---
Chapter 10A: The Waters Within
The Guru sat cross-legged before Eshan, his eyes closed, his breathing slow.
"Yesterday, we opened the root," he said calmly. "Today, we dive into the waters."
Eshan swallowed. "The… waters?"
"Svadhisthana," the Guru said. "The chakra of desire. Of emotions. To awaken it, you must confront the truths you avoid."
Eshan forced a laugh. "Truths? Please. I don't hide anything."
The Guru's expression didn't change. "Everyone hides. Especially you."
Before Eshan could argue, the Guru slammed his palm against Eshan's forehead.
---
Darkness.
When Eshan opened his eyes, the temple was gone. He stood ankle-deep in still water under an endless black sky.
"What… is this place?"
A voice echoed — his own.
"It's you."
Eshan spun around. His reflection stood before him. But it wasn't a reflection. Its eyes glowed faintly. Its grin was sharp.
"Who—"
"Don't pretend you don't know," the reflection said. "I'm you. The part you bury."
Eshan's chest tightened. "What do you want?"
"What you want," it said. "Power. Revenge. To stop being weak."
Eshan stepped back. "I don't—"
"Liar."
The water rippled violently.
"You want them dead. The ones who killed Rajesh. Ananya. You want to tear them apart. And you want to know the truth your so-called guardians hid from you."
Eshan's fists trembled.
"No," he whispered. "I… I want to protect. Not destroy."
The reflection's grin widened. "You can't protect anyone without becoming me."
The sky cracked like glass.
---
Eshan fell to his knees, clutching his chest. His Shakti burned like molten fire.
"Face me," the reflection said. "Or drown."
Eshan squeezed his eyes shut. The faces of Rajesh and Ananya flashed in his mind. Then Omkar. Then the Guru.
"I'm not you," he whispered.
The reflection tilted its head. "Aren't you?"
"No," Eshan said louder, rising to his feet. "I'm not."
The reflection snarled. The water surged, swallowing him whole—
---
Gasp!
Eshan jolted awake on the temple floor, coughing up water that wasn't there.
The Guru observed him quietly. "You lived."
Eshan panted. "Lived? That— That felt like dying."
The Guru stood. "You fought yourself. And won. For now."
Eshan blinked. "For now?"
"Your reflection will return," the Guru said simply. "Stronger. Hungrier."
Eshan collapsed back on the floor, groaning. "Great. Something to look forward to."
But deep inside, he felt it — his Shakti flowing more freely, like a river unblocked.
---
Chapter 10B: The Man With the Mark
Far from the temple, in the ruins of an ancient battlefield, Omkar walked alone.
His sandals crunched against broken stone. His white dhoti was clean despite the dirt. His shawl swayed in the breeze. And on his left arm, the Mark of Om glowed faintly.
"They're here," he murmured.
From the shadows, five figures emerged — cloaked, masked, armed.
"Omkar," one hissed. "The Lord has ordered your capture."
Omkar raised an eyebrow. "Capture me?"
They charged.
Omkar sighed. "I really hate stretching."
---
The first lunged with a blade. Omkar tilted his head lazily.
CRACK!
The man's neck snapped with a single palm strike.
The others froze.
Omkar smiled warmly. "Come now. All at once. Make it interesting."
Two attacked from the sides. He didn't move his feet.
WHOOSH!
His shawl flicked — slicing their throats like a blade.
The last three trembled. "M-Monster—"
Omkar's smile faded.
"Monster? No," he said softly. "I'm the man who ended the Ancient War."
The Mark of Om on his arm flared, blinding them.
FWOOOOM!
When the light faded, nothing remained of them but ash.
---
Omkar looked up at the night sky.
"You feel that too, don't you?" he murmured. "The cycle is breaking."
For a moment, his smile faltered.
Then he chuckled softly. "Guess I'll have to keep the kid alive long enough to see what side he chooses."