Chapter 16: The Hero’s Path
The morning sun rose slowly over the sacred river, its golden light casting a serene glow across
the waters. The river shimmered like molten gold, its gentle current reflecting the light in a
thousand brilliant sparkles. The air was crisp with the scent of wet earth and blooming flowers,
and a so breeze rustled through the nearby trees, carrying with it the whisper of the past. The
gentle sound of flowing water provided a tranquil backdrop for the gathering. The team stood
in solemn silence on the riverbank, their faces marked by grief and respect. Today was a day of
remembrance—a day to honor their fallen friend, Anika Sharma, who had sacrificed herself to
save them all
The river seemed to carry with it a sense of timelessness, as if the waters themselves were
part of an ancient story that spanned millennia. In accordance with Sanatan Dharma, they had
gathered to perform the last rites for Anika, even though her body had turned to dust in the
final battle. The team had decided to hold a symbolic ceremony to honour her spirit and her
contributions to their mission. They had crafted an effigy made of natural materials—bamboo,
flowers, and sacred herbs—representing her physical form. Draped in white cloth, the effigy lay
on a small wooden platform, surrounded by marigold flowers and sandalwood incense, filling
the air with a sweet, earthy fragrance.
Prithvi stood at the forefront, holding a brass urn filled with water from the sacred river. He
was dressed in simple white garments, a symbol of purity and mourning. His usually calm
demeanor was shadowed by a profound sadness, his eyes focused on the effigy before him but
his thoughts miles away, lost in memories of Anika. The scent of sandalwood and flowers
mingled with the fresh river breeze, creating an atmosphere that was both somber and serene.
As he took a deep breath, Prithviʼs mind drifted back to the moment they had met Anika for the
first time. He remembered her quiet confidence, her penetrating gaze that seemed to see right
through to his very soul. She had joined their team not just because of her mystical abilities but
because of her unshakeable belief in their cause. Every word she spoke was laden with wisdom,
every action deliberate and thoughtful. He felt the weight of his leadership, his heart heavy
with the loss of a dear friend. Anika had been the guiding light of their team, her wisdom and
courage inspiring them all. Her absence le a void that could never be filled.
He took a deep breath, trying to steady his emotions as he began the ritual. “Today, we honor
Anika Sharma, our friend, our sister, and a true hero,” Prithvi said, his voice steady but filled
with emotion. “Though her body has returned to the earth, her spirit remains with us. She lives
on in our hearts and in the work we continue in her name.”
Vikram, standing beside him, held a lit ghee lamp, its small flame flickering in the breeze. He
began chanting Vedic mantras, invoking blessings for Anikaʼs soul. The rhythmic chanting was
both calming and sorrowful, a reminder of the eternal cycle of life and death. The sound of the
mantras seemed to resonate with the riverʼs gentle flow, creating a harmony that felt like it
could bridge the gap between the living and the departed. The team joined their hands in
prayer, their heads bowed in reverence, each of them caught in their own thoughts of Anika.
As Vikramʼs chants reached a crescendo, Prithvi poured the sacred water from the urn over the
effigy, a symbolic act of purification and release. The water cascaded down, soaking the
flowers and cloth, washing away the last remnants of their grief. A tear slipped down Prithviʼs
cheek as he whispered a final prayer for Anika, hoping that her spirit had found peace and that
she was watching over them from the afterlife. He remembered their last conversation, just
hours before the final battle. Anika had spoken of the balance between light and darkness, of
the eternal dance that every soul must participate in. “Remember, Prithvi,” she had said, her
voice so but unwavering, “the light always returns, even a er the darkest night.”
With a nod from Prithvi, Arjun and Riya stepped forward and gently placed a burning torch at
the base of the wooden platform. The fire caught quickly, spreading across the dry wood and
flowers, sending a plume of fragrant smoke into the sky. The team watched in silence as the
flames danced, their eyes reflecting the fire that consumed the effigy. It was a moment of
catharsis, a final farewell to a beloved friend and comrade.
The flames licked at the sky, casting flickering shadows on the riverbank. Prithvi could feel the
heat on his face, the warmth of the fire juxtaposed against the coldness in his heart. As he
watched the effigy burn, he closed his eyes and let the memories of Anika wash over him. Her
laughter, her wisdom, her unwavering strength in the face of darkness. He could almost hear
her voice in the crackling of the fire, a gentle reminder to stay true to their path, no matter how
difficult it became.
Later that day, the team returned to Surya Industries, the headquarters that had become their
second home. In the courtyard, under the shade of a large banyan tree, they had prepared a
small memorial for Anika. The banyanʼs roots stretched deep into the earth, its branches wide
and sheltering, a fitting symbol for Anikaʼs enduring presence. A plaque engraved with her name
and the words “In Loving Memory of Anika Sharma, A Light in the Darkness” was set into the
base of the tree. Around it, they placed pictures of Anika, candles, and fresh flowers. It was a
place where they could come to remember her, to feel her presence, and to draw strength from
her memory
Prithvi stood before the memorial, his hand resting on the plaque. He took a deep breath,
feeling the weight of his emotions. “Anika was more than just a teammate,” he said so ly,
addressing the team. “She was a friend, a guide, and a source of wisdom and strength. Her
sacrifice reminds us of the stakes of our mission and the importance of our bond as a team.
We must honour her by continuing to fight for what she believed in—for a world free from fear
and darkness.”
The wind rustled through the banyan leaves, creating a soothing sound that reminded Prithvi
of Anikaʼs calming presence during times of crisis. He closed his eyes, remembering a moment
from their training days when Anika had stood in this very courtyard, teaching them the art of
meditation and focus. “Center yourselves,” she had said, her voice steady and sure. “In the
midst of chaos, find your inner peace. That is where your true strength lies.”
The team nodded, each of them lost in their own thoughts. Riya wiped away a tear, her heart
heavy with loss but also filled with determination. “Anika would want us to keep going,” she
said, her voice trembling slightly. “Sheʼd want us to keep fighting, to protect the world she
loved.”
Vikram placed his staff beside the plaque, a gesture of respect and remembrance. “She is with
us,” he said quietly. “Her spirit will guide us in the battles to come. We must honour her memory
by staying true to our mission and to each other.”
Arjun, standing a few steps back, clenched his fists, his eyes burning with resolve. He
remembered the countless times Anika had patched him up a er a battle, her hands gentle but
her voice stern. “You have to be more careful, Arjun,” she would say, her brow furrowed with
concern. “You canʼt keep rushing in without thinking.” He had always laughed it o , but now he
wished he had listened more closely.
“We owe it to her to finish what we started,” Arjun said firmly, his voice choked with emotion.
“To stand together, no matter what. To be the heroes she believed we could be.”
Prithvi nodded, his heart swelling with pride for his team. They had faced so much together,
endured so much loss, but they were still standing, still united. And he knew that, as long as
they held onto that bond, they could overcome any challenge.
He turned to face the memorial one last time, a small smile touching his lips. “Thank you,
Anika,” he whispered. “For everything.”
With that, they turned away from the memorial, ready to face the next chapter of their journey.
In the days following Anikaʼs memorial, Prithvi felt a renewed sense of purpose. The loss of his
friend weighed heavily on him, but it also fueled his determination to build a stronger alliance
against the rising threats. He knew that they could not face the Council of Shadows alone.
They needed allies, and they needed them now
As Prithvi paced the halls of Surya Industries, his mind drifted back to an ancient prophecy he
had once read, a prophecy that spoke of a great darkness that would cover the earth, followed
by the rise of a new light, a Phoenix. He hadnʼt thought much of it at the time, dismissing it as
another allegory among many in the ancient texts. But now, in the wake of Anikaʼs sacrifice and
the shadowy figureʼs ominous warning, he couldnʼt shake the feeling that there was more to
the prophecy than he had realized.
Prithvi and his team reached out to old allies and new contacts, calling upon anyone willing to
join their cause. Messages were sent across the globe, summoning warriors, mystics, and
heroes from every corner of the world. The response was overwhelming. Within days, the
courtyard of Surya Industries was filled with people, all eager to stand against the darkness.
There were familiar faces—veterans of the battle against Kali Purush who had fought bravely
alongside them. They brought with them tales of other threats that had emerged in the
shadows, enemies who had taken advantage of the chaos to sow discord and fear. There were
also new faces—young heroes eager to prove themselves, seasoned warriors who had been
fighting their own battles in distant lands.
Prithvi watched as the courtyard buzzed with activity, his eyes lingering on each new arrival. He
could see the fear and uncertainty in their faces, but also the determination and resolve. These
were people who had lost much, who had fought and bled and sacrificed for their beliefs. They
were tired, but they were not broken. And they had come here because they believed in
something greater than themselves.
As the new alliance came together, Prithvi felt a sense of unity and purpose that he hadnʼt felt
in a long time. They were not just a team—they were a family, bound together by a common
cause, ready to face whatever came next.
The camp buzzed with activity as the alliance prepared for their next mission. Prithvi stood at
the center of it all, watching with a sense of pride and hope. They were stronger than ever, their
numbers bolstered by the new recruits and their resolve unwavering. But he knew that the
challenges ahead would be unlike anything they had faced before.
He called the team together for a final briefing, his voice calm but firm. “Weʼve all been through
a lot,” he began, looking around at the faces of his friends and allies. “Weʼve faced darkness,
loss, and uncertainty. But weʼve also proven that weʼre capable of incredible things. Together,
weʼve defeated one of the greatest threats this world has ever known.”
He paused, letting his words sink in. He thought back to the battle against Kali Purush, the fear
and doubt that had gripped his heart. He had been so close to giving up, so close to letting the
darkness win. But then he had remembered Anikaʼs words, her belief in him and in their cause.
And he had found the strength to keep fighting. “But thereʼs still more to do. The Council of
Shadows is out there, plotting their next move. We need to be ready to face them, to stand up
against the darkness and protect the world we love.”
Arjun stepped forward, his face set with determination. “Weʼre with you, Prithvi. Weʼve come
this far together, and weʼre not backing down now.”
Riya nodded in agreement. “Weʼve got each otherʼs backs, no matter what. Weʼre ready for
whatever comes next.
Vikram raised his sta , a look of calm resolve in his eyes. “The light of the elements guides us.
Together, we will face the shadows and emerge victorious.”
Prithvi smiled, feeling a surge of gratitude for the people around him. They had all been
through so much, but they were still standing, still fighting. And as long as they were together,
he knew they could face anything.
“Then letʼs get to it,” he said, his voice filled with confidence. “Weʼve got a world to save, and a
new chapter to write.”
As the team dispersed to prepare for their next mission, Prithvi felt a strange sensation
prickling at the back of his neck, as if he were being watched. He turned slowly, scanning the
horizon, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. The feeling persisted, a nagging sense of unease
that he couldnʼt quite shake.
He glanced over at Riya, who was busy packing up her equipment. “Do you feel that?” he asked
quietly.
Riya looked up, her brow furrowing. “Feel what?”
Prithvi hesitated, unsure how to put the sensation into words. “Like… weʼre being watched. I
canʼt explain it, but something feels o .”
Riya frowned, her fingers tapping on her tablet. “I can run a scan, see if thereʼs anything unusual
in the area.
As she worked, Prithvi continued to scan the horizon, his eyes narrowing as he tried to pinpoint
the source of his unease. And then he saw it—a shadowy figure standing on a distant ridge,
watching them intently. The figure was too far away to make out any details, but there was
something about its posture, its stillness, that sent a chill down his spine.
Flashbacks of past encounters flooded Prithviʼs mind—the battles, the losses, the faces of
those who had fallen. He thought of Anika, her face serene in the moments before her sacrifice,
her eyes filled with a quiet determination that he had never fully understood until now. She had
always seen beyond the immediate battle, always understood that their fight was part of
something much larger.
“Riya,” Prithvi said urgently, pointing toward the ridge. “Thereʼs someone up there. Can you see
it?”
Riya looked up, her eyes following Prithviʼs gaze. “I see it,” she said, her voice tense. “Iʼm
getting a reading… but itʼs strange. Itʼs like theyʼre not really there, like theyʼre… fading in and
out.”
Prithviʼs heart pounded as he watched the figure. It didnʼt move, didnʼt react to being seen. It
simply stood there, a silent sentinel watching from the shadows.
“Who are you?” Prithvi muttered under his breath, his mind racing with possibilities. “And what
do you want?”
As if in response to his question, the figure slowly raised a hand, pointing directly at Prithvi. A
chill ran down his spine, and he instinctively took a step back, his hand reaching for his weapon.
But before he could react, the figure vanished, disappearing into the shadows as if it had never
been there at all.
“What the hell was that?” Arjun asked, coming up behind Prithvi with his sword drawn. “Did you
see that?”
Prithvi nodded, his heart still racing. “Yeah, I saw it. And I have a feeling weʼre going to see
more of it soon.”
That night, as the camp settled down for the evening, Prithvi found himself unable to sleep. He
lay on his back, staring up at the stars, his mind racing with thoughts of the shadowy figure and
what it could mean. He knew that there were still many unanswered questions, still many
mysteries le to unravel.
He closed his eyes, hoping to find some rest, but instead, he was flooded with images from his
past. He saw himself as a child, sitting at his grandfatherʼs feet, listening to stories of ancient
battles and forgotten heroes. He saw Anikaʼs face, her eyes filled with wisdom as she spoke of
balance and the eternal cycle of light and dark. He saw the Phoenix, rising from the ashes, its
wings ablaze with light, a symbol of hope and renewal.
And then, just as he was beginning to dri o , he felt it—a strange sensation, like a gentle tug
at the edge of his consciousness. He sat up, his senses suddenly alert, and saw a faint glow in
the distance, coming from the direction of the ridge where he had seen the figure earlier.
Without thinking, he got up and began to walk toward the glow, his heart pounding with a mix
of fear and curiosity. As he approached, the light grew brighter, and he could hear a faint
humming sound, like a distant melody carried on the wind.
He reached the top of the ridge and stopped, his breath catching in his throat. There, standing
in the center of a circle of light, was the figure from earlier, its form now clearer and more
distinct. It was tall and imposing, with a cloak that shimmered in the light, and its eyes glowed
with an otherworldly intensity.
“Who are you?” Prithvi asked, his voice steady despite the fear gnawing at his insides. “Why are
you here?”
The figure didnʼt answer, but instead raised a hand and pointed toward the sky. Prithvi
followed the gesture, looking up to see a bright star shining in the night sky, its light pulsing
with a strange rhythm.
“The Phoenix,” the figure said, its voice a deep, resonant whisper that seemed to echo through
the air. “It is your destiny, Prithvi Rao. You must find the Phoenix, for it is the key to
everything.”
Prithvi stared at the star, his mind racing. “The Phoenix?” he repeated. “What does that mean?
What is the Phoenix?”
The figure lowered its hand, its eyes locking onto Prithviʼs. “You will find the answers you seek
in time,” it said. “But know this, Prithvi Rao—your journey is far from over. The world needs you
now more than ever, and you must be ready to face the challenges that lie ahead.
With those words, the figure began to fade, its form dissolving into the light until it was gone.
Prithvi stood there for a long moment, his mind spinning with questions. The Phoenix… what
could it mean? And what was the figureʼs connection to it?
He turned and made his way back to camp, his heart filled with a strange mix of fear and
anticipation. He didnʼt have all the answers yet, but he knew one thing for certain—his journey
was far from over. The world was changing, and he would need to be ready for whatever came
next.
As he reached the camp, he saw his team waiting for him, their faces filled with concern. “What
happened?” Riya asked, stepping forward. “We saw the light… are you okay?”
Prithvi nodded, a determined look on his face. “Iʼm fine,” he said. “But we have a new mission.
We need to find the Phoenix.”
“The Phoenix?” Arjun repeated, confusion in his voice. “What does that mean?”
Prithvi shook his head. “I donʼt know yet,” he admitted. “But I have a feeling itʼs important. And
I have a feeling that whatever it is, itʼs going to change everything.”
The team exchanged glances, a mix of uncertainty and resolve in their eyes. They didnʼt know
what lay ahead, but they trusted Prithvi, and they were ready to follow him wherever the path
might lead.
“Then letʼs find it,” Vikram said quietly, his voice filled with determination. “Together.
Prithvi nodded, a sense of purpose filling him. “Together,” he agreed. “Weʼll find the Phoenix.
And weʼll be ready for whatever comes next.”
As the first light of dawn broke over the horizon, the team prepared to set out on their new
journey, their hearts filled with hope and anticipation. The path ahead was uncertain, but they
were ready to face it, armed with the knowledge that they were not just heroes—they were the
architects of a new future.
And as they took their first steps into this new era, they knew that the call of destiny was
leading them toward a greater purpose, one that would shape the fate of the world for
generations to come.
To be continued…
About the Author
Surya000 is an imaginative writer who brings ancient wisdom and modern themes to life
through compelling storytelling. Other books by Surya000 available on Kindle include:
Surya Neeti Book 1: A deep dive into strategies inspired by ancient texts.
Surya Neeti for Bureaucracy: Applying timeless principles to modern governance.
Garuda Man: A thrilling tale of a hero with mythical powers.
Moksha Man: A journey of self-discovery and liberation.
Also, check out “Vedic Man: Volume 2,” releasing in a few weeks!
Discover more of Surya000ʼs works on Kindle and explore a world where the ancient meets the
modern.