The Elemental Resonance Hall buzzed with energy. Students gathered in groups, some murmuring anxiously, others trying to act unfazed. The massive room was a testament to the sect’s grandeur—its domed ceiling adorned with intricate carvings of cosmic cycles, its marble floor reflecting the soft glow of sunlight filtering through high, arched windows.

In the center stood the five Elemental Pillars, each radiating a distinct energy: earthy calm, watery fluidity, fiery intensity, airy lightness, and the vast stillness of space.

Master Varunesh walked to the front, his steps slow and deliberate. He carried an air of authority, his deep brown robes trimmed with gold reflecting his connection to the Earth element. His voice, rich and measured, silenced the chatter almost immediately.

“Disciples,” he began, scanning the crowd. “The Elemental Pillars do not judge. They do not reward or punish. They reveal. Today, each of you will discover which aspect of the cosmic order aligns with your soul.”

He gestured toward the pillars. “The elements—Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Space—are not mere forces. They are the fabric of existence. To awaken your Prana is to understand your place within this vast, interconnected web.”

“Wow, no pressure, huh?” Dhiran muttered, nudging Arav.

“Yeah, just find your place in the cosmic web,” Arav replied dryly. “Simple.”

Behind them, a group of girls giggled nervously.

“What if I get Fire?” one whispered. “My mother always said I had a temper.”

“At least Fire is cool,” another replied. “Imagine getting Earth. You’d just be… solid.”

Arav tried to focus, but the nervous energy in the room was infectious. He glanced at Dhiran and Buddhi, both looking more curious than anxious. Do they even feel pressure? Or is it just me?

Varunesh called the first student forward. A wiry boy approached the Earth Pillar, his steps tentative. He placed his hands on the cool stone surface, and a green glow began to spread, gentle and steady.

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“Prithvi,” Varunesh announced. “Grounded and steadfast, a foundation for others to lean on.”

The boy stepped back, relief flooding his face.

One by one, students approached the pillars. A girl with a serene expression caused the Water Pillar to ripple with blue light. Another, fiery and impatient, brought forth red flames. Each announcement came with a brief explanation from Varunesh, who described the qualities of each element with a mix of authority and admiration.

When Arav’s name was called, he felt his stomach twist. Dhiran patted his shoulder. “Go on. Just touch the thing. What’s the worst that could happen?”

“Don’t jinx it,” Buddhi muttered.

The walk to the pillar felt like a lifetime. Arav placed his hands on its surface, cold and smooth. He closed his eyes, trying to focus.

Memories came rushing back—his village engulfed in flames, his father’s determined face, his mother’s scream, his sister’s laughter fading into silence. The Ashura’s monstrous roar. The blinding rage that had consumed him.

His breathing quickened. Why now? Why can’t I just let it go?

“Calm your mind,” Varunesh said, his voice cutting through the chaos. “The elements are not outside you—they are within. Look past the pain. Beyond the chaos lies clarity.”

Arav tried to push the memories aside, but they clung to him like shadows.

The Ashura took everything. What’s the point of balance, of harmony, when the world is so cruel?

Varunesh’s voice softened. “Do you see the cycles, Arav? The divine manifests itself by veiling, unveiling, and revealing. Destruction and creation are not opposites—they are two sides of the same truth.

The pillar beneath his hands began to hum, a deep, resonant vibration. A swirl of colors appeared—gold, blue, red, green, and violet, shifting and blending like the dawn sky.

The hall fell silent.

“Aakasha,” Varunesh said after a pause, his voice filled with awe. “The element of Space. The void that connects all things.”

Arav stepped back, his hands trembling. Whispers erupted around him.

“Aakasha? Isn’t that super rare?”

“Isn’t that the hardest to master?”

“He doesn’t even look like the type for Space.”

Dhiran and Buddhi rushed to his side.

“Well, that was dramatic,” Dhiran said, grinning. “Couldn’t have just gone for Earth, huh?”

Buddhi frowned. “Space is no joke, Arav. You’ve got your work cut out for you.”

Arav nodded vaguely, his mind still racing. The void that connects all things. What does that even mean?

Varunesh’s voice broke through his thoughts. “Arav, Aakasha is not merely an element—it is a responsibility. To understand it, you must understand yourself. And to understand yourself, you must walk the path of Dharma.”

As the next student was called forward, Arav moved back to his friends, his thoughts churning. Why me? What’s expected of someone who resonates with Aakasha?

He looked at the swirling colors on the pillar one last time, feeling both humbled and daunted