Chapter 20: The Nightmare and the Omen
The Kumbhakarna-Simulacrum loomed over the chamber, its form shimmering like moonlight on oil. As it raised a gargantuan, semi-transparent fist to crush the freed Devas, Vikram realized his physical god-tier strength was hitting a wall of smoke.
"Go! Upward!" Vikram commanded the Devas. His voice, infused with L10 Intellect, acted as a directional beacon. As the celestial beings began their ascent, Vikram focused his Eye of Truth (L8).
The Eye of Reality
Vikram ignored the titan's fist. He scanned the room for the Dream-Anchor. Through the layers of Maya, he saw a single, pulsating bronze bell hanging from a high rafter, vibrating in a frequency that defied the laws of physics.
"There."
Vikram activated Kaala-Gati (L11 Speed). Time slowed to a frozen crawl. He didn't run at the titan; he ran up the walls, his boots leaving glowing footprints on the vertical metal. He reached the bronze bell and unleashed a L11 Strength strike directly into its core.
DING.
The sound was not a chime, but a reality-shattering crack. The Simulacrum let out a silent scream, its form dissolving into harmless mist as the anchor shattered.
The Treachery of the Prince
In the chaos of the dream-collapse, Vikram turned to check on his prisoner. But the space where Meghanada had been was empty, save for a few black butterfly wings.
[ SYSTEM ALERT ]
Event: Prisoner Escaped.
Method: Hidden Blood-Sacrifice Maya.
Note: Meghanada has burnt a portion of his soul to bypass your Charm and teleport to the Royal Palace.
Vikram cursed under his breath. He had been too focused on saving the Devas. High above, he heard the frantic ringing of Lanka's war-bells. Meghanada had reached the Ten-Headed King. The secret was out.
The Shadow Over Vajra-Grama
Miles across the ocean, in the humble village of Vajra-Grama, the indigo sky suddenly turned a sickly, bruised purple.
Meghanada's report had been swift and venomous. "The boy is the root! Cut the root and the tree falls!" Ravana had not sent his main army, but a detachment of Vayu-Rathas (Wind Chariots) led by a sadistic commander.
Kashyap, Vikram's father, stood at the forge, his hand tightening around the hammer. He looked at the horizon and saw the fire-breathing horses descending.
"Sumati! Take the elders to the Kalindi Caves!" Kashyap roared. "The boy's light has brought the shadow home!"
The villagers fled, their Punya-rich auras flickering in fear as the first of the Asura fire-bombs hit the thatched roofs. Vikram's parents led the exodus, but they could hear the heavy thud of Asura boots landing on the sacred soil of their home.
The Soul-Shudder (The Omen)
In the depths of the Patala Labs, Vikram suddenly gasped, clutching his chest. His Anahata Chakra (Heart) pulsed with a cold, jagged pain.
[ SYSTEM WARNING ]
Condition: Spontaneous Intuition (Karmic Resonance).
Aura Disturbance: A familiar source of Punya is under extreme duress.
Distance: 1,200 Miles.
Status: Unclear.
"Father? Mother?" Vikram whispered.
His Eye of Truth (L8) flickered, trying to peer across the vast distance, but the Karmic Wall of Lanka acted as a jammer. He could feel the danger—a dark, suffocating pressure over his home—but he couldn't see the faces.
[ KARMIC STATUS ]
Current Punya: 100,005.
Condition: [Agitated Spirit] — Focus reduced by 20%.
"I have to finish this," Vikram growled, his eyes glowing with a dangerous, violet-white heat. "I have to break the rest of the pillars before they destroy everything I'm fighting for."
The Path of the Vengeful Sage
Vikram looked at the remaining path. The escape of Meghanada meant the Pillar of Ego was now being reinforced by the palace guards.
Vikram is torn. His heart feels the village burning, but his mission requires him to stay in Lanka.
The High-Speed Blitz: Use your L11 Speed and 100,000 Punya to buy a [Astral Projection Scroll], sending a "Spirit-Double" of yourself back to the village to defend your parents while your body stays in Lanka.The Destructive Path: Forget stealth. Use your L11 Strength to collapse the entire laboratory level, hoping the resulting earthquake distracts Ravana's army long enough for your village to escape.The Message of the Wind: Use your Charm (L10) and a Vayu-Mantra to send a "Command of Protection" to the forest Vanaras near your village, ordering them to safeguard your parents.
The village is in flames. What will the Iron Sage do?