A/N

This story is unedited so apologies for grammatical and spelling errors if any.

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Arnica (POV)

It's been a week since, Fiora left I just hope She's doing fine, with that thought I continued with my search

The Queen, her four comrades, and I were fervently seeking a permanent solution to seal the Ebon. We all understood that the Ebon is a source of infinite negative energy, which can only be neutralized by an equal amount of positive energy. Historically, this rare phenomenon was successfully addressed only once during the reign of Queen Ina. She crafted the Maha Astra, an artifact embodying infinite positive energy. The Maha Astra is said to be a synthesis of three crucial elements: the Length of Courage, the Rings of Blessing, and the Drops of Heart.

Over the centuries, many have attempted to decipher this enigma but have met with abject failure. Some even ventured into the treacherous realm of time travel to discover the Maha Astra's secrets, but none ever returned. This only heightened the sense of mystery and danger surrounding the quest, making our task seem even more daunting.

In the historical records, countless events detail the destruction caused by the Ebons, each marked by one or more sacrifices to control their rampant negative energy. These sacrifices often came from the royal family or their quintessential embodiments. However, there was one exceptional era during the reign of Satan king, when a Sage sacrificed his life to control Queen Afna's who transformed into Ebon.

Queen Afna's story is a tragic one, often lost to the annals of time. She was once remembered as gentle, delicate, and beautiful. However, her life took a dark turn under the influence of the Satan King, who corrupted her both inside and out. His malevolence twisted her soul, leading her to embody the very essence of the Ebon. The Sage's sacrifice to contain her negative energy is a tale of profound sorrow and heroism, though it is seldom recounted in the present day.

People have all but forgotten her name and her true nature, remembering only the devastation she caused rather than the grace she once embodied. It's a bittersweet legacy from Queen Afna that we women have risen in our positions. Her tragic transformation became a catalyst for change, prompting men to treat their women with more respect and equality. Yet, the irony remains that she herself became a destroyer. While we do sympathize with her plight and the corruption she suffered, the indiscriminate killing of innocents cannot be justified.

"Samragyi, Samragyi!" One of the comrades called out urgently. We all rushed to him, curious and hopeful.

"Look here," he said, pointing to a piece of parchment. "It's a misplaced page from Queen Ina's manuscript. It details the formation of the Seven Astra to create an effect similar to Maha Astra. But, it's incomplete." His voice held both excitement and frustration.

We gathered around, eyes scanning the ancient text, searching for clues. The page was old and worn, the writing faded but still legible. It spoke of powerful elements, of courage, blessings, and heart—ingredients for the creation of infinite positive energy. Yet, crucial details were missing, leaving us with more questions than answers.

Our hearts pounded with a mix of hope and desperation. This could be the breakthrough we needed, the key to neutralizing the ebon's infinite negative energy. But without the full instructions, we were still stumbling in the dark.

"Where is her manuscript?" Samragyi asked urgently.

"Here," another comrade replied, handing over a bundle of charred papers. Half of her manuscript is burned. Those Satan Kings wanted to eradicate her name and establish a total patriarchal society. Maybe she was aware of it; that's why she divided her book into many sections and hid them in unusual places. Even with magical powers, it's difficult to find them in this huge palace. How can we forget she's the one who gave us the ability to use magic? Maybe she wanted to protect these from those Satanas' hands and help us.

Samragyi took the partially burned manuscript, her fingers tracing the edges of the charred pages. Her eyes reflected a mixture of sorrow and determination. "Queen Ina foresaw this," she murmured. "She knew the danger her knowledge posed to those who sought to oppress and control. By dividing her work and hiding it, she ensured that her legacy and the path to balance would survive, even if only in fragments."

The comrades nodded in agreement, the weight of their task settling over them. The palace, with its labyrinthine corridors and hidden chambers, held the remaining pieces of Queen Ina's wisdom. They would need to search every corner, use every ounce of their magical abilities, and work together to reconstruct the Maha Astra.

"We need to focus," Samragyi said, her voice steady. "We'll search this palace thoroughly. Every hidden nook and cranny must be inspected. Queen Ina's magic is still with us, guiding us. We owe it to her and to ourselves to find the remaining pieces and complete the Maha Astra. It's our only hope to neutralize the ebon and restore balance."

With renewed determination, we split into teams and began our meticulous search, knowing that the fate of our world depended on our success. The echoes of our footsteps and whispered incantations filled the ancient halls as we embarked on our quest, guided by the lingering magic of the queen who had once saved us all.

We searched all the hidden passages and corridors that we were aware of, hoping they might give us a clue, but we found nothing. It's been almost a month of meticulous searching, and we haven't found a single hint of anything. No clues whatsoever. We were all frustrated.

We sat in the Queen's study, thinking hard about where we could find the rest of the instructions. Samragyi slammed her fist on the table in frustration. "We've searched everywhere! How can there be nothing?"

"Let's just gather the material we have on that parchment paper," one of the comrades suggested. We all looked at each other and silently agreed. Samragyi sighed heavily and asked, "Ah... Hmm. So, what do we need for now?"

Marma, one of her four comrades, read from the paper, "A bonsai, an empty container, and a fishbowl with a fish in it. Also, we need a room where sunlight reflects seven times before exiting."

We exchanged puzzled glances, each of us trying to decipher the peculiar list. "A bonsai," Samragyi mused thoughtfully, "That should be relatively straightforward. I have one in my private garden."

"The empty container and the fishbowl with a fish shouldn't pose too much difficulty either," another comrade chimed in optimistically. "But finding a room where sunlight reflects seven times... now that's a challenge."

Silence fell over us as we contemplated. The castle sprawled with its myriad passages and concealed spaces, yet none of us had encountered such a room in our exhaustive searches.

A comrade sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "Queen Ina was a master of concealment. She likely hid the most crucial pieces where we would least expect."

Marma stood up, pacing as she voiced her thoughts. "We must consider Queen Ina's intentions. Why specify such a specific requirement? It must hold significance for the magic we need to invoke."

"Queen Ina's spells and protective enchantments were unparalleled," another comrade added. "What if the clues are hidden not in this realm, but in another? Perhaps in dreams or within the astral plane?" another one addded

The group paused, pondering this new perspective. Daunting yet plausible, considering Queen Ina's extraordinary magical prowess. "Given the multitude of possibilities, how do we pinpoint the right realm or astral plane?" I voiced, voicing our collective uncertainty.

Samragyi nodded thoughtfully, her brow furrowed. "Sunlight reflecting seven times... it's as if we need a prism effect. But where in this castle could such a phenomenon occur?"

Suddenly, a comrade snapped their fingers, a spark of realization in their eyes. "The Hall of Mirrors! It's rarely used, but it's lined with mirrors on every wall. With careful positioning, we might achieve the required reflection pattern."

Excitement rippled through the group as we recognized this breakthrough. "Let's gather the necessary items and convene in the Hall of Mirrors," Samragyi commanded decisively.

We dispersed swiftly to collect the materials. Samragyi retrieved the bonsai from her garden, while others secured an empty container and a fishbowl housing a lively fish. Finally, we assembled in the Hall of Mirrors, a grand room adorned with mirrors of all shapes and sizes.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Collaboratively, we positioned the mirrors, experimenting until sunlight streaming through the windows reflected seven times, creating a mesmerizing interplay of light and shadow.

With everything aligned, we placed the bonsai, container, and fishbowl in the center of the room. As the seventh reflection intersected with the items, a soft, radiant glow enveloped them, unveiling ancient runes on the parchment paper.

Marma read the newly revealed text aloud, "Enter the most radiant astral plane with pure intention. Remember, impure energies will be swiftly purged upon contact."

Relief and satisfaction washed over us. This breakthrough marked our first significant progress in weeks. Samragyi smiled, her eyes gleaming with renewed determination. "We're one step closer. Let's press forward and unearth the remaining secrets."

Later that night, we gathered in a circle, hands clasped, and began the incantations that would transport us into the astral plane. The air shimmered with ethereal energy as we chanted, our spirits gradually detaching from our physical forms.

Stepping into the radiant astral realm through a shimmering veil, we encountered a surreal landscape teeming with vivid colors and shapes defying earthly logic. Guided by an unseen force, we floated onward together.

A faint glow beckoned us, growing brighter as we approached. Before us materialized an ethereal library, its shelves brimming with illuminated books and scrolls.

Samragyi stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "We seek the missing segments of your manuscript, Queen Ina. We must complete the Maha Astra to stabilize the Ebon's flux."

Letters coalesced in the air, forming a response: "The answers lie within you. The manuscripts are guides, but the true power resides in the unity and courage of your hearts." The letters reshaped themselves, directing us to a specific section of the library.

We searched diligently, retrieving the needed manuscript. After paying our respects with a final bow, the letters reformed, imparting a final warning: "Beware, every potent formation demands an equally potent sacrifice." Then, they dispersed.

Empowered by the manuscript's radiant energy, we returned to our bodies, enriched with newfound strength and clarity. Reunited in the physical world, we felt invigorated and more connected than ever.

Armed with Queen Ina's guidance and our unwavering unity, we prepared to face the challenges ahead and forge the Maha Astra to restore balance and confront the Ebon's threat.

Since all the information was now in our heads, we quickly penned it down, each of us holding a different piece of the puzzle. One remarkable aspect of this information was its clarity; we could read it from our minds as if it were a physical book, rather than relying on mere memory. I found this magic fascinating. Queen Ina must be smiling at my excitement—we had never encountered such intricate and vivid magical knowledge before.

There were many aspects we didn't fully understand from our newfound knowledge. The Sept-paaras, for instance, mentioned seven forms of energy, but I was only aware of five. What could the other two be? I pondered this deeply. Another requirement puzzled us: we needed to create Shastra (weapons) using combinations of elements. One weapon required two elements, two more required three elements each, three more needed four elements, and finally, one weapon had to incorporate all five elements combined.

Sitting in the Queen's chamber, we spread out the pieces of parchment, each inscribed with parts of Queen Ina's manuscript and our newly acquired knowledge. "The sept-paaras," Samragyi began, "we need to identify these seven energies first. Without understanding them, we can't proceed."

Marma, who had always been the most knowledgeable about elemental magic, spoke up. "We know the five basic energies: earth, water, fire, air, and space. The other two... they could be more abstract, perhaps related to Mind or time."

"Mind and time," I echoed, "that would make sense. They are powerful forces, often overlooked in traditional elemental studies."

Samragyi nodded. "Let's assume these are the energies we need. Now, about the Shastra—creating them with multiple elements will be challenging. We need to find a way to merge these elements harmoniously."

"Creating a weapon with two elements is feasible," a comrade noted. "But the complexity increases exponentially with each additional element. For the Shastra with all five elements, we will need an extraordinary balance."

We spent hours discussing, theorizing, and jotting down our ideas. The room was filled with a mix of excitement and apprehension. "We'll need to perform several tests," Marma suggested. "Start with the simpler combinations and work our way up."

"Agreed," Samragyi said. "Let's begin with the two-element Shastra. What elements should we combine first?"

"Earth and water," I proposed. "They are complementary and should be easier to merge."

We gathered the required materials: the bonsai and the fishbowl, and began the process. Marma took the lead, channelling her strong elemental magic. Slowly, the earth and water began to merge, forming a rudimentary weapon. It was a simple dagger, its blade made of a crystal-like substance, possessing the solidity of earth and the fluidity of water.

Two-Element Shastra (Dagger)

Elements: Earth and Water

Result: A crystal-like dagger, solid yet fluid.

"Success," Marma said, holding up the dagger. "Now, let's move on to the three-element Shastra."

We continued our work, carefully merging elements and crafting increasingly complex weapons. Each failure disrupted our determination, but we pressed on, driven by the urgency of our mission. The room was filled with a mix of anticipation and frustration as we attempted to combine fire, air, and spirit into the next weapon.

The process was challenging. The elements often resisted each other, creating bursts of energy that forced us to start over. Malay suggested to adjusted our approach. Slowly, we began to see progress. The fire, air, and spirit started to blend, forming a swirling vortex of power.

Finally, a new weapon emerged—a spear, its shaft glowing with the warmth of fire, the lightness of air, and the ethereal quality of spirit. We stared in awe at our creation, a testament to our perseverance and growing mastery of the elements.

First-Three-Element Shastra (Spear)

Elements: Fire, Air, and Spirit

Result: A spear glowing with the warmth of fire, the lightness of air, and the ethereal quality of spirit.

After creating the spear, we were all exhausted. We decided to call it a day and resumed our efforts the next morning, determined but wary of the challenges ahead. Despite facing numerous setbacks and repeated failures, our perseverance finally paid off. We managed to blend one more set of three elements—earth, fire, and water—resulting in another powerful weapon.

As the elements merged, a bow began to materialize. Its string glowed like molten lava, embodying the strength of the earth, the energy of fire, and the fluid grace of water.

Second-Three-Element Shastra (Bow)

Elements: Earth, Fire, and Water

Result: A bow with a string that glowed like molten lava, combining the strength of the earth, the energy of fire, and the fluid grace of water.

The bow was a remarkable creation, a testament to our collective effort and magical prowess. We admired it briefly, our fatigue momentarily forgotten in the face of such a significant achievement.

Exhausted but satisfied, we knew we were making progress. Each successful creation brought us closer to neutralizing the Ebon's malevolent influence. With renewed determination, we pressed on, ready to face the next set of challenges.

Samragyi finally stepped in to oversee the creation of our first four-element Shastra. However, before we could proceed, Ruup, one of the queen's comrades, sensed something amiss about the cave. We immediately rushed to investigate, and what we saw was devastating. It felt as if the ground had slipped from beneath our feet—the Ebon flux had escaped. I gasped in horror, unable to believe my eyes as the reality sank in.

"What are we going to do?" I asked Samragyi, my voice trembling with fear and tears threatening to spill. The shock and disbelief were palpable among all of us.

"Let's return to the palace and focus on completing the Shastra first. It's our only hope," Samragyi declared with resolute determination, her voice cutting through the air with urgency. We all nodded in silent agreement, the gravity of our situation hanging heavy upon us as we hurried back to the safety of the palace walls.

Inside, the atmosphere crackled with tension as Samragyi, undeterred by the failures of the past, threw herself into the task. She meticulously explored countless combinations of elements. After what felt like decades Finally our very first set of Four elements started to combine earth, water, fire, and air, each attempt bringing us closer to our goal. Hours stretched into what felt like an eternity, fatigue weighing on our minds and bodies, yet driven by the importance of our mission.

And then, just as despair threatened to overwhelm us, there it was—a shimmering manifestation of our collective efforts. The Shastra emerged before us, a shield unlike any other we had seen. Its surface glowed with a translucent, multi-colored aura, dancing with hues that seemed to shift and swirl like the elements themselves. This was no ordinary shield; it bore the promise of unparalleled protection, capable of deflecting both physical and magical assaults.

First-Four-Element Shastra (Shield)

Elements: Earth, Water, Fire, and Air

Result: A shield that shimmered with a translucent, multi-colored glow, offering unparalleled protection and the ability to deflect both physical and magical attacks.

As we beheld our creation, a sense of relief washed over us. The shield symbolized not just our perseverance and skill, but also the unity that had brought us this far. It was a testament to Queen Ina's legacy and her teachings, reminding us of the power we possessed when we worked together in harmony.

As we stood there, basking in our accomplishment, a sense of foreboding settled over us. We remembered the warning: "Every potent formation demands an equally potent sacrifice." We knew that our journey was far from over, and the true test of our resolve lay ahead.

The realization dawned on all of us that as we progressed closer to our goal, the challenges ahead would only grow more formidable. Each step forward seemed to amplify the gravity of our mission, heightening the stakes and intensifying our determination.

As we faced the challenges of creating each new Shastra, we understood that the journey ahead would require us to push beyond our limits, to delve deeper into our magical abilities, and to confront our fears

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A/N

Word count:- 3000

Hello, my lovely readers, I hope you all are doing well

Here, is the 31st chapter of my book

I hope you all liked it and have a great day ahead

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bye:)

Until next time

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Date:- 19/06/2024