Chapter 3: Transmigration to Aaranya

A deafening silence followed the explosion of light. Raj felt weightless, as if he were floating in an endless void. A strange energy coiled around him, tugging at his very essence. His body burned and froze at the same time, a sensation that defied logic.

Then, a rush of wind slammed into him, and he plummeted downward.

Raj barely had time to react before he crashed into something solid. A sharp pain shot through his body as he rolled across rough terrain, the impact knocking the air from his lungs. Dust and dirt filled his nose and mouth, making him cough violently. His body ached, every limb heavy as if he had been dropped from the sky—which, in a way, he had.

For a long moment, he lay still, his mind struggling to catch up with what had just happened.

He was no longer in his room. No longer in Bangalore.

He was… somewhere else.

Slowly, he pushed himself up, wincing as his muscles protested. His surroundings came into focus—a dense forest with towering trees that stretched impossibly high, their canopies glowing faintly with hues of deep blue and gold. The air was thick with an unfamiliar scent, earthy yet electric, as though the very atmosphere was alive with energy.

The sky was unlike anything he had ever seen. Twin moons hung above, casting an eerie yet mesmerizing glow. Strange bird-like creatures with iridescent feathers darted between the trees, their calls sounding almost musical. The ground beneath him pulsed faintly, the soil giving off a dim luminescence.

Raj swallowed hard.

"This... this isn't Earth."

His heart pounded against his ribs. He had read about transmigration stories before—protagonists waking up in magical realms, gaining incredible powers, embarking on epic adventures. But those were just stories. This was real.

His gaze fell to his hands. The amulet was still clutched in his palm, its glow even more intense than before. The symbols on its surface shifted as though alive.

"What the hell is happening?" he muttered.

Before he could fully process the situation, a rustling in the bushes nearby made him freeze. Instinct kicked in, and he backed away slowly. The sound grew louder, twigs snapping underfoot. Something—or someone—was approaching.

A figure emerged from the shadows.

Raj tensed, his mind racing through possibilities. A person? A monster? Something worse?

The figure stepped into the moonlight—a young woman with striking features, clad in dark leather armor. Her deep amber eyes locked onto Raj with a mixture of curiosity and wariness. A bow was slung across her back, and her hand hovered near the hilt of a dagger at her waist.

She studied him for a moment before speaking. "You're not from here."

It wasn't a question.

Raj hesitated. "Uh… yeah. You could say that."

She narrowed her eyes. "You appeared out of nowhere. I saw the sky ripple before you fell. That only happens when—" She stopped abruptly, her gaze flickering to the amulet in his hand.

Her expression shifted from suspicion to shock.

"The Mark of Ascension…" she whispered, taking a step forward.

Raj blinked. "The what?"

Before she could answer, another sound echoed through the forest—this one more threatening. A deep, guttural growl.

The woman's expression darkened. "We need to move. Now."

Raj barely had time to react before she grabbed his wrist and pulled him into a sprint. "Wait! What's going on?" he panted.

"Shadow Beasts," she said grimly. "They must have sensed the relic's energy."

Raj's mind reeled. Shadow Beasts? Relic energy? What kind of world had he landed in?

The growls grew louder, and then Raj saw them—three hulking creatures emerging from the darkness. Their bodies were wreathed in black mist, their glowing red eyes locked onto him like predators tracking prey.

Fear surged through him, but his companion didn't slow down. "Stay close!" she ordered, weaving through the trees with practiced ease.

Raj did his best to keep up, but his body was still adjusting to the strange energy of this world. His movements felt sluggish, and the creatures were closing in fast.

Just when he thought they were doomed, the woman skidded to a stop and whirled around, drawing her bow in one fluid motion. She notched an arrow and released it in the blink of an eye.

The arrow struck one of the creatures in the chest, and for a moment, Raj thought she had killed it. But instead of falling, the beast let out an ear-piercing screech as the arrowhead erupted into blue flames, consuming its form until it vanished into the wind.

Raj gaped. "What was that?"

"Prana-infused weaponry," she said quickly, already preparing another shot.

Raj had no idea what that meant, but there was no time to ask. The remaining creatures lunged, and Raj instinctively raised his arms, as if that would somehow protect him.

The amulet flared.

A pulse of energy erupted from his body, sending a shockwave through the air. The Shadow Beasts were thrown backward, their mist-like forms flickering.

Raj staggered, his breath hitching. "Did I… do that?"

The woman's eyes widened. "The Mark is already reacting to you… that's impossible."

Before Raj could ask what she meant, she grabbed his arm again. "We need to get to safety. Come with me."

Still dazed, Raj allowed her to lead him through the forest. The adrenaline masked his exhaustion, but his mind raced with questions.

Who was she? What were those creatures? And what exactly had he become a part of?

As they ran, one thing became clear—his life would never be the same again.

And this was only the beginning.