The moon hung high in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the Tiwari estate. Arunesh stood on the edge of the stone circle, his hands still trembling from the first cultivation attempt. The Spirit Seed within him flickered, alive and full of potential, yet still fragile. The night air was cool, and the distant hum of nature seemed to pulse in harmony with his thoughts.
"Your first trial begins now," Vishnu's voice broke the silence, bringing Arunesh's attention back to the present.
The elder stood at the center of the stone circle, his posture unwavering, his eyes sharp and wise. Arunesh felt the weight of his gaze, as if the elder could see into his very soul.
"Trial?" Arunesh repeated, his voice steady but filled with curiosity.
Vishnu nodded, his expression serious. "The path to mastery is not easy. You will face trials that will test not only your strength but your resolve. Only by overcoming these trials can you move forward in your cultivation journey."
Arunesh's heart quickened. He had expected difficulty, but nothing could prepare him for the reality of it.
"How do I begin?" he asked, eager to prove himself.
Vishnu raised a hand, and the ground beneath their feet seemed to ripple. A series of glowing symbols appeared around the stone circle, hovering in mid-air, each one a different color.
"These are the trials of the First Path. Each symbol represents a different test, and you must face them one by one. Only by conquering them will you grow stronger. Remember, this is not just about physical strength—your mind and spirit will be tested as well."
Arunesh's eyes darted to the symbols, each one pulsing with an eerie light. They seemed to call to him, urging him to step forward.
"Each trial will challenge a different aspect of your being," Vishnu continued. "The first trial will test your ability to focus and control the Spirit Seed within you. You must let the seed guide you, not the other way around."
Arunesh nodded, taking a deep breath. He focused on the flickering light inside him—the Spirit Seed—and imagined it as a small flame, burning quietly. He had felt the seed grow a little stronger since his last training, but he still had no real control over it.
"Focus," Vishnu's voice was a mere whisper now, carried by the wind. "Let the seed guide you."
Arunesh closed his eyes and centered his thoughts. The world around him faded, leaving only the seed. He could feel its warmth deep within, its pulse steady, yet distant. His mind raced, filled with questions and uncertainties. But as the seconds passed, he felt his breath slow, his heart beating in rhythm with the seed.
A calmness settled over him, and in that moment, something shifted. The seed inside him began to glow brighter, responding to his focus. The light expanded outward, forming a soft halo around his body. Arunesh's hands relaxed, and he felt a strange sense of connection—like he was one with the energy of the world itself.
"Good," Vishnu's voice came again, filled with approval. "You are learning to listen, not just control. But this is only the beginning. The first trial is to focus. The next will test your strength."
Arunesh opened his eyes to see the symbols shift. The first one, glowing a deep blue, began to pulse faster, as though it were alive.
"Now, the second trial," Vishnu said, stepping back. "This trial will force you to use the power you've just awakened. The Spirit Seed will grow stronger as you face challenges, but you must hold it in balance. Too much focus on the power, and you will lose control."
Before Arunesh could respond, the blue symbol flared and a gust of wind whipped around him. He raised his hands instinctively, the Spirit Seed inside him flaring up in response. The wind grew stronger, battering his body. The pressure was immense, but Arunesh held his ground.
The trial had begun.