Two days later, the stark silence of the open lands gave way to the distant, almost imperceptible hum of a hidden metropolis. Nitin and Kapil stood before it, the temple, a colossal edifice carved directly into the living rock of the mountains. Its sheer scale was breathtaking, its architecture a seamless fusion of ancient strength and advanced, subtle design. Sunlight glinted off polished stone, and the distant murmur of activity suggested a hidden world within its depths.
Nitin's jaw dropped, his usual skepticism momentarily forgotten, replaced by a pure, unadulterated awe. "It's… it's magnificent!" he breathed, the sight of it dwarfing anything he had ever imagined, any castle or stronghold from his knightly past. "And beautiful, too." His skepticism, born of a harsh, grounded reality, began to chip away, replaced by a nascent wonder.
Kapil, a subtle, almost imperceptible smile playing on his lips, simply nodded. "Indeed. A sanctuary of ancient wisdom, built to withstand the ages. And the chaos."
As they approached the massive, intricately carved main gates, a figure emerged, his presence radiating immense power and serene authority. His robes, woven from a fabric that seemed to absorb the light, flowed around him like shifting shadows, and his eyes, wise and ancient, held the depth of untold millennia. His very posture exuded a calm, unshakable power. "Welcome," a deep, resonant voice boomed, echoing through the mountain pass, vibrating through the very stone. "I am Guru Brahman. I have been expecting you, Nitin. And you, Kapil."
Nitin, feeling a deference he rarely showed even to royalty, found himself instinctively bowing slightly. "Esteemed Guru-ji," he said, his voice surprisingly steady. "My name is Nitin. It is an honor to be here." Guru Brahman's gaze lingered on Nitin for a moment, a knowing glint in his eye, a subtle acknowledgment of the blue sword at Nitin's hip, before he gestured inside. "Come, both of you. Your journey truly begins now, among those who share your burden."
Inside, the Institution was a sprawling labyrinth of halls and chambers, imbued with an almost palpable energy. The air hummed with a quiet power, scented with aged stone and distant, invigorating incense. Guru Brahman led them through echoing corridors, past intricate murals depicting legendary battles and cosmic creation, until they arrived in a grand, circular hall. Its walls were lined with ancient, glowing weapons of all shapes and sizes, each radiating its own unique aura, patiently awaiting their destined wielder. And there, already waiting, stood two other young figures, looking weary but resolute.
They were Deva and Shakti. Deva, who had been brought by Arya and Rishi from the North, still carried a faint echo of the desert's harshness, but his eyes, deep and thoughtful, held a newfound stillness. Shakti, brought by Jack from the West, exuded a restless energy, his gaze sharp and observant, constantly assessing their new surroundings. Their presence, the culmination of Gurudev's search, filled the vast space with a tangible sense of destiny.
Gurudev's gestured to the trio. "It is good to finally meet you all," he said, his voice carrying the weight of ancient prophecies. "You are here because the world cries out. You are here because fate has chosen you." Nitin approached Deva and Shakti, and for the first time, spoke their names. "My name is Nitin." Deva, with a quiet strength that belied his recent ordeal, responded softly, "Deva." Shakti, ever direct and a little impatient, introduced himself "Shakti. We didn't catch your names earlier, and honestly, the journey here was a blur. Nice to finally meet you both."
Guru Brahman nodded, a subtle smile touching his lips. "From this moment forth, you three will reside here. You will train, tirelessly, to awaken the dormant powers within yourselves and within the ancient weapons you now wield." He gestured towards a side passage, where simple, loose training robes hung on pegs. "Go, change into your training attire. We begin at dawn." The gravity of his words settled upon them. A new chapter in their lives had just begun.
D.Nitin