Chapter 19: The Batteries of the Heavens
Vikram moved through the iron corridors of the Patala Labs like a ghost made of silver light. Meghanada trailed behind, his spirit broken, his eyes fixed on the floor. As they descended deeper, the mechanical grinding of the forge was replaced by a sound far more haunting: a collective, rhythmic chanting of celestial beings in pain.
Vikram skidded to a halt at a massive observation deck. Below him lay the Prana-Siphon Chamber.
[ SYSTEM ANALYSIS ]
Area: The Celestial Battery Core.
Targets: 108 Captured Devas (Minor Deities).
Condition: [Soul-Drained] — Their life-force is being filtered through 'Tamas-Condensers' to power the Palace Shields.
Karmic Value of Rescue: +250,000 Punya (Estimated).
The Devas were suspended in translucent tubes filled with mercury-like liquid. Each tube was connected by glowing tubes to the Pillar of Ahankara in the distance.
"If you free them, the alarms will sound in the ears of every Rakshasa in the city," Meghanada warned, his voice cracking. "My father will send the Nikumbhila guards. You cannot fight a thousand warriors while protecting a hundred weaklings."
The Strategic Compassion
Vikram's Charm (L10-MAX) pulsed. He couldn't ignore the suffering of the Devas; his very nature as a "Sattvic" being demanded action.
"I didn't come here to be safe, Prince," Vikram said. "I came to dismantle the machine."
Vikram entered the Akasha Shop. He needed to free them all at once without triggering the mercury-traps.
[ AKASHA SHOP: EMERGENCY UTILITY ]
Item: Soma-Vrishti (Nectar Rain) Scroll.
Cost: 25,000 Punya.
Effect: Instantly restores 50% Prana to all friendly units in a 100-meter radius and dissolves binding liquids.
"System, purchase and execute."
[ TRANSACTION COMPLETE ]
Current Punya: 100,005.
Vikram crushed the scroll in his hand. A mist of glowing silver light erupted from his palm, seeping through the ventilation grates and raining down upon the tubes. The mercury-liquid began to boil and vanish. The 108 Devas gasped, their eyes snapping open as the Soma hit their parched souls.
The Great Awakening
The tubes shattered simultaneously. 108 radiant beings stepped out, their skin glowing with the pale gold of the heavens.
Hindu Chakra system in the human body
As the Devas regained their strength, the collective Prana in the room skyrocketed. Vikram's Eye of Truth (L8) saw the dark lab suddenly flooded with white light.
"Who has broken our chains?" the eldest Deva asked, looking at the young boy.
"There is no time," Vikram said, his L11 Speed allowing him to move among them, handing them weapons he had scavenged from the laboratory guards. "The Palace Shields are down because your energy is no longer feeding them. Rama's army is about to breach the South Gate. You must fly upward and open the hatch from the inside!"
The Guardian of Ego
Suddenly, the room went cold. A giant shadow manifested in front of the exit—a gargantuan, translucent figure that looked exactly like a sleeping titan. This was the Kumbhakarna-Simulacrum.
[ TARGET IDENTIFIED ]
Name: Kumbhakarna-Simulacrum (Dream-Guard).
Rank: Atirathi (Level 70).
Condition: [Intangible] — Physical attacks (Strength) will pass through him. Mantra attacks (Intellect) are redirected.
"A dream-projection," Meghanada whispered in terror. "It exists between the world of waking and sleep. You cannot touch him, but he can crush your soul."
Vikram looked at the titan. His L11 Strength was useless. His L11 Speed couldn't outrun a dream. He looked at his Karmic System.
"System... if I can't hit him with my fist, I'll hit him with my History."
The Simulacrum is raising its hand to "Delete" the freed Devas. Vikram has 100,005 Punya.
The Karmic Mirror: Spend 100,000 Punya to use [Pratibimba-Mantra], making the Simulacrum fight its own "Paap" instead of you.The Eye of Reality: Use Eye of Truth (L8) to find the "Waking Point"—the single physical object in the lab that acts as the anchor for the dream—and shatter it with L11 Strength.The Charm Overload: Step into the titan's heart and release your MAX Charm, attempting to turn the "Nightmare" into a "Heavenly Dream," effectively peacefuly dissolving the guard.
How will the Hidden Blade bypass the Unstoppable Dream?