In a lively town surrounded by green hills, two brothers, Skandha and Athreya, lived with their parents. Skandha, the elder, was adventurous, while Athreya was thoughtful and loved to read. They had two close friends, Jamal, who was always ready for fun, and Thomas, the brainy one who enjoyed solving puzzles.

One sunny afternoon, the four friends decided to explore the old, abandoned mansion at the edge of their town. The mansion had been empty for years, and rumors floated around about strange sounds coming from within. “Let’s check it out,” Skandha said, his eyes sparkling with excitement. The others agreed, their hearts racing with a mix of fear and thrill.

As they approached the mansion, the wooden door creaked open, as if inviting them inside. Dust hung in the air, and the sunlight barely broke through the thick curtains. They stepped into the grand hall, filled with old furniture covered in white sheets. A large chandelier hung above, swaying slightly as if it had a life of its own.

“Look at this!” Athreya exclaimed, pointing to a strange painting on the wall. It depicted a beautiful woman with a mysterious smile, surrounded by symbols they didn’t understand. Beneath the painting, there was a small inscription: “The heart of the mystery beats where the shadows...