(A/N):
Drop a meme here that you find funny. Or reflects your mood.
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The journey toward deeper forest regions took longer than expected.
The further they traveled, the quieter the world became.
Roads slowly disappeared into narrow dirt paths. Mobile signals vanished.
Even the sounds of civilization faded behind the endless walls of ancient trees towering over them like silent guardians.
Inside the jeep moving through the rough forest trail,
Mohan Bhargav sat at the front while Rudra, Amirtha, and Junoo observed their surroundings carefully.
Junoo leaned slightly against the window while watching monkeys leap between branches overhead.
"So let me get this straight,"
She said with a lazy sigh.
-Sigh!
"We're going to meet the master of the lunatic who almost killed Guru Arvind."
Mohan chuckled awkwardly.
-Chuckle!
"When you say it like that, it sounds worse."
Junoo raised an eyebrow.
"Because it is worse."
Beside her, Amirtha simply smiled faintly while looking outside at the dense greenery.
"The mana here feels peaceful."
And it truly did.
Unlike cities polluted by human greed and constant noise, this forest carried an ancient spiritual calm.
The deeper they entered, the more Rudra could feel the natural energies flowing through the land.
Almost alive.
After nearly another hour of travel, the vehicle finally stopped near a massive banyan tree whose roots spread across the earth like giant serpents.
"We walk from here,"
Mohan informed them.
Rudra stepped out first while his eyes scanned the surroundings carefully.
The forest was unnaturally silent.
"...."
"...."
"...."
No birds. No insects.
Only the distant sound of flowing water somewhere far away.
Junoo immediately noticed it too.
"…someone's watching."
Mohan smiled slightly.
"That means we've entered the Gurukul's territory."
The four of them continued walking through the forest path.
Strange symbols were carved into rocks and trees along the way.
Some glowed faintly with Astra energy, acting as hidden protective barriers against outsiders.
Amirtha lightly touched one of the markings while sensing the energy flowing through it.
"This protection has existed for decades…"
Mohan nodded proudly.
-Nod!
"Angama Bali built this Gurukul to remain hidden from those who misuse Astras."
As they moved further ahead, the dense trees finally opened.
And before them—The Gurukul appeared.
Unlike modern institutions, this place looked ancient yet majestic.
Wooden structures stood harmoniously amidst nature while students dressed in simple training clothes practiced Astra control under waterfalls, near stone platforms, and beneath giant trees.
The entire place radiated discipline.
Peace. Power.
At the center of it all stood a large meditation hall constructed from dark wood and stone.
Junoo whistled softly.
-Whistle!
"…okay, I'll admit it. This place looks cool."
Several students immediately noticed the visitors and paused their training cautiously. Their eyes lingered particularly on Rudra and Junoo, sensing unfamiliar energies from them.
Mohan stepped forward calmly.
"Relax. They are guests."
The tension eased slightly.
Soon, an elderly disciple approached them respectfully.
"Sir Mohan,"
He greeted politely before his gaze shifted toward the others.
Mohan nodded.
-Nod!
"We are here to meet Guru Angama Bali."
The disciple's expression immediately turned serious for a brief second before he bowed.
"Guruji has already sensed your arrival."
Junoo muttered under her breath,
"Of course he did."
The disciple gestured for them to follow.
As they walked deeper into the ashram,
Rudra silently observed everything around him.
The students here… The discipline… The Astra formations…
This was not an ordinary Gurukul.
This place had produced warriors.
And somewhere among those warriors—Mahabir Lama had once stood as a student before becoming the monster he was now.
Finally, they arrived before the meditation hall.
The large wooden doors slowly opened on their own.
Warm incense drifted outward with the breeze.
And inside, sitting calmly at the center of the hall surrounded by faint Astra energy—
Was Angama Bali himself.
The atmosphere inside the Gurukul carried a strange balance of serenity and tension.
As the disciple guided Rudra's group deeper into the ashram grounds, the sound of chanting slowly became clearer.
Astra users dressed in simple white robes were training in open fields while others meditated beneath waterfalls flowing down black stone cliffs nearby.
But the disciple didn't take them toward the meditation hall.
Instead, he led them toward the heart of the Gurukul.
A massive ancient banyan tree.
Its roots spread across the earth like veins, while countless hanging branches swayed gently with the wind.
Beneath it sat nearly twenty young Astra users in disciplined rows, listening attentively to a man standing before them.
The moment Rudra's eyes landed on him, he understood immediately.
Angama Bali.
Tall despite his age.
Sharp eyes that seemed capable of seeing through people.
Simple saffron robes.
No ornaments. No display of power.
Yet the Astra energy surrounding him was immense.
Controlled. Perfectly stable.
The old master was currently demonstrating a complex Astra formation using nothing but small pebbles floating around him in perfect harmony while the students watched with admiration.
"…remember,"
Angama Bali spoke calmly,
"strength without discipline eventually becomes destruction."
His voice carried across the training grounds effortlessly.
Then—He paused.
The floating pebbles stopped mid-air.
Slowly, Angama Bali turned his head toward the approaching group.
His gaze immediately landed on Rudra.
For a brief moment—Silence spread across the area.
Even the students sensed it.
Angama Bali slowly lowered his hand, dismissing the Astra formation before turning toward his students.
"That is enough for today."
The young Astra users immediately bowed respectfully.
"Yes, Guruji."
As the students began leaving, many curiously glanced toward Rudra and the others, particularly Junoo whose unusual aura caught their attention immediately.
Junoo simply waved casually at one of them, causing Amirtha to sigh softly beside her.
Soon, Angama Bali began walking toward them.
Every step calm. Measured. Grounded.
When he finally stopped before Rudra, something unexpected happened.
The old master respectfully bowed.
Not as a teacher greeting a visitor.
But as one Astra guardian acknowledging another.
More specifically—Acknowledging the chosen host of the Brahmastra.
Mohan Bhargav immediately lowered his head respectfully as well while the surrounding disciples looked visibly shocked seeing their Guru bow first.
Rudra however quickly returned the gesture with equal respect.
"Guru Angama Bali."
Angama Bali slowly straightened before studying Rudra carefully.
"So the Brahmastra has truly chosen its bearer…"
His voice carried neither fear nor excitement.
Only observation.
Rudra calmly nodded.
-Nod!
"And you are exactly as Guru Arvind described."
For a brief second, a faint smile appeared on Angama Bali's face.
Then it disappeared just as quickly.
Because Rudra's expression had already turned serious.
"We came to ask you about someone."
Angama Bali's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…who?"
Rudra answered directly.
"Mahabir Lama."
The effect was immediate.
The peaceful atmosphere beneath the banyan tree seemed to freeze.
Several nearby disciples who had not yet left visibly stiffened hearing that name.
Even the wind itself felt quieter.
Angama Bali's expression darkened heavily for the first time.
Not anger. Not hatred.
Something deeper.
Regret. Pain. And disappointment.
Junoo noticed it instantly and muttered softly,
"…that bad huh."
For several seconds, Angama Bali said nothing.
Then he slowly turned away from them and looked toward the distant forest.
As if old memories had suddenly resurfaced.
Finally, he spoke.
"…so he has begun moving openly again."
His voice was calm.
But the heaviness behind it made even Mohan uneasy.
Rudra stepped forward slightly.
"He attacked Guru Arvind."
That made Angama Bali close his eyes briefly.
"…then it has already begun."
Amirtha frowned.
"What exactly is he trying to do?"
Angama Bali slowly opened his eyes again.
And when he turned back toward them—
The old master no longer looked merely serious.
He looked worried.
"Mahabir does not seek power alone anymore."
A pause.
"He seeks liberation."
Junoo raised an eyebrow.
"Liberation?"
Angama Bali nodded grimly.
-Nod!
"From Gods.... World..."
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(Author's POV)
(A/N):
Guys My New Fic name is:
-->Karuppan: King of Openings.
Check it out... I hope you will like it
Whats your thought's guys.
Thanks for reading the chapter!
Please give a review!!! And power stone too!!!
Guys it will motivate me more?