Shoorveer Warrior -
Chapter 2: The Path of Vengeance
Dheeraj's eyes were slowly closing . The Kharocha's massive paw was moving toward him—this was his final moment. His body was wracked with pain, his energy completely depleted, and there was no way left to escape. A final thought crossed Dheeraj's mind—"Will everything end here?" But suddenly, just as the Kharocha's paw was about to crush Dheeraj's head, a blurred figure appeared in the air. The figure moved so fast that Dheeraj couldn't even see it properly. In an instant, that shadowy form positioned itself between the Kharocha and Dheeraj, blocking the attack.BOOM!The Kharocha's paw collided with the blurred figure's hand, and with a tremendous sound, waves of energy spread in all directions. The Kharocha leaped backward, fear suddenly visible in its eyes. The creature that had been so confident until now was looking around in panic.The blurred figure extended one hand, and a brilliant light emanated from its palm. The Kharocha tried to flee, but it was too late. The light pierced straight into the Kharocha's chest.The Kharocha let out one final roar, and then its massive body collapsed to the ground. The fifth most powerful creature of the Vinashak Forest—the one Dheeraj couldn't defeat—was now dead in an instant.Dheeraj's consciousness had completely faded. He had no idea what was happening. The blurred figure gently approached Dheeraj, lifted him in its arms, and then vanished into the darkness.The AwakeningDheeraj didn't know how much time had passed. When his eyes slowly opened, he saw a familiar ceiling. It was the ceiling of his own room—the same wooden ceiling he had been looking at since childhood. The gentle morning sunlight was streaming through the window, and the room had a warm, safe atmosphere.Dheeraj tried to sit up. His body still ached, but not as much as before. Bandages were wrapped around his chest and medicines had been applied to his wounds. He sat up slowly and began looking around."I... how did I get here?" Dheeraj asked himself . He remembered the Vinashak Forest, the battle with the Kharocha, and then that blurred figure . "Who saved me?" Just then, the door opened and a hoarse but loving voice called out ."Dheeraj, you're awake." Dheeraj turned to look . An elderly man stood in the doorway—his hair was white, wrinkles lined his face, but his eyes still held a sharp gleam . This was the Fifth Elder, one of the most senior and respected members of Dheeraj's family ."Fifth Elder!" Dheeraj said hastily . "You... how did I get here from that forest? Who saved me?" The elder slowly entered the room and sat in a chair beside Dheeraj's bed . He took a deep breath and said, "I saved you, son . I had gone to that forest to search for something . When I arrived there, I saw you were in danger . The Kharocha was about to make its final attack on you . I protected you, killed that beast, and brought you here." Dheeraj's eyes filled with wonder and gratitude . He immediately got down from the bed and touched the elder's feet ."Thank you, Fifth Elder," Dheeraj said humbly . "You saved my life . I will never forget this favor." Then he raised his head and asked, "But Elder, what were you searching for in that dangerous forest?" The Truth RevealedSadness spread across the elder's face . He took a long breath and then said in a low voice, "Dheeraj, son, I went to find your mother's murderers." Dheeraj's heart skipped a beat. "Mother's... murderers?" His voice trembled.The elder nodded. "Yes, son. Your family has been investigating for a long time. And finally, we discovered who murdered your mother." The elder paused, looking at Dheeraj's face, then said, "They are from a dangerous organization—known as the Kaali Mandali (Black Circle)." "Kaali Mandali?" Dheeraj asked."Yes," the elder said. "This is a group of eight of the most dangerous people. They're also called merchants of death. These people ruthlessly carry out assassinations for hire . Their identities remain hidden, and they're so skilled at their work that no one can catch them." Hearing this, Dheeraj felt as if someone had stabbed a knife into his chest. "Mother... Mother is dead?" His voice was filled with pain . Tears welled up in his eyes, but at the same time, a fire of rage ignited within him ."Where was Father at that time?" Dheeraj asked angrily . "Where were the elders? Our family is the most powerful family in this city! You all mostly stay in the palace. Then why wasn't Mother saved?"The Fifth Elder understood Dheeraj's anger and pain. In a calm voice, he said, "Dheeraj, your mother's murder was part of a grand conspiracy. The Kaali Mandali had planned everything in advance. That day, there was a great auction in the most famous city of the Vikram Empire—where very rare treasures and powerful objects were being sold. Your father and all other senior members of the family were invited to that auction." The elder paused and continued, "But that auction was a trap . The Kaali Mandali deliberately invited us all there so the palace would be empty . And when we all went there, that's when they attacked . Your mother was alone, and they... they did their work." The elder's voice choked . "By the time we found out and returned, it was too late." Dheeraj's fists clenched . Tears were in his eyes, but behind them was also an intense resolve . "Elder," he said in a firm voice, "I want every member of that Kaali Mandali. I will be the cause of their death . I will avenge my mother." The Ananta SrotThe elder looked at Dheeraj seriously . "This won't be easy, Dheeraj. You're not even that powerful yet." He paused and said, "And the Kaali Mandali isn't just a group of eight people. Those eight are merely the face of this organization. Behind them is an entire army, and no one has yet learned the name of their true leader. These people live only to spread chaos." "So what?" Dheeraj said firmly. "I will break through my limits. Whatever I have to do, I will do it. No matter how much suffering I must endure, I will definitely avenge my mother." The elder saw that intense determination in Dheeraj's eyes. He knew that Dheeraj couldn't be stopped now. With a slight smile, the elder said, "Alright, if you've made up your mind, then I can't give you complete help—because this is your battle. But I can give you something that will make you powerful quickly." Dheeraj's eyes lit up. "What is it?" The elder pulled out a small pouch from inside his long robe. He opened it and extracted a glowing stone. The stone was shimmering in blue and gold colors, and an extraordinary energy was emanating from it."This is the 'Ananta Srot' (Infinity Source)," the elder said. "This is an ancient and extremely powerful stone. It has been with the head of our family since the time of our ancestors . In every generation, it is given only to the family head. But until now, no one has been able to obtain its full power." The elder extended the stone toward Dheeraj . "Your father has decided that this should now be given to you . You're not the head yet, but if you succeed in assimilating this within you, you will be ready to become the next head." "But be careful," the elder warned . "To obtain this, you must go beyond the limits of your soul and body. This can increase your power very rapidly, but the process of assimilating it within you is extremely dangerous. Your chances of survival are only one percent . Are you ready for this?" Without a moment's hesitation, Dheeraj said, "I can even stake my life to take revenge on my mother's murderers." The elder nodded . "Alright . Then let's go to the 'Nirmaan Gufa' (Creation Cave) . Your real journey will begin there." The Journey to the CaveDheeraj and the Fifth Elder left the family palace and began walking along a secret path. Along the way, the elder told Dheeraj, "To control the Ananta Srot, power alone is not enough. You also need a strong soul and unwavering determination. This stone will try to break your body from the inside. It will attack your soul. If you give up, you will be finished forever."After walking for about two hours, they reached the vicinity of a mountain. There was a hidden cave there whose entrance was small and dark. As soon as Dheeraj approached the cave, he felt a strange energy—as if electricity was running through the air.The atmosphere inside the cave was cold and mysterious. Ancient drawings and symbols were etched on the walls. In the center of the cave was a massive mantra chakra (spell circle)—a circular pattern carved into the ground and filled with glowing letters.The elder said to Dheeraj, "Sit in the middle of the mantra chakra. Then focus your entire consciousness on the Ananta Srot. Remember—it will try to break you. But you must preserve your soul. If you give up, your existence will end forever." Dheeraj took a deep breath. He took the Ananta Srot in his hand—it felt warm and alive. Then he went to the middle of the mantra chakra and sat in the lotus position.The Trial BeginsDheeraj closed his eyes and placed the Ananta Srot on his chest. As soon as he focused his consciousness on the stone, darkness spread around the cave. The mantra chakra began to glow and a bright light emanated from it.Suddenly, Dheeraj felt as if a terrible energy had entered his body. This energy began coursing through his veins like burning needles. The pain was so excruciating that Dheeraj screamed out ."Ahhhhh!" That energy began attacking everything inside Dheeraj's body—his muscles, bones, and organs. It was trying to destroy everything. And then that energy also began attacking Dheeraj's soul.The elder sitting outside became worried hearing Dheeraj's screams. He shouted loudly, "Dheeraj! You must strengthen your willpower further! Don't give up!" This voice began echoing in Dheeraj's ears. He remembered his mother—her smile, her love, and then her death."I... must endure this pain," Dheeraj said in his mind. "For Mother... I can do this." Dheeraj strengthened his willpower. His soul began to resist. The power of the Ananta Srot now began entering his body even more rapidly, but now when that energy approached Dheeraj's soul, it was being destroyed.Gradually, Dheeraj's body began to levitate in the air. A bright golden light emanated from the Ananta Srot, completely surrounding Dheeraj.Into the Destroyer PalaceAnd then suddenly, everything changed.Dheeraj's consciousness arrived at a completely different place. When his eyes opened, he saw dense darkness all around. As far as the eye could see, there was nothing—just a black, empty space."Where have I come?" Dheeraj asked himself. He looked all around. "Have I somehow entered inside the Ananta Srot?" Dheeraj started moving forward. He didn't know which direction to go, but he wasn't one to give up. "If I've come here, there must be some reason," he thought.He continued moving forward rapidly. Who knows how much time passed—five minutes, an hour, or perhaps an entire day. In this darkness, time had no meaning.And then, in the distance, Dheeraj saw something glowing.He increased his pace. As he came closer, the glow became clearer. And then Dheeraj saw it—a massive palace. But this was no ordinary palace. This palace was black and red in color, and a terrifying energy was emanating from it. On the palace's topmost dome was a gigantic skull whose eyes were glowing with red light. Dheeraj was frightened. This palace looked horrifying just to see. But he didn't lose courage. He slowly began moving toward the palace.When he reached the palace's massive door, he looked up. Above the door, written in very large letters, were the words—"Vinashak Mahal" (Destroyer Palace).Dheeraj's heart began pounding rapidly . "Vinashak Mahal... what is this place?" He stood before the door, thinking about what to do next. What lies inside this palace? Is this where the true power of the Ananta Srot is hidden? Or is this some kind of trap? Dheeraj took a deep breath. He knew there was no way back now ."Whatever happens," Dheeraj thought to himself, "I must move forward." What will happen next? What awaits Dheeraj inside the Vinashak Mahal? Will he obtain the power of the Ananta Srot? Keep reading to discover the mystery in the next thrilling chapter!