Chapter 9
The van sped along the darkened road, the weight of their mission pressing down on both Ajit and Rajesh. The faint pulsing of the three fragments, now stored in a reinforced case in the back seat, filled the air with an unsettling hum. The glow from the fragments barely illuminated the edges of the van, but it was enough to make the silence inside feel heavier.
Rajesh tapped nervously on his tablet, his eyes darting between maps and energy readings. “The fragments are resonating with each other. Whatever we’re doing, it’s working—but it’s also waking something up.”
Ajit kept his eyes on the road, his jaw set. “The Asura.”
Rajesh nodded grimly. “The tremors are getting worse. I pulled up some satellite data—minor quakes are spreading across the region. People are starting to notice.”
“They’re moving,” Ajit said, gripping the steering wheel tighter. “The fragments are connected to them. Every time we find one, we get closer to their awakening.”
Rajesh’s fingers paused over the screen. “So, what happens when we find the last one? Do they just… show up?”
Ajit didn’t answer immediately, his mind racing. His snake sense had been buzzing constantly since they left the temple, a low hum that grew sharper with each passing hour. It was as if the fragments were calling out to something, or someone.
“We’ll figure it out,” Ajit said finally. “But first, we need to make sure the fragments don’t fall into the wrong hands.”
Rajesh let out a hollow laugh. “Define ‘wrong hands.’ We’re talking about ancient gods and monsters. I’d say every hand is the wrong one.”
Ajit smirked faintly, but the tension in his shoulders didn’t ease. “Then we keep them out of all hands.”
They arrived back at the safehouse just before dawn, the city of Imphal bathed in the soft gray light of early morning. Ajit parked the van in the garage, and the two men stepped out, the case containing the fragments carefully secured in Rajesh’s hands.
The safehouse was quiet as they entered, but the air inside felt heavier, charged with the fragments’ energy. Prakash sat in his usual spot, his mechanical arms sparking faintly as he watched them with narrowed eyes.
“You’re back,” Prakash rasped, his voice laced with mockery. “Let me guess—another piece of the puzzle? You’re working so hard, and for what? To delay the inevitable?”
Ajit ignored him, setting his pack down and stepping toward the table where Rajesh placed the case. The fragments pulsed faintly as Ajit opened the lid, their glow filling the room.
Prakash’s eyes widened slightly, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face. “Three,” he murmured. “You’re closer than I thought.”
Ajit turned to him, his expression cold. “Where’s the last one?”
Prakash leaned back in his chair, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “And if I tell you? What then? Do you think gathering them all will stop the Asura? You’re only feeding their power, Nagaman. The fragments are theirs by right.”
Rajesh stepped forward, his voice sharp. “If you know something, now’s the time to share it. Unless you’d prefer to be here when they come knocking.”
Prakash chuckled weakly, shaking his head. “You still don’t understand. The fragments don’t belong to you—or me. They’re part of a cycle, one that’s been turning for millennia. You can’t stop it.”
Ajit’s fists clenched, venom pooling at his fingertips. “Try me.”
Prakash’s smile faded, replaced by a flicker of fear. He leaned forward, his glowing eyes meeting Ajit’s. “The final fragment isn’t here. It’s not even in this region. It lies in the heart of the Nagalok, the ancient kingdom of the serpents. If you want it, you’ll have to go deeper than you’ve ever gone before.”
Rajesh frowned, glancing at Ajit. “Nagalok? That’s… a myth, right? A story?”
Ajit’s snake sense buzzed sharply, confirming Prakash’s words. “It’s real,” he said, his tone grim. “And if that’s where the last fragment is, then that’s where we’re going.”
Prakash chuckled again, his voice low and bitter. “You’ll never make it. Nagalok isn’t a place you simply find. It’s alive—a realm that bends to its will. And the Asura… They’ll be waiting for you.”
Ajit stepped closer, his eyes narrowing. “Then we’ll make them wait longer.”
The preparation for the journey to Nagalok was unlike anything they’d done before. Rajesh pored over maps and legends, piecing together fragments of myth and folklore to create a plan. Ajit trained relentlessly, pushing his powers to their limits as his snake sense buzzed with a constant sense of urgency.
By the time they were ready, the air in the safehouse was electric with tension. Rajesh stood by the van, his pack slung over one shoulder and his tablet in hand.
“This is insane,” Rajesh said, his voice half-joking. “We’re chasing a legend into what might be another dimension, armed with nothing but glowing rocks and sheer stupidity.”
Ajit smirked faintly, his gaze steady. “That’s how we’ve survived this long.”
Rajesh sighed, climbing into the van. “Let’s hope your luck doesn’t run out.”
As they drove into the dawn, the fragments pulsing faintly in the back, Ajit’s mind was sharp and focused. Nagalok awaited, and with it, the final battle against the Asura.
But he wasn’t going to let them win.
Not this time.
The van left the city behind, winding through the empty countryside as the sun climbed higher into the sky. Fields and forests blurred together, the landscape shifting from the familiar to the untamed. Rajesh stared out the window, his tablet balanced on his lap, occasionally typing something or scrolling through pages of notes.
Ajit drove in silence, his eyes on the road but his mind elsewhere. The fragments in the back pulsed faintly, their resonance now a steady, rhythmic hum. His snake sense buzzed in time with their energy, a constant reminder of the weight of their mission.
“So, Nagalok,” Rajesh said, breaking the quiet. “What’s the plan? We just… stroll in and ask for the last fragment? Or is this one of those ‘fight your way through ancient guardians and hope for the best’ situations?”
Ajit’s lips twitched in a faint smirk. “Closer to the second one.”
Rajesh groaned, leaning his head back against the seat. “Of course. Why did I even ask?”
“We’ll figure it out when we get there,” Ajit said, his tone steady.
Rajesh glanced at him. “You’ve been quiet. What’s on your mind?”
Ajit hesitated, his grip on the steering wheel tightening slightly. “Prakash was right about one thing. Nagalok isn’t just a place—it’s alive. If we’re not careful, it’ll swallow us whole.”
Rajesh’s face paled slightly, but he forced a grin. “Great. No pressure, then.”
The van slowed as they approached the edge of a dense forest, the trees towering above them like ancient sentinels. Ajit parked near a narrow dirt path, the air around them heavy with the scent of damp earth and vegetation.
“This is it,” Rajesh said, checking the map on his tablet. “The legends say Nagalok lies somewhere beyond this forest. If the energy readings are right, the entrance should be close.”
Ajit stepped out of the van, his snake sense flaring faintly as he scanned the area. The forest was quiet, too quiet, the usual sounds of birds and insects absent.
Rajesh joined him, adjusting his pack nervously. “This place feels… wrong.”
“It’s not wrong,” Ajit said, his eyes narrowing. “It’s waiting.”
The forest swallowed them as they moved deeper, the sunlight filtering through the canopy in dappled patches. The path was narrow and overgrown, forcing them to step carefully around twisted roots and thorny underbrush.
Rajesh walked close behind Ajit, his flashlight casting long shadows on the trees. “You’re sure this is the right way?”
Ajit’s snake sense buzzed in response, a faint but insistent pull guiding him forward. “Positive.”
The air grew colder as they progressed, the trees looming closer together until the sky above was almost completely obscured. The faint hum of the fragments in Rajesh’s bag seemed to grow louder, resonating with something deeper in the forest.
Rajesh shivered, glancing around nervously. “This place is creeping me out. It’s like the trees are watching us.”
“They are,” Ajit said simply.
Rajesh froze. “Wait, what?”
Ajit stopped, turning to face him. “Nagalok isn’t just alive—it’s aware. The forest is part of it. If we’re not careful, it’ll turn against us.”
Rajesh swallowed hard, his grip tightening on his flashlight. “Awesome. Just what I wanted to hear.”
A low rumble echoed through the forest, the ground beneath their feet trembling slightly. Ajit’s snake sense flared sharply, his body tensing as he scanned the shadows.
“Rajesh,” he said quietly, “stay close.”
Before Rajesh could respond, the underbrush ahead of them exploded outward, and a massive figure emerged from the trees.
It was an Asura, but unlike any they had encountered before. Its body was covered in bark-like scales, its limbs thick and gnarled like branches. Glowing green eyes burned from its twisted face, and its movements were unnervingly fluid despite its bulk.
Rajesh stumbled back, his flashlight beam shaking. “What the hell is that thing?”
“The forest,” Ajit said, his voice calm but firm. “It’s testing us.”
The Asura let out a guttural roar, its claws raking through the air as it charged toward them. Ajit moved instinctively, pushing Rajesh aside and dodging the creature’s first strike.
“Go!” Ajit shouted, landing a venom-coated punch to the Asura’s side.
The creature barely flinched, its bark-like armor absorbing the blow. It turned, its glowing eyes locking onto Ajit as it swung a massive arm at him. Ajit ducked, the force of the strike splintering a nearby tree.
Rajesh scrambled to his feet, clutching the bag with the fragments. “What about you?”
“I’ll catch up!” Ajit called back, dodging another swipe.
The Asura lunged, its claws slamming into the ground as Ajit leaped over its head, landing nimbly behind it. He twisted, aiming another venom-coated punch at its exposed back. This time, the venom hissed as it burned through the creature’s armor, drawing an enraged howl.
“Rajesh, keep moving!” Ajit shouted, his snake sense guiding him as the Asura lashed out again.
Rajesh hesitated, then bolted down the path, the fragments pulsing in time with his panicked footsteps.
The Asura turned, its eyes narrowing as it started after him. Ajit seized the moment, wrapping his spectral tendrils around the creature’s legs and yanking it off balance.
“Not so fast,” Ajit muttered, pulling the creature to the ground.
The Asura thrashed, its claws tearing through the tendrils as it struggled to rise. Ajit moved quickly, delivering a series of precise strikes to its weakened armor. Each blow burned deeper, and the creature’s movements grew sluggish.
Finally, with a roar of defiance, the Asura collapsed, its bark-like body crumbling into the forest floor.
Ajit straightened, his breathing heavy as he turned and sprinted after Rajesh. His snake sense buzzed faintly, guiding him through the twisting path until he caught sight of Rajesh in a small clearing ahead.
Rajesh was on his knees, the fragments glowing brightly in his hands. The air around him vibrated with energy, and the ground beneath their feet trembled.
“Ajit,” Rajesh said, his voice trembling, “I think we found the entrance.”
Ajit stepped into the clearing, his snake sense flaring sharply as the trees around them seemed to part, revealing a massive stone archway covered in glowing carvings.
The gateway to Nagalok.
The stone archway loomed before them, its surface alive with glowing carvings that pulsed in sync with the fragments in Rajesh’s hands. The air in the clearing was heavy, vibrating faintly with an energy that made the hair on the back of Ajit’s neck stand on end.
Rajesh stared at the archway, his breathing uneven. “This is it,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “The entrance to Nagalok.”
Ajit stepped closer, his snake sense buzzing like an alarm. The carvings on the archway seemed to shift and writhe as he approached, their patterns forming serpentine shapes that watched him with unblinking eyes.
“This place is alive,” Ajit said, his voice steady but tense.
Rajesh glanced at him, clutching the fragments tighter. “Are we seriously going through that? It feels like the kind of place you don’t come back from.”
“We don’t have a choice,” Ajit said, his gaze fixed on the glowing symbols. “If the last fragment is in Nagalok, we need to get it before the Asura do.”
Rajesh hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. “Alright. Just… don’t let me get eaten by a giant snake, okay?”
Ajit smirked faintly. “No promises.”
The moment they stepped through the archway, the world shifted around them. The dense forest faded into an endless expanse of glowing mist, the ground beneath their feet replaced by smooth, iridescent stone.
Rajesh spun in place, his flashlight beam swallowed by the mist. “This isn’t normal,” he said, his voice shaky. “This doesn’t even feel real.”
“It’s real,” Ajit said, his snake sense buzzing more insistently now. “But it’s not like anything we’ve faced before.”
The mist parted slightly, revealing a massive bridge stretching out before them. It was made of the same iridescent stone, its surface etched with glowing carvings that pulsed in time with the fragments. The bridge seemed to hang in midair, suspended over a void of swirling energy that hummed with an otherworldly resonance.
“This place…” Rajesh murmured, trailing off as he stared at the endless expanse.
Ajit stepped onto the bridge cautiously, his senses on high alert. The air here was thick with power, the energy of the fragments resonating with the carvings beneath his feet.
“Stay close,” he said, glancing back at Rajesh.
They moved across the bridge in silence, the only sound the faint hum of the void below. The mist shifted and swirled around them, forming vague shapes that seemed to watch their every move.
Rajesh shivered, his eyes darting nervously. “I don’t like this. It feels like we’re being followed.”
Ajit’s snake sense flared sharply, confirming his unease. “We are.”
Before Rajesh could respond, a low growl echoed through the mist, followed by the sound of heavy footsteps. The bridge trembled slightly, the carvings beneath their feet glowing brighter as the energy around them surged.
“Rajesh, run!” Ajit shouted, spinning around just as a massive figure emerged from the mist.
It was another Asura, but this one was larger and more monstrous than any they had faced before. Its body was covered in jagged, crystalline scales that reflected the glowing light of the carvings. Its glowing green eyes burned with malevolent intelligence as it lunged toward them.
Rajesh bolted, clutching the fragments as he sprinted across the bridge. Ajit stood his ground, venom pooling at his fingertips as the Asura charged.
The creature’s claws slashed through the air, and Ajit ducked, delivering a venom-coated punch to its side. The venom hissed on contact, but the crystalline scales absorbed most of the impact.
“Not good,” Ajit muttered, dodging another strike.
The Asura roared, its claws raking across the bridge and leaving deep gouges in the stone. Ajit twisted out of the way, his snake sense guiding him as he leaped over the creature’s tail.
“Rajesh!” he shouted, glancing over his shoulder. “How much farther?”
“Not far!” Rajesh called back, his voice echoing across the bridge.
The Asura lunged again, its claws narrowly missing Ajit as he rolled to the side. He retaliated with a powerful kick to the creature’s chest, but the impact barely staggered it.
“Time to get creative,” Ajit muttered, summoning his spectral tendrils.
The energy-like appendages lashed out, wrapping around the Asura’s legs and pulling it off balance. The creature roared in fury, thrashing wildly as Ajit used the moment to leap onto its back.
“Let’s see how you like this,” Ajit said, driving a venom-coated punch into the base of the creature’s neck.
The venom burned through the crystalline armor, drawing a deafening roar as the Asura twisted and bucked. Ajit held on tightly, his tendrils anchoring him as he delivered another strike.
The creature stumbled, its glowing eyes dimming slightly as the venom took effect. Ajit leaped off its back, landing nimbly on the bridge just as Rajesh reached the far end.
“Hurry!” Rajesh shouted, waving frantically.
Ajit sprinted toward him, the Asura’s roars fading behind him as it collapsed onto the bridge. The carvings beneath its body flared with light, and the stone trembled as the creature was consumed by the energy of the void below.
Ajit reached the end of the bridge, breathing heavily as he joined Rajesh in another clearing. The mist here was thinner, revealing a massive structure that pulsed with light—a temple unlike any they had seen before.
At its center was a pedestal, and atop it rested the final fragment.
“We made it,” Rajesh said, his voice filled with a mix of awe and relief.
Ajit’s snake sense flared again, a sharp warning that set his nerves on edge.
“Not yet,” he said, his gaze fixed on the temple. “It’s not over.”
The temple pulsed with a strange rhythm, the glow from its carvings casting an otherworldly light across the clearing. Ajit and Rajesh stood at the edge of the mist, the final fragment glimmering faintly on the pedestal at the heart of the structure.
“This is it,” Rajesh said, his voice hushed. “The last fragment.”
Ajit’s snake sense buzzed sharply, the warning clear. “It won’t be that simple.”
They stepped forward cautiously, the faint hum of the fragments in Rajesh’s bag growing louder as they approached the temple. The air here was charged with energy, a pressure that pressed against their chests and made each step feel heavier.
As they crossed the threshold of the temple, the carvings on the walls seemed to ripple, their patterns shifting to follow their movements. The fragment on the pedestal pulsed in time with the fragments in Rajesh’s bag, the resonance creating a low vibration that echoed through the chamber.
Ajit scanned the room, his snake sense buzzing relentlessly. “We’re not alone.”
Rajesh hesitated, clutching the bag tightly. “What do you mean? I don’t see anything.”
“Doesn’t mean it’s not here,” Ajit said, his voice tense.
The ground beneath their feet trembled slightly, the carvings on the walls glowing brighter. A low rumble echoed through the chamber, and the air grew colder.
Rajesh took a shaky step back. “Okay, this place officially sucks. Can we grab the fragment and leave before something horrible happens?”
Ajit didn’t respond, his attention fixed on the shadows gathering at the edges of the chamber. The mist thickened, swirling into shapes that coalesced into a towering figure.
The Asura stepped into the light, its body massive and grotesque, a twisted amalgamation of muscle and shadow. Its green eyes burned with intelligence, and its voice was low and resonant.
“You dare trespass in Nagalok,” the creature said, its gaze fixed on Ajit.
Ajit stood his ground, his venom pooling at his fingertips. “We’re here for the fragment.”
The Asura let out a guttural laugh, its voice echoing through the chamber. “The fragment belongs to the Asura. You cannot take what is ours.”
“It doesn’t belong to anyone,” Ajit said firmly. “And if you want it, you’ll have to go through me.”
The Asura’s eyes narrowed, its body shifting as it prepared to strike. “So be it, Nagaman. You will join the others who dared defy us.”
It lunged forward with terrifying speed, its claws raking through the air. Ajit dodged, rolling to the side and retaliating with a venom-coated punch. The venom hissed as it burned through the Asura’s shadowy form, but the creature barely flinched.
“Rajesh, get the fragment!” Ajit shouted, dodging another swipe.
Rajesh hesitated, then sprinted toward the pedestal, the fragments in his bag glowing brighter with each step. The Asura turned its glowing eyes toward him, its body shifting as if to block his path.
Ajit moved quickly, wrapping his spectral tendrils around the creature’s legs and pulling it back. “Not so fast,” he growled, landing another strike to its torso.
The Asura roared, its claws slashing through the tendrils as it turned its full attention back to Ajit. “You are a fool to challenge the Asura, Nagaman. Your power is nothing compared to ours.”
Ajit smirked faintly, dodging another attack. “Let’s test that theory.”
The creature lunged again, its movements faster and more erratic. Ajit’s snake sense guided him as he ducked and weaved, each movement precise as he countered with venom-coated strikes.
Meanwhile, Rajesh reached the pedestal, his hands trembling as he grabbed the final fragment. The instant he touched it, the carvings on the walls erupted with light, and the energy in the chamber surged.
The Asura froze, its body convulsing as the light enveloped it. Ajit staggered back, shielding his eyes as the energy from the carvings intensified, creating a shockwave that rippled through the temple.
Rajesh stumbled, clutching the fragment tightly as the ground beneath them shook. “Ajit, what’s happening?”
“The fragments are reacting,” Ajit said, his voice strained as he steadied himself.
The Asura let out a deafening roar, its shadowy form unraveling as the energy consumed it. The mist around them dissipated, the carvings on the walls dimming as the light faded.
For a moment, the chamber was silent.
Ajit approached Rajesh cautiously, his snake sense buzzing faintly as he eyed the fragment in his hands. “You okay?”
Rajesh nodded shakily, holding up the fragment. “Yeah. But I think we just woke something up.”
The air in the chamber grew heavy again, the faint hum of the fragments now a deafening vibration. The walls of the temple began to shift, the carvings forming new patterns that seemed to spiral inward toward the pedestal.
Ajit’s eyes narrowed as he stepped back, his body tense. “Rajesh, get ready to run.”
“Run? Why?” Rajesh asked, his voice rising with panic.
Before Ajit could answer, the temple trembled violently, and a blinding light erupted from the pedestal. The energy surged outward, consuming the chamber and pulling them into its grasp.
Ajit’s vision blurred as the blinding light engulfed the chamber. The ground beneath his feet disappeared, replaced by a dizzying sensation of weightlessness. He instinctively reached out, his fingers brushing against Rajesh’s arm as they were pulled into the swirling energy.
The light faded as abruptly as it had come, leaving them suspended in a void of shifting colors and shapes. The fragments in Rajesh’s bag pulsed wildly, their glow bright and chaotic as if reacting to the strange realm around them.
“Ajit?” Rajesh’s voice trembled, breaking the oppressive silence. “Where… where are we?”
Ajit glanced around, his snake sense buzzing erratically. “We’re still in Nagalok. But this isn’t the temple anymore.”
The void rippled like water, and shapes began to coalesce around them. Massive serpentine forms slithered through the air, their scales glinting like molten gold. Their eyes burned with an ancient power, and their movements were both graceful and menacing.
“Those are Nagas,” Rajesh whispered, his voice filled with awe and fear.
Ajit didn’t respond, his gaze fixed on the largest of the serpentine figures. It towered over the others, its golden scales shimmering with an inner light. When it spoke, its voice resonated through the void, deep and commanding.
“You dare to enter Nagalok uninvited,” the great Naga said, its glowing eyes locking onto Ajit. “Why have you come?”
Ajit stepped forward, his snake sense buzzing sharply as he met the Naga’s gaze. “We came for the fragments of the Nagamani. The Asura are waking, and their power is growing. If we don’t stop them, they’ll destroy everything.”
The great Naga studied him for a moment, its coils shifting lazily in the air. “The Asura are a threat to all realms. But the Nagamani’s power is not meant for mortals. What makes you think you are worthy of wielding it?”
Ajit’s fists clenched, venom pooling at his fingertips. “Because someone has to. If we don’t act, the Asura will take the fragments and use them to destroy this world. I won’t let that happen.”
The Naga let out a low, rumbling laugh, its golden eyes narrowing. “Bold words, Nagaman. But words alone will not earn the right to wield the Nagamani’s power.”
The void trembled, and the serpentine figures surrounding them began to shift, their forms becoming more humanoid. Each one was armed with a weapon that pulsed with energy, their eyes burning with the same golden light as the great Naga.
“You will face the Trials of the Nagalok,” the great Naga declared. “Only then will you prove your worth.”
Rajesh took a step back, his face pale. “Trials? What kind of trials?”
The great Naga didn’t answer, its gaze fixed on Ajit. The first of the humanoid Nagas stepped forward, its spear gleaming as it pointed it toward him.
Ajit’s snake sense flared, warning him of the coming attack. He turned to Rajesh, his voice steady. “Stay back. I’ll handle this.”
Rajesh hesitated, clutching the bag tightly. “Be careful.”
The Naga warrior lunged, its movements impossibly fast. Ajit dodged, his reflexes heightened by his snake sense as the spear grazed past him. He countered with a venom-coated punch, but the Naga twisted gracefully, avoiding the strike.
The two circled each other, the void around them shimmering with the energy of their movements. Ajit’s mind raced as he adjusted his strategy, his snake sense guiding him with precision.
The Naga warrior attacked again, its spear slicing through the air in a series of rapid strikes. Ajit deflected each one, his tendrils lashing out to wrap around the weapon and pull it free. The Naga resisted, its golden eyes narrowing as it fought to regain control.
Ajit seized the moment, delivering a powerful kick to the warrior’s chest. The impact sent it staggering back, and Ajit followed with a venom-coated strike that burned through its armor.
The Naga warrior collapsed, its form dissolving into golden light that flowed back into the void.
“Impressive,” the great Naga said, its voice filled with approval. “But the Trials are far from over.”
Another warrior stepped forward, this one wielding twin blades that glowed with a fierce energy. Ajit’s snake sense buzzed again, sharper this time as the new opponent advanced.
Rajesh watched from the edge of the clearing, his hands trembling as he gripped the fragments. “Ajit, I don’t think this is going to stop.”
“It doesn’t have to,” Ajit said, dodging the first blade strike. “As long as we make it through.”
The second warrior was faster and more aggressive, its twin blades a blur as it pressed the attack. Ajit countered with precise movements, his tendrils lashing out to block and deflect each strike.
He landed a series of strikes to the warrior’s torso, his venom burning through its armor and forcing it to retreat. But the Naga wasn’t finished—it spun, its blades cutting through the air in a wide arc.
Ajit ducked, rolling forward and delivering a powerful uppercut that shattered the warrior’s defenses. The second Naga dissolved into light, its energy flowing back into the void.
The great Naga watched in silence, its expression unreadable. “You fight with skill and determination, Nagaman. But the final trial will test more than your strength.”
The void shifted again, and a third figure stepped forward. This one was unarmed, its golden eyes fixed on Ajit with an unsettling intensity.
Ajit’s snake sense buzzed sharply, warning him of the danger.
“Prepare yourself,” the great Naga said. “This trial will test your soul.”