Months had passed since Agastya's battle with the primordial shadow, and while the world seemed to go on as if nothing had ever happened, within him, the shift was profound. He had returned to his everyday life—working as an engineer, spending time with Meera and Arjun—but the scars from the battle ran deep. Even without his divine powers, the echoes of that cosmic struggle lingered in his thoughts.
Yet, slowly, something had begun to change. The more Agastya focused on rebuilding his life, the more he realized that his journey wasn't truly over. While he had sacrificed his godlike abilities, something within him had remained. It wasn't the raw, overwhelming power of the gods, but a quiet sense of purpose, a deeper connection to the world around him. And now, the world was starting to notice.
One morning, as Agastya sat in his office working on a complex design for a new project, a knock at the door interrupted his focus. He glanced up to see his boss, Mr. Mehta, standing there with an unusual expression. Mr. Mehta had always been a stern man, focused solely on productivity and numbers, but today there was something different in his eyes—a mixture of curiosity and respect.
"Agastya, may I have a word?" Mr. Mehta asked, stepping into the room before Agastya could answer.
"Of course," Agastya replied, setting down his pen.
Mr. Mehta sat across from him, folding his hands on the desk. "I've been noticing a change in you lately. Your work has always been solid, but over the past few months, it's been exceptional—beyond what anyone expected."
Agastya frowned, unsure how to respond. "I've just been trying to do my best."
"It's more than that," Mr. Mehta said, leaning forward slightly. "You've been tackling problems no one else could solve. You seem to have this insight, this… clarity. People in the office are starting to talk about it. They say you see things others can't."
Agastya's heart skipped a beat. He had thought that after losing his divine powers, his life would return to normal, that he would simply blend back into the fabric of the mundane world. But now, it seemed that even without his abilities, he had retained something—an awareness, an intuition that set him apart.
"I don't know about that," Agastya said, his voice humble. "I've just been trying to stay focused and do my part."
Mr. Mehta studied him for a long moment before speaking again. "I don't know what happened to you, Agastya, but it's clear that you've changed—for the better. The company recognizes it, and so do I. I'd like to offer you a promotion. Lead Engineer. You'll oversee not just the technical side, but also project management and team development. I think you're ready for it."
Agastya blinked in surprise. The offer was unexpected, and yet, in the back of his mind, he had always known that this day might come. His journey through the divine realms had taught him things that went beyond mortal understanding—how to see the bigger picture, how to lead, and how to protect what mattered most. Though his powers were gone, his ability to guide and inspire remained.
"I… I appreciate the offer," Agastya said, trying to process the sudden turn of events. "But why now? Why me?"
Mr. Mehta smiled slightly. "You've earned it, Agastya. The way you approach problems, the way you lead by example—it's what we need in this company. You have something rare. Recognition is long overdue."
Agastya felt a surge of emotion—pride, gratitude, and, perhaps most importantly, relief. For so long, he had struggled to find his place in the world, thinking that his value was tied to the divine powers he had once wielded. But now, he was being recognized for who he truly was, not as a god, but as a man.
"I'll accept," Agastya finally said, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Thank you for this opportunity."
Mr. Mehta nodded, rising from his chair. "You've earned it, Agastya. We're lucky to have you." With that, he left the room, leaving Agastya alone with his thoughts.
As the door closed behind him, Agastya leaned back in his chair, letting the weight of the moment settle in. This was recognition—not for his past as a divine warrior, but for his present, for the man he had become. It felt good, but more than that, it felt right. He had worked for this, fought for this, and now, in the quiet of his office, he finally felt at peace.
Later that evening, when Agastya returned home, he shared the news with Meera. Her face lit up with pride as she embraced him, her joy infectious.
"I knew it," she said, pulling back to look at him. "I knew you'd get the recognition you deserve. You've always been capable of so much, Agastya."
Agastya smiled, feeling the warmth of her words settle over him like a comforting blanket. "It's not just about the promotion, though," he said. "It's about everything we've been through. It feels like… everything's coming full circle."
Meera nodded, her eyes soft with understanding. "You've been through so much, Agastya. But you never gave up. And now, you're finally being seen for who you really are."
That night, as Agastya lay in bed, he thought back to his journey—the battles, the sacrifices, the moments of doubt. He had lost his powers, but he had gained something far more valuable: recognition of his own worth, not as a god, but as a human being.
He didn't need divine abilities to make a difference in the world. He had his skills, his determination, and the love of his family. And in the end, that was more than enough.
As he drifted off to sleep, Agastya knew that the path ahead was still uncertain, but for the first time in a long while, he felt ready for whatever the future held. Recognition, after all, wasn't just about titles or accolades. It was about seeing oneself clearly, accepting both strengths and weaknesses, and knowing that, in the grand scheme of things, every step forward mattered.
Agastya had been seen—not by the gods, but by the people who mattered most. And in that, he found his true power.