trails of fire : to find my destiny

Aryan was lost in his thoughts when he suddenly heard a faint sound. He turned around and looked in the direction of the noise. It was a beautiful woman with blue eyes, fair skin, and a sweet smile on her face. She was none other than Aryan's mother, Anaya.

Seeing his mother, the alert expression on Aryan's face softened. He ran towards her, hugged her tightly, and said, "Mother, where did you go, leaving me alone here? I am very upset with you!"

Hearing this, Anaya smiled lovingly and said, "My innocent boy, your grandfather had a special outfit made for your Shakti Awakening Ceremony. I had gone to bring it."

Listening to this, Aryan asked, "Mother, does everyone get a special outfit for this ceremony?"

At this question, Anaya laughed and affectionately replied, "My little Aryan, for this ceremony, everyone has to wear traditional attire and go to the Isht Temple. There, a sacred pond filled with the holy waters of the Ganga awaits. One must purify themselves in it. After purifying yourself, when you step into the main hall, a divine light will shine upon you, and the gaze of the gods will fall upon you. Among those gods, the one who takes an interest in you will grant you their powers."

Saying this, Anaya took Aryan with her to the main hall. There, Aryan saw his ceremonial attire—a pristine white, long-sleeved sherwani adorned with golden embroidery and encrusted with diamonds at various places. The outfit looked magnificent.

Seeing Aryan's innocent face, Anaya gently said, "Tomorrow is your Shakti Awakening Ceremony. You, along with the princes and princesses from neighboring kingdoms, will go to the Isht Temple. Now, you should rest." Saying this, she placed Aryan's head on her lap and began to sing a lullaby. Listening to his mother's soothing voice, Aryan drifted into sleep without even realizing it.

The next morning, when Aryan woke up, he saw that all the servants in the palace were busy decorating it. As he was about to get out of bed, his caretaker, Gauri, entered his room and said, "Prince, please get ready quickly. Your father is taking you to the Isht Temple today."

Aryan smiled, nodded at Gauri, and went to get ready.

Outside the palace, King Surya Dev and the rest of Aryan's family were waiting for him. Aryan, smiling and excited, ran towards the royal chariot and climbed in.

Once Aryan was seated, the King gave a signal, and the chariot set off.

Sitting inside, Aryan murmured to himself, "From today, a new chapter of my life is about to begin." He then gazed out of the chariot's window, watching the world pass by.