Arjanveer woke before dawn, sensing something unusual in the air.
The chhauni was quiet, unusually quiet—not the silence of sleep,but the silence of anticipation.
As he stepped outside, he saw Jathedar Jasraj Singh waiting, flanked by two senior Nihangs. None of them spoke. Their expressions were solemn, almost unreadable.
"Arjanveer Singh," Jasraj Singh finally said,"Your test today is not of strength or knowledge. It is the Trial of the Mirror Lake."
Arjanveer frowned. He had never heard of such a trial.
"Come."
They led him out of the chhauni, deeper into the forest where the morning mist clung to the trees like a living veil. After nearly an hour, they reached a hidden clearing.
At its center lay a small lake—still as glass—its surface so perfectly reflective that the sky and water were indistinguishable.
Arjanveer whispered, "What is this place?"
Baba Fateh Singh replied,"This lake reveals what no shastar, no teacher, no enemy can—your true self."
The Rules of the Trial
Jasraj Singh pointed to the water.
"You must step into the lake until the water reaches your chest.You must remain still.Your reflection will appear—and it will speak to you."
Arjanveer's eyes widened."Speak… to me?"
"Yes," the jathedar said."But not with words from outside.It will speak your inner truth, your hidden fears, your deepest intentions."
Fateh Singh added:
"If you listen with pride—you will fail.If you listen with fear—you will break.If you listen with honesty—you will pass."
No physical trial.No challenge of combat.
A challenge of the soul.
The Descent Into Stillness
Arjanveer stepped into the lake.
The water was cold—so cold it felt like a shock to his heart—but he kept moving until he was waist-deep, then chest-deep.
When the water stilled, he looked down.
At first he saw only his reflection.
And then…
It blinked.
His reflection lifted its head slightly, even though Arjanveer himself did not.
The reflection spoke—not with sound,but with a voice that echoed inside his mind.
"Why do you want this path?"
Arjanveer shivered.This wasn't a question of logic.This was a question of essence.
He answered naturally.
"I want to be strong. To protect."
The reflection's expression darkened.
"Strong for whom? Protect whom?Or do you want power so you never feel weak again?"
The question struck him like a spear.
He felt exposed.As if the world could suddenly see every wound he ever carried.
The Heart's Unveiling
The reflection continued, its voice growing sharper:
"You think you come here for the Guru.But inside you also carry pride… hunger… and fear."
Arjanveer trembled.
"I… I don't deny it."
"Then why walk this path?"
"Because…"His voice cracked."Because I don't want to be ruled by those things anymore."
The reflection tilted its head.
"What do you offer in return?"
Arjanveer took a breath that felt heavier than water.
"My comfort.My ego.My excuses."
The reflection stared for a long moment—then spoke one final sentence:
"Then you are ready to change."
The reflection vanished.The water went still.
The Elders' Decision
Arjanveer walked out of the lake, shivering but calm—not the calm of relief,but the calm of someone who had finally faced himself without running.
The Nihang elders approached.
Jasraj Singh studied him carefully.
"What did you see?"
Arjanveer replied quietly,"My truth."
Fateh Singh nodded, satisfied.
Jasraj Singh placed a firm hand on Arjanveer's shoulder.
"Then today, you have passed a test that many fear even to attempt.The warrior who has seen his own darkness gains the right to chase the light."
Arjanveer bowed deeply.
This moment didn't give him pride.
It gave him purpose.
The elders stepped aside as the sun rose behind the trees, casting golden light across the shimmering lake.
Arjanveer felt… changed.
Not completed.
But awakened.
Tomorrow would bring the next step.
And now—he felt truly ready for it.