The Awakening
Garud slowly opened his eyes.
The world felt… different.
Sharper.
Clearer.
He turned his head and looked at Karan, then smiled gently.
"Sometimes," Garud said softly,
"your foolishness actually works."
Karan froze for a second.
Then—
"I KNEW IT!"
Karan jumped up in excitement.
"You got superpowers, didn't you?"
"Tell me! Hurry!"
"Can you fly?"
"Shoot fire?"
"Do magic?"
"Turn invisible?"
"Or—OR—can you—"
"Stop," Garud interrupted.
He sighed.
"Stop your idiotic thoughts."
Karan blinked.
"So… no flying?"
"No fire-man?"
"No magic?"
Garud shook his head.
"I can't do things like that."
But inside, Garud remembered Lord Shiva's words.
The gift will awaken.
Slowly, he took out the Panchmukhi Rudraksha and placed it close to his heart.
Karan watched closely.
What is he doing now?
Is this some kind of transformation?
Will he suddenly turn into a girl or something?
Garud closed his eyes.
And chanted—
"ॐ नमः शिवाय"
The moment the mantra left his lips—
The Rudraksha began to glow.
A powerful light surrounded it as it rose into the air, floating before Garud.
Before Karan could say anything—
A beam of divine light shot straight into Garud's forehead.
Garud froze.
For a single second—
Everything stopped.
And then—
A transparent panel appeared before his eyes.
A calm voice echoed in his mind.
"You have been awakened."
Garud's breath caught.
He looked at Karan in shock.
"Karan… can you see this?"
Karan frowned.
"See what?"
"Are you dreaming with your eyes open now?"
Garud chuckled softly.
"Never mind…"
Suddenly—
"GARUD!" Karan shouted.
Garud looked up.
The Rudraksha in the sky was growing rapidly.
In just a few seconds, it expanded to the size of a giant boulder, floating high above the fields.
Then—
BOOOOOOM!!!
A massive explosion shook the air.
The Rudraksha shattered into millions of glowing fragments, scattering across the sky—flying in every direction, disappearing beyond the horizon.
The sound echoed across the entire village.
Dogs barked.
People screamed.
Lights came on.
Within minutes, villagers rushed toward Garud's farm.
Everyone gathered, panicked.
"What was that sound?"
"Was it an explosion?"
"Is the world ending again?"
Garud and Karan stood calmly.
"We didn't hear anything," Garud said.
"What sound are you talking about?"
The villagers stared at them.
"The sound came from here!" one shouted.
Thinking quickly, Karan stepped forward.
"It must've been thunder," he said confidently.
"Or maybe a military jet passing overhead."
People murmured among themselves.
Confused… but convinced.
As they slowly dispersed, Karan leaned close to Garud and whispered—
"Keep everything secret."
Garud nodded.
That Night
Garud lay on his bed, exhausted—physically and mentally.
How does this system work? he wondered.
The moment the thought crossed his mind—
The system panel appeared.
Floating before him.
Name: Garud
HP: 100 / 100
MP: 100 / 100
A small 3D model of Garud rotated slowly on the right side.
Below it—
Equipment Slots: 8 (Empty)
Basic Stats:
Strength: 30
Stamina: 30
Agility: 25
Mana: 10
Dexterity: 100 / 100
And beneath all of it—
A stat that made his heart skip.
Divine Power: 0
Garud stared silently.
This is just the beginning…
His mind was overwhelmed.
His body was tired.
Slowly, his eyes closed.
And Garud fell asleep.