3.The Serpent of the Forbidden Falls
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Chapter 3: The Serpent of the Forbidden Falls**
A deafening roar shattered the peaceful rhythm of the cascading waterfall.
Suddenly, from the depths of the shimmering blue pool, a **colossal serpent** erupted—larger than anything Aryan had ever seen, even in his most terrifying nightmares. Its scales shimmered like black obsidian under the light, each one gleaming with the luster of volcanic glass. Its eyes burned with **primal fury**, glowing a venomous amber as they locked onto Aryan's form.
It lunged forward with terrifying speed, striking the very spot where Aryan had stood just moments ago. Had Aryan hesitated even a breath longer, he would have been torn in half.
He stumbled backward, his legs shaking. A cold sweat drenched his back, and his face turned pale. His heart pounded so violently that it drowned out all other sounds. He was utterly horrified. How could he not be? The creature before him was beyond comprehension.
The **serpent's sheer size** dwarfed anything Aryan had ever seen—even in books or documentaries. It was at least twice as massive as the fossilized snake unearthed in Gujarat, India, which scientists had named **Vasuki**, and estimated to be nearly **15 meters long**.
What terrified Aryan even more was the fact that only a **fraction** of this new serpent's body was visible above the water—barely three or four meters—yet it already rivaled Vasuki's length. That meant the full creature could easily surpass **30 meters** or more. Aryan's breath caught in his throat.
*How can something so gigantic exist in the same world as me?* he thought, trembling.
But this wasn't Earth.
This was a different world—one where beasts could **cultivate** just like humans. Aryan had only just begun to learn about cultivation himself. He didn't yet understand how to detect a creature's power level, let alone defend himself properly. In this world, animals that reached even the **lowest stage of cultivation** were stronger than the most powerful animals on Earth.
This serpent—whatever it was—clearly wasn't just a mindless beast. It had lived here for years, perhaps centuries. The waterfall had become its **domain**, and any human who dared to enter its territory was viewed as a threat. The moment Aryan had jumped into the water, he had unknowingly trespassed on this ancient serpent's sacred ground.
Its response was natural—for it.
It had attacked without hesitation, driven by instinct and fury. And now, seeing Aryan alive and uninjured, the serpent's fury only grew more intense.
It reared back, fangs bared, and let out a blood-curdling hiss—**"HSSSSSS!"**
Then it struck again.
This time, Aryan was ready. He threw himself backward just in time. The serpent's tail slammed into the spot he had just vacated, **shattering the rock beneath** him and sending debris flying in all directions. A deep crater remained where the tail had landed.
Aryan was lucky—but luck wouldn't save him twice.
The snake shrieked again in rage, its golden eyes flaring. It had expected the boy to be crushed by now. And yet, Aryan stood tall, panting but alive.
He backed away slowly, glancing around. The area offered little in the way of shelter. Trees stood nearby, but they were thin and wouldn't survive a single blow. He had to think fast.
But the serpent wasn't done.
With a terrifying shriek, it lunged again—this time, mouth open wide enough to **swallow Aryan whole**. Its jaw gaped nearly **three meters across**. Aryan froze for a second. The dark, slimy throat of the creature seemed like a portal to the underworld itself.
Any **adult human** could have fit comfortably in that gaping mouth. Aryan, only fifteen years old, knew he would disappear without a trace.
Panic surged.
He dove to the side again—but this time, the serpent had anticipated the move. With a wicked gleam in its eyes, it lashed its **tail** sideways in a surprise counterattack.
**CRACK!**
The tail collided with Aryan's chest, and the impact was **devastating**.
He was hurled like a ragdoll through the air. Trees snapped like twigs in his path, rocks split in half, and his body finally slammed into a massive boulder. He hit it so hard that the entire stone cracked on impact.
Aryan collapsed, gasping.
His vision blurred. Blood trickled from the corners of his mouth. Several ribs were broken—he could feel the sharp sting of fractured bone—and his chest felt as though it had caved inward.
Pain engulfed him.
Through blurry eyes, he saw the serpent advancing. Its cold eyes sparkled with a **cruel joy**, like a predator toying with its prey.
Aryan's limbs screamed in agony. Every breath was a struggle. But deep within, the flame of **willpower** still burned.
He clenched his fists and growled.
*I won't die here. Not like this. Not today.*
With a desperate cry, Aryan pushed himself free from the cracked boulder, summoning every ounce of strength he had. He stumbled to his feet and began to run.
The serpent let out a low hiss—it was enjoying this.
It didn't immediately give chase. No. It wanted Aryan to run.
It wanted him **exhausted**, **helpless**, and **broken**. Only then would it strike.
But Aryan was faster than any boy should've been. With one leap, he **covered nearly 100 meters**—his cultivation already offering unnatural speed.
Still, the serpent pursued him easily.
Despite being over **30 meters long**, the creature slithered at astonishing speed. If it competed in a race against any Earthly animal, even the fastest horses and panthers would fall behind.
Aryan turned in disbelief. *It's catching up!*
Within moments, the serpent's massive body was once again looming behind him. Then—**SNAP!**—its tail coiled around him with terrifying precision.
Aryan screamed.
He was lifted into the air, bound tightly in its grip. Bones cracked. Blood leaked from his lips. He felt his limbs being crushed slowly, the pressure unbearable.
The serpent drew him close to its mouth.
Aryan could see the yellowed fangs. Smell the stench of rotting flesh. Hear the low rumble of hunger echoing from the depths of its throat.
This was it.
He had survived the portal. Survived being stranded in a new world. Survived a band of forest beasts earlier that morning.
And now—he was going to die.
*At fifteen years old… it ends like this?* he thought bitterly. *I haven't done anything with my life. I haven't proven anything to anyone. I haven't even figured out why I came to this world…*
His thoughts turned to the mysterious man who had brought him here. *Damn you!*
His eyes welled with tears—not just from pain, but from the injustice of it all.
Just as he was about to surrender to fate, **something strange happened**.
The serpent suddenly paused.
Its eyes widened.
And then... **fear**—raw, pure fear—appeared in the creature's face. Aryan noticed it instantly. That same monster that had almost killed him now looked… afraid?
*What is happening?!* Aryan thought, shocked.
The serpent loosened its grip slightly.
Aryan gasped for breath—and in that moment, something inside him **ignited**.
A strange warmth filled his core. Power surged through his limbs. He could feel his three cultivation energies—**Body**, **Spirit**, and **Mind**—combining, fusing into a singular force.
His pupils dilated.
His fear **vanished**.
It was replaced by **resolve**.
Aryan raised his trembling fist—and struck the serpent's tail with everything he had.
**BOOOOM!**
The impact was like thunder.
The serpent's tail recoiled, and Aryan dropped to the ground, landing hard but still alive. He stumbled back, breath ragged, but his eyes blazed with newfound fire.
He had hurt it.
He had actually hurt the beast.
The serpent hissed in disbelief.
Aryan smirked, blood still dripping from his mouth.
"All this time…" he whispered, "I was scared for nothing."
He stood tall.
No longer running.
No longer afraid.
He faced the serpent—his eyes calm and determined—and raised his fists again.
"If I'm going to die," he growled, "I'll die fighting."
The serpent screeched in rage and lunged one final time.
Aryan didn't dodge. He met the attack **head-on**.
Fist collided with fang. Tail met punch. Shockwaves rippled through the forest. Trees were **split in half**, birds fled the sky, and the very air trembled.
And then—
The serpent **wrapped its tail around him again**, this time tighter than ever, lifting him toward its gaping mouth.
Aryan felt his bones cracking again. Pain engulfed his body.
His vision blurred once more.
He was dying.
He could feel it.
But just before he lost consciousness—
Something **extraordinary** happened.
A surge of **golden light** burst from his chest, blinding in its brilliance.
The serpent screamed in terror.
Even Aryan didn't know.
Then, as if carved by divine hands, a mystical tattoo slowly began to appear on his forehead. It took the shape of a Garud, the ancient celestial eagle said to be the enemy of serpents and the mount of Lord Vishnu himself.
But whatever it was—it had just **changed everything**.
What had just happened? What was this **mysterious force** that had saved Aryan at the very brink of death?
**To find out what mysterious power saved Aryan, and what it means for his future in this dangerous new world, stay tuned for the next chapter of Aryan: The Super Warrior*.