The Guardian of Ice — The Trial of Truth

Rudra stepped into the glowing cave.
The warm golden light touched his skin gently, almost as if welcoming him. After the freezing cold outside, the warmth felt like stepping into another world.

Inside, the cave was huge—much bigger than it looked from outside.

The walls were made of sparkling ice.
The floor was covered in soft snow that didn’t feel cold at all.
Golden crystals floated slowly in the air like little lanterns.

Rudra whispered,
“Is this… really inside a mountain?”

His voice echoed beautifully.

The bracelet on his wrist pulsed softly, guiding him forward.

Rudra took a deep breath and walked deeper into the cave.

The path opened into a wide hall.
In the center stood a frozen pool—its surface perfectly clear like a mirror.

Rudra approached it carefully.

Suddenly, the ice glowed.

Images appeared on its surface.

Rudra’s childhood.

A younger version of him crying after falling.

Him training with a wooden stick in the village.

Him standing proudly with Valmiki after learning a spell.

Rudra’s eyes widened.

“What… is this?”

The bracelet whispered:

“Your memories.”

Rudra touched the ice gently.

Then more images appeared.

This time, painful ones:

Him running away from his responsibilities.
Him lying to his friends when he couldn’t fight.
Him feeling weak when Valmiki saved him every time.

Rudra looked away.

“Stop… I don’t want to see that.”

But the images kept coming.

A moment when he shouted at Valmiki out of frustration.
A moment when he hid behind someone else during a demon attack.
A moment when he thought, “Maybe I’m not meant to be a hero.”

Rudra clenched his fists.

His voice shook.

“Why are you showing me this?”

A gentle voice echoed through the hall:

“Because truth is the first step to strength.”

Rudra turned around quickly.

A figure stood at the far end of the hall.

Tall.

Calm.

Powerful.

The figure walked forward slowly.

He looked like a monk made entirely of ice—his robe flowing like frozen water. His hair was white like snow. His eyes glowed soft blue. But his presence felt warm, peaceful, and kind.

Rudra swallowed hard.

“You… are the first guardian?”

The guardian smiled slightly.

“Yes. I am called Himra, the Guardian of Ice.”

Rudra bowed his head respectfully.

“I’m Rudra. I came here because Valmiki told me to find you. The world is in danger. Aghori—”

Himra raised his hand gently.

“I know, child. The mountain whispers news faster than humans speak it.”

“So… you’ll help me?”

Himra shook his head.

“Not yet.”

Rudra blinked.

“What? Why?”

“Because you have not passed the Trial of Truth,” Himra said calmly.

Rudra looked at the frozen pool again.

“You mean… this?”

“Yes. You saw your fears. Now you must face your truths.”

Rudra frowned.

“I already know my truths. I’m weak. I’m scared. I mess up a lot.”

Himra stepped closer.

“That is not truth… that is judgment.”

Rudra looked confused.

Himra touched the ice.

The surface rippled.

A new image appeared.

Rudra helping a frightened child escape a demon.
Rudra protecting the villagers even when he was terrified.
Rudra refusing to abandon Valmiki even when he was dying.

Rudra stared silently.

Himra spoke gently:

“Truth is not only your failures.
Truth is also your courage.”

Rudra’s eyes softened.

“But… I don’t feel brave.”

Himra smiled.

“Bravery is not the absence of fear.
It is the decision to move forward despite fear.”

Rudra lowered his head.

“I… I never thought of it like that.”

Himra nodded.

“And that is why you are here—to understand who you truly are.”

Without warning, the hall turned dark.
Cold wind rushed through the cave.

Snow swirled around Rudra like a storm.

The ice guardian’s voice echoed,

“Your trial begins now.”

Rudra shielded his face with his arm.

“What do I have to do!?”

“Face yourself.”

A human-shaped figure formed from the swirling snow.

Rudra froze.

Because the figure looked exactly like him.

Same height.
Same face.
Same clothes.
Same bracelet—except it glowed dark blue.

The figure smirked.

“Hello, Rudra.”

Rudra stepped back.

“What… what ARE you?”

His copy tilted its head.

“I am you.
The version of you that you fear the most.”

Rudra swallowed hard.

“You’re… the weak me?”

The copy laughed.

“Weak? No. I am the truth you refuse to accept.”

Rudra clenched his fists.

“Then what do you want?”

“I want to show you… how easily you can fall.”

The copy dashed forward at incredible speed.

Rudra barely dodged.

“HEY! I didn’t agree to fight myself!”

The copy spun and kicked him in the stomach.

Rudra rolled on the snow, coughing.

“Ugh… you fight like a demon!”

The copy smiled coldly.

“Because your worst enemy… is always yourself.”

Rudra wiped his mouth and stood up again.

“Fine. If I have to fight, then let’s go.”

They clashed.

Punches.
Kicks.
Blocks.
Dodges.

But the copy was stronger. Faster. Sharper.
Every move Rudra made, the copy countered it instantly.

Rudra’s breath grew heavy.

“I… can’t win…”

The copy smirked.

“That’s because you don’t believe in yourself.”

Rudra fell to one knee.

His hands shook.

His heart pounded painfully.

“I’m… not strong enough…”

The copy walked slowly toward him.

“You’re right.”

Rudra lowered his head.

But then—

The bracelet pulsed.

A voice whispered softly:

“You are not alone. You have light inside you.”

Rudra looked at his bracelet.

He remembered Valmiki’s smile.

He remembered the child he saved.

He remembered standing up against Aghori even though he was terrified.

He whispered,

“No… I am strong enough.”

He stood up.

The copy stopped walking.

Rudra’s eyes were now firm.

“I may be scared. I may be weak sometimes.
But that doesn’t mean I’ll give up.”

The copy’s expression changed.

“Impossible… you can’t overcome fear that easily.”

Rudra smiled slightly.

“I’m not overcoming it.
I’m walking with it.”

His bracelet glowed bright gold.

Light burst from his hand.

The copy hissed and stepped backward.

“What is that!?”

Rudra took a deep breath.

“My truth.”

He charged forward.

The snow shook beneath his feet.

The golden light struck the copy in the chest.

A loud crack echoed.

The copy shattered into snowflakes…

And disappeared.

The storm ended.

The hall returned to its warm glow.

Himra appeared again, smiling calmly.

“You have passed, Rudra.”

Rudra gasped for air.

“Th-that was… horrible.”

Himra chuckled softly.

“But necessary.”

Rudra straightened up.

“So… will you help me now?”

Himra raised a hand.

A small crystal formed in his palm—shining with ice-blue light.

“This is my blessing.
A fragment of my power.”

He placed the crystal on Rudra’s bracelet.

As soon as it touched, the bracelet absorbed it.

Rudra felt a wave of cool energy flow through his body.

Not painful.

Not burning.

Calm.

Pure.

Strong.

Himra spoke:

“You now carry the Ice Spirit.
It will protect you when your heart remains steady.”

Rudra smiled.

“Thank you. I won’t waste this power.”

Himra nodded.

“You must find the next guardian.
The danger ahead is far greater than you imagine.”

Rudra took a deep breath.

“Where do I go next?”

Himra pointed to the cave exit.

“Beyond this mountain lies a deep emerald forest.
There, the Guardian of Beasts waits.”

Rudra’s eyes shined.

“My next challenge.”

Himra smiled warmly.

“Go with truth in your heart, Rudra.”

Rudra bowed respectfully…

And walked out of the cave.

His journey continued.

And the next guardian awaited.