After passing the test of the heart, Arya and Laksmi stepped forward with more confidence. However, even though their feelings were lighter, the peace they felt did not last long. The night air felt increasingly cold, and the sky above them turned dark, adorned with thick clouds moving swiftly, as if signaling that their trial was not yet over.
In the distance, a light appeared, piercing through the darkness of the night. The light was not obstructed by fog or clouds like a gate opening to something greater. They felt that the light was not just a source of illumination, but a guide to step further.
"Arya, we have to go there," said Laksmi, her eyes reflecting both curiosity and concern. "It feels like a gateway to something more important."
Arya nodded, his eyes fixed on the light. "I know. It feels... like we really have to go through it." But we have to be careful. This could be a trap."
With unwavering determination, they headed towards the gate of light. As they got closer, a voice echoed in Arya's heart, like a whisper from within himself. "Your courage will be tested here." Only those who are ready to face their destiny will step through this gate.
Upon reaching the gate, the light formed a large, shimmering portal, waiting for them to step inside. Without hesitation, Arya extended his hand, feeling the subtle vibrations of energy emanating from the gate. Laksmi, who was beside him, glanced at Arya for a moment, then nodded. They both stepped forward.
As soon as they crossed the gate, the world around them instantly changed. They were no longer in the forest or the grasslands they had previously crossed. Now, they were in the middle of a city that seemed to have long been forgotten by time. The large buildings that have collapsed, the empty streets, and the atmosphere that is so quiet.
"This... what place is this?" asked Laksmi, her voice filled with wonder.
Arya observed his surroundings. She could feel a strong energy, but also a frightening one. "I don't know, but this is clearly not our world. We have entered another realm, a realm connected to our destiny."
Suddenly, a deep and heavy voice thundered through the air, breaking the silence. "Welcome, Arya," the voice spoke, and immediately Arya felt a very strong aura surrounding him. "I am the guardian of the gate of destiny. Only those who can understand and accept their destiny can continue this journey."
Arya straightened up, his voice calm despite his racing heart. "I am ready to face my destiny." What must I do to continue this journey?"
The gatekeeper appeared before them, a tall and sturdy figure, with eyes that radiated ancient power. "You will face the final test, a test that will reveal who you truly are." Here, nothing can be hidden. Everything you hide, all your fears, all your lies everything will be revealed. If you can face yourself, then you will find the path to your destiny.
The figure raised its hand, and suddenly, a large portal opened before them, revealing a dark space. Inside, there were moving shadows, as if waiting to come out.
"Enter," the voice echoed, "and face your greatest trial." "Only one can leave this room alive, and that is those who can face themselves."
Laksmi held Arya's hand. "You can do this, Arya. I will be here waiting for you."
Arya looked at Laksmi for a moment, then nodded. Without hesitation, she stepped into the open portal before her, heading into the dark and shadowy room. He knew this was the final test he had to face, the test that would determine his fate.
As soon as he stepped in, the entire world around him changed again. Now, he stands in a very different space a large arena with high walls filled with dark shadows. In the middle of the arena, a large shadow appeared, its shape vague, but the voice coming from the shadow was very clear.
"Welcome to your final exam, Arya. Are you really ready to face yourself?"Welcome to your final exam, Arya. Are you really ready to face yourself?"
Arya straightened his chest. "I'm ready."
And with that, the final exam began.
Arya and Laksmi stepped deeper into the gate that radiated a mysterious light. Around them, the world seemed to change with every step, as if they were no longer in the world they knew. The sky that was once bright is now dark, covered by a thin mist that moves slowly, as if hiding something larger behind it.
In front of them, a large city that seemed to have been abandoned for a long time emerged from the darkness, with crumbling buildings and empty streets. However, despite the silence, Arya could sense something powerful enveloping this place. Something that made him unable to simply ignore it.
"This isn't our world, is it?" Laksmi asked in a hushed voice, her eyes scanning the surroundings with caution.
Arya nodded, his feelings increasingly filled with uncertainty. "I feel... this is a different place, even from where we were before." Like another world that can only be accessed by the chosen ones.
They stepped further into the city, feeling every change that occurred around them. As they walked, the air around them grew thicker and heavier, filled with an inexplicable sense of presence. Suddenly, a heavy voice echoed from afar, shaking the ground beneath their feet.
"Welcome, Arya, the Incarnation of Vishnu," the voice echoed, spreading throughout the empty city. "I am the Keeper of Destiny, the guardian of this gate." Only those who are ready to face reality can step further.
Arya and Laksmi paused for a moment, their bodies feeling as if they were halted by the power of that voice. Arya squinted, searching for the source of the voice, but no figure was visible.
"Who are you?" Arya spoke, his voice firm despite the tension in his heart.
"Who I am is not important," the voice replied calmly. "What matters is what you will do." This is your final test, a test that will reveal who you truly are."
The voice sounded closer, yet the figure remained unseen. Suddenly, a dark shadow appeared before them. The figure was tall, large, and wore a dark cloak that fluttered in the air. His face was hidden by an iron mask, only his eyes shone with a terrifying red light.
"I am the shadow of your destiny, Arya," said the figure with a voice that trembled. "Before you lie two choices." First, walk your path with your power as the Incarnation of Vishnu, and become an unbeatable leader, destroying all who stand in your way. Or second, relinquish that power and choose the sacrifice that will save the world from a greater destruction.
Lakshmi looked at Arya, anxious. "You must choose carefully." This is not just about you, it's about the fate of the world.
Arya stared at the shadowy figure, his body filled with mixed emotions. The power he has possessed since the beginning of this journey is something extraordinary. However, is that really what he wants? Should he use that power to defeat his enemies, or is there a more prudent way?
"This power... is not just mine," Arya replied firmly, despite her heart racing. "I know that I can choose another path, a path that will bring peace, not destruction."
The shadow smiled behind its iron mask. "Your decision is your path." If you choose sacrifice, then you will face a much greater trial. If you choose strength, then the world will see you as a king, but are you ready to bear that burden?
Suddenly, the space around them began to spin, and the shadow disappeared as a large portal appeared before them. The light from the portal was blinding, but within it, Arya could feel something very powerful, an unavoidable path.
"Enter, Avatar of Vishnu," the voice echoed once more, deeper and more resonant. "Within it, you will find the answers you have been seeking all along."
With caution, Arya stepped forward, followed by Laksmi. As they entered the portal, the world around them changed once again, and they felt as if they were thrown into a strange space. In front of them, a large stone table appeared, with a choice on it: two very different swords, one glowing with a golden sheen, and the other dark, made of black iron.
"Choose wisely, Avatar of Vishnu," the voice said, now seeming to come from every corner of the room. "One sword will grant you limitless power, while the other will teach you unimaginable sacrifice."
Arya stared at the two swords, feeling the weight of this choice growing heavier. Strength or sacrifice both paths seemed to contradict each other, but he knew that whatever his choice, he had to ready to face the consequences.
With a heart full of hesitation, Arya grasped the glowing sword, feeling it channel an extraordinary power into his body. "I choose strength," he murmured, confident that this was the right path to protect the people he loved.
However, as the sword touched his hand, a voice within him whispered, reminding him of the words of the guardian of fate.
"Are you really ready to bear that burden, Arya?" the voice asked, full of warning.