Secrets of Zynpagua: Serpent’s Shadow

By Ilika Ranjan

Secrets of Zynpagua: Serpent’s Shadow is a sequel to the following books:
—Secrets of Zynpagua: Return of the Princess (Book 1)
—Secrets of Zynpagua: Search of Soulmates (Book 2)
—Secrets of Zynpagua: Birth of Mystery Child (Book3)

In the first book, Secrets of Zynpagua: Return of the Princess, Anika, the gifted princess of Zynpagua, impresses the stars and is able to rescue her mother, Sussaina, and her region Zynpagua from the evil clutches of Drudan the scientist.

In book 2, Secrets of Zynpagua: Search of Soulmates, Drudan pledges revenge on Anika. He reaches the city of Kanyakumari and procures magical water from the confluence of the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean and plans to kill Anika by uniting her spilt soul. In this journey, he meets a vicious mermaid and marries her. While he fails to harm Anika and Leo and gets captured, the mermaid kidnaps Anika’s dear sister Radhika. That’s when Venus appears and tells Anika that in order to save Radhika, Anika would have to find Pajaro, Leo’s mother, whom everyone thought was dead. Venus also predicts that the mermaid would give birth to a powerful mystery child.

In book 3, Secrets of Zynpagua: Birth of Mystery child, the mermaid kidnaps Radhika and swims towards the Pacific Ocean region. There she meets a dwarf who tells her that the demon planets were still ruling the sky in the west. The mermaid sings to the demon planets who bless her with a meteor shower. The demon planets bless the mermaid, and she gives birth to a gifted child who can bring disaster through his singing. He is uncontrollable and sends Sussaina, Leo, Vivian, Frederick, and Romeo to unknown places and lands. They are untraceable. In order to find them, the stars predict, “Discover the Serpent’s Shadow that connects the land and ocean. That is the only option for an unthinkable solution!”


Secrets of Zynpagua: Serpent’s Shadow

MerDan’s song sends Vivian and Leo to the land of evil. The head of the evil world, Ita, is desperately searching for Pajaro. Vivian overhears that Pajaro has been given special powers to end evil in this world. Sussaina and Romeo are untraceable. On the other hand, MerDan captures Lady Carol and the birds through his song. Lady Carol tricks MerDan to call Radhika so that she is able to learn to control MerDan. Before Radhika is able to control MerDan, he sings and brings turbulence in the ocean. The only way left to control the evil world and MerDan is to find Pajaro!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing India
• Release date: Jan 12, 2019
• ISBN: 9781543704648

Ilika Ranjan

Secret of Zynpagua series is Ilika Ranjan’s exemplary work, adding a new dimension to literary creativity. The storyline, the intriguing characters, the unique concepts, unpredictable twists and turns and outstanding humour makes the book a must read for children and adults. Credit goes to the author for her ability to understand the minds of young impressionable readers.Kudos to the author for stretching her creativity to make Secrets of Zynpagua series an outstanding work of fantasy and fiction. The author Ilika Ranjan is an MBA from Symbiosis Institute of International Business, Pune, India. She wears several caps. An Entreprenuer, a strategic planner for start up ventures, having several years of experience in Multi national bank, Ilika is passionate about writing and travelling. She has recently setup a Creative thinking centre ‘Manoshi’ in the beautiful hills of Naukuchiatal near Nainital. www.ilikaranjanbooks.com Her blog www.ilikaranjan.com email : [e-mail] COVER PAGE DESIGN BY NIDEEP VARGHESE

Book preview

Prologue

The ferocious and wild flames emitting from the lamps, were hungrily devouring the fresh air around making it impossible to inhale. To add to this, the thumping of high pitched drums in the background blocked the power to think. It was freezing cold inside despite the flames.

Vivian and Leo were struggling to breathe in the smoky environs.

Where are we? whispered Leo, forcibly inhaling air and trying to breathe.

Don’t know, came Vivian’s feeble reply.

I thought we got sucked in the ocean. How did we land here in this vacuum? asked Vivian.

Don’t know! Leo whispered helplessly.

I am freezing, said Vivian chattering his teeth.

We have to find a way to get out of here before we die, said Leo, wrapping his hand around his chest, to feel some warmth in the damp and cold place.

The two were sitting crouched behind a copper pillar inside a huge palace. Both were clueless where they were and why they had landed there.

Sometime back they did hear voices talking about rescuing Drudan. They tried eavesdropping, but the voices faded.

Vivian stretched his leg forward to take a step while sitting in a crouched position, but a low thump alerted him.

Shhh… Vivian placed his finger on the lips, warning Leo to remain silent.

Who is it? Leo whispered, sticking close to Vivian.

Vivian gestured towards someone and pulled Leo behind the huge copper pillar, in an attempt to remain inconspicuous.

An army of stunningly good looking people marched in. They were stalwart and huge, almost double the size of humans on Earth and had an unusual smoky complexion. Both men and women wore similar clothes which were heavily embellished with copper ornaments. A huge copper ring was pierced in their noses.

Where are they? asked the lady leading the group.

I can smell them. They must be somewhere here! replied the man walking behind the lady.

Vivian, step back else they will catch us, Leo whispered in Vivian’s ears.

My knees are making a weird sound and I cannot move a limb, Vivian whispered back.

Wait! said Leo. He tapped his head, pronounced the, ChinChunaki Chin Chin spell, and diminished in size.

I will fly towards the ceiling to find out who these people are and why they want to rescue Drudan, said Leo.

Are you crazy? What if they catch you? Vivian retorted aggressively.

Leo smiled and said, Use magic and save me.

You know magic isn’t working here, said Vivian.

Then use your brain, said Leo.

"Who is it?’ came a thundering voice.

Leo instantly flew up towards the ceiling and escaped being caught.

Speak up now! said another hoarse voice.

Before Vivian could say a word, the woman leading the group rushed towards the pillar and caught Vivian by the hand, There you are! she exclaimed excitedly.

Welcome to the evil land. We are the custodians of evil people in this world. The lady giggled merrily as if she had won an award.

Why are we here? asked Vivian, trying to cope up with his breathlessness.

My name is Ita, said the woman.

Vivian looked at her attentively.

You didn’t come here by chance boy. You came here by our choice, smirked Ita.

Where is Leo? she asked.

You know Leo? asked Vivian.

Of course! said Ita.

The woman was staring at Vivian mockingly.

Vivian did not understand a thing. He simply asked, Why have you got me here?

The woman grinned and said, "To render Pajaro powerless!"

Chapter 1

MerDan

The Mermaid was sleeping blissfully in her dry cave when she heard, Waaaaaa!

Being in a semi conscious state, she stirred a little but then dozed off to sleep.

Waaaaaa!

The sound came again, this time loud and clear.

Lines of tension appeared on the Mermaid’s face as she muttered, What noise is this?

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Mama, wake up! this time the voice pierced her ears.

MerDan was howling, rolling and flapping his feet in water.

He had been continuously crying for the last six days.

Waaaaa! Mama, wake up! This time MerDan wrapped his arms around the Mermaid and shook her gently.

The Mermaid opened her eyes with a start. At first, everything was blur. She slowly lifted her hand and rubbed her eyes. Then she sat up and rested her back against a huge boulder.

MerDan yelled with excitement on seeing the Mermaid awake. He wrapped his arms around the Mermaid and hugged her, My beautiful mother has woken. Hurray!!!

That’s when the Mermaid’s gaze fell on MerDan. His blue eyes, chubby face and blonde curly hair elated her spirits as she took MerDan in her lap and said, What an adorable baby!

And what a beautiful mama! MerDan exclaimed, wrapping his arms around the Mermaid.

The Mermaid held MerDan’s face and kissed his cheeks.

MerDan, my son! she let out an excited voice.

Just then MerDan began to howl. The Mermaid was shocked to see tears trickle down his cute blue eyes. What is the matter son? she asked, taken aback by his crying.

Radhika ditched me! howled MerDan.

Ditched you? the Mermaid asked

Yes Mama, I wanted to marry her, had made all the arrangements, but at the eleventh hour Frederick made her wear the ring of connection and married her, saying this MerDan began to thump his feet in water.

What? the Mermaid exclaimed. She could not believe her son had made arrangements of getting married as soon as he was born.

Yes mama, I have lost Radhika, said MerDan.

The Mermaid placed her hand on MerDan’s head and gently stroked his hair, My baby, you are too young to be married. Once you grow up, you will marry the most gorgeous girl in this world.

In a fit of anger, MerDan stomped his feet and pulled his hair, Mama, you don’t understand. She is the one who can control me. I could sense that from the time I was in your stomach. She has been blessed with some special powers. I could intuitively guess that.

What are you saying son? She can control you? the Mermaid asked, shocked at the revelation.

Yes mama, I was about to throttle Lady Carol, when Radhika slapped me hard and I fell off, MerDan said.

She slapped you and you fell off? Damn! How dare she? The Mermaid yelled with fury.

How did she escape? The Mermaid asked.

Anika had come here. She prayed to the stars and rescued everyone, MerDan said, wreathing with fury.

But son, you could have tried seeking help from the demon planets, the Mermaid said.

I did seek their help. They sent their red rays and tried confronting the rays of the stars. There was chaos all around. Vivian and Leo got sucked in the ocean while Anika and Radhika escaped with the little people, MerDan said restlessly.

What about Sussaina? The Mermaid asked, Was she here?

Mama, I sent her somewhere, but I cannot remember where, cried MerDan.

What do you mean you don’t know where you sent Sussaina? the Mermaid asked.

Mama, when I sought help from the demon planets, I felt there was some strange energy flowing in me. I felt I could destroy everything. It was an inexplicable feeling. In that fit of power, I sent Sussaina somewhere, MerDan said, somewhat perturbed.

Don’t worry son! We will find her, the Mermaid replied, placing MerDan in her lap.

Mama, I am so happy you are with me. I was left alone with no one around, said MerDan.

What about the ocean creatures? Where are they? The mermaid asked.

They swam away. No one is with me, saying this MerDan began to howl again.

You could have stopped them, the Mermaid said.

Mama, when Anika and Radhika escaped, I didn’t want to stop anyone. I was absolutely crestfallen, MerDan said, howling even louder.

The Mermaid was livid with anger, How dare these creatures make my son cry! she yelled.

Listen MerDan, I promise you, I will train you to ensure that this world gets torn into a million mourns!

The Mermaid screamed, as if trying to send a warning to one and all.

Mama, I promise you I will make everyone suffer for treating me shabbily! yelled MerDan.

Chapter 2

Radhika

How will I control MerDan? He is invincible! Radhika said, walking up and down helplessly.

Dear sister, please don’t worry. We will find a way. Saturn has deliberately vested this responsibility on you. I am sure you will be able to control MerDan, Anika said trying to convince Radhika.

Don’t worry my child, we will find a way to control MerDan, affirmed Lady Carol.

The three were in Lady Carol’s room in Zynpagua. A week had passed since they had escaped from the Pacific Ocean region but still had not discovered a way to control MerDan.

Radhika had been blessed by the meteor shower of the demon planets, along with the Mermaid and MerDan. While MerDan naturally knew how to impress the demon planets, Radhika was clueless. Many a day and night she spent calling out to the demon planets, trying to seek their help, but nothing happened.

The thought, How will I keep my promise given to Saturn? was extinguishing Radhika’s spirits and drowning her in worry. She didn’t know what disaster had befallen on the creatures of Pacific Ocean region in the week that passed by. She felt she should have been near MerDan to stop him from summoning disaster.

What will happen if I am unable to control MerDan? Radhika murmured, in deep thought.

Yes, that’s a pertinent statement, Lady Carol said softly. She knew it was a genuine concern. Radhika’s worry wasn’t baseless.

Without saying another word, Lady Carol commenced flipping the pages of the book she was holding, trying to get a clue, an idea…something that could help Radhika.

After sometime, she asked Radhika, Was it in a fit of rage that you slapped MerDan?

Yes, I had reached the brink. I could not tolerate his nonsense anymore, said Radhika.

What were you feeling then? asked Lady Carol.

I was very nervous and thought MerDan would kill you. It was a peculiar feeling, I can’t even explain in words, responded Radhika.

Hmm… said Lady Carol.

That feeling was a weird mix of nervousness and rage, Radhika recollected.

When you were both nervous and furious, you hit MerDan and he fell off. Does that mean you have to be both nervous and furious to defeat MerDan? Lady Carol spoke aloud, though she was talking to herself.

Sorry Lady, I am unable to understand anything, said Radhika.

Radhika, I think you can defeat MerDan or overpower him when you are overwhelmed with complex feelings. This is just an assumption. But you will have to face MerDan to test it, said Lady Carol.

Or could it be only anger? asked Anika, who was silently sitting and listening to their conversation.

Yes, it could be only anger…though I doubt, said Lady Carol.

Why? asked Anika and Radhika in unison.

Lady Carol smiled and said, Because I don’t think demon planets can be impressed by a simple feeling as anger. Then turning to Radhika, she said, I have a plan!

Please tell us, Radhika urged.

Lady Carol nodded and said, We will have to secretly return to the Pacific Ocean region and observe MerDan. He knows how to impress the demon planets. Moreover, I think the Mermaid must have woken by now. She would surely train him to use his powers more effectively. We will furtively learn their method.

You are superb Lady! said Femina in her clear commanding voice. She had just stepped in and had heard Lady Carol’s plan.

Thank you Femina, Lady Carol said, but there is a problem. With Vivian, Leo, Frederick, Romeo and Sussaina, having disappeared, we cannot risk our lives together. We have many tasks at hand. We have to rescue everyone and we don’t even know where they are, as she completed her sentence, a look of concern and fatigue flashed on her face.

Anika immediately stepped forward and hugged her, Dear Grandma, we will not ponder on the horrible situation we are facing right now. Let us think of all possible solutions, she said emphatically.

Yes we will find everyone, smiled Femina.

They were trying to be brave and strong, but the gnawing question, how to control MerDan and how to find Vivian, Leo, Sussaina and Romeo, was bothering them immensely.

Radhika came close to Lady Carol, and sitting near her feet, she said, "Dear Lady Carol, I am strong enough to face MerDan alone. Please allow me to go to Pacific Ocean region alone and secretly learn ways to control MerDan.

No! He is too dangerous! Lady Carol exclaimed.

Yes, I know he is dangerous, but then I will have to learn to face him if I have to control him, said Radhika.

You will face MerDan only when you are equipped to fight him. Femina and Anika will train you on basics of warfare. We also need to ensure you become stronger and healthier. Unfortunately, you will bear the brunt of trying to stop MerDan. I am sure he will try harming you. You not only have to learn to control MerDan, but you will also have to learn to save yourself from him, said Lady Carol.

Dear Lady Carol, I am ready to learn everything. Mootu Sir has been teaching me swimming in raw waters. Once I perfect that, Femina and Anika have promised they will make me an expert in warfare, assured Radhika.

Lady Carol smiled and hugged Radhika.

Lady Carol, we also need to find aunt Pajaro, Anika reminded everyone.

Yes Anika, that is what I am wondering. You do not have the support of planets anymore, said Lady Carol.

Please do not worry Lady. Mercury’s wisdom will guide me throughout, Anika assured.

Yes Anika, very true, saying this Lady Carol’s face fell and she became very silent.

What is the matter Lady? asked Radhika.

Taking a deep breath, Lady Carol said, I hope Trudan is able to save Frederick.

The mention of Frederick sent a pang of pain in Radhika’s heart. He staked his life to save her from MerDan.

Lady Carol, God will have to save him. He has been suffering since he was eight years old, sacrificing his life for everyone. He deserves to win… before Radhika could complete her sentence, her voice choked and she began to sob.

Anika rushed to Radhika and placed her arms around her shoulder, It is not your fault if MerDan turned crazy to marry you. Nor is it your fault if Frederick staked his life to save you, she said strongly.

Radhika nodded and hugged Anika.

Just then, Anika felt a nerve twitch and an excruciating pain made her head throb. Holding her head, she yelled aloud, My head will split with pain!

What is the matter? asked Lady Carol, jumping from her seat and approaching Anika.

Anika’s lips were vibrating with pain and tension. She held her head tightly and shut her eyes through which tears trickled down. She coughed hard, trying to control the pain.

What is the matter Anika? Lady Carol asked again, somewhat panicking at the way Anika’s body was shaking.

Something we said triggered this pain, Anika said, trying to figure out the cause of the pain.

What did we say? Lady Carol asked.

Turning to Radhika, she said, Please repeat your sentence Radhika

Radhika nodded and said, Frederick has been suffering since he was eight years old, sacrificing his life for everyone. He deserves to win…

Yes, it’s about Frederick, Anika nodded in agreement.

There is something about him…something is going to happen to him, Anika murmured. She closed her eyes and heard Mercury’s friendly laughter. It was saying, Think deep

Anika closed her eyes and pushed her thoughts through, repeating the line Radhika had just said.

Then a smile lit her face as she murmured,

"Yes, he has been sacrificing his life for everyone,

And has been burning like the sun,

His blood will turn yellow as gold,

He has to be the guardian,

Of space that is very old,

He will be the only hope

When winning will have no scope"

What does this mean? Why will his blood turn yellow? asked Lady Carol.

Grandma, I don’t know the meaning of what I said, said Anika.

Does Frederick possess a divine quality we are unaware of? asked Lady Carol, thinking loud.

Chapter 3

Trudan

Trudan’s translucent form had circled around Frederick to hold him in his confines.

After all, Trudan was just a spirit, a mass of air with an outline of human. With great force and spirit, he was floating in the sky with Frederick tugged between his hands.

How will I save him? This thought kept rattling his mind.

By now Frederick had turned a crimson red, with Merdan’s poison spreading in every blood vessel of his body, making it difficult for him to breathe.

Trudan inhaled a mass of air and opening Frederick’s mouth, blew the air in with great force, ensuring it fills his lungs to give him some oxygen to breathe.

Frederick struggled and gasped for breath.

Where should I take him? Trudan repeated again, staring down at Earth to find a suitable location.

He needs fresh supply of oxygen. I cannot take him to any region in space. There is no guarantee of oxygen being there, Trudan murmured.

His reverie was broken by a beautiful bird flying close to him. The bird chirped, I can hear what you are saying. Descend to the Earth and be near the trees, saying this, the bird flew away.

Trudan immediately looked down and noticed he was flying over a very dense forest.

I think I have left Pacific Ocean region behind, let me land here, saying this, Trudan moved his formless physique and tilted Frederick’s body downwards in an attempt to land.

Sure enough, he landed in deep dense jungle. There was no light anywhere