The Secret of the Vilom Forest

Chapter 82 — The Realm of Exit and the Exit Gate
After successfully completing the final test of the Triya Realm, Princess Triya led Sagar and Shanti to an ancient path situated behind the palace.
After walking a short distance, the dense forest suddenly came to an end. A vast realm appeared before them, with words inscribed in gold letters above its entrance—
“The Realm of Exit”
Sagar asked in astonishment,
“Is this the way out of the Forest of Inversions?”
Triya replied,
“Yes. But remember—the Realm of Exit is merely the final stage; the Exit Gate lies beyond it.”
The two entered the realm. Symbols representing all the realms they had visited so far were displayed there—Sound, Sight, Attire, Smile, and the emblem of the Triya Realm.
In the center of the realm stood a massive stone Exit Gate. Inscribed upon it were the words—
“Only those who understand their transformed selves and accept their identity may pass through this gate.”
Sagar and Shanti stood before the gate.
Sagar looked at his transformed, feminine-like form and said,
“Throughout this journey, I have witnessed significant changes in my body, voice, emotions, and preferences. Yet, I understand myself better now than ever before.”
Shanti said,
“And so do I. Even though our forms have changed, the journey and the decisions remain our own.”
Suddenly, a brilliant light spread across the gate.
The Exit Gate began to open slowly.
But what lay beyond it—that remained a mystery.
Chapter 82 — The Exit Kingdom and the Exit Gate
After successfully completing the final test of the Triya Kingdom, Princess Triya led Sagar and Shanti to an ancient path located behind the palace.
After walking a short distance, the dense forest suddenly ended. A vast kingdom appeared before them, with words inscribed in gold letters above its entrance—
“The Exit Kingdom”
Sagar asked in surprise,
“Is this the way out of the Vilom Forest?”
Triya replied,
“Yes. But remember—the Exit Kingdom is merely the final stop; the Exit Gate lies beyond it.”
The two entered the kingdom. Symbols representing all the kingdoms they had visited so far were displayed there—signs of Sound, Sight, Attire, Smile, and the Triya Kingdom.
In the center of the kingdom stood a massive stone Exit Gate. Inscribed upon it were the words—
“Only those who understand their transformed selves and accept their identity can pass through this gate.”
Sagar and Shanti stood before the gate.
Sagar looked at his transformed, feminine-like form and said,
“Throughout this journey, I have witnessed many changes in my body, voice, emotions, and preferences. Yet, I understand myself better now than ever before.”
Shanti said,
“And so do I. Even though our forms have changed, the journey and the decisions we made remain truly our own.”
Suddenly, light spread across the gate.
The Exit Gate began to open slowly.
But what lay beyond it—that remained a mystery.
The final secret of the Vilom Forest now lay revealed.
Chapter 83 — The Waterfall of Victory
Upon passing through the Exit Gate, Sagar and Shanti arrived in a vast valley. Before them, a stream of water, white as milk, cascaded down from between the mountains.
Princess Rati said—
“This is the Waterfall of Victory. It is the final stop for travelers who have completed the journey through the Vilom Forest.”
A rainbow was forming over the waterfall's waters. Nearby, an inscription on a stone read—
“He who has understood himself is the true victor.” Sagar approached the waterfall. As soon as he touched the water, memories of his entire journey flashed before him—the library in Delhi, the trip to Assam, his marriage to Shanti, and the trials of Dhvani Rajya, Nayanvarta, Vastramool, and Kamarati.
Shanti came and stood beside him.
Sagar said,
“We came here as different people... and now, perhaps, we are no longer the same as we were before.”
Shanti smiled and said,
“But we learned so much about ourselves.”
Both of them washed their faces with the water from the falls. Just then, a golden light appeared behind the waterfall.
Rati said,
“This is a sign of victory. You both have completed the trials of the Vilom Forest.”
Sagar and Shanti looked at each other.
Their long journey had now entered its final chapter.
Chapter 84 — Bathing in the Waterfall of Victory
Standing before the Waterfall of Victory, Sagar sensed that the energy of this place was distinct from the rest of the Vilom Forest. Rati said,
“This waterfall soothes the mind, not the body. If you wish, you can bathe in its pristine waters and relive the memories of your journey.”
Sagar stepped beneath the waterfall. As the cool water cascaded over him, emotions that had long been suppressed within him began to surface, one by one.
The feminine aspects of his nature no longer felt alien to him. Instead of viewing them with fear or confusion, he began to embrace them as an integral part of his own experience.
Closing his eyes, Sagar reflected,
“I watched my form change, heard my voice alter, and felt my emotions shift. Perhaps the purpose of this journey was not to bind me to a single form, but to understand myself.”
Shanti stood by the edge of the waterfall and said,
“Sagar, your greatest victory lies in accepting and understanding what you feel.”
The water of the waterfall began to shimmer. The restlessness in Sagar’s mind gradually faded away.
The Waterfall of Victory did not grant him a new form; instead, it gave him the strength to calmly accept his changing appearance and emotions.
Rati smiled.
“Now, you have truly achieved victory.”
Chapter 85 — Sagar’s Return
After bidding farewell to the Waterfall of Victory, Sagar and Shanti set out to return to the tribal settlement where their journey into the Vilom Forest had begun.
After hours of travel, the tribespeople rejoiced upon seeing them approach from a distance.
However, when Sagar stood before them, everyone fell silent for a moment.
Due to the influence of the Vilom Forest, Sagar now appeared entirely in a female form. His features, voice, and attire were completely different from before.
The chieftain asked in astonishment,
“Is this the same Sagar who left our tribe for the Vilom Forest?” Shanti replied,
“Yes. Your appearance has changed, but you are still the same Sagar.”
Sagar smiled and said,
“I have returned. My journey has changed me greatly, but I have learned so much about myself.”
Shanti, representing the tribe, stepped forward to welcome Sagar.
The chief said,
“You have returned after passing the trial of the Forest of Opposites. You shall be welcomed as a victor.”
The tribespeople began preparations for a celebration in his honor.
Sagar looked around in his new form and thought to himself—
“This is not the end of my journey; perhaps it is a new beginning.”
Chapter 86 — The Magical Fruit in Sagar’s Hand
After being welcomed into the tribe, Sagar and Shanti were summoned by the chief to an ancient temple. In the center of the temple stood a massive tree; a glowing fruit hung from just one of its branches.
The chief said,
“This is the *Vilom* Fruit. It can only be touched by someone who has completed all the trials of the *Vilom* Forest.”
Sagar reached out his hand.
The moment he touched the fruit, a golden light spread across his hand. The symbols etched on the fruit began to glow, and the sound of soft chimes echoed throughout the temple.
Shanti asked in amazement,
“Can this fruit reverse your transformation?”
The chief said gravely,
“Its power isn't merely about changing the body. It helps a person understand their true desire and true identity.”
Sagar gazed intently at the fruit.
Two luminous visions appeared before him—in one, he was in his former male form, and in the other, his current female form.
Sagar looked at both visions and said,
“I won’t choose one form simply because it is old or new. First, I must understand what I truly desire.”
The fruit’s glow intensified.
The chief smiled.
“That is the correct answer. The magical fruit will grant you the power to choose, but the choice itself must be yours.”
Chapter 87 — Sagar’s Decision
Sagar looked closely at the magical fruit held in his hand. Golden light was radiating from it.
The chief said,
“If you accept this, the effect of the *Vilom* Forest could be undone, and your body might gradually revert to your former male form.”
Sagar remained silent for a moment. Then, he held the fruit with both hands.
“I want to return to my former form,” he said in a firm voice.
As soon as he accepted the fruit, golden light spread throughout his entire body. The changes wrought by the Vilom Forest began to fade—his voice returned to its former tone, his facial features reverted to their original form, and his body gradually shifted back to his true male self.
Shanti stood beside him.
After a while, the light vanished.
Sagar looked at his hands and face.
“I have returned to my old self.”
The Chief said,
“Yes, but remember—no magic can take away the experience and understanding that have grown within you.”
Sagar smiled.
“I have regained my old form, but the Vilom Forest has taught me a great deal about myself.”
Shanti said,
“And our friendship remains just as it was.”
Both of them smiled.
Sagar’s journey through the Vilom Forest had finally reached a new turning point.
Chapter 88 — Farewell to Vilom Van
Sagar had finally regained his original male form. Now, he was ready to bid farewell to Vilom Van.
The tribespeople came to see him off at the edge of the forest. Rajesh had arrived there as well; seeing his friend after such a long time, he embraced Sagar.
“Man, your journey was like a dream!”
Sagar smiled and replied,
“Not a dream, Rajesh... but an experience I will never forget.”
His wife, Shanti, was standing beside them. Together, they turned to look back at Vilom Van one last time.
The dense forest was silent. In the distance, the sound of the Vijay Waterfall could be heard.
The chieftain said,
“Sagar, you came here as a seeker. But you are leaving having discovered a great deal about yourself. Think carefully before revealing the secrets of this forest to anyone else.”
Sagar bowed his head and said,
“I will keep the secrets of this forest and its people safe.”
Rajesh picked up his belongings.
“Come, let’s head back home now!”
Sagar held Shanti’s hand and set out of the forest with Rajesh.
The massive gate of Vilom Van slowly closed behind them.
Sagar looked back one last time and said—
“Farewell, Vilom Van. You didn't just change me; you helped me understand myself.”
The three of them moved forward.
Their long journey had come to an end—but a new story in Sagar’s life was just about to begin.