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Chapter 11: Flames and Shadows
[Temple – Dawn]
"Stand."
The Guru's voice was sharp as Eshan knelt in the courtyard, his body trembling from yesterday's trial.
Eshan gritted his teeth and obeyed.
"Today," the Guru said, "you awaken Manipura — the fire within. It will burn you alive if you falter."
"Can you stop making these sound fun?" Eshan muttered.
The Guru smirked. "Pain is a good teacher."
He pressed his hand against Eshan's solar plexus.
"Breathe. Imagine a sun. Blazing. Uncontrolled. This is your Manipura. The seat of willpower. Of action. If you fail to master it… it will consume you."
Eshan closed his eyes.
Sun. Fire. Willpower.
At first, nothing.
Then — heat.
It started as a spark in his gut, then roared into a wildfire.
"Ghh—!" Eshan dropped to his knees.
"Do not resist!" the Guru barked. "Control it!"
The fire surged up his spine, threatening to tear him apart.
I can't…
Then he remembered the reflection's words.
"You can't protect anyone without becoming me."
"No," Eshan growled. "I won't become you. I'll become stronger than you."
He gripped the fire, forcing it downward.
BOOM.
A blast of golden light erupted from his body, scorching the stone tiles.
The Guru shielded his eyes. "Hmph. Not bad."
Eshan collapsed, gasping. "D-Did I… do it?"
The Guru nodded. "You opened the gate. But next… you fight."
"Fight?!"
"Your Astra. Against me."
Eshan blinked. "You're joking—"
The Guru's fingers twitched. His own Astra — a radiant spear — materialized in his hand.
"Try not to die," he said.
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[The Shadow Palace]
Far away, in a throne room lit by black flames, Arkan knelt before the Lord.
The other two — Borgas and Krayn — flanked him, their heads bowed.
"My Lord," Arkan said, "the boy has reached the Guru."
The Lord's voice echoed like a storm in a cavern. "Good. Let him grow."
Krayn sneered. "Grow? Why not crush him now?"
The Lord chuckled. "Because strength tastes sweeter when it's stolen at its peak."
"Peak?" Borgas grunted. "You mean to—"
"Silence."
The flames flared, and all three lieutenants stiffened.
"Send for the others," the Lord said. "It's time my council prepared for the cycle's end."
Arkan nodded. "As you command."
As they rose to leave, Krayn leaned toward Borgas. "The Lord's playing some game… and I don't like being the pawn."
Borgas grunted. "Then don't lose."
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[Temple – Noon]
Eshan's Astra materialized — jagged and unstable, just like before.
The Guru's spear shimmered with divine light.
"Begin."
Eshan barely had time to blink before the Guru's spear cut through the air toward his head.
CLANG!
He blocked, barely. His arms rattled from the impact.
"Too slow."
The Guru swept his leg. Eshan hit the ground.
"Too weak."
Eshan growled, rolling away as the spear smashed where his head had been.
"Is this all you've got?" the Guru taunted.
Something inside Eshan snapped.
"NO!"
WHOOSH.
His Shakti surged. His Astra flared, edges smoothing, stabilizing slightly.
The Guru raised an eyebrow. "Ah. Now you're fighting."
Eshan roared, charging.
For a moment — just a moment — their weapons clashed evenly.
Then the Guru twisted, disarmed him, and sent him crashing into the courtyard wall.
Eshan groaned. "Ow."
The Guru smirked. "Better. But still a child."
Eshan glared. "Then I'll grow up fast."
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[The Mountain Path – Evening]
The sun dipped low as Omkar ascended the temple steps. His sandals made no sound, his shawl pristine despite the long journey.
The Mark of Om on his arm glowed faintly.
The Guru was waiting at the gate.
"It's been a long time," Omkar said cheerfully.
"Not long enough," the Guru replied coldly.
Omkar chuckled. "Still bitter. I like that about you."
The Guru crossed his arms. "Why are you here?"
Omkar's smile didn't fade. "To see the boy."
"You mean to interfere."
Omkar's expression shifted — just slightly. "If I wanted to interfere, I'd have taken him already."
The Guru's eyes narrowed. "He's not ready for you."
"Neither was I," Omkar said softly. "But the world doesn't wait for readiness."
The Guru's grip on his spear tightened. "Stay out of my training."
Omkar tilted his head. "Of course. For now."
He turned, gazing at the temple. "He reminds me of his father."
The Guru said nothing.
Omkar smiled faintly. "Let's hope he doesn't make the same mistakes."
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