DHARMA TRIALS: THE SUTRA'S CHOSEN

The golden runes pulsed around Aryan, the energy coursing through his body like a raging river. His breath came in sharp bursts as he tried to make sense of what had just happened.

"What did I just do?" Aryan whispered, staring at his glowing hands.

Vaanya didn't lower her daggers, her sharp gaze locked onto the armored figure. "No time for questions, Aryan! That power is what they're after. Stay behind me!"

The figure stepped forward, dragging its massive sword across the ground. Sparks flew as the blade carved through the dirt. "The boy has awakened the Sutra. Hand him over, girl, and I'll spare your life."

Vaanya smirked, though her grip on her weapons tightened. "Spare me? You clearly don't know who you're dealing with."

The figure raised its sword, pointing it at her. "You're no one of consequence, child. Move aside, or be crushed beneath the weight of my blade."

Vaanya gave Aryan a quick glance. "When I say run, you run. Got it?"

Aryan opened his mouth to protest, but before he could speak, the figure lunged. The ground cracked beneath its feet as it closed the distance in an instant, its sword swinging in a deadly arc.

"Not so fast!" Vaanya yelled. She twisted her body, her daggers flashing as she parried the strike. A shockwave erupted from the clash, sending Aryan stumbling backward.

"Vaanya, stop! You can't fight him alone!" Aryan shouted.

"Then grow a spine and help!" Vaanya shot back, leaping into the air. With a swift motion, she unleashed a blade of wind that tore through the air toward the figure.

The armored figure raised its free hand, and a dark barrier formed in front of it. The wind blade shattered harmlessly against the shield.

"You're stalling," the figure growled. "But it won't save him."

---

### **The Voice Returns**

As the two fought, Aryan felt the pull inside him grow stronger. The golden light around him began to pulse in rhythm with his heartbeat.

"*Do not hesitate.*"

The deep voice echoed in his mind again. Aryan looked around, but the world seemed to blur. He was no longer standing in the village square but in a space of endless golden light.

"Who are you?" Aryan demanded, his voice shaking.

"I am the Sutra," the voice replied. "The essence of Dharma and creation flows within you. If you falter now, you will lose everything."

Aryan clenched his fists. "But I don't know how to fight! I don't even know what this power is!"

The voice grew firmer. "You do not need to understand it fully. Trust your instincts, and let Dharma guide your hand. Focus."

As the voice faded, the golden light surged around him. When Aryan blinked, he was back in the village square.

---

**Aryan Awakens**

The armored figure had backed Vaanya into a corner, its sword raised high for a final strike. Aryan's eyes narrowed, and he felt the energy within him explode.

"Leave her alone!" he roared.

The runes around him flared brightly, and the earth beneath his feet trembled. Cracks spread across the ground as golden energy spiraled upward, forming into a shimmering barrier between Vaanya and the figure.

Both Vaanya and the figure paused, their eyes widening.

Aryan stepped forward, his voice steady despite the fear that still lingered in his heart. "I don't know who you are, but you're not taking me or anyone else from this village."

The armored figure chuckled, lowering its sword slightly. "Ah, so the boy wishes to fight. Very well. Let us see how long you can last."

The figure rushed toward Aryan, its massive sword glowing with dark energy. Aryan instinctively raised his hands, and the golden runes around him shifted.

"*Vishwakarma Sutra: Bhumi Path—Shield of the Earth!*"

A massive wall of stone erupted from the ground, intercepting the figure's strike. The impact sent cracks rippling through the wall, but it held firm.

Aryan stumbled backward, his heart racing. "It worked… it actually worked!"

Vaanya grinned, wiping sweat from her brow. "Not bad, farm boy. Keep that up, and we might actually survive this."

The figure growled, slashing through the stone wall with a single strike. "Impressive… for an untrained whelp. But raw power will not save you!"

Dark energy erupted from the figure's sword, sending a wave of force toward Aryan.

"Move!" Vaanya shouted, tackling Aryan to the ground just as the wave passed over them, obliterating the huts behind them.

Aryan groaned, pushing himself up. "This guy's not holding back…"

Vaanya grabbed his arm, pulling him to his feet. "That's because he doesn't need to. If you don't figure out how to control that Sutra soon, we're dead."

Aryan's eyes flicked to the villagers hiding nearby, their terrified faces peeking out from behind doors and windows. He clenched his fists. *I can't let them get hurt because of me.*

The golden energy around him flared again, brighter this time. The runes on the ground began to shift, forming intricate patterns that radiated power.

"Vaanya, get back," Aryan said, his voice calm but firm.

"What are you—"

"Just trust me!"

Vaanya hesitated but stepped back, her daggers at the ready.

Aryan closed his eyes, focusing on the energy within him. He felt the earth beneath his feet, the steady heartbeat of the land. The runes pulsed in time with his breath.

"*Vishwakarma Sutra: Bhumi Path—Pillars of Dharma!*"

Golden pillars erupted from the ground around the armored figure, trapping it in a cage of light and stone. The figure roared, slashing at the pillars, but they regenerated faster than it could destroy them.

Aryan opened his eyes, sweat streaming down his face. "That should hold him… for now."

Vaanya approached, a look of surprise mixed with approval on her face. "Not bad for a first-timer. But don't get cocky. He'll break out of that soon enough."

Aryan nodded, his legs trembling. "I know. But it gives us time to figure out what to do next."

From within the cage, the armored figure's laughter echoed. "You think this will stop me? Foolish boy. This is only the beginning."

Aryan exchanged a glance with Vaanya, the weight of the figure's words sinking in.

"Then we better be ready," Aryan muttered.

---

*To be continued…*