Case I: The Mysterious Cave of Maya


Hanuman flew me on his back to the location of our first investigation--Maya's cave.  We stood right outside the opening of the cave.  Hanuman was very anxious to go in.  "Hanuman! Wait!" I yelled.  "Don't go in yet.  We must do some preliminary observations and gather as much information about our environment as possible before we make the decision to go in."
"What are you talking about, Stupid?"  Stupid had become my official name, even after I repeatedly told him my name was Detective Avila.  He did not budge.  "Jump in!"
I didn't even get a chance to 'jump in' with my own will.  He knocked me into the cave with a force that felt as if Mike Tyson delivered a knock-out punch on on my back.
This is how our first investigation together began--me diving in headfirst into a dark cave and falling deeper and deeper into what seemed to be an endless cavity.  I was screaming in terror at the top of my lungs, but right behind me I heard an endless "Yahooo!"  Hanuman was obviously enjoying the rush.  But during this descent and notwithstanding my yelling, I thought, "Maybe this is all an illusion.  Perhaps Maya is simply tricking us."  Finally, after falling for what felt like a lifetime, I saw a light shining at a distance that seemed reachable.  After another "lifetime" passed, we broke through the darkness and into what Hanuman describec to me before, "...the bright lighted underworld."  Somehow, Hanuman beat me in our descent and caught me before I became scrambled eggs on the floor.  Once we settled, I had time to look at my surroundings.  I couldn't believe my eyes--I saw lost treasures that probably belonged to some of the world's greatest kings all around me.  Protruding from the mounds and mounds of treasure were palm trees, plants, and all sorts of verdant life.  It was as if someone took a giant bucket filled with golden treasures and dumped it onto a rain forest, repeating this process over and over until there were countless mounds everywhere.

"Lead the way, Hanuman," I commanded.  "We need to find that lady you told me about, Swayamprabha.  The one who rescued you and your group from this underworld during your quest to find Sita."
"Well, it wasn't really a rescue if you ask me..." corrected Hanuman.  "I would have rescued our group but just felt like giving her the honor this time."
"OK.  Fine.  However you'd like it to be is fine with me."  I knew Hanuman had numerous, great abilities, but his stubbornness would probably win the gold medal if his abilities were to race against each other.  We continued our investigation, trying to understand the complexity of this cave, and trying to find Swayamprabha.  We knew we would unearth the secrets of this cave if we could just find her.  Then, unexpectedly, she conjured up right in front of us.
"What brings you two strangers to this cave?"
"We were looking for someone, but our search has just ended," I responded.
"Hanuman!  I remember you.  After all these years..." -she said cheerfully.
"You haven't changed one bit.  You're still as beautiful now as you were back then," responded Hanuman.
"Listen, Ma'am, we came here to ask you a few questions,"  I interjected.
"Well, I'm sorry to hear that.  I cannot and will not answer any of your questions.  The owner of this place, Hema the Apsarasa, has sent me here to escort you out." 
I could have argued with her, but instead, I thought up a clever idea just then.  "OK.  We're sorry for the bother then.  Please, lead and we'll follow."
"OK. Now, close your eyes and keep them that way until I say otherwise," she instructed.  There we were, closing our eyes and leaving our lives in the hands of a complete stranger.  "Ready?" she asked.  Hanuman and I nodded our heads, our bodies standing still.  We heard bells chime, probably coming from Swayamprabha.  We were leaving this place.  I could feel it.  I felt winds breezing through me; my body seemed to be floating higher and higher.  It was time to implement my "clever idea."  I opened my eyes.

There he was, hovering right above our heads, Maya himself, the divine architect and mysterious giant.  The majestic underworld we were in was now gone.  It had all been an illusion.  We were in a small cave room filled with furniture and home decorations, as if someone had been living here in seclusion for many years. 
"You have broken my spell," bellowed Maya.
I responded, "We came here to find you, and I knew it was you that was creating the underworld facade."
"Lord Maya, you were here all this time?"  questioned Swayamprabha in surprise.
"Yes," he responded simply, and I could tell by his expression that Hanuman and I needed to leave immediately.
I broke the silence. "Sir, Hanuman and I are leaving now.  Please, with your permission."
"No!  I cannot take that risk.  I have been living here undiscovered for so long, and if you leave, Indra will know of my existence."  He unleashed an attack, but before I could even think, Hanuman grabbed me and we exploded through and out of the cave.



Below is your next clue to the fourth case.  Good luck.

Pogo


Author's Note
I decided to start this story right outside Maya's cave.  The purpose of this story is to understand the secrets of Maya cave, and provide an explanation of what one would have seen or found if he/she were to explore it.  I used a few parts of Buck's description of the cave to keep details consistent, but did a little creative writing myself.  Hanuman uses many of his abilities throughout this investigation, such as his strength, speed, and ability to jump high and long distances.  Hanuman and Swayamprabha recognize each other when they meet, but their meeting is cut short by Detective Avila.  Detective Avila didn't even bother to introduce himself to Swayamprabha, because he was too preoccupied about solving the case.  He decided to try something bold by opening his eyes as Swayamprabha was leading them out of the cave.  In the end, we see that Maya is the one who created the underworld illusion.  Maya created this illusion to keep his existence a secret, not wanting to be discovered by Indra, since Indra was the one who supposedly killed him.  Maya is furious at Detective Avila and Hanuman because of their discovery, and unleashes an attack.  Luckily, Hanuman uses his abilities and rescues himself and Detective Avila by breaking through the cave.  This ending, of course, is completely made up, and was inserted to give the story excitement and adventure.



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Image Information
What is the significance of this picture, you ask?  Well, if it wasn't a mystery, anyone would be able to solve it.
Source: Shiny Shiny


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