From that day onward, Bhumi began helping others—not like a superhero, but through small acts of kindness. Carrying boxes, guiding strangers, sharing food. These simple things helped her meet new people and slowly build a life again.
One afternoon, while helping unload a truck, something caught her attention.
Under an ancient tree sat a man. In front of him, nearly fifteen people were gathered, listening intently. Curious, Bhumi joined them.
The man spoke calmly."The people who die in the physical world are not erased," he said. "They live on in the spiritual world. And if you truly wish, you can meet them."
Bhumi's heart stopped.
He continued, "We are organizing a journey to Mount Everest. Those who join may witness the boundary between worlds. The fee is fifty thousand."
To Bhumi, every word sounded true.
Without hesitation, she gave up everything her parents had left her—the money she had saved to start a small business, the last proof of the life she once had—all for the chance to see her parents one final time.
She left the home she had built for herself. She left the small family she had created through kindness. And she went to the mountain.
At the base camp, excitement burned inside her. She approached the organizer and asked quietly,"When will we meet the souls?"
The man burst into laughter.
He called his friends over and repeated her question. They laughed too—until they saw her face.
"Wait… you were serious?" one of them said. "That was just a marketing stunt. Didn't you read the contract?"
The world shattered.
Bhumi stumbled back to her tent, her breath breaking apart as panic swallowed her. For three hours, she cried until her chest hurt and her voice was gone.
At midnight, she snapped.
She packed her things and left the camp alone, climbing into the mountain. She convinced herself the man was lying—that he didn't want her to meet her parents.
She climbed for six hours straight.
When the sun finally rose, she stopped to rest.What am I doing? she thought.
That was when she heard it.
A strange sound—low, unnatural.
Carefully, she followed it. Five meters away, space itself distorted. A gate appeared out of nowhere.
Her hands trembled as she opened it.
The moment the gate opened, Bhumi collapsed.
Figures caught her before she hit the ground. Guards carried her inside and summoned their leader.
That day, Bhumi crossed into the domain of the Ten Protectors.
And their leader's name was Ram.
As Bhumi slowly opened her eyes, ten figures stood before her, their expressions cold and severe. They were arguing in low, tense voices.Then one man's gaze fell on her.
The moment he noticed she was awake, he raised a single finger.
The other nine stopped speaking instantly.
Silence fell over the room.
Bhumi's chest tightened. It wasn't the silence that frightened her—it was what she saw in their eyes. Not respect. Not obedience.
Fear.
If you enjoyed this chapter, a Power Stone helps a lot."