The golden light of the portal faded, plunging Manu and Lava into the humid, oppressive depths
of Mahatala. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and the faint, acrid tang of venom.
The ground beneath their feet was soft and uneven, a network of twisting tunnels that extended
endlessly into the shadows.
Above them, jagged rock formations hung from the cavern ceiling like the fangs of a massive
beast. Faint streams of glowing green liquid trickled down the walls, casting an eerie light that
barely illuminated the winding paths ahead.
Lava wrinkled his nose, his hand resting on the hilt of his bow. “Well, this is charming. Let me
guess—this is Mahatala, the snake pit of the Lokas?”
Manu nodded, his sword already drawn. The faint light of Agni’s Charm cut through the gloom,
its warmth a comforting contrast to the realm’s oppressive chill. “Mahatala is home to the
Nagas, the serpent creatures who guard its secrets. This realm will test our ability to adapt and
endure. Every step forward will be a trial.”
Lava glanced at a nearby pool of the glowing green liquid, his expression wary. “Yeah, I’m
guessing that stuff isn’t water.”
“Venom,” Manu said. “Do not touch it, and watch where you step. The Nagas will use every
advantage their environment offers.”
As they moved deeper into the tunnels, the sound of faint hissing echoed through the air,
accompanied by the subtle scrape of scales against stone. The narrow passages twisted and
turned unpredictably, each path looking identical to the last.
Lava frowned, glancing over his shoulder. “Are we even going the right way? Feels like we’ve
been walking in circles.”
Manu paused, his gaze sweeping the terrain. “The tunnels are designed to disorient. We must
trust our instincts—and each other.”
Lava sighed, adjusting the grip on his bow. “Great. Let’s hope my instincts don’t get us eaten.”
Suddenly, the ground beneath them trembled, and a low, guttural hiss echoed through the
cavern. The walls seemed to pulse faintly, the green liquid flowing faster as if reacting to their
presence.
“Manu…” Lava said, his voice low.
Before Manu could respond, the ground ahead split open, and a massive serpent emerged from
the shadows. Its scales shimmered with iridescent hues, and its glowing green eyes locked onto
them with predatory focus. The creature’s forked tongue flicked out, tasting the air as it let out a
deafening hiss.
“Of course,” Lava muttered, drawing his bow. “Because it couldn’t just be regular snakes.”
The serpent lunged with terrifying speed, its jaws wide and fangs glinting with venom. Manu
stepped forward, raising the Aegis of Varuna to deflect the attack. The serpent’s fangs struck
the translucent shield, sending a spray of venom across the cavern floor.
“Lava!” Manu shouted. “Go for its eyes!”
“On it!” Lava said, loosing an arrow.
The projectile struck one of the serpent’s glowing eyes, causing it to rear back with a pained
screech. It thrashed wildly, its massive tail whipping through the tunnel and shattering
stalagmites.
Manu lunged forward, his sword igniting as he aimed for the serpent’s exposed neck. The blade
struck true, carving a deep gash that sent a burst of green blood spraying across the ground.
The serpent let out a final, guttural hiss before collapsing, its body coiling limply around the
edges of the tunnel. The glow in its eyes faded, and the oppressive air in the cavern lightened
slightly.
Lava lowered his bow, exhaling sharply. “Okay, that was disgusting. Are they all going to be that
big?”
Manu wiped his sword clean, his expression calm but alert. “The Nagas will only grow more
dangerous the deeper we go. That was merely a scout.”
Lava groaned, slinging his bow over his shoulder. “Fantastic. Let’s get moving before its friends
show up.”
As they pressed forward, the tunnels grew narrower, forcing them to move single file. The hissing
sounds grew louder, a constant reminder of the dangers lurking in the shadows.
Lava glanced at Manu, his voice quieter now. “So, what’s the deal with this place? Why is it
crawling with snakes?”
“Mahatala is a realm of secrecy,” Manu said. “The Nagas are its guardians, tasked with
protecting its knowledge and treasures. But the corruption of the Lokas has made them hostile,
driven by greed and instinct rather than purpose.”
Lava nodded, his expression thoughtful. “So, we’re basically trespassing in a snake-infested
library. Great.”
Manu allowed himself a faint smile. “Something like that. But if we can overcome this realm’s
trials, we may gain knowledge that will aid us in the challenges ahead.”
The tunnel widened into a larger chamber, its walls lined with faintly glowing runes. At the center
of the room lay a large pool of venom, its surface still and glass-like. On the far side of the
chamber, another tunnel beckoned, its entrance flanked by coiled statues of serpents.
Lava stopped at the edge of the pool, his eyes narrowing. “Let me guess—this isn’t going to be
as simple as walking around it.”
Manu studied the chamber, his gaze lingering on the statues. “This pool is a test. The Nagas will
not allow us to pass unchallenged.”
As if on cue, the surface of the pool rippled, and two serpentine figures emerged. They were
smaller than the serpent they had fought earlier, but their humanoid forms and sharp,
calculating eyes marked them as more dangerous.
The Nagas hissed in unison, their voices low and mocking. “You dare enter our realm and seek
its secrets? You will not leave alive.”
Lava drew his bow, a grin breaking across his face. “You know, for guardians of a treasure, you
guys are really bad at making people feel welcome.”
Manu raised his sword, its flames flaring to life. “Be ready, Lava. This is only the beginning.”
The Nagas lunged, their movements impossibly fast. Manu and Lava braced themselves, ready
to face the first true trial of Mahatala.
The Naga guardians coiled low to the ground, their serpentine tails twitching with anticipation.
Their humanoid torsos gleamed faintly in the eerie green light of the venom pool, and their
sharp, forked tongues flicked out as they hissed in unison.
“You will not take what does not belong to you,” one Naga said, its voice cold and sharp like the
edge of a blade.
“The treasures of Mahatala are ours to guard,” said the other, its glowing eyes narrowing as it
raised a curved blade etched with glowing runes.
Manu stepped forward, his sword blazing with the flames of Agni’s Charm. “We seek no
treasure,” he said, his tone firm. “Only the knowledge and balance that this realm once upheld.”
The Nagas’ laughter echoed through the chamber, low and mocking. “Your words are empty.
Prepare to be swallowed by the venom of Mahatala!”
With a sudden burst of speed, the first Naga darted forward, its blade striking toward Manu’s
chest. Manu raised the Aegis of Varuna, the translucent shield shimmering as it absorbed the
blow. Sparks flew as the Naga’s blade scraped against the barrier, and Manu countered with a
swift strike of his own.
The flames of his sword flared as they met the Naga’s armored scales, forcing the creature to
retreat with a hiss of anger.
“Manu, on your right!” Lava shouted, loosing an arrow at the second Naga.
The arrow struck the Naga’s shoulder, causing it to screech and whirl toward Lava with
murderous intent. It lashed its tail across the ground, sending shards of stone flying as it
charged.
Lava rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the strike. He nocked another arrow, aiming for the
creature’s torso. “You know,” he said, grinning despite the tension, “for guardians of a venom pit,
you guys are surprisingly bad at keeping your cool!”
The Naga snarled, its glowing eyes narrowing. “You will pay for your insolence!”
The creature lunged again, its movements faster than Lava anticipated. He leapt backward, the
Naga’s blade slicing through the air inches from his chest.
Manu stepped in, deflecting the attack with his sword. The flames ignited along the Naga’s
weapon, forcing it to drop the blade with a guttural hiss.
“These Nagas are skilled,” Manu said, his voice steady. “Do not let your guard down.”
“Yeah, I noticed!” Lava shot back, loosing another arrow that struck the second Naga in the leg.
The first Naga recovered and lunged at Manu, its tail whipping toward his legs. Manu leapt over
the strike, bringing his sword down in a wide arc. The blade struck true, carving a deep gash
along the creature’s torso. Green blood sprayed across the stone floor, sizzling as it hit the
ground.
The Naga screeched in pain, retreating to the edge of the venom pool. “You think yourselves
strong,” it hissed. “But this is our domain!”
The glowing liquid in the pool began to churn violently, and tendrils of venom rose into the air
like writhing snakes. The Nagas chanted in a language Manu and Lava didn’t understand, their
voices resonating with the pulsating energy of the venom.
“What are they doing?” Lava shouted, dodging a tendril that lashed toward him.
“They are drawing power from the pool,” Manu said, his gaze fixed on the swirling liquid. “We
must disrupt their focus.”
Lava nodded, drawing two arrows at once and aiming for the chanting Nagas. “I’ve got this!”
He loosed the arrows, both projectiles streaking through the air and striking the Nagas’ arms.
The creatures hissed in pain, their chanting faltering as the venom tendrils collapsed back into
the pool.
Manu seized the opportunity, charging toward the first Naga. His sword ignited with a burst of
f
lame as he struck, cutting through the creature’s defenses. The Naga let out a final, guttural cry
before collapsing into the pool, its form dissolving into the venomous liquid.
Lava turned to the second Naga, grinning. “Looks like your buddy couldn’t handle the heat. You
ready to give up?”
The remaining Naga snarled, its glowing eyes blazing with fury. “I will not yield!”
It lunged at Lava, its blade flashing in the dim light. Lava ducked low, sliding beneath the
creature’s strike and firing an arrow directly into its chest.
The Naga staggered, its movements faltering. Manu stepped in, delivering a final, decisive blow
with his sword. The creature collapsed with a hiss, its body dissolving into the venomous pool.
The chamber grew silent, the oppressive air lifting as the venom pool’s glow dimmed. The runes
on the walls flickered, their light softening as the energy of the Nagas faded.
Lava lowered his bow, breathing heavily. “Alright, that was intense. Are they all like this in the
lower realms?”
Manu sheathed his sword, his expression calm but resolute. “The trials will only grow more
dangerous as we descend. But you fought well, Lava.”
Lava grinned, adjusting the pendant of the Boon of Vayu around his neck. “Yeah, well, I had a
pretty good partner.”
At the far end of the chamber, a faint golden glow appeared, marking the path forward.
“Let’s keep moving,” Manu said. “The heart of Mahatala awaits.”
The two warriors stepped toward the glowing path, their resolve unshaken as they pressed
deeper into the serpentine realm.
The narrow path opened into a vast underground cavern, its walls shimmering with faintly
glowing veins of silver and emerald. Massive stalactites hung from the ceiling like ancient fangs,
their surfaces slick with condensation. At the center of the cavern coiled a colossal serpent, its
iridescent scales glinting faintly in the dim light.
Sheshanaga, the serpent king, was a being of immense size and presence. His massive coils
rested on a platform of smooth stone, his many heads swaying gently in unison as if moved by
an unseen rhythm. Each head bore an expression of calm wisdom, their glowing eyes fixed on
Manu and Lava as they approached.
Lava swallowed hard, his fingers tightening around his bow. “So… that’s Sheshanaga, huh? You
didn’t mention he’d be this… big.”
Manu inclined his head respectfully, stepping forward. “Sheshanaga, the wise guardian of
Mahatala. We come seeking the relic of this realm, to restore balance to the Lokas.”
Sheshanaga’s central head lowered, his golden eyes locking onto Manu. When he spoke, his
voice resonated through the cavern, deep and melodic. “Manu, bearer of dharma, and Lava, son
of valor. Your journey has brought you far, but wisdom cannot be earned through trials of
strength alone.”
One of the serpent’s other heads swayed toward Lava, its tone softer but no less commanding.
“This realm is not merely a den of serpents. It is a place of transformation. To claim the relic of
Mahatala, you must show that you have learned to adapt, to move with the flow of the path
before you.”
Manu straightened, his tone steady. “We are ready for your test, Sheshanaga.”
The serpent king’s heads swayed in unison, their movements hypnotic. “The test is simple,”
Sheshanaga said. “Humility and adaptability are the keys to balance. Prove that you understand
their power, and the relic will be yours.”
With a flick of his tail, Sheshanaga’s massive body shifted, and the cavern around them began
to change. The walls shimmered and blurred, transforming into a winding series of floating
platforms suspended above a glowing abyss of green venom.
Lava stared at the shifting terrain, his expression skeptical. “Great. Floating platforms over a pit
of venom. Classic.”
Manu studied the platforms, his gaze calm. “This is no ordinary trial,” he said. “The platforms
will test our ability to move with precision and trust. Lava, stay close, and watch your footing.”
Sheshanaga’s voice echoed through the air. “Begin.”
The first platform trembled slightly as Manu and Lava stepped onto it, their movements sending
faint ripples through the air. Ahead, the platforms began to shift and rotate, some moving
upward while others sank toward the venom below.
Lava nocked an arrow, his steps deliberate. “So, what happens if we fall?”
Manu glanced at the glowing abyss beneath them. “We do not fall.”
The platforms ahead began to move faster, their shifting patterns becoming more erratic. Manu
leapt to the next platform, his sword flashing as he struck a small, serpent-like creature that
slithered out of the shadows.
“Lava, watch the edges!” Manu called.
Lava followed, his bow raised. Another serpent darted toward him, but he loosed an arrow that
struck it cleanly, sending its body tumbling into the abyss.
“Okay, I’m starting to hate snakes,” Lava muttered, landing on the next platform beside Manu.
The serpent king’s voice rang out, calm yet commanding. “Strength alone will not guide you.
Show me your adaptability. Let go of control and trust the path.”
As the platforms moved in unpredictable patterns, Manu and Lava were forced to react quickly,
leaping and dodging to avoid falling. The glowing abyss seemed to pulse with energy, its light
growing brighter with each successful movement.
Manu paused on a steady platform, his voice carrying over the chaos. “Lava, remember what
Mahabali said—power and strength must serve, not dominate. Trust your instincts.”
Lava nodded, exhaling sharply. “Alright. No overthinking. Just go with the flow.”
He leapt to a higher platform, his movements fluid and precise. Another serpent lunged at him,
but he ducked low, firing an arrow that sent the creature spiraling into the abyss.
The platforms began to slow, their erratic movements settling into a steady rhythm. Manu and
Lava reached the final platform, where a small pedestal awaited, glowing softly with silver and
green light.
Sheshanaga’s heads lowered, their expressions serene. “You have proven your adaptability,” he
said. “But there is one final question. Speak the truth, and the relic is yours.”
The serpent king’s central head turned to Manu. “Manu, you carry the weight of dharma. What
will you do if your path demands the ultimate sacrifice?”
Manu’s jaw tightened, but his voice was steady. “If my sacrifice ensures the balance of the
Lokas, I will make it without hesitation. My duty is not to myself, but to the path I walk.”
Sheshanaga’s head nodded, his gaze shifting to Lava. “And you, Lava, who walk in the shadow
of greatness—how will you define your own light?”
Lava hesitated, his brow furrowing. Then he grinned, his voice confident. “By being the guy who
shows up, who stands by his friends, and who fights for something bigger than himself. That’s all
the light I need.”
The serpent king’s eyes glimmered with approval. “Well spoken, both of you. The relic of
Mahatala is yours.”
The glowing pedestal rose slightly, and the Relic of Wisdom emerged from its surface, a radiant
orb of silver and green light. Manu and Lava stepped forward, their hands brushing the relic.
The moment they touched it, a wave of energy surged through the cavern, filling the air with a
sense of clarity and peace. The relic dissolved into streams of light, its power flowing into
Manu’s sword and Lava’s pendant.
Sheshanaga inclined his heads, his voice echoing softly. “Go forth, warriors. The lessons of
Mahatala will serve you well in the challenges to come.”
A golden portal appeared at the edge of the platform, its light cutting through the dimness of the
cavern.
“Thanks for the wisdom, Your Majesty,” Lava said, flashing a grin. “And for not eating us.”
Sheshanaga let out a low, rumbling chuckle. “Your journey is far from over. Be vigilant.”
Manu nodded, his tone respectful. “We will not forget your guidance, Sheshanaga.”
Together, they stepped into the portal, leaving Mahatala behind as the serpent king watched
them disappear into the light.
The golden light of the portal faded, and Manu and Lava found themselves in a maze unlike any
they had faced before. The walls were made of smooth, black stone that seemed to drink in the
faint light around them, casting no reflections or shadows. The floor was marked with glowing
symbols, pulsing faintly with each step they took, as if alive.
Lava rubbed the back of his neck, glancing warily at the twisting paths ahead. “Okay, I’m calling
it—this is officially worse than the snake pit.”
Manu scanned the labyrinth, his expression calm but watchful. “This is the work of the Asuras.
Their cunning is woven into every inch of this place. It is designed to confuse and divide.”
“Divide?” Lava frowned, gripping his bow. “You mean, like… split us up?”
Manu nodded. “The labyrinth reacts to its challengers. It will seek to isolate us, using our doubts
against us. We must stay close and trust in our bond.”
They began walking cautiously, the glowing symbols beneath their feet shifting and swirling as
they moved. The air was still, but a faint hum filled the space, growing louder with each step.
Lava glanced at the symbols, his brow furrowing. “These markings… they look familiar. Do you
think they’re some kind of clue?”
“Perhaps,” Manu said. “The Asuras often use symbols to hide their intent. Look for patterns—
but do not lose focus.”
The labyrinth’s walls began to shift, grinding against the floor as new pathways opened and old
ones closed. Lava froze, his eyes darting to the nearest intersection. “Did you see that? The
whole thing just moved!”
“It is alive,” Manu said, gripping his sword tightly. “The maze is testing us. Stay close.”
They continued forward, the paths growing narrower and more convoluted. The symbols on the
f
loor pulsed more erratically, their glow casting strange, flickering patterns on the walls.
Suddenly, the hum in the air grew louder, and the ground beneath them trembled. From the
shadows emerged figures—dark, twisted shapes that moved with unnatural fluidity. Their forms
were indistinct, shifting constantly as if they were made of smoke.
“What are those?” Lava asked, drawing his bow.
“Manifestations,” Manu said, his voice steady. “Born of the labyrinth’s magic. They will mirror our
doubts, our fears.”
The shadowy figures moved closer, their forms solidifying into familiar shapes. One of them took
the form of Lava, its expression twisted into a sneer.
“You don’t belong here,” the shadow said, its voice a distorted echo of Lava’s own. “You’re just
tagging along, trying to prove something you’ll never be.”
Lava’s jaw tightened, his grip on his bow faltering. “Manu, it’s me. It’s copying me.”
Another figure emerged, this one taking the form of Manu. Its voice was deep and mocking. “You
cannot save them, Manu. You will fail, just as you failed before.”
Manu stepped forward, his sword blazing with the flames of Agni’s Charm. “These are lies,” he
said firmly. “Do not let them take hold.”
The shadow of Manu laughed, its form shifting and growing larger. “Lies? Or truths you refuse to
face? You cannot carry the weight of dharma forever.”
The shadow of Lava stepped closer, its sneer deepening. “You’re nothing without him,” it said,
its voice dripping with disdain. “Just a sidekick. A shadow.”
Lava gritted his teeth, drawing an arrow and aiming it at the figure. “Shut up,” he said, his voice
low. “You’re not real.”
“Lava,” Manu said, his tone sharp. “Focus on the path. The shadows are distractions. They
cannot harm us unless we let them.”
Lava hesitated, his hand trembling slightly on the bowstring. Then he exhaled slowly, lowering
the arrow. “Right. Just distractions.”
The shadowy figures hissed, their forms flickering as the symbols on the floor pulsed brighter.
The labyrinth trembled, its walls shifting again as the manifestations dissolved into smoke.
Manu glanced at Lava, his expression calm but firm. “You did well. The labyrinth feeds on
hesitation and doubt. Do not give it the chance.”
Lava nodded, his grin returning faintly. “Thanks, old man. Let’s keep moving.”
The labyrinth continued to shift as they pressed forward, its paths becoming more erratic and
unpredictable. The glowing symbols began to form a pattern—a spiral leading toward a distant
light at the center of the maze.
“There,” Manu said, pointing to the faint glow. “The heart of the labyrinth. That is where the trial
will end.”
Lava squinted at the light, his grin widening. “Finally. Let’s finish this.”
As they moved closer to the center, the hum in the air grew louder, and the labyrinth’s
movements became more frantic. The walls seemed to close in, the paths narrowing to the
point where they had to move single file.
The light at the center grew brighter, its glow steady and inviting. Manu and Lava reached the
f
inal platform, where a pedestal awaited, its surface etched with glowing runes.
“This is it,” Manu said, stepping forward.
As they approached, the labyrinth trembled one last time, and the air grew still. The glowing
pedestal pulsed faintly, as if acknowledging their presence.
“Manu,” Lava said, glancing at him. “No more surprises, right?”
Manu allowed himself a faint smile. “In the Lokas, there are always surprises. But for now, the
path is clear.”
Together, they placed their hands on the pedestal, the glow enveloping them in a wave of energy.
The labyrinth around them shimmered and dissolved, leaving only the steady light of the relic
chamber as the next portal appeared.
The light of the pedestal intensified as Manu and Lava placed their hands on its surface, the
glowing runes warming beneath their touch. The air around them grew heavy, charged with a
palpable energy that seemed to hum with life.
Then, in a flash of light, the world shifted.
Manu and Lava found themselves standing on a floating platform suspended in an endless void.
The platform was smooth and dark, its edges shimmering faintly as though it were dissolving
into the surrounding emptiness.
Above them, the vast expanse of the void rippled with waves of light, forming fleeting shapes
that dissolved just as quickly—a serpent coiling into infinity, a bird breaking free from its cage, a
seed sprouting into a towering tree.
Lava turned in a slow circle, his eyes wide. “Okay… this is new. Where are we?”
“This is the trial,” Manu said, his voice calm. “The essence of Mahatala—the realm of
transformation.”
As if in response, the platform beneath them shifted, splitting into two smaller platforms that
f
loated apart. Manu and Lava were separated, each standing alone on their own fragment of the
void.
Lava frowned, his grip tightening on his bow. “Manu! What’s going on?”
The voice of Sheshanaga echoed through the void, resonating deep within their minds.
“Transformation demands the release of control. To claim the relic, you must embrace
change and adapt to the unknown.”
The two platforms began to move, drifting farther apart as the void rippled with faint light. Manu
stepped to the edge of his platform, his tone steady but firm. “Lava, listen carefully. Do not fight
the movement. Let the path reveal itself.”
Lava nodded, though his grin was faintly nervous. “Yeah, sure. No problem. Just go with the flow,
right?”
The void responded to their movements, the platforms shifting and tilting with each step. A third
platform materialized between them, but it was smaller and unstable, its edges flickering like a
mirage.
“You’ve gotta be kidding me,” Lava muttered.
“Leap across,” Manu called. “Trust your instincts.”
Lava took a deep breath, then ran toward the edge of his platform. As the smaller platform
swayed, he leapt, landing on its unsteady surface. It wobbled precariously, but he held his
balance, his bow in one hand for stability.
“Alright,” Lava said, exhaling sharply. “One down.”
The platforms continued to shift, forming a winding path toward a distant light that hovered in
the void. Manu moved with precision, his steps deliberate as he leapt from platform to platform.
Lava followed, his movements less controlled but equally determined.
As they approached the light, the void rippled again, and a series of shadowy figures emerged.
These were not the twisted reflections they had faced earlier but instead amorphous shapes
that seemed to morph constantly, never settling into a single form.
The voice of Sheshanaga returned. “Change is not without resistance. To transform, one
must face the chaos of the unknown.”
The shadowy forms moved toward them, their movements erratic and unpredictable. Manu
raised his sword, its flames blazing as he struck the nearest figure. The shadow recoiled, its
form splitting into smaller fragments that swirled around him.
“Lava!” Manu called. “Strike quickly. Do not hesitate.”
Lava loosed an arrow at one of the shadows, but it dissolved before the projectile reached it,
reforming behind him. He spun, loosing another arrow that struck true, dispersing the figure into
a faint mist.
“These things don’t play fair!” Lava shouted, leaping to another platform as a shadow lunged
toward him.
“They are chaos incarnate,” Manu said, his sword cutting through another shadow. “Focus on
their patterns. Even chaos has a rhythm.”
Lava gritted his teeth, dodging another attack. “Easier said than done!”
The two warriors moved in tandem, their strikes precise and coordinated. The shadowy figures
grew fewer with each blow, their movements slowing as the light in the void grew brighter.
Finally, the last shadow dissolved, and the platforms stilled. The light ahead flared, revealing a
new platform that shimmered with silver and emerald hues. At its center rested the Relic of
Transformation, its surface swirling with patterns that shifted endlessly.
Manu and Lava stepped onto the platform together, the void around them growing calm.
Sheshanaga’s voice echoed once more. “You have faced the chaos and embraced change.
The Relic of Transformation is yours. Carry its wisdom forward, for the path ahead will
demand it.”
The relic pulsed as they reached out, its light wrapping around their hands like a warm breeze.
As they touched it, a surge of energy flowed into them, filling their weapons with new strength.
Manu’s sword glowed brighter, its flames dancing with silver light, while Lava’s pendant
shimmered with shifting patterns.
The platform beneath them began to dissolve, and the void rippled again, returning them to the
chamber of Mahatala. The relic’s light lingered briefly before fading, leaving behind a sense of
calm and clarity.
A golden portal appeared at the edge of the room, its glow steady and inviting.
Lava adjusted his bow, a grin breaking across his face. “Well, that was… something. I mean, I
could’ve done without the chaos monsters, but hey, another relic down.”
Manu sheathed his sword, his tone resolute. “The trials grow harder, but so do we. The lessons
of Mahatala will serve us well in the challenges to come.”
Together, they stepped into the portal, the light of Mahatala fading behind them as they moved
closer to their ultimate goal.
