chapter 6: "the weight of truth",

The morning sun bathed Shaktidhara in a golden glow as Jay stepped into the grand chamber where the monks awaited him. Their serene expressions concealed nothing—he knew they had already seen through everything.

"You do not need to explain," Guru Devadatta spoke first, his voice carrying a calm authority. "We already know what happened last evening."

Jay lowered his gaze. He wasn't surprised. The monks of Shaktidhara weren't ordinary men; their spiritual powers allowed them to perceive truths beyond the physical world.

"It is natural to worry," another elder said, observing him keenly. "But you must remember—your mind should be as strong as your body. How is your health?"

Jay hesitated before answering. "I feel fine," he admitted. "Just a little weak."

Guru Devadatta nodded. "Then use this time wisely. Focus on your growth. The path ahead is long, and you must be prepared for it."

Jay bowed and stepped back, his mind restless. He spent the next few days in deep meditation, pushing himself harder than ever, as if searching for an answer within the silence. During the afternoons, he trained the younger disciples in archery, correcting their postures and guiding their focus. But no matter how much he kept himself busy, an unease lingered in his chest.

One evening, after training, he was returning to his chambers when Malya appeared beside him, hands casually tucked behind her head.

"Look at you, acting all serious," she teased, glancing at him sideways. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you're actually enjoying this teacher role."

Jay scoffed. "And if I didn't know better, I'd say you enjoy taking things lightly."

Malya smirked. "I take important things seriously."

Jay sighed, shaking his head. "You shouldn't have spoken to the monks that day."

"They would've known anyway," she shrugged. "And someone had to stand up for you."

Jay remained silent for a moment before murmuring, "Even if they know the truth, sometimes I feel like I still have to prove myself. Like I'm not enough."

Malya frowned, looking at him closely. "You? Not enough? Jay, do you even hear yourself?"

Jay let out a dry chuckle. "You don't understand. No matter how much I train, how much I fight… people will always look at me differently once they know."

Malya's playful expression softened. "So what? Let them look. You're stronger than most of the warriors here. And if they can't see that, they're fools."

Jay turned to look at her. The wind played with a few strands of Malya's hair, and for the first time in a long while, he felt a warmth in her words that settled his storming thoughts.

They walked in silence for a while before Malya suddenly grinned. "By the way, do you ever miss your all old disciples? I mean, you were kind of happier with them."

Jay scoffed. "Hmmm time goes on and now I've been called all day."

Malya chuckled. "No, really. I think you looked good either way."

Jay rolled his eyes but couldn't hide the small smile tugging at his lips.

For now, this was enough.

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