SECRETS OF ZYNPAGUA: SHIMMERING THREAT

By Ilika Ranjan

SECRETS OF ZYNPAGUA: SHIMMERING THREAT is the 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)
Secrets of Zynpagua: Serpent's Shadow (Book 4)
Secrets of Zynpagua: The Bond of Destiny (Book 5)
Secrets of Zynpagua: The Demon's curse (Book 6)
Secrets of Zynpagua: The Breach of Trust.


In the book Secrets of Zynpagua: Shimmering Threat,

Anika and Trudan escape from the mystic lake but Drudan traps Pajaro and dumps her in the lake. Pajaro’s energy clashes with that of the Demon planets and the lake falls from space. Frederick and Romeo try saving the lake, but to no avail because only Demon shall Prevail!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing India
• Release date: Sep 13, 2023
• ISBN: 9781543709360

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

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Copyright © 2023 by Ilika Ranjan.

CoverPage Design Nideep Varghese.

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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www.partridgepublishing.com/india

To

My parents

Dr. Manorama Tiwari

Dr. Shashi Ranjan Tiwari

Ma

I miss you so much Ma.

Life has come shattering down since 11 June 2023.

My mother, Professor (Dr.) Manorama Tiwari, the most brilliant, affectionate, dynamic, kind, generous woman in the entire universe. She was an erudite scholar of Sanskrit.

She was our pillar of strength, our reason to live after Papa left. The pain ebbing from the heart is undefinable.

She was a visionary who helped many in becoming what they are today.

My mother’s favourite line

तन्मे मनः शिवसंकल्पमस्तु

Praying to the divine to empower us to fulfill our parents’ dreams.

I am sure our parents are watching us from heaven.

Ma and Papa, love you so so much!

Papa

Professor (Dr.) Shashi Ranjan Tiwari

Our angel in heaven.

My father, the humblest soul, the kindest, the brightest.

His naughty smile used to light our day.

He was a renowned name in the field of Public Administration.

I am blessed to have a father who showered so much love and affection, that even in his absence his affection gives us strength.

Miss his early morning wake up voice, his passion for reading the newspaper as early as possible, his favourite tea, his naughty smile.

Miss you so much Ma and Papa!

CONTENTS

Ma

Papa

Prologue

Chapter 1 Drudan’s Return to Zynpagua

Chapter 2 Pajaro’s aura

Chapter 3 Romeo and Frederick

Chapter 4 Drudan’s welcome in Zynpagua

Chapter 5 Vivian and Mashy

Chapter 6 Drudan in Zynpagua

Chapter 7 Anika and Trudan

Chapter 8 Drudan

Chapter 9 Ben’s Great Plan

Chapter 10 Leo

Chapter 11 The disaster in the mystic lake.

Chapter 12 Sotina!

Chapter 13 Sussaina and Lady Carol

Chapter 14 Anika and Trudan

Chapter 15 Radhika’s blunder

Chapter 16 Restless Drudan

Chapter 17 The Mermaid

Chapter 18 Leo

Chapter 19 Vivian

Chapter 20 Ben and Mootu

Chapter 21 Mootu and the Head cook

Chapter 22 Frederick gone away

Chapter 23 Anika

Chapter 24 Vivian

Chapter 25 Drudan

Chapter 26 Anika

Chapter 27 Shimmering Threat!

Chapter 28 Drudan and the mystic lake

Chapter 29 Lady Carol and Sussaina

Chapter 30 Drudan returns with Shimmering lake water

Chapter 31 The missing angel birds

Chapter 32 Vivian and Mashy

Chapter 33 Vivian and Mashy

Chapter 34 Sussaina and Lady Carol

Chapter 35 Romeo’s search for Frederick

Chapter 36 King Soto and Femina

Chapter 37 Romeo

Chapter 38 Leo comes to rescue!

Chapter 39 Ben

Chapter 40 Ben and Radhika’s plan

Chapter 41 Radhika and Ben

Chapter 42 Mermaid and Radhika

Chapter 43 MerDan and the Mermaid

Chapter 44 Drudan

Chapter 45 Ita as Leo

Chapter 46 Drudan in Prison

Chapter 47 Pajaro rescued

Chapter 48 Radhika

Chapter 49 Daisy Dew land

Chapter 50 The head cook and Mootu on the angel birds

Chapter 51 Anika and Sotina

Chapter 52 The angel birds return

Chapter 53 Daisy Dew and Femina

Chapter 54 Mashy was kept in a cage in Daisy Dew’s prison.

Chapter 55 Daisy and Ita’s plan!

Chapter 56 Leo and Pajaro

Chapter 57 Vivian’s Dance

Chapter 58 Frederick

Chapter 59 Leo and Pajaro

Chapter 60 Radhika’s Revolt in Zynpagua

Chapter 61 Anika rescues Sotina

Summary of the previous books!

SECRETS OF ZYNPAGUA:

SHIMMERING THREAT

Slowly surreptitiously the Demon executes his plan,

To ruin one and all in her clan,

He knows her plans will fail,

And only the Demon shall prevail!

Prologue

No!

"No!

Not again!"

Mother!!

Leo screamed aloud as he missed catching Pajaro’s hand when she was falling in the mystic lake.

Drudan! Leo screamed aloud, reeling with anger.

You dumped my mother! You harmed her again! Leo screamed desperately.

He couldn’t believe he had failed once again. He couldn’t save his mother Pajaro from Drudan’s vile plan.

How could I fail this time? Leo asked himself restlessly.

Where did I go wrong? Leo screamed as drops of tears came rolling down his eyes and froze on his face.

He recalled that malicious night when Drudan had surreptitiously entered the evil world and kidnapped Pajaro.

Why can my mother not win? Oh God, for once let her win against all sin! Leo said desperately.

A vile act comes only from a vile man! Only cowards torture women when they cannot stand their brilliance! Leo murmured under his breath.

His eye had turned crimson with rage as he gaped helplessly at the mystic lake. Drudan had dropped his mother in this lake some minutes ago and now there was no trace of her.

Where did I go wrong? Leo questioned himself.

Leo had vigilantly followed Drudan and had dashed forward to hold Pajaro when she was falling.

Alas, he missed catching his mother’s hand by a few inches. Within seconds Pajaro sank in the mystic lake, leaving Leo hapless and hopeless.

No! he yelled aloud with pain and anger.

I am a useless burden on this universe! Leo uttered helplessly while hovering on the mystic lake.

There was no trace of Pajaro!

It seemed the turquoise mystic lake devoured Pajaro within seconds.

There was absolutely no sign of her anywhere. The lake remained silent and shimmering, as if nothing happened. It continued to feign tranquility and hide its turbulence.

Leo gaped at the lake with shock and desperation, searching for any trace of his mother. Amidst shimmer and silence, he could see nothing.

The memory of the incident that transpired some moments before kept flashing before his eyes. That vicious, barbaric ruthless Drudan had won again.

That man, who his mother had married for love, had once again shown hatred and attempted to end her life. This man had tortured his own son for ten years and this man won again!

Where is justice in this world? It is an unfair world, where truth and righteousness die and evil wins! Leo said with tears inundating his eyes.

How can the heaven let him win? God, you are unfair! Leo screamed aloud.

He succeeded even this time! Leo yelled with hate and disgust.

What should I do now? Can someone tell me? What??? Leo screamed desperately.

I will enter the lake! It doesn’t matter if I have bird like qualities. I will swim and find my mother! I cannot let her suffer anymore! I cannot, Leo spoke with frustration.

He was about to jump in, when someone said, Stop!

Leo did not pay any heed to the voice and instead raised his hand to dive in the lake when a huge force pulled him back.

He landed on a floating cloud nearby.

Who is stopping me? Leo yelled and asked.

Take control of your temper boy! Battles aren’t won in a fit of rage but with silent patience, said the voice.

Silent patience? Is this a joke? How much patience will we demonstrate? Justice delayed is justice denied, Leo said shaking with anger.

I don’t want to listen to whoever you are! Let me go and save my mother! Leo replied, curbing his temper while grinding his teeth.

An aggressive voice said, No!

Who are you? Why are you stopping me? Leo asked exasperatedly.

The answer came within seconds, Mars!

Leo controlled his temper immediately.

Dear Mars, please let me go and save my mother, he pleaded.

What makes you think she cannot save herself? Mars asked.

My mother won’t be able to swim in water. We, the people of kingdom of clouds, have qualities of birds and feel suffocated in water, said Leo.

"Your mother may not be able to swim in water but that lady Pajaro who has undergone deep penance and suffering, can swim in choppy waters. Believe me, if left to her, she can make everyone fly in that water. Let her discover her potential! Adversities push us to go beyond normal and recognize our true worth! Even she is unware of her true worth!" said Mars

I won’t let my mother suffer anymore, Leo replied, ignoring Mar’s advice.

She is that diamond which has lived in coalmines for years. Her brilliance and shine are for real. Let her face the challenge to emerge a winner, said Mars.

What should I do now? Leo asked.

Before Leo could get a reply, he heard Pajaro scream.

Without wasting any time and paying heed to Mars’ advice, Leo jumped in the lake.

There was a sharp lightning in the sky and Leo was picked midway and thrown miles away towards the horizon. Leo continued to scream frantically.

Anika had prayed to me to protect you. I cannot let you make stupid mistakes. Now float in vacuum till you learn to obey me, Mars said fuming with rage.

Chapter 1

Drudan’s Return to Zynpagua

D rudan left the mystic lake on his green light, holding MerDan and the Mer maid.

Radhika was forced to join them.

While travelling through space, MerDan began to sing,

"This night is dreamy,

And the clouds are creamy,

The air is misty moist,

We unite, holding our powers tight,

I have my mama and papa flying on the right,

And lovely Radhika looks pretty and bright,

The lake is sending its shimmer on the dew,

Life couldn’t have been better with Papa, mama and you!"

MerDan sang loud and clear with melody oozing out through his song.

It was pitch dark everywhere only the lake beneath was shimmering mystically.

MerDan looked at the lake once. It was such a vast expanse of water simply hanging in space.

A cold chill ran through his spine and he nervously called out, Mamma!

The Mermaid immediately caught hold of him and asked, What is the matter son?

Mamma, I am scared of space. The sight of the lake sends nervous shudders down my spine.

Mermaid looked down and shivered seeing the lake. There was something threatening and eerie about this vast expanse of water.

They were flying high in the sky yet the shimmer of the mystic lake was distinctly visible.

Mamma, is this not scary? MerDan whispered in the Mermaid’s ears.

Yes son, you are right! It looks eerie and dangerous! The Mermaid whispered in MerDan’s ears.

MerDan hugged his mother. He turned around and his glance fell on Radhika.

She was staring at the mystic lake, without uttering a word, without fluttering her eyelids. There was a look of determination and angst on her face. She stared at the lake, undeterred by its brilliance.

Mamma, Radhika is not intimidated by the lake, MerDan whispered in the Mermaid’s ears.

She is plotting something. Be careful of her son! Mermaid warned MerDan.

Mamma, I dislike her so much! She didn’t marry me! MerDan replied resentfully.

The Mermaid laughed and said, Good that she didn’t marry you! Baby grow up to be a man and then you can find a bride for yourself, said the Mermaid.

Hummm… MerDan replied haughtily. He left Mermaid’s hand and caught hold of Drudan’s sleeve.

What is the matter son? the Mermaid asked.

Mamma, you will never understand me! MerDan replied irately.

The Mermaid was taken aback. At the age of four, MerDan was behaving like a teenager. He continued to harbor a peculiar liking for Radhika.

Mermaid had noticed that throughout their journey, MerDan was trying to talk to Radhika.

My son shakes my confidence, the Mermaid thought as she tried holding MerDan.

MerDan pulled his hand away and pretended to be annoyed while he clung to Drudan.

Drudan patted him fondly, not noticing the tiff between MerDan and the Mermaid. His mind was pacing fast as he observed the green light which was carrying them to Zynpagua.

He was vigilantly watching the path his green light was creating in the sky. They were travelling in rather zigzag way, creating a wave pattern in space.

Drudan glanced at MerDan and the Mermaid once to ensure they were travelling safely.

He then glanced at the mystic lake. There was something undefinable about the shimmer of the lake.

His eyes were fixed on the shimmer of the lake.

A thought instigated his scientific mind. He paused, looked at his green light and then at the shimmering lake.

"I will create something as eerie as the shimmer on this lake. Something which sends shudders through the veins and makes the stomach churn.

Dear mystic lake, I wish I could steal your shimmer and create a shimmering threatening shadow!" Drudan spoke under his breath.

While Drudan was lost in his thoughts, the Mermaid’s attention was on MerDan. She was worried about MerDan’s obsession for Radhika.

MerDan was super excited and was continuously trying to talk to Radhika. While she was giving him no heed, he was being extremely nice to her.

The Mermaid laid her hands on MerDan and pulled him towards her.

Bringing her mouth close to his ears, she said, Son, Radhika is a mean girl. Don’t show your affection to her. She will harm you!

MerDan giggled and whispered in Mermaid’s ears, Mamma, I know. I am being nice to her so that she may sing with us.

Son, don’t bother about that, I will make her sing, Mermaid replied.

MerDan whispered back, Mamma, she sings horribly. I will fall ill if I have to practice with her. I cannot tolerate her flat notes. She is a terrible singer!

Then what will you do? The Mermaid asked softly.

I will teach her how to sing well. Then we can sing together and unite our powers. MerDan whispered in his mother’s ears.

The Mermaid was overwhelmed with pride and affection. Her son was a manipulator at the age of 4.

She hugged MerDan and said, My son is brilliant.

I love you Mamma! MerDan squealed and wrapped his arms around Mermaid’s neck.

The Mermaid’s eyes flooded with tears, My baby, I missed you so much!

Mamma, I missed you too. I promise, Radhika will pay the price for your tears!

Wow! This is a heavy dialogue! Mermaid replied, dumbfounded by MerDan’s answers.

Mamma, I will make Papa and you extremely proud! MerDan replied boldly.

That’s like my valourous boy! Don’t develop any affection for Radhika, she will trap you! said the Mermaid.

I know she is a wicked girl, MerDan replied viciously.

Radhika’s eyes were fixed on the lake. She continued to gape at it with a look of silent vengeance.

Both MerDan and Mermaid assumed Radhika wasn’t listening to them.

In reality Radhika was listening to every word MerDan spoke. She was letting their manipulations, their nasty game plan sink deep in her heart.

She maintained her cool and remained unruffled.

One day you will witness my true colour. Let me learn your ways to overpower you. There must be a way. Ben sought the blessing of the Demon planets. I want to meet Ben as soon as I can. I hope he is in Zynpagua. Ben I desperately need your help, Radhika was repeating these words in her heart as her mind paced fast to escape being a part of the Mermaid and Drudan’s plan.

The memory of Anika and Frederick trapped in mystic lake, dug deep wounds in her heart. She remembered the look in Frederick’s eyes, that helplessness, that sense of defeat.

Drudan had mentioned that he had dumped Pajaro in the lake.

How would aunt Pajaro be? Radhika thought.

She looked at MerDan and then at Mermaid.

They were rejoicing in victory.

How can people be happy after harming others? Radhika thought sadly.

Her heart was heavy and mind inundated with questions. Who will answer my questions? Radhika thought.

Ben’s face appeared before her eyes.

Only Ben can tell me, what will happen if we unite our power? Is there a way to overpower these two? Radhika thought.

The blowing of the trumpets brought back her attention. They had reached Zynpagua.

Chapter 2

Pajaro’s aura

S trange currents were generating inside the lake as Pajaro continued to sink within the confines of the mystic lake.

As soon as Pajaro’s body touched the turquoise water of the mystic lake, it became turbulent.

Pajaro was unconscious but her soul was putting up a fight. Her entire body was sending positive vibrations to end the negativity in the lake.

The lake was heading towards a mystic churn where the evil had to clash with good to bring out the good and end all negativity.

The positive vibrations sent by Pajaro were generating electric currents within the lake.

The fishes and sharks felt the shocks generated by the current and began to pace towards the exit. They knew something was brewing inside the lake that would explode.

Pajaro’s unconscious body fell through the layers of water and drowned in the mystic lake.

Pajaro was lying unconscious at the base of the lake when Drudan’s ruthless face appeared before her eyes.

The memory of Drudan dumping her in the lake, began to flood her mind again. Tears came pouring out and mingled with the lake water.

Leave me! Pajaro had screamed while Drudan carried her to the mystic lake.

This grueling memory sent current through Pajaro’s veins from her brain to her heart. She was burning with the agony of torture. This time Drudan’s end was on her mind!

While at the surface nothing unusual happened, at the base of the lake, where Pajaro’s body touched water, a dangerous fire erupted.

It began to scorch the inhabitants of the lake. The fishes, the sharks and venomous snakes screamed with fright. They cried aloud to the Demon planets.

The Demon planets spread their red light throughout the length and breadth of the lake, but this fire could not be extinguished.

The Demon planets then called the clouds from all regions coming under their purview and with massive thunder lightning and showers, they managed to extinguish this fire.

What followed was terrifying. The pouring of clouds inundated the mystic lake with so much water that the lake swelled up drastically.

Pajaro’s mind was turbulent.

Unable to tolerate the pain and shock, she slept back and entered the realm of unconsciousness. The entire day the fishes, sharks and other inmates of the lake tried to bring her back to consciousness.

Many sharks attempted to wake her, but none could succeed, and everyone failed.

The cobra snakes couldn’t even go close to her. There was a strange mystic aura around her. The sharks had noticed that there were distinct ripples forming around her which were pushing her towards the line of conjunction from where other planets could take charge.

To everyone’s bewilderment these ripples had pushed unconscious Pajaro and had made her reach the line of conjunction twice.

When the sharks held Pajaro to stop her from crossing the line, they had got such a terrible shock that two of them turned numb for some minutes.

Few sharks had caught hold of her long gown with their mouth and somehow stopped Pajaro from crossing the line.

The sharks then rushed to the Demon planets to voice their concern.

The Demon planets were furious. The image of two dangerous faces spread through the sky.

The sharks, the snakes and all creatures living in the lake began to tremble with fear. They had never seen such huge face of the Demon planets, covering the entire visible sky.

Pajaro remained unconscious.

My Lord! pleaded the sharks. This lady Pajaro is not waking,

"Get up weakling,

You are poisoning my lake,

Everything about you is fake,

Are you the queen of the clouds?

Let me see who will help you, now scream loud!

Pajaro may be your name,

You can never win this game!"

The Demon planets screamed with disgust and sent a ring of fire to capture Pajaro within its confines.

As the ring of fire circled around Pajaro, a flash appeared in the sky followed by a warning voice.

"Pajaro is a gentle woman.

She has been through immense penance,

Don’t try to harm her in any