The stadium lay in uneasy silence. The echoes of the crowd's cruel words still lingered, bouncing off stone terraces like invisible scars. Slippers, broken plates, and scattered trash littered the arena floor, silent witnesses to the humiliation.
Deva remained where he had fallen to his knees. Everyone else had gathered around Master Hari, laughing, celebrating, oblivious to the storm churning within him.
Inside Deva, something dark stirred, a shadow unfurling like smoke through his veins.
Disqualified…
The voice whispered again, colder this time, sharper, threading into his mind.
Use me. Use your power.
Deva's fists clenched until his knuckles bled white. His chest heaved; his breaths came in ragged gasps. He shut his eyes and grounded himself.
"No," he said aloud, voice low but unyielding. "Leave me alone. I will not."
The darkness laughed—a hollow, chilling sound. Then, as if testing him, it receded, folding into itself, quieting.
From a distance, Lord Seventh observed, silent as a mountain.
You endured it once more, the sage thought.
But how long before that darkness breaks free?
The Seven Sages' Meeting
Inside the circular chamber, the Seven Great Sages sat in perfect symmetry, their presence weighing like stone on the air.
Lord Third broke the silence.
"This tournament was meant to find guardians—not to humiliate a boy."
Lord Fifth responded evenly, voice calm but firm.
"But today revealed something critical."
Lord Second inclined his head.
"Yes. Deva did not fight… yet he hides something immensely dangerous."
Lord Sixth frowned, lines cutting across his forehead.
"Refusing to fight entirely is unusual. Why didn't he even try?"
All eyes shifted to Lord Seventh. He exhaled slowly, a quiet storm contained within his calm.
"If Deva had fought, his curse would have awakened."
The chamber fell silent, thick with dread.
Lord Fourth spoke carefully, measured.
"That curse… it destroys the soul, does it not?"
"Yes," Lord Seventh answered. "If he uses his power fully, he will be lost forever."
Lord First leaned back, a faint, knowing smile curling his lips.
"But he didn't. He accepted defeat." He paused, gaze sharp. "That takes strength far beyond mere violence."
Lord Third's voice, firm and probing, cut through the tension.
"So… what should we do?"
"Let him remain," Lord Seventh said simply. "Watch him closely."
"He is dangerous," warned Lord Sixth, voice low.
"Or," countered Lord First, calm as stone, "he could become our most lethal weapon against the Ashura."
Silence fell, heavy and unbroken. The decision remained unfinished.
Among the Guardians
Near the weapon hall, the newly chosen guardians laughed and celebrated, faces glowing with triumph.
Deva stood apart, alone, the shadow of his curse a weight on his shoulders. Footsteps approached.
"Karan…"
Deva looked up. Karan's calm gaze swept over him.
"You should be celebrating," Deva said quietly. "You won."
Karan shook his head, voice low and even.
"Winning without a fight doesn't feel right." He studied Deva, keen eyes narrowing slightly.
"That power you hide… it's dangerous, isn't it?"
Deva remained silent.
Karan gave a faint smile.
"That's enough of an answer." He turned, then paused, voice firm but encouraging.
"One day, fight me properly. Stand tall. Don't kneel."
His tone hardened slightly.
"And don't worry. If anything goes wrong… I'll stop it. No matter the cost."
He walked away. Deva's gaze followed him until he disappeared into the shadows of the hall.
One day… Deva thought, fists tightening. I will break this curse.
A River's Prayer
Far from the stadium, beside a quiet, sun-dappled river, Aaniya knelt. She closed her eyes, hands pressed together in prayer.
Please… God, forgive me. And please… help him too.
The river flowed gently, reflecting the sky, the world holding its breath.
Far below the surface, deep in darkness, something stirred.
Now… you are ready to meet my cursed puppet.
Ashura's eyes opened, black and infinite, gazing into the mortal world.
Waiting for Permission
"Why are we still waiting for Master Hari?" Indra asked, tapping impatiently on his staff.
"We must wait for the Seven Lords' permission," Will replied, voice even, "and their decision regarding Deva."
Maya noticed Devi's expression, troubled and tight.
"You look upset. What's wrong?"
Devi hesitated. "I was thinking about him… they will allow him to become a guardian… won't they?"
Maya's eyes narrowed, honest. "I wouldn't be surprised if the lords threw him out entirely."
The Lords' Decision
Inside the council hall, Lord First stood tall, shoulders squared.
"I will take responsibility for that boy," he declared. "Let him become a guardian."
The other sages exchanged glances.
"If you take responsibility," Lord Fourth said cautiously, "then I will allow it."
"I agree," Lord Fifth added. "With Lord First as his mentor, there's nothing to fear."
Lord Sixth inclined his head slightly. "Leave the boy to Lord First."
Lord Third turned toward Lord Seventh.
"I want to know the truth about that boy. Why such eagerness, Lord Third, Lord Second? Do you understand the nature of his curse?"
All the Lords bowed their heads except First and Seventh.
Lord Third continued, voice heavy.
"This is no ordinary curse. Ashura bound a soul to darkness. To free him, another soul must be offered."
The room stiffened.
Lord Third pressed further.
"Which Ashura wielded such a high-level curse?"
Lord Second's voice was tight with disbelief.
"How do you know this?"
"The Eye of Truth," Lord Third said simply. "I see through illusions… into the soul itself. Did you forget?"
Lord Seventh murmured, almost to himself.
"The Eye of Truth…"
Lord First's lips curled in a quiet smile.
Finally, Lord Seventh spoke, voice steady.
"You are correct. The Ashura who cursed him is no ordinary being."
He paused, letting the weight sink in.
"One of the Six Evils of Desire… GaYo."
Shock rippled through the hall.
There's no way… someone whispered.
"As expected," Lord Third said. "Darkness incarnate."
"Why?" Lord Second demanded.
"Enough," Lord First said, firm as steel. "I know all. That is why I will take responsibility."
Lord Third's eyes narrowed.
"But if GaYo's curse awakens within him, the boy could become dangerous to all of us."
"Yes," Lord First agreed calmly. "But he will also be an irreplaceable weapon for the Guardians."
"And if GaYo takes control?" Lord Third pressed.
"Then," Lord First said quietly, "I will use the Soul Implantation Technique."
"That is not permanent," Lord Third warned.
"You must break the curse before the soul is fully consumed."
"From this day forward," Lord First replied, gaze firm, "that is my problem."
He swept his hand over the circle.
"So—do we approve him as a guardian?"
Lord Third laughed, a dry, incredulous sound.
"Fine. But don't push yourself, old man. Even you can't fight GaYo anymore."
Laughter echoed through the chamber, tension easing slightly.
Lord First raised his hand.
"Guard."
A soldier bowed deeply.
"Yes, my lord?"
"Take this letter to Hari."
"Yes, my lord."