"What in the world is this, Vahalla?" Shailya was fascinated by the new space he had just entered.
"This is the Death Realm," Vahalla answered, his face devoid of expression.
"DEATH? Are you for real? Am I dead?" Shailya asked, his emotions overflowing.
"Nah, you are still alive," Vahalla responded calmly.
"Then what? Why? Where am I, exactly? My soul? If yes, then what about my physical body? What the hell is happening here, Vahalla?" Shailya's mind was overwhelmed with doubt and confusion. Questions swirled through his head, and he desperately sought answers.
"Calm down, Shailya. Let me eradicate your doubts."
"Fine by me," Shailya said, folding his legs and sitting down on the ground.
"The Death Realm is a form of 'Power' that only Special Tier beings who excel in their 'Power' know. Exactly, someone cannot form the 'Death Realm'; they have their realities that fit their powers. Such as me," Vahalla began, standing up and chanting some words. Suddenly, a writing board appeared out of nowhere.
"You! You have the power of 'Death'?" Shailya asked, astonished.
"Indeed, but I'm an exception. You should know that I'm from a different community than yours; I'm a 'Chakradhari'. We are different from the rest of the communities. Other communities, such as yours or other higher beings, use iko to boost their 'power,' but I don't need to because I've got my powers in the form of a chakra," Vahalla explained.
"A 'Chakra' is a disc made up of platinum and titanium, covered by one coat of silver and gold and finally three coats of rose gold. It has a hole in the center, just like an optical disc. A 'Chakra' is not identical to all other 'Chakras,' but it has the same structure. See it this way: my Chakra of Death is made up of the metals I mentioned earlier, but it looks different due to the final coating of rose gold, and it also has a beautiful carving on it. It has a unique aspect: a dark black aura surrounds it."
Vahalla continued,
"You must be now confused about the Chakra of Death. Every Chakradhari has their powers stored in a Chakra; the strength of the Chakra depends on the bearer's strength. As we speak, there are a total of nine generations of Chakradharis, and you are the 9th inheritor of the Sage Chakra. It has the power given to us by the Seven Great Sages of the Heavenly Realm, constructed by the three deities themselves. I was the 8th inheritor of the Sage Chakra, and because of my loyalty towards the gods and Rakkan and my sacrifice in the Second Dimensional War, I was given the Chakra of Death. Though I already had the Chakra of Death, I was neither allowed nor able to use its full potential. But when I was given the Chakra, I felt my power increase exponentially, and thus I became the strongest Chakradhari in history, even more powerful than the First Generation Chakradhari. So currently, I am the Death God Yamanu's avatar. Before me, it was Rakkan who had the full powers of God Yamanu. And because of my Chakra of Death, the strength of the Sage Chakra increased exponentially. However, if you are unable to inherit my Chakra, then you'll not surpass me, just as no one was able to surpass the First Generation Chakradhari."
Vahalla took a deep breath, waiting for Shailya to ask questions.
"Vahalla, how did you surpass the First Inheritor of Sage Chakra?" Shailya asked, now calm and attentive.
"I never actually did," Vahalla answered.
"What do you mean by this?" Shailya asked, as this was a completely unexpected answer.
"The truth is, I never learned to use the Brahma Chakra; it's like I couldn't even use half of its potential. But I did learn to use the Chakra of Death to its full potential. Honestly, I don't know if he knew how to use the Brahma Chakra to its full extent. It's a mystery. But by gaining the complete power of this chakra, I surpassed the recorded data on his power. I was the only one to master all ten chakras in history. Now, you will surpass me and master all the chakras, no matter the cost," Vahalla said with sincerity, eager to see Shailya restore the glory of the universe and protect Prithvi.
"I see. I am not fired up with your motivation, though," Shailya said.
"Ehh. This is so wrong," Vahalla replied.
"But I think I can train to be strong, though I don't know how or if I will even be able to master it," Shailya said, looking up to Vahalla.
"Man, I'm here to teach you all about it. And I'll be your trainer. Master everything," Vahalla said.
"Then I WILL USE YOU TO SURPASS YOURSELF." Shailya's eyes darkened as he spoke, looking straight into Vahalla's eyes as if trying to assert control. He spaced out for a few seconds but quickly returned to focus.
Vahalla joined his hands in a prayer position near his heart, then clasped them together, leaving his middle and index fingers extended. He crossed his thumbs over each other and chanted:
"Dimensions: Death Realm" "OPEN"
A vast, wide space opened up inside Shailya's soul, shimmering with an eerie light.
"What in the world were you thinking just now?" Vahalla asked, his concern evident in his voice.
"I-I-I, uh, dunno," Shailya stammered, unsure of what he had just said.
"Whatever. Listen to me," Vahalla said, focusing Shailya's attention.
"As I explained earlier about realms, realms are special forms of power that can also be used as special attacks, though they are extremely exhausting. A realm is vast in size, but it is not an infinite expanse. A realm typically spans 2 to 3 million square kilometers; some can expand to 5 million square kilometers. The size of a realm depends on you. If you form a large realm of more than a million square kilometers, you can only maintain that form for 10 to 15 minutes for an average special tier. However, if you form a smaller realm of just 100,000 square kilometers, you can maintain that form for up to 100 to 120 minutes. In my case, the realm I formed here is about 30,000 square kilometers, and I can sustain this form for as long as 300 minutes. But reaching these heights requires extensive training. I remember once I tried to form a realm of about 2.7 million square kilometers, and I could only sustain it for about 7 minutes," Vahalla explained.
"Seven whole minutes!" Shailya exclaimed, amazed by the numbers.
"Shailya Mahoraga! 22 out of 50," the teacher announced, reciting everyone's marks from the test.
"Hahaha!" everyone laughed, looking at Shailya.
"It's not like I wanted this. Just look at my physicals, history, science, and I.T. too. I scored 50 in all of them," Shailya defended himself within his own thoughts.
"Shailya is a failure. Shailya is a failure," the boys at the back teased.
"Stop it!" the teacher shouted. She continued, "Try hard next time, Shailya."
Shailya nodded, feeling a mix of embarrassment and determination.
After the math period, during departure, a girl approached Shailya.
"Why are you here? Are you going to tease me just like the others, huh?" Shailya asked, embarrassed and tense.
The girl held his hand and said, "It's fine to fail; just try harder next time. After all, you scored the highest in history."
Shailya wiped his tears and said, "Umm, I am so grateful."
"Ah, stupid boy, it's a payback, so there's no need to thank me. Just save me in the future," she said with a smile.
"But what's your name?" Shailya asked as the girl started to leave for home.
She said, "Ta-Tunika," and walked away.
The next day, Shailya looked for her in school to befriend her, but she was not in class. She skipped seven straight days, and on the eighth day, Shailya asked his teacher about her. The teacher replied that Tunika's parents were transferred to Banglavaram, so she had to move with them.
That very day, Shailya resolved to find her and protect her in the future. He researched Banglavaram for years, and as it was a large province, finding Tunika was not easy. So he decided to join the military and get posted in Banglavaram to continue his search for her.
Shailya snapped back to the present, a scene from high school flashing in his mind.
"Sh-Shailya!" Vahalla shouted.
"Uhm, yeah," Shailya responded, nodding.
"Why were you spacing out?" Vahalla asked.
"I don't know," Shailya answered, the same statement as before.
"Anyways. The Dimensions, like this realm, are concentrated forms of power. They are far more powerful than ordinary blade and sword attacks. Dimensions are immensely potent in battle, surpassing other attacks in effectiveness," Vahalla explained.
"Wait… weren't you talking about realms just now?" Shailya asked, realizing he had missed some key details.
"I clarified it before," Vahalla said.
"Please explain it again. What are dimensions?" Shailya requested.
"Fine! I will," Vahalla agreed, taking a deep breath before continuing.
"Dimensions are the apex of concentrated power. Unlike realms, which are vast spaces you can maintain, dimensions are condensed, hyper-focused realms. They are the pinnacle of a Chakradhari's power. When you access a dimension, you tap into a force so potent that it can alter the very fabric of reality around you.
Imagine a realm as a large battlefield where you can exert your influence. A dimension, however, is a concentrated burst, a pinpoint strike that harnesses all that power in an instant. It's like comparing a vast ocean to a powerful tidal wave. The ocean is expansive and enduring, while the tidal wave is immediate and devastating.
Creating and controlling a dimension requires immense skill and concentration. It demands that you channel your chakra to its fullest extent, tapping into the deepest reserves of your power. Dimensions can vary in form and function, each tailored to the unique strengths of the Chakradhari wielding them.
For example, my Dimension of Death can envelop and nullify any attack, erasing it from existence. It can also create an inescapable zone where my power is absolute. This is just one example of how dimensions can be used in combat.
However, wielding such power comes at a cost. The strain on your body and mind is immense, and it requires rigorous training to master. But once you do, you become a force to be reckoned with, capable of feats beyond imagination," Vahalla explained.
Shailya listened intently, his mind racing with the possibilities. The concept of dimensions was both awe-inspiring and terrifying. He realized that to achieve his full potential, he would need to embrace this power and master it.
"I see. I have a lot to learn," Shailya said, determination shining in his eyes.
"Indeed, but with your resolve and my guidance, you will master the dimensions and become a true Chakradhari," Vahalla affirmed.
As Shailya stood amidst the vast expanse of the Death Realm, the weight of Vahalla's words settled heavily on his shoulders. The shimmering light of the realm revealed the endless potential and formidable challenges that lay ahead. He could feel the immense energy of the Dimensions coursing through his veins, a power unlike any he had ever imagined.
"Remember, Shailya," Vahalla said, his voice echoing through the ethereal space, "the path to mastering the Dimensions is not just about strength. It's about understanding your own soul and embracing the essence of your true potential."
Shailya nodded, determination etched on his face. He was ready to embark on this journey, ready to unlock the mysteries of the Dimensions and harness their unparalleled power.
[To be continued in Chapter 13]