CHAPTER 6.0 : THE FROZEN FIRE – I
The mountain trail twisted endlessly upward, lined with thick trees and veiled in mist.
"How far is the Monastery now?" Atharv asked.
"This mountain is actually huge," Lewosito replied. "We've been walking for a long time, but the Monastery isn't appearing. And these bags are also too heavy."
"This jungle is very dense," Atharv said. "I hope a tiger or lion doesn't attack us."
"Caw caw! There are no wild animals here, don't worry. People use this whole mountain for training. Caw caw!" the Crow replied.
"Interesting, interesting, I would like to train here," Lyron said.
"Really? Then that's good," Lewosito said. "But how much further do we have to walk?"
"Caw caw! Just one more kilometer up! We'll reach there in ten minutes! Caw caw!" the Crow replied.
Then suddenly, that Crow shouted "CAW CAW CAW!" aggressively.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaa! Run! Run! I don't want to die, I don't want to die! Is my death coming? Run!" a man screamed, sprinting through the forest.
The different Crow yelled, "Caw Caw! Idiot human! Stop running already! My wings are hurting, man! I'm not chasing you — I'm guiding you to the Monastery! Chill out! Caw caw!"
"No, no, I am definitely going to die, and that's why you're following me, don't lie. You came here to message me that I am going to die! What problem does Yama have with me!?" the man shouted back.
The Crow snapped, "Hey — I'm black, not your bad luck mascot! Show some respect! I don't only bring bad news, I bring good news too. I'm guiding you — STOP RUNNING or I'll peck you senseless! CAW CAW!"
Lewosito, Lyron, and the Crow stood there with their eyes stretched wide open, blinking rapidly in disbelief. None of them could process what they just saw. Meanwhile, Atharv's jaw dropped so far it could've touched the ground — his eyes blinking like, "Wait... what just happened!?"
"Let's go, we are already late," Lewosito said.
After a few minutes, Lewosito, Lyron, and Atharv reached the Monastery.
"So finally, we are here! Caw caw," the Crow said.
"Oh, this is so big and beautiful," Lewosito said.
The Acharya Guru approached. The Crow flew over and perched on the Acharya's shoulder. The Acharya gently rubbed the Crow's head and gave him food.
Acharya said, "Welcome. And my name is Acharya Shri." He continued, "Welcome to Zenith Mystical Monastery." Then he called out, "Alan and Riya!"
"Yes, Guruji," they both replied.
Acharya said, "Give them some water and show them the Monastery. After they rest, we will introduce ourselves and the other students. Take some rest."
Alan and Riya took their bags and said, "Follow me." Lewosito, Lyron, and Atharv followed them.
As they walked, Lewosito asked, "These five statues are of whom?"
Riya replied, "These five are the first Grandmasters who created the Zenith Assembly long ago, during the year 1228.
A respected Guru Rudramani, Grandmaster 1, the first Grandmaster of that time in Bharat (India).
Shi Wu Kong Laoshi, a respected Grandmaster 2 of the Southern Song Dynasty, now known as China.
Kenshin Sensei, a respected Grandmaster 3 from the Kamakura Shogunate (Japan).
The respected Haewon Seonsaeng-nim, Grandmaster 4, and the respected Volkov Uchitel, Grandmaster 5. They were from The Goryeo Dynasty (South Korea) and Kievan Rus (Russia), respectively."
"These five Grandmasters must have been very powerful at that time," Lyron said.
Alan said, "Yes, they were. So now, this is your bedroom—keep your luggage here.
This is the dining room for students. This is the hall.
This is the Zenith Nexus Room, where all Grandmasters do meeting."
Atharv asked, "Why are you showing me the Zenith Nexus Room?"
Riya smiled. "This is the ground, if you want to walk after eating."
Alan said, "So now you guys can go to meet Acharya Guru. He will introduce more students and Gurus."
Acharya then spoke, "Well, all of them came. Every year only 10 to 15 students get selected for Manali training."
Lewosito replied, "So only 10 students can be selected for Manali training every year?"
Acharya said, "No, there is no limit for selection. A hundred or more students can be selected for Manali, but for that, they have to do hard basic training, which you all already know. And if your performance is good, you will get selected for Manali training."
Suddenly, a door flew open.
A big, muscular guy grabbed a boy's shirt, lifted him, and brought him into the Monastery hall.
Trailing behind him, a Crow was also complaining about how irritating the boy was and how long he had been running.
The Crow said, "Caw caw caw! He was running since then and not listening to me! I told him I didn't bring any bad or death message for him, but he was still scared of me!"
Atharv, Lyron, and Lewosito were looking at that guy with wide-open eyes, blinking rapidly in disbelief.
"That guy was running in the forest, right?" Atharv asked.
"Yes, but who is that big muscular guy?" Lewosito replied.
"He is so strong! Interesting, interesting, interesting!" Lyron exclaimed.
That guy shaked him. "Oye! Oye! Wake up now! You already made me angry!"
The boy opened his eyes and saw Acharya, then Lewosito, Atharv, and Lyron. When he looked back and saw that big muscular guy still grabbing him, the boy shouted, "Aaaaaaa! A monster! A monster!"
"Eeehh! Aaaaaaaaaa!" Atharv shrieked in unison.
The big muscular guy roared in anger, "What did you say!?" And he slapped him on the head.
The boy burst into tears. "Waaaaaah! Waaah!"
"Don't cry, you idiot!" the big muscular guy snapped.
Acharya said, "Stop hurting him, Arjun." He continued, "Put him down."
Arjun gently placed the boy on the floor.
Acharya said, "Come here, child. Sit here. What is your name?"
The boy sniffled, wiping his tears. "Aarav Rai."
Acharya said, "Now listen, these eight students behind me—I will introduce them first:
Xeron — wielder of the Cobra Fist, fast, cunning, and deadly like his namesake.
Nira — bearer of the Titan Fist, whose strength can shake the very earth.
Kael — user of the Normal Fist, simple in form, limitless in spirit.
Syrina — master of the Purple Fist, her elegance hides a storm within.
Droven — controller of the Aquaonoi Fist, calm as still water, fierce as the raging sea.
Tessia — wielder of the Silvonoi Fist, guardian of life and nature's balance.
Zalen — user of the Black Elephant Fist, powerful, steady, and fearless. And
Rouka — bearer of the Blue Flame Fist, whose burning resolve can light the darkest path."
"These eight elite students will be going to train you, except for Lewosito."
"Huh? Why, Guruji?" Lewosito asked, confused.
Acharya said, "Lewosito, you possess the Fire Fist, so your training will be taken care of by me, Karan, and Arjun. This is Arjun."
The eight students got shocked. Xeron thinking: What? A Fire Fist? That's impossible!
Atharv thinking: This big muscular guy is Arjun!
Acharya continued, "Karan is not here right now."
Aarav was thinking: A Fire Fist... he must be stronger.
Acharya concluded, "So students, Atharv, Lyron, and Aarav, your training will be from tomorrow morning, so be ready tomorrow morning at 6 AM. And Lewosito, your training will be at night only, so be ready tonight."
At night, 10 PM. Lewosito was called to Hampta Valley.
Acharya said, "So Lewosito, now first remove your sweater and shirt."
"It's too cold," Lewosito replied.
"Do it as I say," Acharya insisted.
Lewosito removed his sweater and shirt. The cold was extreme—minus 4 degrees Celsius. Lewosito was shivering. He was thinking: It's too cold! I can't.
Acharya said, "So Lewosito, your first training is this: You have to do two different types of push-ups. First, you have to do push-ups with your fingers till 40 repetitions, and then 50 normal push-ups. It's your first day, so you have to do this much. But here's a twist: you have to do these push-ups on these sticks.
Next, you have to do bucket water training. First, you have to do 50 squats, and then you have to run non-stop around the whole mountain twice with those two buckets. After that, I will tell you about your next training. So start doing these. These training sessions will get harder afterwards."
"Okay, Guruji," Lewosito said. He was thinking: This training is going to be more hard. Lewosito took a deep breath. I can't take this cold anymore. I am going to freeze.
The snow started falling, accompanied by a cold and strong wind.
The snowfall started increasing; the storm wind got stronger and colder.
Lewosito was thinking: The training is very hard; it's getting even harder.
He was counting the finger push-ups on the sticks: "17... 18... 19... 2.... 20—Aaaaaaaa!"
Lewosito fell down.
Lewosito was thinking: My hand is shaking while doing this. My fingers and my muscles are getting tight! Gasp! Gasp! Gasp! Gasp! It's hard!
"8... 9... 10... Aaaaa! I fell again," he shouted.
Lewosito thought: I fell again and again during finger push-ups, but I will. I have to do it anyhow.
"1... 2... 3... 4... 5," Lewosito counted, resetting himself.
Lewosito thought: The number of times I fell from the sticks, I did it again, but I fell to complete the count.
The snowfall got heavy, and the winds made the training even harder. He counted again: "40... Aaa! 41... Eehh! 42... Gasp! Gasp! 4... 4... 43—Aaa!"
He fell again, and this time the stick also broke. He quickly took new sticks.
Lewosito thought: How is Acharya doing meditation in this cold water? And he activated his Fire Fist, and his fire is also not getting extinguished in the cold waterfall. How is he so calm?
Finally, after four long hours, Lewosito completed the set: "47... Gasp! Gasp! 4... 48... 4... 49—Aaaahh! 5... 5... 50!" Gasp! Gasp! Gasp!
Acharya said, "Take water. You have done only two trainings; three more are remaining. I have to become strict from tomorrow. Now, do water bucket squats and then run around the whole mountain twice."
"You want more water?" Acharya asked.
"Yes, I am thirsty, Guruji. I have one question: Why did the water not freeze when this much heavy storm and snowfall is happening?" Lewosito asked.
Acharya replied, "This mountain is a divine mountain. Lord Shiva Ji, Vishnu Ji, and Brahma Ji had created this mountain for intense training for all monks and their students. That is why this mountain is named Trimurti. Here, you will feel cold, but the water will never freeze. Also, no evils can enter here; if they try to come, they will get killed by the divine energy."
Lewosito said, "Here I feel positive vibes, and I can also feel that someone has been watching over me for a long time since I came here."
Acharya said, "The Divine resides here, and always watches everyone and protects them; that is why evil gets killed."
Lewosito said, "So now, should I start the next training, Guruji?"
Acharya replied, "Yes, you can."
Lewosito took a deep breath. "I will run with the water bucket around the whole mountain twice, and then I will do squats."
After a few minutes, Lewosito was running with two water buckets.
Gasp! Gasp! Gasp! Gasp! Lewosito thought: My hand started paining. It's so hard! Gasp! Gasp! This is just the beginning; more hard training I have to do.
After one two hours Finally "I have completed running," Lewosito said.
"Now, two buckets, 50 squats," he commanded himself.
Lewosito began the squats: "1... 2... 3... 4..."
Lewosito thought: I tried to stand again and again, but every time the weight pulled me down to my knees. My body was freezing, my legs trembling… but I didn't stop — I kept going until I finally completed it.
Acharya said, "So, finally, you have done all the training that I said. It's already 4 AM now. This is a very auspicious time to do meditation in the early morning, and this time is also known as the Divine Hour, when half the world is very silent, and all are sleeping peacefully. So, Lewosito, this training is called 'Frozen Fire'."
"A Frozen Fire...?" Lewosito questioned.
Acharya continued, "You know I was doing meditation in the waterfall with my Fire Fist."
"Yes, Guruji, I know," Lewosito replied.
Acharya said, "You have to activate your Fire Fist, and then you have to do meditation in the waterfall. But the fire should not be extinguished from your fist. So, are you ready, Lewosito?"
"Yes, I am ready, Guruji," Lewosito said.
When Lewosito opened his hand bandage, he clenched his fist, and fire erupted in his hand. When he sat in the waterfall, he shouted: "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! This water is so cold! Brrrrrr! I can't!"
His fire also got extinguished.
Acharya said, "Do it again."
Lewosito returned, clenched his fist, fire erupted again, and he sat in the waterfall. Then he shouted again: "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! It's too cold! Aaaaaaaaaa!"
TO BE CONTINUED
CHAPTER 6.5 THE FROZEN FIRE-II