Vikram frowned, still trying to process everything.
"So… I'm being observed by goddesses?" he asked slowly.
"Then who's the queen of this place?"
Lavya folded her arms, nodding with quiet satisfaction.
"Absolutely correct."
She tilted her head slightly.
"But there is a way out."
Vikram's eyes lit up instantly.
He leaned forward—too fast—and grabbed her shoulders, his face suddenly inches from hers.
"Tell me. Please—how do I get out of here?"
"AH—!"
Lavya shrieked and slapped him across the face.
Smack.
They both froze.
"…Sorry," she said immediately, looking away. "You just—got too close."
Vikram winced, rubbing his cheek.
"…Yeah. That's on me."
He exhaled, calming himself.
"Okay. So… what's the way?"
Lavya's expression turned serious.
"You need to impress one of the Queens."
Silence.
Vikram blinked.
"…Yeah, I'm not making it out."
Lavya raised an eyebrow.
He scratched his head awkwardly.
"I've never even talked properly to a girl… and you want me to impress ancient queens?"
Lavya burst into laughter, clutching her stomach.
"Relax! I didn't mean it like that!"
She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye, still smiling.
"You can't even charm a maid. The queens are way beyond your level."
Vikram frowned.
"…That felt unnecessary."
Lavya smirked.
"What I meant is—those queens represent virtues."
Her tone softened, but her gaze sharpened.
"If you show that one of those virtues truly exists within you… they'll acknowledge you."
She pointed at his chest.
"They'll grant you a Mudra—and let you leave."
Vikram thought for a moment.
"So… I just need to prove I'm a good person."
Lavya's expression hardened instantly.
"No."
The word landed heavier than expected.
"Being 'good' isn't enough."
She stepped closer.
"Good people stay silent. Good people endure."
Her eyes narrowed.
"And sometimes… that makes them tools for evil."
Vikram stiffened.
"You think showing the other cheek will save you?" she continued.
"Do that in front of someone who's already chosen evil… and you'll lose your head before you realize it."
A chill ran down Vikram's spine.
"…Then what am I supposed to do?"
Lavya turned and began walking away.
"Come."
Vikram followed immediately.
"Where are we going?"
"To finish what you started."
The throne room.
The same place where everything had gone wrong.
The same place where they had tried to kill him.
Vikram stopped at the entrance.
The throne stood tall… silent… waiting.
He swallowed.
"…You want me to go back there?"
Lavya glanced over her shoulder.
"If you don't… they'll keep hunting you."
Her voice softened slightly.
"Every night."
Vikram's jaw tightened.
"…Great."
He walked forward slowly.
Step by step.
The weight of fear pressed against his chest.
But he didn't stop.
Reaching the throne, he stared at it for a long moment…
…then sat down.
Lavya watched him.
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"Believe in yourself."
She turned away.
"Good luck."
Vikram looked at her.
"…Thanks."
A small, genuine smile formed.
"I hope we meet again."
Lavya didn't reply.
She simply walked out.
Silence.
Then—
Footsteps.
Dozens.
They emerged from every direction.
Warriors.
Archers.
Men wielding fire, lightning, steel.
All of them staring at him.
All of them ready to kill.
Vikram exhaled slowly.
His heart pounded so loud it echoed in his ears.
"…It's all an illusion," he whispered to himself.
"I'm not going to die…"
A pause.
"…Not yet."
He stood up.
The crowd roared.
And charged.
Vikram clenched his fists.
"COME ON THEN!"
He leaped forward.
Arrows formed in the air—
—and shot toward him.
Flames surged.
Lightning cracked.
Blades rushed for his throat.
Vikram shut his eyes.
And threw a punch.
His fist… stopped.
Held.
Firmly.
Vikram froze.
"…What?"
He slowly opened his eyes.
A hand held his.
Soft—but unshakable.
He looked up.
A girl stood before him.
Crimson lehenga. Mehndi tracing her fingers. Calm… commanding presence.
The world around them—
Gone.
No throne.
No warriors.
Only clouds.
Soft. Endless. Pink.
Vikram blinked.
"…Wait—"
The girl smirked.
Leaning closer.
"The trial is complete."
Recognition hit him.
"…Lavya?"
Her grip tightened slightly.
"You faced fear," she said calmly.
"And chose to stand your ground."
Her eyes met his.
"And so… by the will of the Heavenly Queens…"
A faint glow surrounded them.
"You have passed."
Silence.
Then—
"HEY!?"
Vikram yanked his hand back.
"You're one of the Queens!?"
Lavya laughed.
Bright. Teasing.
"Wow. You finally figured it out."
She spun lightly.
"Ever wondered why only one person was talking to you this whole time?"
Vikram dropped onto the cloud with a loud sigh.
"…I hate this place."
He stared up at the sky.
"At least I don't have to run anymore."
After a moment, he looked back at her.
"So… what's your deal?"
His tone softened.
"Why me?"
A luxurious chair formed behind her.
She sat gracefully.
"I am Lavya."
A pause.
"…or you can call me Power."
Vikram gave her a deadpan look.
"…That killed the ancient vibe."
THWACK.
Her sandal hit his face.
"I'm adapting to modern times!"
Vikram clutched his nose.
"Okay—okay! Fair point!"
He sat up.
"Now let me out."
Power folded her arms.
"I refuse."
"…What?"
He jumped up and grabbed her shoulders again, shaking her.
"Let me out!"
"STOP—!"
She smacked his hands away.
"My hair took thirty minutes!"
A makeup room appeared instantly.
Cloud-like figures rushed in, fixing her hair.
Vikram stared.
"…This place is ridiculous."
The room vanished.
Power sat again, composed.
"If you want to leave… listen carefully."
Vikram sighed.
"…Fine."
She leaned forward slightly.
"After the war of the Mahabharata…"
"Wait—who's Kali?" Vikram interrupted.
Power froze.
Then slowly facepalmed.
"…Unbelievable."
She sighed deeply.
"Kali is a primordial being tied to creation itself."
She snapped her fingers.
The world shifted.
Visions surrounded Vikram.
"A ruler of time," she continued.
"In his era… mana was sealed."
A demon descended in the vision.
Breaking a cow's leg.
Splitting into five.
"Alcohol. Filth. Lust. Gold. Gambling."
Vikram watched, confused.
"…Why split?"
Power explained calmly.
"He begged for survival."
"And was allowed to exist… in those forms."
The vision faded.
Vikram crossed his arms.
"…And this relates to me how?"
Power's eyes locked onto his.
"Because someone… is trying to overthrow him."
Silence.
Vikram frowned.
"Isn't that a good thing?"
Another snap.
The cosmos unfolded.
Fourteen realms.
Light above.
Darkness below.
"If Kali falls too early…" she said quietly,
"…everything ends."
Her voice lowered.
"Even this universe."
Vikram went still.
She lifted a small pawn piece.
And pointed it at him.
"So… long ago…"
"Someone chose a protector."
A faint smile.
"A devil's pawn."
Her gaze sharpened.
"Favored by the gods."
Vikram stared at her.
"…You're joking."
A beat.
"…Me?"