The walk back to their home was peaceful, but Vivaan had become unusually quiet.
He held Vanshika’s hand as they passed beneath the familiar trees, occasionally glancing at her face with the thoughtful expression he wore whenever he suspected that she knew something he did not.
The afternoon breeze stirred the leaves overhead, and the pond beside their residence reflected the shifting colors of the sky.
Vanshika noticed every glance.
Naturally, she chose not to mention it.
Instead, she hummed a little tune as they approached their home, her long midnight-blue hair flowing gently behind her.
Her expression remained perfectly relaxed, but Vivaan had spent enough time with his mother to recognize when she was deliberately acting as though nothing unusual had happened.
He narrowed his Cosmic Galaxy Eyes.
Something was definitely suspicious.
Once they entered their residence, Vanshika placed a few belongings in their proper positions before walking into the room where she usually worked.
The spacious chamber was filled with comfortable furniture, neatly arranged shelves, and a large desk overlooking the garden.
Sunlight filtered through the curtains, illuminating the delicate patterns carved into the wooden furnishings.
Vanshika settled into her chair and began examining a document.
Vivaan followed her inside.
He took a seat nearby and watched her work without making a sound.
A minute passed.
Then another.
Vanshika turned a page.
Vivaan leaned forward slightly.
She picked up her writing instrument and made a small correction.
He tilted his head.
Finally, Vanshika placed the instrument on the desk and turned toward him with an amused smile.
“Sweetheart, if you keep watching me with that much concentration, I might start believing that you’ve discovered something extraordinarily interesting about your own mother.”
Vivaan straightened in his chair, looking mildly offended that she had taken so long to acknowledge him.
“Mom, why are you pretending not to notice me?”
Vanshika pressed one hand against her chest, exaggerating her surprise.
“Me?
Pretending?
What a terrible accusation!
How could a loving mother possibly hide something from her precious son?”
Vivaan stared at her in silence.
She maintained her innocent expression for three seconds.
Then the corners of her lips began to rise.
Vivaan pointed an accusing finger at her.
“See?
You’re doing it again!”
Vanshika rested her chin on one hand, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
“Doing what, sweetheart?”
“Acting as though you don’t know something when you clearly know it.” Vivaan said.
Vanshika tried to maintain her innocence look for longer.
“My goodness, that is a rather broad accusation.
I know many things.”
Vivaan folded his arms.
“Mom.”
“Vivaan.” Vanshika called.
Vivaan folded his hands.
“You’re hiding something.”
Vanshika blinked with exaggerated innocence.
“Am I?”
“Yes, you are.” Vivaan pointed at her.
“Are you certain?” Vanshika asked.
“Completely.” Vivaan said firmly.
She leaned back in her chair and studied him as though he were a particularly entertaining puzzle.
“My son has become a detective.
Should I be concerned about the fate of every secret in this household?”
Vivaan considered her argument before responding.
“That depends on how many secrets you’re keeping.”
Vanshika placed a hand over her heart again.
“Unbelievable.
I provide you with food, a comfortable home, endless affection, and a peaceful life, and this is how you repay me?
By interrogating me in our room?”
Vivaan thoughtfully counted on his fingers.
“You forgot the magical toys.”
“And the magical toys,” Vanshika acknowledged with a solemn nod.
Vivaan began counting on his fingers.
“And the stories.”
“And the lessons.”
Vivaan nodded with satisfaction.
“Good.
I wanted to make sure you remembered everything.”
Vanshika stared at him for a moment before bursting into laughter.
“You really are impossible!”
Vivaan grinned triumphantly.
“Then tell me what you’re hiding.”
Vanshika let her laughter fade before regarding him more thoughtfully.
She could have continued teasing him for another ten minutes, and both of them knew it.
However, his curiosity was genuine, and she had no intention of making him wait unnecessarily for something important.
She extended one hand toward him.
“Come here, sweetheart.”
Vivaan immediately rose and approached her.
Vanshika gently took his hand and guided him closer to the desk.
Her Cosmic Galaxy Eyes met his, countless tiny stars shifting within their deep azure depths.
“Do you remember what we discussed beside the pond?”
Vivaan nodded, his playful expression giving way to concentration.
“The Eternal Art of Absolute Ascension.
You explained that it requires a suitable connection before someone can synchronize with it.”
“Correct,” Vanshika confirmed, visibly pleased by his memory.
“And you told me there were three possible conditions: a genuine connection to Mahashakti, a connection to Absolute Free Will, or exceptional compatibility with the art.”
Vanshika smiled.
“Your memory continues to impress me.”
Vivaan leaned closer, eager for the answer he suspected was coming.
“Then how can I use it?”
Vanshika lifted one hand and gently tapped his forehead with her index finger.
“Before we discuss that, there’s something you should know about yourself.”
Vivaan became completely still.
“What is it, Mom?”
Vanshika met his gaze.
“You possess Eternal Absolute Free Will.”
For a moment, Vivaan did not move.
He stared at her, making certain he had heard every word correctly.
Then his eyes widened.
“Eternal Absolute Free Will?”
Vanshika nodded reassuringly.
“Yes, sweetheart.”
Vivaan looked down at his hands before raising his gaze toward her again.
“I have Eternal Absolute Free Will?”
“Indeed.” Vanshika confirmed.
He remained silent for another second.
Then a brilliant smile spread across his face.
“I knew it!”
Vanshika raised an eyebrow, clearly entertained by his immediate conclusion.
“You knew what, exactly?”
Vivaan stepped backward, suddenly filled with so much excitement that remaining still seemed impossible.
“I knew I was special!”
He raised both arms triumphantly.
“I’m Mom’s son!
Of course I’m special!”
Before Vanshika could respond, Vivaan began dancing around the room.
It was not a particularly complicated dance.
He moved from one side to the other, turned in a circle, and lifted his hands again, looking so pleased with himself that he seemed to have forgotten everything except his wonderful discovery.
Vanshika watched him with a fond smile.
A quiet laugh escaped her lips.
Vivaan spun around once more.
“Mom!
I have Eternal Absolute Free Will!”
Vanshika shook her head affectionately.
“I heard you the first time, sweetheart.”
“And you’re sure?” Vivaan asked.
“Entirely.” Vanshika said with full confidence.
He stopped in front of her, practically glowing with excitement.
“Then I’m really special!”
Vanshika gently adjusted a strand of his midnight-blue hair.
“You were already special to me, my son.
This doesn’t change that.”
Vivaan’s smile softened, though his excitement remained.
“I know, Mom.
But now I have something extraordinary to learn!”
Vanshika nodded approvingly.
“That is a much more useful way to look at it.”
Vivaan’s expression quickly shifted from celebration to deep concentration.
He considered the conditions for synchronization, recalled the explanations his mother had given him, and connected the new information to the possibilities he had been wondering about.
“Mom, does this mean I can use Mahashakti instead of Astral Shakti?”
Vanshika’s smile became thoughtful.
“Yes, you can learn to work with Mahashakti.
But that doesn’t mean you should abandon Astral Shakti or use Mahashakti for every task.”
Vivaan listened closely as she continued.
“Astral Shakti remains important for your ordinary development.
You must learn to understand it, refine it, and control it properly.
Mahashakti is different.
You’ll need to understand when its use is appropriate and how to handle it responsibly.”
Vivaan considered her explanation.
“So having access to a greater source of power doesn’t mean I should use it for everything.”
“Exactly,” Vanshika affirmed.
“A skilled person chooses the right means for the task.
Using something powerful simply because you can isn’t always the wisest decision.”
Vivaan nodded.
“But I can still learn to use Mahashakti!”
Vanshika laughed softly.
“Yes, sweetheart.
You can.”
Vivaan resumed his little victory dance.
Vanshika watched him with unrestrained happiness.
The room, usually quiet during her working hours, was now filled with his laughter and excited declarations.
She did not mind the interruption to her work in the slightest.
In fact, she quietly moved the unfinished documents farther across the desk so that Vivaan would not accidentally knock them onto the floor while celebrating.
He noticed the movement and paused.
“Mom, are you moving your work because of me?”
Vanshika glanced at the documents before returning her attention to him.
“Naturally.
I would prefer that your celebration of Eternal Absolute Free Will didn’t result in the destruction of several perfectly innocent papers.”
Vivaan laughed.
“They would survive!”
“The papers might,” Vanshika countered, raising one eyebrow.
“My patience, however, is another matter.”
He grinned and moved closer to her.
For a little while, they continued discussing what Eternal Absolute Free Will might allow him to learn.
Vanshika answered his questions carefully, distinguishing between what he could potentially accomplish and what he was presently ready to practice.
Eventually, she folded her hands and regarded him with a mischievous smile.
“Now, my brilliant little boy, would you like to learn Spatial Treasury?”
Vivaan stopped moving.
His eyes widened.
“Really?”
Vanshika nodded.
“And perhaps we could begin exploring the Eternal Art of Absolute Ascension as well.”
Vivaan’s excitement returned instantly.
“Yes!
Teach me both, Mom!”
He hurried toward her desk, placing both hands on its edge.
“I want to learn Spatial Treasury first!
No, wait—the Eternal Art first!
Actually, if I can learn both, we should start with whichever takes longer!”
Vanshika raised an eyebrow.
“And how did you determine which one takes longer?”
Vivaan paused.
He thought about it.
Then he slowly lowered his hands.
“I haven’t determined that yet.”
Vanshika laughed.
“An admirable recovery.”
Vivaan looked at her expectantly.
“Then can we start now?”
Vanshika leaned back in her chair.
“Unfortunately, there’s one small problem.”
Vivaan’s expression changed immediately.
“What problem?”
“You need to form your Shakti Core before you can properly practice Spatial Treasury.” Vanshika said.
Vivaan froze.
Vanshika continued gently.
“And although your Eternal Absolute Free Will gives you the necessary connection to the Eternal Art of Absolute Ascension, you’ll still need to approach its practice carefully.
Having the required connection doesn’t mean you can skip every stage of learning.”
Vivaan’s shoulders gradually slumped.
He looked toward the window.
Then he looked at the desk.
Finally, he turned around and began walking in a small circle, his expression full of exaggerated disappointment.
“So I have something extraordinary, but I still have to wait?”
Vanshika pressed her lips together, trying not to laugh.
“Yes, sweetheart.”
Vivaan completed another circle.
“And I have to form my Shakti Core first?”
“Correct.” Vanshika said.
He turned again.
“And I can’t simply begin learning everything immediately?”
“Not everything.” Vanshika corrected.
Vivaan let out a dramatic sigh and walked toward the wall, stopping just short of it.
Vanshika watched her son with growing amusement.
He looked so genuinely disappointed that she nearly abandoned the entire lesson and offered him something more encouraging immediately.
Nearly.
Then she remembered that he was also a clever little negotiator who could turn almost any situation into an argument for getting what he wanted.
She waited a few more seconds.
Vivaan finally turned toward her, his expression still gloomy.
Vanshika smiled.
“But, sweetheart, you do have Eternal Absolute Free Will.”
Vivaan’s head snapped around.
His disappointment disappeared so quickly that Vanshika could no longer suppress her laughter.
He hurried back to her.
“Then teach me!”
Vanshika laughed as he stood before her with renewed determination.
“How quickly my son has recovered from his terrible tragedy.”
Vivaan folded his arms.
“It wasn’t a tragedy.
It was an unnecessary delay.”
“Of course,” Vanshika agreed solemnly.
“Mom!” Vivaan called.
Vanshika reached out and gently squeezed his hand.
“All right, my little genius.
Let’s begin with something you can do right now.”
Vivaan immediately straightened.
“What is it?”
“Activate your Shaktiveer Soul Signature.” Vanshika instructed.
His expression became serious.
Without hesitation, Vivaan raised his hand and placed two fingers against his forehead.
For a brief moment, nothing happened.
Then a faint blue-white radiance appeared beneath his fingertips.
His Shaktiveer Soul Signature gradually manifested, revealing its delicate crystalline design and luminous central point.
Fine golden accents emerged within the pattern, while tiny points of light shimmered across its surface.
Vanshika watched carefully.
The moment his signature fully appeared, she reached out and gently placed her fingertips against the center of his forehead.
Her own Shaktiveer Soul Signature illuminated in response.
A delicate resonance passed between them.
Vivaan’s eyes widened slightly.
“Mom, is this how you found me when you sensed something unusual before?”
Vanshika lowered her hand and smiled.
“Your Soul Signature allowed me to establish a connection with you, sweetheart.
It is one of the ways I can recognize and respond to you through that connection.”
Vivaan considered her explanation.
“So the Soul Signature can do more than simply appear on our foreheads.”
“Correct.” Vanshika explained.
“Its functions extend beyond its visible form.
But today, I want you to pay attention to what happens next.”
Vanshika moved beside him and gently placed one hand against his shoulder.
“Close your eyes, sweetheart.”
Vivaan obeyed.
“Now calm your mind.
Don’t force anything to happen.
Simply pay attention to the connection you can feel through your Soul Signature.”
Vivaan took a slow breath.
The room gradually fell silent.
The distant sounds of Shaktiveer Territory seemed to recede.
The faint breeze outside became indistinguishable from the quiet within the house, and even the movement of the curtains faded from his awareness.
Vanshika kept her hand resting on his shoulder.
“Don’t be frightened by what you experience.
Vivaan nodded without opening his eyes.
Then the connection deepened.
For a fleeting instant, the familiar world seemed to disappear.
When Vivaan opened his eyes again, he was no longer looking at the room.
He was standing in an entirely different space.
A vast cosmic expanse stretched in every direction.
Countless stars illuminated the darkness, while enormous galaxies turned slowly across the distant horizon.
Nebulae spread through the surrounding vastness in magnificent rivers of blue, violet, silver, and gold.
Some resembled immense clouds of luminous dust; others formed sweeping structures that looked like celestial oceans frozen in motion.
In the distance, radiant galaxies revolved around brilliant cores, their spiral arms extending through the endless dark.
Clusters of stars glittered like innumerable jewels, while vast celestial formations shimmered with colors Vivaan had never seen together before.
There was no ordinary ceiling.
There was no visible boundary.
There was only the breathtaking expanse of a universe.
Vivaan stood perfectly still.
His Cosmic Galaxy Eyes widened as the real stars before him seemed to answer the stars within his irises.
For several seconds, he couldn’t decide where to look first.
Then he turned toward one of the enormous galaxies.
A delighted smile spread across his face.
“Mom!”
Vanshika stood beside him, watching his reaction with affectionate amusement.
“Yes, sweetheart?”
Vivaan turned in a full circle, trying to take in the vast surroundings.
“Where are we?”
Vanshika glanced across the magnificent cosmic expanse.
“We’re inside your Sea of Consciousness, also known as your Spiritual Sea.”
Vivaan looked at her in astonishment.
“My Spiritual Sea?”
Vanshika nodded.
“Yes.”
He turned back toward the surrounding universe.
“This is inside me?”
Vanshika gently clarified the distinction.
“In a manner of speaking.
What you’re seeing is the manifestation of your Spiritual Sea.
It doesn’t mean a literal physical universe is contained inside your body or pehaps it is.”
Vivaan continued staring at the galaxies, seemingly incapable of looking away.
After a few moments, Vanshika gently took his hand.
“Since we’ll be spending time here while learning, I think we should give this place a name.”
Vivaan immediately turned toward her.
“A name?”
Vanshika looked around at the brilliant stars and distant galaxies before meeting his gaze.
“How about Absolute Cosmic Warmth?”
Vivaan repeated the words slowly, letting the name settle in his mind.
“Absolute Cosmic Warmth…”
He examined the surrounding galaxies again.
The name seemed to fit the place in a way he couldn’t immediately explain.
Despite its immeasurable scale, the space didn’t feel cold or hostile.
Its vastness was beautiful rather than frightening, and the countless stars gave him the strange impression that he had discovered a place where he could explore without feeling lost.
Vivaan smiled brightly.
“I like it, Mom!”
Vanshika’s eyes softened.
“Then Absolute Cosmic Warmth it is.”
Vivaan walked several steps forward, his gaze moving between the distant galaxies and the immense clouds of luminous color.
“Mom, does everyone have a Spiritual Sea like this?”
Vanshika considered the question before answering.
“Everyone who develops a Spiritual Sea has one suited to their own nature and condition.
Their manifestations can differ greatly.
But a Spiritual Sea resembling this vast cosmic expanse isn’t something recorded in the records I’m familiar with.”
Vivaan turned toward her.
“So mine is unusual?”
“Very unusual,” Vanshika confirmed.
He looked around once more.
Then he smiled with unmistakable satisfaction.
“I knew I was amazing.”
Vanshika laughed.
“There it is again.”
Vivaan turned toward her with an innocent expression.
“What?”
“Every time you encounter something extraordinary, you become so excited that you immediately congratulate yourself.” Vanshika said.
Vivaan looked at the stars, then back at his mother.
“Mom, I’ve been seeing magical, divine, and extraordinary things since childhood.
But every time you introduce something new, I become so curious that I can hardly wait to explore it.”
Vanshika’s laughter softened into a warm smile.
“And I hope you never lose that curiosity, sweetheart.”
Vivaan grinned.
“Then you’ll have to keep showing me interesting things.”
“An ambitious demand.” Vanshika said with an exaggerated gesture.
“You promised to teach me.” Vivaan said.
Vanshika needed.
“I did.”
“So it’s your responsibility.” Vivaan pointed at her.
Vanshika raised an eyebrow.
“Is that how responsibility works?”
Vivaan considered the matter.
“At least when it comes to teaching your son.”
Vanshika laughed again, and the sound seemed especially gentle within the immense stillness of Absolute Cosmic Warmth.
She then raised one hand and gestured toward the vast expanse around them.
“Now, sweetheart, activate your Shaktiveer Soul Signature again.”
Vivaan did so.
His luminous signature appeared across his forehead.
Vanshika’s expression became attentive.
“Good.
Now calm your mind and listen carefully.
We’re going to begin with the foundation of the Eternal Art of Absolute Ascension.
You don’t need to force energy, search for something you don’t understand, or attempt to make the art respond through sheer determination.
First, you must learn to observe and understand the connection between your consciousness and the art.”
Vivaan’s excitement settled into focused attention.
He stepped closer to her.
“I’m listening, Mom.”
Vanshika smiled and extended her hand.
A royal-purple spatial portal opened beside them, surrounded by straight golden lines that shifted into intricate, constantly changing geometric patterns.
She reached inside and carefully withdrew a book.
Its deep-blue cover gleamed beneath the surrounding stars, framed by elaborate golden decorations and luminous celestial patterns.
The central design shimmered with a brilliance that seemed to echo the galaxies surrounding them.
Vivaan recognized it immediately.
“The Eternal Art of Absolute Ascension!”
Vanshika turned the book slightly in her hands.
“Yes.
And now that we’re inside Absolute Cosmic Warmth we could learn its principles in a more focused way.”
Vivaan leaned closer, his eyes shining with anticipation.
Vanshika opened the book.
Royal purple pages turned beneath her fingertips, revealing luminous inscriptions that seemed to shift gently across their surfaces.
She began explaining the relationship between synchronization, automatic enhancement, foundation reinforcement, and the user’s growth.
She described how the art could evolve alongside its practitioner, adapting its functions as the practitioner developed.
Vivaan listened with complete concentration.
Occasionally, he asked a precise question or offered an observation that demonstrated how quickly he was connecting the principles.
Vanshika answered patiently, guiding him through the concepts without rushing him toward anything he wasn’t ready to understand.
Neither noticed the passage of time.
Neither noticed the quiet home beyond the boundaries of the Spiritual Sea.
And neither saw the disturbance gathering outside their residence.
Far from the immense galaxies surrounding them, the surface of the pond had begun to move.
The Lurking Fish Shark Beast had returned.
Its strange body remained beneath the water, hidden among the shadows.
Its eyes were fixed on the peaceful residence beside the pond.
For several moments, the creature did nothing.
Then its body shifted.
The water around it began to tremble as energy gathered within its form.
Ripples spread outward, growing wider and faster until they reached the stone edges of the pond.
The creature slowly raised its head.
Its gaze remained fixed on the house.
A strange pressure began building beneath the surface, and the water around its body drew inward as though the pond itself were responding to its movements.
The creature opened its mouth.
Then it prepared to launch its attack.
Inside Absolute Cosmic Warmth, Vanshika turned another golden page and continued explaining the Eternal Art of Absolute Ascension.
Vivaan leaned closer, eager to understand the next principle.
Outside, the pond erupted into motion.
And the peaceful home beside it stood directly in the path of the approaching danger.
To Be Continued…