The tree in front of them shimmered with light.
The treasure emerged slowly from within that glow——and the tree crumbled apart as if offering itself in exchange.
With just a single glance at the treasure, even though it hadn't fully appeared, they grew nervous.
Their hearts pounded faster.
The thing that emerged made no grand entrance.
There was no sudden burst of sound.
It was simply… taking shape.
But everything around the spot where it appeared vanished.
Even the air.
A void formed around it—its mere presence made them feel powerless.
What…? I can't even stand in front of it… he murmured.
Before they could fall, the air itself held them up.
A sudden current of wind pushed them even farther back.
He can even manipulate air… Arjun admired him silently.
Vana said,
"This is the Sudarshan Chakra."
Arjun gulped the moment he heard the name.
Subha was shocked, but her expression was strangely excited.
Vana's eyes shifted toward Subha.
Subha understood and began explaining.
"The Sudarshan Chakra is one of the most powerful astras.
It is said to possess a level of destruction no one can even imagine."
She continued,
"The previous user destroyed it, and it was divided into many parts.
For centuries, countless people tried to obtain even a single fragment—but none succeeded."
Arjun, after hearing this, looked again.
The chakra rotated slowly.
The world around it seemed to tear apart, revealing empty void.
It looked gentle… almost soft… yet something told him it was one of the deadliest weapons ever created.
Vana spoke calmly,
"Almost correct."
Subha blinked, confused.
Her expression showed she didn't know what she got wrong.
Arjun gently patted her shoulder to comfort her.
Vana added,
"Ask him whatever you want to know about the treasure."
A strong gust of wind blew—and the Yaksha disappeared.
Silence fell over them.A long, heavy silence.
They stared at each other, unsure of what to say next.
Then they glanced around.
The sound of the river flowing nearby suddenly became clear.
Arjun finally broke the silence.
"Whom was he talking about?"
Subha answered,
"Maybe—"
But before she could finish her sentence, another strong breeze passed through.
This time, something appeared in front of them.
Arjun murmured,
"A statue? Made of rock…?"
It wasn't very big, but it was far from small.
He reached out to touch it, but before his fingers could get close, an intense heat hit him.
He pulled his hand back instantly.
"Ouch…"
The statue spoke in a heavy, arrogant voice.
"How rude, kid."
Arjun's eyes widened.
Seeing it speak shocked him.
In confusion he asked,
"Who are you? Are you—"
Before he could finish, Subha shut him up quickly.
Arjun looked at her with questioning eyes, but she gestured that she would explain later.
The statue didn't seem interested in their conversation.
In a mocking tone, he said,
"You kids managed to pass?"
Arjun and Subha said nothing; they simply nodded.
"So, I'll tell you about the reward you're getting."
Subha's eyes sparkled with excitement.
Arjun felt excited as well.
He continued,
"This Sudarshan Chakra—its majority portion is here. But it still has missing pieces.
It cannot be used in its current form. Don't even think about using it."
His explanation—combined with the heat radiating from the statue—made the air unbearably tense. Both Arjun and Subha started sweating.
Arjun looked again at the Sudarshan Chakra.
The moment his eyes fell on it, he felt a strange calmness wash over him.
The tension began to fade.
Unknowingly, he stretched out his hand toward it.
His hand hovered just inches before the chakra—but suddenly, it froze, refusing to listen to his brain.
And then—
BOOM!
He was blasted backward.
His body crashed into a tree, sending birds flying in every direction.
The statue mocked him again.
"What a fool."
Why did I try to touch it even after knowing its power…? Arjun thought, confused at himself.
Subha ran toward him, but before she reached, he forced himself to stand and calmed his breathing.
Subha asked,
"Are you okay?"
Arjun nodded.
"So desperate for power, aren't you?" it scoffed.
"Your consciousness would've been obliterated from a single touch. Don't ever try such stupidity again."
Arjun's thoughts were a mess.
Why was I so tempted to touch it?
Only his unresponsive hand saved him.
The statue continued,
"I don't think someone like you can complete this astra. Even if you somehow do, I doubt you'll be able to use it."
Arjun felt even more pathetic. He still remembered how powerless he had been moments earlier.
Suddenly, the statue touched Arjun's forehead.
A glowing tattoo of the Sudarshan Chakra appeared.
The world began to spin for Arjun, and he clutched his head.
Subha's expression looked dissatisfied as well.
My head… it hurts.
What did he just do…?
Arjun's heart trembled as realization struck—
The astra was now his.
His mind overflowed with a rush of thoughts.
Then the statue turned toward Arjun, looked him directly in the eyes, and said—
"If you cannot handle , give it to someone you find more deserving."
"When you decide to give it awa—"
Arjun interrupted sharply.
"I won't give it away. I want to become strong!"
His breathing grew heavier.
He had lost his temper. Today, more than ever, he had realized how weak he truly was.
Subha rushed to him and tried to calm him down.
The whole place turned quiet again.
The heat around them suddenly rose.
The statue laughed.
"'Strong,' you say? By using an astra?"
He scoffed.
"What purpose will that strength fulfill?"
Arjun heard this and remembered the real reason he wanted strength.
The voices in his head—
But his thoughts were interrupted again by the statue's question.
"How many ways do you think exist to become strong?"
Arjun slowly shook his head.
The statue continued,
"There are countless paths. Training your Shakti, wielding astras, drinking Ansa, receiving boons or curses, being a Varis, gaining an Authority, becoming a Bharaṇi, martial arts—There are endless paths. If you wish to become strong, you do not need astras."
Arjun realized how hasty he had been after hearing about the Sudarshan Chakra. He nodded quietly.
"These are also part of your reward," the statue said.
He pulled out the granth and the three small bottles filled with unknown liquid and handed them over. "Drink this," he said, "and you'll gain new techniques and abilities. But understand this clearly—once you do, you will lose your ability to use Shakti entirely. You will never wield mantras or astras again."