Chapter 7 : The Return of the Raksha Mandala
The next morning, Yash awoke to the echo of temple bells — yet he was still in the underground chamber.
The air was still thick with divine energy, but something had changed. The cracks in the golden seals were wider. The serpent statue seemed almost alive.
Dr. Nandini stood near the wall, writing Sanskrit symbols with chalk and muttering mantras under her breath. Aarav lay quietly, his breathing shallow but steady.
"What happened after I passed out?" Yash asked.
Nandini turned, her eyes tired. "The energy inside the seal reacted to you, Yash. You didn't just stop it from breaking — you reconnected with it. That's why the Rudraksha glowed. It's a sign… the seal recognizes you."
Yash frowned. "But what does that mean? Am I supposed to protect it or destroy it?"
Before she could reply, a cold wind swept through the temple.
The torches flickered. Shadows danced on the walls.
And then… voices.
Deep, rhythmic chanting — "Raksha Mandalaṁ pratyāvartate... Raksha Mandalaṁ pratyāvartate..."
Nandini's face turned pale.
"They've found us again."
From the far end of the chamber, black mist poured in like smoke, twisting and forming into men in dark robes.
Their eyes glowed with fiery red light, and symbols of serpents marked their foreheads.
One of them stepped forward, his voice ancient and calm.
"Child of Aarambh... you carry the blood of those who sealed us. Now you shall unseal the world."
Yash's pulse quickened. "Who are you?"
"I am Vayun, the Keeper of the Mandala," the man replied. "We are the shadows of those betrayed by the Devas. And you, boy, are the key to their return."
Dr. Nandini raised her hand and shouted,
"Stay behind me!"
A golden barrier formed between them and the cultists, but it trembled violently as the Raksha Mandala members began chanting.
Yash's Rudraksha glowed again, responding instinctively. He felt the same warmth — the same energy — but stronger this time.
The chamber shook. Stones cracked.
Aarav woke suddenly — his eyes once again flashing blue.
But instead of pain, this time his voice was calm.
"Yash… the serpent within me can feel the darkness. They're not here to kill you. They're here to awaken what's sleeping inside you."
"What are you saying, Aarav?" Yash shouted.
But before he could answer, Vayun slammed his staff onto the ground.
A surge of black energy shattered the barrier.
Dr. Nandini was thrown back, unconscious.
Yash rushed forward — but something inside him burst open.
The Rudraksha around his neck melted into light, spreading through his body.
A divine aura surrounded him — half golden, half shadowed.
His eyes turned bright white, and his voice echoed with two tones — his own and something ancient.
Vayun whispered in awe, "The Seal of Dharma has awakened."
Yash raised his hand, and a trident of pure light formed in his grip.
The Raksha Mandala members fell to their knees, chanting in ecstasy —
"Mahākāla... Mahākāla returns..."
Yash looked at his glowing hand, terrified.
"I don't want this power!"
But the voice inside him whispered back,
"You don't have a choice."
The ground cracked open once again — and a massive burst of energy swallowed everything.
When the light faded, the chamber was empty.
Only the faint echo of a serpent's hiss remained — and far above, the clouds over Delhi began to darken.
To be continued...