CURSED REBIRTH

DREAM

In a realm shrouded in relentless darkness, where even the simplest act of self-reflection felt insurmountable, Ayush encountered a scene that left him utterly stunned. Before him stood a man consumed by flames, his entire form enveloped in a chaotic ballet of fire. The searing heat revealed ghastly injuries, with blood oozing from charred skin riddled with gaping wounds. With a voice heavy with sorrow, the blazing figure spoke words laced with torment. "Why didn't you protect your friend? Why didn't you save me?" As Ayush watched the tears cascade down the man's face, he realized it was Abhimanyu's father. He longed to respond, but the old man continued, "You are nothing but a weak-minded fool who squanders his power, unable to fulfill a dying man's last wish to save you. Why didn't you marry my sister? Why didn't you complete the ritual?"

As Ayush absorbed these words, confusion washed over him, and memories of the past flickered in his mind. But before he could take a step forward, he heard footsteps approaching—soft yet laden with pain. A voice pierced through the darkness, echoing in Ayush's ears.

"Why didn't you save me, brother?" It was the haunting voice of his brother, Eshu, who emerged with a gaping wound in his chest, blood trickling down, tears streaming from his eyes, and the horrifying absence of his eyeballs. Though Eshu had always been the one Ayush held dear, witnessing this grotesque transformation sent waves of terror coursing through him.

Overwhelmed by fear and chaos, Ayush sank to his knees, his heart racing wildly. "What happened to you? Who did this?"

A harsh voice echoed, its tone unsettling yet oddly familiar. It belonged to a man with a muscular build, but his neck bore the marks of a savage attack, crimson blood dripping alongside an eerie blue hue. The sight of his hollow eye sockets sent a jolt of pain through Ayush's soul, revealing a nightmare he could never have envisioned. His father, once a towering figure of strength, now lay before him, shattered and broken. Memories flooded Ayush's mind.

"Dad, how strong are you?" the young boy had once asked, gazing up at his father.

With a proud smile, his father had flexed his muscles, declaring, "I am the strongest in the world! No one can defeat your father!"

Ayush had laughed, envisioning his dad as an unyielding fortress, always there to shield him. But now, that image lay in ruins, replaced by the horrifying reality before him.

"What happened, Dad? Who did this?" Ayush whispered, desperation creeping into his voice.

Suddenly, a woman's voice pierced the air, soft yet haunting. "It was you, son." A beautiful woman emerged, but her face bore the marks of a brutal attack, as if some beast had savaged her. Despite the horror of her appearance, Ayush felt an undeniable connection; she was his mother.

From behind her, more family members stepped forward, each bearing the scars of a tragedy that had shattered their lives.

As Ayush absorbed the shocking revelation that he was the cause of the tragedy, it felt as though his very essence had been ripped from him. Even if it were merely a dream, the thought of inflicting pain on those he cherished was unbearable. Throughout his life, the one thing that had kept his emotions in check was the unwavering love of his family, especially his mother. Memories surged forth as he encountered more familiar faces, and tears streamed down his cheeks. The accusations echoed louder in his mind, relentless and piercing. "If only you had trained harder, if you hadn't hesitated for power, we would still be alive. You are the one who killed us, not the enemies. Not the evils." Each word felt like a dagger, and he trembled as he turned to confront the source of the last accusation—his dearest friend, Abhimanyu. One eye was completely missing, blood cascading down his face, and his hand was a mangled mess, a horrific testament to the suffering he had endured. The sight of him was enough to make Ayush feel as if he were losing his grip on reality.

Just when despair threatened to consume him entirely, a woman appeared at his side. With mesmerizing blue eyes and cascading green hair, she wore a dress that sparkled with hues of emerald and azure. An aura of vitality surrounded her, casting a warm, healing glow over the injured. Those who had been battered and bruised lay still, their eyes and mouths closed, and as Ayush watched the plants around them mend their wounds, a wave of tranquility washed over him. His heart raced as he turned to the girl; when she enveloped him in her embrace, an unexplainable bond ignited between them, as if their souls had intertwined through countless lifetimes. Amidst the chaos, she became the beacon of hope he so desperately sought. As he closed his eyes, his frantic thoughts began to settle into a peaceful rhythm.

After a while, Ayush slowly opened his eyes to find a girl standing before him. The sight shocked him, quickly turning into anger. His once exhausted blue eyes began to redden again as he instinctively reached out and grabbed her by the neck. The girl's eyes widened in shock, and tears began to form. Seeing her distress triggered something in him, and his eyes returned to normal as he released her. She gasped for air, coughing as she exclaimed, "What the hell? Are you some kind of psycho? Why did you grab my neck?"

"You were lucky I let go when I did, or you would have really regretted it," she added, her voice laced with defiance. Ayush, confused and furious, sprang from his bed. His eyes flared red once more as he demanded, "What game are you playing? Do you think I don’t know what you’re up to? After everything you’ve done, you act like I’m oblivious to your motives for getting close to me. I see through it all."

As he advanced toward her, she instinctively backed away, fear evident in her eyes. When her back hit the wall, Ayush, fueled by frustration, punched the wall with a fierce blow, the sound echoing in the room.