Chapter 10
Ajit stood in the void, his breath steady as he locked eyes with the third figure. It was different from the other warriors—calm, deliberate, and utterly still. Its golden eyes seemed to pierce into him, reflecting back not just his image but something deeper.
“What’s the catch?” Rajesh muttered nervously from the edge of the clearing, gripping the bag of fragments like a lifeline.
Ajit didn’t answer. His snake sense was buzzing constantly now, not as a sharp warning but as an undercurrent of something vast and ancient.
The great Naga’s voice resonated through the void, low and commanding. “The final trial is not of strength or skill, but of will. Face yourself, Nagaman, and prove your worth.”
The unarmed figure took a step forward, and as it moved, the world around Ajit shifted. The shimmering void dissolved into darkness, and the ground beneath him solidified into rough stone. The air grew colder, the scent of damp earth and decay filling his lungs.
Ajit glanced around, disoriented. He was no longer in Nagalok. Instead, he stood in a crumbling version of Imphal, its streets empty and silent. The buildings around him were shattered, their windows broken, and the faint glow of distant fires flickered on the horizon.
“What is this?” he murmured, his voice echoing in the stillness.
“This is what could be,” the figure said, its voice an eerie mirror of his own.
Ajit turned to face it, his eyes narrowing. The figure had changed. It now looked exactly like him, down to the smallest detail—the same face, the same posture, even the faint scar on his jaw from a childhood accident.
“An illusion,” Ajit said firmly.
“Is it?” the figure replied, stepping closer. “Or is it the truth you refuse to see?”
The city around them shifted, the ruins growing darker and more twisted. Snakes slithered through the rubble, their glowing eyes watching him intently.
Ajit’s fists clenched, venom pooling at his fingertips. “If this is supposed to scare me, it’s not working.”
The figure smirked faintly, an expression Ajit recognized all too well. “Fear isn’t the trial. Acceptance is.”
Before Ajit could respond, the ground beneath his feet crumbled, and he fell into darkness.
He landed hard on a cold stone floor, the impact jarring but not enough to keep him down. He pushed himself up quickly, his snake sense buzzing sharply. The darkness around him felt alive, pulsing with an energy that pressed against his mind.
“You’ve fought monsters, villains, even gods,” the figure said, its voice echoing from the shadows. “But the hardest battle is the one within.”
Ajit turned, his eyes scanning the darkness. “If you’re trying to get inside my head, it won’t work.”
The figure stepped into the light, its movements unnervingly smooth. “You wear the mantle of Nagaman, but do you truly understand what it means? You claim to protect, to save—but at what cost?”
The darkness shifted again, forming images in the air around them. Ajit saw scenes from his life—the first time he donned the suit, his battles against Ravana and Karkota, the times he had barely survived. He saw Rajesh and Padmini, their faces etched with worry as they waited for him to return.
“Every choice you make,” the figure said, its voice heavy with judgment, “every fight you take, puts them in danger. How many times have you left Rajesh to fend for himself? How many lies have you told Padmini to keep her in the dark?”
Ajit’s jaw tightened. “I do what I have to. They wouldn’t understand.”
“Wouldn’t they?” the figure countered, its golden eyes burning brighter. “Or are you too afraid to let them see the truth? To let them bear the weight with you?”
The images shifted again, this time showing the destruction left in the wake of his battles. Crumbling buildings, injured bystanders, chaos in the streets.
“Look at what you leave behind,” the figure said, stepping closer. “You save the city, but at what cost? How many lives are lost because of the enemies you draw to them?”
Ajit took a step forward, his voice firm. “I didn’t choose this life. It chose me. And I’m doing everything I can to protect them.”
“Are you?” the figure asked, its tone cutting. “Or are you just feeding your own ego, pretending to be a hero while the people around you suffer?”
Ajit’s fists clenched, his venom sparking faintly. “You don’t know me.”
The figure smirked, its expression cold. “I am you.”
The darkness surged around them, forming countless versions of the figure. They surrounded Ajit, their golden eyes glowing as they spoke in unison.
“Prove yourself, Nagaman. Prove that you are worthy of the power you wield.”
The figures lunged, their movements precise and coordinated. Ajit’s snake sense flared as he dodged the first strike, countering with a venom-coated punch that shattered one of the illusions.
But more came, their attacks relentless. Ajit moved instinctively, his tendrils lashing out to block and strike, his body twisting and weaving as he fought.
For every illusion he destroyed, another took its place. The darkness pressed in around him, the weight of the battle threatening to overwhelm him.
“You can’t win,” the voices taunted. “You can’t fight yourself.”
Ajit’s movements slowed, his breathing heavy as the figures closed in. For a moment, doubt crept into his mind.
Then he stopped.
The illusions froze, their glowing eyes watching him intently as he straightened, his fists lowering.
“I don’t have to fight you,” Ajit said, his voice steady. “I don’t have to prove anything to you—or to myself. I know who I am.”
The darkness wavered, the figures flickering as Ajit’s voice grew stronger.
“I’m Nagaman. I protect the people I care about. I make mistakes, but I learn from them. I’m not perfect, and I don’t have to be. I just have to keep going.”
The void around him trembled, and the illusions shattered into light. The figure in front of him smirked faintly, its golden eyes dimming.
“Well said,” it murmured, before dissolving into the darkness.
Ajit stood alone, the world around him fading into the soft glow of the temple chamber. The final fragment pulsed faintly in Rajesh’s hands, and the great Naga’s voice echoed in the air.
“You have passed the Trials of Nagalok. The Nagamani’s power is yours to wield—but beware, Nagaman. The Asura will not relent. The true battle has only begun.”
The chamber’s glow dimmed as Ajit stepped forward, his senses still reeling from the trials he had just endured. The air was heavy with the lingering energy of the Nagalok, and the final fragment in Rajesh’s hands pulsed faintly, its rhythm now synchronized with the other fragments in his bag.
Rajesh looked up from the fragments, his face pale but determined. “You did it. You passed their trials.”
Ajit nodded, his expression unreadable. “For now.” He turned his attention to the great Naga, whose massive form coiled above them like a living monument. Its golden eyes regarded Ajit with a mix of approval and caution.
“You have proven yourself worthy,” the Naga said, its voice resonating through the chamber. “But the power you now hold is both a gift and a burden. The Nagamani’s fragments are the key to containing the Asura, but only if you wield them wisely.”
Rajesh stepped closer, still clutching the fragments. “You said the battle has only begun. What happens next?”
The Naga’s gaze shifted to Rajesh, its massive coils shifting slightly. “The Asura will come for you. They will stop at nothing to reclaim the fragments and complete their ascension. The Nagamani’s power is the only thing keeping them from breaking free of their bonds.”
Ajit frowned, his snake sense buzzing faintly as the weight of the Naga’s words settled over him. “If the fragments are that important, why were they scattered in the first place? Why not keep them hidden?”
The Naga’s eyes glimmered, its voice low and somber. “The fragments were scattered to prevent their misuse. Together, they form a power so vast that even the gods themselves feared it. But now, with the Asura stirring, the fragments must be reunited to contain their rage.”
“And if we fail?” Rajesh asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
The Naga’s golden eyes dimmed slightly. “Then all will be lost. The Asura will rise, and their wrath will consume not just this world, but all realms connected to it.”
Ajit’s fists clenched, venom sparking faintly at his fingertips. “Then we won’t fail.”
The Naga’s gaze returned to Ajit, its massive head lowering slightly. “You have strength, Nagaman. But strength alone will not be enough. The Nagamani’s power will test you, as will the Asura. Be vigilant, and remember that you do not fight alone.”
Rajesh glanced at Ajit, his expression a mix of determination and doubt. “So, what do we do now? Just… wait for them to come after us?”
Ajit shook his head. “No. We take the fight to them.”
The return journey from Nagalok was eerily quiet. The mist that had surrounded them earlier was gone, replaced by an empty, glowing expanse that seemed to stretch endlessly in all directions. The fragments in Rajesh’s bag pulsed faintly, their energy subdued but constant.
Rajesh walked close beside Ajit, his eyes scanning the shimmering horizon nervously. “This place feels different now. Like it’s watching us.”
“It is,” Ajit said, his tone calm but firm. “Nagalok is alive. It’s letting us leave, but it’s also keeping an eye on us.”
Rajesh shivered, adjusting the strap of his bag. “That’s comforting.”
They reached the bridge, its iridescent surface stretching out before them like a thread through the void. The carvings on its surface glowed faintly as they stepped onto it, their rhythm matching the pulse of the fragments.
As they crossed, Ajit’s snake sense buzzed faintly, a subtle warning that made him glance over his shoulder. The void behind them was empty, but the weight of unseen eyes lingered.
“They’re already moving,” Ajit murmured.
Rajesh glanced at him. “The Asura?”
Ajit nodded, his gaze fixed ahead. “They know we have the fragments. And they won’t wait for us to make the first move.”
Rajesh hesitated, then nodded grimly. “So, we don’t wait either.”
When they emerged from the archway, the world felt almost too bright and too loud. The forest around them was alive with the sounds of birds and rustling leaves, a stark contrast to the oppressive silence of Nagalok.
Rajesh let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. “We’re back.”
Ajit’s snake sense buzzed sharply, pulling his attention to the edge of the clearing. The forest was still, but the faintest ripple of movement in the shadows set his nerves on edge.
“We’re not alone,” he said, his voice low.
Rajesh stiffened, clutching the bag tightly. “What do you mean?”
Before Ajit could respond, the trees erupted with movement, and a group of Asura stepped into the clearing. These were smaller than the ones they had faced in Nagalok, but no less dangerous. Their green eyes burned with malice, and their elongated limbs moved with a predator’s grace.
“They’ve been waiting for us,” Ajit said, venom pooling at his fingertips.
Rajesh stepped back, his voice trembling. “What do we do?”
Ajit’s gaze hardened. “We fight.”
The first Asura lunged, its claws raking through the air. Ajit met it head-on, his movements guided by his snake sense as he dodged and countered. His venom-coated strikes burned through the creature’s defenses, sending it collapsing to the ground.
Another Asura advanced on Rajesh, its glowing eyes locked on the bag. Rajesh stumbled back, raising the fragments defensively.
“Ajit!” he shouted, panic in his voice.
Ajit turned, his tendrils lashing out to pull the creature away from Rajesh. He delivered a powerful kick to its chest, sending it sprawling into the trees.
“Stay behind me!” Ajit shouted, his voice firm.
The Asura regrouped, circling them like wolves stalking their prey. Ajit’s snake sense buzzed wildly, guiding him as he fended off their attacks. Each strike was precise, his venom burning through their shadowy forms as he pushed them back.
Finally, the remaining Asura retreated into the forest, their glowing eyes fading into the shadows.
Rajesh let out a shaky breath, clutching the bag tightly. “That was too close.”
Ajit nodded, his gaze scanning the trees. “They won’t stop. The Asura are hunting us now.”
“So, what’s the plan?” Rajesh asked, his voice steadying.
Ajit’s jaw tightened, his snake sense still buzzing faintly. “We find their leader. And we end this.”
The tension in the air lingered long after the last Asura disappeared into the shadows. The faint hum of the fragments in Rajesh’s bag seemed louder now, resonating with the threat that loomed just beyond the treeline. Ajit crouched low, his senses on high alert as he scanned the forest.
“They’re not gone,” he said quietly, his voice steady. “They’re waiting for their moment.”
Rajesh adjusted the strap on his shoulder, his fingers clutching the bag tightly. “Fantastic. Stuck in the middle of nowhere with a bunch of ancient nightmare creatures stalking us. What’s the next step in this genius plan?”
Ajit stood, his gaze fixed ahead. “We keep moving. If we stop now, they’ll overwhelm us.”
“And go where exactly?” Rajesh asked, frustration creeping into his voice. “We’ve got the fragments. What’s the endgame here?”
Ajit’s snake sense buzzed sharply, a clear signal to act. “Their leader. The Asura won’t stop coming until we cut off the head.”
Rajesh hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. “Alright. Just promise me you know where you’re going.”
Ajit smirked faintly, his focus unwavering. “I don’t. But they’ll lead us to him.”
The two moved through the dense forest, the underbrush crunching softly under their boots. The trees grew thicker as they pressed on, their twisted branches forming a canopy that blocked out most of the sunlight. The air was damp and heavy, filled with the faint scent of decay.
Rajesh walked close behind Ajit, his flashlight cutting through the dimness. “This feels like the kind of place people don’t come back from.”
“They don’t,” Ajit said matter-of-factly, his snake sense guiding him around unseen dangers.
“That’s comforting,” Rajesh muttered, adjusting the bag.
A low growl echoed through the forest, stopping them in their tracks. The sound was deep and guttural, vibrating through the air like a warning.
“They’re close,” Ajit said, his voice low.
“No kidding,” Rajesh whispered, his eyes darting nervously. “Do we run?”
Ajit shook his head, his tendrils sparking faintly. “No. We hold our ground.”
The growl grew louder, and the shadows around them shifted. Three Asura emerged from the trees, their glowing green eyes locked onto Ajit and Rajesh. These were larger than the ones from the clearing, their bodies rippling with shadow and muscle.
Rajesh took a step back, his grip tightening on the bag. “Ajit…”
“Stay behind me,” Ajit said firmly, venom pooling at his fingertips.
The lead Asura let out a deafening roar, charging toward them with terrifying speed. Ajit moved instinctively, his snake sense guiding him as he dodged the first swipe and countered with a venom-coated punch. The blow landed squarely on the creature’s chest, the venom burning through its shadowy form.
The second Asura lunged for Rajesh, its claws reaching for the bag. Rajesh stumbled back, swinging the bag like a weapon and narrowly avoiding its grasp.
“Not today!” Rajesh shouted, his voice filled with more adrenaline than confidence.
Ajit twisted, his tendrils lashing out to pull the second Asura away from Rajesh. He drove a powerful kick into its side, sending it sprawling into a tree. The third Asura advanced on him, its glowing eyes narrowing as it struck with razor-sharp claws.
Ajit blocked the strike with his tendrils, countering with a flurry of venom-coated punches that forced the creature back. The first Asura recovered, lunging at him again with a guttural snarl.
“Rajesh!” Ajit shouted, his voice sharp. “Get moving!”
Rajesh hesitated, then bolted down the path, the fragments in his bag glowing brighter with each step. The Asura roared in unison, their attention split between the fleeing human and the relentless Nagaman.
Ajit used the distraction to his advantage, driving his tendrils into the first Asura’s chest and pulling it to the ground. The creature dissolved into shadow, its form dissipating into the air.
The second and third Asura regrouped, their movements faster and more coordinated. Ajit gritted his teeth, his snake sense flaring as he dodged their strikes.
“Come on,” he muttered, his tendrils lashing out to keep them at bay.
The second Asura lunged again, its claws grazing Ajit’s side. He twisted, delivering a venom-coated strike to its neck that burned through its defenses. The creature howled in pain, collapsing into shadow.
The third Asura hesitated, its glowing eyes narrowing as it studied him. Then, with a guttural snarl, it turned and sprinted after Rajesh.
“Not so fast,” Ajit growled, his tendrils latching onto the creature’s legs and pulling it back.
The Asura thrashed wildly, its claws slicing through the tendrils as it twisted to face him. Ajit moved quickly, his venom-coated strikes landing with precision as he forced the creature to the ground.
The Asura dissolved into shadow, leaving the forest eerily quiet once more. Ajit stood still, his breathing heavy as his snake sense buzzed faintly.
He turned and sprinted down the path, following the faint glow of the fragments in the distance.
Rajesh stumbled into a small clearing, his chest heaving as he clutched the bag. The fragments pulsed wildly now, their energy resonating with something unseen.
“Ajit,” he muttered, glancing over his shoulder. “Where are you?”
The ground beneath his feet trembled, and the air grew colder. A low, rumbling growl echoed through the clearing, and the shadows around him seemed to shift and twist.
The leader of the Asura stepped into the clearing, its massive form towering over Rajesh. Its green eyes burned with intelligence, and its voice was deep and resonant.
“You have brought the fragments,” the creature said, its gaze fixed on the bag. “Their power belongs to us.”
Rajesh stumbled back, his voice trembling. “You’re not getting them.”
The Asura let out a low chuckle, its claws glinting in the dim light. “You are brave, mortal. But bravery will not save you.”
Before the creature could strike, Ajit burst into the clearing, his tendrils sparking as he positioned himself between Rajesh and the Asura.
“If you want the fragments,” Ajit said, his voice cold and steady, “you’ll have to go through me.”
The leader of the Asura narrowed its glowing eyes, a cruel smile playing across its shadowy face. “So be it, Nagaman. Let us end this.”
The leader of the Asura stood tall, its massive shadowy form radiating an oppressive energy that made the air in the clearing feel thicker. Its green eyes burned with malice as it watched Ajit, its claws twitching in anticipation.
Ajit stood his ground, his snake sense buzzing like a warning bell. Rajesh backed away slowly, clutching the bag of fragments to his chest, his wide eyes darting between the two figures.
“I’ll hold it off,” Ajit said, his voice steady despite the tension in the air. “Get to safety.”
Rajesh hesitated, his grip tightening on the bag. “What if you—”
“I’ll be fine,” Ajit cut him off, his gaze fixed on the Asura. “Go!”
Rajesh swallowed hard, then turned and ran, disappearing into the forest. The leader of the Asura made no move to stop him, its focus entirely on Ajit.
“You have fought well to come this far,” the creature said, its voice a deep rumble. “But this is where your journey ends.”
Ajit’s tendrils sparked faintly as he shifted his stance. “You’ve got that backward. This is where I stop you.”
The Asura let out a guttural laugh, the sound reverberating through the clearing. “Arrogant, as always. The fragments are ours by right, Nagaman. You are merely delaying the inevitable.”
Ajit didn’t respond. Instead, he launched himself forward, his tendrils lashing out to strike at the Asura’s legs. The creature moved with surprising speed, sidestepping the attack and countering with a swipe of its massive claws.
Ajit ducked, the claws slicing through the air just inches above his head. He twisted, delivering a venom-coated punch to the Asura’s torso. The venom hissed on contact, burning into the creature’s shadowy form, but it didn’t flinch.
“You think your venom can harm me?” the Asura taunted, its voice laced with amusement.
Ajit didn’t reply, his movements quick and precise as he dodged another strike. His snake sense guided him as he landed a series of blows, each one aimed at the creature’s weak points.
The Asura roared, its claws slamming into the ground and sending a shockwave through the clearing. Ajit leaped into the air, using his tendrils to propel himself over the attack and land behind the creature.
“You talk too much,” Ajit said, driving another venom-coated punch into the Asura’s back.
The creature twisted, its glowing eyes narrowing as it swung its massive arm toward him. Ajit dodged, but the force of the swing sent him sprawling to the ground.
The Asura loomed over him, its claws poised to strike. “You are strong, Nagaman. But not strong enough.”
Ajit’s snake sense flared sharply, and he rolled to the side just as the claws slammed into the ground where he had been moments before. He twisted to his feet, his tendrils lashing out to wrap around the Asura’s arms and pull it off balance.
The creature snarled, its massive form twisting as it fought against the tendrils. Ajit gritted his teeth, his muscles straining as he tried to hold the creature in place.
“You can’t win,” the Asura growled, its green eyes blazing. “The Nagamani belongs to us.”
Ajit smirked faintly, his grip tightening on the tendrils. “We’ll see about that.”
The Asura roared, pulling free of the tendrils with a surge of strength. It lunged at Ajit, its claws slicing through the air with deadly precision. Ajit ducked and weaved, his snake sense guiding his movements as he countered with venom-coated strikes.
The two clashed repeatedly, their movements a blur of speed and power. The ground beneath them cracked and splintered, the energy from their battle shaking the clearing.
Finally, Ajit spotted an opening. He feinted to the left, drawing the Asura’s attention, then twisted to the right, delivering a powerful strike to the base of the creature’s neck.
The venom burned deep, and the Asura let out a deafening roar, its shadowy form flickering. Ajit didn’t let up, pressing the attack with a series of rapid strikes that forced the creature back.
“You will fall!” the Asura bellowed, its claws slamming into the ground in a desperate attempt to regain control.
Ajit dodged the attack, his tendrils lashing out to ensnare the creature’s arms. He pulled with all his strength, forcing the Asura to its knees.
“This is for everyone you’ve hurt,” Ajit said, his voice filled with determination.
He delivered a final, venom-coated punch to the creature’s chest, the blow radiating with the full force of his strength and resolve. The Asura let out a guttural roar as its form dissolved into shadow, its glowing eyes fading into darkness.
Ajit stood still, his breathing heavy as the clearing fell silent. His snake sense buzzed faintly, a reminder that the fight was far from over.
He turned toward the forest, his gaze sharp. “Rajesh.”
Without hesitation, he sprinted after his friend, the faint glow of the fragments guiding him through the trees.
When Ajit found Rajesh, the young tech expert was crouched near a fallen log, his face pale but uninjured. The bag of fragments pulsed faintly in his hands, their energy now calm.
“You okay?” Ajit asked, his voice steady.
Rajesh nodded, his breathing uneven. “Yeah. But you look like hell.”
Ajit smirked faintly, helping him to his feet. “We’ve got the fragments. Now we finish this.”
Rajesh adjusted the bag, his expression grim. “You’re the boss. Just tell me we’re heading somewhere that doesn’t involve more giant shadow monsters.”
Ajit’s snake sense buzzed faintly, a reminder of the challenges ahead. “No promises.”
The two moved forward, the weight of the fragments and the looming battle against the Asura hanging heavy over them. But Ajit’s resolve burned brighter than ever.
The fight wasn’t over.
Not yet.
The forest grew quieter as Ajit and Rajesh pressed on, the light from the fragments casting faint shadows on the twisted trees around them. The tension in the air was palpable, each step carrying the weight of what was to come.
Rajesh adjusted the bag on his shoulder, his fingers gripping the strap tightly. “So, what’s the plan now? We’ve got all the fragments, but I’m guessing the Asura aren’t just going to back off and let us win.”
Ajit’s gaze remained fixed ahead, his snake sense buzzing faintly as he navigated the dense undergrowth. “They won’t stop until they have the fragments—and the power of the Nagamani. We need to figure out how to use them before they make their next move.”
Rajesh frowned, his pace slowing slightly. “Use them how? These things don’t exactly come with an instruction manual.”
“They’ll tell us,” Ajit said, his tone steady.
Rajesh raised an eyebrow. “The fragments will tell us?”
“They’re connected to the Nagamani’s power,” Ajit explained. “When we brought them together, they reacted. There’s a purpose to them—we just need to find it.”
Rajesh let out a low whistle. “You’re betting a lot on ancient magical rocks.”
Ajit smirked faintly. “You got a better idea?”
“Fair point,” Rajesh muttered, falling silent as they continued forward.
The trees thinned as they approached the edge of the forest, revealing a wide, open plain bathed in the pale light of the setting sun. At the center of the plain stood an ancient altar, its surface etched with intricate carvings that glowed faintly with the same energy as the fragments.
“This has to be it,” Rajesh said, his voice filled with a mix of awe and trepidation.
Ajit stepped closer, his snake sense buzzing more sharply now. The altar radiated power, its energy resonating with the fragments in Rajesh’s bag.
Rajesh hesitated, his gaze darting between Ajit and the altar. “So… what happens now?”
Ajit turned to him, his expression calm but determined. “We place the fragments on the altar. If the Nagamani’s power is going to help us, this is where it’ll happen.”
Rajesh hesitated, then nodded. “Alright. But if this thing blows up, I’m blaming you.”
Ajit smirked faintly. “Fair.”
They approached the altar cautiously, the energy around it growing stronger with each step. Rajesh set the bag down carefully, pulling out the fragments one by one. Each piece glowed brighter as it neared the altar, their resonance creating a low hum that vibrated through the air.
“Here goes nothing,” Rajesh muttered, placing the first fragment on the altar.
The reaction was immediate. The carvings on the altar flared with light, and the fragment began to pulse in rhythm with the energy surrounding it. Rajesh quickly placed the remaining fragments, each one adding to the intensity of the light and sound.
Ajit stepped back, his snake sense buzzing sharply. “It’s working.”
The fragments merged seamlessly, their glowing edges fusing together to form a complete, shimmering sphere. The Nagamani pulsed with a steady rhythm, its light illuminating the entire plain.
Rajesh shielded his eyes, his voice trembling. “That’s… that’s the Nagamani?”
Ajit nodded, his gaze fixed on the sphere. “It’s the key to stopping the Asura.”
Before they could move, the ground beneath them trembled, and a low rumble echoed across the plain. The light of the Nagamani dimmed slightly, its pulse growing erratic.
“They’re coming,” Ajit said, his voice tense.
Rajesh turned, his face pale. “The Asura?”
Ajit’s fists clenched, venom pooling at his fingertips. “They know we’ve activated it. And they won’t let us use it without a fight.”
The sky darkened as the Asura emerged from the treeline, their glowing green eyes cutting through the shadows. Dozens of them advanced across the plain, their movements deliberate and menacing. At their center stood the leader, its massive form towering over the others.
“This ends now, Nagaman,” the leader said, its voice resonating like thunder. “The Nagamani is ours.”
Ajit stepped forward, his tendrils sparking as he positioned himself between the Asura and the altar. “You’ll have to go through me first.”
The leader smirked, its green eyes narrowing. “As you wish.”
The Asura charged as one, their roars echoing across the plain. Ajit met them head-on, his snake sense guiding him as he dodged and countered their attacks. His venom-coated strikes burned through their shadowy forms, but for every Asura he defeated, two more seemed to take its place.
Rajesh stood by the altar, his hands trembling as he adjusted his equipment. “Ajit, there’s too many of them!”
“Just keep the Nagamani safe!” Ajit shouted, twisting to avoid a swipe from one of the larger Asura.
The leader advanced slowly, its glowing eyes fixed on the altar. Ajit moved to intercept it, his tendrils lashing out to block its path. The leader snarled, its claws slicing through the tendrils with ease.
“You cannot stop us, Nagaman,” it growled. “The Nagamani’s power belongs to the Asura.”
Ajit smirked faintly, his fists crackling with venom. “Funny. I don’t remember it saying that.”
The two clashed, their blows shaking the ground as the battle raged on. The leader’s strength was immense, its strikes forcing Ajit to retreat step by step.
Rajesh watched helplessly from the altar, his mind racing. The Nagamani pulsed erratically, its energy growing unstable as the battle intensified.
“Ajit!” he shouted, his voice filled with panic. “The Nagamani—it’s not going to hold!”
Ajit glanced back, his snake sense buzzing sharply. “Then figure out how to stabilize it!”
Rajesh gritted his teeth, his fingers flying over the controls on his tablet as he worked frantically. “No pressure, right?”
The leader lunged, its claws slamming into the ground where Ajit had stood moments before. Ajit twisted, landing a venom-coated punch to the creature’s side. The venom hissed, but the leader barely flinched, its glowing eyes narrowing.
“You fight well,” it said, its voice filled with dark amusement. “But you are only delaying your defeat.”
Ajit’s gaze hardened, his tendrils sparking as he prepared for another strike. “Then I’ll delay it as long as I need to.”