Chapter 7: The City Beneath the Sea
Location: Arabian Sea — Approach to Submerged Dwaraka
The boat sliced through the ink-dark sea as lightning cracked across the horizon. Aarav gripped the edge of the vessel, the memories swirling faster than the tides.
Anaya stood at the helm, her eyes locked ahead.
> "They say Dwaraka sank with Krishna's departure," she whispered. "But not everything stayed buried."
> "Especially not war," Aarav said, tightening his grip on the flaming trident now resting in its dormant form beside him.
Behind them, Guruji Brihaspati snored beneath a heap of mango leaves, muttering occasionally about butter thieves and time loops.
But Aarav's mind was elsewhere—he could feel the third seal awakening.
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Arrival at the Gates of Dwaraka
Suddenly, the waves parted.
A glow beneath the water pulsed like a heartbeat, and slowly, like an ancient eye opening, the sea revealed the ruins of Dwaraka — submerged structures gleaming with bioluminescent Sanskrit scripts, guarded by coral serpents and forgotten idols.
Anaya raised a sacred shell.
> "ॐ अप्सरस्वरूपिणी देवी, द्वारका की रक्षक, प्रकट हो।"
The sea rippled. Then—she rose.
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The Naga Astradhari
A woman emerged from the depths — skin shimmering like pearls, eyes glowing ocean-blue. Her hair floated like kelp. Around her neck coiled a serpent of silver fire.
> "Rishan," she said. "You dare return?"
Aarav stepped forward.
> "I don't remember what I did. But I've come to restore balance."
She scoffed. "You shattered balance when you broke your vow, when you led the Astradharis into war. You lit the first fire. Now you seek forgiveness?"
Anaya interjected. "He seeks to stop the Fifth Yuga."
The Naga's gaze softened just slightly. "Then prove yourself. Come with me to the Hall of Mirrors."
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The Trial of Water
Deep within the palace, past coral gates and broken idols of Krishna, lay a chamber of liquid crystal. Mirrors of enchanted water lined every wall. The Naga Astradhari stepped aside.
> "Face your karma. If you survive, the seal shall recognize you."
Aarav walked forward. The water rippled.
Suddenly—
He was no longer in the room.
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Flashback – Life as Rishan
He stood on a battlefield where sky-fire rained and rivers burned. The Seven Astradharis stood around him, weapons drawn. At his feet lay a dying Anaya—wounded, her bow broken.
A voice echoed—his own voice, but colder:
> "The Astradhari Code is a chain. We must break it to evolve."
He had done it. He had betrayed them. To awaken power beyond the Devas, to save the world, he had become its enemy.
He saw himself take the first forbidden weapon — the Brahm-Astra.
And in doing so, he had torn open the Fifth Yuga.
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Return to the Present
Aarav collapsed, gasping.
The Naga Astradhari watched him quietly.
> "You remember now," she said.
"Yes," Aarav replied. "And I will spend every breath atoning."
She stepped forward and placed a drop of sea-light on his forehead.
> "Then take the Seal of Water. But beware — not all Astradharis will forgive you. One seeks revenge... and she now walks with the Asuras."
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Departure and the Storm
Back on the surface, as they sailed away from the sinking city, Guruji stirred.
> "That went better than I expected. Only mildly drowned and deeply traumatised. Good start."
Anaya watched the ocean glimmer behind them.
> "Three seals awakened," she said. "Four more to go. And time is thinning."
Aarav nodded.
> "We'll face it. Together."
But in the shadows beyond the clouds, a figure watched them. Her eyes burned like emerald fire. Around her danced cursed butterflies and shattered mantras.
> "Rishan," she whispered. "You took everything from me. When the last seal breaks… I will take it back."
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End of Chapter 7
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