Training Continues

DIGVIJAY was unconscious. The archer stood before him. The archer placed its hand on DIGVIJAY's head. A white light emanated from its hands and entered DIGVIJAY's body. All his wounds healed, and he regained consciousness.

DIGVIJAY: Thank you, teacher.

Teacher: Why did you summon the warriors when you weren't ready?

DIGVIJAY: teacher, I felt the power of both earth and sky within me. I thought I was ready, so I considered fighting...

Archer: Half a meal never provides the body with full energy, my son. Similarly, half power cannot make you victorious. Until your body is filled with the energy of both, you are not ready to test your strength...

DIGVIJAY: Please forgive me, teacher. I won't make such a mistake again.

DIGVIJAY returned to meditation, and the archer disappeared...

On my side..

My condition had deteriorated. I had been struggling for the past 6 hours, yet I hadn't even scratched the snake. It was fortunate that my wounds healed quickly, or else I would have been done for by now.

This damn snake was incredibly stubborn. It seemed invincible. I had tried every method imaginable—fire, water, rocks—but none had any effect.

Now, how did I learn the skill of battling with fire, water, etc.? Let's go back to a small flashback...

THE NIGHT BEFORE...

The effect of the elixir given by Guruji was immediate. My fatigue vanished, and now I couldn't even sleep. I thought of reading the book Master had given me...

As soon as I opened the book, something miraculous happened. The pages of the book began to detach one by one and fly into the air like birds.

Before I knew it, all the pages had spread around me...

Now, damn it, I couldn't understand whether Master gave me the book to read or to fly with...

As I was contemplating, a page flew towards me and stopped in front of me.

"Vithnuthe Rahasayam..."

(Unfold the Secret)

These words were written in large letters on the page...

The words echoed in my mind. Suddenly, a bright light spread throughout the tent. As the light dimmed, each page came before my eyes one by one, and I kept memorizing the spells and techniques written on them.

Each page described how to use "Sastra" like weapons. It contained spells for summoning fire and water, along with instructions on how to wield them. There was also information on transforming any "sastra" into something new, and much more that I would discover later. I kept reading for about 3 hours. Whenever I read, it felt like I wasn't just reading the spells but also practicing them. Despite reading for so long, I had only managed to read about 2 percent of the book. Just as I thought I would read the rest later, all the pages returned to the book and it closed, landing in my hands.

Amazing... it seems even the book can read my mind...

BACK TO PRESENT:

But I couldn't accept defeat. I calmed my mind and charged towards the snake again. The challenge was that it had three heads, making it difficult to attack.

Seeing me approach, it spat its venom towards me. The venom was green and in large quantity. Sliding on my knees, I narrowly avoided the venom and moved forward. Now, I contemplated a two-pronged attack. Summoning my sword, I hurled it towards the snake.

"Jalam Parigraham..."

The sword reached in front of one of the snake's heads and stopped, releasing a powerful stream of water towards it. The force was immense, causing the snake to recoil. It was the first time I had put the snake on the back foot. Sprinting towards the snake, I leaped into its coils and with a powerful leap, I slashed one of its heads.

My joy knew no bounds. As I looked ahead, I saw Akshaant and Shaila staring at me with wide eyes. Before I could understand anything, a loud scream escaped from Shaila's mouth, causing a momentary delay in my comprehension.

I felt as if someone was tightly binding me—it was the snake's coil wrapping around me. My condition worsened. When I looked up, a new shock awaited me—the snake's head that I had severed had been replaced by a new one. My confidence shattered completely.

Meanwhile, the snake continued to whip its coils around me relentlessly. It felt like my bones were about to break, and the pain was overwhelming. I lost consciousness.

"NOOO... Vijay has fainted. We have to do something, or he won't survive," Shaila cried out.

"We can't do anything, Shaila. It's the rule of Matibhram that one must face their own challenges," Akshaant replied.

"Then why did you choose this challenge?" Shaila demanded.

"How could I have known that the Transformation device could take such a ferocious form? Such a thing has never happened in the history of the Matibhram Ground," Akshaant reasoned.

"So, what do we do now?" Shaila asked desperately.

"We can't do anything. Whatever needs to be done, Vijay will do it," Akshaant replied with resignation.

My soul left my body and stood before the same light where I reach every day during meditation.

"Vijay, what happened? You've given up so easily. You're not that weak, Vijay. Recognize yourself. Look within. These minor obstacles cannot stop you. Get up, face them," the light spoke.

I was completely engulfed by the voice of that light. It approached me, touched me, and I felt a jolt. My eyes opened.

I was still trapped in the snake's coils, but now I felt no pain at all. Regaining consciousness, I saw Akshaant and Shaila, both filled with enthusiasm.

"AGNI PRAKATAM..." Fire started emanating from my entire body. The snake couldn't bear the flames and loosened its grip.

With a high jump, I stood directly in front of the snake. It simultaneously released venom from all three heads onto me, in large quantities.

"ABHUPAPPATI (PROTECTION)..." A shield formed in front of me, stopping all the venom.

Now, it was time for me to end this game. I contemplated attacking it right back.

"I considered attacking it right there...

VISH BRAMZAATE...

All the poison that was blocked by my shield created by me. It started moving back towards snake.

I extended both my hands, one hand started showing fire and the other water.....I brought both hands together ....SAMSRAVA (FLOW TOGETHER) and extended my hands forward.

FIRE and WATER both spread in different directions simultaneously and seeing the form they took, AKSHAANT AND SHAILA remained stunned...

Because my three weapons (FIRE, WATER, POISON)

had also taken the form of a snake. Before the snake could understand anything, my three snakes took its different parts into their mouths and kept swallowing them..... and before we knew it, the snake was completely swallowed. As soon as the snake disappeared, those three also disappeared..."

KADKADKADDDDKADDDDDD...

A bolt of lightning struck, and amidst it emerged a sage-like man who approached me. Just as I was about to say something, AKSHAANT and SHAILA came running and bowed before him. Seeing them do so, I also bowed.

UNKNOWN- Get up, children.....

The three of us stood up.

ME- Who are you?

Before I could answer, AKSHAANT replied.

AKSHAANT- Vijay, this is FLOSANTO.....

The creator of MATI BHRAM's challenges...not only that, in this universe, he is the creator of any maze.

FLOSANTO- Vijay, I am very pleased with your bravery. No one has ever crossed my challenge so quickly and effortlessly.

Well, where did you easily cross from? All nuts and bolts got loose in this puzzle...but what's the point of saying anything.

ME- Thank you, FLOSANTO....

FLOSANTO- I want to give you something, my son.

Then FLOSANTO placed his hand on top of my head and murmured something. Light started emanating from his hands and entered me... my eyes closed. The ocean of knowledge appeared before me.

FLOSANTO removed his hand and said.....

FLOSANTO- Son, I have placed all the secrets of the mazes of this universe inside you. Now there will be no maze, no puzzle that you cannot solve. Not only that, if you wish, you can create even the biggest maze yourself and trap your enemies...

I touched FLOSANTO's feet, saying "Victory is Yours" he disappeared....

As soon as he disappeared, the MATIBHRAM arena also disappeared, and we returned to the jungle. But wait, it was still daytime. I looked at AKSHAANT. He understood my confusion.

AKSHAANT- Our time cycle had stopped as soon as the transformation device changed form.

But today's training stops here. Vijay, go and rest. I said goodbye to both and left.

SHAILA- How was Vijay able to use fire and water so well? We should ask him.

AKSHAANT- He didn't just use fire and water, he did much more today. But we don't need to ask.

SHAILA- Why?

AKSHAANT- When Vijay began to use his powers, master had connected with my mind and said that at the right time, we would know everything.

SHAILA- Ohhh!!!! Okay then, let's go to rest too....

ON ANOTHER SIDE:

DIGVIJAY had been meditating for 2 days... He was sensing boundless power within himself, but due to his previous mistake, he was not taking any chances. But now, the energy within him had grown so much that he couldn't bear it anymore...

OPEN YOUR EYES, SON. YOU ARE READY...

DIGVIJAY immediately opened his eyes. This voice came from within DIGVIJAY, the one Archer had mentioned, but the energy was so intense that DIGVIJAY took some time to control it.

DIGVIJAY- YUDH VISPRADHA....

and 10 WARRIORS appeared... and started advancing towards DIGVIJAY from both sides. This time, DIGVIJAY didn't do anything. He just stood silently. As soon as the warriors raised their swords to attack, DIGVIJAY extended his hand forward and invoked the EARTH...

COUNTERSTRIKE.....a light of earth color emanated and struck the WARRIORS, turning one side of them into mud.

DIGVIJAY extended his other hand forward and invoked the SKY, COUNTERSTRIKE...A fast lightning bolt emitted from DIGVIJAY's hands, turning the WARRIORS into ashes.

With a swift tremble, Archer appeared again, but this time he wasn't alone, AGRASENA was with him...

AGRASENA- Very well done, young man. You have learned a lot in a very short time. Archer's work here is done. I will continue your training from now on.

DIGVIJAY sought Archer's blessing. Archer vanished...

AGRASENA- So far, you have learned to wield weapons and tactics directly, and now it's time to master the powers of earth and sky. I will teach you the "SAMAYOJANA VIBJUTI" (COMBINE POWER)...

All the combat skills you've learned so far can only defeat your opponent if they are weaker than you or equally powerful. But with this combat skill, you can enhance your strength as much as you want.

DIGVIJAY-(in his mind) Wow..... this is going to be fun. If I learn this, then what about Vijay, I will become the most powerful in the universe...

AGRASENA- Let's begin!!!!!

DIGVIJAY- As you deem fit, Master...

MEANWHILE IN DHAWALGARH:

"Moommmmmm..."

"What happened, Avni? Why are you shouting?"

"Mom, where is my breakfast? I'm already late...."

"Getting ready to go somewhere so early in the morning....!!!!"

"Ugh, Mom. I told you last night, I have plans for an outing today. Now please, no more questions. I'm already late. SHANAYA has called me 10 times already."

Mom brings breakfast... She's doing some work leisurely. If you had to go out, you should have gotten ready earlier, right....

"Oh come on, Mom... it's not a big deal... By the way, where are is Dad?"

"He left for Australia early in the morning...."

"OH SHIT!!!! What do I do now!!!! IDEA..... I'll call Grandpa.... Mom, where is Grandpa?"

MOM- He's sitting outside in the garden. Why, what happened???

Avni- Nothing, Mom. Just like that. (In her mind: If I tell you, you'll directly refuse, but you won't reject Grandpa's request.)

Then Avni quietly had her breakfast, said bye to Mom, and went outside.....

Avni- Hi, Grandpa... how are you this morning...!!!!!!

Grandpa- I'M fine, dear. Where are you off to so early in the morning...!!!!

Avni- Well, Grandpa, I'm going out with friends for a little outing. By the way, Grandpa, you promised me on my birthday that you would fulfill one of my wishes.

Grandpa- Of course, beta, everything is yours. Just tell me what you want, and you'll have it.

Avni- Really? You won't refuse later, will you?

Grandpa (slightly amused) We AHUJAs never go back on our word....

AVANTIKA- Grandpa, I'm ************* .....

Upon hearing this, Grandpa was initially shocked, then saddened....

WHAT COULD AVNI HAVE ASKED FOR.... WELL, THAT WILL BE REVEALED IN THE LATER CHAPTERS.

here's a brief introduction to each member of the Ahuja family:

GRANDPA- GULSHAN AHUJA...

GRANDMAA- SHARMILA AHUJA...

DAD- NAVIN AHUJA...

MOTHER- DIPTI AHUJA....

ELDER BROTHER- RIYANSH AHUJA.....

UNCLE- NIKHLESH AHUJA...

AJNT- AMRITA AHUJA.....

NIKHLESH SON- DEVANSH AHUJA.....

NIKHLESH DAUGHTER- SHANAYA AHUJA....

DAVID- BODY GUARD OF NAVEEN AHUJA.....

The description and nature of all characters will be revealed as their roles unfold.

To be Continued..