A month had passed since Anuj, Indra, Amrita, and Dev had solidified their friendship. They had spent their days training, improving and sharing moments of laughter.
The bond they had formed was strong, and it gave them a sense of belonging in the vast mysterious world of the Brahman Society.
On this particular morning, the four of them gathered in the courtyard.
Today was different—today, they would be attending a special lecture together, something that didn't happen often outside of their martial arts training.
The air was filled with a sense of anticipation as they thought about what the lesson might be.
"I heard it's going to be about the origin of the Astras," Indra said, his eyes sparkling. "I wonder if they'll finally tell us how the Brahmastra came into being."
Amrita nodded, her usual playful demeanor tempered by genuine interest. "I've been dying to know more about it. We've heard stories and legends, but I want to hear the real history from the Gurus."
Dev, who was often more reserved, couldn't hide his curiosity either. "It's rare for them to gather all the newly awakened students together like this. It must be something important."
Anuj, though equally curious, was nervousness.
They entered the large, circular classroom, its walls painted with ancient murals depicting battles between legendary warriors wielding Astras.
The room was filled with students, all of them newly awakened like Anuj and his friends, their faces reflecting the same mix of excitement and apprehension.
At the center of the room stood Guru Vishran, his presence commanding respect and attention. He waited patiently as the students settled into their seats, the low hum of conversation gradually fading into silence.
Once the room was quiet, he began to speak, his voice resonating with authority.
"Welcome, students, to your first lecture on the origins and nature of the Astras," Guru Vishran began, his gaze sweeping across the room.
"Today, you will learn not only about the powers you now possess but also the history that brings you to these ancient forces. We will start with the creation of the Astras themselves."
The room was silent, every student hanging on his words. Guru Vishran continued, his tone both reverent and solemn.
"In the beginning of kaliyug, the world was a place of chaos, where due to reduction of the aura of gods, the darkness threatened to consume the whole world. The gods, in their wisdom, decided to create powerful artifacts to bring balance to the world to avoid falling it in the hands of the these dark forces—these artifacts became the Astras."
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "Each Astra was imbued with a portion of divine energy, representing the forces of nature, the strength of mythical creatures, and the might of legendary weapons. The Astras were not merely tools of war; they were embodiments of the universe's fundamental powers, entrusted to mortals to protect themselves to the power of darkness."
Anuj felt a shiver run down his spine as Guru Vishran spoke. The idea that the very Astra he wielded was a fragment of divine power and the extent at what this darkness might be that it needs astras to make the world safe made him very scared.
"The first of these Astras," Guru Vishran continued, "was the Brahmastra, the king of astras, with the ability to dominate all astras, created by the god Brahma himself. It was said to be the ultimate weapon, capable of destroying anything in its path, including the world itself if not wielded with the utmost care and wisdom. The Brahmastra was not just a weapon but a force of creation and destruction, a balance between life and death."
Amrita leaned forward, her eyes wide with fascination. "So, the Brahmastra is more than just a weapon" she whispered to herself, as if trying to grasp the enormity of what she was learning.
"Indeed," Guru Vishran affirmed, catching her words. "The Brahmastra is the pinnacle of all Astras, and only those who have attained the third tier of mastery can even hope to control it. It is said that the Brahmastra can only be wielded by one whose heart has intentions clear, for even the slightest miscalculation could bring about unimaginable catastrophe."
Indra exchanged a glance with Anuj, his usual grin replaced by a more serious expression. "I can't even imagine holding something like that," he whispered.
Guru Vishran continued, "But before any of you can even consider such power, you must understand the basics. The first tier of Astra mastery is where every warrior begins. It is here that you will start to build your connection with your Astra, learning to harness its most basic powers."
The Guru walked to a large diagram on the wall, depicting the three tiers of Astra mastery. "In the first tier, you will be able to access only the simplest abilities of your Astra. For those with Animal-type Astras, this may mean enhanced agility, strength, or senses—abilities that mirror those of the mythological creatures your Astra represents."
Anuj thought of his own Garudastra, its ability to grant him flight and keen sight. He had already begun to feel the connection growing stronger, but he knew he was only scratching the surface of what it could do.
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"Those of you with Elemental-type Astras," Guru Vishran continued, "will find that at this stage, you cannot yet summon your elements at will. Instead, you must be near a natural source—whether it be fire, water, earth, or air—to manipulate it. As you progress, this will change, but for now, your control is limited."
Dev nodded slightly, his thoughts no doubt focused on the Agniastra. Anuj wondered how Dev had managed so far, knowing he could only manipulate fire if he was close to it.
The challenge must have been immense, but Dev's serious nature made him well-suited to overcome such obstacles.
"And for those of you with Weapon-type Astras," Guru Vishran said, his gaze moving to Indra, "you will find that your Astra manifests as a weapon with one additional ability, such as unerring accuracy or impenetrable defense. In the first tier, you will learn to wield this weapon and understand its unique properties."
Indra puffed out his chest a bit, clearly proud of his Vajraastra and its lightning-infused power. He nudged Anuj with a grin. "Looks like I'll be the king of the battlefield with this bad boy," he joked, though his excitement was genuine.
Guru Vishran's expression turned more serious. "However, I must remind you all that while the first tier is the foundation, it is also a barrier that many do not overcome. 90% percent of warriors remain in this tier for their entire lives, unable to advance further. It is not because they lack strength, but because they have not truly understood the essence of their Astra."
The room was silent, the weight of his words settling over the students like a heavy blanket. Anuj felt a knot form in his stomach. The path ahead was clearly going to be more difficult than he had imagined.
"The key to advancing beyond the first tier," Guru Vishran said, "is a deep understanding and connection with your Astra. This is not something that can be rushed or forced. It requires patience, reflection, and most importantly, time. You must learn to listen to your Astra, to feel its presence as an extension of yourself."
Amrita raised her hand, her curiosity evident. "Guru, what about the representations of the spirit? How do they manifest?"
Guru Vishran smiled, pleased with her question. "Excellent, Amrita. At the end of the first tier, if you have formed a strong enough bond with your Astra, you will be able to manifest a representation of its spirit. For Animal-type Astras, this might be a spectral form of the mythological creature—such as a ghostly Nandi or Hanuman—fighting alongside you."
The image of a spectral Garuda soaring above him flashed in Anuj's mind, filling him with a mix of awe and anticipation. He remembered vividly the scenes where different Astras were unleashed from the movies, each one leaving a lasting impression on him.
He recalled how the mighty Nandi had been summoned, its immense strength allowing the warrior to lift that big truck and crush enemies with sheer force.
Then there was Vanar Astra. Anuj remembered the scene where the scientist, agile and quick as a monkey, leaped through the buildings, dodging bullets with ease and landing blows with pinpoint accuracy.
"For Elemental-type Astras," Guru Vishran continued, "the manifestation may appear as a giant representation of the element—an enormous wave, a towering flame, or a massive storm. These manifestations are not just for show; they amplify your Astra's abilities, making them far more powerful."
Anuj could see the excitement in Dev's eyes, imagining the potential of Agniastra once he reached that stage. Also he has seen the scene of future so he has the idea of how massive it power could be.
His thoughts then turned to Agni Astra. Anuj remembered the scene where flames erupted all around the island, consuming everything in their path.
And then there was Varun astra the high and mighty waves of the sea capable of flooding the entire cities following Amriti like dogs follow their master it was both terrifying and exciting.
"And for Weapon-type Astras," Guru Vishran concluded, "the manifestation often takes the form of an enlarged or multiplied version of the weapon, capable of striking with greater force or defending with greater resilience. The abilities of the weapon Astra are also projected, allowing you to control the battlefield with precision."
Indra was practically vibrating with energy at the thought. "Imagine wielding a lightning sword the size of a building," he whispered to Anuj. "I'd be unstoppable!"
Kavach Astra was another Astra that left a strong impression on Anuj. He recalled the shimmering, impenetrable red armor that enveloped the sorcess deflecting the fall from a height of 100 feets as well as blocking bullets like twigs.
As the scenes from the movies played out in his mind, Anuj felt a mix of excitement. He knew that the path ahead was difficult, but the thought of one day harnessing the full power of Garudastra—perhaps even summoning the majestic Garuda itself—filled him with power.
Anuj chuckled, though he couldn't deny he was just as excited. The possibilities seemed endless, but he knew it was still the beginning of a long journey.
The first tier was only the start, and they had much to learn before they could reach the heights Guru Vishran was describing.
The lecture continued, with Guru Vishran explaining the nuances of the first tier and the challenges that lay ahead.
He spoke of the discipline required, the mental and physical endurance necessary to withstand the rigorous training, and everything required to become the top in the 1st tier.
They were very important information that will make us reduce our journey of training. It will also make us ready to expect what is needed and what do we want.
"You must remember," he said, "that power is a double-edged sword. It can elevate you to greatness, but it can also lead to your downfall if not handled with care."
As the lecture drew to a close, Guru Vishran's final words resonated deeply with Anuj and his friends.
"In the end, your journey with your Astra is not just about mastering its powers. It is about mastering yourself—understanding your strengths and weaknesses. As everyone is diffrent and the journey of cultivation is yours alone to take, I have just given you advice but you must not hesitate to ignore them if needed."
The students were dismissed, and Anuj, Indra, Amrita, and Dev found themselves outside the classroom, the excitement of the lesson still buzzing through their minds.
They walked together towards the courtyard, each lost in their thoughts.
"That was… intense," Amrita said, breaking the silence. "I mean, we've been training hard, but hearing all that… it makes everything feel so much more real."
Dev nodded, his expression thoughtful. "It's a reminder of how far we have to go. But it also shows us what we can be capable of."
Indra, always the optimist, grinned. "I say we're up to the challenge. Sure, it won't be easy, but nothing worth having, ever is, right?"
Anuj smiled, feeling a renewed sense of vigour. "We'll get there, guys. We've already been selected by our astras and we will succeed "
They walked on, their mind clear and ideas generating inside their little head. The path ahead was uncertain, but with their characters and talent, they knew they could face whatever challenges came their way.
The future was theirs to shape, and they were ready to take the next step.