The golden light of the portal faded as Manu and Lava stepped into the realm of Janaloka. The
air was heavy with stillness, yet it carried an undercurrent of unease, like the lingering tension
before a storm.
The landscape was minimalist and surreal—a flat expanse of soft white sand stretching
endlessly in all directions. The horizon blurred into a silvery haze, and the only visible structure
was a large, black monolith rising in the distance, its surface polished to a mirror-like sheen.
Lava scanned the desolate surroundings, his hand resting on the hilt of his bow. “Okay, this
place is giving me the creeps,” he muttered.
Manu’s gaze fixed on the monolith. “This is Janaloka, the Realm of Ego,” he said. “Its purpose is
to test one’s ability to rise above the self. But the corruption of Mahikesh has twisted it.”
Lava frowned, squinting at the monolith. “How do you twist a place like this? It’s just sand and…
weirdness.”
Manu gestured toward the monolith. “That structure. It reflects more than the body—it reveals
the ego, the flaws we try to hide, the desires we pretend to ignore. Be prepared, Lava. This trial
will challenge not your strength, but your understanding of yourself.”
“Fantastic,” Lava muttered, stepping forward. “Just what I needed—more soul-searching.”
As they moved closer to the monolith, the air grew colder, and the silence deepened. The
smooth sand beneath their feet seemed to ripple faintly, as if reacting to their presence.
When they reached the base of the towering structure, they stopped. The surface of the
monolith was impossibly smooth and dark, reflecting their images with eerie clarity. Manu’s
sword and Lava’s bow glinted faintly in the reflection, but something was wrong—the reflections
didn’t move in sync with their real counterparts.
Manu raised his hand slowly, watching as his reflection did the same—but then the mirrored
f
igure turned its head, its expression twisting into a grimace.
“Manu,” the reflection said, its voice cold and distorted. “You call yourself a leader, but you are
nothing more than a coward clinging to dharma to justify your failures.”
Manu’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t flinch. “You are not me,” he said evenly.
The reflection smirked. “Aren’t I? Who else knows the truth about the lives you’ve sacrificed, the
choices you’ve made to ease your guilt? You don’t walk the path of dharma—you walk the path
of pride.”
Lava took a step back, his gaze darting between Manu and the reflection. “Manu, what is this
thing?!”
Before Manu could respond, another figure emerged from the monolith, this one shaped like
Lava. Its eyes gleamed with malice, and its smirk mirrored Lava’s trademark grin, but twisted.
“Lava,” the doppelgänger sneered, “the reckless fool. Always trying to prove you’re good
enough, but you never will be. You’re just a shadow of your father—a child pretending to be a
hero.”
Lava’s fists clenched, his breathing quickening. “Shut up,” he snapped, drawing his bow.
The reflection laughed, stepping forward in perfect mimicry. “Go ahead. Shoot me. But you
can’t, can you? Because deep down, you know I’m right.”
The sand beneath them began to shift, rising into dark, writhing forms that circled the two
warriors like shadows come to life. Each figure was indistinct but vaguely humanoid, their
movements erratic and threatening.
Manu raised his sword, its flame flaring to life. “Do not listen to them, Lava. They are
manifestations of ego, meant to provoke and weaken us. Stay focused.”
The reflection of Manu laughed coldly, its voice echoing through the desolate expanse.
“Focused? You can barely hold your own doubts at bay. How will you lead anyone when you
can’t even trust yourself?”
Lava loosed an arrow, its flaming tip streaking toward his reflection. The arrow struck true, but
the doppelgänger dissolved into smoke, reforming a moment later with a mocking grin.
“That’s not going to work,” the reflection taunted. “You can’t fight what’s inside you.”
Manu stepped toward Lava, his voice calm but firm. “They thrive on our reactions. Do not feed
them with anger or fear.”
Lava’s jaw tightened, but he nodded, lowering his bow slightly. “Alright, fine. How do we beat
them?”
Manu turned his attention to the monolith. “The structure is the source of their power. If we can
disrupt its balance, the shadows will fall.”
The doppelgängers stepped forward, their movements synchronized and deliberate. The
shadowy forms around them grew denser, closing in like a tightening noose.
Lava glanced at Manu, his voice tense. “Disrupt its balance, huh? How do we do that without
getting shredded by these things?”
Manu’s gaze swept the battlefield, his mind racing. “Trust me. Follow my lead.”
He raised his sword high, the flames of Agni’s Charm flaring brighter. The light pushed back the
encroaching shadows slightly, giving them room to maneuver.
Manu turned to Lava. “Focus on the monolith. Aim for its center. Whatever happens, do not let
the reflections distract you.”
Lava hesitated for only a moment before nodding. “Got it.”
Together, they charged forward, the shadows swirling angrily as the reflections mimicked their
every move. Manu’s sword cut through the darkness, each strike carving a path toward the
monolith. Lava’s arrows flew with precision, their fiery trails illuminating the battlefield.
The doppelgängers moved to intercept them, their twisted grins never faltering.
Manu swung his blade in a wide arc, the flames flaring with a burst of light. “Now, Lava!” he
shouted.
Lava didn’t hesitate. He loosed an arrow directly at the center of the monolith, its flaming tip
striking the smooth surface with a deafening crack.
The monolith trembled, its reflective surface rippling violently. The shadows around them
shrieked, their forms dissolving into the sand as the structure began to crumble.
The reflections of Manu and Lava faltered, their smirks fading into expressions of fear and rage.
“This isn’t over,” Manu’s reflection hissed before shattering into a burst of light.
Lava’s doppelgänger glared at him, its form flickering. “You’ll never escape your father’s
shadow,” it said, its voice a distorted whisper.
Lava drew another arrow, his expression steady. “Maybe not,” he said, “but I’ll make my own
light.”
He fired, the arrow piercing the reflection’s chest. The doppelgänger let out a final, guttural cry
before vanishing into the ether.
The monolith collapsed entirely, its polished surface shattering into shards of light that
dissipated into the sky. The air grew still once more, the oppressive silence lifting.
Manu lowered his sword, his breathing steady but heavy. “The ego is a powerful foe,” he said
quietly. “But it can be defeated with trust and clarity.”
Lava nodded, slinging his bow over his shoulder. “Yeah, well, I’ve had enough of my own face for
one day.”
Manu allowed himself a faint smile. “Come. The path forward awaits.”
As they moved beyond the ruins of the monolith, a faint golden glow appeared in the distance,
marking the next step of their journey.
The faint golden glow on the horizon grew brighter as Manu and Lava walked beyond the ruins of
the monolith. The broken shards of its reflective surface still sparkled faintly in the sand, like the
lingering remnants of a fractured illusion.
The oppressive silence of Janaloka had returned, but it no longer felt hostile. Instead, the
stillness carried a faint hum, as though the realm itself was waiting, watching.
“So,” Lava said after a while, breaking the quiet. “What do you think that was all about? The
reflections, the shadows… Was it just messing with us, or is there more to it?”
Manu glanced at him, his expression thoughtful. “The reflections were manifestations of our
doubts and fears,” he said. “They are always with us, whether we acknowledge them or not. This
realm forces us to confront them directly.”
Lava frowned, kicking at the sand as they walked. “Yeah, well, I’m getting pretty tired of being
reminded how much I apparently suck.”
“You do not ‘suck,’ Lava,” Manu said, his tone even. “The ego distorts the truth, amplifies
insecurities. It is only by facing these distortions that we can move past them.”
Lava sighed, adjusting the pendant of the Boon of Vayu around his neck. “Easy for you to say.
You’ve got the whole ‘wise king’ thing going for you. Meanwhile, I’m still figuring out if I’m even
cut out for this.”
Manu stopped, turning to face him. “Lava, you have proven yourself time and again. Your
courage, your resourcefulness—these are not the traits of someone unworthy. You must learn to
see yourself as I see you.”
Lava hesitated, his gaze dropping to the ground. “Yeah… I guess.”
Before Manu could respond, the ground beneath them shifted. The sand parted, revealing a
staircase spiraling downward into the earth. Faint light emanated from below, its golden glow
casting long, flickering shadows on the walls of the descending tunnel.
Manu raised his sword, its flame illuminating the path. “The trial continues,” he said.
Lava followed, his bow at the ready. “Why am I not surprised?”
The staircase led them into a massive chamber, its domed ceiling etched with glowing, ever
shifting patterns. The floor was a smooth, reflective surface that mirrored the ceiling perfectly,
creating the illusion of infinite depth.
At the center of the chamber stood a pedestal of dark stone, upon which rested a crystalline
sphere. The orb pulsed faintly, its light casting ripples across the mirrored floor.
“Let me guess,” Lava said, pointing at the pedestal. “That’s the Heart of Ego.”
Manu nodded. “The final test of this realm.”
As they stepped into the chamber, the air grew heavy, pressing against their chests like an
invisible weight. The ripples on the floor began to coalesce, forming shapes—figures that rose
from the reflective surface like shadows pulled into the light.
Lava tensed, gripping his bow. “Not these things again.”
But the figures were not shadowy duplicates. This time, they were fully formed, their faces clear
and familiar.
From the rippling floor emerged Lord Rama, his presence commanding and serene, his gaze
resting squarely on Lava. Behind him stood a host of warriors, their expressions filled with
judgment.
“You carry my name,” Rama said, his voice calm yet heavy with expectation. “But do you carry
my legacy? Or are you content to remain in my shadow?”
Lava froze, his breath catching in his throat. “I… I’m not trying to replace you,” he said quietly.
“I’m just trying to be… me.”
Rama’s gaze softened, but his tone remained firm. “Then why do you measure yourself against
me? Why does every step you take seek to prove your worth in my eyes?”
Lava’s grip on his bow tightened, his shoulders slumping. “Because I don’t know how else to do
it,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t know who I’m supposed to be.”
Meanwhile, another figure emerged before Manu—a younger version of himself, clad in royal
robes, his eyes filled with doubt and uncertainty.
“You abandoned your kingdom,” the younger Manu said, his voice sharp. “You left your people
vulnerable while you chased a quest you might not even complete. How is that dharma?”
Manu’s jaw tightened, but his voice was steady. “Dharma is not always clear. It is not a single
choice, but a path—one that must be walked despite uncertainty.”
The younger Manu sneered. “Easy to say when you’re not the one suffering the consequences.
How many lives have been lost because you weren’t there to protect them?”
The crystalline sphere at the center of the room pulsed brighter, and the chamber began to
tremble. The glowing patterns on the ceiling flickered, casting fractured light across the mirrored
f
loor.
Manu turned to Lava, his voice cutting through the noise. “This is the Heart of Ego’s final test. It
will pit us against our deepest insecurities. We must confront them together.”
Lava looked at him, his expression uncertain. “But how? How do you fight something that’s in
your head?”
“You do not fight it,” Manu said. “You acknowledge it. Accept it. Only then can you move
forward.”
Lava hesitated, then nodded. He turned back to the image of Rama, his chest rising and falling
with steady breaths. “You’re right,” he said quietly. “I do try to measure up to you. But not
because I think I’m not good enough. It’s because I want to be better—for myself, not for you.”
Rama’s image wavered, his expression softening into a faint smile. “Then you are already on the
right path,” he said before fading into light.
Manu faced the younger version of himself, his voice calm but firm. “The lives I’ve left behind
weigh on me every day. But I walk this path because it is my dharma—not for glory, but because
it is what must be done.”
The younger Manu nodded, his form dissolving into golden mist.
The chamber fell silent, the tremors ceasing as the crystalline sphere pulsed one final time. The
light around it softened, and the oppressive weight in the air lifted.
Manu and Lava exchanged a glance, their expressions resolute. Together, they stepped toward
the pedestal, the light of the relic reflecting in their eyes.
The crystalline sphere floated above the dark stone pedestal, its surface glowing softly with
ripples of golden light. The energy it radiated was calm and soothing, like the first rays of
sunlight after a storm.
Manu and Lava stood at the edge of the pedestal, their reflections shimmering faintly in the
smooth, mirrored floor beneath them.
“This is it,” Lava said, his voice quieter than usual. “No illusions, no voices in our heads this
time… right?”
Manu stepped forward, his gaze fixed on the relic. “No illusions,” he said. “But Janaloka’s trials
are never so simple. The final step will demand more from us than any challenge we have faced
so far.”
Lava frowned, his grip tightening on the pendant of the Boon of Vayu. “More? We just poured
our souls out back there! What else does this place want?”
Manu turned to him, his expression calm but serious. “The Heart of Ego has shown us our flaws,
our doubts. Now, it requires us to act without hesitation, free of those burdens. Only by trusting
completely in each other can we claim this relic.”
Lava hesitated, glancing at the glowing sphere. “Alright, but what does that mean? Like…
teamwork stuff?”
Manu allowed himself a faint smile. “Something like that. Stay close.”
The two stepped onto the pedestal, and the air around them shifted. The glowing sphere pulsed,
and the mirrored floor beneath them rippled like water, the light reflecting upward in waves.
Suddenly, the pedestal vanished. Manu and Lava were left standing on nothing but the rippling
light, surrounded by an infinite expanse of glowing mist. The relic floated above them, its light
growing brighter, as though watching them.
“What now?” Lava asked, glancing down at the light beneath his feet.
Before Manu could answer, the relic pulsed again, and a low voice filled the space, resonating in
their very bones.
“The path to unity requires sacrifice. Will you offer yourself for the other?”
Lava’s brow furrowed. “Sacrifice? What does it mean by that?”
Manu’s gaze shifted to the relic, his expression thoughtful. “It means we must act selflessly.
Without hesitation. Without fear. For each other.”
The voice echoed again. “Step forward, one at a time. Only one may claim the relic. The
other must relinquish their place.”
Lava blinked, his jaw tightening. “Wait. It’s asking us to choose? One of us gets the relic, and the
other… what? Gets left behind?”
Manu shook his head. “No one will be left behind. But the act of stepping forward is not about
the relic—it is about trust. Sacrifice is the essence of unity. It is not a choice between us, but a
demonstration of our bond.”
Lava exhaled sharply, glancing between Manu and the relic. “Alright, fine. I’ll do it. You’ve
already got two relics—let me take this one.”
Before Manu could respond, Lava took a step forward. The moment his foot touched the rippling
light, the space around them trembled, and the glowing mist turned a deep crimson.
The relic pulsed violently, and the voice returned, harsher this time. “Your act is born of doubt,
not unity. Step back.”
Lava stumbled, his face flushing with frustration. “What? But I—”
“Lava,” Manu interrupted gently, placing a hand on his shoulder. “This is not about claiming the
relic. It is about trust—trust in each other, trust in our bond.”
Lava hesitated, his breathing unsteady. “I thought I was doing the right thing.”
“You were acting out of fear,” Manu said, his tone calm but firm. “Fear of not being enough. Let
go of that fear. Trust that I will act for you, just as you act for me.”
Lava swallowed hard, nodding slowly. “Alright. I get it now. No hesitation, no second-guessing.
Just… trust.”
Manu turned toward the relic, his steps deliberate. “Stay here,” he said. “Watch, and trust me.”
Lava watched silently as Manu approached the glowing sphere. The relic pulsed faintly, its light
growing steadier as Manu reached out. But instead of touching it, he stopped, lowering his
hand.
“I step forward not for myself,” Manu said, his voice steady, “but for my companion. For his
growth, for his journey. I offer myself to this trial so that he may rise.”
The light around the relic flared brilliantly, its energy spreading across the chamber. The voice
returned, softer now, almost reverent. “You understand. Unity is the willingness to place
another above oneself. Together, you are worthy.”
The glowing mist around them faded, and the pedestal reappeared beneath their feet. The relic
split into two equal streams of light, one flowing into Manu’s sword and the other into Lava’s
pendant. The warmth of its energy coursed through them, filling the space with a profound
stillness.
Lava blinked, staring at the relic’s glow as it faded. “Did we just… pass?”
Manu turned to him, his expression calm but resolute. “Yes. The Relic of Unity has strengthened
our bond. Its power will guide us in the trials ahead.”
Lava let out a breath, a grin spreading across his face. “Well, that wasn’t so bad. You know, once
I stopped trying to be a hero.”
Manu allowed himself a faint smile. “Heroism is not about stepping forward alone. It is about
walking together.”
The chamber shimmered, and a golden portal appeared behind the pedestal, its light spilling
onto the mirrored floor.
Lava adjusted the grip on his bow, his steps lighter now. “Alright, let’s keep moving. Eleven Lokas
to go, right?”
Manu nodded, stepping toward the portal. “And each step will bring us closer to restoring
balance.”
As they entered the portal, the Heart of Ego faded behind them, leaving the realm of Janaloka
quiet and whole once more.
The portal’s golden light faded, and Manu and Lava emerged into a realm unlike any they had
seen before. The air hit them like a furnace, thick with heat and ash. The ground beneath their
feet was dark and cracked, its surface veined with glowing rivers of molten lava that pulsed like
the lifeblood of the realm.
Above, the sky was a deep, roiling red, its oppressive hue broken only by occasional flashes of
golden lightning that crackled in the distance. Massive spires of jagged black rock jutted from
the ground, their surfaces glowing faintly as they absorbed the heat radiating from below.
Lava wiped the sweat from his brow, grimacing. “Well, this is… unpleasant. Let me guess—
Taparloka?”
Manu nodded, his gaze scanning the fiery landscape. “The Realm of Penance. A place of fire and
trial, where one’s endurance is tested against the harshness of existence.”
“Great,” Lava muttered, adjusting the grip on his bow. “Guess we’re about to find out how much
penance we can handle.”
The two began to move cautiously across the cracked terrain, the heat rising in shimmering
waves around them. With each step, the ground seemed to shift slightly, as though it were alive
and reacting to their presence.
“This place feels… wrong,” Lava said, his voice low.
Manu’s grip tightened on the hilt of his sword. “Taparloka is meant to be harsh, but this… this
corruption is unnatural. Mahikesh’s influence has reached even here.”
As they approached a narrow river of molten lava, a faint sound reached their ears—a low,
rhythmic thrum that seemed to emanate from the very ground. The sound grew louder as they
drew closer, resolving into a pattern that was almost like a heartbeat.
“What is that?” Lava asked, his eyes scanning the horizon.
Manu didn’t answer immediately. His gaze fixed on a distant shape, barely visible through the
heat haze. It was a massive structure, its silhouette jagged and imposing. The faint outline of
dark spires rose against the fiery sky, surrounded by what looked like massive chains that
stretched across the landscape.
“That is the heart of this realm,” Manu said, his voice steady. “The source of its trial—and its
corruption.”
Lava squinted at the structure, his expression uneasy. “It doesn’t exactly scream ‘welcome.’”
“It is not meant to,” Manu replied. “Taparloka is a place of penance, not comfort. Whatever trial
awaits us there will test our endurance, both physical and spiritual.”
As they continued forward, the air grew thicker, almost suffocating. The heat pressed against
their skin like a living thing, and even Manu’s calm demeanor began to show signs of strain.
Lava glanced at him, concern flickering in his eyes. “You holding up, old man?”
“I am fine,” Manu said, though his voice was quieter than usual. “Focus on your breathing. The
heat will sap your strength if you let it.”
Lava nodded, adjusting the pendant of the Boon of Vayu around his neck. The faint glow of the
relic seemed to offer some relief, cooling the air around him just enough to keep him moving.
Ahead, the molten river widened, its surface churning with bubbles of glowing magma. A narrow
stone bridge spanned the river, its surface jagged and uneven.
“Figures,” Lava muttered. “Of course, we have to cross that.”
Manu studied the bridge, his expression unreadable. “The path forward is rarely easy. Be
cautious—this realm will exploit any weakness.”
Lava stepped onto the bridge first, his movements deliberate as he tested each step. The stone
beneath his feet was hot to the touch, but it held steady. “Looks stable enough,” he called back.
Manu followed, his sword drawn and ready. As they reached the center of the bridge, the air
around them shifted, growing heavier with an unseen energy.
Without warning, the ground trembled, and a deafening roar echoed through the realm. From
the molten river below, a massive shape began to rise—a creature forged of fire and stone, its
glowing eyes locking onto the two warriors.
The beast let out another roar, its molten body dripping fiery streams that hissed as they hit the
river below. It moved onto the bridge with surprising speed, its massive claws cracking the stone
beneath it.
“Manu!” Lava shouted, drawing his bow. “I think we’ve got company!”
Manu raised his sword, its flames flaring to life. “Stay calm,” he said. “This is part of the trial.
Focus on its movements—find its weakness.”
The creature lunged, its fiery claws swiping toward them with deadly force. Manu stepped
forward, deflecting the blow with the Aegis of Varuna, the translucent shield glowing brightly as
it absorbed the impact.
Lava rolled to the side, loosing an arrow that struck the beast’s shoulder. The arrow exploded in
a burst of flame, but the creature barely flinched, its molten body absorbing the attack.
“Yeah, that’s not gonna work,” Lava muttered, nocking another arrow. “Any bright ideas?”
Manu’s gaze flicked to the creature’s chest, where a faint, pulsing glow emanated from within
the molten rock. “Its core,” he said. “Aim for the core—it’s the source of its power.”
“Got it,” Lava said, his voice resolute.
The creature roared again, its molten claws slamming into the bridge and sending cracks
spidering across its surface. Manu leapt forward, his sword igniting as he struck at the beast’s
legs, forcing it to stagger.
“Now, Lava!” Manu shouted.
Lava drew his bow, his eyes narrowing as he aimed for the glowing core. He loosed the arrow, its
f
iery tip streaking through the air and striking the creature dead center.
The impact was immediate. The creature let out a guttural roar as the light in its chest flared
brightly, then dimmed. Its massive body began to crumble, collapsing into the molten river
below with a final, echoing hiss.
The bridge trembled but held steady. Lava lowered his bow, exhaling sharply. “Well, that was
fun,” he said, wiping sweat from his brow.
Manu sheathed his sword, his expression calm but tired. “The trials of Taparloka have begun.
We must remain vigilant—the challenges ahead will only grow more demanding.”
The two warriors stepped off the bridge, their eyes fixed on the distant structure. The path
forward was fraught with danger, but their resolve burned as brightly as the fires of the realm
itself.
The jagged structure loomed closer, its dark spires clawing at the fiery sky. The rhythmic thrum
they had heard earlier grew louder with each step, resonating through the cracked ground and
f
illing the air with a palpable tension.
Manu and Lava stopped at the base of the massive edifice. It was unlike anything they had
encountered before—part fortress, part altar, its surface etched with glowing runes that pulsed
in time with the sound. At the center of the structure, suspended in midair, was a relic encased
in jagged chains.
The relic shone faintly, its light dim and flickering like a dying ember. The chains that bound it
were massive, their surfaces glowing with a fiery energy that radiated malice.
Lava tilted his head back, whistling softly. “Well, that’s… ominous. Let me guess—we have to
break those chains?”
Manu nodded, his gaze steady. “Each chain is a manifestation of this realm’s corruption. To free
the relic, we must face what they represent.”
Lava frowned, gripping his bow tightly. “And let me guess—those chains aren’t going to break
without a fight.”
As if in response, the ground beneath their feet trembled. The air around the structure
shimmered, and figures began to emerge from the shadows. Unlike the shadowy doppelgängers
of Janaloka, these forms were monstrous—hulking beasts of fire and ash, their glowing eyes
f
illed with rage.
Manu drew his sword, its flames flaring to life. “Focus on the chains,” he said. “I will hold them
off.”
“Right,” Lava said, nocking an arrow. “No pressure or anything.”
The first beast lunged toward them, its molten claws slamming into the ground with enough
force to send a shower of sparks into the air. Manu stepped forward, raising the Aegis of Varuna
to deflect the blow. The translucent shield absorbed the impact, its surface glowing brightly as
the energy dispersed.
Lava sprinted toward the nearest chain, his eyes fixed on the glowing runes that spiraled along
its length. The chain pulsed with a deep red light, and as he approached, a voice echoed in his
mind.
“You are reckless. Careless. You bring danger to those around you.”
Lava froze, the words cutting through him like a blade. “No,” he muttered, shaking his head.
“That’s not true.”
“Isn’t it?” the voice continued. “How many times has your impatience put others at risk?
How long before Manu realizes you are a liability?”
The chain’s glow intensified, and the air around it grew heavy with heat. Lava gritted his teeth,
drawing an arrow and aiming for the runes. “I don’t have time for this,” he growled, releasing the
arrow.
The projectile struck the chain, but it deflected harmlessly off the glowing surface. Lava cursed
under his breath.
“Lava!” Manu called, parrying a blow from another beast. “The chain’s strength lies in your
doubt. Face it!”
Lava clenched his fists, his breathing unsteady. “Face it… Right.”
He closed his eyes, the voice echoing in his mind. The words stung, but he forced himself to
confront them. “Yeah, I’ve made mistakes,” he said quietly. “I’ve been reckless. But I’m learning.
I’m not perfect, but I won’t stop trying to be better.”
The chain trembled, its glow dimming slightly. Lava opened his eyes and drew another arrow,
aiming for the weakened runes. This time, the arrow struck true, shattering the chain with a
deafening crack.
The beast nearest him let out a guttural roar, dissolving into ash as the chain fell to the ground.
“One down!” Lava shouted, turning to Manu.
Manu nodded, his movements fluid as he engaged two beasts at once. His sword ignited in a
wide arc, the flames cutting through the creatures with precision. As the beasts fell, Manu
turned his attention to the second chain.
The glowing runes on the chain pulsed erratically, and a voice spoke in his mind, cold and
unyielding.
“You call yourself a leader, but you are nothing without those who follow. Without them,
you are powerless.”
Manu’s grip tightened on his sword. The words were a familiar echo of his own fears, ones he
had carried silently for years.
“Leadership is not about power,” he said aloud, his voice firm. “It is about responsibility. I walk
this path not for myself, but for those I protect.”
The chain shuddered, its glow faltering. Manu raised his sword high, the flames of Agni’s Charm
f
laring brightly as he brought it down on the chain. The impact sent a shockwave through the air,
shattering the second chain into glowing fragments.
The final beast dissolved, and the oppressive heat of the realm began to subside.
Lava jogged over, grinning despite the sweat dripping down his face. “Two for two. Not bad,
huh?”
Manu allowed himself a faint smile. “You did well. The relic is nearly free.”
As they turned to the third and final chain, the air grew still, and the relic’s light pulsed faintly, as
though it were watching them. This chain was different—its runes glowed with a golden hue, and
no voice accompanied it.
“This one feels… different,” Lava said, his brow furrowing.
Manu stepped forward, placing a hand on the chain. “This is not a test of doubt. It is a test of
unity. We must break it together.”
Lava nodded, drawing an arrow as Manu raised his sword.
“On my mark,” Manu said, his voice steady.
Lava took aim, his breathing even. “Ready.”
“Now.”
Manu’s sword struck the chain at the same moment Lava’s arrow hit its center. The combined
force shattered the chain into a cascade of golden light, the fragments dissolving as they fell.
The relic pulsed brightly, its light growing steadier and stronger. The oppressive atmosphere of
Taparloka lifted, and the fiery rivers around the structure began to cool, their molten glow fading
into a deep, calm red.
The relic floated downward, coming to rest gently on the pedestal before them. Its surface
shimmered with patterns of fire and ash, but its energy radiated a profound sense of endurance.
Manu and Lava stepped forward together, their hands reaching for the relic. As they touched it, a
surge of warmth spread through them, filling their bodies with renewed strength. The relic
dissolved into streams of light, its power flowing into Manu’s sword and Lava’s pendant.
The glowing patterns etched onto their weapons pulsed faintly, reflecting the strength of the
Relic of Penance.
Lava let out a slow breath, adjusting the pendant around his neck. “That was… intense.”
Manu sheathed his sword, his expression calm but resolute. “The trials of Taparloka have
strengthened us. We are ready for what lies ahead.”
A golden portal shimmered into existence at the edge of the platform, its light spilling onto the
now-cooling ground.
“Alright,” Lava said, a grin breaking through his exhaustion. “Let’s see what the next Loka has in
store.”
Together, they stepped toward the portal, the fires of Taparloka fading behind them as the realm
began to heal.
