Bhaiya! I got the game you wanted!" shouted Riya, who entered running, her voice breaking the silence of the room. She darted in, clutching a sleek, futuristic helmet in her hands, where the delicate marriage of traditional Indian motifs etched on the surface with a definitely advanced design oozed promise in seamless melding of the old and the new.
Lying on the bed was her brother, Arjun-a frail body owing to years of illness. His face was pale, his eyes closed, but at the sound of his sister's voice, a faint smile played upon his lips. He opened his eyes, and in them was the weariness of one whose world had been confined for far too long within the four walls of this room.
"Here it is, Bhaiya," Riya said, kneeling beside him. "The launch edition of Maya Lok. Everyone's saying it's revolutionary! You'll love it."
"Thank you," Arjun whispered, his voice hoarse yet warm. He struggled to lift his hand, but she caught it mid-air, holding it gently.
"Let me help you." She fitted the helmet onto his head, making sure it was perfectly fit. "I wish I could play along with you now, but next week, the exams will start. After that, I'll join you in the game. Promise."
Arjun's lips curled into a soft smile. "Focus on your studies first. And… thank you, Riya."
With one last glance, Riya turned it on. A soft glow illuminated the intricate patterns of the helmet, and Arjun felt something strange crawling over him-a cold breeze that caressed his soul. Riya stood up, drew the blanket over him, and quietly left the room, which felt empty with her absence.
As the device synched, Arjun's body splayed, and the world around him just melted away.
The Awakening
The first thing Arjun noticed was the absence of pain. For years, it had been his constant companion, a shadow lurking in every breath, every movement. Now, it was gone. Instead, he felt… whole.
His eyes snapped open. He wasn't lying down anymore. He was standing. Standing! A feat his weakened body hadn't achieved in years.
The ground beneath his feet was firm, yet it wasn't solid—it shimmered like liquid light, reflecting an endless void of stars. Around him, mandalas of golden energy spun in perfect harmony, their intricate patterns glowing faintly against the darkness.
Above him, luminous Sanskrit verses floated, their golden letters forming a countdown:
<<10:00>>
<<09:59>>
<<09:58>>
Arjun took a tentative step, marveling at the sensation. His legs trembled, unused to supporting his weight, but he didn't fall. His chest tightened as he stared at the shimmering cosmos around him. "Is this… real?"
A faint voice, neither male nor female, resonated through the air. It carried the clarity of a temple bell, each word vibrating deep within his soul.
"Welcome, Seeker. Your path to moksha begins here."
The countdown reached zero, and the void shattered like a mirror, revealing a breathtaking world. Lush forests stretched into the horizon, rivers glimmered like liquid silver, and the air was alive with the hum of divine energy. Mandalas hovered in the sky, their spinning forms weaving an intricate tapestry of light.
In the distance stood a radiant figure. Draped in crimson and gold robes, she exuded an aura of power and divinity. Her face, framed by flowing black hair, was serene yet commanding, her eyes like molten amber. She stepped forward, her presence radiating authority.
"Seeker," she intoned, her voice echoing like a mantra, "step forward."
Arjun hesitated but obeyed, drawn by an unseen force. She extended a hand, summoning a glowing orb that floated between them. "Place your hand upon the Orb of Dharma. It will reveal your essence."
His hand trembled as he reached out. The moment his fingers touched the orb, a surge of energy coursed through him. Golden text appeared, floating within the sphere:
<
<
<
<
<
<
<
The woman's amber eyes widened. "Impossible," she whispered. "A Heaven Refining Physique… untouched by tapasya. And such immense soul power."
Arjun frowned. "What does that mean?"
She regarded him carefully, then produced a small jade medallion engraved with intricate Sanskrit symbols. Handing it to him, she said, "Take this. It marks you as one chosen by the divine. Guard it well."
"Wait!" Arjun called out. "I don't understand. What's happening?"
But the woman had already dissolved into light, leaving him alone.
Before he could process the encounter, a system notification flashed:
<
<
<
The world shifted, and Arjun found himself standing on a vast terrace surrounded by towering ancient temples. A river of molten gold flowed in the distance, and the air resonated with the sound of conch shells and chanting. Around him, other players appeared, their faces reflecting the same wonder and confusion.
A powerful voice boomed from the heavens, drawing everyone's attention.
"Welcome, Seekers of Moksha," the voice declared. Descending from the sky was a figure clad in lotus-blue robes, seated atop a radiant staff that glowed with divine energy. His silvery beard flowed like a river, and his eyes gleamed with ancient wisdom.
"I am Guru Somadeva," the figure announced. "Here to guide you on the sacred path of Dharma. You stand on the threshold of Aryavarta, the realm of the ancients. In this world, your actions will determine your destiny—be it moksha or eternal glory."
Arjun's breath caught as the guru's gaze swept over the crowd. His adventure in Maya Lok had just begun, and already, it felt as though his life would never be the same.