Previously:
Ved purified a child possessed by a fragment of his own future self. But this encounter hinted at deeper truths — that his power isn't just inherited, it's connected to something ancient, waiting to reawaken.
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"The mind holds memories. But the scars — they remember truth."
— Sutra of the Third Flame
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Location: Hyderabad – The Forbidden Mirror Temple
There was no temple on the maps. Only whispers of a "Mirror House" that made people forget their own names.
But Agnira led them there.
And told Ved, "She's inside. One of the Seven Hidden Lineages. But she won't awaken… unless your truth breaks hers."
Ved stepped in alone.
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Inside the Temple
The temple was silent, dimly lit by floating lamps. Ancient carvings pulsed faintly — patterns of chakra flows fused with circuitry, etched into the walls.
A cracked mirror stood in the center.
Then, it spoke.
"Who dares reflect their karma?"
The glass rippled.
And out stepped a girl — early twenties, dressed in black kurta, her eyes burning violet.
She didn't speak.
She attacked.
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Battle Begins: Mind vs. Mind
No punches. No kicks.
Instead, Ved's vision shattered.
He was reliving his worst memory — the day his brother was consumed by the fire during the genetic ritual.
Screams. Smoke. Silence.
The girl stood behind the memory, whispering:
"If you couldn't save your brother… why do you think you deserve to save anyone?"
Ved dropped to his knees.
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Truth Layer Activation
But the moment his hand touched the floor, he saw a flicker — her memory.
She wasn't just attacking.
She was trapped too.
Ved forced himself through the illusion — walking into her mind.
There, he saw her younger self, holding her dying father, begging the gods to spare him.
They never did.
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The Confrontation
Ved found her in the shared mind realm, standing before a thousand broken mirrors.
"You think strength comes from burying pain," he said.
"I know it does," she replied coldly.
"No," Ved whispered. "You just never had someone to stand with you inside it."
He raised his hand.
"Let me."
For a second, nothing happened.
Then…
All the mirrors cracked.
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Awakening of the Mirror Flame
A pulse of silver chakra surged through the temple.
The girl collapsed — then rose, her eyes glowing.
A pattern of lotus and flame appeared on her palm.
"I am Mira," she said, "of the Third Flame. Guardian of Reflected Karma."
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Outside
Agnira smirked. "He did it. That's two awakened now."
Rehan frowned. "But why gather them? What's the real plan?"
Agnira looked skyward.
"Because the gods are returning. And not all of them are kind."
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Elsewhere – The Shadow Order
The masked figure watched the awakening through a digital flame-mirror.
"He's rebuilding the Seven."
The Warden nodded. "And each one makes him harder to control."
The figure turned.
"Then it's time we awaken our own."
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Next: Episode 10 – A new enemy strikes, one who doesn't burn or bleed. A techno-spiritual assassin who hunts awakened lineages. And Mira may be his first target.