The sight was dreamlike, yet even dreams could not conjure such a vision.
Virat made a cut on his palm, and as his warm blood fell onto the dagger, the weapon was bathed in energy. Red, blue, and purple energy flowed into his hand, healing the wound on his palm.
Behind him, Lekhaam was smiling.
Virat placed his dagger on the red stone and took a deep breath, preparing to strike. But just as the dagger's energy touched the stone, cracks began to appear in the red rock, and it started to glow even brighter with a red light.
The dagger remained in Virat's hand. He slowly retreated, not out of fear, but sheer astonishment, because the stone they considered unbreakable was now cracking merely at the touch of the dagger.
A faint red bolt of lightning shot out, then quickly ascended into the sky. Lekhaam was also in disbelief. Suddenly, an explosive red ray went straight up into the sky, blinding the eyes with its brilliance, and the red stone shattered like an explosive device. A fierce red light engulfed the entire atmosphere.
Dust was flying everywhere, and black smoke filled the air. Lekhaam had erected his barrier in time, which saved both of them from harm.
Virat quickly rushed toward where the stone had been and wiped the dust from his eyes. He saw a shining key lying there. The key's luster was not as intense as the stone's, but when Virat saw it, he knelt down and took a deep, shaky breath. Slowly, he extended his hands toward the key. His fingers touched it with great caution, and then his index finger and thumb carefully lifted it. It was as if tears were welling up in his eyes."
He looked at Lekhaam and said, "We did it."
"Yes, we did it," Lekhaam replied.
Happiness sparkled in both their eyes.
They had finally found what they had been searching for all these days.
They were both laughing.
Suddenly, Virat stopped. A thought struck him, and he said, "Master, can you teach me magic?" Saying this, he knelt down.
"What happened to you all of a sudden?" Lekhaam asked.
"Without this dagger, I'm not strong enough to fight even a mere monster. I can't figure out how I'm going to fight that powerful Katraj. He's invincible! Even the dagger has no effect on him. How will I defeat him? And who knows what dangers await in the next dimensions? Please, I beg you, teach me magic."
Lekhaam smiled gently, a slight worry expressed in his countenance. He moved a little closer, helped Virat up, and said,
"Why do you want to learn magic, after all? You possess a power greater than any magic, greater than any physical strength. This weapon in your hand was not meant to kill Katraj."
"Then what is this weapon for?" Virat asked.
"When you reach the last dimension, this weapon will help you overcome your final obstacle."
"But how does it only glow with my blood?"
"There are some questions even I don't have the answers to. You must find all this out for yourself. Remember, I was merely the charioteer, meant to take you to the gate of this dimension. Now that you are completely ready and possess the most powerful weapon in this creation, you will surely be victorious. And remember, you don't need to seek magical powers and strength you are the power itself.
There is no one greater than you in this universe.
Just remember this: whenever you feel like you might lose, remember you are the Supreme.
You are far greater than the abilities of both me and Katraj, so have no fear.
Now the time has come for your departure."
Saying this, he manifested a large chariot. The chariot was golden in color.
Virat was astonished when he saw it, as the chariot had neither wheels nor horses. It was simply a chariot resting upon a golden swan, which had massive wings.
Above the carriage was a large canopy, supported by four huge pillars.
The chariot was adorned with golden carvings, depicting a scene of war.
What is all this?" Virat asked, gazing in awe at the chariot's grandeur.
"This chariot is thousands of years old," Lekhaam replied. "Since the day it was built, no other like it has been made, nor will one ever be made. Now, come, step aboard. The journey is long, and we must reach our destination quickly."
Lekhaam climbed onto the chariot.
Virat did the same.
Lekhaam chanted a mantra. A light blue glow appeared with letters from an ancient language. Lekhaam touched a few words, and the chariot rose into the air. It picked up speed, soaring higher and higher until it reached the clouds in the sky, then sped forward.
When Virat looked down, he saw clouds. After watching for a while, he saw the deep blue ocean.
He was so high up that large islands looked like tiny ants from above. He looked closely and noticed one large island shaped like a rabbit. Another was a long island, like a sword without its tip, surrounded by the vast sea.
"We are about to arrive. Pay attention; there will be a jolt when the chariot descends," Lekhaam warned.
"Alright," Virat replied.
Moments later, the chariot dropped below the clouds and descended rapidly. The chariot gave a sudden, sharp jolt.
As the chariot was descending, Virat looked out and saw a colossal gate—a truly massive gate—surrounded by desolation. No one was there. The gate seemed to touch the sky, and dark clouds gathered around it.
The weather was foul; the sky was filled with black clouds, and lightning was flashing. The ground below was completely barren.
The chariot came very close to the gate and descended quickly, parallel to it.
Virat stared at it. Its magnificence surpassed that of any mountain; perhaps no mountain could be so high, he thought. Although the chariot was descending from a great height, he kept looking upwards from inside.
There was a strange excitement in his eyes.
When the chariot reached a lower altitude, it slowed down considerably and gently settled on the ground.
Virat was staring at its grandeur, his mouth open.
Lekhaam looked at him and said,
"Beyond that gate are sights even more wondrous, beyond your imagination."
He then leaned on Virat's shoulder and stepped down from the chariot.
The sight was heart-stopping.
Lekhaam warned that it would be unwise to touch the gate, as it was protected by an extremely powerful mantra. This was, in fact, the very gate that had claimed the Emperor's life in an attempt to breach it.
The gate was a deep grey, featuring two colossal, raised heads that looked somewhat like the faces of two soldiers. The gate ascended all the way to the clouds, making it impossible for Virat to see its entire structure.
Handing the key to Virat, Lekhaam said, "Go on, this is your task."
Virat took the key. He looked up at the gigantic, imposing doorway and asked, "But where is the keyhole for this lock?"
"Just reach out your hand; the keyhole will reveal itself," Lekhaam instructed.
Virat followed Lekhaam's instruction and reached out into the air. As soon as he did, a small, stone-like object appeared before him. From a distance, it seemed like a mere stone, but as it came closer, he saw that it contained a slot.
Virat expressed his surprise and inserted the key into the slot.
As the key was turned, a light slowly began to emanate from the partition line of the colossal gate. In moments, the light became intensely bright.
The enormous door started to open inward, grinding loudly. The screech of metal on metal was so piercing that it visibly pained both of them, judging by the expressions on their faces.
Virat watched the gate yield, a multitude of emotions gripping his mind. His heart trembled, and his pulse quickened. Though he had exerted no physical effort, his breath came in gasps.
The gate finally swung fully open. He peered inside, trying to discern something, but saw only darkness. Yet, it felt like something was there, obscured from view.
"You should go. Time is running out," Lekhaam urged.
Virat turned to Lekhaam, his voice tinged with surprise, "Aren't you coming with me?"
Lekhaam took a deep breath and replied, "Virat, I can only accompany you this far. Whatever happens next, you must rely on yourself."
"But why can't you come?" Virat pressed.
"This multi-dimensional journey of yours—I do not possess the capacity for it, only you do," Lekhaam explained.
"What are you saying?"
"I told you that you possess a power that no one else does. It is in your very nature to be this way."
"But how is it possible that I can do all of this?" he asked, a blend of curiosity and astonishment in his voice.
"Be patient. All of your questions will be answered."
"Who will answer all these questions?" he demanded loudly.
"The universe itself will provide the answers when the time is right. To receive those answers, you must complete this journey now. You must fulfill your divine purpose."
Just then, a sharp sound cut through the air—the sound of the gate beginning to close.
"Go! The door is closing! You must hurry! The fate of this world rests on your shoulders!"
"Very well," Virat accepted.
He took two steps, then quickly turned back and embraced Lekhaam tightly. For a moment, there was silence.
Lekhaam smiled and hugged him back, then said tenderly, "Now go. The door is closing."
Virat released his grip, touched Lekhaam's feet, and asked, "Give me your blessing."
Lekhaam looked at him in surprise, a wave of maternal affection welling up inside. He paused for a moment and then declared, "Be victorious!" (Vijayi Bhava)
"Now go," Lekhaam repeated, his eyes glistening with faint tears.
Virat ran toward the gate, snatching the key out of the stone as he went.
Virat swiftly crossed the threshold of the closing gate. Although it was shutting slowly, it was so immense that by the time he cleared it, it had closed completely. He had passed through, but found himself encircled by a vast cave. He looked around, searching, but saw no sign of the door. Astonished, he wondered, "Where on earth did the gate disappear?"
He opened his clenched fist—the key was nowhere to be seen.
Shocked, he whispered, "But I had the key, didn't I?" It was then he realized that this journey was far more complicated than he had imagined.
He let out a deep sigh of frustration. Lifting his head and gaze upward, he observed the immense height of the cave. He saw large, angular, and sharp rocks descending from the cavern ceiling. All he could hear was the echoing sound of his own breathing, and now his sole thought was: How do I escape this cave?