Indra slumped on a worn park bench, feeling like a total failure. At twenty-five, he had flunked out of college, didn't have a job, and seemed to be the only one of his friends still wandering around with no idea what to do with his life. Everyone else was moving forward, starting their careers, making plans, and here he was, just sitting and staring at the ground as if it might offer him some answers.
"Why can't you put in more effort into your studies? At your age, I could buy a house!" His dad's words from earlier that day echoed in his mind. Those words always stung. Indra could still hear the disappointment in his father's voice. His parents were convinced he was wasting his life, and honestly, he felt they were right.
He watched a group of kids playing tag nearby, their laughter ringing through the air like music. They looked so carefree, running around without a worry in the world. If only he could go back to that time when life was simple and dreams felt boundless.
Indra sighed heavily, the weight of frustration settling squarely on his shoulders. He had tried to make things work—taken classes, studied hard—but nothing ever seemed to stick. He couldn't shake off the feeling that he was a disappointment.
As the sun began to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple, Indra wrapped his jacket tighter around himself. The air grew cooler, and an odd sensation crept up his spine, as if someone were watching him. He turned around, but the park looked empty—just him and the fading light.
And then something strange happened. A shimmering figure appeared out of thin air, and Indra's heart skipped a beat. It was like something out of a sci-fi movie—a tall, bizarre-looking alien creature that was both fascinating and terrifying. Its skin sparkled like stars in the night sky.
"What the heck?" Indra gasped, feeling both fear and curiosity clash within him. Before he could even think of running, the creature lunged forward, swallowing him whole in the blink of an eye.
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**10,000 Years Later**
Indra drifted for what felt like an eternity, trapped in darkness. He was no longer just himself; he was ensnared within this alien being, its memories swirling around him like a bad dream. Time felt meaningless, and the loneliness was suffocating. It wasn't until a terrifying demon appeared and began fighting the alien that everything changed.
Indra felt an intense burst of energy as the alien was ultimately defeated. With a massive explosion, his soul was propelled forward, spiraling through a bright tunnel of colors and lights. A mix of fear and excitement coursed through him.
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**Back to the Present (Age 8)**
Suddenly, Indra jolted awake, gasping for air as if he had just surfaced from a deep dive. He blinked rapidly, trying to adjust. What greeted him was not the park but his childhood bedroom, painted in cheerful blue, with posters of superheroes plastered on the walls.
"What the…?" he muttered, looking down at his small hands and chubby fingers. "Am I eight years old again?" His heart raced with confusion and hope. He remembered everything—the alien, the years of failure, and now…this? It felt too surreal.
Indra swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up. A mix of childhood energy surged through him, igniting a spark he thought had long been snuffed out. He rushed to the mirror. The reflection staring back was that of a curious boy with big eyes—his child self, full of innocence and dreams.
As excitement bubbled inside him, he closed his eyes and focused on that strange feeling he had sensed just moments before. It wasn't gone; it was still there, pulsing in his mind like a beat. When he concentrated, images flashed in his head, like a vivid TV screen coming to life.
In his mind's eye, he stepped into a vast, boundless space filled with colors and shapes waiting to be created. It felt like he could make anything he wanted here. Grinning from ear to ear, he decided to try it out. Picture an apple, he thought.
Almost instantly, a shiny red apple materialized in his hand, so real he could practically smell its sweetness. He couldn't believe it! "Whoa, this is amazing!" Indra couldn't help but laugh.
He realized he had a powerful tool at his fingertips—a way to reshape his reality and maybe even avoid all the mistakes he had made before. Indra took a deep breath, excitement bubbling inside him. This was a second chance, a fresh start to become someone better.
But beneath the thrill was another feeling—an echo of fear. What if he messed up again? Would this new beginning slip through his fingers like water? He shook his head, trying to brush off the doubts.
With determination solidifying in his heart, Indra thought, "I can do this." He was ready to dive headfirst into this journey, to explore the endless possibilities that lay ahead, and maybe—even just maybe—turn his life around for good.
Indra stepped forward, feeling the vibrant energy of the visualization space wrap around him like a warm blanket. Creating a life he would be proud of was no longer just a dream; it was within his reach.
And with that, Indra knew he was prepared for whatever came next, embraced by the promise of change and adventure waiting just around the corner.