"So, you need an ocular technique to counter other ocular techniques?", said Shapish.
"Yeah, pretty much", said Wars.
"So will the threat of 'them' be reduced?", Shapish inquired.
"Eh..., they are very high level. It would be better if you don't mention 'them'. Ugh... Makes me sick", said The Priest.
"But, the problem can be solved with the so-called 'blessing'? ", asked Shapish.
"Pretty much...", said Wars
Though Shapish was horrified by the effects 'corruption' might result in, he had previously lived by a very simple motto, "Leave tomorrow's problem to tomorrow's me". He was pondering seriously about his future for the first time. Previously, he was too busy trying to barely survive every day.
Misfortune had plagued him all his life. But, that could be attributed to statistics. The world itself was in a tumultuous period. Being born an orphan, starving to death, or being bombed into oblivion wasn't rare. There wouldn't even be a lack of people who had experienced all of them simultaneously. Asking for blessings, praying for salvation, and begging for death weren't something that he had never done before. But, he was done with it.
"I was always a happy-go-lucky kind of guy", thought Shapish.
"But, I can't stay like this, I need to be more proactive", Shapish resolved to himself.
"I don't want a blessing. Is there no other way?", said Shapish.
"Deities do communicate. Your system will get overwhelmed and it will destroy your body if you communicate directly plus why do think they will respond positively....as you said, there will be nothing to gain from them...so why would they even respond."
"I know one that always responds", said Shapish.
"When did you get lovey-dovey with some deity...Don't delude yourself...you haven't even awakened once! Eh...do you really think 'they' would care about some random guy?"
"I have a plan", said Shapish.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shapish awakened his chakra and infused spirituality in his voice as he chanted ," I extol the Three-Eyed One, enthroned above the cosmos. May you bestow liberation as I contemplate your divine abundance. Free me from all worldly attachments."
The priest and Wars were shocked at the incantation but were impressed nonetheless. "If only, he responded", thought The Priest.
All of them kept silent for a while waiting for something. But, nothing happened.
"Told you!...acting presumptuous ", said The Priest.
Shapish silently muttered," Hmm...so, this doesn't work".
Wars said," Not quite a surprise. Too vague of an incantation".
Shapish tried another incantation tweaking the original one a bit,
"As I offer my actions, be the witness, O Three-Eyed Lord, presiding over the universe. May the essence of my devotion be conveyed through this sacred offering."
The trio waited for a while. Shapish was ready for another for another attempt.
Goosebumps!
Instantly he felt his hair standing.
He felt cold shivers on his back. Bell like sounds started ringing in his ears, as felt a blood gushing from his nose and ears.
A percussion like sound started beating louder and louder as he felt his vision double.
Suddenly, he saw a black-scaled cobra coiling around his neck. The cobra started tightening around as his neck started turning blue. It's skin felt too cold as it pressed against his neck.
His body which initially resisted outside control completely faltered. His hands started shaking as he started rubbing his eyes vigorously as if he had completely lost control over them.
Suddenly, the illusory snake lunged forward. It dug it's fang into his eyes. One of his eyes popped out as blood started leaking rapidly. Hot crimson blood gushed out mixing with venom turning black.
His ears kept bleeding. The sounds hadn't stopped all this time. He felt his heart burning. A burning sensation filled his esophagus and lungs. His body felt extremely hot, convulsing laying on the floor.
Time passed very slowly as he kept waiting for it to be over. His head was throbbing as sweat poured down his forehead. Every time, he thought the pain started subsiding, it flared up again. The torture felt endless as he suffered unbearable agony.
Soon, everything became dead silent as if nothing had happened there. But, Shapish knew that it wasn't an illusion. After all, he could see an empty eye socket in the mirror. Extreme fatigue was evident on his face. The agony had been real!
Shapish few a deep breath gradually. The sudden invasion on his psyche left him essentially dumbfounded. This was a really humbling experience. The matters of 'divine' were too risky!
Shapish asked The Priest , "Any corruption?"
The Priest responded," Of course not! You only interacted with 'him' as a witness....but what the hell happened to your eye?"
Shapish replied, " I am never doing this again...fuck".
The Priest replied," This is why you should have just prayed to the Goddess for 'her' 'blessing'. Now, you are a one-eyed freak..."
"So, you haven't noticed yet. As expected of a charlatan! Look there, his third-eye chakra is open ", said Wars.
The Priest was dumbfounded. How could he open two chakras in less than a month? But was this actually the case? No, it was just that his Third-eye chakra was opened first. Even then, this was very surprising.
The Priest said," So what! You did pay a heavy price for it. How would you even justify missing an eye? Your chakras are out of order. This God of yours has fucked you...haha...not just that...'he' sure did that very thoroughly"
Wars replied," That's why you are a moron...but that said 'he' is really thorough!"
The Priest said," What do you mean?"
Wars replied," Did you forget that he was supposed to be cursed... So, the story should be that the little kid who was cursed barely survived losing an eye to some accident!"
As both of them looked at Shapish, who was uncharacteristically silent.
Shapish soon spoke ," This third-eye thing sure is great! I mean... I feel I can literally sense everything...sounds, scents, motions...this is euphoric...haha...it feels like the first time Rai made me try cannabis....I really get to feel this twenty four-seven...unbelievable!"
The Priest and War watched him in silence.