Ch - 68 Opinions?

Swayam, with his heightened hearing and senses, easily overheard their conversation. It wasn't new for him to encounter people with differing opinions and views about everything.

There was a time when Swayam experienced a moment of enlightenment while casually sitting in a garden, staring at the sky. It was one of those moments when the weight of his thoughts felt heavier than usual. He found himself contemplating the various philosophies and perspectives that had shaped his understanding of the world, realizing how vast and diverse they truly were.

India was like a vast ocean of ideas—each wave representing a different school of thought, each ripple a unique perspective. Growing up, he was surrounded by diverse people and had come across those who spoke of the ancient philosophies of Hinduism. They mentioned the concept of *Advaita*, the idea that the individual soul, *Atman*, was ultimately one with the universal soul, *Brahman*. But as he grew up and encountered even more people, he realized that this was just one of many perspectives.

Being an orphan, Swayam was always curious about his parents' religion, so with this curiosity and some free time, he began to explore and try to understand various religions. In doing so, he encountered all sorts of philosophies. Buddhism, for example, emphasized the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path as guides toward the cessation of suffering. Then there was Jainism, whose adherence to *Ahimsa*, or non-violence, fascinated him, especially the idea of *Anekantavada*—the belief that reality was multifaceted and that truth could be seen from multiple perspectives. This resonated with him, as he accepted that no single viewpoint could hold all the answers.

But it wasn't just the spiritual and religious philosophies that intrigued him. Swayam was also drawn to the materialistic and atheistic thoughts of the *Charvaka* school. It was bold, challenging the supernatural and placing trust solely in what could be perceived and experienced. It felt grounding, especially in a world that sometimes seemed too abstract and distant.

And then there was the idea of *Karma*—the law of cause and effect. This principle was so deeply ingrained in the Indian psyche that it felt almost natural to believe that every action had a consequence, shaping one's future. But alongside *Karma* was *Dharma*, the moral and ethical duties each person had. Swayam often questioned himself about his *Dharma*—what was the role and meaning of his life.

The more he explored, the more he realized that Indian philosophy wasn't just about abstract concepts; it was deeply pragmatic, blending the spiritual with the material. The idea of the *Purusharthas*—the four goals of life: *Dharma* (duty), *Artha* (prosperity), *Kama* (pleasure), and *Moksha* (liberation)—felt like a roadmap to a balanced life. It wasn't about renouncing the world but about finding harmony within it.

Swayam, who had these ideas, couldn't help but think about how they applied to his own life. The concept of *Moksha*, or liberation, had made him extremely curious. He often pondered whether it was truly about breaking free from the cycle of birth and death or about finding peace within oneself amidst the chaos of life. And what about *Ahimsa*? In a world so filled with conflict, how did one practice non-violence in thought, word, and deed?

These were questions that didn't have easy answers. But perhaps that was the point. Indian philosophy, he realized, wasn't about providing definitive answers; it was about embracing the complexity of life, understanding that truth was multifaceted, and recognizing that one's path was a deeply personal journey.

In the end, Swayam concluded that his contemplations were unnecessary. Life in India was a constant dance between the old and the new, the traditional and the modern. While ancient philosophies still held sway, there was also a growing engagement with contemporary ideas—democracy, human rights, and scientific inquiry. It was a land of contradictions, yet somehow, it all fit together like pieces of a vast puzzle.

Swayam's thoughts, though varied and complex, had brought him closer to understanding himself and the world around him. Differing philosophical perspectives were a reflection of life itself—diverse yet interconnected, and each endlessly fascinating.

And that's why he heard and respected everyone's opinions. But since his life was his own, and he was an orphan, he focused on doing what he needed to feed his empty stomach and survive in a harsh and selfish world. Thus, he didn't find Barry and Oliver's differing views on how the world worked to be wrong.

While Oliver and Lyla were busy discussing opinions and measures, Swayam, who was unintentionally listening to their conversation due to his heightened senses, suddenly heard Felicity's exclamation. "I got Digger Harkness's location. He's in a warehouse at the corner of Infantino and Adams."

Hearing this, everyone gathered around her and looked at the monitor.

Lyla, who had been talking to Oliver, also moved towards Felicity and looked at the monitor. The place seemed familiar to her, so she asked Felicity why it felt that way. "Is that...?" But before Lyla could finish, Felicity, realizing what Lyla wanted to ask, smugly replied, "A.R.G.U.S. by satellite, yeah. Maybe."

A.R.G.U.S., or the Advanced Research Group Uniting Super-Humans, is one of the most secretive and powerful organizations in the DC Universe. Tasked with managing superhuman threats and maintaining global security, A.R.G.U.S. operates in the shadows, with its headquarters hidden so effectively that even the most advanced satellite systems struggle to pinpoint its exact location.

This secrecy is by design. A.R.G.U.S. has access to some of the world's most advanced cloaking and anti-detection technologies, making it nearly impossible for anyone to track or locate their bases. They employ not only physical barriers and countermeasures but also digital camouflage, scrambling and rerouting signals to throw off any attempts at detection. Even the most sophisticated satellites, designed to detect minute details from space, have been unable to overcome these defenses.

However, in front of Felicity, that impossibility became possible, and she easily managed to do exactly that.

Lyla, a seasoned agent who had seen more than her fair share of incredible things, couldn't hide her surprise. She had always believed that A.R.G.U.S. was impenetrable, a fortress hidden from even the most advanced technologies. Yet here was Felicity Smoak, proving that with the right mind, even the most well-guarded secrets could be uncovered.

Before Lyla could say anything, Felicity provided more information about Digger Harkness's location using thermographic imaging. "Thermographic imaging shows 10 heat sources inside."

Diggle, who had somewhat calmed down by now, also looked at the monitor and added, "Harkness knows we're coming."

Cisco, being a tech nerd and a genius inventor, couldn't stay silent and not contribute, so he said, "I can track his cellphone's position with this."

Knowing that Cisco could be helpful and track Harkness's location using his invention, Oliver told him to do so, but instructed that Diggle and Roy would accompany him. He then silently signaled Swayam to look after them and protect them, while he and Barry would go on the offensive.

Seeing Oliver's signal, Swayam gave him a reassuring nod. Then they all headed towards Harkness's cellphone's location.