The soft hum of mantras echoed through the heart of Trinetra as Veer and Kartik walked through a corridor carved inside the massive mountain. The stone walls were engraved with ancient symbols, and the air carried the scent of sandalwood and burning camphor. They reached a large wooden door inlaid
with three copper eyes — one fully open, one half-closed, and one shut.
"He's waiting inside," Veer said, placing a reassuring hand on Kartik's shoulder before stepping aside.
Kartik entered slowly. Inside, the chamber was vast but serene, with oil lamps flickering gently in carved niches. At the center stood a man draped in flowing white robes with dark rudraksha beads around his neck. Though he appeared to be around fifty years of age, his body was muscular and his face youthful— only his eyes carried the weight of countless years. His presence was commanding, his aura immense and nearly tangible and kartik was able to feel the pressure of his presence.
The man looked up and gave a soft smile. "Welcome, Kartik. I am Agastyan, chief of Trinetra."
Kartik bowed instinctively, though his mind still wrestled with disbelief. Agastyan stepped forward and placed his palm gently over Kartik's chest. The closed eye mark began to shimmer faintly.
Agastyan's own robes shifted slightly, revealing an identical eye symbol on his chest — glowing more brightly, almost completely open.
"You see," he said with a calm, resonant voice, "we are connected. All divine warriors of Trinetra bear the Eye. Some, like you, are born with it closed. Others awaken it with faith, sacrifice, and belief. Not all are chosen — many who live here do not bear the Eye, but they still worship Lord Shiva with their whole heart."
Kartik looked down at his chest. "But... why me? I was just living a normal life. I didn't ask for this. I didn't want this. Why did it have to be me? How do I get rid of it?"
Agastyan nodded gently, as if he had heard this question a thousand times. "You cannot get rid of it, Kartik. The Eye is not a curse — it is a bond. Lord Shiva chooses few, and only those He finds worthy. Those He cherishes most. This Eye... it reflects your soul. The more you fight for righteousness, the more it opens. The more it opens, the more power you can channel."
"But I don't want power! I want peace! I want my life back!" Kartik said, his voice cracking.
Agastyan's eyes softened. "Then leave, if that is your wish. But understand this — you may walk away from responsibility, but the world will not walk away from you. The Eye on your chest makes you a beacon. Those who seek Shiva's power will find you. If you do not know how to use what's within you,
you may not survive the next attack."
"So I'm just... trapped?"
"No," Agastyan said firmly. "You are chosen. And you are capable. Learn to use your gift, Kartik. Master it. Then choose your path — as a warrior or as a wanderer."
There was a heavy silence. Then Kartik looked up, his voice trembling. "Why did my parents have to die? They were good people. Why didn't God help them if He was really out there?"
Agastyan looked away for a moment, as though the weight of memory pulled at him. When he spoke again, his voice was low and grave.
"Your father was one of us. A divine warrior. But he left Trinetra to protect your mother and you. He wanted a peaceful life for you — free of war, duty, and bloodshed. We tried to shield him... but we failed."
Kartik's breath caught. His heart pounded.
"There exists another village," Agastyan continued, "one that worships not Lord Shiva, but Shukracharya the ancient guru of Asuras. That village was built by his students and thrives on black magic, warfare, soul extraction, and resurrection."
"They killed your parents," Agastyan said. "They were after the Eye. They caused the stampede that took your parents' lives. They'll continue until their dark wishes are fulfilled."
"But why?" Kartik whispered.
"Because the Eye is the easiest gateway to Lord Shiva's divine energy. They hunt warriors like you to extract that power. Some artifacts needed to resurrect the fallen Asuras are hidden even within Trinetra.
They are desperate — and dangerous."
"So you're saying... I was marked because my father was a warrior?"
Agastyan nodded. "And because your soul carries the purpose."
"Can we stop them? Can Trinetra warriors fight something so powerful?"
Agastyan's voice carried a resolute certainty. "Yes. Lord Shiva's power is with us. And we are not alone. Other sacred villages exist — ones that worship Lord Vishnu, Mother Durga, and other divine forms.
They are with us. But for now, your journey begins here and you will soon be able to witness the full power of a Divine Warriors.
Agastyan then touched his own glowing chest. "You see this Eye? It's 95% open. I have trained my body, my mind, and my faith. Every warrior in Trinetra bears a different percentage. Veer's Eye is about 50% open. Some are at 10%, others at 80%. The Eye does not measure strength alone — it measures how deeply you are connected to Lord Shiva."
Kartik stared at him, unsure whether to feel awe or fear.
"Train with Veer," Agastyan said. "Learn to open your Eye — not just with fists, but with belief. Your soul has been clouded for a long time. Work on it. Cleanse it. Then see the world anew."
Kartik looked down, then asked quietly, "Will I be able to avenge my parents... if I master this power?"
Agastyan gave a small, sad smile. "A Trinetra warrior does not seek vengeance. But he protects. And I promise — if you walk this path, you will stop them from ever hurting anyone again."
Kartik nodded slowly. "Thank you."
Outside, Veer waited. The sun had begun to set, casting a golden glow over the mountaintops.
"Come," Veer said. "There's a cave where we begin your training. It will test more than your body. It will test your soul."
Kartik looked back one last time. Agastyan stood there, tall and unmoving — the weight of many lifetimes in his gaze.
Then Kartik turned and followed Veer into the descending dusk.
The journey had truly begun.
Next chapter: Kartik enters the Cave of Illusions — a place where the boundary between reality and the mind fades. As he begins his training, he'll uncover the kinds of powers Trinetra warriors truly possess. Stay tuned...