PROLOGUE

"S-s-so. I-it was y-you!" the man stuttered. 

His eyes widened, brows drew together and mouth open. He was stunned. Fear showed in his eyes as he looked ahead of him. 

Silhouette of a man standing, turned around to face him. He held a mysterious smile as he replied, "Yes, it was me!"

With that he turned back and walked away, leaving the man on his own. 

***** 

Year 1450 

The serrated mountains loomed in the distance, when seen from the dense forest. The ancient trees stretched away from the crinkly floor. The forest was filled with the sound of crackling twigs from old trees, scurrying squirrels who searched for the food, scuttling of rabbits who must have lost their hole, chirping of birds, bees buzzing, beetles clicking. The forest was indeed a paradise. 

In the middle of all these buzzing and chirping, there flowed a river in its usual rhythm. It curved gently through the forest. Just on the edge of the river, resided a huge tree. 

Below the tree, sat a boy around the age of twelve, watching the river flow with a deep thought. He got up and went towards the river edge. He bent down and saw his reflection. His little dark brown hair came in front of his magnetic black eyes blocking his view. He ran his fingers through his front hair to set them as wind disheveled them making them fall back in front of his eyes again. 

Letting out a sigh he said, "You won't be able to trouble me anymore." 

With that, he was about to jump into the river but halted when he heard a voice from behind,

"Dama come back home, sun is setting."

It was his mother's voice. He stared at the river, turned around and walked in the direction of voice leading towards his home. 

It was a small wooden house, specifically can be called a hut, just like how ancient villagers lived in. The hall and the kitchen were separated by a wall made from criss-crossed thin bamboo sticks. The hall was huge and can easily accommodate a family of four to five. A single wooden bed was placed on one side of the wall. 

As he entered the house, he was filled with the smell of freshly prepared, mouth watering food. The room was brightened with the help of two lanterns, one in the hall, where he just entered and the other was placed in the kitchen. It didn't completely fade the darkness but was enough to see the things around clearly. 

He looked at his mother who was cooking food for their dinner. The light from the fireplace brightened her face. In spite of doing work throughout the day, her face was still serene. She let an exhausted sigh as she took the vessel down from the fireplace. 

Feeling a constant gaze on her, she covered her exhausted face by replacing it with a bright smile. 

"Cooked all your favorites. Go wash your hands and I'll serve you." His mother said looking at him with a smile on her face. 

"Also Dhara, stop playing now. Always mischievous. You should look up to your elder brother." His mother added in a strict manner. 

"Mama she is just five, let her play." He said trying to aid his sister as she looked at him with a puppy face, making a pout in the end. 

"Yes mama, brother is right. M still a baby." replied Dhara looking all innocently at her mother. 

"You are always backing her, Dama! She won't listen to me later." His mother worried. 

"Little sis Dhara, you should always obey your parents. Will you from now?" He asked looking at her sister as she nodded with a bright smile on her face as a response. 

"See mama? She will listen to you as she listens to me. Don't worry about her." He tried to convince his mother who managed to put a smile on her face though she failed to hide her concern for her children. With that, he left with his sister tagging along to wash hands. 

Night was dark as it was the lunar phase of the new moon. Cold wind blew that would make anyone shiver. Whole village was quiet as everyone was in a deep sleep. A gentle hush cloaked the land.  

In one of the houses, a woman slept with her son and daughter on the floor, while her husband slept on the only bed in the house. 

Dama slowly opened his eyes and looked around. He saw his parents sleeping peacefully. He slowly got up without making any noise and went towards the main door. 

Opening the door silently, he glanced at them for one last time before beginning his journey. He stepped out of his house and walked in the direction of the dark forest towards the river. 

The Night was cold and so was the river. The boy went towards the river. The river water flowing serenely before was now torrent.

His expression was peaceful. His electrifying eyes held a kind of warmth in them. In spite of the freezing cold air in the forest, the boy didn't shiver once. His determined mind was stronger than the freezing cold wind. 

He said calmly, "I don't know where to go and begin my journey. But I know I have to leave. It will cost everything but in the end the victory will speak and the darkness will fade. I will leave it to you and you will show me the way."

With that he plunged into the freezing cold water and flowed in the direction it took him.