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Chapter 5: The Road to the Guru
The forest path was silent except for the crunch of dried leaves beneath their feet.
Eshan followed behind Omkar, who walked like he owned the world — calm, confident, hands folded behind his head like this was a casual stroll, not an escape from death.
Eshan clenched his fists. "You could at least tell me where we're going."
Omkar glanced back, grinning. "I did. To your Guru."
"That's not helpful."
"Good," Omkar said. "Keeps the suspense alive."
Eshan groaned. "You're enjoying this way too much."
"Guilty," Omkar said with a shrug.
For a while, they walked in silence. But Eshan couldn't hold it in anymore.
"Omkar," he said, voice softer now.
"Hmm?"
"You said… my parents knew this would happen. That they were guardians."
Omkar's smile faded a little.
"Did you know them well?"
Omkar didn't answer right away. His gaze shifted to the trees, as if lost in thought.
"I knew them better than most," he said finally. "Your father — Rajesh — was my closest friend. Your mother… she could outmatch most warriors I've ever met."
Eshan stopped walking. "Then why weren't you there? Why didn't you protect them?"
Omkar froze.
The question hung heavy in the air.
Eshan regretted saying it immediately, but Omkar didn't scold him. He just… chuckled bitterly.
"Because I thought I had more time."
For the first time since they met, Omkar didn't seem untouchable. His shoulders slumped ever so slightly.
In his mind, a memory played — Rajesh laughing over a campfire, teasing him about his "ridiculous sword swings." Ananya scolding them both for being reckless.
Omkar blinked, shaking off the memory.
"Listen," he said, his tone gentler now. "If you're going to survive what's coming… you can't live in the past. Not like I do."
Eshan wanted to ask more, but the weight in Omkar's voice silenced him.
"Come on," Omkar said, his smile returning — a little forced this time. "We're almost there."
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The forest gave way to a clearing.
At its center stood a massive wooden temple, old but sturdy, its walls carved with intricate depictions of gods and warriors.
Eshan swallowed. "This is where my… Guru lives?"
Omkar's grin turned sly. "Oh, he doesn't just live here. He owns this place."
Before Eshan could reply, the air shifted.
A presence pressed against him like a mountain, heavy and suffocating. His knees nearly buckled.
From the temple's entrance, a figure emerged.
An old man.
He wore simple robes, but his presence dwarfed even Omkar's. His long white hair and beard flowed like a river of time itself, and his piercing gaze cut through Eshan like a blade.
"You brought him," the old man said, his voice deep and calm.
Omkar gave a mock bow. "Missed me, old man?"
The Guru ignored him, his gaze locked on Eshan.
"So… this is the boy who carries it."
Eshan's heart pounded. "Carries… what?"
The Guru didn't answer.
He simply turned and walked back into the temple.
"Follow me," he said.