The Secret of the Vilom Forest

Chapter 28 — The Truth of the Mirror
Mirrors were gleaming continuously in that mysterious chamber of the Roopvati Kingdom. As soon as Sagar and Shanti looked into them, they were both left stunned for a moment.
In the mirror, Sagar appeared as a woman, while beside him, Shanti appeared as a man.
Sagar gazed at his reflection in astonishment.
“Is this... me?”
Shanti, too, looked at her reflection and said,
“And this is me... as a man?”
Princess Rupa stood calmly.
“This is the illusion of form. The mirrors are showing you the guise that the Vilom Forest intends to transform you into.”
Sagar immediately looked down at his body. He recalled that certain changes had already begun to occur in his physique back in the Shringar Kingdom.
Shanti took his hand.
“Sagar, do not panic. We decided along the way that no matter what happens to us, we would never abandon each other.”
Sagar looked at her and said firmly,
“Yes. Even if the Vilom Forest changes us, it will not alter our bond.”
Princess Rupa listened to them and said,
“That was the very purpose of this test. The Vilom Forest may alter physical forms, but the two of you define your relationship through your own choices.”
The glow of the mirrors began to fade gradually.
Sagar and Shanti kept holding each other's hands.
They now understood that the journey ahead through the Vilom Forest would test them not only with the wilderness itself but also with their own transforming forms.
Chapter 29 — Subtle Changes
After leaving the Mirrors of the Kingdom of Rupvati behind, Sagar and Shanti sat for a while in a quiet chamber of the palace.
Sagar looked at his hands. His skin felt even softer than before. A very subtle change was also visible in the contours of his face.
Shanti, too, sensed that minor changes had begun in her body. The lines of her face had shifted slightly, and there was a faint change in her voice.
The two looked at each other.
Sagar said,
“It seems the effect of the Vilom Forest is gradually intensifying.”
Shanti replied in a calm voice,
“Yes. But for now, these are very subtle changes.”
Princess Rupa approached them and said,
“This is only the beginning. Changes in the Vilom Forest do not always happen abruptly. Sometimes they unfold gradually, allowing the individual to comprehend their transforming self.”
Sagar asked,
“Can these changes be reversed?”
Rupa said gravely,
“You will find the answer to that in the kingdoms that lie ahead. The Vilom Forest tests every traveler in a unique way.”
Sagar and Shanti clasped each other's hands.
They knew that the transformation of their bodies had begun, yet their resolve remained unchanged—
Whatever changes came their way, they would face them together.
Chapter 30 — A New Kingdom
The next morning, Sagar and Shanti prepared to move beyond the Kingdom of Rupvati. Princess Rupa came to see them off at the kingdom's border.
Rupa said,
“Now, the next phase of your journey begins. The kingdom ahead is completely different from the previous two.”
Sagar asked, “What is the name of that kingdom?”
Gazing toward the forest stretching into the distance, Rupa said,
“It is called the Kingdom of Kalyani.”
Shanti asked,
“What kind of test will we have to face there?”
Rupa said with a gentle smile,
“I cannot say. The Vilom Forest presents every traveler with their own unique test.”
Sagar and Shanti began to move forward.
After walking through the dense forest for a long time, a golden light became visible amidst the trees. As they advanced, a massive stone gateway appeared before them.
Inscribed on the gateway were the words—
“Welcome to the Kingdom of Kalyani.”
The gateway opened on its own.
Sagar and Shanti looked at each other and stepped inside.
Little did they know that the Kingdom of Kalyani held the most difficult test of the Vilom Forest yet in store for them.
Chapter 31 — Princess Sura
Upon entering the Kingdom of Kalyani, Sagar and Shanti noticed that it was vastly different from the other two kingdoms. The atmosphere here was serene, and paths adorned with white flowers could be seen all around.
Just then, a regal young woman emerged from the palace's main gate.
Approaching Sagar and Shanti, she said,
“Welcome to the Kingdom of Kalyani. I am Princess Sura.”
Sagar and Shanti greeted her respectfully.
Sura observed them closely. Then, her gaze fell upon Sagar’s face and hands.
“The effects of the Vilom Forest have already begun to manifest in both of you,” she said.
Sagar asked,
“How do you know?”
Sura replied,
“We can perceive the changes occurring within every traveler who enters the Kingdom of Kalyani.”
Shanti asked,
“Will our bodies continue to undergo changes?”
Sura spoke in a serious tone:
“Yes. But remember—the Vilom Forest does not merely alter the body; it also tests a person’s patience, identity, and decisions.”
Sagar stated firmly,
“We will complete our journey.”
Sura smiled.
“Then you must undergo the trial of my kingdom. Only if you succeed will the path forward open up.”
Sura gestured toward the palace's massive gate.
“Come. Your next trial begins there.”
Sagar and Shanti exchanged glances and followed Princess Sura toward the palace.
Chapter 32 — The Waterfall of Sherbet
Princess Sura took Sagar and Shanti to a unique location within the Kingdom of Kalyani. Far from the palace lay a beautiful valley, where colorful flowers bloomed all around.
In the center of the valley, a waterfall—sweet and fragrant like *sherbet*—flowed from a high cliff. Its stream cascaded down into a crystal-clear pond.
Sagar asked in amazement,
“What kind of waterfall is this?”
Sura smiled.
“This is known as the Waterfall of Sherbet. It is one of the oldest, most mysterious places in the Kingdom of Kalyani.”
Shanti asked,
“Is this also connected to the Forest of Opposites?”
Sura nodded.
“Yes. The water of this fall is no ordinary water. It is said that whoever drinks it sees their hidden desires and emotions revealed clearly for a time.”
Sagar gazed intently at the waterfall.
“So, is this a test as well?”
Sura replied,
“Indeed. But in this test, you must understand your own mind.”
The sweet stream of the waterfall flowed ceaselessly. Its sound brought a sense of calm to the entire atmosphere.
Sagar and Shanti exchanged glances.
They realized that the next test of the Kingdom of Kalyani was about to begin.
Chapter 33 — Beyond the Waterfall
Princess Sura gestured for Sagar to approach the waterfall.
“Sagar, cross this waterfall and go to the other side. This is the first stage of your test.”
Sagar slowly moved forward, passing beneath the stream of the sherbet waterfall. Sweet droplets fell upon his body, and within moments, he reached the other side.
As soon as he stepped out, a delicate, sweet fragrance—like that of roses—suddenly wafted around him.
Shanti exclaimed in surprise,
“Sagar, the scent of roses is coming from your body!”
Sagar sniffed his hand. Indeed, a faint rose fragrance was emanating from him.
Princess Sura smiled.
“That is the secret of Kalyani’s sherbet waterfall. It does not merely touch the body; it leaves behind a mark of its influence.”
Sagar asked,
“Is this also part of the transformation caused by the Vilom Forest?”
Sura replied,
“Perhaps. Every change in this forest carries a sign. As you move forward, you must learn to understand these signs.”
Shanti stepped closer to Sagar.
“The fragrance is pleasant, but I feel that the influence of the Vilom Forest is steadily growing.”
Sagar said in a calm voice,
“Whatever the case, we shall continue our journey.”
The two looked at each other and prepared to move forward.
Chapter 34 — Aromatic Meal
After completing the waterfall trial, Princess Sura brought Sagar and Shanti back to the royal palace of the Kalyani Kingdom.
Upon entering the palace dining hall, both of them sensed a wonderful aroma all around. A variety of traditional dishes were laid out on the table. Each dish exuded a unique fragrance, filling the entire room with a delightful scent.
Sura said,
“This is the Kalyani Kingdom’s special aromatic cuisine. We welcome our guests with this very meal.”
Sagar and Shanti sat down to eat.
As soon as Sagar tasted the first dish, a look of surprise appeared on his face.
“It tastes completely unique.”
Sura smiled.
“This meal incorporates the fragrances of our kingdom’s special flowers and herbs.”
While eating, Sagar once again felt a subtle change within his body. The scent of roses around him became slightly more distinct than before.
Shanti remarked,
“It seems the effect of the waterfall is still lingering.”
Sura replied seriously,
“Some effects in the Vilom Forest do not vanish immediately. They stay with a person until the next stage.”
After the meal, Sura asked them to look out the palace window.
A new path was visible in the distance.
“Tomorrow, your journey will proceed toward the next kingdom,” Sura said.
Sagar safely tucked the ‘Van Parv’ into his bag.
The mystery of the Vilom Forest was deepening with every step.
Chapter 35 — A New Change
After consuming the aromatic food of the Kalyani Kingdom, Sagar felt another change occurring in his body.
He noticed that his physique was gradually altering compared to before; a slight, feminine development was beginning to show in his chest. Sagar fell silent for a moment.
Noticing the concern on his face, Shanti asked,
“What happened?”
Sagar said in a low voice,
“It seems the influence of the Vilom Forest is becoming more apparent now.”
Princess Sura also observed this change and spoke seriously,
“This transformation is part of that very process. The Vilom Forest is gradually reshaping your body according to its own laws.”
Sagar took a deep breath.
“So, there could be further changes?”
Sura replied,
“Yes, but every change will happen gradually. There is no need for you to panic.”
Shanti held Sagar’s hand and said,
“We decided right at the beginning that no matter what changes occurred in your body or mine, we would never part ways.”
Sagar nodded.
He was beginning to realize that the power of the Vilom Forest was not merely an illusion.
Transformations had truly begun to take place in his body.
Chapter 36 — The Kingdom of Sound
The next morning, Sagar and Shanti set out on the next leg of their journey from the Kingdom of Kalyani. Princess Sura came to see them off at the kingdom's border.
Sura said,
“Your next destination is—the Kingdom of Sound.”
Sagar asked, “What is special about the Kingdom of Sound?”
Sura replied,
“There, you will have to rely more on your ears than your eyes. In that kingdom, sounds show the way, and they will also put you to the test.”
Shanti looked at Sagar.
“Then we must be very careful.”
The two moved forward. After some time, the atmosphere of the forest began to change. A strange vibration could be felt in the air, and sounds resembling music, bells, and whispers began to drift in from various directions.
Finally, a massive stone gateway appeared before them.
Inscribed on the gateway were the words—
“Welcome to the Kingdom of Sound.”
As soon as Sagar and Shanti crossed the gateway, the path behind them fell suddenly silent.
A melodious voice called out from ahead—
“Welcome, travelers.”
The two looked around, but no one was visible.
Sagar said,
“The voice came from right nearby... yet there is no one here.”
Shanti held his hand.
Just then, multiple voices began to echo all around them simultaneously.
“Sagar...”
“Shanti...”
“Come this way...”
Both of them realized that the test of the Kingdom of Sound had begun.