Hearing the wish, even though they already knew it, Shiv was genuinely intrigued.
Rudra's POV
Shiv looked at me for a moment, their gaze calm yet unfathomably deep.
"I can grant this wish of yours," they said.
"Meeting me, even if by accident, gives you the right to ask as one of my children. But as you are now, you will not be able to survive in that era according to the power and laws of that time."
After saying this much, Shiv turned their gaze behind me and spoke softly.
"Is that not so, dear?"
I turned my head.
In my heart, I already knew who would be standing there.
When I finally looked, I saw a beautiful lady with an unmistakable motherly presence. They wore pure white garments adorned with floral themed jewellery. Their beauty was such that it felt as if nature itself had borrowed its grace from them. Their smile felt like every flower in existence blooming at once, and yet even that image failed to fully describe the beauty they carried.
Mother Goddess, Mata Parvati, smiled gently and spoke in a loving and soothing voice.
"Yes. And for this sweet child, we can do more than simply send him into the past where he would not last long in his current state. We can train him and make him capable enough so that he does not suffer."
Standing before the two Gods I worshipped and respected the most, I lost myself in my thoughts.
Even now, a part of me felt as if this was a dream. Yet everything felt too real. I could feel the air against my skin, smell the faint fragrance around me, hear the whispers of the beasts that surrounded us. The sacred calmness and holiness of this place did not feel like something born from imagination.
My habit of reading fantasy novels has also shaped my thoughts. I was going with the flow far better than I thought possible. I was even surprised at how calmly I was taking all of this. Meeting Gods, nearly dying due to a space collapse, and now having my wish acknowledged by the very beings I worshipped.
If it had been someone else, they might have fallen into denial or fainted on the spot. But someone who had read countless stories of otherworldly encounters found himself strangely composed. It did not help that I had always dreamed of meeting my Gods and asking for such a wish.
Remembering those thoughts, I felt my face heat up. I shook my head and pushed them away. After realising that my dream would be fulfilled I felt at peace but with peace came worry, what about my parents? My family? My friends, would everyone forget about me or something?
While my mind was wandering here and there, I suddenly felt eyes on me, so I looked and saw that the Gods had finished speaking among themselves. And were looking towards me, as if seeing my worry they smiled gently and said.
"Don't worry Rudra as you are going to the past, the time here will be as if stopped for you when you reach this point in time you can join with your family or decide whatever you want by then."
Hearing this, I was relieved and so I smiled and thanked them.
Then, everything changed.
The scenery shifted, and I found myself standing in a place that felt like home, even though I knew it was not. Looking around, I realized it was another location, perhaps on the same mountain. A flower garden spread across the land. Trees towered so high that they made me feel small. Birds chirped softly, and the sound of OM echoed throughout the space, filling it with a sacred presence.
I wondered if I was truly standing upon Kailash.
My doubt was answered by a voice beside me.
"Yes, boy. This is Kailash, the home of my lord Mahadev."
Hearing the voice of someone who, moments ago, had not been there, I replied reflexively.
"Yes… oh, okay."
A thought crossed my mind.
Does everyone here read thoughts, or am I simply that weak?
I focused on the figure standing before me. The moment I truly looked at them, recognition struck.
They had a burly body with powerful muscles that radiated strength. Their skin was tanned. They wore simple rags as clothing. Two horns, resembling those of a bull, rose from their forehead. Around their neck hung a thick and bold silver coloured necklace. A waistband with a golden sheen rested at their waist. Their ears resembled those of a bull, and their feet ended in hooves. Around their right ankle hung a bangle with a small golden bell.
Shock ran through me.
I immediately folded my hands and bowed deeply.
"Nandi ji!"