Adhiraj slowly awakens, his mind slightly dizzy as though rising from the depths of a distant dream.

  A dull pain lingers in his chest. His limbs feel heavy and exhausted. A gust of wind blows, and the scent of herbs and sacred ash fills the air. Soft morning light filters through the window, illuminating the entire room with a golden hue.

  Suddenly, he felt a hot, slightly searing sensation on his chest. Adhiraj frowns in slight displeasure and lowers his head. He noticed the golden fire mark on his chest.

  'This is…'

  He lifts his hand to touch the golden symbol.

  "Please don't move around too much!" A soft, enchanting voice, carrying a melodic cadence, echoed through the room. The low, soothing voice resonated deeply within Adhiraj's ear, pulling at his heartstrings. Each word feels like a lullaby, full of compassion and warmth.

  Adhiraj slowly turns his head towards the voice and is stunned. His breath catches at a standstill, and his eyes widen slightly.

  Facing him stands a beautiful woman with a pure, otherworldly presence. Her aura is like moonlight resting upon still water, elegant and graceful. Her beauty is not merely physical, but it reaches deeper, touching both mind and soul.

  Her face bears the delicate perfection of an Apsara, breathtaking and heavenly. Her skin is fair with a warm glow, untouched by the world's vanity yet luminous in the morning light like the lotus untouched by worldly filth. Her red lips seem carved from rose petals, soft and delicate. Her large, lotus-shaped amber eyes draw one's soul into them; deep, enchanting, and filled with compassion.

  Her hair flows long and dark like an obsidian river. They are braided with care and adorned with slender threads of gold, crimson silk, and flowers.

  Her hands, holding a tray of herbs, are adorned with intricate floral mehandi patterns. Patterns of vines and blossoms wind elegantly across her palms and wrists. The same delicate artistry of mehandi graces her feet, visible beneath the hem of her garments. Vines, flowers, and sacred symbols intertwine in an artistic touch, like a painting.

  For a heartbeat, Adhiraj forgets pain.

  For a breath, words were stuck in his throat.

  Noticing Adhiraj's enchanted gaze, surprise flickered across Aadya's face. She quickly realises something and, in a swift, controlled motion, she draws the veil back across her face. The soft fabric of her veil, like the falling mist, hides the radiance of her divine beauty.

  "Don't force yourself to move!" she spoke gently, her voice calm and composed, though a trace of concern lingered beneath it.

  Adhiraj opens his mouth but struggles to speak, still caught between awe and weakness. His previous heart, battered by battle and wariness, now beats with unfamiliar unease. It's not a sensation of fear but something quieter, fragile and pure.

  "I, Adhiraj, am very grateful for your kindness." Adhiraj bows his head in gratitude, his voice faint.

  Aadya shakes her head.

  "It was fate that brought you here," she replied with a simple smile.

  "If you want to thank someone, then you should thank the great goddess for her miracle and the kind villagers for rescuing you from the river." She turned around and continued preparing the medicine.

  While Aadya is busy with her work, Adhiraj silently gazes at her calm, graceful figure. His mind is still unable to shake the memory of her unveiled face. The pleasant memory of divine beauty, elegance, and a strange sensation that feels strangely… destined.

  He slowly shakes his head and sits cross-legged. Adhiraj closes his eyes to meditate and inspect his body. Since he isn't allowed to move much, he can only hasten his recovery by actively breathing the prana in and out of his body.

  Adhiraj clears his thoughts and focuses his mind. He inhales sharply, and a surge of gentle prana flows within his body.

  Drawing a slow, rhythmic breath, he turned his focus inward, reaching for the centres of life that pulsed within him.

  With every breath, the surrounding prana gently surges towards him, entering his body and prana channels. The prana gathers along his spine, and he feels a tingling sensation on his back. The inhaled prana follows the ancient paths of energy and activates the energy centres, the chakras.

  There are seven chakras within the body. The seven Chakras are energy centres along the astral spine, from the base to the crown of the head, representing physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of a being. These chakra centres are present in every living being and are considered a gateway for ordinary beings to connect with the supreme creator. But most of the time, these chakras centres lie dormant.

  The path to awakening a chakra is slow, arduous, and challenging. The most stable path to awakening a chakra is through meditation and breathing techniques called Pranayamas.

  Pranayamas connect one's consciousness with divinity, allowing the person to experience the world on a deeper spiritual level. Strict discipline, focus, and willpower are necessary to practice pranayama.

  Only by experiencing worldly affairs, facing hardships, and overcoming the trials of the world can a person transcend his being and awaken chakra.

  He closes his eyes and circulates the prana through his body. A faint light glowed from within his body. The surrounding air stirred, and a formless energy spiralled around him, seeping into his body.

  [Sacred Tantra: Chandra ārōha?a Pranayama: First Phase: Puraka]

  "Lam," Adhiraj whispered.

  [First Chakra Activation: The Root Chakra Muladhara]

  The prana within his body rumbled. A deep, earthen flame lit up at the base of the astral spinal cord in his body. A four-petalled lotus flower bloomed from the fire, glowing with a deep crimson hue. Prana circulated the crimson lotus, carving a square and a downward-facing triangle within it. The four-petal lotus bloomed outward and appeared behind Adhiraj's back, silently floating behind him in an illusory formation.

  "Ram,"

  [Second Chakra Activation: The Solar Plexus Chakra Manipura]

  The prana at the base of the astral spinal cord flared; it climbed up the naval region. A golden light exploded from the navel, burning hotter and brighter like a blazing sun. From deep within the sun's core, a ten-petalled lotus bloomed, radiant and intense. Prana circulated the golden lotus, burning a downward-pointing triangle of Kundalini fire- the symbol of inner strength.

  "Yam," he continued.

  [Third Chakra Activation: The Heart Chakra Anahata]

  The prana within his body stirred again; it quickly rose to the centre of his astral spinal cord, reaching his heart. Adhiraj's heart raced, bursting forth with a green aura, full of life and vitality. The prana circled his heart, blooming into a twelve-petaled lotus. Prana flowed from outside and within the body, reaching the core of the twelve-petaled lotus. Both energies entangle, harmonising in a star-shaped yantra.

  The three awakened chakra centres within him- Root, Solar Plexus, and Heart- glowed steadily, their energy flowing in harmony. The crimson prana of the earth from the Root chakra enhanced his strength, bringing energy to his previously exhausted body. The golden fire of the solar plexus purified the filth and impurities within his body. The emerald prana of the heart chakra bolstered his recovery, rejuvenating him with a fresh surge of life force and vitality.

  'Awakening three chakra centres was my previous limit. But I gained several insights from the recent battle, and the will of the world recognised my effort and courage in front of a divine weapon.'

  With a deep breath, he turned his awareness upward.

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  [Chandra ārōha?a Pranayama: Second Phase: Kumbhaka]

  With the sharp momentum of his prana, he guided the rising current of energy upward through his astral spine. His mind felt his prana ascend like a serpent of light traveling through unseen channels. His breath deepened. His mind emptied. The surrounding noise, the sound of a faint breeze, the distant hum of chimes, and the chattering of insects and men all faded from his senses until only silence remained.

  The current of prana surged upward, reaching the crown of his being. There, he felt resistance, a veil, a barrier of limitation—the boundary between mortal perception and cosmic awareness.

  He steadied himself and breathed rhythmically, following the guidance of the Pranayama he practised. The prana from the three active chakra centers surged upward.

  For a moment, his body trembled as though struck by lightning, yet he did not falter. A radiant bloom of violet-white light unfolded above his head like a thousand-petaled lotus opening to the heavens. The crown chakra awakened. He has already met the conditions and completed the trials. The only action left was to touch and feel that threshold with his own mind.

  The activation of the Crown chakra brought a surge of clarity to his mind.

  [Fourth Chakra Activation: The Crown Chakra Sahasrara]

  The feeling of separation from the world around him vanished. The earth beneath him pulsed like a heartbeat. The wind carried whispers of distant lands. The sky above shimmered with unseen currents of divine energy. He could sense the weaving of fate, the echo of ancient mantras lingering in the air, and the faint curse suppressed under the golden fire seal on his chest.

  Adhiraj frowned as he sensed his incomplete fate. He recalled the moment the apparition of Rahu swallowed a chunk of his fate.

  'I will consult Acharya Sukrit once I return to my kingdom. For now, I must focus on recovery and sort affairs of my current location and the time I disappeared for.'

  With his thoughts sorted, Adhiraj continued his meditation.

  Prana no longer flowed through him alone, but his body became a conduit for a greater cosmic stream of energy. His aura gently expanded outward in a silent wave, causing the air itself to shimmer with resonance.

  A divine vision flickered across his mind.

  In his vision, a white horse galloped across the plains, radiating kingly majesty and divine might. The vision changed, and several warriors from forgotten eras stand against a rising tide of darkness. Flames, storms, and stars align in silent harmony, and the various races gathered to march against the darkness. At the forefront stood eight heroic figures; their faces blurred, but their aura shone like radiant stars.

  The vision ended, and the warrior slowly opened his eyes. A glow of profound serenity flickered across them.

  [Chandra ārōha?a Pranayama: Third Phase: Rechaka]

  He exhales a breath of turbid air and impurities out from his body, completing one cycle of Pranayama. Just as he was about to start a new breathing cycle, a soft rustle drifted through the cottage.

  Aadya moves towards him; her presence carries effortless grace, her steps elegant and regal. The veil shields her divine beauty, yet underneath it, Adhiraj could feel the quiet, steady warmth of a kind, caring person.

  She sits beside him, holding a tray of medicine and warm water. With careful, practised gentleness, she mixes the herbs in a solution and turns to him.

  "You must not strain yourself," she says quietly and hands over the medicine bowl to him.

  "I will heed your advice." He nods slightly. Although faint, he could still feel a dull ache in his muscles.

  "You should rest for now."

  He wants to speak more, but the healer's voice cuts him off. The words settled within him. Slowly, he feels his pulse slow, his breathing deepen, his eyelids grow heavy, and his consciousness slowly fade into a hazy dream.

  In his vision, the faint outline of her veiled face blurs, and her amber eyes are fixed upon him with careful watchfulness. The last thing he hears before sleep claims him again is her whisper praising the Great Goddess.

  Soon, Adhiraj fell into a deep, relaxing sleep. Perhaps it was the lingering exhaustion from recovery or his ascension to a new realm of power, or both, but his sleep was comforting.

  * * *

  The next morning, Adhiraj wakes with a soft yawn and slight discomfort and aches. He glances around and notices the empty room.

  The air carries a fresh blend of morning sun and herbs. He rose slowly, steadying himself, surprised to find his strength returning faster than expected. The healing effects of the herbs, paired with Aadya's meticulous treatment and the Heart Chakra's healing effect, accelerated his recovery.

  He takes a deep breath and walks out into the fresh air.

  Outside, morning sunlight bathes the small village. The hustle and bustle of the streets and the whispers and villagers' chatter faintly remind him of his kingdom.

  In the yard beside the clinic, a group of children laughed and chased one another with bright and carefree voices. He watches the kids with amusement, enjoying their play as a silent observer.

  He slowly approaches the kids out of curiosity. They immediately noticed his presence. The children freeze in shock, wide-eyed, and they whisper among themselves while casting curious glances at the tall, unfamiliar man.

  "Hey, it's that man from the river? He woke up." One kid who was present when Adhiraj drifted to the shore muttered.

  "Whoa… he finally woke up after sleeping for so long?" Another boy whispers.

  "He slept for an entire week. My mother never lets me sleep for that long." Another little boy points a finger towards Adhiraj.

  'Was I unconscious for that long? Were my injuries so severe?' Adhiraj wonders as he listens to the kid's chatter.

  "Ahem…" He cleared his throat to get the kid's attention.

  "Little fellows… do you know where the kind healer lady is?" He asked gently, his face plastered with a smile.

  One child points toward the distant hills.

  "She's gone to the mountain," another blurted. "To pick herbs."

  "To the mountain?" Adhiraj repeats, surprised.

  They nod eagerly, warming to him now.

  "She goes there every morning," a girl replied. "Every day before the sun rises, she climbs the mountain to pick herbs."

  "She treats everyone," another added proudly. "Her medicine made my pain go away." The boy pinches his arm, pulling it to show a faint scar.

  "She knows all the paths," a third boasts. "And all the plants."

  "My mother says that she is a goddess who came to our village to help us." Another kid adds excitedly.

  Adhiraj listens with intrigue.

  'Hmm… this healer lady seems to be quite proficient in art.'

  He recalls the rows of medicinal jars placed in the clinic. As a prince, he learned quite a few things about medicine from the royal healer, and thus he knew that those medicines weren't ordinary.

  'Her skills are probably on the same level as the Chief Royal Physician.' He concludes with surprise.

  'Was it fate or the blessing of the Gods that led me to this place with such a divine healer?' He muttered.

  Yesterday, during meditation, he observed his body with prana. His internal organs and prana channels had already recovered to their peak state. Even several hidden ailments and wounds were cured. Such top-notch healing skills were rare throughout the world, and a healer with such skills happened to be present in such a remote place. It was too much of a coincidence, though a happy one.

  While Adhiraj was lost in thought, the kids glanced at him suspiciously.

  "He is a good person, right?" A little girl asked.

  "He should be, or else the lady Aadya won't treat him." Another boy murmurs.

  'Aadya… what a beautiful name.' Adhiraj murmured with pleasant surprise, while outwardly he turned to the kids with curiosity.

  "Oh, why would you say that I am a good person?" he asked.

  "Umm… well…" The kids hesitate before speaking their thoughts. They gathered close, eyes bright, voices dropping to conspiratorial whispers.

  "It was half a year ago. A scary man with a wicked face came at night," a girl added, hugging her elbows.

  "He had scars everywhere. And his shadow moved wrong." Another child, who seems to be the little girl's elder brother, leans in to whisper slowly.

  He points toward a nearby hut.

  "I saw it with my own eyes through the cracks between the door."

  Adhiraj listens with interest, intrigued by the kid's tale. He kneels slightly closer to their height to hear their whispers.

  "So, how was he a bad person?"

  The children exchanged solemn looks.

  "Because he said something that made the elder sister Aadya angry."

  The children speak in fragmentary tales and memories with overlapping words. Most of them are breathless from recounting everything.

  "That man was scary, threatening to burn the village and harm people. He wasn't a good person."

  "Then what happened next?" Adhiraj's voice turns hushed. His expression was curious and a bit amused.

  "She didn't shout," the little girl continued. "She didn't even move much."

  "She just looked at him," the boy murmured, awed. "And the scary man went pale. He staggered back and fled, cursing and afraid."

  "Did he ever come back?" Adhiraj asks.

  "No!" the kids shook their heads.

  'Hmm… things aren't probably as simple as the kids make them out to be.'

  Just as Adhiraj was about to open his mouth, faint footsteps echoed in his ears.

  He turns, and there she is, standing at the edge of the yard with a woven basket of herbs held in her hands. Morning light frames her veil-drawn figure. Though her face is hidden, a hint of amusement and a smile are still visible through the expression in her eyes.

  "Big sister is back!" The children scatter like startled birds.

  She walks toward the group with measured steps.

  "You are awake," she says, her voice calm, but there is a subtle edge beneath it now, protective, almost admonishing.

  "And already meddling in others' affairs?"

  "I meant no offence," Adhiraj replies honestly. "I was just curious."

  Aadya pauses before him, her eyes studying his expression through the veil. After a glance, she nods and enters the clinic.

  The children peek from behind doorways and trees, watching in awed silence.

  Adhiraj inclines his head slightly, respectfully. "Still, I would like to express my gratitude for saving my life."

  Aadya turns around, and her gaze softens.

  "You should not be standing this long. We will speak of your situation after a meal. You must be quite hungry after not eating for so long."

  With a thoughtful expression, Adhiraj followed her inside the clinic. He has several questions, but filling his empty stomach comes first.