it on. There were
cobwebs all around the place. The stair case leading to the upper area appeared as if it could fall anytime. There were a lot of things covered with a white
cloth. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Javier turned the torch on and inspected the foyer.
Bobby however did not require any torch or light. He could see in the dark with
his new found abilities. <b>"Night Vision"</b> was an ability he acquired when he was cursed. It was more of an annoyance than a boon. He had difficulty sleeping because he could see things in the dark. He studied the foyer carefully.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This atmosphere somehow scares me.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Javier was still looking around the place. “Indeed Sir. This
place feels very tense.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I cannot sense any spirits yet. But my normal instincts
suggest that something is terribly wrong with this place.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With their minds lost in thoughts, a sudden sound caught
their attention. One of the covered objects was shaking. Javier became alarmed
and turned the torch on that object. Bobby slowly turned and faced the object.
Despite being a wraith master he could still feel fear and anxiety. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby and Javier slowly approached the shaking object. Javier plucked out a
metal baton from his back pack and held it in a manner mimicking a baseball batter.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby’s legs shivered as he closed in on the object .
He could not sense any spirit and his training with Esckezi did not teach him
how to handle such a situation.</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03424548496267776352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308454117664600548.post-34999070617779841002014-01-10T02:37:00.000+05:302014-01-10T02:37:38.653+05:30The Wraithmaster's Chronicles III : Channeling Darkness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:RelyOnVML/>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<u>Chapter 3: Channeling Darkness.</u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There were several mansions and houses all across the tropical
island. Bobby sat on a small golf cart as the vehicle was driven by one of
Esckezi’s employees. Bobby studied the surroundings very carefully. His host
looked like a man of great affluence.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hope you are enjoying the view, Mr. Mehra?” said Esckezi
interrupting Bobby’s thoughts.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“An entire island in the Southern Indian Ocean, big
mansions, an army of servants and private planes, you seem to be quite a rich
man Mr. Esckezi!” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Indeed. I made all of it with hard work and my curse.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby raised an eyebrow. “Curse?” he asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Esckezi started laughing. “We will discuss it over in a more
comfortable place. The weather gets quite hot around these parts at this time
of the year”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The cart stopped in front of a smaller mansion. Esckezi got
off and talked with a burly looking man. The man nodded and approached Bobby.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Greetings Sir, I am Javier. I will be your personal
assistant for your time at my master’s abode. For now, please allow me to
direct you to your room.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Neil looked up at Javier. The man was a walking mountain and
must have been at least six and half feet tall. “I don’t plan to stay long
here. I don’t even have all of my things…”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oh! Do not worry, Sir, give me a list of whatever you feel
is missing and I will have it brought to you.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby looked at the man with surprise. The man took Bobby’s
bags and guided him through the mansion towards his room. The mansion was
perfect in every way imaginable and had the most beautiful interiors Bobby had ever seen.
It even made the Scottish castle appear pale in comparison. Bobby wondered if all the mansions on the island were this beautiful. The man stopped at
a door and opened it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This will be your room, Sir. You will find everything that
you need over here. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Mr. Esckezi has some
business to attend to and he will meet you at dinner time. We hope you will
make yourself comfortable meanwhile.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby looked around the place. It wasn’t just a room. It was
a luxurious studio apartment with several rooms. Bobby explored the apartment
and it had everything an average person would ever need. The room outclassed
any premium hotel room Bobby had ever seen. There was peace over here for some
reason. Bobby was no longer seeing his delusions and ghostly figures. Bobby sat
and immediately fell asleep on the bed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A few hours later, he suddenly woke up and looked at his
watch. It was ten in the night. He had been asleep for seven hours. He got up
and washed his face. He wondered if Mr. Esckezi was waiting for him. He ran to
the front door and opened it. He was shocked to see Javier standing there.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Javier smiled. “Ah, you are up Sir! Should I contact Mr.
Esckezi and let him know that you are free to meet him now?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I am sorry. How long did I make you wait here?” said Bobby apologetically.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I have been here the entire time. It is Mr.
Esckezi’s request that I be at your side at all times.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t you have a phone or something? This was such a waste
of time for you.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Javier smiled. “Don’t worry Sir. I am compensated quite
handsomely for my time. This is the best job I have ever had.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Javier spoke into a small microphone that was on his collar.
“Yes Sir! We are on our way now.” He then turned to Bobby. “Please follow me.
Mr. Esckezi awaits you in the dining room.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby followed the man to a large Dining room and Esckezi
was seated there in front of a beautiful dining table. He was now dressed in
formal attire and Bobby quickly brushed his own clothes since they looked
untidy. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Esckezi looked up as Bobby approached the table.“Please feel free to tell Javier whatever you would like to
eat. My chefs will prepare it.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby requested fried rice and some fruit punch. Javier
walked away. The room was now completely deserted and only Bobby and Esckezi
were present in it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Esckezi put down a book he had in his hand and said, “Oh
good, we can talk at last.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby had a large number of questions that he wished he
could ask all at once but he started with one. “Why am I here?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Dr. McGraw is one of the people I pay to find special
people. To be honest, you are the only other marked human I have found after
thirty five years.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Other? You mean you know more people like me.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Esckezi laughed and rolled up the sleeve on his right hand
and showed Bobby a scar. Bobby froze for a moment. It resembled his scar but
had a different shape. He stammered, “What…does this…mean?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I got this after burning a wraith. Remind you of
something?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You are like me.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Exactly, however this happened thirty five years ago.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You have had that thing for thirty five whole years?” Bobby
sounded alarmed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Be Calm, Mr. Mehra. There is no need to panic. I understand exactly what you are going through. After our
little conversation you may probably feel a bit better about yourself.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But if you could not find the cure for thirty five years
with all your resources, what can you offer me?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Could you do a better job at finding the cure, if say, you
had all of my resources behind you?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What do you mean?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Esckezi smiled and then his face changed into a grim
expression as he leaned back into his chair. “I no longer have the vigor and
the strength I had as a young man, Mr. Mehra. I wish to die in peace without
becoming a mindless apparition. “He paused briefly. “When I was young, I was
perhaps like you- A simple person working as an accountant in Europe. Then one
day, I was camping with my friends in a forest and we were attacked by an
apparition. Two of my friends were killed in that encounter and in panic I
picked up a burning log and threw it at the Wraith. The wraith was reduced to
ashes but not before it marked me. Like you, I started seeing ghosts and
spirits all around me…”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby intervened, “I didn’t see any ghosts on your island
though.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That is because I have cleansed the island and guided all
the spirits over here to the other side.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“By other side do you mean after life?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Most of them went into the afterlife but some remain in our
world. There is a small spirit village on the other side of this island. The
ghosts usually stay there and don’t venture far into the island.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“All of this sounds…weird. I frankly find it hard to believe
any of it.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Mr. Mehra, this island used to be a burial ground for the
soldiers of World War two. There were some hundred and eighty ghosts over here.
Now only forty remain. They reside in the spirit village I create and don't roam around the island.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How did you manage to do all of that?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Esckezi smiled and leaned forward, “This curse comes with a
blessing. You have a massive amount of dark energy within you. If you learn how
to use that energy, you could be a powerful being with a lot supernatural
abilities Mr. Mehra.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby stared in shock as he saw what Esckezi was doing in
front of him. The book that Esckezi was reading was floating in the air and
apparently it was Esckezi’s doing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Does telekinesis interest you Mr. Mehra?” asked Esckezi as
the book dropped back on the table.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How did you do that? That has to be a magician’s trick.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oh I assure you. It was no trick.” Esckezi got up from his
chair and looked at Bobby with a menacing smile. Bobby felt lighter and he
suddenly rose into the air like a balloon. This frightened him even more.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What is happening? Put me down.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby then gently descended back to his chair.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Esckezi looked composed and completely in control. “You see
Mr. Mehra, thirty five years is a long time. I travelled the world, made a
massive fortune and learnt a lot of things in that time. The only thing I couldn’t
find is a way to remove this curse and that is why you are here.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Huh?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I offer you all my knowledge and all my resources if you
can find a cure to this condition. It is a good offer Mr. Mehra,<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>you will have more wealth than you can
dream of and you would never have to worry about making ends meet. You would
also get to visit certain places around the world which you could not have otherwise
visited as a freelance photographer. ”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What is the catch? It sounds too generous to be true?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Esckezi looked at Bobby and said, “All I want from you is
the cure and that you heal me of this condition.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Javier and a few other men brought in food and it was served
to the two men.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Esckezi signaled the men to leave them alone. He then looked
at Bobby. “Now let us eat, take your time and think over my deal, Mr. Mehra.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby wondered whether a cure truly existed and what if it
was good enough to cure only one person. He could see that despite being a
billionaire, Esckezi had sadness and desperation within him. “If I find a cure
buddy, I am dispelling myself of this curse first.” He thought.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After finishing his meal he looked at Esckezi directly and
said, “I don’t have much of a choice here Mr. Esckezi. With your knowledge and
resources I would probably do better than what I would have done on my own.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Esckezi smiled gently. “You are a wise man, Mr. Mehra. Now
please go and get yourself a good night’s sleep. From tomorrow I shall teach
you everything I know about dark energy. You are lucky to have me as your
benefactor. I gathered all my skills learning from different masters around the
world. It took me many years - From the sages on the Himalayas to the monks in
China, from the Pagan scholars in Scotland to the shamans of Native America,
from the witch Doctors of Africa to the last Mayan mages. It has been a long
journey but hopefully I can teach all of it to you in a shorter time.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby gulped as he drank water. He still hoped that all of
this was a bad dream but it wasn’t.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As Bobby was preparing to return to his room, he felt uneasy
and felt a cold chill in the dining room. He saw a pale man wearing a helmet
floating in the air towards him. He immediately realized that it was another
ghost. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The apparition came close to Bobby and said, “Who would you
be? There is so much darkness around you.” The apparition then floated toward
Esckezi who was calmly sipping his wine. “What is this Esckezi? You found
another one like yourself?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Esckezi wiped his mouth and replied, “Indeed, Captain Riker and what brings you here?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby noted that the ghost had a hole on his chest and had
some sort of a military uniform on him.“Probably a dead soldier,” He thought.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That old fool Captain Kelly is playing politics at the
base. He wants to be the only commanding officer around. We are both Captains and he cannot
pretend to be my superior.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Esckezi shrugged his head in disappointment. “You men have
been dead for almost three quarters of a century. Haven’t you even tried to be
a little friendly with each other in all that time?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The ghost did not find Esckezi’s answer satisfying. “I hate Kelly’s
attitude. He was full of himself even when we were alive. I demand you
arbitrate and resolve this issue once and for all.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“All right Riker, I will try to be there next Sunday. Till
then I expect you hundred year old gentlemen to behave.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Who are you calling hundred years old? I was twenty
five when I died. I am still the same.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The ghost vanished and the chills vanished.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby found his voice and said, “You said the spirits from
the village don’t come here.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“They do drop in without invites sometimes. They usually
prefer to avoid me. Dark energy is so unpleasant for those poor souls.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That ghost soldier man didn’t look like a hundred year old man. He looked
twenty five as he claimed.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Ghosts don’t age Bobby. Their visage remains the same as
the time they died. Captain Riker will always look like the fine young man that he was when he died on the battlefield.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Why is he still in this realm? Shouldn’t he be in after
life?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Esckezi laughed and walked up to Bobby. “Some spirits
themselves don’t know what they want and tend to stay in our realm for decades
or even centuries. Hopefully, I can help these soldiers find their way to the
other side before I die.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby returned to his room and lied on his bed looking at
the Ceiling. The room was dark but he could see things clearly. He wondered
whether the ability to see in the dark came with the curse too. It would make sense.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He thought about the
incidents he had faced so far. He remembered the ghosts he saw at the airport, his
house, in the sea and the ghost of the soldier in the dining room. He felt very
cold and drew a blanket over him. He thought it was funny feeling cold on a
tropical island in summer. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby realized that life will no longer be normal. He cannot
go back to his old life. He must find a cure to his condition in order to prevent
being transformed into a wraith after his death.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next morning was a warm one as Esckezi appeared wearing
beach clothes again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We are going to the beach Bobby. It is the best place to
start your training.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby nodded with a hum as they slowly walked their way to
the beach. There were many rocks near the small beach. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Esckezi sat over one and signaled Bobby to sit
down on one too. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Now Bobby, depending on your aptitude, this could take a
few months or even a few years. Once we start there is no going back. Are you
absolutely sure you want to start?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You aren’t having second thoughts about your offer, are you
Mr. Esckezi?” Bobby smiled.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Very well then, for starters I just want you to close your
eyes and think of nothing. Whatever may happen, please do not open your eyes
till I tell you to. Just hear the ocean’s beautiful symphony.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby closed his eyes and tried to think of nothing. It was
difficult. He would get strange thoughts, hear voices and felt as if he was not
doing justice towards his task. He tried to focus on the waves of the ocean. As
his focus slowly improved he could hear the waves getting louder and louder.
His mind felt a sense of clarity and peace.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just about then he heard Esckezi.
“Wake up Bobby. That is good enough for day one.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby opened his eyes and the light hurt him. He noticed that
it was afternoon already and wondered how long had he been meditating. He
didn’t feel the time pass by that fast.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Esckezi smiled and
then said, “Now with your eyes open, try and make the conditions as they were
when you had closed your eyes. When you can hear the waves as clearly, then we
will proceed to the next exercise."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby tried hard but he could not get
himself to be on the same level of clarity as he was with his eyes closed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end of the day
Esckezi told him, “This training had nothing to do with your state. It is a
simple exercise to help you clear your mind. It is essential that you do not
let unnecessary thoughts cloud your mind. We cannot proceed further unless your
mind is completely calm and clear. “</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A few days passed but Bobby finally managed to complete this
exercise. It was not easy but Bobby managed to clear his mind
even with his eyes open. His health seemed a bit better and he had slowly
started to accept the changes he was experiencing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Esckezi stopped Bobby when he was heading to the beach on
his ninth day at the island.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We are visiting a very special place today. I must ask you
to remain calm whatever happens. Panic ruins things very fast. Today, I will
introduce you to your own dark energy.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The two men sat on a golf cart but it was driven by Esckezi
this time. Bobby wondered why Esckezi had<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">
</b>chosen to drive himself. As the cart moved through the trails in the
forest, Bobby sensed strange energies around him. The visibility was getting
poorer by the minute and soon they were surrounded by tropical forest and dense
fog. Esckezi seemed to have no trouble driving in the mist as he whistled a
tune and continue to drive.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby could see faces in and out of the fog. Some of them
curious and some of them scared. Suddenly, it hit him where the cart was
heading. The vehicle passed a strange board that read “Fort Newfront”. Bobby
realized that it was the spirit village that Esckezi had discussed on his first
day on the island.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A familiar apparition emerged from the mists and came towards the cart. Bobby
recognized him as Captain Riker. The ghost said in an assertive tone. “You
finally made it Esckezi. You are four days late.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Esckezi opened his eyes wide and stared at the apparition."Are you ordering me around, Captain?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The apparition looked frightened and backed a bit. “I am sorry, I am sorry. I will let you
handle things as you see fit.” Then the Captain disappeared into one of the
trees.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby felt a sudden surge of dark energy around Esckezi. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What did you do to scare the Captain?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Esckezi grinned “You felt that, didn’t you? I increased the amount
of dark energy around me and it scared the good Captain away. Most spirits are
easily intimidated by dark energy. It has the potential to rob them of their energy
and leave them in stasis for days, weeks or even years.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You said that this was a ghost village but this looks more
like a haunted forest.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“My dear boy, ghosts can’t make houses. The specters in this
village live inside different trees. This is a village of trees.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Esckezi drove the cart towards a strange twisted tree and
Bobby again felt a surge in the darkness around Esckezi.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Esckezi turned to him and said, “This
is quite easy when your mind is calm. All that you need to do is have a strong desire
to see beyond the normal and commune with what you see. This causes you to emit
dark energy which in turn allows you see into a hidden dimension. This is how
you see and speak with ghosts.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But I already see ghosts.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since you are
untrained, your dark energy surges when you are asleep or if your anxiety level
goes up. This is why you are seeing spirits. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, to control the situation around you,
you must learn to control your darkness.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Esckezi then looked at the twisted tree and shouted angrily,
“Kelly, come out here. I know you are in there.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A bulky looking ghost slowly emerged from the tree and said,
“What brings you to my humble backyard, Esckezi?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby sat quietly and observed the ghost interact with Esckezi.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Esckezi roared, “Why are you bullying your unit, Soldier?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The ghost laughed, “Did that Riker come to you again crying
like the little baby that he is?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It is hard to believe that you two were part of the same
unit. As captains, can’t you men share responsibility of your undead unit?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Listen Esckezi, Riker was never a soldier, he made his way
up the ranks cause he was one of them fancy talkers with an education. He died
in his first five minutes of actual combat. He could not even take down one man
before he hit the ground. That weakling cannot expect any respect from me.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Regardless, you two have the same ranks and this unit was
made to follow joint command. You are expected to respect your fellow
officers.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Riker has to earn his respect.” The ghost paused and then
noticed Bobby. “Whoa! What do you have there? Another one of your kind?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Esckezi whispered to Bobby, “Isn’t he annoying, he bullies
everyone in this camp and wants to be the boss? And he also appears to be a bit condescending. Doesn’t his kind make you
angry?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As Bobby thought about what Esckezi had told him, he did
feel angry and immediately Captain Kelly backed in fear. “Hey hey, what are you
doing kid? I mean no harm. Please stop releasing your darkness… Esckezi, please
stop him. He will destroy me with that kind of dark energy.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Esckezi laughed and said, “Listen Kelly, treat Riker like
your little brother and don’t make a mess out of your base. This boy here
doesn’t have much control over his darkness. If you cause chaos again I will
send this boy to have a field day in Camp Newfront.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The ghost appeared alarmed, “Hey, Hey let us not get down to
threats, Esckezi. I will try to share responsibility with that wimp provided he
doesn’t talk fancy with the unit. We really don’t need a man here who thinks he
is better than the rest of us.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As Esckezi drove back towards his mansion he noticed Bobby
was quiet. “Not a good first experience?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby seemed to be in deep thoughts. “I cannot say that our current
experience was normal, Mr. Esckezi. This will take time adjusting to.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Your life is no longer the normal life you want it to be.
Try and accept that kiddo and things will be more comfortable.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby was silent for a few minutes as the cart moved through
the misty forest. “If I don’t have control over my dark energy yet – wasn’t it
dangerous for me to walk among spirits?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Why do you think I taught you to pacify your mind first?”
Esckezi smiled as he got off the cart and walked away.He then turned back and said, “You are probably the
strongest being on this island right now. I know it, the spirits know it but
you probably don’t. Try not to feeble and sickly. Don’t let the darkness
control you, learn how to control it instead.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby looked at the trees around him as Esckezi walked away.
He wondered if they were looking back at him. “This seems like a rather strange
journey. But let’s see where it leads me.” He thought.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby continued to train under Esckezi day after day. He
learnt of things he never thought would exist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>From spiritual to the arcane, Esckezi taught Bobby everything he knew.
Esckezi also put Bobby under a tough physical regimen and taught him how to use
a sword.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eight months passed in
this manner. Bobby had now become a permanent inhabitant of Esckezi’s Island.
He had seen strange things and learnt of methods which were beyond imagination.
He had made friends with all of the apparitions in Camp Newfront. He had tested
his training on them several times and had even knocked out Captain Kelly for a
couple of weeks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was a lot more for Bobby to learn and understand but
Esckezi had given him a good start and strengthened him for the things that
lied ahead.Esckezi finally wanted to put his teaching skills to a test.
He walked towards Bobby on the island’s air strip. Bobby appeared bored. It was
a pleasant winter morning on the tropical island. There was some wind as well.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Esckezi had a mild smile on his face, “Consider this your graduation,
kid. You have managed to endure whatever I threw at you for these past eight
months but I want you to test you in a real life situation.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby looked confident. “I think I can practically do
anything after spending two months in Camp Newfront.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Esckezi laughed, “It is difficult to imagine you as the depressed
kid that you were before. You have learned how to channel your dark energy but
now mastering it is a long journey ahead. ”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Javier approached the two men with a lot of suitcases packed
with equipment. “Do you mind me accompanying you, Bobby?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Won’t be fun without you Javier. I could use some muscle.”
Bobby turned to Esckezi and asked, “So what exactly is my assignment?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I will make it easy
on your first assignment. I have been contacted by a millionaire from your own
country of India. This man owns a mansion in the city of Udaipur. However, he
can’t bring himself to live in it due to paranormal occurrences.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Ghosts in the mansion?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I suspect. Our client got local priests and holy men to try
and exorcise the ghost but the ghost refuses to leave the premises. Your first
assignment is to successfully guide the ghost to the other side by using all
means necessary.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 369.0pt;">
“What if our ghost is a wraith?”<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 369.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Wraiths are very rare but they unfortunately can hurt you. Since
you are already cursed by a wraith, you can’t be cursed further if you defeat
them. Use that special ritual I taught you for defeating wraiths. Good luck and
don’t wind up dead.” Esckezi laughed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby frowned. “Don’t worry. I won’t die on my very first
assignment.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Esckezi turned to Javier and said, “Are the clearances with
the Indian authorities in order? We wouldn’t want any glitches flying over
Indian air space.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Javier responded, “That has been taken care of. Their
aviation authority has approved our flight plan and granted us a local call sign.
We will fly straight to Udaipur and Mr. Singh will meet us personally.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Excellent. Do well everyone.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby nodded as he walked towards the plane. The past few
months had been weird and unpleasant. Bobby couldn’t say that this was the best
time of his life but at least he had a direction now. He had to put his
abilities to test.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I will do whatever
it takes to find a way to dispel the curse.” He thought as he boarded the
plane.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Javier closed the door as the plane took off for Udaipur in
India.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Esckezi stood alone on the air strip watching the plane till
it vanished from his sight. He smiled and said, “You have been a good student,
kid. I hope you don’t let me down.”</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03424548496267776352noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308454117664600548.post-311996653204068992014-01-10T01:09:00.001+05:302014-01-10T01:09:51.237+05:30Happy New Year, Dear Readers.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Happy 2014 to everyone. With this new year comes new resolutions and a lot of ambitious plans(they sound grand in my thoughts at least ha) for my blog. I have been busy with my main fictional project the past few months so my serialized story plan took a hit but as I work on my final drafts of my project I have completed the third chapter of The Wraith master Chronicles. I hope I get more viewership this year and am able to roll out all the projects that I have planned for this year. I hope you enjoy the latest chapter of the Wraith Master Chronicles.<br />
<br />
A friend suggested that I should have a web comic or a manga version of the story too but neither of us are good at drawing. I would love to collaborate with a freelance artist on this matter :) <br />
<br />
<br />
I thank you for taking time to come here :)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03424548496267776352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308454117664600548.post-12464468442068708132013-11-04T00:48:00.002+05:302013-11-04T00:52:41.406+05:30Happy Diwali 2013<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUFZDJVoEaIN5y6M7U35xb2-wuRK_pPHjSvYdT2TlU5kwQMJBsmeO_cPp0G0QZgRnrfQQM3CkP9-IJCTph1tg_B7f2E2n0yW7KklXhvXRp3lEnez_KeX-zcr6TjpNq6KlUWS9wrvAJ_E/s1600/md.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUFZDJVoEaIN5y6M7U35xb2-wuRK_pPHjSvYdT2TlU5kwQMJBsmeO_cPp0G0QZgRnrfQQM3CkP9-IJCTph1tg_B7f2E2n0yW7KklXhvXRp3lEnez_KeX-zcr6TjpNq6KlUWS9wrvAJ_E/s320/md.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This year's Diwali had a lot more fireworks than the previous one. As always, I avoid the noise but love the beautiful fireworks that don the sky. I wish everyone a Happy Diwali. Diwali is the festival of lights, where the eternal light conquers the darkness. It is all symbolic beyond the religious lore. To me, it means the eternal light within one that vanquishes the demons within and opens the route to prosperity and success. I am pretty sure people living in countries with a sizable Indian community already know about this festival. Some even call it as Deepavali. However, I wished to share my joy with everyone. I feel it is not just a festival for Indians but a festival for everyone who seeks victory over darkness.<br />
<br />
(Image taken from echarcha.com)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03424548496267776352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308454117664600548.post-17767314501929700092013-09-14T00:52:00.000+05:302013-09-14T00:52:44.556+05:30The Wraith Master's Chronicles II : A Man called Esckezi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Chapter 2: A Man Called Esckezi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby arrived in the heart of a small town in Scotland. He
was seeking the person whose details were passed on to him by Daniel. Bobby
looked at the mail on his phone. Dr. Arianne McGraw, Parapsychology expert and
paranormal investigator…Bobby thought it sounded fancy. He arrived at the
address that was provided to him. It was a small building with apartment
houses. He walked up two flights of stairs and rang a doorbell on an
apartment’s door. The door was opened by a woman who appeared to be a scholar
of some sort. She had a rather heavy pair of spectacles. She was short,
appeared eccentric and gave Bobby the creeps.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hello dear, can I help you?” said the woman looking through
Bobby.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hello, I am Bobby Mehra. I am looking for Dr. Arianne.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That would be me.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I was told that you can help me with my condition.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What exactly is your condition?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby pulled his sleeve up and showed the mark of the wraith
to the woman. The woman appeared to be in shock.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Good Lord, these things always happens with tourists. Won’t
you come in, dear?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby was directed to sit on a seat opposite to that of Dr.
Arianne. She was apparently reading a book before he came. The woman sat down
and then with a grim look said, “I wish I could help you but no cure for that
condition exists in the world to the best of my knowledge.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That is depressing.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well, being marked by a wraith has its own advantages.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Advantages? I am feeling gloomy since the moment this
happened to me. I cannot think of anything good.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The woman got up and took out a book from a rack of books.
She obviously looked like the bookworm type. She turned several pages on the
book and showed Bobby a page. It had a bizarre illustration on it. It showed
the sketch of man with a fire around him and ghosts cowering in fear. Bobby
could not make any sense of this.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What is this?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s a sketch of a man showing man cursed by a wraith
warding off ghosts.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I do not understand.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Wraiths often feed on the happy memories of humans. The
memories aren’t lost. They are still there but difficult to access.“</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That explains my problem with recollecting good memories,
Doctor but what does that have to do with this strange picture?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“By a slaying a wraith, you have liberated a lot of dark
energy from the wraith. The dark energy enters the body of the person who was
marked by the wraith. In this case, that would be you.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Isn’t Dark energy a hypothesis used by astrophysicists?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dr. Arianne smiled and took off her glasses as she sat down
on her seat. “No, dark energy is very much real. It is just that conventional
scientists do not understand it as well as us.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So I have dark energy within me, I assume that is what the
fire in the picture means.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Correct, Dark Energy wards away normal ghosts.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So wait, wraiths are different from Ghosts?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes, there are many types of spirits but wraiths are the
only spirits with dark energy. The dark energy usually scares most spirits.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby wondered what he had gotten himself into. He was
inclined to not believe any of the things the woman was telling him but he did
not know what to believe in anymore. He was marked by a ghostly spirit which
was called a wraith. He did have a mark on him and he did have trouble
recollecting all the good that had ever happened with him in his entire life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t know what to say. I can keep spirits away
from me now but when I die I become the worst kind of them. I don’t think there
is much to celebrate.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well,” the woman looked at Bobby, “You can use dark energy
as a source of power and a way to commune with spirits.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Huh? How is that useful?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It will give you access to practically infinite knowledge.
It is possible that you may even find a cure for your own condition.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How do I use dark energy in the way you suggest?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You will need training of course.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And you will train me?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Of course not, you must be trained by someone who has a
good command of dark energy.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Can you recommend someone?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“As a matter of fact I can. Leave me the address of the
place where you will be for the next week and he will find you.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Who is "he"?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well I don’t know much about him. In our network we just
know him as a man called Ecskezi. None of us have ever met him in person but we
all acknowledge him as the authority on dark energy in the world.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby nodded. He gave the woman his address. She was of not
much help to him and she referred a person who in most probability doesn’t even
exist. He had to leave for India tonight. He wondered if he could find a
solution in his own country which was known for mystics and spirituality. The
day passed and Bobby was dozing off at a terminal at the airport. He saw a most
bizarre dream. He saw that he was in the airport but the all lights were switched
off. The whole room was dark and empty. There was a one more person on the
room, a pale looking man in a policeman’s uniform. His hat was hiding most of
his face.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man
walked up to
him and said, “You reek of dark energy foreigner but I have no one else
to turn
too. I have been roaming this place for fifty years now. I have been so
lonely.” Bobby could clearly see the man’s face now. It was completely
pale and had a large wound on it that appeared as if he had been
slashed across his face. This man appeared to be a ghost. No human could
live
with that kind of wound on the face. The shock woke up Bobby. He
realized that
he was dreaming. The terminal around him was indeed empty but it was
lighted
properly. Bobby wondered where the people went. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He got up and walked into an area with more people. His
flight was announced shortly. He went through the security checks and boarded
his plane. The plane was mostly vacant. The route was not a common one and
there was just one flight the whole week. His trip to Scotland lasted a little
over a fortnight. Castle Glenburg was the last part of his tour. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A day later the plane landed in Mumbai, India. Bobby had
tried sleeping several times during the flight but he would keep having dark
and gloomy dreams with ghosts talking to him. Didn’t that lady tell him that
dark energy keeps ghosts away so why are they bothering him in his sleep?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby arrived at his apartment house in a building in
downtown Mumbai. He was extremely tired. He really wanted to sleep but he did
not want to see more ghosts. However, he could not fight off his sleep. He
eventually fell asleep on his couch. He saw another dream. He saw an old man whom he recognized. It was Mr. Verma.
He was Bobby’s neighbor who had passed away four years ago. The old man came
and sat beside Bobby on his couch.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You look like a mess, Bobby. Seems like you are not used to
seeing us.” The old man started laughing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby had so far not responded to the ghosts in his dream.
He decided to reply this time. “Why are you in my dreams Mr. Verma?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oh, it is because you have dark energy around you. Beings
of our realm cannot approach you while you are awake. However, when you are
asleep, your dark energy sleeps with you.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Why approach me at all?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Because your eyes have the capability to see me, and
ears to hear me.” The old man was still laughing. “Your spirit has been corrupted
by a dark ghost. It is full of dark energy. You are closer to our realm than your own.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What do you want from me, old man?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I want you to fulfill a request of mine so I can be at
peace. I cannot go to the other side because I am not at peace.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby woke up at this moment. It was the middle of the night.
Bobby realized that he was both tired and jet lagged. He had arrived to Mumbai in
the afternoon but it was past midnight now. He had a severe headache. He had trouble
remembering the dream he had seen. All he could remember was Mr. Verma. Bobby
had a difficult night encountering Mr. Verma and many other people in his
dreams. All of them wanted something from him. His doorbell rang. He opened the
door and there was a small man standing there.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hello, do you happen to be Bobby Mehra?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes, what do you want from me?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Ah good, you have finally arrived at home. Sorry for the
short notice but I am here on the behalf of Mr. Esckezi.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby froze for a moment trying to recollect where he had
heard that name before. He recalled that it was the name mentioned by Dr. Arianne.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Wait, how did you find me?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You left your address at Dr. Arianne’s sir.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Who are you people? I also left my phone number; you could
have called me first.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sir, I am just an employee whose works for Mr. Esckezi’s
estate. Now, I hope you haven’t unpacked, we will be taking a short flight to
Mr. Esckezi’s private island in the Indian Ocean.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby wondered if these people were for real. He decided to
play along with the flow. If things go out of hand, he could fight the small
man. Bobby picked up his baggage and followed the mysterious man. There was a
car waiting for him. The man directed Bobby to sit. The two men sat in the
passenger seats. The car was driven to a section of the airport which was
usually used by private planes. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby wondered what was going on. He had expected this
Esckezi guy to be nothing more than some quack using an alias over the
internet. But chauffeur driven cars and a private plane trip were things he had
not imagined to be a part of the equation. Bobby wondered if he is in bigger trouble than he had imagined. The man who had
escorted Bobby to the airport pointed at a small plane.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This will be your ride, Sir. Do not worry, it will be quite
comfortable. Mr. Esckezi has insured that you get better than first class
service. “</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby was feeling lost. Should he board the plane? He
wondered what he has gotten himself into. He wondered if the thing that
happened in Scotland was even real in the first place. The mark on his hand could
be some kind of a chemical stain. However, his dreams seemed to speak in favor
of the wraith theory. He hoped that this Esckezi character can solve his
problems or at least provide an understandable answer to all that is happening
around him. He boarded the plane. He was greeted by a single hostess who took
him to his seat. The plane had excellent interior decor. This Esckezi guy certainly had a good taste. It looked
reminiscent of the pictures of private planes Bobby had seen in photography
magazines. The hostess smiled at Bobby and told him.“We will be reaching our destination in around five hour’s
time. Please make yourself comfortable Sir.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The plane took off and went over the sea. Bobby stared out
of the window to look at the water below. Something disturbed him and he
blinked his eyes many times to confirm what he just saw. He was sure he saw
faces on the sea's surface looking up at him, Hundreds and thousands of faces. He
realized that the wraith’s curse was real. He had been having rather strange
experiences which were a little more real than mere delusions. For most of the trip after the incident,
the only thing he saw below was the ocean and an occasional ship. He heard the
hostess exclaim that the aircraft was unusually cold. He began to
wonder if he was responsible for that. He remembered how the terminal in the
Scottish airport had mysteriously become empty. It was perhaps the coldness
around him which drove the people away. He spotted an incoming island. The
aircraft was descending onto the island. It was a tropical island
with forests all over it. He wondered why Esckezi had to live on a
remote place like this. As the aircraft flew over the island, Bobby saw a palatial
mansion, huge gardens and a small airport down there. Just who was this Esckezi
person?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The hostess instructed Bobby to tighten his seatbelts as
they will land shortly. The plane began to circle the airport and
slowly descended onto it. Bobby was full of curiosity as he alighted from the
plane. The air was clean and the jungles were beautiful. It was cooler than
Mumbai and the surrounding forest felt unreal. A man in a beach shirt and a
pair of colorful shorts with a straw hat and sunglasses was standing at the
tarmac smiling at Bobby. He was short, plump and his face had an aristocratic
beard. He looked old and was probably in his sixties.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Welcome to my Island Mr. Mehra.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You are Mr. Esckezi, I presume.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes, that’s the name I go by in the world.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Can you help me out of my condition?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Unfortunately, I can’t Mr. Mehra, there is no solution to
your problem.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Then why did you bring me on a secluded tropical island
thousands of miles away from my home?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I am sorry Mr. Mehra but you forget why you were told to
meet me. I will help you understand your dark energy and train you in its use.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How does that help me?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“To begin with Mr. Mehra, it will get rid of those nasty
dreams which you have been having since your encounter with the wraith.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(C)Rishabh Mittal </div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03424548496267776352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308454117664600548.post-79545940861146393592013-09-14T00:50:00.001+05:302013-09-14T01:00:58.175+05:30Second Chapter of The Wraith Master's Chronicles is up.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #351c75;">The second chapter of The Wraith Master's Chronicles is up. Titled "The man called Esckezi", this chapter follows Bobby as he comes to terms with his predicament. He meets a parapsychologist who recommends him to visit a mysterious man. Bobby starts getting strange dreams which is somehow connected with his curse.</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;">Hope you enjoy the chapter. Critiques are welcome. Please email grammatical errors. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03424548496267776352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308454117664600548.post-13004372043392323822013-09-07T01:04:00.002+05:302013-09-07T01:54:26.025+05:30The Wraith Master's Chronicles - 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Chapter 1: The Curse of the Wraith.</u></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Castle Glenburg was neither a popular place nor was it
featured in many tourist handbooks however on this particular day a small group
of tourists had planned a small visit to it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was a summer day in the Scottish mountainside. Bobby
Mehra and a few friends had been invited by their mutual friend Daniel to visit
the beautiful Castle of Glenburg located in the beautiful northern mountains of
Scotland. Bobby, Daniel, Cecily and John were four friends that pursued
different interests in life but were good friends since the time they first met
in their common boarding school in England.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby was a twenty seven year old
professional photographer and a traveler who resided in India. He had a good
reputation amongst the community of professional photographers and used to make
money selling good pictures. However, he adored the adventure in visiting new places
rather than taking pictures of them. He had always wanted to visit Scotland
since his friend Daniel would constantly tell him about the beautiful and
picturesque mountains all over the country while they were in school. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Daniel was a twenty
eight year old executive who worked for a big pharmaceutical company in
Scotland. He was financially stable and his
fat paychecks would literally allow him to enjoy expensive vacations many times
in the year.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cecily was a twenty seven year old travel columnist who was
quite renowned and wrote weekly for a newspaper in Britain. Her trips to little
known places were often sponsored by her employer since those were the places
she often wrote about.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
John Cheung was a twenty nine year old businessman from Hong
Kong who had made a sizable fortune for himself by exporting traditional
Chinese consumer products around the world.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For Bobby and John, this was their first trip to Scotland.
Cecily had visited a few places in the southern part of the country before.
Daniel drove the car up the mountain road. It was quite misty for a summer day
and the sunlight was really poor. They finally arrived at their destination,
the Glenburg castle. The mists made it hard to see anything beyond the castle and
the castle appeared like a mere shadow followed by mountains of mists. Bobby
took a picture of the castle; it was not a good one with the mist playing spoil
sport.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cecily seemed to be the most excited one in the lot.” This place gives me the spooks, I think it would make an
exciting story for my next week’s column,” she looked at Bobby with an
aggressive smile, “Won’t you share that picture with me? “</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Daniel surveyed the surroundings and rubbed his hair with
one hand, “I swear the place looked better in the travel catalog.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
John laughed and said,”Did you pick up a B movie catalog
instead of a traveling one?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All the friends laughed at this and moved towards the gate
of the castle. There seemed to be another group of travelers there. It was a
group of three men and three women who were probably Americans. They were
jesting about how the “Ghost” of the castle would kill them one after another
just like in a slasher movie. The ten tourists were greeted by a uniformed man
who thanked them for their patronage in form of the tourist fee and informed
them that their fees will be used for castle restoration purposes. He asked the
group of people to follow him as he led them inside the castle. Castle on
plains would usually have moats around them but this castle’s defense was its
location. In the past, soldiers would shoot down invaders and intruders from
the higher vantage positions of the castle. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The castle looked better inside. The first room was
furnished into a cozy lobby with a map of the entire castle. There was a
reception desk with an old man who was asleep. The uniformed man told them that
they are free to visit castle areas that have not been locked and are well lit.
He also told the people to avoid venturing into areas that are improperly lit.
There were two sets of ways from the lobby leading to the different parts of
the castle. The other group took the way leading to the top of the castle.
Bobby’s group took the other way. They walked through a corridor adorned with
the decor of medieval times. Bobby was a disappointed a bit. Photography was
not allowed within the castle. He would require a license from the Scottish
Government to take pictures in here. He savored the sights of the castle with
his eyes nonetheless. Cecilia had a notepad in her hand and was eager to jot
down details about the castle’s interior. John kept asking Daniel about various
things and structures that he encountered.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They walked across several rooms enjoying the beauty of the
castle. One thing however was odd; all of the castles windows had been sealed
with perforated metal sheets. This allowed air to get in but hardly allowed
sunlight to get in. Though, there wasn’t much sunlight outside due to mists
anyway. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cecilia chuckled and commented, “Maybe they sealed the
windows because people would jump out and commit suicides.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Jeez, could you stop making it sound like a spooky story, Ceci?” replied
Daniel.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cecily laughed out loudly as she jotted more things on her
notepad which already had several pages full of details. They could hear sounds
of people laughing and talking on the floor above. It was probably the other
group of tourists. After walking for some time across the castle’s lower floor,
they came across a corridor which was lit by flaming torches.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby raised an eyebrow and exclaimed, “Now that’s an
authentic castle feel!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
John showed apprehension in entering the corridor. “Hmm, this
corridor is not well lit. The castle staff guy told us to not enter improperly
lit areas. We can’t even see the other end of the corridor.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cecily laughed and looked at John with a mean stare, “Are
you afraid, John?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I am not afraid but something in this corridor gives me the
creeps.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Improperly lit often means unlit. This corridor has flaming
torches. This has to be the star attraction of the castle. If we don’t go in
there, we are missing out this castle’s true offering.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Daniel expressed support in the idea and said, “I agree,
let’s explore this area.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The four walked into the corridor. What they had failed to
notice was a board that had apparently fallen down flat on the floor and was
thus hard to notice. The board read, “Prohibited area. Please do not enter.”
The corridor was a long one and the room beyond it had a few windows which
were all sealed. This room had no artificial light and there was no other room
beyond it. It seemed like some kind of an armory with cannons placed near the
sealed windows and a lot of old rifles stacked in the corners. There were a lot
of crates on the floor and too many obstructions. The room looked a ruin with little
to no restoration. It resembled a room in an old rock fort. Something was
bothering Daniel and he appeared to be in thought. Bobby saw an odd expression
on Daniel’s face and asked, “Something wrong Dan?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It is probably nothing but I recall that no other castle I
know has had flaming torches in it. I mean it is against fire safety or
something.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cecily jumped in the conversation, “Maybe they took special
permission from the Government or the fire authority. This does add a bit of
an unique touch to the castle.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t know Ceci, just feels odd.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
John’s apprehensions grew stronger than before. There was definitely
something wrong in the room and here they were chatting and talking in a room
that barely had any light.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was a loud commotion at the reception desk of the
castle. The old man who happened to be the castle’s caretaker was extremely
angry. Two of his subordinates in their uniforms stood before him as he reprimanded
them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Are you two fools? I explicitly told you to lock that
corridor before any tourists visit the castle. What would happen if a tourist
were to enter the armory accidentally?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We put up a board, Sir. It clearly says that the room is off
limits and that entry is prohibited.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And since when do tourists ever read boards? You boys should
have known better than that. Go and lock up that corridor right now.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes Sir.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The two rushed off fearing their jobs. The caretaker would
ensure that this part of the castle was always off limits. It was opened the
last morning for some renovation work but his employees did not bother to close
the corridor. They simply put a board there.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As the four explored the armory they felt as if the
temperature dipped. Bobby felt a bit uneasy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It is getting cold. Aren’t we in summer? Does it get this
cold usually?” He looked at Daniel for an answer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Daniel shrugged and
responded, “It doesn’t get this cold in summer but maybe they turned the air
conditioning up.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s odd,” said Cecilia “There seem to be no air
conditioning ducts in this room or in the castle for that matter. They would
not try to install something like that in an old heritage structure like this.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
John’s face had gone pale and he shouted out frantically, “We
should go back…NOW.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is when the other three realized something, the room
was getting darker and they could not hear any sounds from outside the castle.
No birds, no crickets, nothing but an absolute dreadful silence. And for some
reason the other end of the room connecting to the corridor seemed to be slowly drifting
away from them. The four stopped talking and focused on the one sound that they
could now hear. It was not a pleasant sound. It sounded like a snake’s hissing
or someone whispering. The sound was getting louder and menacing. It seemed to
be coming from above them on the ceiling.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The light of the torches in the corridor seemed to dim and blur and the four
friends were now extremely frightened. Suddenly, Bobby spotted a rather large
shadowy figure hanging over them. He felt his heart race. He had never seen
anything like this before. What in the world was that thing?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Guys, out of this room, now.” He said in a tone indicating
urgency.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The four of them turned towards the door to be greeted by a
ghastly sight. One that no one would consider to even exist in today’s times.
The shadowy figure had moved from the ceiling to right in front of them. This figure
seemed to resemble a man but it floated in the air and had a tattered cloak
over it. Its eyes glowed in a manner that brought terror in the hearts of the four.
The thing was whispering words in an incomprehensible language. Daniel felt that
it resembled an ancient Gaelic dialect, once used in this land.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
John started panicking, “What is that? What is that? Is that
a Ghost? “</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cecilia shouted, “Forget about what that is, just run!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The four friends ran across the room towards the torch lit passage.
The apparition came after them whispering incoherently. As it moved, wisps of
darkness leaked from its body and dissolved into the air. It was the most
unpleasant sight. As the four entered the corridor, John’s panic got the better
of him and he fell on the ground screaming. He started reading some Buddhist
verses in hopes that it would keep the thing away. Cecily tried to get him up
but he could not even move. Cecily continued to run out. Daniel and Bobby
stopped at the entrance facing the specter in a bid to defend John who would
otherwise be a prey to it. Daniel shouted out” What do you want? Go away, leave
us.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cecily spotted the two staff men who had come to seal the
corridor. They could hear the screaming and voices on the other side of the corridor.
One of them looked at Cecily grimly and asked, “Please tell me, you did not go
in there. Did you not read the board?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cecily grew angry and frustrated.“What board?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The men then noticed that the board had fallen down and
looked at each other in alarm. One of them told to the other.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Tell Mr. Sutherland, immediately. I will try and get the
people out.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As the other man ran away to the caretaker’s desk, this man ran
inside the corridor bravely with Cecily frozen in fear staring into the long corridor.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The spirit moved towards Bobby, Daniel and John as John
cowered on the floor in fear. Out of instinct, Bobby grabbed a torch on the
corridor’s walls and thrust it forward towards the specter. The apparition
stopped advancing and retreated. It was afraid of fire. Bobby was both
frightened and angry. He charged at the specter with the torch in his hand. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The man who was running into the corridor to help them could
now spot all of them. He saw what Bobby was doing. He had a bewildered look on
his face and shouted out, “Hey you! Don’t do that! Drop the torch, DROP THAT
TORCH NOW!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But it was too late; in frenzy Bobby charged ahead and
pierced the apparition with the torch. The apparition let out a loud scream
that literally shook the whole castle. John and Daniel closed their ears to
shield them from the loud scream. IT lasted for quite a few seconds. The staff
man looked on with horror. A strong wind then blew out of the armory into the
corridor. It had the power of a hurricane. The apparition glowed brightly for a
brief second and then vanished into thin air. Before vanishing it released a
cloud of dark mist that flew towards Bobby and went inside him. Bobby felt very
cold in his heart, his skin became pale and he somehow could not feel any positive emotions.
He fell down on the floor and fainted.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The darkness vanished and the air felt easier but Bobby had
fallen to the ground, overwhelmed by the things that had transpired. His friends looked at him in horror while the man from
the castle’s staff grabbed his head with both hands and exclaimed, “What has he
done!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A few minutes later, the American tourists had apparently
left the castle. They had heard the screaming and were spooked. Bobby woke up
and had a severe headache. Cecilia, Daniel and John were standing around him
looking at him. There was an old man with grey hair and a mustache with a pair
of glasses looking at him with an odd expression.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby rubbed his eyes and said, “What happened?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The old man took off his glasses and grabbed Bobby’s hand
and pushed Bobby’s sleeve up and said, “That happened.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby looked at his arm. There was a somewhat of a black
spot around the size of a small cookie on his upper arm near the elbow. It was
not pitch black and appeared to resemble a rain cloud or a birth mark. Bobby
rubbed it, he felt no pain but he could not remove the mark.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What is this?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The old man looked at him sympathetically and then said,
“Are you sure you want to know?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby nodded.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The old man then continued, “Firstly, I would like to thank
you. Even in your ignorance, you still managed to defeat the old wraith
infesting this castle for centuries.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Daniel intervened “Did you say wraith? Do they really
exist?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You just faced one. Wraiths can be destroyed with fire by a
human with a good heart. However, there is a price to be paid.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby was still rubbing the mark on his hand.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“One who defeats a wraith is in turn cursed by it, a curse that
ensures a fate worse than even death. The mark of the wraith on his hand can
never go away.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby looked up and asked, “What do you mean?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“When people die, they either wander as spirits or go into
afterlife. You however will get neither. After you die, your spirit will become
a wraith full of darkness and madness. You will forget your memories, your
life, everything. You will become very much like the evil you just defeated and
become a violent spirit that will attack and even kill the living. You will
walk in this world till the end of time or until someone burns your wraith form
and takes on your curse.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Daniel was really upset. “How could you allow tourists in a
castle that had a problem of this magnitude?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The old man replied apologetically, “We had bounded the
spirit in a room with sealed windows and the torch lit corridor prevented it
from leaving the armory. We would keep the room sealed and work on it during
days when there was plenty of sunlight outside. We made a mistake yesterday; we
left the door open after the restoration work yesterday.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cecily thundered, “Do you know who I am? I was supposed to
write a piece on your castle in the next week’s “The Times of the World”. Now
should I mention about wraiths in your castle?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Young lady, this castle no longer has anything out of the
ordinary. Your friend just ensured that. While we are sorry for what has
happened. We would appreciate that you do not write an article on our castle.
And frankly, no one would believe your story even if you did.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He was right, it left Cecilia fuming.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The four left the castle with their fees refunded. Bobby sat
in the back of the car and calmly looked at his mark. He remembered the old man’s
words, “A fate worse than even death.” Back at their hotel, Cecily announced
that she must get back to London. She would have to write another piece on
another place since could not write about the Glenburg place. John immediately
left for Hong Kong. Daniel consoled Bobby and told him that he will find
someone who could help him. The day passed. Bobby did not feel anything good
within him. He tried to imagine the whole ordeal as a dream but the mark on his
arm reminded him that it was real. He was to leave for India in a day’s time. Early
morning the next day, his phone rang.It was Daniel. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What do you want, Dan? “, asked Bobby.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Bobby, I may have found a lady in the city who can help you.
She is a paranormal investigator and an expert on such things. Maybe she will
have an answer to your condition.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well, fine, not like I have anything more to lose.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Good, I will mail you her address. Do visit her before you
leave.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bobby tried to think of all the happy memories in his life but
he seemed to only remember the bad ones. Not just his afterlife but also his present
life had been corrupted by the wraith. He hoped this woman that Daniel mentioned
would be able to help him. He put on his coat and went out. He looked at the
address and took a taxi. What his fate had in store for him, no one knew. He
was a man marked by a wraith, doomed to lurk in the darkness for eternity.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rishabh Mittal </div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03424548496267776352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308454117664600548.post-83101272524430494242013-09-06T22:35:00.000+05:302013-09-07T01:09:53.496+05:30A Blog based Serialized Fiction Series.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have posted it above. Let me remind people that all places and characters mentioned are imaginary and bear no resemblance to real figures. Any similarity is purely co -incidental. <br />
<br />
I have been planning this story for quite a while now and today I decided to write it out. It is separate from my main work and I had to find time for imagining and visualizing it properly. If you happen to read it , please do leave a comment :)<br />
<br />
I intend to post a new chapter to this story every week so it will be some what of a serialized weekly story. It is intended to be a mix of fiction , horror , mystery and a bit of adventure.<br />
<br />
If you spot grammatical errors or have suggestions , feel free to email them to me.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03424548496267776352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308454117664600548.post-7386637597513699352013-09-05T18:34:00.001+05:302013-09-05T18:34:20.069+05:30Blog Wars II : A New Hope<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Greetings readers, its been quite a while since I have updated this blog. I feel its time to re-invent the blog and start it on a new note. I will now use this blog as a medium to share some of my fictional works and also provide some blog-exclusive work. This wont stop me from making my regular posts though :) Expect some other changes and a revamp of the blog.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03424548496267776352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308454117664600548.post-3703626638271150392011-06-02T19:34:00.000+05:302011-06-02T20:01:50.913+05:30The Divine RainIf you have read some of my earlier posts from the past years you will know how much I love rain. Rains officially marked their grand arrival in Mumbai today on June 02,2011. It was around seven in the evening when the sky resembled a golden tapestry due to the setting sun and the rain clouds gliding over the Plateau. We humans try so hard to replicate such conditions inside simulated computer environments or on canvas but the canvas of nature always has a way to humble us with its timeless and unmatched beauty.<br /><br />While some may find prolonged rains as troublesome due to the traffic snarls they cause or perhaps due to mud puddles, I have always found them as a blessing. The rains are the nature’s way of relief for the scorched and thirsty Earth. India usually has a very hot summer and there are even water shortages in some places. The arrival of rains or the monsoon is thus similar to the arrival of an epic hero. It heals the miseries, takes away sadness and gives people new hope.<br /><br /> Rain reduces temperatures and well to put it straight it is really cool.<br />The first rain is always special to me since the scent of the freshly wet soil after the first rain is beautiful. And this fragrance is only created by natural rain water and soil. It cannot be created by throwing water over dry soil. <br /><br />As I was saying before, the clouds were in motion, the sky golden and suddenly the wind became cool. After years of living in India and facing her Monsoons I could tell without a doubt that it is going to rain and quite heavily too. India may not have fancy infrastructure or may look bad in Western mainstream media but I love India just the same. There are several things like this which can only be experienced in India. This event is like a Divine touch of Heaven. A true glimpse and experience of what heaven could be, even if it is very brief.<br /><br />Eagles and Kites were circling the sky which is yet another age old sign of coming rain. And true to the signs rain came in with a grand roll of beautiful Thunder. As I write this post – It is raining heavily outside. The first rain, I can feel the calm breeze coming in from the window bringing it with the priceless gift which is the scent of the rain wet soil.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03424548496267776352noreply@blogger.com0