The cold mountain wind rushed through the training courtyard of the ancient temple.
Arjun stood in the center of the stone platform, breathing heavily. Sweat rolled down his face as he tried to maintain focus.
For three days straight, Rishi Vayun had pushed him harder than he ever imagined possible.
Climbing mountains.
Meditating for hours.
Practicing energy control again and again.
Yet every time Arjun thought he was improving, the sage simply shook his head.
"Again."
Arjun wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"How long until I actually become good at this?"
Ravi, sitting on a nearby stone wall eating an apple, raised his hand.
"I'd say give it at least another ten years."
Arjun glared at him.
"Very helpful."
The sage stepped forward calmly.
"Today, your training changes."
Arjun straightened immediately.
"Finally."
The sage raised his hand, and golden light formed in his palm.
"This is celestial energy in its purest form."
The glowing light slowly shaped itself into a sharp blade made entirely of golden energy.
Ravi's eyes widened.
"Okay… that's definitely cooler than my school physics class."
The sage turned to Arjun.
"You must learn to control your energy like this."
Arjun nodded.
"Alright."
He focused his mind.
Blue light began forming around his hands.
Slowly… very slowly…
The energy began shaping itself.
But instead of forming a weapon—
It suddenly exploded outward.
BOOM!
A shockwave blasted across the courtyard, knocking Ravi off the wall.
Ravi groaned.
"Yeah… still needs work."
The sage sighed quietly.
"Control requires patience."
But before he could continue—
The ground suddenly trembled.
A deep rumbling sound echoed through the mountains.
Arjun looked up.
"Did you feel that?"
The sage's expression turned serious.
"Yes."
He closed his eyes for a moment.
Then he spoke quietly.
"They have arrived."
The Night Beasts
Far below the temple, three massive creatures climbed the mountain path.
They were enormous—nearly twelve feet tall.
Their bodies were covered in dark armor-like skin, and thick claws dug into the rocky ground as they climbed.
Their glowing red eyes burned with hunger.
These were Rakshor's Night Beasts.
Stronger.
Faster.
And far more dangerous than the Shadow Demons.
The sage looked toward the mountain path.
"They are searching for you."
Ravi blinked.
"Already?"
Arjun clenched his fists.
"Then we stop them here."
The sage turned toward him.
"No."
Arjun looked confused.
"What do you mean?"
"This battle is yours."
Arjun's eyes widened.
"Mine?"
The sage nodded.
"If you cannot defeat them… you cannot become the Guardian."
Ravi whispered nervously,
"Wow… no pressure."
The Battle Begins
A loud roar echoed across the mountain.
The Night Beasts finally reached the temple courtyard.
Their massive footsteps cracked the stone floor as they approached.
One of them growled deeply.
"Guardian detected."
The second creature slammed its claws into the ground.
"Eliminate target."
Arjun stepped forward slowly.
Blue energy began glowing around his fists.
Ravi shouted from behind him,
"Try not to destroy the entire temple this time!"
Arjun replied,
"No promises."
Then the first beast attacked.
It moved unbelievably fast for its size.
Its claw swung toward Arjun like a giant blade.
Arjun jumped back just in time.
The claw struck the ground.
CRACK!
The stone courtyard shattered under the impact.
Arjun fired a blast of celestial energy.
BOOM!
The energy struck the beast's chest.
But this time—
The monster barely moved.
Arjun's eyes widened.
"Oh… that's not good."
Overwhelming Strength
The second beast charged forward.
It slammed into Arjun before he could react.
BAM!
Arjun crashed across the courtyard and rolled across the ground.
Pain shot through his body.
Ravi yelled,
"GET UP!"
The first beast lifted a giant piece of broken stone and hurled it toward him.
Arjun rolled aside.
The stone exploded against the temple wall.
The beasts roared and attacked together.
Claws struck from every direction.
Arjun blocked one attack with his energy shield.
But another claw slammed into his side.
He was thrown across the courtyard again.
The sage watched silently.
Ravi looked shocked.
"Are you just going to watch?!"
The sage answered calmly,
"This is his test."
The Turning Point
Arjun struggled to stand.
His body ached.
The Night Beasts slowly approached.
He realized something terrifying.
His normal energy blasts weren't strong enough.
One of the beasts spoke in a deep growl.
"Guardian weak."
Arjun clenched his fists.
"No."
He closed his eyes.
He remembered the sage's words.
Control the energy.
Do not let the energy control you.
He focused on the glowing amulet around his neck.
The warmth inside his chest slowly grew stronger.
Blue energy began forming around his body again.
But this time—
It felt different.
Calmer.
More focused.
Arjun raised his hand.
The energy gathered into a single glowing sphere.
The beasts charged again.
Arjun whispered,
"Let's try this."
He thrust his hand forward.
Celestial Strike
A powerful beam of concentrated energy shot across the courtyard.
BOOOOOOM!
The blast struck the first beast directly in the chest.
For the first time—
The monster screamed.
Its armor cracked under the impact.
The second beast lunged toward Arjun.
But Arjun moved faster.
Almost like lightning.
He jumped high into the air and slammed another energy strike downward.
CRASH!
The second beast smashed into the ground.
The third creature roared and charged.
Arjun landed calmly.
Blue light surrounded him like flames.
"Round two."
The beast attacked wildly.
But now Arjun could see its movements clearly.
He dodged the claw.
Then punched forward with a burst of celestial energy.
BOOM!
The impact sent the monster flying backward across the courtyard.
The beasts slowly stood again.
But they were injured now.
Cracks of glowing blue energy burned across their armor.
Arjun took a deep breath.
Then he raised both hands.
Celestial energy gathered between his palms.
The light grew brighter and brighter.
The beasts roared and charged one final time.
Arjun unleashed the attack.
Victory
A massive wave of celestial light exploded across the courtyard.
BOOOOOOOOM!
The Night Beasts were completely engulfed in the energy blast.
For several seconds the entire mountain seemed to shake.
Then the light faded.
The courtyard became silent again.
The beasts had disappeared.
Only broken pieces of their dark armor remained.
Arjun dropped to one knee, exhausted.
Ravi ran toward him.
"DUDE!"
"That was insane!"
The sage walked forward slowly.
For the first time—
He smiled.
"Well done."
Arjun looked up, breathing heavily.
"So… did I pass the test?"
The sage nodded.
"Yes."
"You have taken your first step toward becoming the Celestial Guardian."
Arjun lay back on the stone floor, staring at the sky.
"This hero thing is exhausting."
Ravi laughed.
"Welcome to the superhero life."
But far away in the dark fortress…
Rakshor watched the battle through shadow magic.
His Night Beasts had been destroyed.
Yet instead of anger—
He smiled.
"The boy grows stronger."
His eyes burned with excitement.
"Good."
"Because soon…"
His voice echoed through the darkness.
"I will come for him myself."