The Eight Supernatural Powers

chapter 18:The path beyond mortality

Akhil stood by the window, gazing out at the tranquil landscape. The battle with Ashura was over, Earth was safe, but his mind was far from at peace. The question gnawed at him, refusing to let go. If gods like Pyro existed, then what else was out there? More importantly, if the afterlife existed, could Yohan be brought back?

Lost in thought, he barely noticed when Kofi entered the hall. "Akhil, you’ve been awfully quiet since the battle ended. What's on your mind?"

Akhil turned to face him, his expression serious. "Kofi, remember what Pyro said? He claimed he was a god."

Kofi nodded slowly. "Yeah, he did. What about it?"

"If Pyro is truly a god, then it stands to reason that the afterlife must exist as well," Akhil continued, his voice growing more intense. "That means Yohan could be out there, somewhere. Maybe we can bring him back."

Kofi's eyes widened in surprise. "Bring back Yohan? But how? We don't even know where to start."

Before Akhil could respond, the Old Man entered the room, having overheard their conversation. His face was lined with worry, but there was a firmness in his voice. "Akhil, I understand your desire to bring Yohan back, but this is not a simple task. You saw how effortlessly Pyro defeated Ashura. He didn't even need to use his full power. If beings like Pyro exist, then it's possible that there are gods or devils out there even more powerful than him."

Akhil clenched his fists, frustration boiling over. "I know it's not going to be easy, Old Man. But Yohan didn't deserve to die like that. He didn't do anything wrong! He sacrificed everything for us. How can we just accept that he's gone for good?"

The Old Man sighed deeply, his heart aching at the sight of Akhil's pain. "I don't disagree with you, Akhil. Yohan was a good man, and he did more for us than anyone could have asked. But traveling through the afterlife, or even finding a way to reach it, is something beyond our understanding. How do you plan to travel through space, let alone cross into realms of gods and spirits?"

Akhil's eyes flashed with determination. "There must be clues here on Earth. Pyro came to Earth, and so did Ashura. If beings from the afterlife can reach us, there must be a way for us to reach them. We just have to find it. There are ancient texts, forgotten temples, legends—something must hold the key."

The Old Man considered Akhil's words, his mind turning over the possibilities. "It’s true that Earth has its share of mysteries. There are places we haven’t explored, knowledge that has been lost to time. If you truly believe there's a way to bring Yohan back, then we will search together. But Akhil, understand this—what you're proposing could have consequences. If we meddle in the affairs of gods and the afterlife, we might invite powers and dangers beyond our control."

Kofi, who had been listening intently, finally spoke up. "I agree with Akhil. Yohan gave his life for us, and if there's even a small chance we can bring him back, then we have to try. We've faced impossible odds before and won. We can do it again."

Akhil looked at the Old Man, his eyes filled with a mix of hope and desperation. "I can't just leave him, Old Man. Yohan was like a brother to me. I have to try, even if it means facing the wrath of the gods."

The Old Man placed a hand on Akhil's shoulder, his grip firm and reassuring. "Then we will try, Akhil. But we must proceed with caution. The path ahead will be dangerous, and we may be up against forces we can't even imagine. But if we do this, we do it together. For Yohan."

Akhil nodded, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. The journey to bring Yohan back would be the most perilous one yet, but he was ready to face whatever came their way. With the Old Man and Kofi by his side, they would uncover the secrets hidden on Earth, confront the gods if necessary, and do whatever it took to bring their friend back from the afterlife.