The Battle of Strength vs. Will

(The tension in the air thickens. The golden aura around Hanuman intensifies, his gaze piercing into Arya's soul. The jungle around them seems to grow still, as if nature itself waits for the outcome of this trial.)

Hanuman (stern, unwavering):

"Power without devotion leads to ruin. Wrath without purpose is nothing more than destruction."

He steps forward, his towering presence casting a shadow over Arya. His golden mace, Gada, hums with divine energy.

Hanuman (challenging):

"You bear the Mark of Wrath, but do you control it, or does it control you?"

Arya remains silent, his Mark faintly glowing, his fists clenching. He has faced countless battles, endured the weight of his past, but something about Hanuman's words strikes deep.

Hanuman lifts his mace, slamming it into the ground. A shockwave erupts, sending Vaishnavi and Sachin stumbling back. The earth cracks beneath Arya's feet, but he does not fall.

Hanuman (booming voice):

"Show me, warrior! Show me that your strength is not ruled by wrath alone. Only those with true purpose deserve to wield divine power."

A pillar of golden fire rises around Arya, sealing him within. The flames do not burn his body—but his soul. Visions of his past battles, his rage-fueled victories, and the times when his fury nearly consumed him flash before his eyes.

Arya's Inner Trial

Inside the flames, Arya sees himself standing before a battlefield. He watches his past self, eyes burning with unrelenting fury, slaughtering enemies without hesitation. He sees the terror in their eyes—not of his strength, but of his merciless wrath.

Shadow Arya (mocking, twisted version of himself):

"This is who you are. A destroyer. A force of chaos."

The vision shifts—he sees Vaishnavi and Sachin watching him from afar, fear in their eyes. Even Kamini, his lover, looks upon him with uncertainty.

Kamini's voice (echoing in his mind):

"Will you become the very thing you fight against?"

A deep growl escapes Arya's throat. He clenches his fists, his heart pounding.

Arya (low, but firm):

"No…"

*The flames intensify, the vision testing him further. It tempts him to give in—to unleash the full power of Wrath without restraint. But Arya grits his teeth, planting his feet firmly in the shifting illusion. His anger does not control him. He controls it. His wrath is not destruction—it is his resolve. His power is not chaos—it is his will. *

Arya (roaring, defiant):

"I AM NOT A SLAVE TO WRATH!"

With a surge of energy, he pushes forward, shattering the illusion with a powerful strike of his own will. The golden flames disperse, and he finds himself back in the jungle, face-to-face with Hanuman once more.

Hanuman watches him with an unreadable expression. Then, slowly, a smile forms on his face.

Hanuman (approving, proud):

"You did not fight with your fists, yet you have won a great battle today."

He raises his hand, and the golden energy surrounding Arya calms, no longer raging but flowing with controlled strength.

Hanuman (firm, yet warm):

"Remember this, Arya—strength alone is not enough. But today, you have proven that your heart is not ruled by wrath."

With that, Hanuman lowers his mace, signaling the end of the trial. Arya exhales, his body still tense, but his soul feels… lighter. The burden of Wrath no longer weighs on him the same way.

(The jungle is silent. Hanuman stands firm, his golden aura radiating divine power. Arya tightens his stance, feeling the pressure of facing a true legend. Vaishnavi and Sachin stand at the edge, watching in tense anticipation.)

Hanuman (grinning, his massive arms crossed):

"You have proven your heart is steady… but now, let us see if your body and mind can match it."

He plants his mace into the ground, creating a small tremor. The sheer weight of his presence is enough to shake the air around them.

Hanuman (voice deep with authority):

"Come, Arya. Show me your strength."

Arya clenches his fists, his eyes narrowing. The Mark of Wrath burns on his skin, urging him to charge recklessly. But he forces himself to breathe, to focus. This is not about anger. This is about control.

Arya dashes forward, moving like a shadow through the jungle, aiming for Hanuman's side. He throws a powerful punch—only for Hanuman to vanish in an instant!

Sachin (eyes wide, whispering):

"So fast…!"

Before Arya can react, BOOM! Hanuman appears behind him, delivering a palm strike that sends Arya flying into the air!

Hanuman (calmly watching Arya recover mid-air):

"You are fast, but speed means nothing without clarity of mind."

Arya twists his body, landing with a skid, the earth cracking beneath him. He growls, feeling the urge of Wrath pushing him to strike harder, faster. But he grits his teeth—no. He cannot let it control him.

Arya takes a deep breath and closes his eyes for a moment. When he opens them again, his stance has changed—his movements now fluid, controlled, disciplined.

Vaishnavi (softly, realizing the change):

"He's not just fighting… He's thinking."

Arya moves again, this time anticipating Hanuman's counterattacks. When Hanuman strikes, Arya dodges just barely, feeling the force of each attack shake the air. Instead of meeting Hanuman's strength head-on, Arya uses redirection, sidestepping and countering only when necessary.

Their battle turns into a blur—strength against discipline, power against will. The jungle shakes with their every movement, the ground cracking beneath them.

Hanuman suddenly leaps into the sky, his golden form radiating divine energy.

Hanuman (booming voice, smiling):

"Then let us end this!"

He swings his mace down with full force, aiming straight at Arya! The impact could shatter mountains. But Arya, instead of dodging, raises both hands, channeling his newfound balance—not Wrath, but pure willpower.

A massive shockwave erupts as Arya meets Hanuman's attack head-on! The jungle trembles, trees uprooted, the sky flashing with energy!

Sachin (covering his eyes, shouting):

"Did he—?!"

The dust settles. Arya is still standing—his arms shaking, but unbroken. He has stopped Hanuman's attack.

For a moment, silence reigns. Then… Hanuman laughs. A deep, hearty laugh full of approval.

Hanuman (grinning proudly):

"Hah! Well done, Arya! You do not fight as a beast—nor as a tyrant. You fight as a warrior who knows his strength."

*Arya breathes heavily, sweat dripping down his forehead, but his eyes remain sharp, determined. He has won—not through sheer power, but through discipline and control. *

Hanuman (placing a firm hand on Arya's shoulder):

"You are worthy."

The tension fades. The battle is over. Vaishnavi and Sachin rush to Arya's side, their eyes filled with admiration. Hanuman nods, his golden aura dimming slightly.

Hanuman (smiling, with a nod of approval):

"You have proven that you are not ruled by Wrath. And for that… I shall grant you my blessing."