The Last Rudra

To the east of Minaak, beyond the aviary tower, there was a forest called Nimara-woods, the same forest in which djall perished four days ago. Known as the cradle of spirit-birds, the Nirma-woods encompassed  27000 sq yojanas (1 yojana=7.5 mile). 

Apart from spirit-birds,

It was the abode of myriads of uncanny and magical species, folks like nymphs or as Vartian called them in spirit tongue 'Yakshinis', Curos who had bird-like faces and human torsos, etc.

Though falconers were tasked to keep watch over the forest, they never dared to venture deeper into the dense forest. The reason was simple; even with their powerful spirit-birds, the forest housed countless dangers even to 10 stars falconers.

Their last watchtower was 500 yojanas deeper, stood at the Puskar lake, the place where the nymphs came to trade their treasures on full moon nights called Purnima in spirit tongue. 

This last tower could be considered a boundary stone of human territory. Even so, many few spirit-wielders ventured up to this boundary stone except on the full moon nights, when the forest posed fewer threats.

However, a young florist, today, was speeding into the woods, and it was not a full moon night. 

The florist had a square face,

dagger-sharp eyes. He had a bow in his hand. However, there was no quiver slung over his shoulder. A cutlass was hanging from his waist.

Though it was the seventh Pahar (12pm -3pm) and the sun was glaring in the sky, the forest around him was having dusk.  Pisachi's alluring calls were resounding in the whispering forest. 

To the east of Minaak, beyond the aviary tower, there was a forest called Nimara-woods, the same forest in which djall perished four days ago. Known as the cradle of spirit-birds, the Nirma-woods encompassed  27000 sq yojanas (1 yojana=7.5 mile). 

Apart from spirit-birds,

It was the abode of myriads of unc

To the east of Minaak, beyond the aviary tower, there was a forest called Nimara-woods, the same forest in which djall perished four days ago. Known as the cradle of spirit-birds, the Nirma-woods encompassed  27000 sq yojanas (1 yojana=7.5 mile). 

Apart from spirit-birds,

It was the abode of myriads of uncanny and magical species, folks like nymphs or as Vartian called them in spirit tongue 'Yakshinis', Curos who had bird-like faces and human torsos, etc.

Though falconers were tasked to keep watch over the forest, they never dared to venture deeper into the dense forest. The reason was simple; even with their powerful spirit-birds, the forest housed countless dangers even to 10 stars falconers.

Their last watchtower was 500 yojanas deeper, stood at the Puskar lake, the place where the nymphs came to trade their treasures on full moon nights called Purnima in spirit tongue. 

This last tower could be considered a boundary stone of human territory. Even so, many few spirit-wielders ventured up to this boundary stone except on the full moon nights, when the forest posed fewer threats.

However, a young florist, today, was speeding into the woods, and it was not a full moon night. 

The florist had a square face, dagger-sharp eyes. He had a bow in his hand. However, there was no quiver slung over his shoulder. A cutlass was hanging from his waist.

Though it was the seventh Pahar (12pm -3pm) and the sun was glaring in the sky, the forest around him was having dusk.  Pisachi's alluring calls were resounding in the whispering forest. 

Kasma unknotted his dark hair and let them fall on his broad shoulder. His eyes glowed up like embers. He whispered a hex to stifle

the urge to imitate the invisible bird (Pisachi). During his training, he was warned against the evil bird. Pisachi would urge you to copy its call. Once you started imitating it, you had to go on till Pisachi accept its defeat

(which would take one or two days at the least). If you stopped in the middle, the bird would get angry and cast an evil curse on you.

A curse with no cure that would drive you crazy, for you would be listening to its unceasing calls day in, day out throughout your life. 

Since he was 

anny and magical species, folks like nymphs or as Vartian called them in spirit tongue 'Yakshinis', Curos who had bird-like faces and human torsos, etc.

Though falconers were tasked to keep watch over the forest, they never dared to venture deeper into the dense forest.

The reason was simple; even with their powerful spirit-birds, the forest housed countless dangers even to 10 stars falconers.

Their last watchtower was 500 yojanas deeper, stood at the Puskar lake, the place where the nymphs came to trade their treasures on full moon nights called Purnima in spirit tongue. 

This last tower could be considered a boundary stone of human territory.

Even so, many few spirit-wielders ventured up to this boundary stone except on the full moon nights, when the forest posed fewer threats.

However, a young florist, today, was speeding into the woods, and it was not a full moon night. 

The florist had a square face, dagger-sharp eyes. He had a bow in his hand. However, there was no quiver slung over his shoulder. A cutlass was hanging from his waist.

Though it was the seventh Pahar (12pm -3pm) and the sun was glaring in the sky, the forest around him was having dusk.  Pisachi's alluring calls were resounding in the whispering forest. 

Kasma unknotted his dark hair and let them fall on his broad shoulder. His eyes glowed up like embers. He whispered a hex to stifle the urge

to imitate the invisible bird (Pisachi). During his training, he was warned against the evil bird. Pisachi would urge you to copy its call. Once you started imitating it, you had to go on till Pisachi accept its defeat

(which would take one or two days at the least). If you stopped in the middle, the bird would get angry and cast an evil curse on you. A curse with no cure that would drive you crazy, for you would be listening to its unceasing calls day in, day out throughout your life. 

Since he was 

Kasma unknotted his dark hair and let them fall on his broad shoulder. His eyes glowed up like embers. He whispered a hex to stifle the urge to imitate the invisible bird (Pisachi). During his training, he was warned against the evil bird. Pisachi would urge you to copy its call. Once you started imitating it, you had to go on

To the east of Minaak, beyond the aviary tower, there was a forest called Nimara-woods, the same forest in which djall perished four days ago. Known as the cradle of spirit-birds, the Nirma-woods encompassed  27000 sq yojanas (1 yojana=7.5 mile). 

Apart from spirit-birds,

It was the abode of myriads of uncanny and magical species, folks like nymphs or as Vartian called them in spirit tongue 'Yakshinis', Curos who had bird-like faces and human torsos, etc.

Though falconers were tasked to keep watch over the forest, they never dared to venture deeper into the dense forest. The reason was simple; even with their powerful spirit-birds, the forest housed countless dangers even to 10 stars falconers.

Their last watchtower was 500 yojanas deeper, stood at the Puskar lake, the place where the nymphs came to trade their treasures on full moon nights called Purnima in spirit tongue. 

This last tower could be considered a boundary stone of human territory. Even so, many few spirit-wielders ventured up to this boundary stone except on the full moon nights, when the forest posed fewer threats.

However, a young florist, today, was speeding into the woods, and it was not a full moon night. 

The florist had a square face, dagger-sharp eyes. He had a bow in his hand. However, there was no quiver slung over his shoulder. A cutlass was hanging from his waist.

Though it was the seventh Pahar (12pm -3pm) and the sun was glaring in the sky, the forest around him was having dusk.  Pisachi's alluring calls were resounding in the whispering forest. 

Kasma unknotted his dark hair and let them fall on his broad shoulder. His eyes glowed up like embers. He whispered a hex to stifle the urge to imitate the invisible bird (Pisachi). During his training, he was warned against the evil bird. Pisachi would urge you to copy its call. Once you started imitating it, you had to go on till Pisachi accept its defeat (which would take one or two days at the least). If you stopped in the middle, the bird would get angry and cast an evil curse on you. A curse with no cure that would drive you crazy, for you would be listening to its unceasing calls day in, day out throughout your life. 

Since he was 

till Pisachi accept its defeat (which would take one or two days at the least). If you stopped in the middle, the bird would get angry and cast an evil curse on you. A curse with no cure that would drive you crazy, for you would be listening to its unceasing calls day in, day out throughout your life. 

Since he was 

**