The golden portal deposited Manu and Lava into a realm unlike any they had encountered so far.
Sutala radiated a mesmerizing glow, its walls and floors covered in intricate patterns of gold and
gemstones that sparkled like stars. Towering columns of crystal rose into the sky, refracting light
into dazzling rainbows that danced across the polished surfaces.
Lava’s jaw dropped as he turned in place, his eyes wide. “Okay… this place is incredible.”
Manu scanned the opulent surroundings, his expression wary. “Do not be deceived. Sutala’s
beauty is its greatest weapon. The realm thrives on greed and desire, preying on those who
cannot see beyond the surface.”
Lava crouched, picking up a gleaming ruby the size of a fist from the ground. He held it up to the
light, grinning. “You think we could take a few of these back with us? You know, as souvenirs?”
“Put it down, Lava,” Manu said sharply.
Lava blinked, surprised by the edge in Manu’s tone. “What? It’s just a rock.”
“It is a trap,” Manu said, his gaze fixed on the ruby. “Sutala will not let its treasures go so easily.
The more you take, the more it will demand of you.”
Lava hesitated, then sighed, dropping the ruby back onto the golden floor. “Fine. No souvenirs.
You’re no fun, you know that?”
Manu didn’t respond, his focus shifting to the path ahead. The golden floor extended into a
series of winding corridors, the walls adorned with shimmering tapestries and glittering
artifacts.
“This is a maze,” Manu said. “Designed to disorient and distract. Stay close, and do not touch
anything.”
“Got it,” Lava said, tightening the grip on his bow. “Hands to myself.”
They stepped into the maze, the air around them growing warmer with each step. The corridors
twisted and turned unpredictably, the walls shifting silently when they weren’t looking.
Lava glanced over his shoulder, frowning. “Did that wall just move?”
“It did,” Manu said. “Sutala’s maze is alive. It reacts to our presence, seeking to trap us.”
“Great,” Lava muttered. “Because this wasn’t hard enough already.”
As they moved deeper into the maze, the treasures lining the walls grew more extravagant.
Golden chalices encrusted with diamonds, swords with jewel-studded hilts, and strings of
pearls large enough to encircle a dragon. The air was thick with the scent of something sweet
and intoxicating, like flowers and honey.
“Lava…” a voice called, soft and melodic.
Lava froze, his eyes darting toward the sound. “Did you hear that?”
Manu stopped beside him, his hand on the hilt of his sword. “It is another trap. Ignore it.”
But the voice came again, sweeter this time. “Lava… don’t you want more? You’ve earned it. All
this could be yours.”
Lava’s gaze shifted to a large chest nestled in a corner, its lid slightly ajar. Within, he could see
gold coins spilling out, their gleam impossibly bright.
“I mean… it wouldn’t hurt to look, right?” Lava said, stepping toward the chest.
“Lava!” Manu barked, grabbing his arm. “Do not give in. Sutala’s wealth is an illusion. Take even
a single coin, and you will be bound to this realm forever.”
Lava hesitated, his hand hovering over the chest. He stared at the gold, his reflection
shimmering on its surface. For a moment, he saw himself surrounded by treasures, his name
chanted by adoring crowds.
“Lava,” Manu said, his voice softer now. “You do not need this. What you seek cannot be found
here.”
Lava swallowed hard, pulling his hand back. “Right. No touching. Got it.”
As they moved away from the chest, the voice faded, replaced by the faint hum of the maze
shifting around them.
“You alright?” Manu asked, glancing at him.
“Yeah,” Lava said, though his voice was tight. “I just… I don’t know. It felt so real, you know? Like
it was calling to me.”
“That is Sutala’s power,” Manu said. “It shows you what you want most, twisting your desires
into chains. But you resisted—that is what matters.”
Lava nodded, his steps growing steadier. “Thanks, old man. I owe you one.”
As they turned a corner, the maze opened into a larger chamber, its center dominated by a
massive statue of an asura king seated on a golden throne. The statue’s eyes glowed faintly, and
its hand rested on a scale balanced with coins and jewels on one side.
Manu stopped, his expression sharp. “The heart of the maze. This is where the trial will begin in
earnest.”
Lava raised an eyebrow. “What gave it away? The giant creepy statue?”
Before Manu could respond, the statue’s eyes flared brightly, and the ground beneath them
trembled. The walls of the maze shifted violently, closing off their path back. The asura king’s
voice boomed through the chamber, deep and commanding.
“Who dares enter my realm and spurn my gifts?” it demanded.
Manu stepped forward, his sword blazing. “We seek the relic of Sutala. Your wealth will not
deter us.”
The statue leaned forward, its voice dripping with mockery. “Wealth is power, mortal. And power
is all that matters. Show me your worth, and I may grant you my treasure.”
The scale at the statue’s side began to tip, the coins and jewels tumbling to the floor as the
chamber darkened. From the shadows emerged figures of gleaming gold, their forms humanoid
but featureless.
Lava drew his bow, his grin returning despite the tension in the air. “Guess it’s time to earn that
relic. Let’s see if these golden goons can keep up.”
Manu raised his sword, the flames casting long shadows across the chamber. “Stay focused,
Lava. Sutala’s trial has only just begun.”
The golden figures charged, their movements fluid and unnervingly silent. Manu and Lava
braced themselves, ready to face the wealth and greed of Sutala head-on.
The golden figures moved with eerie precision, their shimmering forms catching the light of the
glowing chamber. Each step they took was silent, their smooth, featureless faces reflecting the
wealth that surrounded them.
Manu tightened his grip on his sword, its flames flaring brighter. “These are not ordinary
enemies,” he said. “They are born of this realm—manifestations of greed and desire.”
Lava nocked an arrow, his eyes narrowing as he studied the approaching figures.
“Manifestations or not, they bleed like anything else if we hit them hard enough.”
The first golden warrior lunged, its movements unnervingly fluid. Manu met it head-on, his
sword slicing through its midsection. The flames of Agni’s Charm burned brightly as the figure
shattered into a cascade of coins and jewels, which clattered to the floor with an almost
musical sound.
Lava stepped to the side, loosing an arrow that struck another figure in the chest. The golden
warrior crumbled instantly, its form dissolving into a pile of glistening gems.
“See? Easy,” Lava said, grinning.
But as the scattered wealth touched the ground, the air around them shifted. The gems and
coins shimmered, and illusions began to rise from them—visions of thrones, palaces, and
riches beyond imagination.
Lava froze, his eyes locking onto a shimmering image of himself seated on a throne of emeralds,
a crown of gold resting on his head. Around him stood a legion of warriors chanting his name.
“Lava, the great leader,” the vision intoned, its voice soft and seductive. “All this can be yours.
Take it. You deserve it.”
Lava staggered back, shaking his head. “No. It’s not real. It’s just another trick.”
But the illusion persisted, the voices growing louder.
Manu stepped forward, his sword blazing as he swung it through the air. The flames cut through
the illusions, dispelling them in a burst of light. “Focus, Lava!” he said sharply. “Do not let the
illusions take hold.”
Lava blinked, the trance breaking. “Right. Sorry. It just… felt so real.”
“Do not apologize,” Manu said, deflecting another blow from a golden warrior. “Sutala’s power
lies in its ability to distort reality. Trust in your purpose, and it will have no hold over you.”
The remaining golden figures charged in unison, their movements unnervingly coordinated.
Manu and Lava fought side by side, their strikes swift and precise. Each defeated warrior
dissolved into another cascade of coins and jewels, but this time, the illusions did not rise.
The air in the chamber grew heavier, and the booming voice of the asura king echoed through
the space. “You fight well, mortals. But strength alone is not enough. Wealth is power, and you
cannot resist its call forever.”
The scales beside the statue tipped again, sending another wave of golden warriors into the fray.
This time, their forms were larger, their movements faster and more aggressive.
Lava loosed an arrow, striking one of the warriors in the chest, but it barely staggered. “Manu!
These ones are tougher!”
“They are infused with the king’s power,” Manu said, his sword cutting through another figure.
“We must disrupt the source.”
Lava glanced at the towering statue, its glowing eyes fixed on them. “The source… you mean
that thing?”
Manu nodded. “The scales. They fuel his creations. We must tip them out of balance.”
As Manu engaged the warriors, Lava sprinted toward the scales, dodging the attacks of the
golden figures that tried to block his path. The closer he got, the more the air around the scales
seemed to ripple with heat, as if the greed they represented was a living force.
“Lava!” Manu called, deflecting a blow that sent sparks flying. “Hurry!”
“I’m going!” Lava shouted, leaping over a fallen warrior.
He reached the scales and drew an arrow, aiming for the base of the structure. With a deep
breath, he loosed the arrow. The projectile struck true, shattering one side of the scales. The
balance tipped violently, and the coins and jewels piled on the other side spilled onto the floor.
The golden warriors froze mid-attack, their forms flickering. One by one, they crumbled into
piles of dust, their power severed.
The statue of the asura king roared, its glowing eyes flaring brightly. “You dare disrupt my
balance?!”
Manu stepped forward, his sword blazing. “Your wealth holds no power over us. The relic will be
ours.”
The statue’s form began to crack, its golden surface splitting as its energy dissipated. With a
f
inal, thunderous roar, the asura king collapsed into rubble, the chamber falling silent.
The scattered treasures dissolved into light, leaving behind a single object—a radiant orb of
golden light that floated gently in the center of the room.
Lava let out a long breath, lowering his bow. “Well, that was a workout. You good, old man?”
Manu sheathed his sword, his expression calm but resolute. “We have passed the trial. The relic
awaits.”
They approached the glowing orb, its light warm and inviting. Manu and Lava reached out
together, their hands touching the relic at the same time.
A wave of energy surged through them, filling the chamber with a golden glow. The power of the
Relic of Greed flowed into Manu’s sword and Lava’s pendant, the intricate patterns on their
weapons shining brighter.
As the light faded, a golden portal appeared at the far end of the chamber, its glow signaling the
path forward.
Lava adjusted the pendant around his neck, grinning. “Another one down. Let’s see what’s next.”
Manu nodded, his steps steady as they moved toward the portal. “The trials grow harder, but so
do we. The path ahead will demand even more of us.”
Together, they stepped into the portal, leaving Sutala’s glimmering maze behind.
The golden portal deposited Manu and Lava into a chamber unlike any they had seen in Sutala.
The glimmering opulence of the maze was gone, replaced by a calm and understated beauty.
The walls were carved with intricate patterns of vines and flowers, illuminated by the soft glow
of floating orbs that drifted lazily through the air.
At the center of the chamber sat a figure on a simple stone throne—a tall, regal man with dark
skin, wearing a crown of gold and a robe of deep crimson. His presence radiated strength and
dignity, yet there was no malice in his gaze.
Manu stepped forward cautiously, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. “Mahabali,” he said,
his voice calm but firm. “The noble king of the asuras.”
Mahabali’s lips curved into a faint smile. “You speak my name with reverence, Manu. That is rare
among those who tread this path.”
Lava tilted his head, glancing at Manu. “Wait… this is the Mahabali? The guy who gave up
everything to Vishnu?”
“The same,” Mahabali said, his voice deep and resonant. “Though my story is often
misunderstood. I did not give up everything out of weakness, nor was I defeated. I chose to
surrender my wealth and power to uphold dharma. A lesson many, it seems, have forgotten.”
He gestured to the chamber around them, his expression growing somber. “Sutala was once a
realm of peace and balance, where wealth was a means to serve, not to dominate. But greed
has corrupted it, twisting its beauty into chains of desire. The asura king you defeated was a
shadow of what I once stood for—a reflection of how far this realm has fallen.”
Manu inclined his head respectfully. “We seek to restore balance, Mahabali. Your wisdom is
known across the Lokas. If you have guidance to offer, we will listen.”
Mahabali’s gaze shifted to Lava, his smile returning. “And you, young warrior? Do you
understand the lesson of Sutala?”
Lava scratched the back of his neck, his grin sheepish. “Uh… don’t touch the shiny stuff?”
Mahabali chuckled softly. “A simple truth, but not the only one. Wealth, like power, is neither
good nor evil. It is a tool, shaped by the intentions of those who wield it. Greed arises not from
the wealth itself, but from the fear of losing it—or the desire to hoard it for oneself.”
Lava nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. “So… it’s not about taking or not taking. It’s
about why you’re taking, right?”
“Exactly,” Mahabali said. “Wealth, like strength, is meant to be shared, to uplift others. When it
becomes a chain that binds you to your desires, it ceases to serve and begins to rule.”
Manu stepped forward, his tone measured. “The trials of Sutala have reminded us of the
dangers of greed, but also of the power of clarity and purpose. We are grateful for your wisdom,
Mahabali.”
Mahabali inclined his head. “And I am grateful for your resolve. The Lokas are in desperate need
of guardians who understand that true power lies not in domination, but in balance.”
He rose from his throne, his presence towering yet calm. “The Relic of Greed has strengthened
your resolve, but the path ahead will demand even more. The lower realms are darker, more
treacherous, and filled with those who thrive on chaos. Trust in each other, and in the lessons
you have learned.”
Mahabali extended his hand, and a glowing orb of light appeared between his palms. It floated
gently toward Manu and Lava, splitting into two streams that flowed into their weapons.
“This is my blessing,” Mahabali said. “A reminder that wealth and power are tools, meant to
build bridges, not walls. Carry it with you, and let it guide your steps.”
Lava adjusted the pendant around his neck, a grin spreading across his face. “Thanks, Your
Majesty. You’re a lot cooler than that other guy we fought.”
Mahabali laughed, the sound deep and warm. “Go now, warriors. The next realm awaits.”
A portal of shimmering light appeared at the far end of the chamber, its glow brighter and
steadier than the crimson portal they had entered through.
Manu bowed deeply. “Thank you, Mahabali. Your wisdom will not be forgotten.”
The two warriors stepped toward the portal, its light enveloping them as they left Sutala behind.
The portal’s shimmering light faded, and Manu and Lava stepped into a realm cloaked in
darkness. Talatala’s oppressive atmosphere pressed against them like a living thing, its air thick
and heavy with the scent of damp stone. The ground beneath their feet was rough and uneven, a
labyrinth of twisting paths stretching into an abyss of shadow.
Faint, flickering lights glowed in the distance, their pale illumination casting long, distorted
shadows that shifted unnaturally. The walls of the maze seemed to breathe, their surfaces
pulsing faintly as though alive.
“Alright,” Lava muttered, his voice low. “This is officially the creepiest place we’ve been so far.”
“Talatala,” Manu said, his tone steady but grim. “The Realm of Deception. Its trials are not of
strength or endurance, but of the mind. Everything here is designed to confuse, to divide, and to
destroy trust.”
Lava tightened his grip on his bow, his eyes scanning the shifting shadows. “Fantastic. So,
what’s the plan? Stick together and hope we don’t get tricked?”
Manu nodded. “Trust is our greatest weapon here. The realm will try to isolate us, to turn us
against each other. Remember the lessons we’ve learned.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Lava said, adjusting the pendant of the Boon of Vayu around his neck. “Don’t fall
for the shiny stuff, don’t listen to creepy voices, and definitely don’t wander off.”
They began moving cautiously through the labyrinth, the faint light of Manu’s sword casting
f
lickering shadows across the uneven walls. The paths twisted and turned unpredictably,
splitting and rejoining in ways that made it impossible to keep track of their direction.
After several minutes of silence, Lava spoke up, his voice tense. “This place feels… wrong. Like
it’s watching us.”
“It is,” Manu said. “Talatala is alive. It senses our presence and reacts to our thoughts. Stay
focused. The moment you let doubt take hold, it will use it against you.”
As they turned a corner, the air grew colder, and the faint flickering lights ahead dimmed. A low,
rhythmic sound echoed through the maze, like the distant tolling of a bell.
“What’s that?” Lava asked, stopping in his tracks.
“A warning,” Manu said. “The realm knows we are here. It is preparing its trial.”
Before Lava could respond, the ground beneath them trembled. The walls of the maze shifted
violently, closing off the path behind them and creating new corridors ahead.
“Great,” Lava muttered, drawing his bow. “And here I thought this place couldn’t get worse.”
The two moved forward cautiously, the paths growing narrower and more twisted. The rhythmic
sound grew louder, accompanied by faint whispers that seemed to come from the walls
themselves.
“Manu…” a voice whispered, soft and mocking.
Manu stopped, his hand tightening on his sword. “Ignore it,” he said. “It is an illusion.”
The whispers grew louder, overlapping and distorting into a cacophony of voices.
“You cannot save them, Manu,” one voice hissed.
“They will fall, and it will be your fault,” another said.
Manu’s jaw tightened, but he pressed forward, his steps steady. Lava glanced at him, concern
f
lickering in his eyes.
“You good?” Lava asked.
“I am fine,” Manu said. “Do not let the voices distract you.”
But as they continued, the whispers shifted, their tone turning playful and familiar.
“Lava…” the voices cooed. “You’re just a follower. A shadow. You’ll never be more than that.”
Lava froze, his grip on his bow tightening. “Manu, I—”
“Lava!” Manu said sharply, stepping in front of him. “Focus. These voices are nothing but lies.”
Lava swallowed hard, nodding. “Right. Lies. Got it.”
The whispers faded, and the maze opened into a wide chamber. The walls were lined with
jagged mirrors, their surfaces reflecting distorted images of Manu and Lava.
Lava approached one of the mirrors, frowning. “These things are… weird.”
The mirror showed his reflection, but it moved differently, its grin twisted into something
malicious.
“Why do you follow him?” the reflection sneered. “You could be more. You should be more.”
Lava turned away, his hands clenching into fists. “Manu, these mirrors are messed up.”
“They are another illusion,” Manu said, his tone firm. “They reflect what we fear, what we doubt.
Do not let them control you.”
As Manu stepped past one of the mirrors, his own reflection sneered at him, its eyes filled with
scorn.
“You call yourself a leader,” it said. “But you are nothing without those who follow. They will
leave you. They always do.”
Manu ignored the reflection, his steps deliberate. “The mirrors feed on our insecurities,” he said.
“We must find the source of their power and destroy it.”
At the far end of the chamber, a faint glow pulsed from a pedestal surrounded by jagged spikes.
The light flickered like a dying flame, casting long shadows across the room.
“That’s gotta be it,” Lava said, pointing to the pedestal.
Manu nodded. “Stay close. The mirrors will try to stop us.”
As they moved toward the pedestal, the distorted reflections stepped out of the mirrors, their
forms becoming solid. Each figure was a warped version of Manu and Lava, their faces twisted
with malice.
The reflections attacked without warning, their movements unnervingly synchronized. Manu
raised his sword, its flames flaring as he deflected a strike from his doppelgänger.
“Lava! The pedestal!” Manu shouted.
“On it!” Lava said, dodging a blow from his own reflection.
He sprinted toward the pedestal, loosing arrows at the reflections that moved to intercept him.
The glowing light on the pedestal pulsed erratically, as if reacting to his presence.
Lava reached the pedestal and drew his bow, aiming for the center of the glow. With a deep
breath, he loosed the arrow, its fiery tip striking the heart of the light.
The room erupted in a blinding flash, and the reflections let out guttural screams as they
dissolved into shadows. The mirrors shattered, their shards scattering across the chamber floor.
The oppressive air lifted, and the maze walls shifted again, revealing a new path lined with faint,
golden light.
Manu lowered his sword, his breathing steady but heavy. “You did well, Lava. The trial is over—
for now.”
Lava adjusted the grip on his bow, a grin breaking across his face. “Yeah, well, remind me to
never look in a mirror again.”
Manu allowed himself a faint smile as they stepped onto the new path. The glow ahead
beckoned them forward, promising the next challenge—but for now, the shadows of Talatala
had been defeated.
The golden light guided Manu and Lava deeper into Talatala, its steady glow a comforting
contrast to the shifting shadows and oppressive darkness of the maze. The path grew narrower,
the walls of the labyrinth closing in around them like a living thing.
Lava glanced at Manu, his voice quiet. “So, what do you think this ‘final test’ is going to be?
Another creepy statue? More mirrors?”
“Talatala thrives on deception,” Manu said, his tone even. “Its final test will force us to confront
the lies we believe about ourselves. Stay vigilant, and remember what we’ve learned.”
The path opened into a circular chamber, its walls etched with glowing runes that pulsed faintly
like a heartbeat. At the center of the room hovered the Relic of Deception, a shimmering orb of
black and silver light. Its surface swirled with shifting patterns, as though it held the very
essence of the realm’s illusions.
Lava stepped forward cautiously, his bow at the ready. “Alright, there it is. Let’s grab it and get
out of here.”
Before Manu could respond, the air around them grew heavy, and the faint glow of the chamber
darkened. The Relic of Deception pulsed, and the room was suddenly filled with dense mist that
obscured everything but the relic’s faint light.
“Manu?” Lava called, his voice echoing.
“I’m here,” Manu said, though his voice sounded distant.
The mist thickened, separating the two warriors and plunging them into silence. Lava turned in
place, his bow drawn, but all he could see was the swirling fog.
“Manu?” he called again, his voice tinged with unease.
No answer came. Instead, a figure emerged from the mist—tall, regal, and familiar. Lava froze,
his breath catching as he recognized the figure’s face.
“Father?” he whispered.
Lord Rama stood before him, his golden armor gleaming faintly in the dim light. His expression
was stern, his gaze piercing.
“You have failed me, Lava,” Rama said, his voice cold.
Lava took a step back, his hands trembling. “No… that’s not true. I’ve been trying. I’ve—”
“Trying is not enough,” Rama interrupted, his tone sharp. “You are reckless, impulsive. You lack
the discipline to carry my name.”
The words cut deeper than any weapon, but Lava clenched his fists, his breathing unsteady.
“You’re wrong,” he said, his voice wavering. “I’m not perfect, but I’m more than just your
shadow. I’m forging my own path.”
The figure of Rama sneered, stepping closer. “You? A leader? You are nothing without me.”
Lava closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. “You’re not real,” he said quietly. “You’re just another
lie. I don’t need your approval to prove my worth.”
When he opened his eyes, the figure of Rama dissolved into mist, the oppressive weight in the
air lifting slightly.
On the other side of the chamber, Manu faced his own illusion. The mist parted to reveal a
younger version of himself, clad in royal robes and a crown of gold.
“You’ve failed them,” the younger Manu said, his voice filled with scorn.
Manu stood his ground, his expression calm but wary. “Who have I failed?”
“Your people. Your family. Everyone who trusted you,” the younger version said. “You abandoned
them for this quest, leaving them vulnerable. How many lives have been lost because of your
choices?”
Manu’s grip on his sword tightened. “Every choice I have made has been in service of dharma.
The path is not always clear, but it must be walked.”
The younger Manu stepped closer, his eyes narrowing. “You tell yourself that to ease your guilt,
but the truth is simpler—you are afraid. Afraid of failing, afraid of being forgotten.”
Manu met his gaze, his voice steady. “Fear is natural. But I do not let it rule me. My path is clear,
and I will not waver.”
The younger version of himself hesitated, then dissolved into mist, its final words fading into
silence.
The mist cleared, revealing the chamber once more. Lava stood on the opposite side, his bow
lowered but his expression resolute.
“You good?” Lava asked, his grin returning faintly.
Manu nodded. “The illusions are broken. The relic is within our reach.”
They stepped forward together, the Relic of Deception pulsing softly as they approached. The
swirling patterns on its surface seemed to shift and settle, as if acknowledging their presence.
Manu and Lava reached out, their hands touching the relic at the same time. The moment their
f
ingers brushed its surface, a surge of energy coursed through the chamber.
The Relic of Deception dissolved into streams of black and silver light, its power flowing into
Manu’s sword and Lava’s pendant. The intricate patterns etched into their weapons shimmered,
their glow reflecting the clarity and strength they had gained.
The air in the chamber grew lighter, and a new portal appeared at the far end of the room, its
glow steady and golden.
“Another one down,” Lava said, adjusting the pendant around his neck. “And no creepy mirrors
this time.”
Manu sheathed his sword, his expression calm but resolute. “The trials of Talatala are behind
us. But the path ahead will demand even more of us.”
Lava grinned, stepping toward the portal. “Bring it on.”
Together, they stepped into the portal, leaving the shadows of Talatala behind.
