Chapter 22: The Elder’s Secret

Yagya returned to the village of Nagari, his mind still buzzing with the ancient knowledge he had gained from the Vedic Verses. His heart was full of both excitement and confusion—he knew the power the verses could grant him, but the warning that came with them lingered in his thoughts. The balance of power and wisdom, creation and destruction—these were not concepts he could afford to ignore.As Yagya crossed the village, he saw Dhania waiting for him outside her hut, her old eyes watching him with a knowing gaze. There was something about her expression, as though she had been expecting him to return with more than just tales of the temple."You've found something, haven't you?" she asked as he approached.Yagya hesitated. "Yes, I've seen the Vedic Verses, Dhania. But there's more to them than just knowledge. There's a warning."Dhania sighed softly, her face clouded with concern. "The Vedic Verses are not mere hymns. They contain the essence of the universe itself, the balance of creation and destruction. It is said that only those who can master that balance are worthy of wielding the knowledge they contain."Yagya nodded, the weight of her words sinking in. He felt the burden of his newfound power pressing down on him. "I can feel the power, but I don't know how to control it yet. The verses speak of great dangers."Dhania motioned for Yagya to sit beside her on a worn wooden bench. She stared out at the horizon, the sunlight casting long shadows as dusk approached. After a moment of silence, she spoke in a low, quiet voice."There is something you need to know, Yagya," she began, her tone more serious than ever before. "Something I've kept hidden for many years. It is time you learned the truth about this village… and about me."Yagya's heart skipped a beat. He had always sensed that Dhania was more than just an old woman living in a quiet village, but he had never pressed her about her past. Now, he could feel that whatever she was about to reveal would change everything."You see," Dhania continued, "I was once more than just an elder of Nagari. Long ago, I was a guardian—a keeper of sacred knowledge. The knowledge of the Vedic Verses has been passed down in my family for generations. We were tasked with protecting that knowledge from those who would abuse it."Yagya's eyes widened in shock. "A guardian? You knew about the verses all along?"Dhania nodded. "Yes. I knew. But I didn't tell you earlier because I wasn't sure you were ready to hear the truth. You are no ordinary boy, Yagya. From the moment you arrived in this village, I sensed something different about you. The fire that burns within you is not the fire of a mere mortal."Yagya felt a chill run down his spine. "What do you mean? Do you know who I am?"Dhania looked at him, her gaze piercing and intense. "I don't know the details of your past, but I know that you are connected to something far greater than you realize. The power you possess… it is not just elemental. It is divine. The Vedic Verses called to you because you are meant to wield that power, but only if you can master it."Yagya's mind raced. The awakening of Agni, the divine fire within him, had been the first sign that he was more than just a boy from a poor village. But now, with Dhania's revelation, the pieces were starting to come together. The power he wielded was tied to his past life as Yama, the Dark Lord of Heaven, but that past had been sealed away, and he was only now beginning to rediscover it."There's more," Dhania said, her voice dropping to a near whisper. "The balance between creation and destruction that the Vedic Verses speak of—it is not just an abstract concept. There is a darkness rising, Yagya, one that seeks to unbalance the cosmos. The power you are awakening is part of a much larger conflict, one that has been brewing for centuries."Yagya clenched his fists, his mind racing with questions. "What is this darkness? And why am I connected to it?"Dhania shook her head. "I do not know all the answers, but I do know this: the darkness seeks the destruction of the divine order. It has already infiltrated the mortal realms, and if it is not stopped, it will bring chaos to both the mortal and divine worlds. The Vedic Verses contain the knowledge to stop it, but only if you can unlock their full potential."Yagya stood up, pacing in front of the elder. "And how do I do that? How do I master the verses and stop this darkness?"Dhania reached into the folds of her robes and pulled out a small, ancient scroll. The paper was yellowed with age, and the symbols on it were faded, but Yagya could sense the power emanating from it."This scroll contains the key to unlocking the deeper layers of the Vedic Verses," Dhania said, handing it to him. "But be warned, Yagya—once you begin this journey, there is no turning back. The path ahead will be filled with trials, and you will be tested in ways you cannot yet imagine."Yagya took the scroll, feeling the weight of destiny settle onto his shoulders. He knew that his journey was far from over, but he also knew that he could not turn away from it. The power of the Vedic Verses was his to master, and the fate of both the mortal and divine realms now rested on his ability to do so."I'm ready," he said, his voice filled with determination. "I will master the verses, and I will stop this darkness."Dhania smiled faintly, though her eyes were filled with sorrow. "I hope so, Yagya. For all our sakes."As Yagya turned to leave, the weight of the scroll in his hands, he couldn't help but wonder what secrets the ancient verses still held—and what other revelations lay hidden in the elder's past.