Chapter 12: The Prison of Vritra
The void was **unnaturally still**, save for the faint crackling of **violet lightning** splitting the sky above.
Aryan **moved swiftly**, his boots pounding against the cracked, blackened stone. The **sigil on his wrist** pulsed faster now, guiding him toward the heart of the void.
His chest was **heaving from the battle**, his arms sore from wielding the divine blades. His **knuckles were scraped**, blood trailing faintly down his wrist. But he didn't stop.
The **guardians' ashes** still clung to his boots as he pressed forward, ignoring the ache in his limbs.
"**Keep moving…**" he muttered under his breath, his eyes sharp with focus.
"Don't stop."
The ground beneath him **began to tremble** faintly.
A faint, guttural **rumble echoed in the distance**, as if the very fabric of the realm was beginning to **splinter apart**.
---
### **The Chains of the Void**
As Aryan approached the heart of the void, he **caught sight of it**—the **prison of Vritra**.
It was nothing like he had expected.
The prison was **not a structure**—it was a **massive sphere of divine chains**, suspended in mid-air. The chains were made of **pure celestial fire**, glowing with golden and violet hues, wrapped around an **impenetrable core of darkness**.
The chains **stretched endlessly**, each link inscribed with ancient Devanagari runes, pulsing faintly with divine energy.
And at the center—**Vritra.**
The **Ashura king** was **barely visible**, a massive shadowed form, **coiled tightly within the chains**, his massive arms and legs bound by layers of celestial steel.
His **crimson eyes** were still closed, but his body **twitched faintly**, the chains **groaning and creaking** as his strength pushed against them.
Aryan's breath **hitched slightly**.
He felt a faint **twinge of fear** crawling along the back of his neck.
But he pressed on.
As he drew closer, the **sigil on his wrist** flared with golden light, illuminating the runes on the chains.
He **extended his hand**, and the sigil's light **cascaded across the prison**, illuminating the entire sphere.
The chains **rattled faintly**, as though reacting to his divine spark.
For a brief moment, **everything was still**.
And then—
**Vritra's eyes snapped open.**
---
### **The King Awakens**
A sudden **wave of infernal energy** erupted from the prison, **hurling Aryan backward**.
He slammed into the jagged ground, a sharp **jolt of pain** shooting through his ribs.
**Dust and ash** scattered around him as he struggled to his feet.
When he looked up—**Vritra was awake**.
The Ashura king's **crimson eyes** glowed with searing malice, twin stars of blood and fire. His body was **colossal**, towering over the prison, his massive arms **still bound by the celestial chains**.
But he was awake—and **smiling.**
The **chains creaked and groaned**, struggling to hold him, but Vritra's presence alone was enough to make the **void itself quake**.
His voice was a low, guttural **rumble**, so deep it **shook the ground**.
"**I see you… mortal.**"
Aryan's **fingers tightened** around his blades, but his breath caught in his throat.
Vritra's massive form **shifted against the chains**, his taloned fingers clenching into fists.
The **divine runes along the bindings** glowed brighter, resisting his strength—but the king's **power was growing**.
He **sneered faintly**, baring his jagged teeth.
"Did the Devas **send you**?" he asked mockingly.
"Do they **cower behind mortals now?**"
His voice was **a deep growl**, brimming with contempt.
Aryan slowly stepped forward, his eyes narrowed.
"You talk too much," he said coldly.
Without hesitation, he **surged forward**, his twin blades **flaring with divine fire**.
He **slashed downward**, aiming for **one of the chains** binding the prison.
But before his blade could make contact—**Vritra moved.**
Despite the chains, the Ashura king's **arm lashed out**, **faster than lightning**, his massive clawed hand **swiping at Aryan**.
Aryan barely managed to **dodge**, his body twisting just in time to avoid the strike.
**WHOOSH!**
The impact sent a **shockwave of force** through the void, **shattering a nearby rock formation** into dust.
"**Too slow, mortal,**" Vritra sneered.
Aryan gritted his teeth, his muscles **screaming in protest** as he landed on the ground.
But he wasn't backing down.
He **charged again**, his blades glowing brighter, divine sparks **trailing behind him**.
With a fierce roar, he **leapt into the air**, his blades slashing downward with all his strength.
**CLANG!**
The strike **clashed against the chains**, sending a **blinding shower of divine sparks** in all directions. The **celestial metal groaned**, but it held firm.
Vritra's eyes **narrowed** slightly.
"Ah… so you intend to **break the seal**, do you?"
His lips curled into a **cruel grin**.
"Then by all means… allow me to assist you."
Without warning, **Vritra exhaled deeply**—and a massive **gout of black flame** erupted from his mouth, engulfing Aryan in an infernal inferno.
The **heat was searing**, almost suffocating.
But **Aryan didn't falter**.
His **golden sigil blazed brighter**, forming a protective barrier of divine flame. The **black inferno slammed against it**, but the shield **held firm**.
With a sharp cry, Aryan **burst through the flames**, his blades **gleaming with celestial light**.
He **twisted mid-air**, slashing downward—and this time, his blade **bit into the chains**, slicing through a single link.
**CRACK!**
The chain **snapped violently**, a wave of divine energy **surging outward**, throwing Aryan backward.
Vritra's eyes **widened slightly**—then narrowed with **faint amusement**.
"Ahh… you are **stronger than I thought.**"
He **strained against the remaining chains**, the prison **groaning under the pressure**.
And for the first time… Aryan **saw fear** in the Devas' bindings.
---
### **The Choice**
Aryan's **heart pounded** in his chest.
The **chains were weakening**—he could feel it.
But the power that was **leaking from Vritra's prison** was **far greater** than he expected.
If the seal broke completely, **there would be no stopping him**.
He could feel the hourglass running out—his time in the void was almost over.
He clenched his fists, his eyes hardening.
There was **only one choice left**.
He took a sharp breath and **stepped forward**—this time **not with his blades**.
Instead, he placed his **bare hand against the prison**, the **sigil on his wrist flaring brightly**.
The celestial chains **reacted immediately**, the runes along them **igniting with golden fire**.
Aryan's voice was low and steady.
"**I bind you, Vritra.**"
The Ashura king's eyes **widened briefly**—and then narrowed into slits.
"You **dare**?!"
Aryan's voice was unwavering.
"**I do.**"
Golden light **erupted from his sigil**, cascading along the chains.
The runes **blazed with divine energy**, locking tighter, **sealing Vritra's limbs** with an unbreakable bond.
The Ashura king let out a **roar of fury**, his massive frame **thrashing violently**, but the chains **pulled tighter**, locking him in place.
Aryan's body **shook violently**, his divine energy **draining rapidly**, but he didn't stop.
The prison **sealed completely**, the runes **blazing brighter** than ever.
And as the final link **clamped shut**, Vritra's **snarl turned into a roar of rage**.
"**I WILL NOT FORGET THIS, MORTAL!**"
Then—**everything went dark.