“Indra?” I tried to ask. A chilling darkness blanketed everything around me, making me struggle breathing. Indra approached slowly, his face floating above me and illuminating a small circle around him with a blue glow. Each feature just as crystal clear as when I had first seen the monster. Long black curls hung over the face and unsettling gray eyes watched me. His existence was an oppressive force, making me shiver and wonder if death was imminent.

My mouth had become frozen, like the rest of my body, so all I could utter out was, “Inahhh?”

His face twisted in a smile and each curvature moved so carefully and with such precision that it had be mechanical.

Tut tut tut. This one time I will forgive you for entering my realm without asking for permission. Child of darkness, you are welcome in my domain.

As soon as he finished speaking, the tightness in my chest disappeared. My body loosened itself from the binds the monster had put me in. But I remained surrounded by darkness, in isolation with only Indra. He approached me slowly and the feeling of tightness closed in again. I tried my breathing exercise as he closed the tiny gap within seconds that lasted lightyears.

Calm down, calm down, calm down. I forced myself to speak just as he was mere inches from me.

“Where am I? Do you know me? You called me child of darkness.” I managed to choke out.

Indra lowered his head to come eye level with me. Which was much, much worse. I forced myself to look away from his stare, finding a spot above the head to focus on. My hands clammed up as the blood within my veins ran cold, turning my breathing more and more ragged. I dug my fingernails into my palms until I felt blood come out. Even that wasn’t as calming as it should’ve been.

I am a god not a monster so do not refer to me as such. But I was a man first who ascended to godliness. And no, I do not know you. I refer to your mark child.

He paused.

As to where we are, it is in your head. He said mockingly, amusement back in his voice.

I live in Svarga and the minds of humanity keep a shrine to my domain, so I come and go as I please.

I stayed silent, pondering what I had just learned about him. He was able to delve inside the minds of people and he could read my thoughts?

I cannot read your thoughts. I can however see the tiny little gears working very hard in your brain. And rest assured, I do not flit from place to place seeking out secrets. I may only peek into the minds of those who enter my domain.

He swirled around me as he spoke. The blue glow had now shifted to a cascading trail that followed him, punctuated by flashes of images I couldn’t make sense of. Scenes of fighting would appear, with tiny soldiers spearing each other and massive figures floating above them hurling lightning at one another. I tried to keep up with the scenes but they appeared and disappeared in bursts, lasting long enough for me to see Indra outlined somewhere in each and every one of them.

For a second, his mask faded, and a look of irritation passed by quickly.

Child, are you as mute as a silly pageboy? Do you not have questions to ask?

“Yes” I croaked out.

Ah, you are an idiot. Tell me your name.

“Druin.”

That is not your name but I will accept it.

I shook my head at that, trying to think of anything to ask. “How do you know? I thought you didn’t know me. And who are you?”

Finally, a question worth answering.

With that, he edged away from me. His full body came into view, 4 arms carrying various weapons and the dangerous blue emanating from him becoming even stronger. In a flash (of showmanship), the backdrop changed to pure white and we stood on a blizzarding field. I couldn’t feel the freezing pain of the snow and ice but somehow, this scenery felt real.

I am Indra, the Vritra killer, king of Svarga, the bane of Asura. My blood is Amara, my breath is thunder and my life born from Aditi. Amara has chosen me as their Guardian in humanity’s little fight.

He turned around and strolled towards a shrine that had materialized in some Indra magic form. It had a slanted golden roof and the sides were whiter than the soft falling snow around us. He motioned his hand for me to follow him.

But I truly do not know who you are child. I know many of the other Guardians that seek the mantle of Amara but I have never heard of one like you. And your mark is not the mark of this world, it shines with light that cannot be made here.

We were now standing at the front of the temple. I could see another Indra inside meditating while sitting on the world’s smallest albino elephant.

We Guardians all have a place of power from which we spring from in this world. I was born from humanity’s hope for liberation. I bring water, life, healing. But I am also the destroyer, the thunderer and the world ender. I can help you, but it comes at a cost, Druin

Of course, there was always a fucking cost. Question was, would it be worth it?

“What’s the cost?” I asked.

He turned back around and showed me his hand. Within it was a little buzzing thing of electricity.

This is my mace. I ask you to take it with you on your journey and leave it to rest at the Eternal Hollow you seek.

Seemed like an easy enough thing to do.

“I might be able to do that. Why the help?”

You may wield my mace once. More than that and it will destroy you and everything around you. The other help is advice. Look out for Soulstealer. And seek out the Gáe Bulga.