The forest canopy thinned as Shrivayu sprinted northward, the terrain shifting from dense jungle to rocky foothills. The wind rushed past him, carrying the scent of pine and the faint promise of rain. His footsteps were light, his body moving with the practiced ease of someone born to run. Still, a weight lingered in the back of his mind—the fragment tucked into his sash.
Ahead, the hills rose sharply, their peaks shrouded in wisps of gray clouds. A storm brewed in the distance, its faint rumbles echoing through the valleys. Shrivayu felt a flicker of unease as he climbed higher, his tail twitching with restless energy. The elder’s warning replayed in his head: Rayankar is closer than you think.
The thought made him pick up his pace, the wind responding to his urgency.
As he crested a ridge, Shrivayu paused to catch his breath and survey the landscape below. The valley stretched out before him, a patchwork of rocky outcrops and sparse greenery. Nestled at the far end was a narrow canyon, its walls streaked with veins of glowing minerals that pulsed faintly in the dim light.
It was beautiful, but Shrivayu barely had time to appreciate it. His sharp ears caught the faint hum of something unnatural, something mechanical.
He crouched low, his eyes scanning the horizon. At first, there was only silence. Then, the hum grew louder, accompanied by the rhythmic thud of something heavy moving across the terrain.
“Not again,” Shrivayu muttered, his tail flicking nervously.
From the mouth of the canyon emerged a trio of machines, their silhouettes glinting in the muted sunlight. These were different from the sleek Vaayuceptor drones he’d faced in the forest. They were larger, bulkier—bipedal machines with thick, reinforced legs that crushed the rocks beneath them. Their bodies were angular and heavily armored, their joints hissing with bursts of compressed air as they moved.
Stormstriker Mechs.
Each mech had a glowing energy core embedded in its chest, and their arms ended in massive, claw-like appendages that sparked faintly with electricity. Their heads, or what passed for them, were equipped with twin red lenses that scanned the area with cold precision.
Shrivayu ducked behind a boulder, his breath quickening. “Well, they’re not here for sightseeing,” he muttered, peeking out cautiously.
The mechs moved in formation, their movements unnervingly coordinated. One of them stopped, its lenses focusing on the ridge where Shrivayu crouched. The wind stilled, and Shrivayu’s heart skipped a beat.
The mech’s lenses flared red, and a high-pitched whine filled the air. Shrivayu barely had time to react before it fired—a searing bolt of blue energy that streaked toward the boulder.
“Move!” Shrivayu yelled to himself, diving to the side just as the bolt hit. The boulder exploded into shards of rock and dust, sending him tumbling down the slope. He scrambled to his feet, coughing as the dust settled.
The mechs began their advance, their clawed feet crushing the rocky ground with deliberate steps. One of them raised its arm, the claws sparking with electricity as it prepared another strike.
“Alright,” Shrivayu said, his grin returning despite the danger. “You want to play? Let’s play.”
The wind surged around him as he bolted downhill, weaving between the rocks with practiced ease. The mechs followed, their heavy frames shaking the ground with each step. Shrivayu darted left, then right, using the terrain to his advantage. The mechs were fast for their size, but they couldn’t match his agility.
One of the machines raised its arm and fired another energy bolt. Shrivayu ducked, the bolt scorching the ground where he’d just been. He laughed, adrenaline coursing through him.
“You’re gonna have to do better than that!” he called over his shoulder.
The wind responded to his challenge, swirling around his legs and pushing him forward. He leapt over a jagged outcrop, his feet barely touching the ground as he sprinted toward the edge of the canyon.
The mechs hesitated at the ridge, scanning the rocky terrain below. Shrivayu grinned, crouching behind a large boulder. “Let’s see how you handle this.”
He grabbed a loose rock and hurled it toward the nearest mech. The projectile hit its armored chest with a dull clang, drawing its attention. The mech’s red lenses flared as it stomped toward the edge, its claws whirring ominously.
Shrivayu waited until it was close, then darted out from his hiding spot. “Come on, big guy!” he taunted, darting toward the canyon floor.
The mech stepped forward, its heavy frame sinking slightly into the loose gravel. Its legs hissed as it tried to adjust, but the unstable ground worked against it. Shrivayu watched as its balance faltered, its claws scrabbling for purchase.
“Too slow,” Shrivayu said, racing past the mech’s flailing legs.
The other two machines began their descent, their movements slower and more deliberate. Shrivayu glanced up at the storm clouds gathering overhead. The first rumble of thunder echoed through the canyon, followed by a faint drizzle.
“Perfect,” he muttered, his grin widening.
The wind howled as Shrivayu darted between the machines, his movements a blur. He reached into his sash and pulled out the glowing fragment, its light brightening in response to the storm.
“Let’s see if you’re as tough as you look,” Shrivayu said, holding the fragment tightly.
He leapt onto the leg of the nearest mech, his claws finding purchase on its smooth surface. The machine jolted, trying to shake him off, but Shrivayu was too quick. He climbed to its chest, holding the fragment against its energy core.
The reaction was immediate. The fragment pulsed, its energy surging into the mech’s core. Sparks flew, and the machine let out a distorted screech as its systems overloaded. Shrivayu jumped clear just as the mech collapsed, its legs crumpling beneath it.
The other two machines hesitated, their red lenses flickering as if recalculating. Shrivayu dusted off his hands.
“One down, two to go,” he said, the wind whipping around him in a frenzy.
Shrivayu’s victory was short-lived. The two remaining mechs turned their attention away from the fallen unit, their glowing red eyes locking onto him. They moved with purpose, their heavy frames crunching through the gravel as they closed the distance. The storm overhead intensified, the drizzle turning into sheets of rain that slicked the canyon floor.
“Alright, big guys,” Shrivayu muttered, flexing his fingers. “Let’s make this quick. I’ve got a village to get back to.”
One of the mechs raised its arm, the clawed appendage sparking ominously. A streak of blue energy shot from its core, splitting the air with a deafening crack. Shrivayu ducked, the bolt whizzing over his head and colliding with the canyon wall. The impact sent shards of rock flying in all directions.
Shrivayu didn’t wait for the next shot. The wind howled as he bolted forward, zigzagging between the machines. His feet skimmed the ground, every step propelled by the gale swirling around him. The mechs tracked his movements, their heads swiveling as they fired in rapid succession.
But Shrivayu was faster.
He leapt over a jagged outcrop, twisting in midair to avoid another energy blast. He landed lightly on the gravel, the rain soaking his fur, and grinned as one of the mechs lumbered toward him.
“You’re slow,” Shrivayu called, darting to the left as the mech swung its claw. The ground shook as the massive arm smashed into the canyon floor, missing him by inches.
The other mech circled around, attempting to flank him. Shrivayu glanced between them, his sharp eyes calculating their movements. He couldn’t take them both down alone—not without risking serious injury.
Then he heard it: the faint, familiar hum of machinery approaching from above.
Shrivayu looked up, rainwater dripping down his face. At first, he thought it might be more of Rayankar’s drones, but as the sound grew closer, his ears perked up. It wasn’t the harsh whirring of enemy machines; it was the steady, rhythmic hum of something… familiar.
The sky above the canyon shimmered as a sleek glider swooped into view, its metallic surface gleaming even in the rain. Perched on the glider’s back was a small figure, its fur golden-brown and its sharp, inquisitive eyes hidden behind a pair of oversized goggles.
“Need a lift?” the figure called, its voice carrying over the storm.
Shrivayu grinned. “Taraksha! Took you long enough!”
The mongoose piloted the glider with expert precision, tilting it sideways to dodge an energy blast from one of the mechs. He swooped low, extending a clawed hand toward Shrivayu.
“Grab on!” Taraksha yelled.
Shrivayu didn’t hesitate. He launched himself into the air, the wind propelling him upward, and caught Taraksha’s outstretched hand. Taraksha pulled him onto the glider, steadying the craft as it wobbled slightly from the added weight.
“Nice entrance,” Shrivayu said, adjusting his stance on the narrow platform.
Taraksha smirked, his goggles glinting. “I try. Who are your new friends?”
“Rayankar’s latest toys,” Shrivayu replied, nodding toward the mechs below. “They’re tougher than they look.”
The mechs didn’t wait for introductions. One of them fired a volley of energy bolts, forcing Taraksha to pull the glider into a sharp climb. The blasts narrowly missed, lighting up the sky with crackling blue arcs.
“We can’t fight them up here,” Taraksha said, his voice tight with focus. “But I’ve got something that might even the odds.”
Shrivayu raised an eyebrow. “I like the sound of that.”
Taraksha grinned, pulling a small, cylindrical device from a compartment on the glider. It was a crude-looking gadget, with wires and gears sticking out at odd angles, but it hummed with an unmistakable energy.
“What is that?” Shrivayu asked, eyeing the device warily.
“I call it the Wind Bomb,” Taraksha said. “It channels concentrated wind energy into a controlled explosion. Perfect for breaking down heavy armor.”
Shrivayu’s grin widened. “I like it.”
Taraksha handed him the device. “Just toss it at the big guys and watch the magic. But aim carefully—I only brought one.”
Shrivayu nodded, gripping the bomb tightly. The glider swooped low again, giving him a clear view of the mechs below. They had regrouped, their red eyes scanning the skies as they prepared another volley.
“Hold steady,” Shrivayu said, crouching on the glider.
Taraksha tilted the craft slightly, angling it for a clean shot. Shrivayu focused, his sharp eyes locking onto the nearest mech. He could see the faint glow of its energy core, pulsing steadily in its chest.
“Here goes nothing,” he muttered.
He leapt from the glider, the wind carrying him in a wide arc toward the mech. As he soared through the air, he activated the bomb, its surface glowing faintly with swirling patterns.
“Catch!” Shrivayu yelled, hurling the bomb directly at the mech’s chest.
The device hit its target with a resounding clang. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, with a deafening whoosh, the bomb detonated, releasing a blast of compressed wind that tore through the mech’s armor. Sparks flew as its core shattered, and the machine collapsed in a heap of twisted metal.
Shrivayu landed lightly on the canyon floor, the wind swirling triumphantly around him. He looked up at the remaining mech, which seemed to hesitate, its lenses flickering as if recalculating its strategy.
Before it could act, Taraksha brought the glider around, firing a series of small projectiles from a mounted launcher. The projectiles struck the mech’s legs, destabilizing it.
Shrivayu grinned. “You’re up, Taraksha.”
Taraksha hovered above the mech, releasing another projectile—a small, glowing disc that attached itself to the machine’s head. The disc sparked once before releasing a burst of energy, frying the mech’s circuits.
The machine let out a distorted screech before toppling forward, its massive frame crashing into the canyon floor.
Shrivayu dusted off his hands as Taraksha landed the glider nearby. “You know,” Shrivayu said, “I could get used to having you around.”
Taraksha hopped off the glider, his goggles pushed up onto his forehead. “Don’t get too comfortable. Rayankar’s not going to stop with just a few mechs.”
Shrivayu nodded, his grin fading. He glanced at the glowing fragment still tucked into his sash. The elder’s warning rang in his ears once more.
“Then we’d better get moving,” he said. “There’s a guardian in the mountains who might be able to help.”
Taraksha tilted his head. “A guardian, huh? Sounds like my kind of adventure.”
The two exchanged a grin before climbing onto the glider together, the wind carrying them toward the looming mountains and the trials that awaited.
The glider cut through the sky, its sleek, improvised design humming softly as it navigated the shifting winds. Shrivayu sat cross-legged on the narrow platform behind Taraksha, his tail flicking restlessly as he scanned the darkening horizon. The storm had passed, leaving the air sharp and clear, but Shrivayu’s thoughts were far from calm.
“You build this thing yourself?” Shrivayu asked, breaking the silence.
Taraksha, gripping the glider’s handlebars with practiced ease, tilted his head back slightly. “Every nut, bolt, and blade,” he said proudly. “She’s not much to look at, but she gets the job done.”
Shrivayu smirked. “Yeah, until one of those big mechs swats it out of the sky.”
Taraksha chuckled, adjusting the throttle. “Don’t worry, wind boy. I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve. Speaking of which…” He leaned to the side and tapped a small panel on the glider’s dashboard. “This baby’s got a stealth mode. If more of Rayankar’s toys show up, we’ll be ghosts before they even know we’re here.”
“Stealth mode, huh?” Shrivayu leaned forward, inspecting the panel with mild interest. “Fancy. What’s with all the gadgets? You some kind of inventor or something?”
Taraksha shrugged, his golden-brown fur catching the light. “Something like that. I like solving problems, and I’ve got a knack for tinkering. Back in my village, if something was broken, I’d fix it. If it didn’t exist, I’d build it.”
Shrivayu raised an eyebrow. “So, what’s a problem-solver like you doing out here, dodging mechs and flying through storms?”
Taraksha didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he adjusted the glider’s course, angling them toward the jagged peaks of the distant mountains.
“Let’s just say I got bored of fixing roofs and making plows,” he said finally, his voice tinged with humor. “Adventure sounded a lot more fun. And when I heard about Rayankar poking around with ancient relics, well… curiosity got the better of me.”
Shrivayu chuckled. “Curiosity, huh? That’s what got me into this mess.” He patted the glowing fragment tucked into his sash.
Taraksha glanced back, his amber eyes narrowing. “That thing… it’s connected to the relics, isn’t it? The Navaniddhis.”
Shrivayu nodded. “The elder says it’s part of the Prithvi Shakti Core. Some kind of ancient treasure. He told me to find the guardian in the mountains—Karvata—and make sure Rayankar doesn’t get his hands on it.”
Taraksha whistled low. “You’re carrying a piece of one of the most powerful relics in existence, and your plan is to just… hand it off to someone else?”
Shrivayu shrugged. “The way I see it, this thing’s too dangerous for someone like me. I run fast, sure, but I’m not exactly relic-guardian material.”
Taraksha frowned, his fingers tightening on the handlebars. “You might want to rethink that. If Rayankar’s after the Navaniddhis, this isn’t just about the relics. It’s about power—and the kind of person who’s willing to destroy everything to get it. You’re already in the middle of this, whether you like it or not.”
Shrivayu’s grin faltered, the weight of Taraksha’s words settling in his chest. He looked down at the fragment, its light pulsing faintly in rhythm with the hum of the glider.
Before he could respond, a sharp beep sounded from the dashboard. Taraksha straightened, his ears twitching.
“Uh-oh,” he muttered, flipping a switch.
“What’s ‘uh-oh’?” Shrivayu asked, his tail twitching.
“Radar’s picking up movement,” Taraksha said, his voice tense. “Looks like we’ve got company.”
Shrivayu craned his neck, scanning the skies. At first, he saw nothing but clouds and the faint shimmer of the moonlight. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he caught a flicker of motion—a shadow cutting across the stars.
“Drones,” he said, his voice low.
A trio of Skyhawks emerged from the clouds, their sleek, bird-like frames glinting in the moonlight. Their wings stretched wide, glowing faintly with energy as they sliced through the air. Each one was armed with small, mounted cannons that swiveled toward the glider as they closed in.
“Great,” Shrivayu muttered, crouching low. “What’s the plan?”
“Plan?” Taraksha smirked, flipping a lever on the dashboard. “Hold on tight.”
The glider jolted as it dove sharply, the wind screaming past them. Shrivayu gripped the edges of the platform, his heart racing as the ground blurred below. The Skyhawks followed, their wings folding inward as they accelerated, closing the distance.
Taraksha yanked the controls, sending the glider into a tight barrel roll. One of the Skyhawks fired, its energy bolts streaking past them and lighting up the night sky.
“You call this a plan?” Shrivayu shouted, clinging to the glider.
“Relax,” Taraksha said, grinning despite the chaos. “I’ve got this.”
He pressed a button, and a small compartment on the glider’s underside opened, releasing a pair of glowing discs. The discs spiraled outward, hovering briefly before emitting a burst of light.
The closest Skyhawk veered off course, its sensors blinded by the flash. It spiraled downward, crashing into the treetops below.
“Nice shot!” Shrivayu called, his grin returning.
“Don’t celebrate yet,” Taraksha said, pulling the glider into a steep climb. “Two more to go.”
The remaining Skyhawks flanked them, firing in unison. Taraksha swerved hard to the right, narrowly avoiding the blasts.
“Think you can take one out?” Taraksha shouted over the wind.
Shrivayu nodded, gripping the edge of the glider. “Get me close.”
Taraksha tilted the glider, angling toward one of the Skyhawks. Shrivayu crouched, his muscles coiled like springs. As they passed within arm’s reach, he leapt onto the drone, his claws digging into its smooth surface.
The Skyhawk jolted, its wings flaring as it tried to shake him off. Shrivayu clung tightly, his sharp eyes scanning for a weak point. He spotted a glowing panel near its wing joint and slammed his fist against it. Sparks flew, and the Skyhawk’s movements became erratic.
With a final blow, Shrivayu ripped the panel free, and the drone’s systems failed. It plummeted toward the forest, exploding in a burst of light.
Shrivayu flipped backward, the wind carrying him safely back to the glider.
“One left!” he shouted.
Taraksha grinned. “Let’s finish this.”
The remaining Skyhawk darted toward them, its cannons glowing as it prepared to fire. Taraksha yanked the controls, sending the glider into a sharp dive.
“Now!” Taraksha yelled, releasing another glowing disc.
The disc struck the Skyhawk’s wing, releasing an electrical pulse that short-circuited its systems. The drone spiraled out of control, disappearing into the trees below.
As the sky cleared, Shrivayu let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding.
“Not bad,” he said, slumping onto the platform. “You really do have some tricks.”
Taraksha smirked, adjusting the controls. “Told you. Now let’s find that guardian before Rayankar sends more friends.”
The glider leveled out, carrying them toward the looming mountains and the unknown dangers that awaited.
The glider cruised over the rugged terrain, its hum blending with the sound of the wind sweeping through the rocky valleys below. The storm clouds had dispersed, revealing a star-strewn sky that cast a faint silver glow over the mountains ahead. Shrivayu sat with his arms crossed, his tail flicking idly as he glanced at Taraksha, who was fine-tuning the glider’s controls with sharp, precise movements.
For a while, neither spoke. The adrenaline from the fight with the Skyhawks had begun to fade, leaving behind an uneasy silence that clung to the cool night air.
“So,” Shrivayu said, breaking the quiet, “you’ve got all these fancy gadgets, you’re great at dodging lasers… Why haven’t I heard of you before?”
Taraksha smirked, not looking up from the controls. “Probably because I’ve been busy doing important stuff. Fixing machines, building gliders, staying alive while Rayankar’s goons run around wrecking everything.”
Shrivayu raised an eyebrow. “Important stuff, huh? Like stealing relics?”
The mongoose turned to him, his amber eyes narrowing. “I didn’t steal anything.”
“Sure,” Shrivayu said, leaning back with a grin. “You just happened to be wandering around where ancient relics are getting unearthed by evil megalomaniacs.”
“I was investigating,” Taraksha snapped, his voice tight. “There’s a difference. When you hear rumors about some nutjob digging up things that shouldn’t be touched, you check it out. At least, I do. But hey, if you’d rather go into this alone, be my guest.”
Shrivayu’s grin faded slightly, and he tilted his head. “I didn’t say that. I’m just trying to figure you out. You’re clever, you’ve got skills… but you’re also cagey. People like that usually have secrets.”
Taraksha scoffed. “Look who’s talking, Mr. ‘I Found a Magic Fragment in the Forest.’ You’ve got your secrets too.”
The wind around them shifted, and for a moment, neither spoke. Shrivayu’s gaze flicked to the horizon, where the jagged peaks of the mountains loomed closer.
“Alright,” he said, breaking the tension. “Maybe I was being a little unfair. You’ve got my back so far, so I guess I owe you one.” He extended a hand. “Shrivayu. Fastest Vanara you’ll ever meet.”
Taraksha glanced at the outstretched hand, then grinned and shook it. “Taraksha. Best mongoose mechanic you’ll ever meet.”
The alliance was tentative, but it was a start.
As the glider approached the base of the mountains, Taraksha slowed their descent, guiding the craft toward a narrow plateau nestled between jagged cliffs. He cut the engine, and the glider’s hum faded into silence as it touched down.
“We’ll have to go on foot from here,” Taraksha said, hopping off the glider and adjusting his tool belt.
Shrivayu leapt down lightly, his tail swishing behind him. “What’s the plan? Find this Karvata guy and hand him the fragment?”
Taraksha adjusted his goggles. “If he’s a relic guardian, he’s probably not going to take your word for it. You’d better be ready to prove yourself.”
Shrivayu smirked, cracking his knuckles. “Prove myself? I can outrun anything this side of the mountains. How hard could it be?”
Taraksha didn’t reply. He pointed toward the path ahead—a narrow trail winding through the cliffs, its edges crumbling into sheer drops. The peaks above were shrouded in mist, the faint glow of bioluminescent moss lighting the rocky walls.
“Looks safe,” Shrivayu muttered, eyeing the steep drop with a grimace.
“It’s the only way,” Taraksha said, already moving ahead.
They climbed in silence, the sound of their footsteps echoing against the cliffs. Shrivayu kept a watchful eye on the trail ahead, his instincts prickling. The air here felt different—heavier, charged with an energy that set his fur on edge.
As they rounded a bend, Taraksha stopped abruptly, raising a hand to signal Shrivayu to halt.
“What is it?” Shrivayu whispered, his ears twitching.
Taraksha pointed ahead. “Tracks.”
Shrivayu followed his gaze. In the dirt ahead were massive footprints, each one pressed deep into the ground. They were larger than anything he’d ever seen, and they led further up the path, disappearing into the mist.
“Let me guess,” Shrivayu said. “Big guy with tusks?”
Taraksha nodded. “If the stories are true, Karvata’s not just a guardian—he’s a warrior. And he doesn’t take kindly to intruders.”
Shrivayu grinned, rolling his shoulders. “Good thing I’m not just any intruder.”
“Just try not to get us both flattened,” Taraksha muttered, following the trail cautiously.
As they ascended, the mist grew thicker, swallowing the path ahead in a pale, ghostly glow. The air felt electric now, the faint hum of energy resonating in Shrivayu’s ears. He clenched his fists, his tail flicking as they reached a wide ledge carved into the mountainside.
In the center of the ledge stood a massive figure, its silhouette outlined against the mist. Karvata.
The boar guardian was even more imposing than Shrivayu had imagined. His muscular frame was covered in thick, dark fur that gleamed like polished stone. Massive, curved tusks jutted from his jaw, each one engraved with glowing green runes. His eyes, sharp and unyielding, glowed faintly beneath his heavy brow. He stood motionless, a massive stone club resting across his shoulder.
“Who dares trespass here?” Karvata rumbled, his voice deep and resonant, like the mountains themselves were speaking.
Shrivayu stepped forward, his usual grin faltering slightly under the guardian’s intense gaze. “Uh, hi. Name’s Shrivayu. Fastest Vanara you’ll ever meet. I’ve got this relic fragment thing, and I think you’re supposed to help me protect it.”
Karvata’s eyes narrowed, his grip tightening on his club. “You carry the Prithvi Shakti Core fragment. Its energy burns bright in your hand. But that does not make you worthy of its power.”
Shrivayu gulped as Karvata took a step forward, his massive frame casting a shadow over the two travelers.
“You must prove yourself,” Karvata said, lowering his club. “Or leave this place in pieces.”
Shrivayu shifted his weight, trying to mask his nerves as Karvata’s imposing figure loomed over him. The boar guardian’s eyes glowed faintly, scanning the young Vanara with a sharpness that seemed to cut through flesh and into his very essence. The massive stone club resting on Karvata’s shoulder looked like it could crush a boulder in one swing.
“So,” Shrivayu began, forcing a grin. “When you say ‘prove myself,’ you mean, like… a race, right? Or maybe a trivia quiz? I’m pretty good at both.”
Karvata’s gaze didn’t waver. “This is no game, Vanara. The Prithvi Shakti Core is not a trinket to be handed to the unworthy. To carry even a fragment of it is to bear the weight of the earth itself. You must prove your strength, your resolve, and your understanding of balance.”
“Balance, huh?” Shrivayu glanced at the glowing fragment tucked into his sash. “I’m more of a speed guy, but sure, I’ll give it a shot.”
Karvata didn’t respond. Instead, he swung his massive club off his shoulder and drove it into the ground with a thunderous crash. The impact sent tremors rippling through the ledge, and cracks spiderwebbed across the rocky surface.
The mist around them thickened, swirling unnaturally as if drawn to the guardian’s presence. Karvata stepped back, his tusks gleaming with faint green light as he raised one hand. The runes etched into his tusks glowed brighter, and the ground beneath Shrivayu’s feet began to shift.
“What the—?” Shrivayu stumbled as the earth split apart, forming a jagged chasm that carved the ledge into uneven sections. Stone pillars rose from the ground, their surfaces slick with bioluminescent moss. The air grew heavy, charged with the hum of raw elemental energy.
“This is your trial,” Karvata said, his deep voice resonating through the mist. “Reach the heart of the platform. If you fail, you will not leave this place alive.”
Taraksha, standing near the edge of the ledge, muttered, “You sure about this, Shrivayu? He doesn’t seem like the forgiving type.”
Shrivayu glanced over his shoulder, his grin returning despite the sweat beading on his brow. “Relax, Taraksha. I’ve got this. I mean, how hard can it be?”
The instant he stepped forward, Karvata’s hand dropped. The stone pillars began to shift, grinding against each other as they rose and fell unpredictably. The chasm yawned wider, its depths obscured by swirling mist that glowed faintly green.
Shrivayu broke into a sprint, his instincts kicking in. The first pillar trembled as he leapt onto it, its surface wobbling beneath his feet. The second pillar was already moving, sliding sideways toward the edge of the chasm. Shrivayu didn’t hesitate. He jumped, the wind propelling him as he landed just in time.
The platforms were erratic, each one moving at a different speed and angle. Shrivayu darted forward, his feet barely touching the stone before he leapt again. The wind surged around him, responding to his every movement, giving him just enough of a boost to stay ahead of the shifting terrain.
“Balance and strength!” Karvata’s voice boomed, echoing through the mist. “Without them, you are nothing!”
Shrivayu gritted his teeth as a pillar tilted sharply beneath him, threatening to send him into the chasm. He threw his weight to the side, rolling as he landed on the next platform. The fragment in his sash pulsed faintly, as if urging him onward.
“Come on, come on,” he muttered, his eyes locked on the heart of the platform—a glowing pedestal surrounded by swirling green light. It was close now, but the pillars ahead were moving faster, their edges crumbling as they collided.
From the corner of his eye, Shrivayu caught a faint flicker of movement in the mist. His instincts screamed a warning.
“Rayankar,” Taraksha whispered from the ledge.
Shrivayu barely had time to react before the sound of whirring machinery filled the air. From the mist emerged a sleek, angular drone, its body covered in sharp-edged plating that glowed faintly blue. Unlike the previous mechs, this one hovered silently, its movements unnervingly smooth. Its single red lens fixed on Shrivayu, and its panels slid open to reveal small mounted cannons.
“Not now!” Shrivayu growled, pushing himself into a sprint as the drone fired.
Blue energy bolts streaked past him, blasting chunks of stone from the pillars. One bolt struck the edge of a platform ahead, sending shards of rock flying into the air. Shrivayu dodged them, his mind racing as he tried to outmaneuver both the terrain and the drone.
“Taraksha!” Shrivayu shouted, his voice strained. “A little help here?”
“Working on it!” Taraksha yelled back. He rummaged through his tool belt, pulling out a small device with blinking lights.
The drone fired again, this time hitting a pillar directly. The stone exploded in a shower of debris, forcing Shrivayu to leap onto the nearest intact platform. He landed hard, his knees buckling slightly.
“Shrivayu, heads up!” Taraksha called.
The mongoose flung the device with a sharp underhand throw. Shrivayu caught it mid-jump, the gadget’s surface cool against his palm.
“What is this?” Shrivayu asked, glancing at the blinking lights.
“EMP bomb!” Taraksha shouted. “Throw it at the drone!”
Shrivayu grinned. “Now you’re speaking my language.”
He waited for the drone to swoop closer, its cannons spinning ominously. The wind swirled around him, tugging at his fur as he crouched low.
“Come on, you oversized tin can,” Shrivayu muttered.
The drone fired, but Shrivayu was already moving. He dodged the blast, the wind propelling him forward as he hurled the EMP bomb. The device struck the drone’s chassis with a resounding clang, releasing a burst of electrical energy.
The drone’s red lens flickered before it shut down completely, its body spinning out of control. It crashed into the chasm, disappearing into the mist below.
Shrivayu landed on the final platform, the pedestal within reach. He didn’t hesitate, placing the fragment into the glowing indentation at its center.
The green light flared, and the shifting pillars froze. The mist parted, revealing Karvata standing at the edge of the ledge. His tusks glowed brightly, the runes etched into them pulsating with energy.
“You have done well, Shrivayu,” Karvata said, his voice steady. “You are faster and stronger than I expected. But speed alone will not protect the relics. You must learn to master the balance of power.”
Shrivayu panted, his hands on his knees as he caught his breath. “Yeah, yeah… balance, strength, wisdom. Got it.”
Karvata stepped forward, his heavy footsteps reverberating through the ground. “I will join you, Vanara. The Navaniddhis must be protected, and Rayankar’s forces grow stronger by the day.”
Taraksha climbed down to join them, a grin spreading across his face. “Alright! Big guy’s on our side now. Things are looking up.”
Shrivayu smirked, his tail flicking. “If this is what it takes to prove myself, I hope the next guardian’s more chill.”
Karvata didn’t smile, his expression grim. “Do not underestimate the others, Shrivayu. Each trial will test more than your speed. The balance of the world is at stake.”
The wind stirred, carrying the faint echo of Rayankar’s machines. The journey was far from over.
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