Chapter 68 (Part 20 )
The dust faded.
The sky cleared.
The ancient labyrinth collapsed behind them like a dying titan's final sigh.
For the first time in days…
Everything felt calm.
The danger was over.
Or so Alok thought.
Return Home
The group walked down the forest road, bodies aching, clothes ripped, faces bruised and exhausted. Rihan carried most of the gear while Alok struggled to stay awake, still drained from the pendant's power.
Tiru kept glancing at the pendant on Alok's chest.
Tiru: "Do you think… it's safe now?"
Rihan: "Safe? After what I saw inside there?
Nothing about that pendant is safe."
Alok forced a weak smile.
Alok: "Relax… after all this, we just need sleep.
Everything's over."
But the pendant pulsed once.
A faint violet echo.
As if whispering No… it's not.
They didn't notice.
Arrival at Alok's Home
When they finally reached Alok's house, evening lights glowed softly inside. It looked peaceful. Ordinary. Completely unaware that two boys just fought a god-level fragment inside an ancient labyrinth.
Alok opened the door.
And instantly
MOTHER MODE: ACTIVATED.
His mom stood in the middle of the living room with crossed arms, slipper in hand, eyebrows in their final evolution form.
The crushing aura she released
Even Extera would've bowed.
Mom: "ALO-KA… where. have. you. been.
Your seven-day vacation became TEN DAYS!
Your phone did not answer!
I called Rihan's mother also NO ANSWER!
Your friends took you to dangerous places?!"
Rihan stepped back.
Tiru hid behind him.
Sela and Kaile looked like they were facing their true final boss.
Alok raised his hands weakly.
Alok: "Ammm… Mom… listen, I can explain "
Mom: "EXPLAIN?!
You think I didn't worry?
You think I slept?
You think I didn't imagine you boys being eaten by a lion, a ghost, a demon, AND a crocodile?!!!"
Rihan whispered:
Rihan: "Honestly… only one of those is correct."
Sela elbowed him to shut up.
Alok tried again.
Alok: "Mom, it was… complicated. We found the Sigiriya"
Mom: "If you say 'labyrinth' one more time, I swear I'll build one and LOCK YOU INSIDE!"
Rihan whispered:
Rihan: "Okay, she's scarier than Extera."
Alok Explains Everything
Eventually, after 15 minutes of yelling, pacing, and slipper-swinging, she calmed enough to hear the truth.
Not the divine parts.
Not the pendant.
Not the hunter.
Just the basic version:
They got lost.
They found dangerous ruins.
They barely survived.
They helped each other.
The more Alok spoke, the more her face softened.
When he finished, she hugged him tightly.
A trembling hug.
A scared hug.
Mom: "Don't ever do something that dangerous again…
You could've died, putha…"
Alok hugged her back, silently promising nothing because he knew the danger wasn't over.
But he didn't want her to worry anymore.
Alok: "I'm sorry, mom."
She sighed.
Then turned to the rest of the group.
Mom: "You children too.
Next time tell parents where you go!"
Every single one of them nodded like soldiers taking orders
The Morning of Reckoning
Alok woke to the harsh sunlight cutting through his blinds.
His body screamed in pain muscles stiff from the previous battles.
Even the pendant on his chest seemed heavier than ever, pulsating faintly with life.
Then came the voice he dreaded the most:
"ALOK! COME DOWN NOW!"
His mother's tone was sharp enough to slice steel.
Alok groaned and swung his legs over the bed, careful not to fall.
His feet touched the cold floor, and reality hit him harder than any battle had he was in trouble at home.
Downstairs, the living room had transformed into a courtroom.
His mother stood with arms crossed, eyebrows furrowed.
His father was silent but stern.
Rihan, ever the brave companion, hovered awkwardly near the corner, clearly trying to look useful.
Mom: "Alok… do you know what day it is?"
Alok: "…uh… Friday?"
Mom (glaring): "You were supposed to return from your seven-day vacation ten days ago. Ten. Days. And you didn't answer your phone."
Alok opened his mouth.
Alok: "I… I got trapped in… I mean"
Mom (cutting him off): "No. No excuses! I don't want to hear stories of labyrinths, monsters, or magic powers right now. You disobeyed, you vanished, and your phone didn't answer once!"
Rihan cleared his throat.
Rihan: "Auntie… I swear, it's true. We were in serious danger."
Mom: "I don't care. Danger or not, you are punished."
Alok's knees wobbled. "No… please, not like this…"
Mom: "Punishments start today. You will follow them without complaint."
The Punishments Declared:
1. Phone confiscated for two weeks no exceptions.
2. No video games or entertainment of any kind.
3. Must complete all extra homework assigned by teachers, and double-check it.
4. No late-night outings, no staying out past 8 p.m.
5. Early bedtime lights out by 9:30 p.m.
6. Chores around the house including washing dishes, cleaning the yard, and organizing his little brother's toys.
Alok slumped into the sofa, defeated.
Even Rihan whispered:
"Bro… worse than fighting Extera."
Alok (groaning): "Much worse…"