The rain burned like needles against Garud's skin.
Each step toward the temple felt heavier than the last, as if the air itself was resisting him. Behind him, the village was nothing but screams and shadows. Ahead—
Fire.
Smoke.
And something far older than fear.
The Shiva temple stood cracked and broken, its ancient stone walls glowing faintly under the storm-lit sky.
Then—
BOOOOOOM—!!!
A bolt of lightning descended from the heavens and struck the center of the temple.
The ground exploded.
Garud was thrown back, his body crashing against the stone steps. His vision blurred, ears ringing, heart hammering like a war drum.
I… should be dead.
But he wasn't.
The Gate
From the shattered ground, dark mist rose.
The earth split open, revealing something impossible—
a gate.
It was not made of stone or metal, but of black energy, carved with glowing symbols that pulsed like a living heart.
Each symbol looked ancient.
Divine.
Terrifying.
The storm suddenly went silent.
No rain.
No thunder.
Only the gate… breathing.
Garud stood up, trembling.
This isn't meant for humans.
The gate began to open.
The Fall
Pain exploded through his chest.
Garud collapsed as an unseen force pulled his soul away from his body. His scream never reached the world.
Darkness swallowed him.
The World Beyond
He opened his eyes.
He was no longer in the village.
The sky above him was endless—black and filled with swirling lightning. Beneath his feet was a floating stone platform, cracked and ancient.
In front of him—
A colossal figure sat in meditation.
Ash-covered skin.
Matted hair flowing like a storm.
A third eye burning faintly with cosmic fire.
Lord Shiva.
Not a statue.
Not an image.
A living god.
Garud's soul trembled.
He fell to his knees, unable to breathe.
"उठो, गरुड़।"
The voice was calm—yet it shook the universe.
"Rise, Garud."
The Truth
Garud lifted his head, tears streaming down his face.
"महादेव… मैं कौन हूँ?"
Silence.
Then Shiva opened his eyes.
The third eye burned brighter.
"तू मेरा अंश है।"
"You are my fragment."
The world trembled.
"एक अंधकार जाग चुका है।"
"A dark power has awakened."
Visions flooded Garud's mind—
worlds burning, gates opening, monsters crawling into reality, and a presence stealing divine power.
"वे मेरी शक्ति चाहते हैं।"
"They seek my power."
Shiva stood.
The sky cracked.
"और केवल तू उन्हें रोक सकता है।"
Garud's chest burned as divine energy poured into him.
"मैं तुम्हें शक्ति नहीं दे रहा हूँ," Shiva said.
"मैं तुम्हें याद दिला रहा हूँ कि तुम क्या हो।"
Lightning wrapped around Garud's soul.
Pain.
Power.
Purpose.
"जाओ।"
"Go."
"और इस संसार को बचाओ।"
Awakening
Garud screamed as light consumed him.