The Raksaka horde is getting closer. The rumble of their footsteps shook the ground, accompanied by roars that echoed into the mountains. Arya stood tall between Laksmi and Narada, his body still feeling weak after his first attack.
Narada looked at Arya seriously. "You managed to wound Kirata, that is a sign that your strength is starting to rise." But against a group like this, we can't just rely on direct attacks. We need to find a strategy.
Laksmi nodded in agreement. "Is there a safe place in the Realm of Kahyangan?" We need time for Arya to understand his power.
Saraswati stepped forward, gazing towards the forest where the rumbling sound originated. "There is a place we can use, but the journey there is not easy." It is the Maha Cakra Temple, the place where the previous incarnation of Vishnu attained enlightenment. There, Arya can learn his true power."
Arya frowned. "How far is that place?" And how can we get there without being caught?"
Saraswati raised her hand, creating a circle of light in the air. "The temple is at the peak of Mount Cahaya, hidden among the golden mist." I will clear the path, but you must move quickly. I will hold them here.
Narada looked at Saraswati with concern. "Alone?" They are not ordinary enemies.
Saraswati smiled gently. "I am the Goddess of Knowledge." They may be strong, but without strategy, they will only attack blindly. Go, before it's too late."
Arya felt hesitant to leave Saraswati, but her confident gaze made Arya finally nod. "I promise I will return stronger."
The circle of light created by Saraswati transformed into a portal, connecting the meadow where they stood with the slopes of Mount Cahaya. Narada and Lakshmi immediately stepped in, followed by Arya who glanced back for a moment, seeing Saraswati preparing to face the attack of the Rakshasas.
They arrived at the steep mountain slope, filled with large rocks and ancient trees that emitted a fragrant aroma. Golden mist enveloped the surroundings, limiting visibility. The air here feels different, as if filled with pure energy that makes Arya's body feel a bit fresher.
"We have to climb," said Narada while pointing upwards. "The peak of Mount Light is not far, but the path is dangerous." Stay alert."
Arya nodded, stepping forward with Laksmi. However, the higher they climbed, the more the atmosphere turned ominous. The trees around them began to wilt, and the golden mist turned into gray shadows.
Laksmi hugged herself tightly. "This place... why does it feel so cold?""
Narada stopped in his tracks, his eyes narrowing. "This is an illusion trap." Raksaka Kirata must have used the remainder of his energy to disrupt our journey."
Arya looked around nervously. The sound of whispers began to be heard, as if an invisible creature was lurking. Suddenly, a large shadow leaped from the fog, attacking with sharp claws.
Arya reflexively raised his hand, and the chakra mark shone again, creating an energy shield that withstood the attack. However, the shadow did not give up. It attacked again and again, pushing Arya into a corner.
Narada immediately struck the ground with his staff, creating a wave of light that drove away the shadow. "Focus, Arya! Illusions can only be fought with conviction." Don't let fear take control of you."
Arya nodded, trying to control his breath. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to remember Saraswati's words trust your intuition. When she opened her eyes, the world around her changed. The gray fog vanished, replaced by a bright path leading to the mountain peak.
"Here it is," Arya said confidently.
They continued their journey, traversing the increasingly steep and narrow path. After a tiring struggle, they finally arrived at a large gate made of white stone, adorned with chakra carvings that emitted a soft glow.
"Maha Cakra Temple," Narada whispered with a tone full of reverence.
Arya approached the gate, feeling a strong energy pulling him. However, before she could step inside, a rumbling sound was heard again. From behind the fog, a large figure with glowing red eyes emerged. It was not Kirata, but another creature, larger and more terrifying.
Narada immediately prepared with his staff. "This is the final guardian. You must face it, Arya. This is your test before entering the temple."
Arya clenched his fist, staring at the creature firmly. "Fine. If this is what I must do to protect those I love, I will not back down."
The creature roared, launching an attack with incredible speed. Arya raised his hand, trying to remember how he had used his power before.
However, this time it was different. The creature is much stronger and faster than Kirata. Its attacks sent Arya flying backward several times, his body covered in wounds.
Laksmi shouted in panic, "Arya, be careful!"
Arya rose slowly, his body trembling. But behind the pain, she felt something new a surge of energy rising from her heart, not just from the birthmark on her hand.
Narada smiled faintly. "Finally, you are starting to feel it." The power of Vishnu does not only lie in your disc, Arya. It is in your heart, in your intention to protect."
Arya closed his eyes, ignoring the pain in his body. He let the energy flow, filling his entire being. When he opened his eyes, his birthmark shone brighter than ever, creating a blue aura that enveloped his body.
With a single movement, Arya jumped towards the creature, easily deflecting its attack. This time, he did not just defend himself. He fought back with full confidence, causing the creature to finally fall and turn into dust.
The gate slowly opened, revealing the magnificent temple inside. Arya smiled faintly, feeling for the first time that he was worthy of the power bestowed upon him.
However, in the distance, a greater threat is waiting.
The sky turned dark when Arya, Narada, and Laksmi arrived at the slopes of Mount Cahaya. The aroma of ancient trees mixed with the bone-chilling cold air, creating a tense atmosphere. The golden mist enveloping the mountain began to shift, revealing a steep and rocky path.
Narada pointed ahead, towards the shadow of a large gate barely visible behind the mist. "Beyond that gate lies the Maha Cakra Temple, where the previous incarnations of Vishnu attained enlightenment." Arya, your task is to reach that temple and understand your power."
Laksmi took a deep breath. "But the journey there won't be easy. We already know that Kirata and the other Raksasa won't just stand by."
Arya nodded, staring ahead with growing determination within him. "I will do it, no matter the risk."
However, their journey had just begun when a rumbling sound echoed behind them. Arya turned and saw Kirata, though his body was still wounded from the previous attack, now arriving with a large group of Raksaka warriors wielding sharp weapons.
Narada immediately gripped his staff tightly. "They're chasing us faster than I expected. We need to move faster!"
"How can we fight them when there are so many?" Arya asked anxiously.
Narada looked deeply into Arya's eyes. "We are not fighting them, Arya. Your journey is what matters most." Focus on your goal!"
However, Kirata didn't give them much time. With a thunderous roar, he commanded his troops to attack.
Narada stood in front of Arya and Laksmi, striking his staff on the ground. A wall of light appeared, protecting them from the initial attack of the Rakshasas. "Go now!" he shouted.
Arya hesitated. "But what about you?"
Narada smiled faintly. "I have faced enemies like this longer than your lifetime, Arya. I will be fine."
With a heavy heart, Arya and Laksmi began to run up the path towards the Maha Cakra Temple. Behind them, the sound of a fierce battle could be heard as Narada faced the Rakshasas alone.
The farther they climbed, the heavier the air they breathed. The golden mist turned into a thick gray shadow, hiding the path and causing them to lose their way.
"Arya, this is not an ordinary fog," said Laksmi, her voice trembling. "This is dark magic. They are trying to mislead us."
Arya nodded, feeling the strange aura pressing down on him. He closed his eyes, trying to remember the brief lesson from Narada about the power of intuition.
Slowly, in his mind, he saw the right path. "Follow me," he said while holding Laksmi's hand.
However, their journey was not as smooth as expected. From within the fog, shadowy creatures with glowing red eyes emerged. They floated silently, surrounding Arya and Laksmi with slow yet threatening movements.
Arya raised his hand, the chakra mark on his palm glowing, emitting a blue light that made the shadows retreat. But they came back, more of them and more aggressive.
"This won't stop!" shouted Laksmi in panic.
Arya clenched his fist, channeling energy from his chakra to create a shield around them. "We must keep moving forward. Don't stop no matter what happens!"
With the energy shield protecting them, Arya and Laksmi ran past the shadowy creatures, heading towards the mountain peak. The fog began to dissipate, revealing a large gate towering before them.
But in front of the gate stood a large creature with spiraling horns and a body enveloped in blue flames. He looked at them with a terrifying smile.
"Let me pass if you can," he said in a booming voice.
Arya stared at the creature, fear trying to creep into him. But he remembered Narada's words courage is born from conviction.
"I will not back down," Arya said firmly.
The creature laughed loudly. "Let's see how far your courage will take you, incarnation of Vishnu!"
With a roar that shook the ground, it launched its first attack.