Rounak_Moryani

In a world where martial arts reign supreme, Shiv, born into a prestigious Indian martial arts family, struggles to find his place due to a rare physical condition that makes him incompatible with every martial technique. But fate has other plans. Discovering a mysterious power within himself, Shiv embarks on a journey to prove himself and forge his own path.

The fist of the forsaken

The stone corridors of the Varma estate were dim and quiet, but Shiv's mind burned with unrest. As he entered his sparse chamber and shut the door behind him, silence wrapped around him like a cloak — not of peace, but of weight.

He sat on the worn mat, letting his body settle, but his thoughts swirled like a storm.

"I have power now… but only a fraction of it bends to my will."

He held out his hand. A flicker of dark, serpentine energy twisted into view — coiling like smoke with hints of ancient flame. It pulsed, then vanished with a hiss.

"If I can't master this soon, the tournament will break me."

He gritted his teeth, sweat on his brow.

In this world, martial prowess was measured through the Shakti Chakra system — seven spiritual gates aligned with elemental and mental evolution. From the lowest — the Muladhara, the Root Chakra — to the final, godlike state of Sahasrara, the Crown Chakra.

Most children of the clan began training from age five. By sixteen, many had already awakened one or two chakras.

"I can't brute-force this. I need a proper technique — one that resonates with this energy. If I use standard clan forms… the power rejects it. Violently."

An ancient battlefield where dragons once fell — now buried beneath cursed stone and scorched earth. A place Mahādev had forbidden all clan members to enter.

And in its depths, something had awakened within him — something old, foreign, and powerful.

"If there's any place that holds a technique worthy of this power," Shiv muttered, rising to his feet, "it's there."

He packed quickly — simple robes, a worn staff, some dried food, and a single talisman taken from the cemetery before.

He paused at the doorway, whispering to himself.

"The others chase strength through tradition.

I will chase truth through danger."

He turned back once, looking at the empty room.

The night cloaked him as he moved through the dense jungle, the moonlight a pale guide through branches and mist. Creatures stirred, and even the air grew colder as he approached the forbidden land.

The Dragon Cemetery loomed ahead — blackened spires jutting from the earth like fangs, scattered bones of ancient beasts half-buried in the ash.

The gate was sealed by prayer stones. Shiv placed his hand on one — and the talisman at his side began to glow.

With a low rumble, the stones parted.

He stepped into the cemetery once more.

The winds howled, and the old power inside him stirred — like a beast waking from slumber.

"This time… I won't leave with just a curse."

Chapter 6: The Path of Awakening