The journey to Kaalparvat began with silence — not the kind born of fear, but of reverence.
From miles away, the group could already hear the mountain: a deep, endless hum, like the growl of a god that never slept. Wind howled across jagged crags. Thunder cracked like bone.
The Path of the Breathless awaited — a trail that could only be walked by those ready to speak no lies… not even to themselves.
Kiran squinted up at the dark peaks. "Can't wait to nearly die again."
Ravi exhaled slowly. "This one will hurt more than bleeding."
Meera touched the scar on her wrist where the dark sigil had faded.
"I think we've been bleeding in ways we don't see."
The Climb Begins
As they ascended, the air grew thin and sharp. Breathing became a challenge. Not due to altitude — but from Vayumaya's pressure. The Eighth Limb did not allow hidden thoughts. Every lie one told themselves weighed heavier with each step.
Kiran was the first to slow.
His fingers trembled. His skin steamed — not from cold, but from internal friction.
"I'm fine," he muttered.
The mountain howled louder.
Ravi looked back. "The mountain reacts to lies."
Kiran grimaced. "So what? I say I'm broken and suddenly it lets me through?"
Meera's voice was hoarse. "No. But you stop breaking more."
Truth Unleashed
As they reached the halfway mark, a storm broke around them — not of rain, but of voices.
Each of their own.
Ravi heard himself whisper:
"You didn't save your village. You ran."
Kiran heard:
"Your brother died for you. Not beside you."
Meera heard:
"You hesitated. That's why Bhargtanaya marked you."
The winds circled, turning thoughts into blades.
And yet — none of them turned back.
Kiran's Fall
Near the summit, Kiran collapsed to one knee.His hands sparked with unstable fire.
"Why am I here?" he growled. "You two are destined. I'm just a broken sword."
Lightning struck near him — the mountain demanding a price for the lie.
But Ravi rushed to his side.
"You're not here to be our sword. You're here to be Kiran."
"That means nothing!"
"Then make it mean something."
Ravi pulled him up. "You chose to climb with us. No prophecy. No fate. Just you."
Kiran stared into the wind — and for the first time, the storm backed off.
The Summit of Breath
The peak revealed itself — a floating shrine of shattered pillars, suspended in howling wind.
At the center floated a scroll of silver wind, wrapped around a glowing breath — the Eighth Limb: Vayumaya, the Breath of the Divine.
Ravi stepped forward.
The wind whispered:
"One truth you have never spoken. Speak it. Or turn away."
Ravi's lips parted. His voice was hoarse.
"I… I don't know if I'm strong enough to save anyone."
"Even Meera."
Meera gasped softly.
But the mountain sighed.
And the wind grew warm.
The scroll settled into Ravi's hand.
A Rift Reborn
That night, as they camped below the storm, Ravi held the scroll close.
But Kiran sat apart, staring at the lightning above.
And Meera…
She dreamed again.
Not of her own shadow this time.
But of Ravi, wearing a crown of bone and eyes full of fire, turning away from her as a thousand voices cried out his name.