Chapter 13: The Ashura’s Bargain

For a brief moment, there was **only silence**.

The **prison's chains** were once again sealed—**blazing with celestial fire**, their runes flickering faintly.

Vritra's **roar of defiance** still echoed faintly through the void, but the **king of Ashuras was bound once more**.

Aryan stood before the prison, his **chest heaving**, sweat clinging to his skin.

The **sigil on his wrist** was dim now, its light almost **completely drained**.

His vision **blurred**, his legs barely holding him upright. His **breathing was shallow**, labored.

He had won.

But at a cost.

The **celestial chains** were **stable—for now**. But Aryan could feel it—the prison was **weakened**, held together only by **his divine spark**.

And his time was **running out**.

---

### **The Rift's Collapse**

The **air shifted**.

The swirling void around him **began to distort**, the very fabric of the realm **splintering**.

The rift he had used to enter the void was beginning to **close**.

Golden light **split through the blackened sky**, the Devas' magic trying to **pull him back**—but the prison's magic clung to him.

Aryan's **head swam** with exhaustion.

He took a shaky step forward, his **boots dragging through the blackened soil**.

But as he neared the rift—**it flickered violently**, the portal **shrinking rapidly**.

His eyes **widened slightly**.

"**No…**"

His legs **trembled**, but he forced himself to run.

The ground beneath him **cracked violently**, fragments of voidstone falling into the abyss as the realm **collapsed inward**.

The rift was almost gone.

With a final, desperate surge of strength, Aryan **threw himself toward the closing tear**, his hand outstretched.

For a brief moment, **his fingers brushed the golden light**.

And then—**the rift slammed shut.**

Aryan's hand closed around **nothing but empty air**.

The light was gone.

The rift was gone.

And he was **trapped**.

---

### **The Ashura's Whisper**

For a long moment, Aryan **stood motionless**, his hand still outstretched, his breathing ragged.

Slowly, he turned back toward the prison, his gaze **narrowing**.

Vritra's **crimson eyes gleamed faintly** through the chains, watching him with **predatory amusement**.

A low, guttural **chuckle** rumbled from the Ashura king's throat.

"**So… you're trapped, too.**"

Aryan's **fingers clenched into fists**, his knuckles white with fury.

"Shut up."

But **Vritra only smiled wider**, his jagged teeth gleaming faintly in the void's dim light.

He **shifted slightly**, the chains **groaning faintly** as he moved. Though the prison held him, he still radiated **immense power**.

"**How poetic,**" Vritra purred softly, his voice dark and cruel.

"Your precious gods sent you here to **stop me**, knowing it would be a **one-way trip.**"

Aryan's jaw tightened.

"They didn't… betray me," he spat through gritted teeth.

"I **chose this.**"

Vritra's eyes **narrowed faintly**, his smile twisting into something darker.

"Of course you did," he sneered softly.

"Just like **all mortals**—desperate to prove their worth to their precious Devas."

His voice was mocking, but **there was something else** beneath it—**a sharp edge of curiosity**.

"**And yet…**" Vritra mused softly.

"Despite everything… you still stand."

His eyes **gleamed faintly**.

"Stronger than before."

Aryan's **brows furrowed slightly**, his chest still heaving from exertion.

"Save your flattery," he growled.

"I'm not freeing you."

But Vritra's **crimson eyes glimmered** with faint amusement.

"Free me?" he chuckled darkly.

"No… I know you won't."

He slowly **leaned forward**, his massive form **pressing against the prison's bindings**.

"I am not a **fool**, mortal."

The **chains groaned softly**, faint cracks appearing along the celestial links.

"You sealed me—but you also **weakened the prison** in the process."

His eyes **narrowed**, his voice becoming **low and sharp**.

"You've bought yourself time… but nothing more."

He leaned in closer, his voice a **low, poisonous whisper**.

"Sooner or later… the prison will fail."

Aryan's **fingers tightened around his blades**, his knuckles whitening.

"You're lying."

But Vritra's voice was **calm and steady**.

"**Am I?**"

The **void around them shuddered faintly**, the blackened ground **cracking slightly**.

"Tell me, mortal," Vritra continued softly.

"Do you feel it? The prison's magic **splintering around you**?"

Aryan's **eyes narrowed** slightly.

He **did feel it**—the faint tremors beneath his boots. The chains were **stable, but fragile**.

Vritra's lips **curled into a cruel smile**.

"You may have sealed me," he murmured softly,

"but you've **locked yourself in with me**."

His **crimson eyes narrowed**.

"**You will die here.**"

---

### **The Deal**

Aryan **stared at him coldly**, his breathing still labored.

"Then I'll die standing," he spat.

"And you'll **rot here alone.**"

For a brief moment, **Vritra was silent**.

Then—he smiled.

A slow, predatory smile.

"**No.**"

His voice was low and deliberate.

"You won't."

Aryan's **brows furrowed sharply**.

"What?"

Vritra's voice was **low and smooth**, but beneath it was **a dark promise**.

"You're not going to die here, mortal."

He **leaned forward**, his eyes gleaming faintly.

"Because I'm going to offer you… **a bargain.**"

Aryan's eyes **narrowed sharply**.

"I'm not making any deals with you."

But Vritra's voice was **silken and mocking**, a serpent's whisper.

"Are you sure?"

His massive form **shifted faintly**, his chains rattling softly.

"You want to escape, don't you?"

Aryan's **fingers tightened** around his blades—but his eyes flickered faintly with uncertainty.

Vritra's voice was **slow and deliberate**, the words heavy with **dark promise**.

"I can **send you back**," he purred softly.

"Back to your precious Devas. Back to your friend."

Aryan's eyes **hardened**.

"Liar."

But **Vritra only smiled**, his eyes glimmering with **ancient cunning**.

"Think carefully, mortal."

The **chains trembled slightly**, the prison **groaning faintly** as Vritra's voice lowered to a **poisonous whisper**.

"You may be strong… but you are **not immortal**."

His voice became **low and slow**, deliberate.

"The prison will eventually **consume you**. Your body will turn to dust… and I will remain."

He slowly tilted his head, his eyes gleaming faintly.

"Or… you **can live**."

The void was **silent**, save for the faint, haunting wail of distant spirits.

Vritra's voice was **smooth and velvety**, almost soothing.

"Just… **one drop** of your divine spark," he murmured.

"Just enough to **open a doorway**."

He smiled faintly.

"You live. I remain. The Devas win."

For a long moment, Aryan was **silent**.

His hands **trembled faintly**.

His eyes slowly narrowed.

"You'll… stay bound?" he asked softly, his voice barely a whisper.

Vritra's **smile widened faintly**, his crimson eyes glimmering with dark amusement.

"**Of course.**"

For a brief moment, Aryan's **fingers loosened** slightly on his blade.

The void **held its breath.