The training grounds buzzed with activity as the first rays of dawn broke over the temple. Aryan, Vaanya, Kiran, and Meera stood in a loose circle, preparing for their morning drills. The atmosphere was lighter than usual, a calm before the storm.
"Why do we even have to spar so early?" Kiran grumbled, twirling his spear absentmindedly. "Wouldn't it make more sense to train after breakfast? Maybe with a full stomach?"
Meera rolled her eyes. "Because that's how discipline works. Unlike you, some of us aren't here to sleep through our destinies."
Kiran smirked. "You wound me, Meera. Truly."
Aryan laughed softly, adjusting the grip on his wooden staff. Despite the banter, a subtle tension hung in the air. Something about the day felt… off.
Vaanya, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, finally spoke. "Let's focus. Master Rishi mentioned we'll be entering the next phase of the Dharma Trials soon. We can't afford to be unprepared."
Kiran sighed dramatically but nodded. "Fine, fine. Let's get this over with."
---
**The Stranger Among Them**
As the group began their drills, a stranger watched from the edge of the training grounds. Clad in a tattered robe and leaning heavily on a crooked staff, the figure's presence was unassuming, almost forgettable. Yet there was something unsettling about them—a stillness that seemed unnatural.
Master Rishi emerged from the temple and approached the group, his sharp eyes immediately locking onto the stranger.
"Who are you?" Rishi demanded, his tone firm.
The figure stepped forward, lowering their hood to reveal a pale, gaunt face. Their voice was raspy, like wind whispering through dried leaves. "A seeker, nothing more. I mean no harm."
Rishi's expression didn't soften. "This temple is not open to wanderers. State your purpose, or leave."
The stranger inclined their head. "I seek the Chosen Ones. The Sutras have spoken of their arrival."
Aryan froze, his grip tightening on his staff. The others exchanged wary glances.
"We are the ones you speak of," Aryan said cautiously, stepping forward. "What do you want from us?"
The stranger's eyes flicked to Aryan, and for a moment, they seemed to gleam with an otherworldly light. "The path you walk is fraught with peril. Shadows move where light dares not tread. I have come to offer guidance."
Vaanya stepped closer to Aryan, her gaze suspicious. "Guidance? From a stranger who appears out of nowhere? Forgive us if we're skeptical."
The stranger chuckled softly, a sound that sent a chill down Aryan's spine. "Skepticism is wise. But the trials you face will demand more than trust. They will demand sacrifice."
---
**A Test of Loyalty**
Before anyone could respond, the ground beneath them trembled. Cracks snaked across the earth, and a blinding light erupted from the temple's central courtyard. When the light faded, a massive stone archway stood where the ground had been bare moments ago. It was etched with intricate carvings, glowing faintly with golden light.
Master Rishi's expression darkened. "The next trial has been revealed."
The stranger smiled faintly. "And so it begins."
Aryan stepped forward, his heart pounding. "What is this trial?"
Rishi turned to the group, his voice grave. "The Archway of Truth. It will test the bonds between you, the strength of your resolve. To enter, you must be prepared to face not just your fears, but each other's as well."
Vaanya frowned. "What does that mean?"
The stranger answered instead. "The archway will draw upon the secrets you hold, the doubts you hide. It will reveal truths that may break your bonds—or strengthen them."
Kiran scoffed. "Sounds simple enough. I don't have anything to hide."
Meera shot him a sharp look. "Don't be so arrogant. None of us are without flaws."
Aryan's mind raced. Secrets. Doubts. The memories of his strange connection to the Sutra staff surfaced unbidden, along with the lingering questions about his past.
"We'll face it together," Aryan said firmly, looking at each of his companions in turn. "Whatever happens, we'll get through it."
Vaanya nodded, though her expression remained troubled. "Together."
---
**Inside the Archway**
One by one, they stepped through the archway, their surroundings dissolving into darkness. When Aryan opened his eyes, he found himself alone in an unfamiliar room. The walls were lined with mirrors, each reflecting a different version of himself—some younger, some older, some twisted and monstrous.
"Welcome, Aryan," a voice echoed, cold and mocking. "Do you truly believe you are worthy of the Sutra's power?"
Aryan turned, trying to locate the source of the voice. "Show yourself!"
The mirrors rippled, and a figure stepped out—a perfect replica of Aryan, but with eyes that glowed a menacing red.
"I am you," the figure said. "The part of you that you suppress. The doubt, the anger, the fear."
Aryan clenched his fists. "I don't fear you."
The doppelgänger smirked. "No? Then why do you hesitate? Why do you question your place in the Dharma Trials? You think you're special, but deep down, you know you're just a pawn."
---
**Vaanya's Trial**
Elsewhere, Vaanya stood in a dense forest, the trees whispering her name. A shadowy figure emerged from the mist, its form shifting constantly.
"Vaanya," the figure hissed. "You couldn't save him. You think you can save anyone else?"
Vaanya's breath caught in her throat. "I did everything I could."
The figure laughed cruelly. "And it wasn't enough. You failed. And you will fail again."
Tears blurred Vaanya's vision, but she clenched her fists, her voice steady. "No. I won't fail. Not again."
---
**A Shocking Revelation**
When the group finally emerged from the archway, their faces were pale, their breaths shallow.
"You have faced the truths within yourselves," the stranger said, their tone unreadable. "But the greatest trial is yet to come."
Before anyone could respond, the stranger turned to Aryan, their gaze piercing. "Do you know why the Sutras chose you?"
Aryan frowned. "Because I was worthy?"
The stranger laughed, a hollow sound. "No. They chose you because of the darkness within you. The very thing you fear most may be the key to your survival—or your downfall."
Aryan felt the weight of the stranger's words settle over him like a suffocating shroud.
As the group exchanged uneasy glances, a single thought echoed in Aryan's mind:
**What if they're right?**