Aks’S Adventurous Journey to the Millennium: Treasure

By Gururaghavendra N

Heeding to the millennium story on mysterious hidden treasures of Raja Varma, three friends opt it as their project on a quest. The continuous unsolved enigmatic deaths in the covert village have stopped the intruders keen on the lost treasures. This stimulated the guys to go on an adventure and try to solve the obscurities. Arjun and his two friends instigate the journey to this peculiar village, and on the trail, he finds his love.
The master of the village warned them not to bother finding the hidden treasures by imperiling their lives, but these three friends considered it as a challenge and insisted to stay on the quest. The unexpected appearance of a princess from the bloodline of King Varma after decades brought a great change. The rag roll found from her fetches the precise locations of the treasure, and also the hidden enigmas are revealed about the guardians of the treasure.
Later the quest begins in the dark forest. Will they be able to fight the guardians? How could they survive the hindrances and consequences of the trail in the dark forest? Will Arjuns pursuit of love be successful? Will they be able to reach the final destiny that awaits?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing India
• Release date: Feb 9, 2018
• ISBN: 9781543701982

Gururaghavendra N

Gururaghavendra N was born in Bangalore, India and grew up in the same city. On completing his master degree, he started his career as a Professor in a reputed engineering college and still serving in exchange of knowledge. Having interested in writing fictions became more passionate he instigated it with AKSs Adventurous Journey to Millennium Treasure which is the first fiction Book being published.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

P rofessor , lady in the hall raised her hand for the query, Pallavas couldn’t find it, but what about later generations? Could anyone reach it?

Adjusting the spectacles he answered, Till today, nobody has reached his treasure. Many people have tried to assault his wealth, but never came back.

What is such a difficulty? I raised my voice. As I was laying down, leaned back in my chair in the last row, he couldn’t see me.

He gazed around the hall for a while and asked, Who is that?

I raised myself before him to answer, It’s me, sir, Arjun. The professor smiled, waving his hand to sit mumbled, Perhaps class as turned more interesting today clearing his throat, he answered, nodding incessantly with a smirk, Because, the trail is chockfull of the dangerous creatures, venomous snakes & also, they say the ghosts (evil spirit) never let anyone across the territory.

Are you kidding, Professor? Do you believe in them? a very familiar voice in the hall raised the question.

Professor chuckled softly, Who raised that question?

Krishna waved his hand doubtfully, and folks began to laugh at him. I don’t believe in ghosts, so I asked. Is that wrong Professor?

No, nothing is wrong, and the answer to your question is again, No, I’m not kidding. People have experienced it and have transcribed many books on it.

So, you say till today no one has reached or never returned? Shiv interrupted. The Professor continued with the same smile, Perhaps we may conclude like that. Many Archaeologists proceeded on researching ancient monuments and found many inklings about the treasure, and some people tried to chase but ended with failure or their lives. And he paused for a while, our faces filled with a mystified look.

Confused? questioned in a sneaky smile. All nodded and Shiv raised his voice, what kind of failures?

Taking a deep breath, he continued, Let me clear it, the people who ventured not to stride further and have returned holding their last breath call themselves ‘A Failures’. They have transcribed many books on the Ruling of Raja Varma’s era, obstacles which they faced during their journey & also comprised with the villager’s knowledge about the treasure. As he finished, the long bell echoed in the hall.

People sighed for a while before coming back to the present world, realizing it’s a lunch hour raised to walk out of the class. Professor while grabbing the files said, So this is the most dangerous and ever unsuccessful project. This file exists here from past 19years and I kept asking the students and I do ask again, if any team is ready to accept the project can meet me in the cabin. In a murmuring of discontent, students vacated the room.

Turning towards Shiv he inquired, Shiv, when your team is submitting the synopsis on your project? Do you remember that today is the last date? Shiv flabbergasted, has we had forgotten completely and requested, Sir, I’m really sorry. By tomorrow early in the morning, it will be on your table. Kindly accept. Glancing at me and Krishna, Professor shook his head in revulsion. Shiv requested again, Sir, please trust me. We’ll submit it tomorrow. And he nodded with a little hope and walked out with his folder.

Shiv and Krishna walked towards me, smiling broadly. I asked, A lazy goose, when will you submit it? Shiv replied hastily, Hey chill buddy, let’s figure it out something. Krishna spoke taunting, Did you notice something? Today, this idiot was rapt in the class and had queries too, was that such interesting topic?

Why? Shouldn’t I listen to the class? I gave him a sneaky smile. With a grin, Krishna punched hard on my shoulder replying, Why not? But usually, you don’t do it.

We altogether marched to the cafeteria to have our lunch and I noticed Shiv’s confused face. Are you still thinking about the today’s class? I questioned him but he simply nodded.

I know what’s in your mind, it’s all about the girl who asked a question in the class, right? She was beautiful. Krishna teased him in with a grin. What? Krishna, don’t you ever change? I was thinking on mysteries created by Raja Varma, he replied. Krishna replied in a scornful tone, Yeah, today’s class was really interesting, I too enjoyed the topic. Aren’t you Arjun?

Yes, yes. I enjoyed it too, I responded same. Shiv nodded and replied with a grin, Yeah definitely, I felt interesting. Discussing about the lecture, as if we attend regularly to the classes and we burst out in a laugh.

We had our lunch and while walking to the apartment which we had put up near the college, a group of girls passed by. Krishna stated, gazing at them, Hey, watch that sweetie in green tee bro. Awesome, let me ask her number. and haste behind her. I shouted, Krishna, behave. Have some decency with ladies. But he was already gone.

We three stayed together in a single BHK room for the past two years. We shared three different corners in the room with individual bed, reading table and the single wardrobes. Usually, we had a bad habit of taking a snooze in the afternoon, but today was strange, no one felt sleepy. As we were rolling over on our beds, Krishna broke silence, Hey people, I’m still thinking about the treasure. Professor disturbed me with this topic. How big may it be? What do you think Shiv?

Shiv replied, I’m thinking about the obstacles. What kind of hurdles may ensue? Why no one has chosen the project past 19years?

Friends, there are many questions unanswered, perhaps we should not think about it stressfully further I replied. As time passed my friends tripped to asleep, but my thoughts began to crush the skull. I talked to myself, ‘Should I visit this strange place? What if I don’t come back? Should I go in search of him? Would he be alive? Forget it Arjun, go to sleep.’ I insisted myself not to deliberate further and as time rolled I slipped into the deep sleep.

‘No, no, leave him alone, I’ll come with you. Please, I will beg you. I will do as you said, but please let him go, leave him alone’ my father kept begging the masked man. I shouted, ‘Dad, don’t leave me alone…. Dad, dad…’ When they dragged my father out of the room, he yelled, ‘Arjun, take care of yourself and be strong my son… I will always be with you…’ and suddenly I woke up. I muttered to myself, ‘The past incident is slaughtering me each and every day as a nightmare’.

I curved around in search of my watch which was on the table, it showed ten past four in the evening, and Shiv and Krishna were out of the bed. Gently rubbing my eyes, I walked beside into the restroom to get fresh up.

Eyeing myself in a mirror, a chiseled face, dark brown almond-shaped eyes, stubble beard, with a light brown-skin tone, wispy thick black hair, evoked my father’s face. I was 5.9ft tall and had maintained a well-built physique as a well-trained Ninja fighter. Once finished with my wash, I slipped my shirt and track pants on and walked near the door. Before I stride out, I pulled a rotund long stick behind the door and climbed the steps to the terrace.

Shiv was practicing his karate moves on the balcony, we looked almost alike in the skin tone, physique, height. People used to think as we both are siblings, but we weren’t. Only a few changes he has a small black eye, with an oval-shaped face. He has upheld himself well for karate.

Krishna stood on his right toe practicing his martial art, he had a round face, brown amber eyes, and stocky, but muscular physique, with an average height of 5.6ft. He preserved himself thriving for martial arts.

As I approached, they smiled at me and Krishna nagged, Woke up, you sleepy head? I nodded and commenced to practice. I started swinging the stick like a sword and practiced my Ninja moves. We three are talented in different domains, I’m a very good observer and a Ninja fighter. Shiv is a black belt holder in karate & he is a very good listener. Krishna is a very good martial art master and a talkative, I meant he talks more nonsense than useful. And, we all three shared our interest in one same field, firing. We all have trained together and are the very best sharp shooter, Shiv is an expert sniper. Krishna is a very good in the shotgun, and I am good with the pistol. Yes, you would be implausible, how can students be trained as assassins to use guns? Trust me, we guys are petite special than any others as we were brought up in a very special place, which you’ll understand later.

By the end of the day, we had finished our dinner and lying on our bed and my thoughts were still running on the Raja Varma’s story. Krishna couldn’t resist his eager and he questioned, "I can’t take this anymore friends, and I’m disturbed to the core about the Raja Varma’s story. Are you too? Even, I got a dream about the same in the afternoon. I was running with a bag of treasure and the King was chasing me on his horse."

Then, did he kill you with his long sword, I teased him and we laughed. Krishna’s face turned gray and he asked "Didn’t you dream anything like this? You tell me Shiv, didn’t you dream on this topic? Tell me the truth", he insisted.

But I answered, Yes, I did. We three had reached near the Shiva’s temple and were researching on this topic. Shiv arose from the bed asking, Guys, a few minutes ago I received a call. This is the assignment we were waiting for, are you ready to accept the challenge?

We too raised on our beds with a surprised look. "Are you telling us, we will go in search of treasure?" Krishna asked in an excited tone.

I’m talking about the project on this topic, you idiot. What do you say Arjun? We had assigned here for this job and anyhow we have not prepared our project details for tomorrow. We have to submit something or else we’ll be expelled. So shall we accept it? Shiv responded.

I was about to ask the same, bro, I said with an eye glowed happiness. And Shiv asked, So tomorrow we will meet Professor on this topic, what you say?

Yessss… both answered excitedly nodding together. And, in that excitement, we couldn’t sleep for the whole night.

The very next day, we three rushed to college in the early morning. Marching to the Professor’s cabin, I found none in the campus other than an attender a long distance in a corridor, I yelled to make sure he shall hear, Sir, what time will Professor Murlidhara reach the College? and my voice resonated awkwardly.

He walked straight to us, stared bottom to top as if we committed a mistake questioning him. I inquired again, When will he come?

He frowned and answered, You are too early, and he will come when the clock strikes nine. We nodded in response and sat on the bench attached to the cabin’s wall, and he roared again, Don’t sit here. I stared hard conveying ‘What’s your problem?’ He spoke in a response Please sir, don’t stay here at least till the Professor’s arrival.

Shiv tapped me saying, Let’s go. People what we shall do for an hour? Krishna asked curiously in an excited tone. We shall have our breakfast, I replied palely and laughed.

After finishing our coffee, we walked to the teacher’s cabin and were waiting eagerly in the corridor, nearly for the fifteen minutes. The corridor was empty, as I had visited for the first time in the teacher’s hallway, I watched around. The college was constructed many decades ago, built by brown shingles, the floorings were decorated like an ancient chessboard staggered tiles. The building was built as the four wing corridor to form a square structure, with four floors and the garden in the Epicenter with full of flower orchard. I thought, ‘I wish I should have brought my camera.’ Krishna was spending his time by hopping crisscross on white tiles while listening to his pod. Shiv was busy in reading a book called ‘Autobiography of Mahatma Gandhi’.

The Professor arrived in the corridor and marching to his cabin. As he noticed, greeted us with a warm smile and we too wished him a pleasant morning, and he bowed.

Staring me and Krishna, he asked, "What Shiv, have you guys lost your trail in this huge corridor? Shiv replied instantly, No Professor, we are looking for you.

He questioned in surprise, You all? And waiting for me? How long? and walked into his cabin and we followed, meanwhile, Shiv replied, Yes sir, from past hour

"What is the matter?" he turned around with a surprised look, and added, "Usually you people don’t even attend my classes. And, today waiting for me for a past hour. What brings you such a change? Aren’t you submitting your project specifics?" he smirked.

"Sir, we are here for the same reason. We felt researching the mystery of ancient monuments, arts & also the achievements of King Raja Varma as very interesting. We have intended to take it as our research project." Shiv answered.

Being seated in his office cushion chair, he spoke, Oh!! This seems you people have still wedged in yesterday’s class, his face glowed with pride, but in a second changed to the enigma, or have you not prepared any thesis for the project and opting this topic?

Krishna replied in excitement, Sir, we felt it more interesting topic and have planned to opt it as our research project.

He waved us to sit and replied seriously, But it is too dicey to bump into. And guys like you aren’t suitable for such responsible project. We sat in a chair opposite to him, turning to me he said, And I don’t have faith in your capabilities.

We are ready to face whatsoever and definitely capable of handling the situations. And most of all, we will take all the responsibilities, Sir I reacted immediately.

Taking out his glasses, he held for a while and said, Fine, if you people are ready to take a chance. You’ll have to meet another Professor, who is Expert in the case.

Sure Professor, we would be glad to meet, Shiv replied.

As they were talking, I was observing a pen in his pocket. A shining golden pen, it was looking magnificent. ‘Maybe Parker’ I thought. Meanwhile, Krishna was staring at the piece of sandwich on the plate served by the attender. I nudged him not to stare, immediately he reacted saying, Sir, may I know, who is that Professor? Is he working here? as if most curious about the topic.

"No, he does not work here. He is a friend mine. You might have heard apropos him, he is a famous archaeologist. Prof. Ravindra Gupta."

We exchanged looks in astonishment, Shiv asked in excitement, "Are you talking about the well-known Ravindra Gupta, who famed by publishing book called Secrets of Ancient Kings. And, also nominated for a "best archaeologists in the world" in the top hundreds list of an eminent magazine."

Yes, he is the one. Who went on the quest of that treasure, but returned as handicap with a single leg losing his team members. He replied in gloomy face.

What? Did he lose his leg? Krishna flabbergasted.

Yes, he did. Are you people prepared to face such incidents? he questioned as challenging. I wanted him to agree to the project proposal as we had the only last hope of it, Yes, we are ready to face anything and everything. and I replied immediately. Krishna gave a surprised glance that I could recognize the terrified look on his face.

Professor reacted, Fine, then I will arrange the appointment to meet him in the afternoon. He will explain you about Raja Varma & also the dangers what he faced in his quest. Be ready and behave.

*     *     *

CHAPTER 2

T he Professor Ravindra had agreed to meet us in his house at two in the afternoon. We were a bit excited to meet him, he was one of the celebrities we would love to meet. Finishing our lunch in the cafeteria decided to leave by 1pm. As he stayed 25kms far from the college, we took public transport and reached the place at 1.45pm. The Prof’s house had located in the corner of the street, so we walked until I saw the house, which was a duplex bungalow with white color and a designed black granites as decorative, with a space provided for parking, and a flower garden with a seating arrangement for a wonderful view.

We entered through a gate, crossing a garden to reach the rose wooden door, while I admired the beauty of decorations Krishna pushed an electronic bell. After a few seconds, the intercom buzzed, "Yes, who