The Journey of How I Guided the World: Chapter 1
In the sun-soaked state of Gujarat, India, lived a boy named Divit. He resided with his father, uncle, aunt, and cousin in a modest home, the walls echoing with the laughter and stories of family. Tragically, Divit's mother had passed away in a car accident during his early childhood, leaving a lingering emptiness in his heart. Her absence was a constant reminder of the fragility of life.
One bright morning, feeling a deep yearning for family connection, Divit decided to visit his grandparents in Kachchh, a region known for its vast landscapes and unique culture. As he arrived, a wave of nostalgia washed over him, and he was immediately enveloped in the warmth of familial love. His grandparents welcomed him with open arms, their smiles illuminating the room.
After exchanging stories filled with laughter and love, Divit felt the weight of sleep tugging at him. Just as he settled down for a nap, his uncle burst into the room with boundless energy, sweeping him into a bear hug. "Let's go explore Kachchh!" he exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
Divit groaned, "I don't want to go; I just want to take my nap."
With an enthusiastic grin, his uncle replied, "Come on! If you visit Kachchh and don't see the white desert, what have you really experienced? It's a sight to behold, and you'll be amazed!"
Reluctantly, Divit agreed, curiosity beginning to override his desire for rest. Together, they set off to explore the ethereal beauty of the white desert. As they walked across the vast expanse of sparkling white sand, Divit felt the warm breeze against his skin, invigorating his spirit. The desert stretched endlessly, glimmering under the midday sun, creating a surreal landscape.
As they ventured deeper, Divit became lost in the beauty surrounding him, but suddenly, he noticed that his uncle was nowhere to be found. Panic surged within him as he called out, "Uncle! Where are you?" The vastness of the desert swallowed his voice, and an eerie silence enveloped him.
Time seemed to slow as the sun began its descent, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. The white desert, bathed in the golden light, shimmered like precious gold. Divit lay back on the cool sand, gazing at the stars beginning to twinkle above. "What a beautiful view," he whispered to himself, but soon he felt the biting chill of the desert night creeping in, as if he had been placed in a freezer.
In this dark and frigid expanse, surrounded only by the shimmering stars, memories flooded back to him. He recalled his mother's enchanting stories of gods and heroes—Krishna, Maharana Pratap, and Karna—warriors who had fought valiantly and become legends revered through the ages. As these thoughts washed over him, time seemed to slip away.
Suddenly, a crack split the night sky, and before Divit could grasp what was happening, he felt himself being pulled into it, losing consciousness. When he awoke, a gentle voice beckoned him: "Divit! Open your eyes!"
As he blinked, Divit found himself floating amidst a breathtaking tapestry of stars and galaxies. The beauty of space was overwhelming, and his heart raced with awe. Before him stood a radiant figure, exuding an aura of wisdom and power. "Did you sleep well?" the figure asked, a playful smile illuminating his face.
"Who are you?" Divit stammered, bewildered by the surreal experience.
The figure chuckled softly. "You don't recognize me? I am the one who guided Arjun in battle and imparted wisdom to the world. I am Krishna. Do you understand now?"
Divit's mind struggled to process this revelation. "How can I trust you? This all feels too unreal."
Krishna's expression softened. "If you don't believe me, that is your choice. But I brought you here for a reason. Are you aware of the multiverse? There are other worlds akin to yours."
Divit nodded slowly, his curiosity piqued. "Yes, I've heard of it. But what does this have to do with me?"
," Krishna explained, "You must journey to another Earth and plant the seeds of the World Tree across that realm. The beings there have advanced rapidly but are mired in conflict. If wars continue, their world will face destruction."
"Why me? Can't you handle this yourself?" Divit's frustration bubbled to the surface.
Krishna said. "How could I? I lack a physical body to interact with other worlds directly. Moreover, I am merely an avatar of Vishnu, not the god himself. My ability to influence the universe is limited."
Divit's thoughts raced, filled with concerns for his family and his life back home. "What about my life? I'm just a normal person."
"You are already living in that world," Krishna replied, conjuring an image of Divit with his family. "That version of you in another universe faced challenges, but that is a tale for another time."
"Do you wish to achieve something beyond your wildest expectations?" Krishna asked, his gaze penetrating.
"Why me? Does that mean I'm special?" Divit asked, feeling a mixture of excitement and trepidation.
"Honestly, I picked you at random. Now, what is your answer?" Krishna urged.
"If I want to go back, can you send me?" Divit hesitated, grappling with uncertainty.
"Unfortunately, I can't. I've already interfered enough in this universe," Krishna replied, a hint of regret in his voice.
After much internal conflict, Divit finally agreed to embark on this unexpected journey. "What is this World Tree, and why must it be planted?" he inquired, determination beginning to swell within him.
"The World Tree connects the Earth to the gods of that realm. Now, enough chitchat. You'll uncover the details upon your arrival. Remember, your role is to guide the inhabitants. How you choose to do that is entirely up to you. When you return, share your tale of how you guided the world."
"Don't joke; you'll always be watching over me, right?" Divit asked half-jokingly.
"Rest assured, I'll listen to your story without any spoilers," Krishna assured him before enveloping Divit in a radiant light, sending him to the other world.
When Divit opened his eyes again, he found himself in a vast, lush jungle, vibrant and teeming with life. The air was rich with the scent of exotic flowers and fresh foliage, and the colors of the flora were unlike anything he had ever seen. As he took his first steps into this new world, a sense of wonder washed over him.
As he explored the jungle, the sun gradually sank below the horizon, and the sky transformed into a canvas of deep purples and blues. To his astonishment, nine moons illuminated the night sky, casting an ethereal glow over the landscape. Divit discovered a large, cave-like tree that offered shelter, and he settled in, marveling at the dazzling lights that twinkled overhead.
"This is truly beautiful," he thought, but a nagging feeling reminded him of the challenges that lay ahead. Slowly, exhaustion overtook him, and he drifted off to sleep, surrounded by the soothing sounds of the jungle.
In the middle of the night, he was jolted awake by rustling sounds echoing through the trees. A group of figures moved stealthily through the underbrush, their movements agile and purposeful. One of them spotted Divit, but instead of approaching, they continued on their path, seemingly unaware of his presence.
Morning broke, and the jungle was alive with sounds—a symphony of chirping birds and rustling leaves. Colorful butterflies fluttered around him, their wings glistening in the sunlight, while birds with dark purple feathers and striking blue eyes soared gracefully above.
Feeling the pangs of hunger, Divit began searching for something to eat. He stumbled upon a cluster of strange fruit growing near a shimmering lake. Curiosity piqued, he plucked one and took a bite, only to be overwhelmed by its sourness. Grimacing, he washed his face in the cool water before continuing his exploration.
As he ventured deeper into the jungle, an arrow suddenly whizzed past his ear, narrowly missing him. His heart raced as he froze, fear coursing through him. Another arrow shot toward him, landing in the ground at his feet. "Don't move, or our arrows will pierce your head!" a voice commanded, stern and threatening.
"Okay, I won't move!" Divit replied, his voice trembling.
Moments later, figures emerged from the shadows—Alfs, tall and elegant, with pointed ears and an air of authority. They approached him cautiously, arrows drawn, their eyes filled with suspicion. "Who are you?" one demanded, narrowing his gaze.
Divit's mind raced with fear. If they think I'm suspicious, they may kill me.
As the Alfs surrounded him, their leader stepped forward, examining Divit closely. "You don't resemble an Alf. Your skin is dark, your ears are short, and we sense no danger from you."
"My name is Divit. I'm lost," he stammered, trying to sound as non-threatening as possible.
The Alfs exchanged wary glances, their conversation filled with uncertainty. "We can't leave him if we don't know who he is," one insisted.
"Should we just kill him?" another proposed, causing a chill to race down Divit's spine.
"Please, don't kill me! I haven't done anything!"
Before the Elves could decide his fate, a figure emerged from the trees, causing the entire group to fall to their knees in reverence. "Lord Finrod," one of them greeted, bowing deeply. "What brings you here?"
Finrod, a tall Elf with a regal bearing, looked over the scene. "One of my patrols reported seeing a stranger in the forest. I came to investigate."
His gaze fell on Divit, and he walked closer, his presence commanding. "So, this is the one they spoke of," he mused aloud. "You don't look like an Elf. Your skin is dark, your ears short, and your mana… it's so weak I can barely sense it."
Divit swallowed hard and repeated what he had told the others. "My name is Divit. I got lost... I don't remember anything besides my name."
Finrod studied him for a moment longer, then nodded. "Take him to the village. We'll let the Chief decide what to do with him."
The Elves bound Divit's hands, though loosely, and led him through the dense forest to their village. As they entered, Divit was struck by the sight of houses built high into the trees, their wooden platforms interconnected by rope bridges that swayed gently in the breeze. Everywhere he looked, the villagers were staring at him, whispering to one another in a language he could barely understand.
At last, they brought him to the village chief, an old Elf with silver hair that shimmered like moonlight. The Chief's eyes, wise and piercing, bore into Divit as he spoke. "Who are you, stranger? And where do you come from?"
Divit repeated what little he knew. "My name is Divit. I don't know where I come from. I've lost my memories."
The Chief's brow furrowed. "You carry a dark mana within you. It's faint, but I can sense it. It's unlike anything I've ever seen. You have no memory, yet you stand here unharmed, with all forms of mana within you. How is that possible?"
"I don't know what mana is," Divit admitted, confused and desperate.
The Chief's eyes narrowed slightly. "You don't know? Or are you pretending not to?
He sighed and leaned back. "We do not know what to do with you, Divit. You are an enigma. We cannot allow you to leave, for your origins are unknown and your power suspicious." He gestured to the guards. "Take him to the prison. Keep watch. I have more important matter right away."
Divit was led to a wooden cell, deep in the village. As the door creaked shut, he slumped down on the rough floor, his mind spinning. What am I? Where did I come from? He couldn't remember anything, and now he was trapped, with no idea what the Elves would do to him.
Lost in thought, Divit barely noticed the voice that called out from the cell next to his. "Hey... hey, you! Are you new here?"
Divit blinked, startled. He turned and saw a girl, her dark hair falling in loose waves around her shoulders. She had horns—small, curved ones that immediately identified her as a Horned Demon.
"Hello?" she called louder. "Are you deaf or something? I said, are you new?"
"Sorry, you startled me," Divit replied, standing up and moving closer to the bars.
"Who are you?" the girl asked, eyeing him curiously. "You don't look like an Elf."
"My name is Divit," he answered cautiously. "I don't remember much beyond that. I'm still trying to figure out where I am."
The girl sighed. "We're in Roknode, the Elven village. They locked me up here three days ago, claiming I killed one of their own."
"What's your name?" Divit asked.
"Ashthi," she replied with a wry smile. "I'm from the village of Tiren. And yes, I'm a Horned Demon, in case you were wondering."
Divit nodded. "I've never met a Horned Demon before."
Ashthi chuckled. "Well, lucky you, I guess. But I'd be more concerned with why they didn't chain you up like they did me."
Divit glanced at her hands, bound with shimmering chains. "Why didn't they?" he asked.
"These chains suppress magic," Ashthi explained. "They probably didn't bother with you because they don't think you're a threat."
Divit frowned, deep in thought. Magic chains?
Before he could ask more, a loud crash echoed from outside. Ashthi's eyes lit up with anticipation. "Sounds like they're here."
"They?" Divit asked, confused.
Ashthi grinned and, with a quick flick of her wrist, shattered her chains and the prison door with a burst of purple magic. Divit's eyes widened, seeing magic in action for the first time. A moment later, a tall, imposing Horned Demon entered the prison, bowing to Ashthi.
"Are you alright, young miss?" he asked.
"I'm fine," Ashthi replied coolly. "Where's my father?"
"The Chief is waiting outside," the demon replied.
Ashthi turned to Divit, her eyes gleaming. "You're coming with me. I've got questions for you."
Before Divit could protest, she shattered his prison door as well. Together, they stepped out into the village, only to find chaos.
The once-peaceful village was now a smoldering battlefield. Corpses of Elves lay scattered, and the air was thick with the sounds of screams and battle cries. Divit's heart raced, his hands trembling as he took in the destruction around him. For the first time, he witnessed the brutality of the world he had awoken to.
A Horned Demon approached, nodding to Ashthi. "You did well, my daughter," he said, placing a hand on her shoulder.
Divit's mind spun. What have I gotten myself into?
Chapter 1 end