Secrets of Zynpagua:The Demon’s Curse

By ILIKA RANJAN

Drudan is terribly wounded and Anika is unconscious. Everyone has understood that they are suffering due to the wrath of Demon planets for a promise made and not fulfilled. The problem is that none know what was the promise made. Drudan’s wife, the Mermaid decides to travel to the evil world to find Ben and get answers. She makes MerDan sing and with the help of MerDan’s singing, she travels to the evil world, but mid way MerDan begins to cough and the Mermaid falls from space.
Read Secrets of Zynpagua: The Demon’s curse to DISCOVER WHY YOU SHOULD NEVER TRUST A WEEPING VOICE!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing India
• Release date: Jan 19, 2021
• ISBN: 9781543707465

ILIKA RANJAN

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 literary centre ‘Manoshi’ in the beautiful hills of Naukuchiatal near Nainital. www.ilikaranjanbooks.com Her blog www.ilikaranjan.com email : [e-mail]

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Copyright © 2021 by Ilika Ranjan.

Cover Page Design Nideep Varghese.

Edited by Swati Kapoor Malhotra.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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Quotes from my father’s diary…

miss you so much Papa!

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"Society, friendship and love, divinely

bestowed upon man," By William Cowper.

Dedicated to

My Father

Professor (Dr.) Shashi Ranjan Tiwari

Our angel in heaven.

Papa, as the days pass by we miss you

more and more. We miss you every second,

every minute and every moment.

At times it seems the pain is unbearable but all

the time we know you are with us, watching us

and taking care of us from your heavenly abode.

Your sense of humour, witty jokes, your vocabulary,

your knowledge is inimitable. We are very fortunate

recipients of your immense love, affection and care.

Love you Papa and miss you so much!

Acknowledgement

My mother, Prof.(Dr)Manorama Tiwari,

Our angel on Earth.

Her smiling face, endless encouragement, clear

vision and intellect, keeps us motivated and going.

My sisters, Malvika Ranjan and Geetika Ranjan, my

backbone and pillars of massive strength and support.

CONTENTS

Prologue

Chapter 1     Anika’s plight

Chapter 2     Mermaid’s encounter with   the Demon planets

Chapter 3     Anika

Chapter 4     The Evil world

Chapter 5     The Great Threat

Chapter 6     The Decision

Chapter 7     Femina walks away

Chapter 8     Vivian and Pajaro

Chapter 9     Frederick and Radhika

Chapter 10   The Mermaid

Chapter 11   Frederick and Radhika

Chapter 12   Ita helps Vivian

Chapter 13   The Mermaid

Chapter 14   Vivian

Chapter 15   The Mermaid

Chapter 16   Drudan in trouble

Chapter 17   Anika

Chapter 18   Death in the evil world

Chapter 19   Drudan is critical

Chapter 20

Chapter 21   Vivian

Chapter 22   The Demon planet’s punishment

Chapter 23   Mermaid’s vicious plan

Chapter 24   Conquering Zynpagua

Chapter 25   The Evil world

Chapter 26   The trap

Chapter 27   Zynpagua

Chapter 28   Anika

Chapter 29

Chapter 30   Frederick

Chapter 31   Anika

Chapter 32   Leo

Chapter 33   The Mermaid

Chapter 34   Vivian and Pajaro

Chapter 35   Romeo

Chapter 36   MerDan

Chapter 37   Leo

Chapter 38   Anika

Chapter 39   Vivian and Pajaro

Chapter 40   Frederick

Chapter 41   The Mermaid

Chapter 42   Frederick

Chapter 43   Leo

Chapter 44   Anika

Chapter 45   Leo

Chapter 46   Frederick

Chapter 47   Anika

Chapter 48   Pajaro

Chapter 49   Drudan

Chapter 50   Frederick, Vivian, Soto and Pajaro reunite

Chapter 51   The Mysterious Lake

The Peril of Envy

Summary of Books

SECRETS OF ZYNPAGUA:

THE DEMON’S CURSE

Never trust a weeping voice,

You are inviting doom by your choice

There will be pain

Everything will be in vain

Someone will get drowned

Someone will lose his ground

Who will die who will gain?

When the devil is up again!

Prologue

Drudie!

Drudie!

Drudie!

Drudie, please open your eyes, the Mermaid repeated nervously as she shook Drudan with all her might.

Ah it pains! Drudan said placing his hand on his stomach.

Don’t touch it! The Mermaid yelled.

Alas, the Mermaid’s warning came late. Drudan had placed his hand on the aperture created by the huge sword that entered his stomach.

While the sword was pulled out, it had left a deep opening in his stomach.

A gush of crimson oozed out with the weight of Drudan’s hand.

The Mermaid immediately placed her palms on the wound, trying to stop the flow of blood.

Drudan yelled out with pain as the blood gushed out even more, turning the Mermaid’s pretty hands crimson.

I am sorry Drudan, this is the only way to stop the flow of blood, saying this, the Mermaid murmured a spell.

What have you done mama? MerDan squealed, seeing Drudan drenched in blood.

Be quiet son. I am trying to stop the bleeding, The Mermaid hushed MerDan.

Mama, you did this! MerDan cried aloud.

What? Be quiet and stop blaming me! The Mermaid retorted angrily.

Mama, you had made a promise to the Demon planets and did not fulfill it. You have put Papa in trouble! MerDan yelled at the Mermaid.

Mermaid’s patience had reached its threshold. Unable to control her temper, she slapped MerDan.

Before MerDan could react, a red lightning sparked in the sky and with full force fell on the Mermaid.

The Mermaid screamed with pain as she sank deep in the ocean, almost paralyzed by the attack of the red lightning.

A very horrified MerDan began to scream and cry as the Mermaid drowned in the ocean.

Drudan was astounded by the change of events. He lay helplessly in the dry cave and had no energy to get up.

Garnering some strength, he said, Stop crying son. Go and save your mother.

Papa! MerDan howled even more.

St..op cr..ying, dive in and save your mother, Drudan managed to say with weakness overpowering him completely.

When MerDan did not move, Drudan repeated the sentence with shivering lips, Go son, save your mother!

MerDan dived in and speedily swam behind the Mermaid. She was sinking lifelessly.

MerDan caught hold of her and tried lifting her but failed.

What should I do? MerDan cried out gaping at the Mermaid.

A sound resonated in his ears, Sing!

He looked around but could not locate a soul.

Who is telling me to sing? He cried aloud.

Focus on your mother and start singing! The voice said.

MerDan restlessly looked around.

Stop wasting time! Sing! The voice sent a shriek in MerDan’s ears.

MerDan almost lost balance and sank.

Stop crying and start singing! The assertive voice commanded.

Getting his focus back on the Mermaid, MerDan began to sing,

"Magical waters of the ocean,

Please become healing lotion,

Save my mother from drowning,

I don’t know why she is not swimming,

Please help her and splash water on her face.

Wake her and keep her safe"

The water of the ocean began to circulate around the Mermaid as she sank in deeper and deeper. Soon she was tossing in a whirlpool of water. Waves began to direct their route towards the Mermaid. Layers of waves moved swiftly through the crests and splashed water on the Mermaid’s face.

She came back to consciousness but could not lift her hand to swim.

I cannot lift my hand! She howled in pain.

Mamma! MerDan exclaimed and energetically swam towards her and caught her. He then held the Mermaid’s hand and safely brought her back to the cave. Drudan was much relieved seeing her return.

Mermie, are you alright? Drudan whispered in the Mermaid’s ears.

The Mermaid shook her head feebly.

I want to sleep for some time to gain strength, she said softly

Please sleep, Drudan said, trying to control his shivering voice. He was in terrible pain.

When the Mermaid dozed off to sleep, she saw a haunting dream. A red cloud with eyes came very close to her face and said, You let me down!!

The Mermaid was so petrified seeing the dream that she fainted in her sleep.

MerDan was closely watching his mother. He whispered in the Mermaid’s ears, Mama, are you alright?

The Mermaid was unconscious and did not respond.

Papa, why is mama not talking to us? MerDan asked Drudan not realizing that even Drudan had fainted.

When Drudan did not respond, MerDan began to howl.

His howling was so loud and torturous, that the creatures of the ocean began to tremble and fall.

The Mermaid woke up with an excruciating pain erupting in her hand.

She began to weep holding her hand.

Mama, I am sorry! MerDan began to howl seeing Mermaid in so much pain.

The Mermaid stretched her hand and brought MerDan close to her.

Don’t worry son, The Mermaid murmured.

Drudan’s wound had begun to bleed again.

Papa will die! MerDan said, howling loudly when he saw the blood.

Calm down son! The Mermaid said feebly.

Mama, how are we going to save Papa? MerDan howled again.

We have to find the promise given to the Demon planets, said the Mermaid.

How will you find out? You don’t remember anything, MerDan asked, crying uncontrollably.

There is one person who can help me, said the Mermaid.

Who is this person mamma? MerDan asked hopefully.

Ben! The Mermaid replied instantly.

Ben? MerDan asked.

Yes, Ben asked me to seek the blessing of the Demon planets. Only Ben can help us, said the Mermaid.

Ben was with us in the evil world. How will you go there mamma? You are injured, MerDan asked.

I will not go son, you will go, said the Mermaid.

MerDan was stunned, What? he asked nervously.

Yes son, if you can sing and make others fly, you surely can fly while singing. I cannot leave Drudan unattended. My valourous son, you will go, The Mermaid said confidently.

No mama, I can’t go anywhere without you. I am very young, said MerDan.

My dear son, you parents are injured. You have to be confident and fly to the evil world, the Mermaid replied.

Mama! MerDan squealed.

Son, someone has to go. If I go, will you take care of Papa? The Mermaid asked.

Yes Mama, I will take care of Papa. I don’t want to go alone, MerDan replied while crying aloud.

Fine son, then make me fly with your song. I want to go now, the Mermaid said.

But Papa is still unconscious, MerDan replied.

I will cast a spell on him to ensure he continues to sleep while I return, said the Mermaid.

Mama, you are brilliant! MerDan said excitedly.

The Mermaid nodded and blew air in the ocean. Then she began to sing.

"This turbulent ocean,

Will control all tribulation,

And quietly let the waves flow,

Without a whisper they will go,

Let my husband sleep,

Please keep him in your safe keep".

A whirlpool erupted in the ocean and began to circle around Drudan.

MerDan squealed excitedly, Mama, you sing sooooooooo well!

Thank you my brave boy. Son, please sing and make me travel to the evil world, Mermaid told MerDan.

Yes mamma, MerDan replied.

Then sing my son, The Mermaid said, still reeling with pain.

MerDan began to sing rapidly while shaking nervously.

Hold on MerDan! The Mermaid said, Sing slowly. I have to cover a long distance; you will have to conserve your energy.

MerDan shook his head and started singing slowly.

"Mama, you will be fine,

I am your darling and you are mine,

Let your face always shine,

We will save Papa, that is prime"

"The Mermaid began to rise and fly above the ocean.

Outstanding. Please continue to sing slowly! She told MerDan.

She rose above the sea and crossing the layers of atmosphere, transcended mesosphere and reached space.

MerDan continued to sing beautifully.

The Mermaid was overwhelmed with motherly affection listening to his persistent singing. Her son was only three years old and had managed to shoulder such a huge responsibility.

She was overwhelmed with motherly affection and felt a deep urge to sing. She cleared her throat and she sang with MerDan,

"My son you are the apple of my eye,

I want to hold my breath and cry,

You Papa is in trouble we know,

I am amazed at the strength you show,

Love you my sweetheart!

I bless you from the bottom of my heart"

The Mermaid felt a sudden jerk and a shiver ran down her spine. MerDan had stopped singing.

The Mermaid began to fall in space.

She screamed aloud, MerDan, why are you not singing? Son, I will die if I fall from such a great height!

She strained her ears to hear MerDan sing, but all she managed to hear was MerDan’s rampant coughing. Down she went falling from the sky.

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Chapter 1

Anika’s plight

A nika continued to sleep under the curse of the Demon planets. Her mind was awake and active but for the world, she was unconscious.

She was lying on a cloud in the cosmic rays region, surrounded by Sussaina and others.

Their endless efforts had failed to bring her back to consciousness.

In that state, Anika was mentally alert but unaware of her surroundings.

So alert was her mind that she could see events of the future and the eerie threat that loomed around all her loved ones.

Whenever she slept, she saw the same threatening dream.

In that restless state, her soul screamed from within, Save her!

Please don’t kill her, Anika pleaded unconsciously and tried tossing and turning, but couldn’t.

She tried sitting up but failed miserably, being under the spell of the Demon’s curse.

As the dream embraced her in its eerie folds, she found herself walking between the clouds that were camouflaging huge castles. Lovely red and pink roses grew at the entrance of these castles but the air had an outlandish pungent smell. A serene lake was flowing at some distance from which erupted bizarre flashes of light. Between these flashes of light, she saw Sussaina.

This eerie dream made her anxious and depressed. She wanted to see her mother in person, but despite trying her best, she couldn’t open her eyelids. Her head throbbed and lips shivered but she could not utter a word.

These were not mere dreams but premonitions indicating future events. Unable to speak, Anika mentally related the scene.

"Far far away, I can see a lovely turquoise lake,

Is it real or is it fake?

Between the clouds it flows,

Great splashes of water it throws,

A weeping Mermaid is swimming there,

Victorious she looks and that’s bizarre,

A precious life is at threat,

A loved one calls to protect,

Everyone will be in deep trouble,

I will have to find the mystic pebble,

Something it will stop before it’s too late,

What will it stop, who is going to be the bait?

They shine in the night when it is very late,

The clouds and castles together sing a song,

A solution to the problem but it will take very long.

Why do I see familiar faces?

Oh my God, is it Lady Carol or mother Sussaina?

Or is it going to be Femina,

Are they going to lose their life?

What an unusual strife!"

No! Anika tried screaming aloud but couldn’t.

Anika’s mind was brimming with fear. These were future events she could see and hear and yet could not wake up to reveal everything to her loved ones. She had tried hard to open her eyes, but had failed. She couldn’t say a word or even move her lips and her limbs were frozen.

Were there people around her? She didn’t know. Her memory failed her and she couldn’t remember a thing.

In a state of downright hopelessness, she dozed back to the same unconscious state.

Another dream crept in her subconscious, camouflaging her consciousness, slowly and silently. This was the most dreadful dream.

She saw the water of the lake rising like a sword and heading to stab Lady Carol. Just then someone, whose face was not clearly visible, came from nowhere and tried stopping the sword.

Anika saw herself in the dream. She was trying to make Lady Carol drink water.

Lady Carol told Anika, My time has come!

No! Anika called out

Lady Carol, we need you! Please don’t leave us

Then I will go, said Sussaina.

No mother, you cannot leave us, Anika screamed with desperation.

She then saw Femina’s smiling face, I will go Anika. Don’t worry. I will go

Someone please help! Anika cried out in her sleep.

Someone please help us! She screamed again, but her voice failed her and she couldn’t utter a word.

In that miserable hopeless state, Grandma Sotina appeared in her dream.

Sotina smiled at her and kissed her warmly.

It wasn’t a mere dream; Anika could sense grandmother Sotina standing beside her. She knew her grandmother had descended from the realm of ancestors, to help her.

My darling granddaughter, this too shall pass, Grandma Sotina, said stroking Anika’s head.

Anika wanted to be sure she was seeing her Grandma and asked her softly, Are you Grandmother Sotina?

Yes my darling, replied Sotina.

Grandma, why am I not able to get up? Am I dead? Anika asked Sotina.

Sotina laughed aloud and said, How can you die when you have a mission to fulfill on Earth?

Then why am I not able to get up? Anika asked again.

"Sweetheart, don’t worry, this too shall pass.