First off, there's a tough part with some torture scene, but if you want, feel free to skip ahead to the last paragraph to see what unfolds next.

Also, just to clarify, the story won't take on some desi videshi feel just because of Arsenio's name. He's from Goa,.

And yes, Siya loves Ekansh, but let's consider this: if his name were different, would that make her stop loving him? Love isn't about a name; it's about the person's actions, their sincerity, and the sense of safety someone brings when they're together.

Moreover, he will still be Ekansh, but this time, he'll have a full awareness of his past. After a couple of chapters, things will settle back to normal, but heads up, there are some explicit scenes coming up. So, I'm giving you this warning in advance.

Also, I'm going to start updating fast now because the project I was working on at the office is finally done, and I'm free at last! 😭

You can't imagine how tough it is to be an IT person(but it's tough being a student too.),
my brain feels completely drained after pushing it to its limits.

But hey, Dobby is finally free!!! 😆

Dobby is very happy now.🥹

Also, woh chapter thoda sa unedited hai 👉🏻👈🏻
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Mix POV:

"My Shudh Hindi loves me!" I hissed, glaring at Nyam as he knelt before me, my eyes blazing with a mix of anger and frustration.

"Are you trying to console yourself, Arsh?" Nyam replied, his eyes narrowing as he studied my face.

"Because you are forgetting, Siya loves, Ekansh."

"I. Am... Not consoling myself!" I shot back, my jaw clenched tight, each word laced with defiance.

"Siya loves me," I continued, my voice dropping an octave, carrying the weight of my heartache. "And if she loves the form of Ekansh, then I'll damn well pretend to be him and erase my own existence!" The words spilt from my mouth like venom, thick with rage and hurt.

"You-" he began, but was cut short.

"Nyam!?" Raunak suddenly shouted, ending his call and striding toward us.

Nyam rose to his feet, casting a glance my way before turning his attention to Raunak.

"You do realize that he's triggered by his trauma again, and yet you're still provoking him," Raunak said, his voice laced with anger.

"Dr. Mehra is on his way to check on him," Nyam replied firmly.

"I know, I just spoke to him," Raunak responded.

I gasped for breath, my lungs aching and my body wracked with a strange pain as all my energy seemed to drain away. I collapsed against the edge of the bed, still on the floor, struggling to breathe.

My head throbbed painfully.

"Arsh! Rukiye!"

Ah! I gasped for air as I pressed my hands to my temples, the pain pulsating in my head making it difficult to think straight.

"Ekansh, is that you?"

"You need to protect him, Arsenio!"

I gripped my head.

"yah yuddh! Hume yoddhaon ki tarah ladna hoga; yah humara kartavya hai!"

It felt as if someone were smashing my head with a brick, trying to break something inside me.

Hiss!

I tried to silence the cacophony in my mind.

Each time I sensed a crack within, a different voice emerged.

"Who are you?"

"P-please s..save E-Eki."

I couldn't identify the voices, but I knew I had to regain control over my situation.

I had already hurt Siya enough.

Clenching my jaw and tightening my fists, I looked up, gasping for breath.

"Who am I?" I whispered, my voice laced with pain.

I was struggling to grasp my own identity.

My blood-stained shirt and the wrecked room bore witness to what I did when I returned.

Realization hit me hard-I had hurt her again.

"I... I hurt my s-siya," I whispered, anguish tainting my words.

Raunak observed the worsening condition of Ekansh, muttering under his breath, concerned.

Nyam noted Arsenio's deteriorating state, aware of the pain he was experiencing, yet feeling helpless beside the man who was now regaining consciousness.

"I'll wait for Dr. Mehra outside," he said before stepping out of the room.

Raunak nodded and then glanced at Ekansh, whose jaw was clenched tight and fists were balled up.

This was the first time he had seen him so broken, he thought.

"Why now!?" he questioned through gritted teeth.

...

He tried to hold it together, but fragmented memories surged back, forcing him to confront the turmoil of his own identity.

"Who am I?" he pondered.

"How did you break through your memory walls, Ekansh-oh, sorry! Arsenio."

His eyes shot open as he saw his doctor enter the room with a sinister smile playing on his lips.

"Who's Arsenio?! How do you know about him?" Ekansh hissed in anger, still grappling with his confused identity while the doctor spoke to him as if they shared a past.

"Oh my!" Dr. Mehra exclaimed, feigning surprise as he scanned the room before turning his gaze back to Ekansh.

"Don't tell me the little beast inside hasn't awakened yet. My favorite pet?" he said creepily, drawing closer.

"You are my favorite test subject, Arsenio."

A sinister voice echoed in his mind, accompanied by blurred images.

"Who are you?!" Ekansh demanded, staring at his old therapist, who seemed to possess more knowledge about him than he did himself.

Dr. Valerio approached him slowly, bending down to meet his gaze with a chuckle, a dark glimmer in his eyes. Leaning in closer, he whispered, "You're just like arsenic-small amounts can be beneficial, but in excess, it's deadly." Dr. Valerio was poised to unveil Ekansh's past.

As he leaned in closer, his breath warm against Ekansh's ear, he added with a sinister chuckle, "From now on, your name is Arsenio, Test Subject 7."

And that was it.

"Awww! An orphan child with no name," Dr. Valerio's voice echoed as memories long locked away started to flood back.

As the realization set in, anger coursed through him, his brain feeling as if it might explode at any moment.

"I will make you Arsenio-a small but deadly substance, enough to kill someone slowly and painfully..." the dark voice echoed in his mind.

THUD!

Ekansh seized Dr. Valerio by the neck, slamming him onto the floor, his bloodshot eyes filled with rage as he grappled with both pain and fury.

"You bastard!" he growled, still holding the doctor tightly. "What nonsense are you spouting?!"

Ha ha ha!

The doctor laughed even as he struggled against Ekansh's grip, seemingly relishing the pain.

"That's why I call you my favorite pet, Arsenio," Dr. Valerio said in that creepy, amused tone.

Ekansh's grip tightened around his neck, sending a clear message that he was serious this time.

"Who is Arsenio?!" I growled, slamming him back onto the floor.

"And why the hell do I have his memories?!"

I questioned, my veins bulging as rage consumed me. "Why is Nyam saying those things?!"

Cough!

Doctor Valerio began to choke as Ekansh's grip constricted around his throat; each ragged gasp wreaked havoc on his ability to breathe.

His hands tightened around his neck, awareness dawning that life was slipping away with every jagged inhalation.

Valerio's eyes bulged with fear and desperation in the dim light.

"Aa... l-let caugh! Let me explain!" he croaked, fighting against Ekansh's hold, hacking violently.

Ignoring his words, I let the panic in his eyes feed the cold satisfaction curling in my chest.
"If I die... you'll never... uncover the truth... about your past!" he gasped, straining with each syllable. His voice wavered, a heartbreaking blend of rage and desperation.

I leaned in closer, applying just enough pressure to remind him of the weight of his failures. He clawed at my arms, but I remained firm and unyielding. His whispers were filled with panic and hopelessness, and I could taste the sweat and dread radiating from him.

Just like I used to wear, yes. My memories are coming back, and the blurred line between being Ekansh and Arsenio is finally becoming clear.

This scoundrel is the reason I'm in this state.

"You should've thought about that before," I replied, letting my words wash over him like a promise. His struggles began to wane, his protests faltering.

"Arsenio, if he dies, your past will disappear too," Nyam said as he stepped into the room.

"Good," I shot back, my gaze locked on the doctor, who was on the brink of death. "Then I can finally live as Ekansh."

"If he dies, you will die too, Arsenio," Nyam insisted, his tone final, his eyes never leaving the doctor.

"Stop calling me Arsenio!" I snarled, my anger flaring as I approached Nyam, leaving the doctor behind. "Why are you so intent on protecting him?"

"I'm trying to save you from dying again, Arsenio-I mean Ekansh," Nyam replied, his tone mocking yet sharp.

"My mind is already killing me, and if you think your words somehow clarify things for me, you're mistaken!" I shot back angrily, turning my attention to the doctor, who was coughing, having nearly succumbed to my hands.

"I can hardly believe I was trying to heal someone who once inflicted pain on me and nearly ended my life," I seethed.

"Arsenio, your memories are still sealed, and he's the one who hypnotized you, convincing you that you're Ekansh," Nyam explained, glancing at the doctor before turning back to me. "It's time for you to discover why you've been living someone else's life."

"Is there really no one else who can free me from this hypnosis?" I glared at him.

"There are things we can't allow society to know. Just before you think an outsider might be of help," Nyam replied firmly.

"What about Li or someone from Imperiya?" I questioned.

"Don't be ridiculous, if they find out, then they would not let you become part of them," Nyam said, the darkness in his eyes deepening.

"And Arslan's uncle is still out there; we need to get him out first, and to do that, we have to get inside."

After that, I fell silent, my gaze fixed on the doctor, still struggling to stabilize himself.

........A few minutes later.......

"Stay still and don't move. It will take time, but you need to drift into a deep sleep. Listen to me carefully," he instructed.

I remained silent, merely glaring at him.

Nyam stood by the door, having sent Raunak away.

"Now, slowly close your eyes and focus on your breathing," Doctor Valerio said, a strange smile on his face.

I nodded and followed his direction.

"Now, try not to think too much and start visualizing your past memories from your teenage years on," the doctor continued, and I complied.

Gradually, everything began to blur, and small scenes started to form, memories playing out one after the other.

There was a memory of me at Royal Crest, studying with Kei and Mikhail, discovering his bisexuality, his parents, karan tactics. A small smile crept onto my lips as the pleasant memories flooded my mind.

"Alright, now let's dive further back in time," I heard the doctor say, and I followed his lead, slipping back into a sleepy state, even as more memories surfaced-this time, darker ones.

After my return from that island, there had been worry and tears all around.

.......

Doctor Valerio observed Ekansh's expression and smiled-this time, not the creepy kind, but a sincere one.

"Be ready; he'll need her soon," he whispered.

Nyam nodded, already aware of whom Dr. Valerio meant.

........Past.....

The place was filthy, the air reeked, and people rushed around chaotically.

In that dark alley, a boy concealed himself, wearing a white, which looked black now, t shirt that looked like it hadn't been washed in days, faded and grimy.

A nine-year-old was intently watching a truck filled with food items and gadgets.

The boy gave a quick nod and a hand signal to move forward, slowly edging into the crowd.

"Arsenio, be careful!" a small girl shouted from behind him in a hushed voice.

"Yes, Lara," he replied, then tiptoed cautiously toward the truck to grab the items.

Unbeknownst to him, someone had been watching for a long time, and before he realized it, the truck door slammed shut behind him.

Arsenio spun around, desperately trying to open it or pound on it for someone to let him out.

"HEY!! OPEN THE DAMN DOOR!!!" he yelled, banging on it.

"OPEN IT!!" he continued, but suddenly he sensed the truck moving, and before he could comprehend it, smoke filled the interior.

He fainted.

The other children with him stood frozen in horror, watching everything unfold.

They ran after the truck, pleading with passersby for help, but no one listened.

"He took our brother!" the girl cried, eyes fixed on the truck.

They were orphans, and Arsenio was their protector, the one who allowed them to live carefree, without worrying about the world.

But now, their guardian had been taken away, and they were powerless to stop it.

"ARSENIO!!"

....

His eyes fluttered open, and immediately he realized he was shackled to a table, handcuffs binding his wrists as he lay there.

The room was painted in shades of red and darkness, illuminated by a flickering dim light. Surrounding him were various experimental tools, instruments reminiscent of Slugterra, along with the unsettling scent of dried blood and urine that permeated the grim space.

"Oh my, my, you're awake, child?" A soft, gentle voice laced with sinister undertones echoed through the chamber.

The sound of high heels clicking against the floor drew closer.

Arsenio turned his head to see a figure approaching-a woman shrouded in a dark cloak, her face concealed by a black veil.

"WHO ARE YOU?!" he shouted, rage bubbling up as he struggled against the handcuffs restraining him, his eyes burning with a fierce glare.

"Oh, my sweet child," the veiled figure replied coolly as she moved closer, her voice smooth and unsettling, deliberately adopting a tone that seemed almost too human.

I was terrified, and I couldn't fathom who this person was or why I was being held captive here in this manner.

She was approaching me slowly, and with every step she took, my fear intensified. I was completely at a loss as to what to do-why, exactly, was this person keeping me bound here like this?

She drew closer, then slowly traced her finger down my cheek and along my neck.

Then-somehow, through the veil she wore-I caught a glimpse of her red lips curling into a faint smile. She began to press her long fingernail-which was quite sharp-into my neck; I felt a sharp pang of pain.

I was in agony, thrashing about in distress. I began to scream, but she paid no heed to my cries. Then, she slowly withdrew her hand, only to seize my cheeks with her fingers-her long, sharp nails digging into my flesh once again.

The pain was excruciating, and I simply could not comprehend why she was doing this to me.

"The doctor said that you are the perfect fit for our plan," she murmured.

"And now, it seems we will finally be able to bring our plan to fruition-all thanks to you. That is why I won't kill you. However, that does not mean I will allow you to live in peace; I will inflict such pain upon you that you cannot even begin to imagine. But for the time being, I need you alive-and that is why I am sparing you... for now."

After saying that, she left me and walked out of the room. I couldn't make sense of what was happening, what exactly she wanted from me, or why these people were holding me captive in this manner. After struggling in confusion for a little while longer-I don't know how-everything in the room suddenly went dark, and a blackness descended before my eyes.

......

Splash!!!

Aahhh!

My eyes snapped open suddenly. As I looked around, I realized I was hanging upside down from a rope-my head pointing toward the floor-suspended directly over a large, open vat filled with freezing cold water, complete with chunks of ice floating within it. There were even some crabs scuttling around in the water. It was then that I realized I was completely soaked.

"Oh, so you're finally awake? Good. I was starting to get bored anyway."

I heard the voice and looked up to see that same woman-clad entirely in white, her face obscured by that white veil-staring down at me. Her bright red lips seemed to be smiling as she watched. I realized instantly that she was the mastermind behind all of this.

At that moment, she wasn't the only woman in the room; there were several others present, all dressed in black. The scene was similar to before, except now they stood silently in a circle around me, their heads bowed, their faces hidden behind black veils.

"Oh, sweet honey, don't be shy; we're all family here." Having said this, she lowered me back into the water. She manipulated the rope-which was anchored to the wall above and to which my feet were bound-loosening it just enough for me to plunge straight down.

After letting me sink in, she hoisted me back out again. The water was excruciatingly cold; it stung my eyes and sent a shock through my brain.

Overwhelmed by the pain and the sheer injustice of it all, I began to scream: "Why are you doing this? Why are you doing this to me? Let me go! What have I ever done to you?"

"You haven't 'done' anything wrong, Arsenio-you're simply useless. That is precisely why I'm doing this: to ensure you remember the consequences should you ever dare to cross me. Consider this a warning, effective immediately: from this day forward, you will do exactly as I say. And if you make even the slightest mistake-if you try to deceive me or disobey my orders-well... you've just seen exactly what I'm capable of."

Having said this, she went over and sat down in a chair.

"Are you going to tell me what exactly you want from me? Why have you kept me here?" I growled.

She paused briefly, then turned to look at me.

"Shut up, brat."

"If it wasn't for the Preacher, I would have killed you in a manner so painful you couldn't even imagine because of your tone."

"But, I won't do that, however, because the Preacher wants you alive. That is why I'm merely going to take you down a peg-and prepare you. Prepare you in such a way that you never forget who you're working for. Instill such fear in him that he wouldn't dare even think about crossing us-not even by mistake." Saying this, the woman walked out of the room.

Then, the women wearing the black clothes closed in on me and took me down.

And then made me sit on a chair.

I had no idea what awaited me next.

One woman approached me holding a knife, while the others rushed forward, pinned me down, and clamped a pair of handcuffs onto my wrists.

The moment the cuffs clicked shut, I looked up at them in bewilderment. I couldn't understand why I was being bound like this-why I was being treated in such a manner-but no one offered an explanation; they simply watched me in silence. I struggled desperately, trying to unlock the handcuffs and break free from the chair, but the chair was bolted firmly to the floor; no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't wrench my hands free from the cuffs. Just then, I saw the woman with the knife stepping directly in front of me.

My heart began to pound in my chest. I couldn't think what was about to happen.

"Why are you coming at me like this?" I cried out, but again, no one answered. The woman slowly positioned herself directly before me, then-with a swift, sharp motion-she plunged the knife into my hand.

The pain was excruciating-so intense that tears immediately welled up in my eyes. My entire body was convulsed in agony. I tried to pull away, but someone grabbed the back of the chair, holding me fast.

Let Me Go!

Stop It!

"It Hurts!" I screamed, but they paid no heed.

She twisted the knife deeper into the wound, and blood began to gush from my hands as tears streamed down my face. I simply could not comprehend why she was doing this to me.

"Madam Margret said, we have to instill fear in the children; that is why we must start by making an example of someone just like you." Having said this, another woman unbound my hands and then shoved me violently.

THUD!

I crashed to the ground, sustaining a severe impact. Blood was already flowing from my hands, I tried to move forward crawling towards the exits; however, someone grabbed my ankle from behind.

LET ME GO!

They dragged me backward, causing the injury to my hand to tear open further and sending a searing pain through me.

I began to weep; my clothes were torn, and the ground turned crimson with my blood.

I can hear them, laughing all around the room.

the women simply tossed me into a corner.

"Let me go!" I cried out amidst my sobs, pressing my free hand against the injured one in an attempt to staunch the bleeding.

Seeing him cry, the women were laughing behind their black masks.

Arsenio saw them gathered in a circle, their laughter ringing through the air like a cruel melody.

He thought they were too distracted to notice him, and with a flicker of hope, he began to crawl toward the shadows at the edge of the room. But his small movement hadn't gone unnoticed. One of the women, her eyes gleaming with malice, reached out and grabbed hold of his leg.

"Let go!" he pleaded, but rather than releasing him, she yanked him into the harsh light of the gathering. A sharp gasp escaped his lips as he hit the ground, his bloodied hand leaving a crimson smear on the cold floor.

The laughter faded away, replaced by an unsettling silence as the women shifted toward him, forming a tight, oppressive circle around his trembling form. Their black and white robes flowed like shadows, veils obscuring their faces save for the dark, twisted smiles that revealed only their macabre lips.

"Madam Margaret has ordered us to hurt and torture you, child," one of them declared, her tone a blend of authority and thrill. "And today, we shall indulge in her wishes."

As if on cue, a woman broke from the circle and moved to the far side of the room. She returned, struggling under the weight of a massive chest that creaked ominously as she dragged it across the floor.

The lid flew open, revealing an array of weapons that gleamed ominously in the light-knives, jagged blades, and odd instruments that looked possessive of their own sinister intent.

Each woman picked one up, eyes gleaming with anticipation as they turned their gaze back to Arsenio.

His heart raced as confusion and dread overwhelmed him. He was already injured, and the prospect of what was to come loomed like a dark storm.

"P-please!"

Desperately, he tried to scramble backward, wishing for an escape, but the room felt suffocatingly small.

Before he could move far, a woman stepped forward and placed her foot on his uninjured hand, her weight pressing down mercilessly.

Another joined her, pinning down his already wounded hand with a cruel grin.

"Aahhh!"

Arsenio cried out in pain, as he felt the joint of his hand scream in agony beneath her weight. He wriggled desperately, each movement only intensifying the pain.

"LET ME GO!"

he screamed, his voice hoarse, echoing futilely against the walls.

But no one came to save him. One of the women came forward from the group, delivering a swift kick to his stomach-the impact knocking the wind from his lungs. She then bent low, the sharpness of her knife glinting wickedly as she drew it across his back.

The mere brush of the blade sent shivers of terror through him, and before he could fully comprehend what was happening, a fresh cut opened, letting blood seep from his flesh.

Agony coursed through him, each heartbeat intensifying the torment. It felt as though his soul was slowly being extinguished, while the women watching reveled in the spectacle of his suffering.

"Help!" Arsenio cried out, his voice cracking, tears pooling in his eyes as sheer despair filled the air. No one answered-only the delighted giggles of the women echoed back as they relished in his pain.

Turning him over with a swift motion, one woman tore away the remnants of his T-shirt, exposing his back, already marred and bleeding.

She gets ready, a malicious grin spreading across her face as she grabbed a sharp, jagged nail and drove it into his skin.

"Aaaah!"

The screech tore from his throat, a visceral sound fueled by the unrelenting agony. He thrashed, trying to pull away, but they held him firm.

The agonizing assault continued, the woman stabbing the nail into his back time after time, each thrust eliciting new cries of anguish. Blood pooled and flowed down, creating a gruesome tapestry across his skin, each mark a testament to his torment.

As the pain intensified, his body began to betray him. His vision blurred, and crimson tears cascaded down his cheeks, reflecting the horror around him.

Just when he thought it couldn't get worse, another woman slinked forward, her nails painted long and sharp as blades. She delicately skimmed them across his back until reaching unblemished skin, where her intentions turned sinister.

With a swift, brutal motion, she plunged the faux nails deep into his flesh.

"Ahhhhhh!!!" Arsenio cried and felt the warmth of fresh blood gushing coming out from his skin.

Aahh!

Pl-pleas-leave me!

Let me go!

He cried out, a desperate prayer to God, hoping against hope that someone would come to rescue him.

The women watch him in agony, they start laughing , their laugh ringing harshly in his ears as they continued their cruel game of torture.

Blood pooled on his back, leaving a trail of anguish marked by cruel hands, and he wept openly, his tears mingling with the blood that soaked into the ground beneath him. Yet, the women displayed no compassion; they were merciless.

One of them stepped behind him and retrieved a bowl of salt from a corner of the dimly lit room. With an almost gleeful malice, she turned to Arsenio's bloodied back, and throw a hand full of salt on his bloodies back.

AAAAH!

The salt mingling with his wounds, amplifying his agony to different length.

He couldn't endure it any longer; darkness crept in, and he
Submit to unconsciousness.

When the women realized he had fainted, they exchanged glances.

"Let's put him in the Black Vault. When he wakes up, we'll make him wish he hadn't," one declared, a chilling smile upon her lips.

They dragged him into a dark cell, where moonlight barely penetrated through a tiny window at the top. In the far corner, Arsenio lay crumpled, his body a tapestry of blood and bruises, his clothing tattered like a forgotten flag of surrender.

Even in his unconscious state, he writhed, the pain etched into his muscles, deeper than anything he had ever known.

His face, streaked red with the remnants of tears, told the silent story of his suffering. His hair clung to his scalp, matted with blood from the violent encounters that had led him here. He was marred with the scars of cruelty-small marks from knives and cleavers that bore witness to a nightmare he could ever comprehend.

Slowly, he opened his eyes to the harsh reality of captivity. Pain rolled over him like an endless wave, and a broken, bloody laugh escaped his lips before he succumbed to darkness once more.

In that moment, he understood: in this world, no one comes to save you-not even the God people worshipped so desperately.

Days blurred into one another, each filled with the same torment, and Arsenio's body became a canvas for their brutality.

The women reveled in their cruelty, and he found himself acclimating to the torment. Each day brought new marks, new methods of torture that stretched the limits of his endurance.

Once a 9-year-old orphan who stole to survive, now he was shackled by the shadows of his past, consumed by the pain that felt like righteous punishment for his old sins. Lying amidst the blood-soaked fabric of his clothing, he thought about his little sister and the friends he used to share quick meals with. Did they remember him? Did she miss him?

"So, this is what was written for me," he murmured, gazing at the sliver of moonlight filtering through the window, a symbol of what once was and what could never be again.

One fateful day, the women decided to escalate their cruelty.

They dragged him into the dark forest that loomed behind the hidden island, a place known to only a select few.

"Aresnio, we've set hungry wild dogs and wolves loose. Let's see if you can escape!" one woman laughed, her voice dripping with malice, her companions chiming in with chilling giggles.

Before him, he saw the animals restrained, their bodies gaunt, eyes glowing with primal hunger. Terror bubbled within him, yet a strange smile crept upon his lips as he felt a flicker of hope at the thought of an end to his suffering.

No, he wouldn't let them see his despair. Instead, he readied himself to flee into the thicket, to evade the jaws of death he could sense closing in.

"Two minutes!" one of the women taunted. "Run as far as you can before the dogs smell your blood. They've been starving for days, and tonight? You'll be their feast."

As they untied him, he stole a glance at the forest, dense and foreboding. The island's owner, a man mad with love for animals, had gathered the world's most dangerous creatures. Unbeknownst to the women and Arsenio, danger lurked in that wilderness- a predator's paradise.

"Run, Arsenio. You must run!" one woman cackled.

With one last look at their twisted faces, Arsenio turned and limped toward the forest, his heart racing.

As the dense, shadow-drenched the forest swallowed the night whole, icy winds hissing through the towering treetops as Arsenio limped deeper into the wilderness.

The moment the women saw him vanish among the trees, excitement lit their faces.

Without hesitation, they released the savage Wolves and the hunting dogs into the darkness after him.

They did not care whether the boy survived the night-or any night after that. To them, his suffering was entertainment, nothing more.

Hidden cameras had been planted throughout the forest, feeding every moment back to a security room inside the palace. Laughing among themselves, the women returned there, eager to watch Arsenio struggle desperately for his life.

Wounded and barely able to walk, Arsenio pushed onward through thick undergrowth and beneath ancient trees that loomed like giants overhead. The forest echoed with the rustle of unseen creatures and the endless chorus of crickets.

Then came the sounds that froze his blood-deep barking and the low, menacing growls of wolves drawing closer through the dark.

The realization struck instantly.

They had unleashed the beasts to hunt him the moment he entered the forest.

Fear gripped him for only a moment before memories of the women's endless cruelty hardened his heart. A bitter laugh escaped his lips as he sank weakly onto the damp forest floor. Perhaps being torn apart by wild animals would be kinder than enduring another day inside that palace of torment.

Without warning, the calm night shattered. Thunder cracked violently overhead as black storm clouds swallowed the sky. Arsenio looked up, but the towering canopy concealed the heavens, leaving only flickers of lightning dancing between the branches.

Rain came pouring down moments later, cold and relentless, followed by another deafening roar of thunder.

Back in the security room, the women exchanged uneasy glances as they watched Arsenio remain motionless in the middle of the forest.

"Is he... trying to die?" one whispered.

The question drained the amusement from their faces. Their madam's warning echoed in their minds-they were free to torment Arsenio, but if he died, the consequences would be unimaginable. Panic overtook them instantly, and they rushed from the room to stop whatever was happening.

Before they could leave the palace grounds, a blinding bolt of lightning split the heavens apart.

The storm intensified with terrifying force, churning the surrounding ocean into a raging maelstrom. The hidden island trembled violently beneath them, something none of them had ever witnessed before.

"What's happening, Madam?" one cried out in terror. "This has never happened here!"

"I've never seen a storm like this-not on Silent Hill, not at the palace!" another shouted.

"Why now?"

"Stay calm!" the madam barked, though fear trembled in her own voice.

"We must find him before it's too late!"

Deep within the forest, a radiant sphere of light suddenly appeared before Arsenio, glowing brilliantly against the darkness. He stared at it in stunned confusion as violent winds erupted around it.

Within seconds, a massive tornado spiraled into existence, ripping through the forest with monstrous force.

Animals fled in terror, scattering in every direction. Arsenio struggled to run, but the howling winds slammed him to the ground.

His body was already failing. Blood seeped through his soaked bandages, his strength fading with every heartbeat. Darkness clouded his vision as the storm roared around him.

Then, just before consciousness slipped away, a small glowing portal opened beneath his collapsing body.

And in an instant, Arsenio was swallowed by its mysterious light.

....... 18th-century.........

The general turned to the princess, concern etched across his face.

"What do you think could have happened to him, Rajkumari ji?" he asked quietly.

"We know no more than you do, Mantri ji," Siya replied, her voice heavy with unease.

The general's eyes shifted toward the unconscious boy lying in front of them, his wounded body barely still amidst the chaos of the war camp.

"But don't you realize how dangerous it is for him to remain here, Princess? He should be taken back to the palace at once. Ved ji can care for him properly there."

Siya's gaze lingered on the boy for a moment before she answered.

"Even if I tried to send him back, I doubt he would survive the journey through the battlefield."

"Still, Princess, we cannot simply leave him here," the general insisted, urgency sharpening his tone. "He is already gravely injured. Keeping him in the middle of this war will only place him in greater danger."

"We understand your concern," Siya replied firmly, "but we must also face reality. Right now, remaining in this battle is more important than anything else. If even one of us withdraws, we risk losing everything. We cannot endanger the lives of our soldiers for the sake of one boy."

"Your devotion to your people is admirable, Princess," the minister said softly, "but can you truly ignore the suffering of this child? Look at him... he's in agony."

At his words, fifteen-year-old Siya looked down at Arsenio. A faint groan escaped the boy's lips, and for a brief moment, her expression faltered. Yet she quickly steadied herself, resolve hardening in her eyes.

"Returning is not an option for me," she declared. "And you, of all people, should understand that."

Then, meeting the minister's gaze, she said with quiet determination, "I give you my word, Mantri ji-nothing will happen to him."

The general fell silent. He could see there was no changing Siya's mind. She had made her decision, and now all they could do was place the boy's fate in the hands of destiny and God.

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Coming next is Siya and Arsenio and their banter.

Ready to meet siya old version.