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Unknown Place, Outside the Multiverse, Unknown Time
In the vast expanse beyond the multiverse, where time and space held no meaning, a formless being of light floated silently, contemplating. This being had no particular name but was called the Beyonder, due to residing in the Beyond-realm. His existence was one of unfathomable power and nigh omnipotence. However, it didn't alleviate the endless boredom he felt at this moment.
"Haa….what a boring place this realm is," the Beyonder sighed.
"Perhaps, I should seek entertainment in that place," he decided, having had enough of the boredom. He sought amusement in the myriad realities that sprawled before him. With a mere thought, he conjured a device—a massive shimmering orb that displayed countless timelines, each a canvas for his whims.
As he browsed through the timelines for something interesting, his attention was captured by a particular scene: an asura named Bhishanara, prophesied in that timeline as the Kali Purush, locked in a fierce battle with Kalki, the final avatar of Vishnu. The asura, a personification of adharma and chaos, was on the brink of defeat. Intrigued, the Beyonder decided to intervene, seeking to alleviate his ennui with a new form of entertainment.
With a wave of his hand, reality shifted. The dying asura was plucked from his timeline and brought before the Beyonder. Bhishanara, his body battered and spirit enraged, found himself in an unfamiliar realm, facing an entity of unimaginable power.
"Who dares to summon me?" Bhishanara snarled, his eyes burning with hatred.
A sudden immense pressure fell upon the asura, making him fear for his existence following his disrespectful words.
"Know your place, puny creature," the Beyonder said in a voice that held no warmth.
The asura realized he was in the presence of a being of unimaginable power and changed his demeanor to be more respectful.
"I apologize for my disrespectful words, O great being. But may I be direct and inquire whose presence I am in and why I was spared from certain death at the hands of Vishnu's avatar?"
The Beyonder, satisfied with his changed demeanor, replied, "Hmm, yes, you may. I am called the Beyonder, a being beyond your understanding. I rescued you simply for my own amusement. Your struggle against Vishnu's avatar piqued my interest. Tell me, asura, what would you wish for if you could have anything?"
Bhishanara, ever cunning and filled with malice, saw an opportunity. "Then, O great Beyonder, I wish for power beyond any deity can wield and indestructibility. Grant me this, and I shall provide you with endless entertainment."
The Beyonder's eyes gleamed with a mixture of curiosity and mischief. "Very well. Your wish is granted."
In an instant, Bhishanara felt a surge of power unlike anything he had ever known. His wounds healed, his strength multiplied, and an aura of invincibility enveloped him.
"Hahahaha…."
He laughed loudly, a sound that echoed through the void, filled with the promise of chaos and destruction.
The Beyonder watched, satisfied with his handiwork. "Go, asura. I will bring you to a different timeline where you will be free to build your forces from the beginning and wreak havoc. Entertain me with your newfound might."
With a nod, Bhishanara was sent to a different reality, now a being of unparalleled power. The silence returned to the void, and the Beyonder changed himself into a humanoid form with a modern look: a muscular frame, dark brown hair and beard, gauged ears, and white pupil-less eyes. This transformation was for better understanding humanity in search of more entertainment. He smiled with cunningness, anticipating the chaos that would unfold.
In the multiverse, the balance of power had shifted, and the Beyonder's game had only just begun.
Present Time, Kamar Taj, Kathmandu, Nepal
The Ancient One's eyes twinkled with a knowing light as he gestured for Aryan to follow. The hallways of Kamar Taj were a labyrinth of ancient stone and mystical energy, each corridor whispering secrets of the past. The air was thick with the scent of incense, and the soft glow of lanterns cast dancing shadows on the walls.
As they walked, Aryan felt a sense of timelessness envelop him. The Ancient One moved with a grace that belied his age, his robes flowing like water around him. They passed through archways adorned with intricate carvings, each telling a story of battles fought and wisdom gained.
"Every corner of Kamar Taj holds a lesson," the Ancient One said, his voice a soothing murmur. "It is a place where the past, present, and future converge."
Aryan's eyes darted around, absorbing the details. He noticed monks in deep meditation, their auras glowing faintly. The corridors seemed to stretch infinitely, yet each step felt purposeful, guided by an unseen force.
They reached a grand staircase, its steps worn smooth by centuries of footsteps. As they ascended, Aryan felt a shift in the air, a subtle change in the energy around them. The walls here were lined with ancient scrolls and artifacts, each pulsating with latent power.
At the top of the staircase, a large wooden door stood, its surface etched with symbols that seemed to move and shift under Aryan's gaze. The Ancient One paused, placing a hand on the door. "Beyond this door lies a place of great significance. It is where we shall have our conversation."
The door creaked open, revealing a room bathed in a soft, golden light. The walls were lined with bookshelves, filled with tomes of knowledge from across the ages. In the center of the room was a low table, surrounded by cushions. A large window overlooked the mountains, the view serene and otherworldly.
The Ancient One motioned for Aryan to sit. "This room is a sanctuary, a place where minds can meet and truths can be revealed."
Aryan settled onto a cushion, feeling the weight of the moment. The Ancient One took his place opposite him, his eyes piercing yet kind. "You have questions, Aryan. And I have answers. Let us begin."
Aryan's curiosity was palpable as he settled onto the cushion, his mind racing with questions. The Ancient One's serene demeanor only heightened the sense of mystery that enveloped Kamar Taj.
"Ancient One," Aryan began, his voice tinged with both respect and urgency, "Before asking anything else, let me ask about the things that I am most curious about. You must have noticed that the ripples of my presence have caused so many changes in the timeline. Why has Kamar Taj not intervened?"
The Ancient One's eyes twinkled with a knowing light. "Ah, yes, Aryan, your presence here is quite an enigma. You see, you are an anomaly, a being whose very existence either brings chaos or stabilizes the chaos that threatens to unravel reality."
"Normally, we would've intervened but the situation is not quite normal or should I say that your very presence provides a paradoxical balance to the reality, creating a temporal buffer. This prevented the complete collapse which was about to be brought by the disruption caused by an outside force."
"This is why Kamar Taj has not intervened directly. We have been observing, understanding, and preparing for the right moment."
Aryan's brow furrowed. "Balance? And what is this disruption by outside force you speak of?"
The Ancient One leaned forward, his gaze intense. "Before I tell you about that, let me ask you, have you heard about the prophesied encounter between 'Kali Purush' and 'Kalki' the last avatar of Vishnu during the end of Kali-yug in the Hindu mythology?"
Aryan nodded while thinking about the tales of the prophecy written in the Hindu texts. "Yes, I have."
The Ancient One nodded and explained "You see Aryan, in the vast tapestry of the multiverse, there are forces that seek to disrupt the balance. The Beyonder, a being of unimaginable power, has intervened in our reality, bringing an Asura not from our reality here and granting Bhishanara, the name of the asura, powers beyond any deity. He has claimed the throne of Patal lok becoming the Asura King and declaring himself the 'Kali Purush'. This has tipped the cosmic scales, leaving Kalki unable to fulfill his prophesied role."
Aryan's eyes widened as the weight of the situation settled upon him. "So, the Asura's newfound power is causing the collapse of reality?"
"Indeed," the Ancient One replied. "The Asura embodies the chaos and darkness of an unchecked Kali Yuga. His presence destabilizes the world, and the echoes of this crisis are felt across dimensions."
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