The sky was painted in hues of gold and crimson as the sun neared the horizon, casting long shadows across the magical garden. The air was thick with the scent of blooming jasmines and night-blooming tuberoses, their fragrance weaving an intoxicating spell over the evening. The garden, a place of quiet wonder, seemed to pulse with an energy that was almost alive—an enchanting blend of nature and mystery.

Sameera led her two friends along the meandering stone pathways, their footsteps muffled by the carpet of fallen petals. Ancient trees with gnarled, twisting branches stretched overhead, their thick canopies filtering the fading sunlight into scattered patches of gold and green. The leaves shimmered as though dusted with stardust, the last rays of the sun catching their surfaces and making them glow.

Vintage wooden benches, their backs adorned with intricate carvings of celestial beings and mythical creatures, were placed along the pathways, inviting weary souls to rest. Some bore inscriptions, faint and timeworn, telling stories in a forgotten script. Birds fluttered from tree to tree, their evening songs blending with the gentle rustle of the wind as it played through the vines and creepers that adorned the old stone walls enclosing the garden.

Trishna and Devangi walked in awed silence, their eyes darting from one wonder to another. "There’s something different about this place," Devangi murmured, running her fingers over the cool bark of a tree. "It’s almost like... it knows we’re here."

Sameera smiled knowingly, her fingers trailing over the wooden armrest of a bench as she replied, "I told you—it’s magic."

As the last light of day surrendered to twilight, a dull yellowish glow flickered from somewhere ahead, peeking through the dense weave of vines and creepers along the farthest wall of the garden. The light pulsed, almost like a heartbeat, drawing them in.

"Look at that," Devangi whispered, her voice tinged with curiosity.

Sameera turned sharply, her eyes widening. Without hesitation, she strode toward the glowing spot, her steps quick and eager. "Come on! Let’s see what’s there, it could be interesting," she called over her shoulder, excitement lacing her voice.

Trishna reached out, grabbing Sameera’s arm to halt her. "Not interesting," she warned. "Dangerous."

Devangi grinned mischievously, tossing a playful glance at Trishna. "Dangerously interesting, then."

Trishna sighed, folding her arms. "Oh, come on! There’s no one waiting for us at home anyway," Devangi added, her voice lighthearted but her eyes gleaming with curiosity.

The three girls—bound not by blood, but by years of shared memories—stood at the precipice of yet another adventure. Though they now lived in separate apartments, their childhood had been spent together in the same orphanage, forging a bond stronger than most.

Trishna, the eldest, had always been the cautious one, her maturity a shield against the uncertainties life had thrown their way. Devangi, with her carefree spirit, had a knack for turning every challenge into a game, her laughter a constant presence. And Sameera—the quiet force among them—carried a fierce determination beneath her composed exterior, her mind always searching for the next great discovery.

With much coaxing, Trishna finally relented, and they advanced toward the mysterious glow. Sameera took the lead, her fingers pushing aside the tangle of vines. As the last of the creepers fell away, they found themselves staring at something none of them had ever seen before.

A door.

Its surface was ancient, carved with intricate symbols and patterns, weathered by time yet strangely untouched by decay. The dull yellow light seeped through the fine cracks along its edges, pulsating as though the door itself breathed.

"Where does this lead?" Trishna asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Sameera’s brows knitted together in confusion. "I’ve come here so many times, but I’ve never seen this door before."

Devangi shrugged, stepping forward with a daring grin. "Well, there’s only one way to find out."

Trishna immediately objected, but Sameera sided with Devangi. "It’s been too long since I had some adventure," she admitted, a flicker of excitement crossing her features.

Devangi eagerly grabbed the handle and pulled. The door didn’t budge. Trishna tried next, straining against the weight, but the door refused to move.

"Maybe it’s sealed shut," Trishna suggested, exhaling in frustration.

Sameera, however, wasn’t ready to give up just yet. "Let me try," she said, stepping forward.

The moment her fingers wrapped around the handle, the door swung open effortlessly, as though it had been waiting for her. A burst of golden-white light flooded out, obscuring their vision.

Sameera turned to her friends, a teasing smirk on her lips. "Seriously? You couldn’t open this?"

Trishna and Devangi exchanged a bewildered look, but before they could say anything, Sameera turned back toward the now-open doorway.

Beyond it, there was only light. A strange, inviting brilliance that made it impossible to see what lay on the other side.

Without hesitation, Sameera stepped through.

Devangi, ever the adventurer, followed close behind.

Trishna hesitated only a second longer before sighing and stepping through after them.

As soon as all three crossed the threshold, the door behind them slammed shut with a resounding thud—and disappeared.

A wave of brightness engulfed them, making it impossible to see, impossible to breathe, impossible to think.

Then, as suddenly as it had come, the light faded.

And they were standing in the middle of a vast, unfamiliar forest.

The three girls blinked rapidly as their vision adjusted to the overwhelming brightness. A crisp breeze carried the scent of damp earth, wildflowers, and something older—something untouched by time. The golden light that had blinded them moments ago had vanished, replaced by towering trees whose dense canopies barely allowed the silver moonlight to seep through. Shadows stretched across the ground, dancing with every whisper of the wind.

The air was different—thicker, heavier, charged with an unfamiliar energy. There were no distant hums of city life, no honking of cars, no buzzing of streetlamps—only the rustling of leaves and the occasional hoot of an owl. The silence was eerie yet strangely comforting.

Sameera, Devangi, and Trishna took slow, cautious steps forward, their gazes darting from one towering tree to another. But before they could focus on the unfamiliar landscape, something else caught their attention—something that sent a shiver down their spines.

Their clothes had changed.

Devangi gasped as she looked down at herself, no longer clad in the denim jacket, jeans, and pink top she had worn moments ago. Instead, a breathtaking blue embroidered lehenga with a matching V-neck blouse clung to her frame. The delicate pink dupatta draped over her right shoulder shimmered under the dim moonlight, embroidered with tiny golden patterns that gleamed when she moved.

Trishna’s breath hitched as she took in her own transformation. Her high-neck brown sweater and beige pants had vanished, replaced by a flowing lehenga in deep cedar and pine hues, floral patterns woven into the luxurious fabric. The weight of the traditional outfit was foreign against her skin, but it fit her as though it had always belonged to her.

Sameera was the last to look down. Her once-modern pink chiffon dress had transformed into an opulent chanderi and organza-lined lehenga in shades of blush and gold. The embroidered V-neck blouse was regal, and the sheer dupatta, which hung over her right shoulder like a saree pallu, sparkled faintly, catching the light.

The three girls exchanged bewildered glances.

"This... this is not normal," Trishna murmured, running her fingers over the intricate embroidery on her skirt. "How did our clothes change?"

Devangi spun in place, letting the fabric of her lehenga swirl around her. "This is insane... but also kind of exciting," she admitted, a glint of exhilaration in her eyes.

Sameera, however, remained still, her brows furrowed as she tried to piece together the situation. "This place... this isn’t just some illusion. It feels real." She turned her gaze to the dense forest ahead. "We need to figure out where we are."

The three girls began walking, their ornate skirts brushing against the undergrowth. The leaves beneath their feet crunched softly, and the occasional flicker of fireflies cast an ethereal glow on their path. The deeper they ventured into the forest, the more the air seemed to shift—ancient, filled with whispers of a time long forgotten.

Then, the sound of hooves.

The rhythmic gallop of horses echoed through the night, breaking the stillness of the forest. The girls froze, their breath hitching. Someone was coming.

A moment later, through the parting trees, an armored man on horseback emerged. His figure was imposing, clad in dark steel and draped in a royal blue sash. A gleaming sword rested at his side, and his eyes, sharp and calculating, scanned the surroundings until they settled on them.

The horse neighed, its powerful form illuminated by the moonlight as the man dismounted in one fluid motion. The three girls stiffened as he strode toward them, the metallic clink of his armor sending chills down their spines. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes held something strange—relief.

He stopped directly in front of them, his gaze fixed on Sameera.

"Finally," he exhaled, his voice deep and authoritative. "We found you, princess."

A heavy silence followed.

Sameera, Devangi, and Trishna exchanged uneasy glances. Princess?

Sameera frowned, stepping slightly back. "I’m sorry," she said, her voice cautious but firm. "Who are you?"

The armored man’s expression flickered with confusion, as though the question itself was incomprehensible. "Princess, I am the Commander-in-Chief," he said slowly, as if explaining to a child. "Have you forgotten me? We have been searching for you for four years."

Sameera’s lips parted slightly, but no words came.

Four years?

Something wasn’t right.

"I think there’s been a mistake," she said, shaking her head. "I’m not a princess. My name is Sameera."

The commander stiffened at the unfamiliar name. His confusion deepened, his brows furrowing. "Princess Samyukta... You left the palace that night and disappeared without a trace. No one has seen you since." His voice was edged with disbelief. "We sent word to your father—King Narayan—that you have been found."

King Narayan.

The name sent a jolt through Sameera’s mind, something stirring deep in her memory. She had heard that name before... but where?

Before she could process it, Trishna suddenly stepped forward. "Sir," she said quickly, her voice steady. "We found her unconscious in the forest. She has lost her memories."

Sameera turned to Trishna, startled, but Trishna discreetly signaled for her to play along.

Devangi caught on instantly. "Yes!" she added, nodding vigorously. "When she woke up, she was asking things like ‘Who am I? Where am I?’ We didn’t know her real name, so we called her Sameera."

The commander studied them, his sharp eyes calculating. For a tense moment, they feared he wouldn’t believe them. Then, he exhaled and nodded. "I see..." He turned to Trishna and Devangi. "Who are you two, devi?"

"I am Trishna, and she is Devangi," Trishna answered without hesitation. "We are banjarans. We have been living near this forest for years."

The commander’s rigid stance softened. "You have done a great service by caring for the princess. You will be rewarded." He gestured toward the path. "Come with us to the palace."

Trishna hesitated only for a moment before nodding. Given the situation, blending in seemed like the safest option. Devangi, though outwardly excited by the turn of events, was also beginning to grasp the gravity of their predicament. Meanwhile, Sameera was trying to suppress the growing unease in her chest.

As they followed the commander through the forest, the moonlight glinted off the ancient stone walls of a distant kingdom. The grand entrance loomed ahead, torches flickering along its high fortifications.

They were almost there.

Sameera, her heart pounding, whispered under her breath, "I know where we are."

Devangi glanced at her, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. "Where?"

Sameera swallowed, her gaze locked on the imposing walls before them.

"In Suryapur."