A low hum filled the vast hall of the Dimensional Chamber.
The sound was subtle at first—almost like a distant echo—but as Lioran stepped closer to one of the massive containers, it grew louder, vibrating through the floor and into his bones.
He raised his artificial hand slowly and placed it against the smooth surface.
"What is this… actually?" Lioran asked quietly, his fingers tracing the faint glowing lines running across the container's surface.
Skanda stood behind them, arms crossed.
"It's a device," Skanda replied, "that allows you to experience living in another place—without ever leaving this chamber."
The three turned toward him.
"…What?" Sharin said.
Aishwarya frowned. "That doesn't make sense."
Skanda smiled slightly. "I expected that reaction."
He walked toward the container and tapped it lightly.
"This is not just a machine," Skanda said. "It's a fusion of Prāṇa technology and dimensional science developed by Pranansh."
They stared.
"Inside this container," Skanda continued, "space is folded, perception is altered, and reality is simulated with near-perfect accuracy."
"…Simulated?" Lioran asked.
"Yes," Skanda said. "But not fake."
They didn't understand.
"Let me show you," Skanda said.
Inside the Container
The door slid open with a low mechanical HISSSSS—.
They stepped inside.
The interior was… empty.
No walls.
No floor.
No ceiling.
Just an endless, white void.
"…There's nothing here," Sharin said, his voice echoing unnaturally.
Aishwarya crossed her arms. "Did it malfunction?"
"Just wait," Skanda said calmly.
At the side of the container, a control panel emerged from the surface—thin, translucent, and filled with glowing symbols.
Skanda's fingers moved swiftly.
BEEP—BEEP—BEEP
"Destination locked."
CLICK.
"Environment synchronization… complete."
Skanda pressed the final button.
The container began to vibrate.
VMMMMMMMM—
The white void shimmered.
Light bent.
Space warped.
The emptiness cracked like glass—
And suddenly—
FWOOOOOSH—!!
The smell of salt hit their senses.
The sound of waves crashing filled their ears.
Warm wind brushed against their skin.
They stood on soft sand.
"…What?" Aishwarya whispered.
She looked down.
Sand.
She knelt and touched it.
It felt real.
"Where are we?" she asked.
"At Goa," Skanda replied calmly.
"But a moment ago we were in the Ashram," Sharin said, spinning around. "This is impossible."
Lioran stepped forward instinctively.
"So this is like a portal—"
THUD.
"Ouch!" Lioran exclaimed, clutching his forehead.
"…What did I just hit?" he muttered.
Skanda sighed.
"You hit the wall of the container."
"…What?" Lioran said.
Skanda walked forward and pressed his palm against the air.
A faint ripple appeared—like water disturbed by a stone.
"We're still inside the container," Skanda said. "This environment exists within its boundary."
Aishwarya blinked. "So this place is an illusion?"
"No," Skanda corrected. "It's a constructed reality."
He turned toward them.
"That's why this chamber is perfect for training. You can fight, meditate, suffer, even die here—and your mind will accept it as real."
A chill ran through Lioran's spine.
"Now," Skanda said, "let's talk about Prāṇa-tability."
The True Purpose of the Chamber
"Prāṇa-tability cannot be forced," Skanda said. "It cannot be copied. And it cannot be taught directly."
The waves crashed endlessly behind them.
"To awaken it," Skanda continued, "you must confront yourself."
"Your fears," he said.
"Your weaknesses."
"Your contradictions."
Aishwarya swallowed.
"That's why," Skanda said, "each of you will train in a different environment—one that resonates with your Prāṇa Core."
"So how does that help us?" Sharin asked.
"Simple," Skanda replied. "You will live here. Meditate here. Train here. Until your Prāṇa begins to behave naturally—without conscious control."
"How long?" Aishwarya asked.
Skanda paused.
"That depends on you," he said. "But I estimate a minimum of six months."
"WHAT?!" Lioran shouted.
"Six months?!" Sharin echoed.
"Yes," Skanda said calmly. "Understanding yourself is a long process."
He looked at Lioran directly.
"Once you enter your chamber, you will not leave until your Prāṇa-tability awakens."
Silence fell.
Aishwarya clenched her fists.
"…Then we do it," she said.
Sharin nodded. "We don't have a choice anyway."
Skanda smiled faintly.
"Good."
Assignment of the Chambers
"Choose a container," Skanda said.
The three massive containers glowed softly.
One by one, they stepped toward them.
Aishwarya's Chamber
Skanda approached her container first.
He adjusted the settings.
BEEP—CLICK—VMMMM—
The world shifted.
Heat surged.
Endless dunes stretched beneath a blazing sun.
A desert.
"What—?!" Aishwarya shielded her eyes. "A desert? I have to train here?"
"Yes," Skanda said. "This environment suits your Prāṇa."
"Fire," she muttered.
Skanda handed her a folded paper.
"These are yoga postures suited for you," he said. "Follow them daily."
Aishwarya looked at the paper.
Then at the scorching horizon.
"…Great."
Skanda turned away.
Sharin's Chamber
Darkness swallowed everything.
Sharin couldn't see his own hands.
"…I can't see anything," he said nervously.
"That's intentional," Skanda replied.
"Darkness sharpens awareness," Skanda continued. "This place resonates with your Prāṇa."
He handed Sharin a paper.
The door sealed.
CLICK.
Sharin swallowed hard.
Lioran's Chamber
Cold.
Instantly.
Snow whipped through the air.
The ground beneath Lioran's feet crunched.
"W-What…?" Lioran shivered. "Where are we?"
"The Himalayas," Skanda replied.
Ice stretched endlessly.
"This place is perfect for you," Skanda said.
He handed Lioran his paper.
Lioran looked at it briefly—
Then at the freezing storm ahead.
Skanda stepped back.
"I'll be watching," he said quietly.
Then he turned and left the chamber.
The Revelation
Inside their respective worlds, all three unfolded the papers.
They read.
Their eyes widened.
Their faces froze.
And then—
"WHAAAAAAT?!?!"
Their voices echoed simultaneously through three different worlds.
The papers fluttered in their trembling hands.
Because the yoga positions written on them—
Were nothing like they had ever imagined.
TO BE CONTINUED…