Shiv and Manu approached the cave, their hearts pounding with anticipation. Nandi, the wise old beastman, emerged from the darkness, his eyes ancient and wise.
"You have arrived," Nandi said, his voice a low rumble. "I had anticipated your arrival."Shiv and Manu were surprised by Nandi's unexpected welcome.Shiv and Manu explained their quest for knowledge about Rudra. Nandi listened intently, his eyes filled with a knowing glint."Rudra is a powerful deity, a force of both creation and destruction,"
Nandi said, "To understand Rudra, you must understand the balance of the universe." He added, "You have a long way to go before fully comprehending Lord Rudra's power. Your father spent his entire life trying to inherit Rudra's power, but he lacked the pure soul you possess. Despite this, he always tried to help those in need and worshiped the Rudra book."Upon hearing this, Shiv felt a mix of sadness and joy. He was saddened to learn about his father's struggles, but also happy to know more about him."I will teach you how to use the Rudra power, alongside Manu," Nandi said.From the next day, their intense training began. Sometimes, they meditated under a powerful waterfall, while other times, they practiced single-legged meditation. Together, they worshipped the Rudra book, and they even sparred with Nandi in his beast form.Nandi, an ox the size of the dragon king with strong horns, towered over Shiv and Manu, making them seem like ants in comparison. Every time they fought, Shiv and Manu were defeated within seconds.This rigorous training continued for two years.While Shiv and Manu were training, demons escaped from the Engulf Forest. Reported to their demon king that they had been defeated by two powerful beings.Curious, the demon king used magic to read the mind of one of the escaped demons. When he saw the appearance and fighting style of Shiv, he was shocked. He rushed to the elder demon for advice.As the elder demon watched the battle of Shiv and Manu, he trembled in fear. "That is the fighting style of Lord Rudra," he said.The elder demon, aged eight hundred years, bore the scars of battle, his horn broken, his arm severed, and his face marked with sword wounds. "Lord Rudra is the sole reason humanity survived the war five hundred years ago," he stated. "This young man, who may have inherited Rudra's powers, must be eliminated before he fully awakens."Fear etched his face. "Remember Aarav Windsor, a human warrior who fought with us eighty years ago? He was also a devout follower of Lord Rudra. Single-handedly, he decimated half our army and claimed the lives of three squadron captains.""Not only did he kill squadron captains, but he also defeated my father, the previous demon lord," Demon King Ragu said, his voice filled with murderous intent towards Aarav Windsor.The elder demon, Mahi, suggested that Ragu should go to another dimension for training to counter the human's Rudra power, using Aarav's battle as a reference point.Demon King Ragu, driven by his desire for revenge, followed Mahi's advice. He traveled to another dimension, a realm of pure chaos and darkness. There, he sought out a powerful Lord Nela, rumored to have fought with equal strength as Lord Rudra, could train him to surpass Aarav Windsor.The lord Nela, impressed by Ragu's determination, agreed to train him. Ragu underwent a grueling regimen, pushing his limits to the brink. He learned new techniques, mastered ancient magic, and honed his demonic powers.Ragu died several hundred times during his training, revive him using his magic.Years passed, and Ragu emerged from his training, a transformed being. His power had grown exponentially, surpassing even his father's.Ragu returned to his realm after two years of intense training, determined to seek revenge on Aarav Windsor and the human who had defeated him. He gathered his forces, preparing for a devastating assault on the human world.Meanwhile Shiv and Manu had made significant strides. Shiv's mastery of Rudra's power had grown exponentially. He could channel the divine energy with precision and control, summoning lightning bolts, creating barriers of pure energy, and even healing the wounded.Manu, too, had developed her abilities. Her serpentine form allowed her to move with incredible speed and agility, and her poison mist was more potent than ever.One day, Nandi gathered Shiv and Manu. "You have come a long way," he said, his voice filled with pride. "You are ready for the next stage of your journey."Nandi revealed that there was a hidden chamber beneath his cave, a place where the true power of Rudra was concealed. To unlock this power, Shiv would need to undergo a grueling test.The test was a trial of both physical and mental endurance. Shiv had to navigate a labyrinth of deadly traps, face powerful illusions, and confront his own inner demons.Conquering the labyrinth was going smoothly. They deactivated traps before they were activated and defeated numerous powerful monsters, some as formidable as dragons. This physical challenge was just the beginning.For the mental test, Shiv faced an illusion of his mother and father crying, urging him to abandon his powers and return to a normal life. Shiv almost succumbed to the illusion, but Manu used her dispel skill to eliminate it. However, the illusion persisted. Then, Shiv heard his mother's voice in his head, reminding him to never give up. This realization made him aware of the illusion.With Manu by his side, Shiv persevered. He drew upon the strength he had gained through his training, his connection to Rudra guiding him through the challenges.Finally, he reached the heart of the chamber. There, suspended in a beam of celestial light, was a glowing orb. It was the source of Rudra's ultimate power.Shiv reached out and touched the orb. A surge of energy coursed through him, filling him with an overwhelming sense of power. The spear he had found with his father's armor appeared in his hand. The orb transformed into a double-sided musical instrument and fused with the spear. Watching Shiv hold the spear, Manu transformed into a serpent and coiled around his left hand.