Test of the Heart

Dark. The atmosphere around Arya and Laksmi was so thick, as if it were swallowing their entire existence. Only the sound of gasping breaths could be heard, while the silence felt so thick. They reached for each other's hands, trying to give each other strength amidst their confusion.

"Arya..." Lakshmi's voice sounded anxious, yet also slightly trembling. "What happened?" "Where are we?" Arya tried to calm himself, even though his heart was racing uncontrollably. "I don't know... But it feels like we are trapped in a different dimension." We must stay calm."

However, as those words were spoken, a faint light appeared in the distance. Slowly, the light grew larger, until it finally formed a portal leading to a vast meadow. Clouds drift slowly across the sky, as if the world is alive, yet very different from the world they know.

"Look at that!" exclaimed Laksmi. "We... we can get out of this darkness!"

Arya held Laksmi's hand tighter. "But be careful." This might just be a test.

They stepped forward cautiously, towards the light that was calling them. As soon as they entered the meadow, the atmosphere became so peaceful. The gentle breeze, the fragrant aroma of flowers, and the heart-soothing natural scenery seemed to hypnotize them.

However, the deeper they walked, the more shadows emerged from the ground, shadows that Arya recognized. The figures were faces from his past his friends, his family, even himself.

"Why did you leave us, Arya?" one of the figures asked with a voice full of regret.

Arya was shocked, his steps halted. "What... what do you mean?""The figure drew closer, and its face transformed into a familiar expression an expression of sadness and betrayal." "You are running away, Arya." "You are afraid to face the truth. You are afraid of yourself."

Laksmi held Arya's arm, whispering softly. "Don't listen to them. That is not the truth. It is just a shadow of your fearful heart."

However, the shadows grew more numerous, more questions troubling Arya's heart. Every face that appears brings forth the guilt he has long hidden. Fear of failure, fear of not meeting the expectations of the people he loves.

"Are you sure you deserve to be the incarnation of Vishnu?" asked another shadow, its voice loud and full of mockery."Are you sure you deserve to be the incarnation of Vishnu?" asked another shadow, its voice loud and full of mockery.

Arya fell silent. The question pierced deeper than she had imagined. In his heart, doubt emerged, creeping into every corner of his soul. "I... I don't know if I'm strong enough for this."

Laksmi approached, holding his hand tightly. "You are stronger than you think, Arya." This is your test to see if you can conquer the fear in your heart. "True strength comes not from being without doubt, but from how we face it."

Arya looked at Laksmi with eyes that began to sparkle, feeling the spirit starting to grow back. "You're right," he said, and his steps became steady again. "I will face it. I will conquer this fear."

With firm determination, Arya looked at the shadows with full confidence. "I will not run away again. I am the incarnation of Vishnu, and I will face it."

Light began to radiate from within him, dispelling the shadows one by one. The heart that was once shrouded in doubt is now filled with peace. All the shadows disappeared, and before her now was only a vast meadow, full of peace.

Laksmi smiled, relieved. "You did it, Arya."

Arya nodded, a sense of relief enveloping his heart. He knew the journey was not over, but one thing was now clear: nothing could stop him if he dared to face his fears.

"Now we must move forward," he said, gazing at the vast horizon stretching before them.

With more assured steps, they continued their journey towards the next trial.

Arya and Laksmi's steps felt lighter after the heart-wrenching trial they had just gone through. Even so, the tranquility they felt was merely an illusion, a pause that seemed to offer a moment to breathe before the next trial arrived.

However, despite the peaceful atmosphere around them, Arya couldn't shake the feeling that something bigger was waiting ahead. Everything they had faced before was part of a much longer journey. The upcoming trial, he was sure, would test more than just physical strength or inner peace.

"Where do we have to go now?" asked Laksmi softly, breaking the silence that enveloped her."Where should we go now?" asked Laksmi softly, breaking the silence that enveloped her. Her eyes scanned the vast meadow, with brightly colored flowers blooming at every step they took.

Arya shifted his gaze from the bright sky to Laksmi. "I think we should continue our journey, even though I don't know what will happen next." This feeling… I feel like someone is watching us."

Laksmi nodded, her eyes still fixed on the surroundings. "I feel it too, but we have no choice but to keep moving forward." This is a trial we must endure, and we cannot turn back."

They continued their journey, entering a dense forest that suddenly appeared in the middle of the meadow. The tall trees towered high, with such dense foliage that sunlight struggled to penetrate. The atmosphere inside this forest feels eerie, and the air is getting colder.

In the middle of the forest, a voice flowed softly, like a whisper from afar. Arya sharpened his hearing. "What is that?" she asked, her voice slightly tense.

Laksmi looked hesitant, her eyes searching for the source of the sound. "I... I don't know." "But it feels like there is a voice leading us. A voice that is calling."

Carefully, they walked towards the source of the voice, and suddenly, a large stone appeared before them, adorned with ancient symbols that glowed faintly. Suddenly, the voice became clearer, and Arya realized that the voice was coming from within herself.

"If you want to continue your journey, you must answer a question," the voice echoed, but they could not find its source.Your answer will determine whether you are worthy to continue or will be trapped here forever."

Arya and Laksmi looked at each other. ""What is the question?" Arya asked with great curiosity.

The voice echoed again, now deeper and more profound.Strength is not the most important thing in this journey. What matters more is your choice, Arya. The choice you make will determine your fate and the fate of those you love. Will you choose strength to defeat the enemy, or will you choose sacrifice to maintain peace?

Arya fell silent, the statement hit him hard. He knew that this answer was not only about himself, but also about the future of the world that would be influenced by every action he took. His struggles so far have raised many questions about himself, about who he is in the face of an unavoidable destiny.

Laksmi looked at Arya with concern, but she knew that this was a test that Arya had to face on his own. "What will you choose, Arya?" she asked, unable to hide the anxiety in her voice.

Arya took a deep breath, calming himself. Within herself, an inner battle began to unfold. The choice he had to make was not about who to defeat, but how he perceived true strength. He remembered everything he had learned throughout this journey about love, sacrifice, and what truly matters.

"Sacrifice," Arya replied firmly, although there was a slight nervousness in his voice. "True strength is not about defeating others, but about protecting those we love, creating peace, even if it means sacrificing ourselves."

Suddenly, the symbols on the large stone began to shine brighter, and the voice stopped. For a moment, the entire forest fell silent again, and the air around them felt lighter.

"Your answer is correct," the voice sounded again, but this time it was softer, full of appreciation. "You have chosen the more difficult path, but it is the right one." Keep walking, incarnation of Vishnu. "The next trial is already waiting for you."

The large stone slowly disappeared, leaving an open path leading deeper into the forest. Arya looked at Laksmi, who was now smiling with relief.

"You have passed the test of the heart," said Laksmi, her voice full of pride. "Now, we just need to take another step forward."

Arya nodded. "This is just the beginning, Laksmi. We must be ready for whatever comes."

With steady steps, they continued their journey, unaware of what awaited them ahead. However, one thing is certain the decision made by Arya has strengthened his resolve to keep moving forward, no matter the challenges.