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Chapter 52
The Temptation of Gold
The great monkey continued sleeping peacefully on the massive stone slab. His chest rose and fell in slow, deep breaths that sent gentle waves of warm air drifting through the hall. Each breath felt calm and steady, like the quiet heartbeat of the ancient temple itself.
But for a brief moment—one of his eyes opened slightly.
Just a tiny movement.
A silent glance filled with quiet wisdom and kindness, like an old friend checking on loved ones from afar.
Then it slowly closed again.
The children never noticed.
But Suyodhana felt something.
A small spark of warmth stirred inside his chest, gentle and comforting, like a blessing quietly placed upon his heart. It made him stand a little taller, as if the guardian had shared a secret smile meant only for him.
After they bowed, Karna and Eklavya walked side by side for a few steps deeper into the hall. Karna glanced back once more at the sleeping guardian and spoke in a low, thoughtful voice.
"That guardian… his calm power feels like true friendship. Strong enough to protect everything, yet gentle enough to let us pass in peace."
Eklavya nodded slowly, his footsteps light upon the glowing stone floor. Soft golden light from the crystals danced around his feet like friendly fireflies.
"Yes," he said with a quiet smile. "This whole journey has been like that. Old hurts between our groups have faded away in these mountains. Suyodhana brought us together, and now the temple itself seems to welcome us as one family."
He looked around the glowing hall, his eyes filled with quiet happiness. The runes carved into the pillars pulsed softly, as if listening and agreeing with his words.
"My heart feels full, Karna. Whatever lies ahead, I'm glad we face it with you and the others."
Karna smiled.
It was a rare smile—soft and sincere—and it reached all the way to his eyes.
"And I am glad for you, brother," he said warmly. "Our bows and our hearts stay true to Suyodhana. Let's keep this peace we've found."
They shared a quick brotherly nod, their bond shining brighter than the glowing crystals around them. For a moment, the temple itself seemed to glow a little warmer, as if it was happy to witness their friendship.
Ahead of them, Suyodhana raised his hand and gestured toward the deeper parts of the temple.
"Come," he whispered.
The group quietly walked past the sleeping guardian and moved deeper into the ancient corridors. The air inside the temple grew cooler and heavier with mystery, yet it still felt safe and welcoming—like stepping into a wise grandmother's house filled with hidden wonders.
The soft golden light from the great hall slowly faded as they moved farther away, but tiny sparkling lights began appearing along the walls, guiding their way like friendly stars.
Their footsteps echoed gently against the ancient stone, the sounds bouncing softly through the corridor like cheerful little echoes greeting them.
Soon the path split.
Three large stone doorways stood before them.
Each doorway was carved with different glowing symbols that shimmered like living pictures.
The first doorway showed images of kings, crowns, and endless treasure sparkling with inner light.
The second displayed warriors holding powerful weapons and shining armor that seemed to hum with quiet strength.
The third depicted ancient sages sitting peacefully beside flowing water that shimmered like living streams, tiny ripples moving across the carved stone as if real water flowed there.
"Looks like three rooms," Bhima said, his voice filled with curiosity and wonder. He leaned forward, examining the carvings with wide eyes.
Suyodhana studied the symbols carefully. His gaze moved slowly across the glowing carvings while he thought.
A soft breeze from somewhere deep inside the temple brushed against his face, carrying the faint smell of sweet flowers and old magic.
"Let's check the first one," he said.
They approached the doorway marked with royal symbols. The door was slightly open, almost like it was inviting them inside with a friendly wink.
Suyodhana stepped forward and pushed it gently.
The heavy stone door slid aside with a deep rumbling sound, as though the temple itself was pleased to welcome them and share its secrets.
At first they could see nothing.
Only soft darkness.
Then—
A brilliant yellow light burst outward.
The sudden glow flooded the corridor. The light was so bright and warm that everyone instinctively raised their hands to shield their eyes.
It felt like stepping straight into a sunrise made of pure happiness.
For a moment, all they could see was gold.
When their vision slowly adjusted…
They froze.
Inside the chamber stood mountains of gold.
Not piles.
Mountains.
Golden coins filled the chamber like shining sand dunes stretching across the floor. The treasure shimmered and shifted slightly under the light, almost as if it were alive and breathing.
Tiny magical sparks floated above the treasure like happy fireflies, drifting through the air in playful patterns that looked almost like dancing smiles.
Treasure chests overflowed with jewels and crowns that reflected rainbow-colored light across the walls, painting everything with soft colors of wonder.
Golden statues of ancient kings stood proudly beside towering stacks of precious artifacts, their jeweled eyes gleaming as though they held secrets from forgotten ages.
Rubies glowed like friendly little flames.
Emeralds shone like pieces of deep green forests brought to life.
Diamonds glittered like captured stars scattered across the earth.
Along the walls hung beautiful armor sets—shining metal decorated with precious gems that twinkled as if eager to be worn on a grand adventure.
Royal clothes woven with golden threads hung like bright banners, glowing softly under the temple light.
The air inside the chamber felt warm and magical, carrying the faint smell of old incense and shining metal.
Everyone's hearts began to beat a little faster with excitement.
Bhima stepped forward first.
His heavy boot sank slightly into the sea of gold coins.
Coins slid and clinked around his foot with musical sounds, like tiny bells ringing happily.
"By the mountains…" he whispered, his eyes huge with wonder.
Dushashan gasped in pure delight.
"Look at all this!" he said happily, slowly spinning around so the golden light danced across his face.
Even Arjuna stood in stunned silence, his usually calm expression filled with amazement.
The golden glow spilled out from the chamber into the dark temple hallway, wrapping around the group like a warm tide of shining light.
For a moment, no one spoke.
The sight was simply too beautiful.
Suyodhana felt a quiet thrill run through him. It was impossible not to. Before them lay riches that kings might dream about for their entire lives.
But he kept walking slowly through the chamber, looking at everything carefully but calmly.
The others followed him, their eyes still shining as they walked past glowing statues and piles of treasure taller than themselves.
The deeper they walked, the more treasure they saw—necklaces sparkling like rivers of light, rings humming softly with ancient magic, and armor that seemed to whisper promises of strength.
Yet something strange waited at the far end of the chamber.
Against the back wall stood a single wooden peg.
And hanging from it…
Was a plain set of clothes.
Just simple robes.
Rough cotton cloth.
The kind of clothes a kind traveler might wear during a long journey.
There were no jewels on it.
No gold threads.
No magic glow.
Just humble cloth that looked soft and honest.
Suyodhana stopped.
For a moment he simply looked at it.
The golden chamber glittered behind him like a shining ocean of light.
And for a strange moment, it almost felt as if the treasure itself was watching him—whispering in his mind.
Not with words.
But with feelings.
Why take that?
Leave the simple cloth.
Take us instead.
Take the gold.
Become rich beyond dreams.
The coins shimmered brighter.
The jewels glowed warmly.
The golden armor seemed to shine even more brightly, calling out like old friends.
But Suyodhana reached the wall.
He gently lifted the simple robes from the peg.
The cloth felt soft and light in his hands, warm as if it had been waiting just for him.
Then he turned around.
"Let's go back," he said calmly.
No one objected.
Not one.
Bhima shrugged with a grin and turned.
Arjuna followed with a nod of quiet respect.
Karna smiled softly.
Eklavya nodded.
One by one they walked toward the exit, their hearts light.
Behind them, the golden chamber continued to glow.
The whispers seemed to grow a little stronger.
Stay.
Take the treasure.
Become kings.
But none of them turned back.
The temple itself seemed proud—as though it had tested them and liked what it saw.
Soon they stepped out of the chamber.
The heavy stone door slowly closed behind them with a deep rumbling sound, like a gentle goodbye.
The golden light faded.
The quiet temple corridor returned, filled with soft guiding sparkles.
Three doors had become two.
Suyodhana walked toward the second doorway.
This door was carved with symbols of trees and fruits that looked almost alive, their leaves seeming to sway gently on the stone.
He pushed it open.
The moment the door moved aside, a warm breeze flowed out to greet them, carrying the sweet smell of ripe fruit and fresh leaves.
Everyone blinked in surprise.
Inside was not another treasure room.
It was a forest.
A huge orchard stretched across the chamber—larger than any garden they had ever seen.
Tall trees rose high toward the ceiling, their branches filled with glowing fruits of many colors.
Some fruits shone silver like moonlight.
Others glowed golden like little suns.
Some looked like small moons hanging gently from the branches.
Soft streams of clear water flowed across the ground, making the air cool, fresh, and full of life.
The entire place smelled sweet—like honey and fresh fruit on a warm sunny day.
Tiny glowing butterflies fluttered between the trees, leaving trails of sparkling dust behind them.
Bhima's eyes widened with delight.
"Is this… a forest inside the temple?" he asked, laughing happily.
Before anyone could answer—
A man stepped out from between the trees. He wore simple clothes and carried a wooden staff. His long beard moved gently in the breeze, and his eyes twinkled with kindness and quiet wisdom. Soft golden light from the glowing fruits above made him look almost like a friendly spirit of the woods who had been living there for centuries.
"Well, well," he said kindly. "So we have guests."
He smiled warmly, his voice calm and welcoming.
"You must have come from a long journey. Come. Sit."
He pointed toward a wooden bench resting beneath one of the fruit trees. The bench looked warm and cozy, as if it had been patiently waiting for travelers exactly like them. The children walked over and sat down, feeling the gentle magic of the orchard wrap around them like a soft comforting hug.
The man chuckled softly, the sound blending with the quiet rustling of leaves.
"I am the caretaker of this orchard," he said. "My duty is to look after these trees and keep their magic bright and healthy."
He slowly raised his wooden staff.
Several nearby trees began to glow even brighter, their fruits shining like colorful lanterns hanging in the sky of the orchard.
"This one," he said, pointing to a tall silver tree whose branches shimmered like moonlight, "grows the Fruit of Life. One bite can save a dying person and fill them with fresh strength and vitality."
He then pointed toward another tree glowing with a deep red light like a warm and steady fire.
"And that one grows the Fruit of Power. Anyone who eats it gains great strength and courage."
He walked slowly through the orchard, his feet moving lightly across the soft grass as the glowing trees swayed gently around him.
"There are many kinds of fruits here," he said, waving his hand toward the orchard where trees shimmered with every color imaginable—gold, blue, green, silver, and crimson.
Then he turned back toward the children, his eyes gentle and curious.
"You children may take fruit from one tree."
"Any tree you choose."
Bhima leaned forward slightly.
The fruits looked unbelievably delicious. Some of them smelled sweeter than anything he had ever tasted before, like they held happy dreams and sunny afternoons inside them.
But Suyodhana calmly shook his head.
"We don't need those."
The caretaker blinked in surprise.
"Oh?"
Suyodhana spoke calmly, his voice steady and simple.
"Just give us fruits that can fill an empty stomach. Simple ones are enough for us."
The caretaker stared at them with a strange expression, as if he had never heard such words spoken in this magical orchard before.
"Why would you want something so… ordinary?" he asked quietly.
He stepped closer to Bhima.
From a nearby branch he gently picked a glowing golden apple. The apple shone like a small sun resting in his hand, warm and perfect.
"This fruit comes from heaven," the caretaker said softly.
"You may never get another chance to taste something like this in your entire life."
He held it out toward Bhima.
The apple smelled amazing.
Sweet.
Warm.
Perfect.
Tiny golden sparkles danced across its shining skin.
For a moment Bhima almost reached for it, his mouth watering at the thought of how delicious it might be.
But then Bhima looked at Suyodhana.
Then he looked at his brothers.
Slowly he shook his head.
"No."
"I don't want it."
The caretaker looked surprised.
For a moment he simply stood there, studying the children.
Then he sighed softly, though his eyes now showed quiet respect.
"Well then."
He turned and began walking deeper into the orchard.
"Follow me."
They followed him past many glowing trees whose branches swayed gently and whispered soft songs in the warm breeze. The glowing fruits above them shimmered like tiny moons and stars.
After walking a little farther, they reached a small tree growing quietly in the corner of the orchard.
This tree looked simple and humble.
Its apples were small and red.
Nothing magical.
Nothing glowing.
Just honest, juicy fruit that smelled fresh and sweet.
"You may take these," the caretaker said with a warm smile.
The children nodded happily.
They picked several apples from the small tree. The fruit felt cool and smooth in their hands, and its sweet scent filled the air.
The simple apples felt right.
Like a true gift from a kind friend.
After that, they walked back toward the door.
The caretaker watched them leave with a strange look in his eyes—both proud and happy, as if their simple choice had made the whole orchard shine a little brighter.
Soon the door closed behind them with a soft, friendly sound.
Only one door remained.
The third room.
The doorway carved with symbols of ancient sages and flowing water.
Suyodhana stepped forward.
He placed his hand on the stone door.
The heavy stone slowly opened with a deep, ancient sound.
A cool mist drifted outward like a gentle greeting.
The air smelled fresh, like rain falling on mountain springs.
And something ancient waited inside.
To be continued…