The Goddess Ganga looked at Rudra silently, their gaze filled with quiet curiosity.
They then turned their eyes toward Nandi Ji, as if asking without words whether this human was the one. Nandi Ji responded with a slight nod.
Intrigued by the mortal before them, the Goddess decided to speak, wishing to judge his nature for themselves.
They spread their hands slightly and asked,
"So, human child, what do you think of the beautiful environment around you?"
Their voice was soothing to hear, yet it carried a cold distance unlike anyone Rudra had spoken to before. It felt as though they were speaking to him simply because it was necessary.
Rudra looked around, momentarily forgetting the presence of the Goddess.
Five massive waterfalls poured endlessly into the lake. There was no visible end to them, as if they descended directly from the heavens. Towering trees surrounded the area, dwarfing even Nandi Ji, who stood nearly eight feet tall. Lush foliage covered the land, and flowers lined the lake's edge, making one wonder if this was the paradise spoken of in ancient myths.
Hearing the Goddess again, Rudra came out of his daze and answered honestly.
"Yes, Goddess. I truly appreciate this beauty of nature. It is soothing to the eyes and to every other sense as well."
The Goddess smiled faintly.
"Indeed. Such beauty cannot be experienced in the mortal world. I understand why you were mesmerized," they said, then added teasingly,
"But you should pay attention to your surroundings. There is also a Goddess standing before you. Am I not beautiful and charming enough to draw your focus away from the scenery?"
Rudra was momentarily stunned. The Goddess's playful tone caught him off guard.
Shaking his head lightly, he replied,
"No, ma'am. If you think about it, aren't you and this lake one and the same? I was simply awestruck by your beauty."
At his response, both the Goddess and Nandi Ji were momentarily speechless.
Then laughter rang out.
"Ha ha ha ha," the Goddess laughed openly as they stepped out of the water and stood before Rudra.
For the first time, they examined him seriously, their gaze moving over him slowly. Then they placed a hand on his head.
"You are interesting, child," they said.
"Not only are you the first human to visit Kailash in millennia, but your answer was something I did not account for."
Rudra felt flattered.
Just then, a familiar voice spoke from behind him.
"Sister, what did I say? Isn't he an interesting child?"
"That is why we decided to train him for his upcoming journey. What do you say, are you in?"
"Yes," another voice added warmly.
"You can count me in as well. Let me help this child in whatever way I can."
Rudra turned.
Standing there was Goddess Parvati.
Both Rudra and Nandi Ji bowed deeply in respect.
Goddess Parvati nodded gently and walked toward Goddess Ganga. Seeing this, Nandi Ji placed a hand on Rudra's shoulder and guided him away.
And just like that, their walk continued, stretching into the distance with no destination in mind, their conversation flowing as naturally as the sacred land around them.