The Shah of the Old Ones

Chapter 11 – Disguises, Doubts, and Dumbass Friends

The road leading into the town of Ghanekhadi was quiet, the hills casting long shadows as the sun began to set. Their car rolled smoothly down the narrow roads before pulling into the parking lot of a modest-looking hotel.

Mithra had chosen it.

As the group stepped out of the vehicle, the three boys—Yash, Abhishek, and Samay—exchanged silent glances before turning to Mithra with a collective, judgmental stare.

"Seriously? This is where we're staying?" Yash asked, unimpressed.

Abhishek crossed his arms. "No offense, but you're the heiress of the Varma family. I expected at least a five-star resort."

Samay adjusted his glasses, looking at the cracked walls of the hotel. "Yeah, this place is barely three stars. At best."

Mithra remained unbothered, stepping forward toward the entrance. "We're not here for a vacation," she said flatly. "This is a reconnaissance mission. We need to keep a low profile."

Yash raised an eyebrow. "Low profile? You do realize you three are basically celebrities in the supernatural world, right?" He gestured between Mithra, Abhishek, and Samay. "I mean, let's be real—if anyone sees you, they're gonna know something big is up."

Mithra smirked. "That's why I had Abhishek bring disguise amulets for us."

Abhishek reached into his pocket and pulled out three small metallic charms. He handed one to Mithra and then tossed one to Samay.

Yash watched this exchange, arms still crossed. "Uh-huh. And where's mine?"

Abhishek smirked. "Oh, you don't need one. You're nobody in the supernatural world."

Yash's eye twitched. "Oh? Is that so?"

"Yeah, I mean, no one really—"

Yash cut him off, his expression darkening. "Abhishek, do you know what I could do to all of your collections back home?"

Abhishek paled instantly, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "Wait—bro—"

"I could turn your entire stash of cultured material into dust. Every single one of them."

Abhishek gulped. "You wouldn't."

Yash leaned closer, his grin sinister. "Oh, I absolutely would."

Samay, watching from the sidelines, shook his head. "I'd be more scared of Yash than actual supernatural threats."

Abhishek, now properly terrified, immediately fished another amulet out of his pocket and handed it over. "Here, take it! No need for such drastic measures!"

Yash snatched the amulet, smirking. "That's what I thought."

Mithra sighed, watching the ridiculous exchange. What kind of idiots have I surrounded myself with?

With that settled, they all checked in, got their keycards, and headed up to their rooms. Mithra had only booked two rooms—one for herself, and one for the three boys.

The boys once again shot her a look.

Mithra just shrugged. "This isn't a luxury trip. Suck it up."

Inside their shared room, the trio of friends settled in. Yash sprawled across one of the beds, hands behind his head. Samay sat at the desk, casually scrolling through his phone, while Abhishek was in the bathroom, washing his face.

As Yash stared at the ceiling, an uneasy feeling crept up his spine. He frowned.

"…Something feels off," he muttered.

Samay looked up. "What do you mean?"

"I don't know," Yash admitted. "It's just a gut feeling. This whole situation… it's weird." He turned to the side, looking at Samay. "Mithra isn't telling us everything."

Abhishek stepped out of the bathroom, drying his face with a towel. "You sure? Maybe she just doesn't trust you yet."

"No, it's not that," Yash sat up, his expression unusually serious. "I don't have all the pieces, but something's wrong. If we're walking into something dangerous, I need to know exactly how bad it is."

The room fell silent.

Then, Yash turned to his friends. "Tell me about your families. Any incidents, anything unusual happening recently?"

Abhishek and Samay subconsciously straightened up. They knew this side of Yash—the strategist, the guy who could take in chaos and make sense of it. In school, even when they pulled reckless stunts, it was always Yash who kept them from getting caught.

"…You're serious about this," Abhishek muttered.

Yash nodded. "Yeah. Spill."

Samay sighed and pushed up his glasses. "Alright. You know my family's connection to Indra, right?"

Yash nodded. "The lightning-wielding warriors, yeah. What about it?"

Samay's face darkened. "Lately, there's been… disturbances. Unnatural lightning storms. My family's archives recorded similar events happening centuries ago—right before a massive supernatural war."

Abhishek frowned. "Shit."

Yash processed this, then looked at Abhishek. "What about your side?"

Abhishek hesitated before answering. "…Some of the old weapons my family keeps locked away started reacting to something. We don't know what, but it's definitely not normal."

Yash rubbed his chin. "So supernatural weapons are stirring, and ancient weather patterns are repeating." He leaned back against the headboard, exhaling sharply. "Yeah. Something's definitely very wrong."

The air in the room felt heavier. None of them spoke for a moment.

Then Samay smirked. "You know, it's kinda funny."

Yash raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Samay chuckled. "No matter how chaotic things get, we still end up following you."

Abhishek grinned. "Yeah. Some things never change."

Yash rolled his eyes. "Tch. Idiots." But there was a faint smile on his face.

Meanwhile…

Outside, Mithra's bodyguard sat in the parked car, speaking into his phone. His deep voice was low and measured.

"Yes, ma'am. Everything is proceeding as expected."

A brief pause.

"…Yes. He is exactly as you described."

Another pause.

"…I understand. I will continue to monitor him closely."

The call ended. The bodyguard remained silent, staring into the night.

In her private room, Mithra stood in the shower, letting the warm water run down her body.

But her mind wasn't at peace.

Her thoughts drifted back to him.

Yash.

His confident stance when he confronted her.

His laughter when he reunited with his friends.

His peaceful sleeping face in the car.

Mithra clenched her fists.

She had spent her entire life preparing to lead her family, to rule as the heir of the Varma dynasty. She had never been treated as just a girl. Not even once.

So why…?

Why did Yash's presence bother her so much?

She scowled, shaking her head. This is foolishness.

Yet… she couldn't deny the strange, unfamiliar tug in her chest.

"…Annoying," she muttered.

Deep within the forests surrounding Ghanekhadi, a secret camp lay hidden in the shadows.

Several robed figures stood in a circle, whispering amongst themselves.

A dim fire crackled in the center. The air was thick with tension.

Then, one of them spoke.

And in the darkness, something stirred.

After freshening up, the four gathered in Mithra's room.

"We'll act like tourists and gather intel," Mithra explained. "We split into two groups."

Before Yash could argue, Abhishek suddenly clapped his hands together. "Oh! Yash, you should go with Mithra. Since you are new all of this who better than Mithra to guide you."

Mithra blinked. "That makes sense."

Yash immediately shot Abhishek and Samay a knowing look.

The three of them smirked.

Yash sighed dramatically. "Wow. What great friends I have."

Samay grinned. "You're welcome."

Mithra, oblivious to the exchange, nodded. "Good. Then let's move."

As they stepped out, Abhishek whispered to Samay. "Think this'll finally push them together?"

Samay adjusted his glasses. "Either that or Yash dies. Either way, entertaining."

With that, their plan was set.

And chaos was guaranteed.

-[End]-