"I need some re. . ."
ssshhhp
...
"Huh... what?"
"What... what is that!!!"
Rohan, having collapsed before the villagers, found himself transported to an otherworldly realm, his senses overwhelmed by an ethereal spectacle unfolding before him.
"What... Where is this place?" Rohan's voice quivered; his eyes fixated on an enigmatic vision.
Before him loomed a fortress of unparalleled magnitude. It stretched beyond the horizon, its colossal silhouette commanding his attention. Situated at an unfathomable distance, the fortress materialized with remarkable clarity, defying the constraints of perception.
But in this realm, daylight eluded definition...
No sun, moon, or stars graced the darkness that enveloped everything. And yet, an uncanny luminosity permeated the air, revealing the intricate details before him. He beheld his own hands, his own limbs, and, most astonishingly, the distant fortress.
This architectural marvel defied comprehension. Its towering structure reached unfathomable heights, soaring far beyond the limits of imagination. Its exact elevation eluded measurement, surpassing the grandest edifices Rohan had ever encountered. The fortress, a monolithic enigma, emerged from an expanse devoid of landmarks. No discernible path or surroundings adorned the space that separated Rohan from the fortress. It stood alone, an obsidian monument adrift in nothingness.
In this mystifying realm, where distances warped and secrets whispered, the notion of "nothing" assumed a profound significance. The vast expanse bridged by mere perception defied the conventional measures of distance, leaving Rohan to ponder the mysteries that lay concealed within.
"Umm... do I go to the fortress?" It was evident that he appeared here out of nowhere, and the only direction he could go was towards the fortress. Therefore, Rohan decided to head towards the enigmatic structure.
. . .
Step, step, step.
"Finally..."
Rohan couldn't even recall how long he had been walking, but he was certain he had traversed for days before reaching the gates of the fortress. However, he didn't feel exhausted at all.
"I never thought it would be so far!"
Rohan could see guards standing on the fortress walls, their eyes fixed upon him.
"LET HIM IN!" a voice reverberated in the vast emptiness. "So, someone knows that I will come here." Rohan moved forward as one of the guards slowly pushed open the massive door of the fortress, just enough for Rohan to pass through the gates. When Rohan passed through the gates it felt more he had teleported.
He found himself on a road that led to an opulent palace.
"Again!..." helplessly, he started walking towards the palace.
. . .
Again, Rohan could not recall how long he had to walk before reaching the gates of the palace.
This time, the guards at the palace silently opened the gate for him to enter.
As Rohan stepped into the palace, he was once again astonished by the sight before him. At a considerable distance, which certainly exceeded mere footsteps, there sat a majestic throne. On the throne rested a figure whose presence exuded an aura of authority.
"He... Hello..." Rohan greeted.
"Hello, young one," the enigmatic figure reciprocated the greeting.
Before Rohan could utter another word, the figure continued.
"Congratulations, child, for you have fulfilled all the conditions of the trial."
"The trial?" Rohan grew perplexed.
"Yes," the figure continued.
Free the villagers from the bandits.
Erase the existence of pretatma[1].
Avenge the soul of the one you owe to.
Rohan understood what the figure was saying. "So, what happened in the village was a trial?"
The figure nodded. "It is both a reality and a trial set specifically for you."
"A trial for what, exactly?" Rohan inquired.
"To inherit the divine blessings."
"The divine blessings? Is that why people believe my words even when they are illogical?"
"That is merely the essence of the blessings you would receive."
"Wait..." Rohan paused, "then why didn't I receive these blessings when I arrived in this world? Why am I obtaining them now?"
"What? Did you think you would simply transmigrate and acquire all the rewards, becoming an overpowered boss or something? That's a foolish notion," the figure retorted.
"Eh..." Somehow, the enigmatic figure no longer sounded as mysterious.
"Hmm... It is true that we could have bestowed upon you all the blessings from the start, but I would never allow it," the figure explained.
"We? Is there someone else..." Rohan's curiosity was piqued.
"You need not concern yourself with them at the moment," the mysterious figure gave him a vague answer.
"Which brings me to this question, child: Which would you prefer, a gold medal that was thrown on the path you were walking, or the gold medal that you have won by repeatedly proving yourself?"
. . .
Rohan pondered the question deeply. "...you are right. I would want the gold medal that I won. I would rather accept the blessings as a reward than receive them as a gift."
Rohan felt a sense of pride in his decision, but...
"Yeah, but you still came begging for a girlfriend..." the mysterious figure quickly exposed his true identity.
"That... that... was different." Rohan's face turned red from embarrassment.
"Ha ha ha ha ha."
"Well, anyway child, there you have it, the reason you will be getting your blessings now. You have proved yourself, and the blessings are a reward."
Rohan nods and speaks "So, what kind of blessings will I be getting? Also are you God?"
"I am Shani, people on earth would call me Shani Dev and I am also known as the God of Trials"
As soon as he finishes speaking Shani Dev appeared right in front of Rohan, and before he could react Shani Dev's hand was on Rohan's head leaving Rohan unable to even move. Shani Dev speaks
"I know you have questions, my child. But fear not, for we will meet again. Until then, I wish you a happy journey."
And with that, Rohan lost his consciousness again.
----------------------------------------------
[1] Pretatma: A cursed spirit in hinduism.
Author's Note:
Hey guys,
I did not like the idea of the protagonist just getting lots of power, because of nothing. So I though he should pass a trial or something to get his powers.
Also you might wonder why he already has the power of persuasion already then? But worry not it will be explained a little later.
Rohan will be getting his protagonist package in the next chapter.
So look forward to it.