The preta in the bracer wisely stayed silent as the tension between Svetavastra and his cosmic form grew palpable. They had reached this place after flying away from a nearby forest where Manu was left alone. They moved through a narrow, winding passage that cut through the thick forest, climbing the rugged hill ahead. The sun had set behind them, and now only the faint twilight filtered through the dense canopy above.
"What are we doing?" asked cosmic Svetavastra, her tone laced with impatience.
"We are finding the Moonlit Spring," Svetavastra replied, his voice calm but firm. "Our Sacral chakra is imbalanced. That’s why we’re having these emotional outbursts. If we bathe in the pure waters of the spring, it will help stabilize us."
"I don’t have any imbalance," the cosmic form scoffed. "You’re exaggerating everything."
Svetavastra sighed, gripping the cosmic form’s arm tighter as they moved forward. The path ahead became narrower, bordered by jagged rocks covered in thick moss. The forest around them had grown darker, the thick undergrowth and low-hanging branches making every step treacherous. Above, the wind rustled the leaves, casting fleeting shadows that danced in their periphery.
“Legends say that the Moonlit Spring is blessed by the moon god, Chandra himself,” Svetavastra said. "The spring is blessed by the Moon God Chandra. Its waters heal, cleanse, and balance the chakras. But it’s not easy to find, only those pure in heart can find it. Ones with utmost sincerity.”
Cosmic Svetavastra chuckled softly, her eyes gleaming in the dim light. "Sincerity? You think I lack sincerity? Or perhaps you're worried you won’t be deemed pure enough to access it."
"I can’t risk your cosmic powers going out of control, especially now that you have one of the four divine weapons,” Svetavastra said, choosing not to rise to her bait. "The destruction it can cause is beyond comprehension.”
"Do you see me being out of control?" The cosmic form raised an eyebrow, amused. "Your emotions are the ones spiralling. I was only trying to make you face them."
They reached a sharp bend in the trail where massive, twisted roots had broken through the earth, blocking their way. The roots, as thick as tree trunks, formed a tangled barrier that forced them to stop. The air was cooler here, and a faint mist was beginning to roll in from the hill above, swirling around their feet.
"Great," cosmic Svetavastra remarked with a grin. "Do you want me to blast through the rocks? I'm sure the moon god wouldn't mind a little cosmic intervention."
Ignoring her, Svetavastra knelt and inspected the roots. With a few quick gestures, he created a purple spiritual ribbon and flung it toward the gnarled roots. The ribbon glowed faintly, wrapping around the thickest root like a serpent, tightening as he tugged. Slowly, the roots began to shift, creaking and groaning as they gave way, clearing a narrow passage through the barrier.
"You look beautiful in the male skin too," cosmic Svetavastra remarked, crouching next to him and catching his chin between her fingers. Her voice was teasing, but there was something deeper in her eyes. "A pity you hide from your own desires."
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"Irrelevant," Svetavastra muttered, pulling free from her grasp and yanking the ribbon harder. "Don’t try to distract me."
"Of course it matters," cosmic Svetavastra continued, unfazed. "The one whose emotions are all over the place is you. You’ve taken a liking to Manu, and yet you’re conflicted. You want to return to your female form but refuse, all because you’ve convinced yourself it’s just a fleeting emotion."
"Not true," Svetavastra said, his voice tight. "Changing forms requires spiritual energy. I’m conserving it."
Cosmic Svetavastra’s smile widened, her gaze unwavering. "So you do like Manu," she said softly, releasing his chin. "But you won’t act on it. What a pity. You should enjoy the beautiful aspects of life."
"The world is in chaos," Svetavastra snapped, frustration bubbling to the surface. "Besides, Manu is a mortal. What’s the point?"
"Manu being mortal makes it all the more worthwhile," the cosmic form mused, her voice soft but probing. "Humans have such short lives. Why not spend what little time you have with him in a meaningful way?"
Svetavastra clenched his jaw and stood, stepping through the newly cleared passage. "I don’t want to force Manu to feel or do anything he doesn’t want to," he said, ending the conversation abruptly as he resumed walking, dragging the cosmic form behind him.
The mist thickened as they moved higher up the hill, swirling around them like a shroud. The forest floor became more treacherous, slick with dew and scattered with loose rocks. As they climbed, the path narrowed into a ledge that hugged the hillside. The air grew thinner, and the sound of distant water became audible, faint but rhythmic, drawing them closer to the spring.
"We can’t afford you losing control," Svetavastra muttered, bringing the conversation back to the cosmic form’s earlier outburst.
"I’m telling you again," cosmic Svetavastra said, her patience exaggerated, "I’m a god. I’m perfectly in control of myself. Why don’t you see how I handled the Kailashan incident?"
She extracted a shimmering golden memory bubble from her forehead, holding it delicately in her palm before offering it to Svetavastra. The orb pulsed softly.
Svetavastra took it, and at once, he was transported into the memory. He saw the cosmic Svetavastra as a radiant golden butterfly, fluttering in front of the head monk Vrishaketu.
“Vrishaketu,” said the cosmic form. “It’s commendable that you and your monks are fighting dark forces even at the cost of your own lives. But this is not the time to lose your lives in vain. Survive so that you can fight against these forces on a more even ground. I will protect you and your monks for the time being.”
Svetavastra’s vision shifted to the astral projection of the divine sword—an imposing yet ethereal weapon hovering before the hidden entrance protecting the monks from any demons from approaching them.
Snapping back to the present, Svetavastra frowned. "Where’s the sword?" he asked, his tone demanding.
Cosmic Svetavastra brought forth the sword in response, its shimmering form appearing before her, hovering in the air, radiating with all the glory of the cosmos. As Svetavastra reached for the sword, his fingertips brushed the glowing hilt. Immediately, a pulse of energy surged through him, his hand trembling as the immense power of the divine weapon crackled to life. For a brief moment, the sword’s energy flowed into him, sending sparks through the air, illuminating the surrounding mist.
But before he could grasp it fully, the cosmic form intervened. With a single thought, the sword vanished into nothingness, the lingering energy dissipating in a shower of celestial light.
"I need the sword," Svetavastra said, his voice hard with frustration.
Cosmic Svetavastra smiled mischievously, her eyes gleaming. "If Manu himself expresses interest, would you give him a chance?" she asked, her voice sweet but layered with challenge.
Svetavastra’s expression darkened. "Give me the sword."
"Answer me first," the cosmic form pressed, her smile widening as they both stood at the edge of the mystical Moonlit Spring, its silver waters glowing softly under the light of the rising moon.