The first part of the journey felt easy. Aarav walked through fields he knew, crossed the hill he had visited countless times, and smiled as he saw the horizon getting closer.
But beyond that—
The world changed.
The air became colder. The trees grew taller and denser.
Sunlight barely reached the ground.
This was the Forest of Whispers.
At first, everything was silent.
Then slowly…
He heard something.
A faint voice.
Then another.
"You don't belong here…"
"Go back…"
"You'll fail…"
Aarav's heart started racing.
He looked around—no one was there.
The voices grew louder.
"You're weak…"
"You're just a boy…"
Fear gripped him.
He wanted to run.
But then he remembered something—
Mr. Sharma's words.
"It depends on whether you follow your curiosity…"
Aarav stopped.
Closed his eyes.
And said firmly,
"These are just my fears. They are not real."
Slowly…
The voices faded.
The forest became silent again.
Aarav opened his eyes.
For the first time—
He felt brave.