Echoes of the Fallen Gods: The Astra System

Ujjain. A city lost to history, one that scholars debated whether it had ever truly existed. And yet, here he was, standing within its very heart.

The underground temple, with its ancient architecture and glowing runes, was merely the gateway. As Kiara led him out through a hidden passage, the sight before him took his breath away.

A vast hidden city stretched beneath the land, its structures carved into the mountainside, interconnected by hanging bridges and fortified walkways.

Towers of ancient stone rose high, their surfaces overgrown with ivy and glowing fungi, casting a mystical blue-green hue over the settlement. Streams of water ran through the streets, powered by unknown mechanisms, creating an intricate aqua-energy system that seemed far beyond modern engineering. It appeared quite medieval yet advanced at the same time.

But what stunned Agastya the most were the people.

The city was teeming with life. Warriors in dark uniforms patrolled the pathways, their weapons unlike anything he had seen before— sleek energy-infused blades, hybrid rifles that combined old-world firearms with mana-based technology. Merchants were selling exotic goods in the open-air markets. Young children ran through the streets, laughter echoing between the stone buildings.

It was a hidden civilization, operating right under the nose of the Governor of the Holy Bharata Province.

Agastya turned to Kiara, still reeling from the revelation. "How… how is this place still standing? The Galactic Federation, the Duke of Terra, the Governor—how have they not found this?"

Kiara gave a knowing smirk. "Ujjain is built upon one of the strongest leyline intersections on Earth. The energy here distorts satellite signals, disrupts advanced scanning systems, and makes us virtually invisible to those outside. To the world, Ujjain does not exist."

Agastya exhaled sharply. If this was true, then it meant that the rebels were far more powerful than he had initially thought. They weren't just scattered insurgents fighting a losing battle—they were organized, well-armed, and strategically positioned right at the heart of civilization. What's more, this is just one faction of rebels.

"The rebels control this city?" he asked.

Kiara nodded. "We don't just control it. We built it."

Agastya turned back to the sprawling cityscape. This was no ordinary resistance movement. This was an underground kingdom. And now, he was standing in the middle of it.

As they walked through the city, Kiara explained the full extent of the rebel operation.

"Ujjain's location is the single greatest advantage we have," she said. "We sit right in the central region of the Holy Bharata Province, where most of Terra's active civilization is concentrated. If we need to strike, we can move north or south within days. Unlike the Duke's armies, we're not bound by bureaucratic chains."

Agastya processed the information carefully. This meant that the rebels weren't just fighting for survival. They were planning something bigger, like an imminent revolution.

As they passed through a training field, Agastya's gaze was drawn to a group of warriors practicing combat techniques. They weren't just using traditional weapons—they were wielding Astra-infused relics. One man summoned a spear that crackled with lightning, while another woman formed a bow that created arrows made of condensed wind.

Agastya's grip tightened, witnessing these scenes. Perhaps, rebels indeed have a—

"You're thinking it, aren't you?" Kiara smirked.

"Thinking what?" Agastya got out of his stupor.

"That we might actually stand a chance."

Agastya didn't respond immediately. He had spent his whole life believing that power belonged to those in control, that the Galactic Federation, the Duke of Terra, and the ruling elite were untouchable forces. But now, seeing this army hidden beneath the earth, he wasn't so sure anymore.

"...So what's the plan?" he finally asked.

Kiara stopped walking and turned to face him.

"Your training starts tomorrow."

Agastya raised an eyebrow. "Tomorrow?"

Kiara's smirk widened.

"Actually…" She kicked his leg out from under him, sending him crashing onto the ground. Before he could react, she pinned him down with her foot, a dagger at his throat. "Training starts now."

Agastya's face went pale, his face was just a few inches away from her. "C'mon, give me a break, lady. Let me first understand my own powers a bit."

Kiara chuckled, spinning her dagger and placing it back into the sheath that was hanging around her waist. "Fine, let's go."

"Where?"

"Of course, the Great Library"

*

Chapter Nineteen: The Legend of Sharanga

A few hours later;

Agastya sat in the dimly lit library, his fingers tracing the aged pages of the book Kiara had just opened. Across the pages, intricate illustrations depicted an ornate, divine bow—its celestial craftsmanship far beyond anything mortal hands could create. And yet, it was unmistakable.

It was his bow.

His heart pounded as he read the accompanying text.

"Sharanga, the celestial bow of the Preserver. Wielded by Lord Vishnu himself, this bow was later passed to his seventh avatar, Lord Rama, during the great war of righteousness. Crafted by the Devas, Sharanga is said to hold the power of the elements, bending fire, water, and wind to its wielder's command. It chooses its master, binding itself to one who holds the will to change the world. Only those destined to walk the path of divine war may call upon its might."

Agastya's mind raced. He had wielded this bow. He had felt its energy surge through his veins. But him? Destined to walk the path of divine war? It was absurd.

Kiara studied his face. "You're quiet."

Agastya turned to her, his voice low. "This… doesn't make sense. I'm not as noble as those warriors were. I'm just a selfish person who wants to live in peace and luxury. Why did the system—Yami—give it to me?"

Kiara sighed, leaning back. "You tell me. Why does a nobody who had no elemental powers suddenly awaken a Divine Core? Why does a lost celestial artifact just happen to end up in your hands? Coincidences don't happen in this world, mister. Not when it comes to things like this."

Agastya ran a hand through his hair, frustration clear in his expression. "And yet, your leader doesn't believe in gods."

Kiara smirked. "Some people do and some people don't. It's their choice. Moreover, the Galactic Federation outlawed faith centuries ago. The ruling elites don't follow the old ways either. Gods are myths, old tales meant to keep people entertained. That's what we're told. But…"

She tapped the book.

"Artifacts like this exist. And when we encounter such things, our belief in those stories only grow further."

Agastya stared at the illustration of Sharanga. The intricate golden bow shimmered in the painting, surrounded by celestial fire. The text claimed it could pierce the very fabric of time and space, that it could alter fate itself.

A weapon meant for a god.

And yet, it had chosen him. No, more like the weapon forced upon him.