Previously:
Ved joined a hidden sanctuary of power-wielders after awakening a fragment of the Deva Code. But as Hunters close in, Ved must prove himself — or be left behind.
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"The Deva Code doesn't just test power. It tests truth."
– Agnira
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The chamber was dark.
Ved stood alone inside a giant circle etched into the ground — glowing with copper threads and Sanskrit glyphs. The others watched from behind reinforced glass. Some curious. Some bored.
Above, cameras whirred quietly. Data streamed. The Code would record everything.
"This is called the Maya Sankalp Yatra," said Agnira over the comm. "It's not physical. It's mental. Emotional. Mythical. You face yourself. Or worse."
Ved rolled his shoulders. "Sounds cozy."
"Don't be arrogant," said Raksha from the other side. "Most fail."
"Then I'll break the pattern," Ved replied.
The glyphs pulsed. A low hum filled the chamber.
Ved's heartbeat slowed unnaturally.
His vision blurred.
Then, silence.
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Inside the Trial
(No time. No space.)
Ved stood in a field of ash.
Mountains surrounded him like teeth. The sky was purple, broken by cracks of lightning. A voice echoed — deep, ancient, everywhere:
"Name thy fear."
Ved frowned. "What?"
Suddenly, the sky split open.
And he walked out.
An older version of Ved — taller, eyes colder, veins glowing red — with fire dripping from his fists. His voice was like thunder scraping stone.
"You failed."
The younger Ved stepped back. "You're… me?"
"No. I'm who you become if you follow the path blindly."
Flames rose around the older Ved.
"You burn everything. Friends. Truth. India itself. You become a god without soul."
Ved tried to summon his flame — nothing.
The elder version laughed. "The Deva Code isn't your toy. It's a curse if you lack will."
Ved gritted his teeth. "Then I'll change the path."
The clone smirked. "Prove it."
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They clashed.
No weapons. Just fists, instinct, memory.
Each punch from the elder shook the space. Ved dodged, barely keeping up. He fell once, twice. His ribs screamed.
But he kept standing.
Because the fear wasn't the elder. It was what he could become.
Then, he stopped running.
He stood still and looked the elder in the eyes.
"I am not you," Ved whispered. "Not yet. And never… if I can help it."
He clenched his fist.
And for the first time — his own flame obeyed.
It turned white.
The elder shattered into light.
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Reality – Chamber 9R
Ved gasped and fell to his knees, drenched in sweat. His palms still glowed white for a second — then faded.
The others stared in silence.
Agnira nodded. "He's in."
Raksha grunted. "Hmph. Beginner's luck."
The floating girl landed gently. "No… that was real. The Code liked him."
Ved stood slowly. His voice was hoarse.
"Who's next?"
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Meanwhile – Somewhere in Varanasi
A man wearing a white hood dipped his fingers into a pool of black liquid.
It rippled.
Inside, Ved's trial played like a mirror.
The hooded man smiled.
"The Flame has lit. Begin Phase Two. Send the Warden."
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Truth isn't static. It's tested, broken, and remade.
Episode 5: The Warden's Shadow — coming next.