Chapter 2: The Bond with Spirits

In the heart of the dense forest, where a haunting silence lingered, Shubhu sat lost in his thoughts. The world around him constantly reminded him of what he had lost and the destruction he had unintentionally caused. The two worlds—Earth and Satal—had merged into one, and those who survived were fighting for their existence.

Scenes of devastation flashed before Shubhu's eyes—the destruction, the screams, and the pain of the people. He considered himself the cause of this disaster. The burden of what he had done weighed heavily on his heart. Both the gods of Earth and Satal hated him, and perhaps they had every reason to. They had witnessed how, unknowingly, his experiment had joined the two worlds, leading to a catastrophic calamity.

Shubhu was filled with unbearable guilt. A single question echoed in his mind—would he ever be forgiven for what he had done?

Suddenly, his trance was broken when he felt some movement around him. He looked up and noticed small beams of bright light hovering around him. These were no ordinary lights; they were spirits—born from the merging of the worlds. They circled him calmly, without any anger or hatred.

Shubhu looked at the spirits closely. Among them, one spirit seemed more powerful and radiant than the others. It slowly approached him, speaking in a quiet voice, though the voice did not reach his ears but echoed directly in his mind.

"What has happened cannot be undone," the spirit's voice was deep but free of anger. "But we can help with what is to come."

Shubhu looked at the spirit with focus. "Who are you?" he asked softly, confusion in his voice.

"We are spirits born from the merging of the new world," the spirit replied. "What you began, we are the result of that. And now, you are not alone."

For a moment, a faint hope sparked in Shubhu's heart. He wondered if, with the help of these spirits, he could set things right. "Will you help me?" he asked, hesitating slightly.

The spirit's light grew brighter, and it spoke, "We will help you, and in return, you will help us. This will be a contract."

Shubhu pulled back slightly. "A contract?" he repeated softly.

"Yes," the spirit confirmed. "You need us, and we need you. We will give you our powers, and in return, you will protect us and help us understand this world."

Shubhu thought for a moment. This was a new chance, an opportunity to fix things and make a change. He took a deep breath and looked at the spirit.

"Alright," he said. "I accept your contract."

As soon as he said this, the other spirits began to swirl around him. Their light lit up the entire forest. Shubhu could feel something inside him changing—a new power awakening within him. A strange energy flowed under his skin, and his face began to change.

The spirit's voice echoed again, "We will give you a new face, so no one will recognize you. This disguise will protect you from the gods' eyes."

Shubhu felt as if he was transforming into a new form. His face, his identity, everything was changing. He was no longer the Shubhu who had once been a scientist. He had now taken on a new form—ready to survive in this new world.

The spirit spoke its final words, "This is a new beginning, Shubhu. Now you can start your journey."

Shubhu touched his altered face. It was indeed a new beginning. Now, with his true identity hidden, he was about to embark on a new journey in this world. With the help of the spirits, he not only had a chance to correct his mistakes but also to find his place in this newly merged world.