Mumbai, Rooftop Sunrise
The city was quiet before dawn. The wind carried the faint scent of the sea and dust from the streets below. I stood on the rooftop of my apartment building in Mumbai, the first rays of sunlight striking my face.
I had unlocked two chakras so far:
Muladhara (Root Chakra) — stability and strength.
Svadhisthana (Sacral Chakra) — fluidity, emotion perception, and influence.
The manuscript of Kundalini Yoga lay open beside me. Its golden letters shimmered in the sunlight, almost alive.
"The fire of the self burns bright, yet can consume or empower. To awaken Manipura, one must endure the trial of ego, ambition, and personal limits."
I closed my eyes, feeling the Kundalini energy rise from the base of my spine. My body tingled as it passed through my previously awakened chakras, flowing into a new point — the solar plexus, just above the navel.
Training Begins
I started with physical exercises, not as ordinary workouts, but as energy channeling drills. Every push-up, squat, and breath was synchronized with chakra activation.
The rooftop became my arena:
Strength Training: Building the physical vessel to support the energy flow.
Mental Drills: Meditation to sharpen focus and control emotions.
Energy Flow: Visualizing golden light spiraling from my navel outward, igniting my inner fire.
Hours passed like minutes. Sweat soaked my shirt. My muscles burned, but I smiled. Pain had become fuel.
[System Update]Chakra Progress: Manipura (Solar Plexus) — 25%Energy Absorbed: 30%
The Team Joins
Meera arrived first, carrying scrolls and maps.
"You've been at this for three hours," she said, worry in her voice."I'm just getting started."
Aarav appeared next, flames flickering faintly from his palms.
"You don't even need me, do you?" he said, half in awe, half irritation.
Rudra, as usual, arrived last, leaning against the wall.
"The city is quiet now," he smirked. "Perfect time to see if your new fire is real."
I nodded.
"Good. Today's training is not just physical. It's a combat simulation. I need you all to push me to my limits."
Combat Training
Aarav ignited a controlled flame around me — not to burn, but to create heat resistance training.Rudra threw small bolts of lightning, forcing me to dodge and redirect energy.Meera used illusions, simulating enemies and forcing my mental focus to stay unbroken.
[System Alert]Chakra Progress: Manipura — 50%Strength +2, Agility +1, Mana +2, Mental Energy +2
The energy in my core was roaring now. I felt it surging outward like a sun. Each strike, each dodge, each controlled breath made me more attuned to the solar plexus — the seat of personal power, will, and ambition.
Unexpected Visitor
The training was interrupted by a sudden shadow atop the building — a tall figure in black robes.
"So, this is the Mystic of Mumbai," the figure hissed.The Obsidian Lord. The same shadow that had been following our team since the temple ruins.
Rudra's eyes narrowed.
"I knew he wouldn't wait."
The figure raised his hand, and the wind itself seemed to obey him, whipping violently. The rooftop became a battlefield.
"Bhishma Mantri," he said, his voice smooth but deadly. "You are meddling in forces beyond your reckoning. Step aside, or your city will burn."
I smiled faintly, feeling the golden fire in my navel flare.
"I don't step aside. I rise."
First True Duel
The fight was intense.
Obsidian Lord wielded darkness, shadows stretching like living chains.
Rudra and Aarav fought to protect the rooftop edges.
Meera chanted incantations, reinforcing barriers with ancient sigils.
I focused inward. My Manipura Chakra awakened fully, golden light radiating outward. My blows weren't just physical — my energy flowed with intent, disrupting the shadows.
[System Update]Chakra Progress: Manipura — 100%Ability Unlocked:Solar Burst — "Manifest inner fire to burn, push, and overwhelm opponents. Can be amplified by mental focus and willpower."
The Obsidian Lord staggered, surprised by the power of a human not relying on elemental combat but pure internal mastery.
"This… is not over," he hissed before vanishing into a swirl of shadows.
Aftermath
The rooftop was quiet again. The city below oblivious to the near-catastrophe.
Aarav clapped my shoulder.
"Finally, I see why people call you Mystic. You fight differently than anyone I've ever known."
Meera smiled, jotting notes.
"Your energy… it's unlike anything in history records. If you train carefully, you could surpass even the Legendary Talent users."
Rudra, as usual, scowled, but I caught a small nod of respect in his eyes.
I looked at the sunrise over the sea.
"Three chakras down. Four more to go," I murmured."And the world will finally see the Mystic of Bharat rising."