DHARMA TRIALS: THE SUTRA'S CHOSEN

The cage of golden light and stone trembled under the force of the figure's relentless strikes. Cracks began to spiderweb across the glowing pillars as the dark energy from the figure's sword surged outward. Aryan, panting heavily, dropped to one knee. The strain of maintaining the **Pillars of Dharma** was pushing him to his limit.

Vaanya crouched beside him, her sharp eyes fixed on the shaking cage. "How long do you think you can keep that up?"

"Not… long," Aryan admitted, his voice strained. The golden runes around him flickered. "I didn't even know I could *do* this five minutes ago."

Vaanya glanced at the villagers huddled in the shadows of their homes. The fear on their faces was palpable. "We can't stay here. If he breaks out, the whole village will be destroyed."

Aryan gritted his teeth, the runes around him dimming further. "I can't let that happen."

Vaanya frowned, her mind racing. "There's a way out. The forest. If we lead him there, we'll have more room to fight—and fewer people to worry about."

Aryan looked at her, his face pale but determined. "You want me to *run*?"

"It's called strategy, farm boy," Vaanya snapped. "You're not strong enough to face him head-on. Not yet."

Before Aryan could argue, the armored figure's voice boomed from within the cage.

"Your tricks are nothing before the darkness!"

With a deafening roar, the figure unleashed a wave of dark energy that shattered the **Pillars of Dharma**. Fragments of golden light and stone flew in all directions, forcing Aryan and Vaanya to shield their faces.

The figure stepped out of the ruins of the cage, its armor now pulsing with an eerie black aura. Its hollow, glowing eyes locked onto Aryan.

"Run or fight—it doesn't matter. You cannot escape your fate."

Vaanya grabbed Aryan's arm. "Move! Now!"

---

### **The Forest of Trials**

The pair sprinted toward the forest, the villagers shouting warnings and prayers behind them. The dark figure followed, its heavy footsteps shaking the ground.

As they entered the dense forest, Vaanya led Aryan down a narrow path, her movements swift and precise. The air grew cooler under the canopy of trees, but Aryan's skin still burned from the remnants of the Sutra's power.

"I can't keep running," Aryan panted, stumbling over a root. "He's too fast!"

"Then keep moving until I figure out a plan!" Vaanya snapped, pulling him to his feet.

The sound of trees cracking and falling filled the air as the armored figure cut through the forest like a scythe through grass. It wasn't slowing down.

Vaanya suddenly stopped, her gaze darting to a rocky clearing up ahead. "There. That's where we make our stand."

Aryan hesitated. "You just said I can't fight him—"

"I said you can't fight him *alone*," Vaanya interrupted, turning to face the approaching figure. "But together? We might have a chance."

She stepped forward, the air around her swirling with energy. "Stay close to me and do exactly as I say. No improvising."

Aryan nodded, swallowing his fear. "Got it."

---

### **The Battle Begins**

The armored figure emerged from the trees, its dark aura twisting the air around it. It stopped a few paces away, tilting its head as it regarded the pair.

"So, this is where you make your stand," it said, its voice dripping with disdain. "A pointless gesture."

Vaanya raised her daggers, the swirling wind around her intensifying. "You talk too much."

With a burst of speed, she launched herself at the figure, her daggers slicing through the air. The figure blocked her attacks with its massive sword, the clash of their weapons sending shockwaves through the clearing.

Aryan watched in awe as Vaanya moved like a storm, her strikes fast and relentless. But the figure matched her blow for blow, its dark aura deflecting even her most precise attacks.

"Don't just stand there!" Vaanya shouted. "Use the Sutra!"

Aryan hesitated. "I don't know how!"

"Then figure it out!"

The armored figure, sensing Aryan's uncertainty, swung its sword toward him. Aryan barely managed to dodge, stumbling backward as the blade gouged a deep trench in the ground.

*Focus.* The voice from before echoed in his mind again.

Aryan closed his eyes, trying to block out the chaos around him. He felt the earth beneath his feet, steady and unyielding. The runes from before flickered into existence around him.

"*Vishwakarma Sutra: Bhumi Path—Roots of Restraint!*"

Golden vines erupted from the ground, wrapping around the figure's legs and arms. The figure snarled, struggling against the bindings.

Vaanya smirked, her daggers glowing with wind energy. "Not bad, farm boy. Let's see if this works."

She leaped high into the air, her blades crossing in front of her. "*Vayu Sutra: Gale Strike!*"

A powerful whirlwind surged from her daggers, slamming into the trapped figure. The combined force of wind and the golden vines sent the figure crashing into a nearby boulder.

Aryan's legs buckled, and he fell to his knees, the strain of the Sutra leaving him breathless. "Did… did we get him?"

Vaanya landed beside him, her expression cautious. "Don't count on it."

The dust cleared, revealing the figure standing amidst the rubble, its dark aura now flickering like a dying flame. Its armor was cracked, but it remained upright.

"You've delayed the inevitable," it said, its voice strained but defiant. "But I will return. And when I do, there will be no mercy."

The figure's body began to dissolve into black smoke, which swirled upward and vanished into the sky.

Aryan collapsed onto the ground, his body trembling. "What… what was that thing?"

Vaanya sheathed her daggers, her eyes scanning the forest. "A hunter. Sent by someone—or something—that knows about the Sutra inside you."

Aryan groaned, staring up at the sky. "Great. So now I'm being hunted by creepy armored giants. What else could go wrong?"

Vaanya crossed her arms, a faint smirk on her face. "Plenty. But don't worry—I'm here to make sure you don't die too quickly."

Aryan gave her a tired look. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."

Vaanya extended a hand, helping him to his feet. "Come on, farm boy. This is just the beginning. If you want to survive, we've got work to do."

As they made their way deeper into the forest, Aryan couldn't shake the feeling that his life had changed forever—and that the trials ahead would test him in ways he couldn't yet imagine.

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*To be continued…*