The sacred grove seemed to close in around Manu and Lava as Varahasura’s roar echoed
through the clearing. The oppressive heat of the corrupted grove pulsed with every snort of the
boar demon, the air thick with ash and embers. Each breath Manu took felt heavier, each sound
sharper, as though the grove itself were alive, reacting to their presence.
Varahasura’s molten tusks scraped the ground, sending sparks flying. “Fools,” he growled, his
deep voice rumbling like thunder. “You are but insects before my power. This grove is mine, and
its fire obeys only me.”
Manu raised his sword, his stance calm and deliberate. “Fire may obey you now, Varahasura, but
it belongs to Agni. Your desecration will not go unchallenged.”
Lava, standing to Manu’s left, smirked despite the tension. “You like to talk big, don’t you?” he
said, nocking an arrow to his bowstring. “Let’s see if you’re as tough as you sound.”
Varahasura’s burning eyes flicked to Lava, and the boar demon let out a guttural laugh. “You
dare to challenge me, boy? Very well. I shall savor the taste of your defeat.”
Without warning, Varahasura charged. His massive hooves struck the ground with enough force
to send tremors rippling through the grove, cracking the brittle earth beneath them. Lava leaped
to the side with the speed of a wildcat, loosing an arrow midair.
The arrow struck Varahasura’s shoulder but glanced off his thick hide, leaving only a faint scorch
mark where it had landed. The demon snorted, his tusks glowing brighter.
“Lava, move!” Manu shouted.
Lava barely had time to react as Varahasura swung his massive head, his tusks carving through
the air with lethal precision. Lava rolled to safety, coming up on one knee and quickly loosing
another arrow.
Manu stepped forward, his sword gleaming with the faint glow of Agni’s Charm. The warmth of
the relic steadied his grip as he positioned himself between Varahasura and Lava.
“You cannot win this alone, Lava,” Manu said, his voice firm but measured. “Work with me.
Strike from a distance while I draw his attention.”
Lava hesitated for a heartbeat, his pride prickling at the implication. But the intensity in Manu’s
gaze left no room for argument. “Fine,” he muttered. “Just try not to get flattened.”
Manu didn’t respond. He moved forward with purpose, his blade raised. “Varahasura!” he
called, his voice ringing out. “Your fight is with me.”
The boar demon’s attention shifted, his molten eyes narrowing as he focused on Manu. “You
think yourself a match for me, mortal?” Varahasura sneered. “Come then, and let the flames
consume you.”
The demon reared up on his hind legs, his massive frame blotting out what little light reached
the grove. As he slammed down, the earth beneath them cracked, spewing jets of flame from
the fissures. Manu leaped back, narrowly avoiding the flames, while Lava scrambled up a
nearby boulder for a better vantage point.
“I hope you’ve got a plan!” Lava called, drawing another arrow.
Manu’s gaze flicked to the fissures in the ground. The flames danced erratically, almost as
though they were alive. “The fire is his strength,” Manu said, his voice steady. “But it may also be
his weakness.”
Lava frowned, his bowstring taut. “Care to share that wisdom a little faster?”
Varahasura charged again, his tusks blazing like molten swords. Manu sidestepped at the last
moment, striking out with his sword. The blade connected, and a burst of flame erupted where
the weapon struck, searing the demon’s flank.
Varahasura howled in pain, stumbling briefly before turning with a snarl. “You dare use Agni’s
f
ire against me?” he roared. “I will burn you to ash!”
Manu’s grip tightened on his sword as the demon advanced. “Lava!” he shouted. “Target his
legs. Slow him down!”
Lava didn’t hesitate this time. From his elevated position, he loosed a volley of arrows, each
aimed with precision at Varahasura’s hind legs. The arrows struck true, embedding themselves
in the thick muscle. The demon faltered, his movements slowing as he tried to shake off the
projectiles.
“Nice shot!” Manu called, moving in to press the advantage.
But Varahasura wasn’t finished. With a roar, he stomped his massive hooves, sending another
wave of tremors through the grove. The trees groaned, their blackened branches creaking
ominously as roots burst from the ground, twisting like serpents.
“What now?” Lava yelled, leaping from his perch as a root lashed toward him.
Manu slashed at the nearest root, severing it with a single stroke. “The grove is his domain,” he
said grimly. “He’s using it to trap us. Stay mobile!”
The corrupted roots writhed, clawing at the ground and whipping through the air. Manu and Lava
moved in unison, dodging and striking as they fought to close the distance to Varahasura.
Lava darted between the roots, his arrows flying with deadly accuracy. Manu advanced steadily,
his blade cutting through the grove’s defenses as he pressed toward the demon.
Varahasura roared again, his molten tusks glowing brighter. “You will not take what is mine!” he
bellowed, his voice filled with rage and desperation.
Manu stopped just short of the demon, his sword raised. “This grove does not belong to you,
Varahasura. It belongs to Agni, and to dharma. You have no claim here.”
The boar demon snarled, his massive form quaking with fury. “Then come, mortal,” he said,
lowering his head for another charge. “Take it from me if you can.”
Varahasura roared, lowering his molten tusks and charging at Manu with the force of an
avalanche. Each thundering hoofbeat cracked the brittle earth, sending embers and shards of
rock flying in all directions.
Manu stood his ground, his sword gripped tightly in both hands. The warmth of Agni’s Charm
pulsed through the blade, as if the relic sensed the battle’s stakes. Timing his move perfectly,
Manu stepped aside at the last moment, slashing at Varahasura’s flank. The blade erupted with
f
ire as it struck, leaving a trail of scorched fur and burned flesh.
Varahasura howled, skidding to a halt and turning sharply. His molten eyes burned with rage.
“You dare wound me with the fire I command?” he snarled, steam hissing from his nostrils.
“This grove will be your pyre!”
Lava, perched atop a boulder a safe distance away, nocked an arrow and took aim. “Manu, I’ve
got his left leg!” he called, loosing the shot.
The arrow struck true, embedding itself in the thick muscle of Varahasura’s hind leg. The demon
staggered slightly, but his fury only grew. With a swing of his massive head, he sent a jet of flame
spiraling toward Lava’s position.
“Not today!” Lava shouted, leaping off the boulder just as it was engulfed in fire. The Boon of
Vayu around his neck glowed faintly, granting him agility as he twisted in midair, landing
smoothly on his feet.
Manu seized the opening, advancing on Varahasura and delivering another fiery strike to the
demon’s side. The flames from his blade clashed with the demon’s molten aura, the heat of the
battle intensifying as the two powers collided.
“Lava!” Manu shouted over the chaos. “The flames—Varahasura uses them to strengthen
himself. We need to disrupt his control over the grove!”
Lava ducked under a lashing root, his eyes darting around the corrupted clearing. “Easier said
than done! Got any bright ideas?”
Manu’s gaze landed on the fissures in the ground, where jets of flame erupted intermittently.
“The fissures,” he said, his tone resolute. “They’re connected to his power. If we can destabilize
them, we might weaken him.”
“Got it!” Lava replied, already on the move.
The boar demon roared again, sensing their plan. He charged toward Manu, his tusks trailing
f
iery embers. Manu braced himself, raising his shield—the Aegis of Varuna—just in time. The
translucent barrier shimmered as Varahasura’s tusks struck, deflecting the blow and forcing the
demon to recoil.
“I’ll keep him occupied,” Manu said, glancing over his shoulder. “Find a way to disrupt the
f
lames!”
Lava nodded, darting toward the nearest fissure. As he approached, he could feel the intense
heat radiating from the jagged crack in the earth. Flames leapt and swirled within, alive with a
chaotic energy that seemed to pulse in time with Varahasura’s movements.
“Okay, think,” Lava muttered, crouching near the fissure. He pulled an arrow from his quiver and
dipped its tip into the flames, watching as the arrowhead began to glow. “If fire’s his strength,
let’s see how he likes a taste of his own medicine.”
From his position, Lava aimed carefully, drawing the fiery arrow back and targeting another
f
issure across the grove. He loosed the shot, the arrow streaking through the air like a comet. It
struck the second fissure, and the two flames connected with a violent burst of energy,
momentarily destabilizing the grove.
Varahasura stumbled, his movements faltering as the flames around him flickered. He let out a
furious bellow, his eyes locking onto Lava. “You dare tamper with my domain?”
Lava smirked, already reaching for another arrow. “Yeah, I’m kinda getting the hang of this.”
Varahasura turned sharply, his molten tusks glowing brighter as he prepared another charge.
But Manu was ready. He stepped into the demon’s path, raising his sword high.
“Your reign over this grove ends now, Varahasura,” Manu said, his voice steady. “You are nothing
but a thief, stealing what does not belong to you.”
The boar demon roared, charging at full speed. Manu met him head-on, slashing downward with
all his strength. The flames of Agni’s Charm flared, colliding with the demon’s molten aura in a
burst of light and heat.
“Lava!” Manu shouted, his voice strained as he held his ground against Varahasura’s immense
strength. “Now!”
Lava moved quickly, firing another arrow into a third fissure. The connection between the flames
weakened further, and the grove trembled violently. The corrupted energy that had once
empowered Varahasura now lashed out uncontrollably, splitting the ground and toppling the
charred trees.
Varahasura staggered back, his movements slower and more erratic. The flames surrounding
him dimmed, and the molten glow of his tusks began to fade.
“You… cannot defeat me,” he growled, his voice weaker but no less defiant. “This grove is mine.
Its fire obeys me.”
Manu advanced, his sword raised. “The fire obeys dharma, Varahasura. And dharma has no
place for you.”
With a final, powerful strike, Manu brought his blade down on the demon’s tusks, shattering
them with a resounding crack. The flames around the grove flared one last time before
dissipating, leaving only silence and the faint glow of embers.
Varahasura collapsed to the ground, his massive form shrinking as his corrupted power left him.
The once-monstrous demon now lay still, his body no larger than an ordinary boar.
The grove, though battered and scarred, seemed to breathe again. The oppressive heat lifted,
and a faint warmth—gentler, purer—returned to the air.
Manu lowered his sword, his breaths heavy. Lava approached cautiously, his bow still in hand.
“Did we… win?” Lava asked, his voice laced with disbelief.
Manu nodded, his gaze fixed on the heart of the grove. “Not yet. There is still one task
remaining.”
At the center of the clearing, where the largest fissure had been, a glowing ember began to rise.
It pulsed with a golden light, radiating the divine warmth of Agni’s fire. The first relic had
appeared.
The sacred grove was quiet now, the oppressive energy that had choked the air dissipating with
Varahasura’s defeat. The warmth that remained was different—gentler, almost comforting, as
though the grove itself were breathing a sigh of relief.
At the grove’s center, where the largest fissure had erupted during the battle, a golden ember
f
loated in midair. It pulsed with a steady rhythm, its light casting long shadows across the
clearing. The relic emanated a divine energy that warmed Manu and Lava even from a distance,
drawing them toward it.
Manu approached slowly, his sword still in hand. Each step felt deliberate, as though the grove
itself demanded reverence for the power that now lay before them. Lava followed closely, his
bow lowered but ready, his usual confidence tempered by the quiet intensity of the moment.
“That’s it, isn’t it?” Lava said, his voice low. “The relic.”
Manu nodded, his gaze fixed on the ember. “Agni’s Charm. The first step in our journey.”
The ember flared slightly as they drew nearer, its light reflecting in Manu’s eyes. He stopped just
short of it, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword. “Relics like this are not claimed lightly,” he
said. “There may be one final trial.”
Lava glanced around the grove, his eyes darting to the shadows beneath the gnarled trees.
“Another trial? We just took down a giant flaming boar. What else could there be?”
Before Manu could answer, the ground beneath the relic began to glow, intricate patterns of fire
tracing themselves across the earth. The patterns formed a ring of symbols—ancient sigils of
power that pulsed in unison with the ember’s light.
Manu took a steadying breath. “This is Agni’s way. Only those who prove themselves worthy may
carry his power.”
The ember’s glow intensified, and from the ring of symbols rose three fiery silhouettes. They
were humanoid but faceless, their forms flickering like living flames. Each one carried a
weapon—a spear, a shield, and a bow—crafted entirely from fire.
Lava tensed, raising his bow. “Great. More fire monsters. Why can’t anything just stay defeated
around here?”
“Stay calm,” Manu said, raising his shield. “This is a test, not a battle. Agni’s creations will test
our resolve, not destroy us.”
The flame constructs moved as one, circling the two warriors. The one with the spear lunged
forward, its movements fast and precise. Manu stepped forward to meet it, deflecting the strike
with the Aegis of Varuna. The shield absorbed the blow, shimmering briefly as it reflected the
f
iery energy back at the construct.
The spear wielder recoiled, giving Manu an opening to strike. He swung his sword, the blade
f
laring with the remnants of Agni’s fire, and sliced cleanly through the construct. It dissolved
into embers, its form scattering into the air.
Meanwhile, the construct with the bow turned its attention to Lava, firing arrows made of flame.
Lava darted between the shots, his movements swift and fluid thanks to the Boon of Vayu. He
returned fire with his own arrows, but they passed harmlessly through the construct’s form.
“Manu!” Lava called, dodging another fiery arrow. “How am I supposed to hit something made
of fire?”
“Use the fissures!” Manu shouted, blocking another blow from the shield-wielding construct.
Lava’s eyes flicked to the ground, where faint traces of flame still flickered in the fissures that
had erupted during the battle with Varahasura. Realizing the connection, he shifted his aim,
targeting the ground near the construct’s feet.
The arrow struck a fissure, sending a burst of flame upward. The fiery construct faltered, its form
wavering as the energy beneath it destabilized. Lava seized the opportunity, loosing another
arrow into the fissure. The resulting explosion consumed the construct, scattering it into sparks.
“Two down,” Lava muttered, his grip tightening on his bow.
The final construct, armed with a shield, advanced on Manu with deliberate movements. Each
step left smoldering footprints in its wake, and the air around it shimmered with heat. Manu
braced himself, raising his own shield as the fiery figure lunged forward.
Their shields collided with a deafening clang, the impact sending a shockwave of heat through
the clearing. Manu gritted his teeth, his arms straining against the force of the construct’s blow.
“Lava!” Manu called, his voice strained. “Now would be a good time to help!”
“On it!” Lava replied, sprinting to flank the construct.
With Manu holding its attention, Lava circled behind the fiery figure, drawing a single arrow. He
aimed carefully, his target the glowing core at the center of the construct’s chest.
“Steady…” Lava muttered, pulling the bowstring taut.
The arrow flew, striking the core dead center. The construct froze, its form flickering wildly
before collapsing into embers.
Manu exhaled, lowering his shield. “Good shot.”
Lava grinned, lowering his bow. “I told you, I’m fast.”
The grove fell silent once more, the fiery sigils on the ground fading into ash. The relic—Agni’s
Charm—remained, its glow steady and inviting. Manu stepped forward, his sword lowered, and
extended his hand toward the ember.
The moment his fingers brushed its surface, a surge of warmth flooded through him. It wasn’t
the searing heat of destruction but the steady, controlled burn of purpose. The ember flared
briefly before merging with his sword, the blade igniting with a faint but constant flame.
Manu turned to Lava, holding the sword aloft. “The power of Agni is ours. The path to the next
Loka is open.”
The air around them shimmered, and a glowing portal appeared at the edge of the grove. Lava
stared at it, his excitement tempered by a growing sense of awe.
“One down,” he said, slinging his bow over his shoulder. “Thirteen to go.”
Manu smiled faintly, the flame of his sword casting a warm light over the grove. “The journey has
only begun. Let us move forward.”
The golden portal shimmered at the edge of the sacred grove, its light illuminating the blackened
trees and scarred earth. The once-corrupted grove now pulsed faintly with a renewed energy, as
if Agni’s power had begun to restore its former sanctity. The oppressive heat that had weighed
on the air was gone, replaced by a gentler warmth that embraced Manu and Lava as they
approached the portal.
Lava stared at the swirling light, his bow slung loosely over his shoulder. “So that’s it, huh?” he
said, his voice tinged with awe. “The way to the next Loka?”
Manu stood beside him, his sword sheathed, the faint glow of Agni’s Charm still visible along the
hilt. He studied the portal, his expression calm but thoughtful. “Yes. The path forward has been
opened, but it will only grow more difficult from here.”
Lava let out a low whistle. “You’re full of encouragement today.”
Manu allowed himself a faint smile. “I speak only the truth. Each Loka will test us in ways we
cannot yet imagine. This was merely the beginning.”
Lava gestured to the grove around them, where the faint traces of the battle with Varahasura
were still visible in the charred soil and shattered fissures. “Yeah, I figured. If a giant flaming
boar is the ‘easy’ part, I can’t wait to see what’s next.”
Manu turned his gaze to the grove, his expression softening. Though the scars of the battle
remained, the grove no longer felt hostile. The trees stood taller, their branches no longer
twisted in agony. The faint hum of divine energy filled the air, a sign that Agni’s presence had
returned to the land.
“This place will heal,” Manu said quietly. “Agni’s fire burns with purpose now, not destruction.
The grove will thrive again.”
Lava shifted his weight, glancing between the portal and Manu. “Do you think Varahasura was
always like that?” he asked. “A monster, I mean. Or was he… something else before?”
Manu considered the question for a moment. “Few beings are born into darkness, Lava. Most
are shaped by their choices, their desires, and the forces they encounter. Varahasura was
corrupted by his lust for power. He allowed his will to dominate what should have been a sacred
duty.”
Lava nodded slowly, his youthful energy dimmed slightly by the weight of Manu’s words. “I guess
that’s what this whole quest is about, huh? Keeping the balance. Making sure stuff like this
doesn’t happen.”
Manu placed a hand on Lava’s shoulder, his grip firm but reassuring. “Exactly. It is our dharma to
preserve that balance, no matter the cost. This journey will not be easy, but we must face it with
unwavering resolve.”
The two stood in silence for a moment, the soft hum of the portal filling the air. Finally, Lava took
a deep breath and adjusted the pendant of the Boon of Vayu around his neck.
“Well,” he said, his usual confidence creeping back into his voice, “we’ve got a glowing portal to
jump into, so let’s not waste time. Thirteen Lokas to go, right?”
Manu nodded, his gaze steady. “Yes. The next Loka awaits.”
As they stepped toward the portal, a faint voice echoed through the grove, carried on the
renewed warmth of Agni’s presence.
“Manu, Lava,” the voice said, resonating with a deep, fiery timbre. “You have proven yourselves
worthy of the first trial. My flame now guides you, but remember—fire consumes as easily as it
warms. Use this power wisely, or risk being consumed by it.”
Manu bowed his head respectfully. “We will honor your gift, Agni. Your fire will burn for dharma.”
Lava gave a quick nod, adding with a grin, “And to fry any monsters we run into.”
The portal flared brighter, responding to their approach. Manu and Lava stepped forward, the
light enveloping them as the grove faded from view.
As the glowing warmth gave way to a new, unfamiliar sensation, Lava glanced at Manu. “You
ever think about how weird it is? Just stepping into portals and hoping for the best?”
Manu didn’t look at him but allowed a faint smile. “If you trust in dharma, there is no need for
doubt.”
The light around them swirled faster, pulling them forward into the unknown.
The portal’s golden light swirled around Manu and Lava, its energy wrapping them in a sensation
that was neither hot nor cold, neither comforting nor hostile. The transition felt endless, yet
f
leeting, as though they were suspended between moments of time.
Lava glanced around at the shifting currents of light. “You know,” he said, his voice cutting
through the stillness, “every time we do this, I’m half expecting to get spit out upside down.”
Manu remained silent, his eyes focused ahead. The light began to fade, giving way to a new
landscape—a vast expanse of endless sky, its hues shifting between shades of azure and gold.
The two emerged from the portal and found themselves standing on a massive floating platform
of polished stone. Surrounding them were other floating islands, suspended in the sky like
pieces of a shattered world. The islands were connected by bridges of shimmering light that
pulsed faintly with energy. Wisps of clouds drifted lazily between the islands, their edges
glowing in the golden light of a distant sun.
Lava blinked, his mouth falling open slightly. “Well. This is… new.”
Manu stepped forward, his boots echoing faintly against the smooth stone of the platform. He
gazed at the floating islands, his expression calm but thoughtful. “Bhuvarloka,” he said, his
voice low. “The realm of the skies, suspended between Bhūloka and Svarga. A bridge between
the mortal and the divine.”
Lava walked to the edge of the platform, peering down into the endless void below. “A bridge,
huh? Feels more like a place where you fall forever if you take a wrong step.”
Manu joined him at the edge, his gaze steady. “The Lokas are as dangerous as they are beautiful.
This realm will test our focus and balance, both in body and spirit.”
As if in response to his words, a sudden gust of wind swept through the platform, causing Lava
to stumble back from the edge. “Whoa!” he exclaimed, his hand shooting out to steady himself.
“Okay, point taken. Focus and balance.”
Manu raised his head, his expression growing sharper. “The wind here is alive. It is no ordinary
breeze—it carries the will of this Loka, testing those who traverse it.”
Lava frowned, adjusting the pendant of the Boon of Vayu around his neck. “Good thing I’ve got
this, then. Let’s see how ‘alive’ this wind really is.”
Before Manu could reply, a loud, resonant sound echoed across the realm, like the deep tolling
of a bell. The light bridges connecting the floating islands flickered briefly, and the air grew
heavier, charged with energy.
“What was that?” Lava asked, his voice tense.
Manu turned his gaze upward. High above, dark shapes began to emerge from the clouds—
f
igures with wings spread wide, their forms glinting faintly in the golden light. As the shapes
drew closer, their details became clear: rakshasas with black, leathery wings, their eyes
glowing red with malice.
“They are guardians of this realm,” Manu said, drawing his sword. “Twisted by Mahikesh’s
corruption, they will see us as intruders.”
Lava nocked an arrow, his stance shifting into readiness. “Well, they’re about to meet my
arrows. Let’s see how well they fly when I pin their wings.”
The rakshasas let out guttural cries, their voices carrying across the sky. As they dove toward the
platform, the wind picked up, howling around Manu and Lava with enough force to unbalance
even the surest of feet.
Manu braced himself, raising the Aegis of Varuna as the first rakshasa swooped in. Its talons
struck the shield, sparks flying as the impact reverberated through the platform. Manu
countered with a swift slash of his flaming sword, forcing the creature back.
Lava leapt to higher ground on a nearby boulder, the Boon of Vayu granting him an effortless
agility. “Keep them busy!” he called, drawing an arrow and taking aim.
Manu sidestepped another attack, his movements precise despite the gusting winds. “Stay
sharp, Lava. This is their realm—they have the advantage.”
The younger warrior grinned, loosing an arrow that struck one rakshasa in the wing, sending it
spiraling toward the void below. “Not when I’m around,” he said.
More rakshasas descended, their shrieks mingling with the roaring wind. Manu and Lava stood
back-to-back, their weapons ready as the first trial of Bhuvarloka began.
