The towering silhouette of Ashvattha loomed on the horizon, a solitary giant reaching into the heavens. The path ahead was treacherous—narrow trails carved into steep cliffs, dense fog swirling between the trees, and the air so thin it seemed to whisper with the voices of ancient beings.
Kalki's eyes scanned the distant peaks. He could feel the weight of the journey ahead, the sacred mountain was no ordinary climb. Parashurama's words echoed in his mind—to wield Kaumodaki, you must prove yourself worthy.
They had left the dense forests behind, moving into rocky, inhospitable terrain. The journey so far had been silent, with only the wind howling through the jagged rocks to accompany them. Parashurama walked ahead, his presence steady and assured, but Kalki could sense the tension in the air—the anticipation of what lay ahead.
Kalki's mind buzzed with questions, but he refrained from speaking. His encounters so far had taught him that silence was sometimes the greatest teacher. Yet, there was an undercurrent of curiosity he couldn't shake.
"Is there anything you haven't told me about this place?" Kalki finally asked, breaking the quiet.
Parashurama glanced over his shoulder, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Ashvattha is more than just a mountain. It is the meeting point between the mortal and divine realms. Each step we take brings us closer to that convergence. The tests you will face here... will not be of this world."
Kalki swallowed hard. His fingers tightened around the hilt of his sword, though he knew it would be of little use if the trials were not of this world. "And what of the guardians? Will they be like the beasts we faced before?"
Parashurama's gaze hardened. "No. The guardians of Ashvattha are remnants of the gods themselves—fragments of power that have taken form. They do not judge by mortal standards. They test the essence of your soul."
Kalki felt a chill run down his spine. He had faced enemies before—human, beast, and otherwise—but this...this was something far greater. His thoughts wandered to Kaumodaki, the weapon waiting for him atop this sacred mountain. Would it truly be his to claim? Would he prove himself worthy?
The Trials of the Mountain
As they ascended further, the path began to shift. The stones beneath Kalki's feet became smoother, almost unnaturally so, as though they had been worn down by something far older than time itself. The air grew colder, the mist thickening until it became difficult to see more than a few steps ahead.
Then, without warning, the ground beneath them shifted. A low rumble reverberated through the air, and the mountain itself seemed to stir. Kalki felt the tremor before he heard it—a subtle but unmistakable vibration underfoot.
Suddenly, a voice—deep and ancient—echoed through the mist, causing Kalki to stop in his tracks.
"अहम् अश्वत्थस्य संरक्षकः। शस्त्रं धारणं केवलं योग्यः।" (I am the guardian of Ashvattha. Only the worthy may wield the weapon.)
Kalki's heart pounded in his chest as the mist parted, revealing a figure that seemed to materialize out of thin air. The guardian stood tall, cloaked in shimmering silver armor, its eyes glowing with an ethereal light. It wielded a massive spear, its tip crackling with energy, and its presence exuded a power that felt overwhelming.
Parashurama stopped beside Kalki, his expression unreadable. "This is your test, Kalki. It will not be fought with strength alone. The guardian will judge you based on your actions, your decisions...your heart."
The guardian raised its spear, pointing it toward Kalki. "अहं परीक्षा करिष्यामि। सत्यं नु ज्ञासि?"
(I shall test you. Do you know truth?)
Kalki met the glowing eyes of the guardian. His hands flexed at his sides, prepared for whatever would come next. This was no ordinary trial; the very core of his being would be tested. He had faced challenges before, but this one was different—it was not about defeating an enemy but proving his worth in a way that transcended the physical.
Kalki took a deep breath. "I am ready."
Judgment of the Soul
The guardian lowered its spear slightly and raised its hand, palm facing upward. In an instant, the mist surrounding them thickened, engulfing Kalki in a veil of white. The world disappeared, leaving him alone in a void of nothingness. His heart raced, but he forced himself to stay calm.
Then, out of the void, shadows began to form. Figures emerged—people from his past, faces he recognized. They stared at him with hollow eyes, their mouths moving but no sound escaping. Among them, he saw his father, his mother, and others who had fallen during his journey. Their expressions were blank, unreadable, but there was a weight in their gaze that pressed down on him.
"Do you carry the weight of their deaths?" The guardian's voice echoed around him.
Kalki's breath hitched. The faces blurred, and suddenly, the memories of his failures surged forward—times when he hadn't been strong enough, when others had paid the price for his shortcomings. He saw the moment when his village had been attacked, the lives lost because he wasn't there to protect them.
"I do," Kalki whispered. "I carry them with me."
The figures began to fade, replaced by a different scene—one of power. He saw himself standing at the head of an army, flames surrounding him, his sword raised high. The people before him knelt in fear, their faces twisted with terror.
"Would you wield power over others to achieve your goal?"
Kalki shook his head, stepping back from the image. "No. Power without purpose is hollow. I seek balance, not domination."
The scene flickered and vanished, leaving Kalki once more alone in the void. He could feel the weight of the guardian's gaze upon him, watching, judging.
After what felt like an eternity, the voice spoke again, this time softer, but no less powerful. "यथार्थं दृष्टं अस्ति।"
(Truth has been seen.)
The mist slowly dissipated, and Kalki found himself standing back on the mountain trail, the guardian before him. Its spear lowered, and the glow in its eyes softened.
"अर्जितं अस्ति।" (It is earned.)
With those final words, the guardian stepped aside, allowing the path to open once more. Kalki felt a wave of relief wash over him, but he knew this was only the beginning. The true test still lay ahead, at the peak of Ashvattha.
Parashurama approached, his expression serious but with a hint of pride. "You've taken the first step, Kalki. But the journey is far from over."
Kalki nodded, his heart still racing. The weight of the trial had been immense, but he had passed. He had proven himself, not just to the guardian but to himself.
As they resumed their ascent, the air grew colder, and the summit of Ashvattha loomed ever closer. The weapon of the gods awaited him. But first, he would have to face whatever trials the sacred mountain had yet to offer.