Page 30 of Lost and Stolen Gods
Remi burst into sobs, and so did Sylvie. Dharma and Priti hugged each other, and the despair was palpable because until now, we’d all hoped that this state of affairs was temporary, that we’d be able to go home, and as everyone around me quailed, a pit opened inside me because there was no one back home for me to miss. No one who’d give a damn about my absence. The one person who I’d loved and who’d loved me unconditionally was gone. Taken by a force that was here, in this world, and there was no doubt in my mind that I was in the right place.
Guru Mihir had said that I’d have the power to kill the creature that murdered Nani, once I reached my potential. Was that potential becoming a god? I needed to be certain.
I raised my hand. “Do I need to be a god to kill a pishacha?”
Guru Chandra’s eyes narrowed. “Who told you about the pishacha?”
“Her grandmother was killed by one,” Umbra said. “In the mortal realm…”
Guru Chandra’s brows went up. “And I’m hearing of this now?”
I didn’t care about their protocols. I needed answers. “Please. Answer my question.”
His icy blues softened with sympathy, and I gritted my teeth because the last thing I wanted was to cry again.
“Only a god can kill a pishacha,” he said. “And in the absence of a god, the consumption of a soul can temper it, giving others an opportunity to escape.”
“Wait, so you’d have to sacrifice someone?” Dharma asked incredulously.
“A noble sacrifice,” he said.
“Not for the person doing the sacrificing,” Eve muttered.
I was sure Guru Chandra heard her comment, but he ignored it. “Umbra will pick up the orientation.” He looked across at her. “Take them to meet Eben and then prepare them for the Shaktis.”
“Yes, Regent.” She inclined her head.
“Guru will do,” he said with a smile. He swept a final look over us. “Over the next three weeks of orientation, you will learn much about yourselves, thisworld, and your place in it. Good luck, potentials. Know that you are finally home.” He walked down the steps, then vanished into thin air.
“Whoa!” Eve said.
“Teleportation is a skill you might be blessed with if you ascend,” Umbra said. “It has its limits, but it can be useful.” She climbed down the steps and stood at the podium. “I know this is a lot to absorb, and if we had time, we would ease you into your place here. But our numbers are waning, and we need more gods. So you will need to listen and learn fast.”
Priti raised her hand, speaking before Umbra could call on her. “You called Guru Chandra Regent?”
Umbra nodded. “He is our regent, but while here, in Prashikshan domain, he is simply Guru Chandra, head of all training.”
“Areyoua god?” Dharma asked. “An Asura?”
“No. I’m a tantrik mage. My power lies in my ability to summonbhuta, what you would call ghosts and spirits. I fight when I’m called.”
“I’m so confused,” Priti said. “Gods are Asura, right? So what are Danava? Gods too? Like…what is the difference?”
Umbra pursed her lips as if organizing her thoughts, then continued. “The difference stems from their origins. Asura, Deva, and Danava, are factions that stem from the bloodlines of three sisters: Diti, Danu and Aditi. The Asura gods’ bloodlines can be traced all the way back to Diti, the Danava to Danu, and the Deva to Aditi. Over eons, the bloodlines have become diluted by gods of other worlds. The ancient gods, the purest of us, are long gone; their power and essence has become one with the chakra of energy that drives our world. The Deva however left a long time ago, moving to other worlds and leaving Svargana in the care of the Asura.
“Why?” Priti asked. “Why did they leave?”
“The why is not relevant to your task here. However, if you’re curious and wish to learn more about our history, you can visit the Vidya Tower and speak to sage Bhoomika, the head sage. She’ll be happy to educate you. There are texts written in all tongue, a language that is universal in Svargana. Most everyone here speaks it, and as demigods, you will instinctually understand it and be able to read it. But I suggest you focus on your training and the pertinent information that will help you navigate Prashikshan domain. Like understanding who you will be working with.” She grasped the podium, gaze downcast for a moment, and I got the impression that she was gathering her thoughts once more.
“You are demigods, born of mortal wombs where divine Asura seed has taken root.
You are all descendants of Asura, but there are other beings here who are also essential to our cause. Tantrik like myself. My kind draw energy from the Shakti—a trinity of power that is connected directly to the chakra. It allows us to tap into forces existingoutside of nature in a place between the living and the dead.
“You’ll find yaksha in the sky world too. Yaksha are nature spirits that form the guard and protect our borders. The guard does not reside in this domain, but once you ascend, you will work closely with them. You’ll also meet rakshasa, beings who can shift into powerful beasts for battle. Some have opted to join the guard, but most reside here or in Jangal domain below.
“Like Guru Chandra said, there are other demigods here also, native to his world. There are some who did not qualify for the labyrinth, and others in training to try. And finally, we have the drohi, beings essential to our cause. These creatures are the offspring of the Danava and spirits called djinn.”
I raised my hand. “If the Danava are also gods, then doesn’t that make the drohi demigods too?”
