Part 1 – The Seven Trials Begin
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[Apartment of Kaito & Aya – Tokyo, Japan]
"So… this is what the world's putting its faith in?"
Kaito lounged across the couch like a melted pancake, one leg dangling off, the other tucked beneath him. A massive bowl of butter popcorn rested on his chest, while his eyes lazily tracked the floating blue System screen hovering in their living room.
On-screen, a massive bronze Gate shaped like a fusion of a Shiva temple entrance and a technological pylon stood in the middle of a lush valley in Himachal Pradesh. Crackling with divine and arcane energy, it pulsed every few seconds like a heart preparing for war.
Aya Shirogane stood by the window, arms crossed. "It's not just a Gate. This is the first true test after the Tower. The fate of the world hangs on them."
"Yup." Kaito stuffed more popcorn into his mouth. "Which is why it's smart we're not in there. No pressure, just popcorn and drama."
Aya glared at him. "You're watching this like it's some drama show."
"Correction—my favorite reality show. Welcome to 'Bigg Boss: Mythology Edition'. Starring today's couple: Dev and Meera! Ooh, are they going to fight? Or kiss in the middle of a war zone?"
Aya ignored him. "You should be more serious."
Kaito's smile dropped briefly. He stared at the Gate again. His gaze grew sharper—just for a second. Then he shrugged and tossed another handful of popcorn into his mouth.
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[Inside the Gate – Welcome to the Trial]
—DING—
System Notification: NATIONAL GATE ACTIVATED
Location: Bharat Raksha (India Trial)
Countdown Initiated: 30 Days Remaining
All participants are scanned and locked. Escape not permitted.
Total Duos Detected: 50
Duos Authorized: Indian Nationals Only
Compatibility Analysis:
Duo 1: UR Rank – Dev Rajan & Meera Sharma – 100%
Duo 2: SSS Rank – Compatibility: 96%
Duo 6: SS Rank – Compatibility: 92%
Duo 41: S Rank – Compatibility: 88%
Objective: Clear the 7 Sacred Stages and defeat the final boss: Maya Danava, Lord of Illusion & Machines.
Gate Theme: Inspired by Indian Culture, Mythology & Dharma.
Trial begins now.
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[Stage 1: Ashram of Dharma]
As soon as the notification ended, the terrain shifted beneath their feet.
Dev and Meera stood in the center of an ancient Ashram. Vedic chants echoed in the air. Sages with long white beards sat around them, their eyes glowing with golden light.
One of them rose. "To walk forward, you must leave behind something precious. What are you willing to sacrifice for your bond?"
Other duos hesitated. Arguments broke out. Some were unwilling to lose weapons, skills, even stats.
Dev looked at Meera once, then took off his family heirloom pendant—the only thing he had from his late mother.
He placed it on the altar.
The sage smiled. "You walk in dharma. Proceed."
Meera's eyes softened. She said nothing, but her fingers brushed his as they moved forward.
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[Stage 2: Mandir of Flames]
A temple surrounded by lava. Blazing heat pressed against their skin.
Meera wiped sweat from her forehead. "This must be a test of endurance. We need the relic at the center."
Other duos panicked. One SS-ranked team tried to fly—but wings burned midair.
Dev observed the lava, then smiled. "It's not real lava. It's illusion. Heat's real, but danger isn't."
They stepped calmly through fire, ignoring the pain, until they reached a glowing trishul (trident) resting on a lotus.
As they touched it—WHOOSH—the flames vanished.
"Nice call," Meera whispered.
Dev shrugged. "I may be dumb in life, but I'm smart when it counts."
She smirked. "You're not dumb. Just reckless."
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[Stage 3: Chakravyuh of Illusion]
This time, reality collapsed. A maze of mirrors surrounded them. Each mirror showed twisted versions of themselves.
One showed Dev in chains. Another showed Meera abandoning him. One showed them kissing—both blushed and looked away.
Suddenly, the mirrors turned hostile—projecting illusions into their minds.
Dev saw his childhood—being bullied for his caste, beaten for touching upper-class water pots, starving. Meera saw her parents screaming, telling her she brought shame for choosing a poor partner.
Her eyes trembled.
Dev staggered but turned to her. "These are lies. You never left me, and I never hated you."
They clasped hands. The mirrors shattered instantly.
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[Outside the Gate – Apartment]
Aya watched in silence.
"…That guy is actually impressive," she muttered.
Kaito smirked. "See? Told you. India's golden couple. Who needs romcoms when you have war trials?"
Aya narrowed her eyes. "Still, they're only halfway through."
Kaito's expression darkened just a little. "Yeah. But the boss... he's something else."
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To be continued in Part 2...
Part 2 – The Trials of Spirit and Steel
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[Stage 4: The Sabha of Truth]
A great marble hall unfolded before the remaining duos. Ornate columns carved with the Dashavatara towered overhead. At the center stood a throne—and on it, an ethereal judge with a scale in one hand and a flaming sword in the other.
"Only those who speak the truth, no matter how painful, may pass."
Duos were forced to stand opposite their partners and answer deeply personal questions.
One S-Rank pair broke apart after a confession of betrayal.
When Dev and Meera stepped forward, the voice asked:
"Do you truly trust each other to risk your life without regret?"
Dev answered instantly. "Yes."
Meera paused. Then smiled. "Yes."
The flames on the judge's sword extinguished. The path opened.
But a few teams failed—and were swallowed by shadow.
13 Duos Eliminated
Remaining: 37
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[Stage 5: The Battlefield of Karma]
The terrain changed again.
This time, it was a war zone—ancient and modern fused together. Mahabharata-era chariots clashed with futuristic tanks, and spectral soldiers marched through smoke.
"You must defeat the Karma you carry. Only by conquering your past can you move forward."
Ghosts appeared.
Dev faced those who mocked and hurt him. A cruel teacher. A rich boy who made him eat garbage. A police officer who beat his father.
They attacked—blades made of regret and fire.
Meera, on her side, faced her ancestors. Her father, a hologram of rage. Her mother's disappointed voice.
But she didn't hesitate. She drew her weapon and said, "I carry my past—but it does not chain me."
They fought back-to-back, unrelenting. Every ghost they struck down burst into golden sparks.
When the battlefield cleared, they stood in silence.
"Karma acknowledged. Path cleared."
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[Stage 6: The Forest of Samsara]
A tranquil forest. Birds chirped. Streams glistened. It was... too peaceful.
Then the whispers began.
"Stay. Rest. Don't fight anymore. Isn't peace better than struggle?"
One duo lay down—and never got up. Another turned to each other, smiled... and vanished.
Dev's eyes narrowed. "Illusion again."
Meera trembled. "It feels… warm. Safe."
Dev grabbed her wrist. "We don't stop now. We fight after we save the world. You hear me?"
Her eyes cleared. "Right. I'm not losing myself here."
Together, they sprinted forward. The trees twisted, screamed—but the forest faded.
> Remaining Duos: 31
Time Remaining: 7 Days
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[Stage 7: The Temple of Sacrifice]
At the peak of a sacred mountain stood the last trial. A temple carved from obsidian and gold. Inside, a single scroll lay on a pedestal.
The voice boomed again.
"Only one may enter the final chamber. One must stay behind. Choose."
Silence.
One duo began arguing. Another tried to force the gate open—only to be struck down.
Dev looked at Meera. "You go. You're stronger."
Meera slapped his chest. "Don't be stupid. You're the heart."
"No. You're the mind. I'll hold the path. You kill the boss."
"But—"
He smiled. "I trust you."
She clenched her fists... and stepped forward.
But at the last second—Dev was the one teleported ahead.
System Override: Compatibility 100% – Exception Granted
Both partners eligible. Boss Chamber unlocked.
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[Final Chamber: Palace of Maya Danava]
A cyclopean temple, mechanical and mythological.
Gears turned like mantras. Giant copper hands floated midair. The boss stood waiting—Maya Danava, the architect of illusions, with six arms, an obsidian crown, and skin made of shifting glyphs.
"You seek to destroy me? I am the god behind your gods. The truth behind your world."
Then it attacked.
Reality fractured.
Meera was thrown across the room. Dev's chest cracked from a single blow.
But he stood up, bleeding.
"You won't hurt her."
Maya smirked. "What will you do, weak one?"
Dev whispered:
"Awaken."
His body exploded with light.
Chains of golden energy burst from his back. A giant astral form—half lion, half man—rose behind him. His eyes turned molten gold.
Dev's Unique Ability Awakened: "Truth Reforged"
Ability: Convert illusion into reality-breaking weaponry. Damage scales with emotional intensity.
He swung his hand—and the entire chamber bent.
One punch.
One roar.
Maya Danava shrieked and shattered like glass under a hammer.
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[Outside the Gate – Tokyo Apartment]
Kaito sat up, eyes wide.
Aya whispered, "He… awakened something divine."
Kaito leaned back slowly.
"…Huh. Maybe popcorn was too casual for this."
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[System Notification – GLOBAL BROADCAST]
NATIONAL GATE CLEARED: INDIA
DUO 1 – Dev Rajan & Meera Sharma – MVP
Rewards Granted. System Acknowledges Divine-Level Potential.
Gate Countdown Complete.
GLOBAL PUNISHMENT AVOIDED.
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To be continued