Amritpura Village – Two Weeks Later
The mood in Amritpura had shifted. What was once a quiet, cheerful village now murmured with unease. Every whispered conversation, every worried glance, was about one thing—the Jīvāvana Forest.
In just two weeks, several villagers had vanished. Merchants who usually passed through never returned, and travelers disappeared without a trace. The forest, once a place of life and wonder, now stood as a looming shadow of mystery.
The village chief, seeing the rising fear, finally made a move. He sent word to higher authorities and arranged for a group of professionals—warriors and mystics—to investigate. After all, this was no longer just rumor. Something was undeniably wrong.
Naturally, Teacher Samira volunteered to go along. She wasn't just a teacher with kind eyes and soft robes—she was a practitioner of the ancient path known as Shaktipātha, a master of Devic arts, and possibly the most knowledgeable person in the entire village when it came to spiritual matters.
(Note: I'll reveal the full power system of this world gradually in future chapters. So don't worry, dear reader, the secrets shall unfold one layer at a time, pinky promise.)
The expedition team was quickly formed—eight members in total:
Teacher Samira, the calm pillar of divine wisdom.
Four elite warriors, each with weapons forged by resolve.
Two Shaktipātha users, one man and one woman, their auras humming with balance and clarity.
And lastly… a man draped in black robes, quiet as shadow. He walked the Vīryapātha, a path fueled by ambition and darkness.
Meanwhile, back in her comfy charpai nest, Kaira watched everything. Not with her baby eyes, of course—those were closed in her signature sleep-jutsu pose—but through the eyes of her trusty bird companion: Pikku Mark-7.
Ah yes, her seventh upgrade was a masterpiece. And while Sania still struggled to form even a single wisp of energy, and Rohan's dramatic declarations had no magical effect (other than mild entertainment), Kaira had already absorbed knowledge from the books over energies and book of paths gifted by Teacher Samira. Late at night, when everyone slept, she peeked and read. Every word. Every rune.
✦ The Three Great Paths of Power (As baby Kaira Now Understands Them):
1. Shaktipātha – The Path of Divine Resonance
These practitioners wield Sakti, sacred life energy, to heal wounds, purify darkness, control plants and animals, and create protective blessings. It is a path for the calm, the faithful, the balanced.
2. Balapātha – The Warrior's Path of Strength
These are the fighters who use their stamina and unyielding will to create Bala energy, boosting their strength and endurance to superhuman levels. No magic circles or chants here—only grit, sweat, and determination.
3. Vīryapātha – The Path of the Ashura Flame
This path is… less peaceful. Born from the Asuras, an ancient race of powerful beings who oppose the divine, Vīryapātha users harness dark, destructive energies. Fueled by Rajas (ambition) or Tamas (darkness), they can unleash devastating magic—but it comes with a price. Too much negativity, and it consumes the soul except for ashuras.
While anyone could learn from multiple paths, very few could walk more than one without falling apart. It takes more than talent—it takes harmony. Something very rare.
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Now back to Pikku—because wow, what an upgrade.
Pikku Mark-7 – The Stats So Far:
Speed: Can fly over 400 km/h. Kaira joked it could deliver pizza across kingdoms if needed.
Control Range: A whopping 90 km radius. She could probably spy on three villages at once.
Strength: Equivalent to one-fifth of an elephant. Don't mess with this bird.
Hearing & Vision: Perfect sensory sync. Kaira hears what Pikku hears, sees what Pikku sees.
Storage: Yes, 600 square feet of internal space. It's like a flying closet. Snacks included.
Wing Upgrade: Infused with her energy, Pikku's wings could now slice through thick steel. Just in case, you know, anyone gets funny ideas.
Also, it had stealth features so advanced that not even the sharpest warrior or wisest sage could sense her unless they had divine-level energy perception.
Just kidding anyone with good perception with good control over energy can perceive it .
"Pikku Mark-7," Kaira thought smugly, "you're practically a myth at this point."
With her fluffy body lying innocently on the bed, she directed Pikku to fly above the gathering team. Warriors strapped their weapons. Shaktipātha users whispered chants. The dark-robed Vīryapātha man stood still, his presence sending a ripple through the village's calm air.
Kaira studied them all.
"Let's see what you all find," she murmured internally.
Because this time, she wasn't just watching for fun.
Something in Jīvāvana had awakened.
Something the forest hadn't shown before.
Something deeper.
And if even Teacher Samira was worried, then it meant only one thing:
This wasn't going to be an ordinary investigation.
And Kaira?
Well… she was ready to observe, record, and maybe even intervene—if snacks weren't involved, of course.