The ancient halls of the Tiwari estate were silent, the only sound the rustling of wind through the cracked windows. Arunesh sat cross-legged before the pedestal, his hand still resting on the Chronicles of Time. The weight of Vishnu's words echoed in his mind.
"To awaken the Eternal Essence, you must first cultivate your Spirit Seed."
Arunesh had never heard of such a thing, yet now it seemed as though his very soul yearned for the cultivation that awaited him. But where would he begin? He had no teacher, no mentor—just the teachings of a father lost too soon. The only guide he had was this ancient estate, now overrun with decay and time.
He had so many questions, but before he could voice any of them, Vishnu had already turned to leave.
"Meet me outside when you're ready," the elder had said, his voice calm but filled with authority. "I will show you the first step of your journey."
Arunesh rose to his feet, feeling a strange mix of excitement and anxiety. His hand still grasped the pendant around his neck, his father's final gift. It was his link to the Tiwari legacy. As his fingers traced its smooth jade surface, a rush of memories flooded his mind: lessons, stories, the quiet wisdom his father had imparted to him. Mahesh Tiwari had always known that one day, Arunesh would need to stand alone.
Now, that time had come.
Outside, the estate stretched into the wilderness, untamed and wild, yet there was a certain beauty to the chaos. The land once cultivated with care now lay dormant, like the power Arunesh was about to awaken.
Vishnu was already waiting, standing by a small stone circle, his hands clasped behind his back. The sky was beginning to dim, the first stars of the evening beginning to appear. Arunesh walked toward him, feeling the weight of the moment settle over him.
"Sit," Vishnu instructed, pointing to the stone circle.
Arunesh obeyed, settling down on the cold stone. His heart pounded in his chest as he focused on his breathing. The wind carried the faint scent of blossoms from the nearby forest, the air tinged with the energy of the earth itself.
"Close your eyes," Vishnu said, his tone steady and firm. "Feel the pulse of the world around you."
Arunesh did as instructed, letting his eyes fall shut. At first, there was only silence. But then, faintly at first, he began to feel something. It was subtle—almost imperceptible—but the more he focused, the clearer it became. It was the energy of the earth itself, pulsing like a heartbeat beneath the surface. It wasn't just the air. It was the land, the rocks, the trees. Everything.
"You feel it?" Vishnu asked, his voice softer now, as though guiding Arunesh through a delicate process.
"I do," Arunesh whispered, his breath shallow, as though afraid to disturb the connection he was beginning to form.
"This is the first step," Vishnu continued. "This is the Spirit Seed. It is the life force of the earth, and it is inside you. You must cultivate it. Feed it with your will, your focus, your intention. Let it grow."
Arunesh nodded, his heart steadying as he let the energy wash over him. The sensation was like a warm current flowing through his body. He had always felt something within himself, something different. But now, it was as though that dormant power was waking up—slowly, but surely.
Vishnu's voice cut through the stillness once more. "Your Spirit Seed can only grow if you open yourself to it. You must give it a path to follow."
Arunesh focused harder, visualizing the seed within his chest, imagining it as a small, pulsing orb of light. As he concentrated, he felt a tingling sensation in his chest, as though something inside was awakening. The seed responded to his will, expanding and contracting with his breath, growing brighter and warmer with each passing moment.
"Good," Vishnu said, his voice approving. "But remember, the Spirit Seed is only the beginning. Cultivation is not easy. The path will be filled with challenges, and there will be moments where you will feel like giving up. But if you can keep your focus, if you can nurture your seed with your will and heart, then you will grow stronger."
Arunesh's brow furrowed as he felt the energy intensifying. The seed was becoming more vivid now, the light growing brighter with each heartbeat. His hands trembled slightly as he reached out to grasp it, but Vishnu's hand suddenly fell on his shoulder.
"Not yet. The seed grows on its own, in time," Vishnu said, his eyes focused on Arunesh's chest. "You cannot rush it. You must let it evolve naturally."
Arunesh's gaze turned inward, focusing on the seed. It was still small, barely a flicker of light, but it felt like the beginning of something vast, something infinite. His breathing steadied as he let go of the need to control it, allowing the seed to grow at its own pace.
Minutes passed like hours, and Arunesh lost track of time. The world around him seemed to fade away, leaving only him and the Spirit Seed in his chest. It was a strange feeling—both empowering and humbling. He could feel the potential of it, the power it promised to unlock.
At last, the light of the seed dimmed, no longer a bright, pulsing orb but a steady, flickering glow within his chest. Arunesh slowly opened his eyes, blinking against the darkness of the evening.
"You've made your first step," Vishnu said, his voice carrying a tone of approval. "Now, remember: the path to mastering the Eternal Essence is not just about power. It's about control. Balance."
Arunesh nodded, the seed still flickering within him, its presence now a part of his very being.
"You must rest tonight. Tomorrow, we begin again," Vishnu said as he began walking away, leaving Arunesh with his thoughts.
But Arunesh didn't feel alone. He could sense it—the power, the potential, the path that stretched out before him. His journey had truly begun.