章節 12: Chapter 12: The First Task
Three years have passed since we first arrived at the Brahmastra Society, and now, at 13 years old, we're not the same kids who fumbled around, barely knowing how to harness our Astras.
We've trained hard, struggled even harder, and come out the other side with strength and power beyond anything we thought possible. Our training has made us stronger, faster, and sharper—both in mind and body.
Our little group is now known throughout the Society for our talent and strength. We've sparred with students much older than us, and we can now easily hold our own in a one-on-one fight with a normal 5th-year student.
That's no small feat—some of those guys have been here for five years, mastering their Astras and weapons. But now, our progress has put us at their level, if not above it.
On a new morning, Guru Vishran gathered the entire class and gave us our first real task. It sounds deceptively simple: a three-day trek into the forest to gather herbs.
Each group would consist of five members, and we'd be given maps, basic supplies, and equipment and we had to be given diffrent route but same destination.
At first glance, it seems too easy for what we're capable of, especially after three years of intense training.
"Just gathering herbs?" Indra scoffed when we first heard about the task. "This feels like something they'd ask us to do when we first got here. Not after three years of training."
Amrita, ever the practical one, smirked. "There's got to be a catch. It's never as simple as it seems. They probably want to see how we handle ourselves in the wild, or maybe they're testing our teamwork."
I nodded, my mind already racing through possibilities. "They've got Astras at their disposal, and they're sending us to pick herbs? Something's not right. Maybe they're testing how we use our Astras outside the environment of the Society."
Dev was silent, leaning on his trident, flames flickering softly at his fingertips. Finally, he spoke, "Whatever it is, we'll handle it. We've been preparing for this for three years. It's not like we can't handle some animals."
There was a shared understanding between us that day—the Ashram doesn't assign tasks without a reason.
This trek would be more than it appeared, and we needed to be ready for anything. A few years ago, we would have been worried or anxious. Now, we're confident, but there's still a lingering sense of danger.
As we prepare for the task, I can't help but reflect on my progress with Garudastra. It's hard to believe how far I've come since that first, awkward flight attempt. The memory of the first time I summoned my golden wings is still fresh in my mind.
These wings weren't just wings—they were the symbol of my increasing power.
I remember standing in front of the mirror, completely mesmerized. My wings were an exact replica of Garuda Dev's wings from my vision.
Every feather glowed with a soft, ethereal light, covered in intricate runes that pulsed with energy. It was like looking at a piece of divine art.
But flying with them? That was a different story.
I was overconfident at first, flapping my wings like I knew what I was doing. It wasn't long before I found myself crashing into the ground.
Again And again.
It wasn't pretty. But even in those brief moments when I was airborne—those fleeting seconds of gliding—it felt like the most freeing experience of my life.
Those 10-second glides were enough to keep me coming back for more, and with each attempt, I got a little better. As every human has once dream's of flying and the when the sensation came true, it was mind boggling.
The wind rushing against your face, the earth shrinking beneath you as you soar higher, and the exhilarating freedom of controlling every movement in the air—there's nothing quite like it. It's more than just flying.
It's an overwhelming sense of liberation, a feeling so intoxicating that once you've tasted it, you're hooked.
Those fleeting moments of gliding in one direction weren't enough—I craved more, to twist and turn, to dive and rise at will. And after countless attempts, I finally did it. I was no longer just gliding—I was flying, truly flying.
After that, I spent months trying to master my wings. I glided, crashed, got up, and tried again. Slowly but surely, I began to get the hang of it. Now, I can fly for about a minute before my aura pool depletes.
That's the frustrating part—my aura. Every flap of my wings pulls from that limited pool of energy, and once it's depleted, it feels like I'm a puppet with its strings cut.
But for those precious 60 seconds, I'm soaring through the air, untethered and free, just like Garuda Dev himself. My wings are no longer an awkward addition to my body; they're a part of me.
The sensation of flying is indescribable. The wind rushing past me, the weightlessness, the view from above—it's like the entire world stretches out beneath me, bowing to the power of flight. It's exhilarating, addictive even.
But the moment my aura drains, I plummet back to the ground, completely spent, every muscle aching from the effort of staying aloft.
But, the sensation of flying, even for a minute, makes it all worth it. There's nothing like it—soaring above the ground, feeling the wind rush past you, and knowing that for those brief moments, you're free.
While I've been mastering my wings, my friends have also been honing their powers. Dev's Agniastra has grown into something truly terrifying.
He can now summon multiple fire orbs, each one about the size of a grenade. And trust me, these things pack just as much punch. He can throw them around like they're toys, setting targets ablaze with pinpoint accuracy.
But what makes Dev's fire truly terrifying is how he can shape it. His orbs of fire can transform into spears, shields, or even an intricate flame barrier, all depending on what he needs at the moment.
He's practically an artist with his flames, sculpting them to his will. And if that wasn't enough, he can even summon a giant made of fire. The thing only lasts a few minutes, but it's enough to clear out an entire battlefield.
Amrita has been keeping pace with Dev in terms of power. Her Varunastra allows her to summon water orbs just as easily, and she can shape them into devastating whips or even a tidal wave that crashes down on her opponents.
Her movements are fluid, like the water she controls, and her ability to adapt to any situation makes her a dangerous opponent. But it's not just her water-based attacks that are impressive.
Amrita's agility and speed have increased, making her incredibly hard to pin down in a fight. And like Dev, she can summon a giant made of water, a swirling mass of liquid that can crush anything in its path.
She and Dev often spar, and watching their duels is like watching a clash of the elements—fire against water, chaos against control.
Their powers are incredible, but even more impressive is how far they've come in such a short time. Watching them fight now is like watching two titans clash, each one pushing the other to become stronger. It's honestly awe-inspiring—and a little intimidating.
Indra, meanwhile, has become one of the most formidable warriors in the Society. His sword Vajraastra, is indestructible, capable of withstanding bullets, explosions, and even Dev's fire attacks.
The first time we saw him do it, we were all speechless. And that's not even the most dangerous part of his weapon.
His sword crackles with electricity, and he's learned to channel that lightning into devastating attacks. He can zap an opponent from a distance, or channel the lightning through his sword for close-range strikes.
His attacks are precise and lethal, and with the combination of long-range and close-range abilities, he's become a force to be reckoned with.
He's gotten cocky about it too, always showing off his sword's indestructibility. But I can't blame him. The guy can literally slice through steel with a blade made of bones and electricity.
It's both terrifying and awesome. And despite his bravado, Indra's a lot more skilled than he lets on. His control over his Astra has grown, and it's clear that he's becoming one of the strongest in our class.
It's almost funny how far we've come since those early days. Back then, we were just trying to figure out how to control our powers without accidentally hurting ourselves.
Now, we're some of the strongest students in the entire Society, and our progress hasn't gone unnoticed.
Surprisingly, it's not just our combat skills that have flourished—we've excelled academically too, something none of us really expected.
Over the past three years, we've covered the equivalent of a mid high school education. At first, the idea of balancing intense physical training with academic work seemed impossible.
I remember thinking, "How are we supposed to find the time to study when we're barely keeping up with combat drills and Astra training?" But it turns out, the awakening of our Astras didn't just enhance our bodies—it sharpened our minds as well.
Our memory and cognitive abilities have improved so much that it feels like we're absorbing information faster than we ever could before.
Concepts that would have taken us days to learn now come naturally, like our brains have been rewired to function at a higher level.
It's not just about memorizing facts, either—our ability to problem-solve, think critically, and understand complex ideas has grown exponentially.
It's as if the Astras have unlocked some hidden potential in us, allowing us to balance the demands of both combat and academics without missing a beat.
This dual focus—on both the mind and body—has made our days at the Ashram incredibly busy.
We go from martial training and Astra practice to classrooms filled with books and scrolls, where we study everything from the history of the Astras to advanced mathematics.
It's grueling at times, but somehow, we manage to keep up. And as much as we love the thrill of battle, there's something satisfying in studying too.
Now, we're at a point where we have to start thinking about the future—about what we want to specialize in once we leave the Ashram. It's a strange thought, really.
After all the combat training and Astra mastery, we're being asked to choose a profession, to decide what role we want to play in the world beyond these walls.
Some of us are leaning toward strategic roles, maybe as leaders or commanders in the Army.
Others are drawn to more scholarly pursuits, like scientist or archaeologist or being professor or doctor.
It's a lot to think about, and while we're still honing our skills as warriors, the Ashram is preparing us for the world outside—where it's not just about how well we fight.
But that's a decision for later. Right now, we're focused on the task at hand. Three days in the forest, gathering herbs. It sounds too easy for a group of kids who can summon fire giants, fly, and zap enemies with lightning.
But, knowing the Ashram, there's something more going on here. There's always a deeper purpose behind these tasks. Maybe they want to see how we handle ourselves in the wild, how we work as a team, or maybe they're testing our endurance.
Either way, I've learned not to underestimate the Society plans. They will work you into most unexpected ways and you will never know untill they tell you.
Now there was a dilemma of who to choose for 5th member of team. As it is mandatory for group of 5 to be formed so we can't go without 5th member.
"I think we need someone with more defensive capabilities," Dev said, twirling his trident absentmindedly.
"Indra and I can handle the offense. Anuj can provide aerial support and scouting with his wings, and Amrita is versatile enough to adapt to any situation. But we don't have anyone who can defend us if we're attacked."
"Yeah, we're missing someone who can protect the group if things get messy," Amrita added, rolling her water whip around her wrist.
"If we're outnumbered, we'll need a solid defense to regroup or fall back. Otherwise, we'll be too exposed."
I nodded, thinking it through. We'd definitely need someone to hold off threats while we figure out our moves. "Okay, so we need a shield, right? Someone who can literally cover our backs if we're overwhelmed."
Indra, who had been leaning on his lightning sword, tapped the blade thoughtfully. "How about Pooja?" he suggested. "She's got a Shield Astra, right? That could work for defense. Plus, she's good at holding the line."
I raised an eyebrow. "Pooja? I don't know… she's not exactly a team player. I've barely seen her talk to anyone. Are you sure she'd want to join us?"
Dev crossed his arms, thinking. "She might not be the most social person, but that doesn't mean she can't work well with a team. Besides, her Astra is perfect for what we need—a defense to complement our offense."
I glanced at Indra, who was nodding enthusiastically. "Alright, let's ask her. Worst case, she says no. Best case, we've got ourselves a defense."
We found Pooja training by herself at the far end of the grounds, her Shield Astra materialized in front of her. The shield was massive, its surface gleaming with intricate patterns and glowing with a faint aura.
It was like an impenetrable wall, and she moved it with ease, blocking strikes from all directions as if it were weightless.
"Hey, Pooja," Indra called out, walking over with his usual swagger. "Got a minute?"
She turned, her expression unreadable, lowering her shield. "What do you want?"
"As you know We've got a trek coming up," Dev explained, stepping forward. "We need a fifth member, someone who can defend the group while we're out there. You've got the Shield Astra, and we could really use your help."
Pooja narrowed her eyes slightly. "You want me to join your team?"
"Yeah," Amrita chimed in. "Look, we've got offense covered. Dev and Indra can handle most of the attacks, Anuj can scout and provide aerial support, and I can adapt to something unexpected. But we need someone strong on defense."
Pooja crossed her arms, her shield disappearing into thin air as she mulled over the offer. "You know I usually work alone, right? I don't really do the whole 'team' thing."
Indra smiled. "See this is a group task and you can't do it alone, we already have a good team and we just need a good defence. And we've all seen how effective your shield is. With you in the team, we'd have the perfect balance of attack, defense, and support."
For a moment, Pooja was silent, her gaze lingering on each of us as if weighing her options. Then, finally, she sighed. "Fine. I'll join your team. But don't expect me to talk much. I'm here to get the job done, not to make friends."
Indra grinned, clearly pleased. "That's all we need. Your shield will speak louder than words."
Pooja gave him a small, reluctant smile and nodded. "Let's just get this over with."
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