Chapter 18: The Core of the Dark Forge
The subterranean laboratory of Lanka was a marvel of twisted Vedic science. Massive bronze pistons hammered rhythmically, fueled by the agonizing screams of captured spirits. The Pillar of Lust stood at the center, a jagged obelisk of black obsidian that pulsed with a dark, rhythmic light—acting as a heartbeat for the city's southwestern defenses.
[ SYSTEM ANALYSIS ]
Object: The Pillar of Lust (Kama-Stambha).
Aura: Tamas-Dominant (Drains the surrounding logic and willpower).
Guardian: Yantra-Rakshasa (A biomechanical construct forged from fused Asura souls).
Standing before the pillar was the Yantra-Rakshasa. It was a towering mass of brass and muscle, its arms replaced by high-pressure steam cannons and its eyes replaced by red rubies that scanned the room for "Dharmic signatures."
The Hacker's Stealth
Vikram didn't want a noisy fight. Above him, he could feel the tremors of Rama's army striking the gates—he needed to be the silent scalpel.
"Meghanada, stay silent if you wish to live," Vikram whispered, his L11 Speed allowing him to move between the shadows of the grinding pistons so fast he was invisible to the Rakshasa's ruby sensors.
He reached the base of the pillar. He didn't draw his sword. Instead, he placed his palms against the cold, vibrating obsidian.
"System," Vikram commanded, his L10 Intellect expanding. "Access the Pillar's core frequency. I don't want to break it yet. I want to Reverse the Polarity."
[ MANTRA-HACKER (L2) INITIATED ]
Process: Infiltrating the Kama-Veda (Code of Desire).
Encryption: High-Tier Asura Cipher.
Vikram's Counter: [Dhi L10] + [Charm L10-MAX].
Because Vikram's Charm was at the maximum limit, his soul was perfectly "Sattvic" (Pure). This acted as a universal bypass. The Pillar's security protocols, designed to detect aggression, couldn't "see" Vikram because he had zero malice in his heart.
The Great Sabotage
Vikram began to hum a low-frequency Vairagya-Mantra (The Mantra of Detachment).
[ SYSTEM MESSAGE ]
Syncing... 40%... 80%... 100%.
Action: Polarity Flipped.
Result: The Pillar is no longer siphoning energy from the earth; it is now siphoning energy back from the Dashanana (Ravana).
"What have you done?" Meghanada hissed from the corner, his eyes wide. "I feel my father's strength... it's being pulled through the ground!"
The Guardian Awakes
The Yantra-Rakshasa's sensors suddenly flared purple. It detected the change in the Pillar's output. It turned its massive brass head toward Vikram, the steam cannons on its shoulders hissing.
[ BOSS ALERT ]
Yantra-Rakshasa (Level 65).
Action: Thermal Lockdown. The room is reaching 500°C.
"Too slow," Vikram said.
He triggered his new ability: [Kaala-Gati].
The world froze.
The steam hanging in the air became solid clouds. The ruby laser from the Rakshasa's eye stopped mid-air. Meghanada looked like a statue.
00:01... Vikram walked toward the Rakshasa.
00:02... He drew the Whisper of Kalindi (Rank B).
00:03... He applied the Surya-Gyaan Ink to the blade.
00:04... He delivered one hundred strikes to the machine's pressure joints using L11 Strength.
00:05... Time resumed.
BOOM.
The Yantra-Rakshasa didn't just explode; it shattered into thousands of pieces simultaneously. The heat in the room was sucked into the Whisper of Kalindi, which was now glowing like a miniature sun.
The First Head Falls
Above ground, in the royal palace of Lanka, Ravana—the Ten-Headed King—suddenly clutched his leftmost head. He let out a roar of agony that shook the clouds. The crown on that head cracked and fell to the floor.
"Who?!" Ravana bellowed, his twenty eyes scanning the battlefield. "The Vanaras are at the gate, but someone is biting my soul from the roots!"
[ KARMIC EVENT CONCLUDED ]
Objective: Sabotage the Pillar of Lust (Success).
Punya Earned: +75,000.
Current Punya: 125,005.
Title Gained: [The Root-Eater].
The Path Deepens
Vikram looked at the now-grey, dead pillar. Meghanada was trembling.
"Nine more, Prince," Vikram said, his voice cold. "Where is the Pillar of Ahankara (Ego)? That is the one that fuels your father's immortality."
Meghanada looked at Vikram with genuine terror. "You cannot go there. The Pillar of Ego is guarded by the Kumbhakarna-Simulacrum—a dream-projection of my uncle that cannot be touched by physical weapons."
Vikram has 125,005 Punya and must decide his next move into the deeper labs.
The Direct Descent: Go straight for the Pillar of Ego, using your L8 Eye of Truth to find a way to hit a "dream-projection."The Supply Raid: Infiltrate the Vajra-Loha Armory first to steal the [Astra-Shaped Explosives] to blow up the remaining nine pillars all at once.The Rescue Mission: You see a group of Captured Devas being used as batteries for the lab. Freeing them would gain massive Punya but alert the entire city.
Which path does the Secret Blade take?