— A Message From the Depths The air had changed.
Since leaving the strange illusion-woven village, Lakshya and Tarka had traveled deeper into the west of Mahakaal Lok, toward the mysterious province of Raudraksha — a land of whispering mountains and long-dead warlords. A chill wind greeted them each dawn, carrying the scent of old iron and something older still: expectation.
Their path now led them into Naaghaar Pass, where the cliffs howled with unnatural cries. Here, they were meant to meet the one called "The Shadow Hand."
But the wind arrived before he did.
🌀 A Wind That Speaks
As they walked through a narrow ridge, a cold gust struck their backs. It didn't howl like wind. It whispered.
"Lakshya..."
"Chosen not by birth, but by will..."
"The flame stirs. The Eye sees you."
Lakshya froze. "Did you hear that?"
Tarka's hand was already on her blade. "Yes. And that wasn't just wind."
Suddenly, the cliffs around them shimmered.
From the stones emerged smoke-like figures, tall and robed, their faces hidden behind horned masks. They weren't solid. They pulsed — like echoes.
"Phantom messengers," Lakshya muttered. "Maya-bound constructs. But something more... ancient."
📜 The Message of the Forgotten
One of the masked phantoms stepped forward. Its voice was like dry leaves over fire:
"O bearer of the Vardaan,
The Eye turns to you from the edge of sleep.
The balance of Maya and Shakti must not tilt.
If you rise, the anchors must awaken.
Seek the First Mirror beneath the drowned city.
Find the name that even Death forgot."
Then, like smoke in a storm, the figures dissolved. Silence returned. But the air remained heavy.
🌊 A Forgotten Name
Tarka broke the silence. "Drowned city? That means the southern trench… the ruins of Nilaya."
Lakshya looked at his Vardaan. A new glyph had appeared — swirling blue and silver. A direction, a location, and a lock.
"This is our next destination," he said.
"But why you?" she asked. "Why not some high sage or chosen warrior?"
Lakshya stared at the horizon. "Because I still remember what it means to dream. That's what makes me dangerous… and maybe worthy."
⚔️ Ambush in the Shadow Vale
Night fell fast in Naaghaar Pass. They set up camp near a ridge, guarded by Tarka's blade runes. But peace never lasts in Mahakaal Lok.
From the woods came a sudden rustle — then silence. Then...
Arrow!
Lakshya ducked. A dark figure leapt from the trees — face painted with ash, wearing bone armor. Then another. And another.
"Bandits?" Tarka said.
"No," Lakshya growled. "They carry Rakt-Jaag tattoos. Blood-Woken. Cultists."
The attackers moved like wild beasts, but Lakshya was faster. His palm lit up — Vardaan Activation.
[Skill Unlocked: Bind of Aagniya]
Wraps a target in fire-thread that restricts movement and burns through lies.
He spun and caught one cultist mid-leap, flames binding his limbs like chains. Tarka danced through the rest — swift, fierce, silent.
☠️ The Mark of the True Enemy
One cultist, nearly defeated, raised a bloodied finger to the sky and whispered:
"The Dark Moon rises… the Sealed One shall wake…"
Then bit down on a black tooth — and his body turned to ash.
Lakshya's heart sank. "Who are they serving?"
Tarka picked up a scorched emblem from the ground — a symbol showing a black crescent devouring a sun. She frowned.
"I've seen this once. In a scroll Raas kept hidden. It's the Sigil of Shunyaka — the Devourer of Meaning."
Lakshya's chest tightened.
"If that thing stirs… the dreams of every world are at risk."
🔮 A New Compass
As the stars turned overhead, Lakshya sat in meditation, processing the vision, the message, and the attack. His Vardaan glowed again:
[Path Updated]
⚡ Main Quest: Whispers of the Forgotten City
→ Locate the First Mirror
→ Survive the Shunyaka Heralds
→ Discover the Name Lost to Death
🌀 Side Branch: Echoes of the Dream-Tear — locked.
Lakshya opened his eyes.
They had direction now.
But he also had doubt.
Why him?
Why now?
Was he ready to face enemies beyond space, beyond self?
He clenched his fist.
"Even if I'm not ready," he whispered, "I'll walk forward. For those who never could."
--- To be continued
🏹 End of Chapter Summary
Progress:
Vardaan evolved: +1 skill, new quest
New enemy faction revealed: Shunyaka Heralds
Target revealed: First Mirror beneath Nilaya
Cultists fought: 7 (All defeated)
Emotion gained: Resolve + Determination + Fear of Failure