Vikram sat in the small, four-pillared hall, his mind a whirlwind of frustration and despair. Suddenly, his concentration was broken by a simple, radiant smile. A young girl, who looked to be about 16 years old, stood at the entrance of the hall. Her eyes sparkled with innocence and curiosity, but her smile quickly gave way to a gentle, mocking laughter.
"You seem to be in quite a predicament," she said, her voice light and playful. "I could help you revive your powers, if you'd like."
Vikram was shocked. How did this girl know he had powers? He started observing her more closely. Even though he had lost his abilities, he could still sense a vague aura around her, confirming that she was not as simple as she appeared.
"Is this because I entered Dhandkaranya?" Vikram asked, his voice tinged with confusion and desperation.
The girl smiled, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Yes and no," she replied cryptically.
Vikram looked around, realizing that his companion was missing. "Where is he? And why did you say 'yes and no'?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.
The girl's smile widened. "Your companion is experiencing a breakthrough. The elders asked him to retreat to a safer place. As for your first question, yes, you lost your powers because you came here, but no, it is not because of the place itself."
Vikram was taken aback. He had lost his spiritual power, yet his companion had managed to achieve a breakthrough. The irony was not lost on him.
The girl continued, her voice taking on a more serious tone. "Your powers are garbage, and your skills are not high level at all. What sort of thing are you doing here?"
Vikram felt a mix of embarrassment and determination. He knew he needed help, and this girl seemed to be the key.
"I don't have any students now, and my abode is empty," the girl said, her voice softening. "So, you have to be my disciple. You will clean and bring me food. In return, I will help you regain your powers."
Vikram looked at her, a sense of hope rising within him. Perhaps this unlikely guide was the answer to his struggles. With a nod, he agreed, ready to embark on this new journey under her tutelage.