The descent from Gosaikunda was far more treacherous than the climb. A storm brewed along the Himalayan peaks, lightning streaking across the clouds as if echoing the power Arya had just unlocked. Snow whipped against his face as he trudged carefully along the narrow mountain path, Tara leading silently while Baba Kedar hobbled behind, muttering about old bones and bad omens.
Arya's body still felt different after the trial. The storm within him no longer fought wildly for control; instead, it coursed through his veins with icy precision. Sparks of pale blue lightning occasionally flickered over his fingertips, responding to his thoughts rather than lashing out without reason.
"You've changed," Tara said softly as they navigated a jagged ridge.
Arya glanced at her. "Feels like it," he admitted. "Like the storm's not… trying to kill me anymore."
Kedar chuckled from behind. "Don't get too cozy, boy. That shard is one drop in an ocean. You've got six more to find, and plenty of ways to die before you do."
Arya smirked slightly. "Thanks for the pep talk."
The wind suddenly shifted, carrying with it a chilling presence that made every hair on Arya's neck stand on end. Tara halted, gripping her staff tightly. Kedar stopped mid-step, his eyes narrowing.
"He's here," Tara whispered.
From the swirling snow ahead, a dark figure emerged.
He was tall, his frame clad in black, jagged armor that seemed forged from shadows themselves. A massive sword rested on his shoulder, its edge glowing faintly crimson. His long silver hair whipped in the wind, partially hiding glowing crimson eyes that burned with unspoken rage. His face was youthful yet scarred, a strange mixture of humanity and something darker lurking beneath his skin.
Arya instinctively reached for his lightning, his hand glowing faintly. "Who… is that?"
"Raudra," Tara said grimly. "Half-demon… half something else. A warrior Narak itself forged."
Raudra's boots crunched over the snow as he stepped closer, his sword dragging a faint trail of black flames. His voice was low and resonant, carrying easily over the howling wind.
"You carry Rudra's power," Raudra said. "Give it to me… or die."
Arya's stomach twisted, but he stood his ground. "Not happening."
Raudra tilted his head slightly, as though examining prey that interested him. "You don't even understand what you are," he said, his tone oddly calm. "That storm will devour you long before you ever master it. Surrender it to me, and I'll make your death quick."
Lightning sparked violently over Arya's arms, his fear igniting into anger. "Try and take it."
Raudra's lips curled into a faint smirk. "Good."
The mountain shook as Raudra moved. One instant he was standing yards away, the next he was upon Arya, his massive sword arcing downward like a falling star. Arya barely rolled aside, the blade smashing into rock and splitting it like paper. Shards of stone flew through the air, pelting Arya's face.
He countered with a blast of icy lightning, the bolt striking Raudra squarely in the chest. Sparks exploded on impact, but when the light cleared, Raudra stood unscathed, the faint glow of his armor pulsing stronger.
"Pathetic," Raudra growled, swinging his blade in a wide arc. Arya crossed his arms instinctively, summoning a shield of storm energy. The impact sent him flying back, skidding across snow and ice until he slammed against a boulder.
"Arya!" Tara's voice cut through the chaos, but she and Kedar were held back by a wall of swirling black fire Raudra had conjured.
Arya coughed, blood staining the snow. Pain seared through his ribs, but he forced himself up. The storm inside him howled, urging him to fight, not flee. He raised his palm, lightning dancing wildly between his fingers.
Raudra lunged again, sword cleaving downward. Arya sidestepped and slammed his glowing hand against Raudra's chest, discharging a massive surge of icy lightning. The mountain roared as frost and sparks exploded outward, freezing patches of rock and sending avalanches crashing down nearby cliffs.
Raudra staggered back for the first time, steam rising from his armor. He looked down at the faint scorch mark on his chest and chuckled softly.
"Better," he admitted, his crimson eyes burning brighter. "But you still lack resolve."
He vanished in a blur of speed, reappearing behind Arya. The sword's edge nicked Arya's shoulder, a line of blood staining the snow. Arya spun, reacting purely on instinct, and summoned a lightning-charged fist that slammed into Raudra's jaw with a thunderous crack.
The half-demon stumbled a step back, his smirk fading. For a moment, their eyes locked—Arya's glowing blue against Raudra's searing crimson—and something flickered there. Recognition? Doubt?
"You…" Raudra muttered, voice quieter now. "You fight like…"
He stopped abruptly, the storm swirling fiercely around them. Without another word, Raudra stepped back into the shadows. Black flames consumed his form, and within moments, he vanished into the snowstorm, leaving only silence and the faint smell of scorched air.
Arya stood panting, every muscle aching, blood dripping from his shoulder. Tara rushed to his side, checking his injuries, while Kedar grumbled as he examined the scorched boulder.
"That wasn't just a fight," Kedar said slowly, eyes narrowing. "That was a test."
Arya glanced toward the place Raudra had vanished, lightning still sparking faintly across his arms. "Who is he?" he asked, voice low.
Tara's expression darkened as she whispered, "Someone bound to Rudra's fate… just like you."