MY GAME BEGINS Episode 4 / Chapter 4: The Truth, Atonement, and Redemption Part 9: The Power of Truth, Andhra Vallabha — Part 4

MY GAME BEGINS

Episode 4 / Chapter 4: The Truth, Atonement, and Redemption

Part 9: The Power of Truth, Andhra Vallabha — Part 4

His dark katana trembled violently in his grip as the Shadow Lord, consumed by sheer panic and desperation, lunged toward Srinivasulu in his grand divine form with all his remaining strength.

Driving the blade directly toward Srinivasulu’s throat, the Shadow Lord intended to deliver a fatal blow.

Yet, the moment the razor-sharp edge touched Srinivasulu’s neck, the dark steel dissolved in a flash of divine light, instantly transforming into a beautiful garland of heavenly white flowers that settled gently around Andhra Vallabha Srinivasulu’s shoulders.

The Shadow Lord froze, paralyzed with absolute shock.

Aira, Rose, Kaito, and Jin gasped in wonder, their hearts swelling with overwhelming relief and joy.

Without missing a beat, Srinivasulu clenched his massive divine fist and delivered a devastating right hook straight to the Shadow Lord’s face.

The sheer force sent the Shadow Lord flying across the battlefield, crashing violently through the concrete walls of another ruined, abandoned factory nearby!

As Srinivasulu strode calmly toward the wreckage, his golden aura illuminating the dark ruins, Kaito pumped his fist into the air and shouted,

"Andhra Vallabha, don't spare him! He made us suffer way too much!"

Jin, Rose, and Aira watched with intense focus, ready to witness the final judgment of the Shadow Lord.

Struggling out of the rubble, bloodied and battered, the Shadow Lord forced himself to his feet.

Standing before him in the pitch-black darkness of the Amavasya night (new moon night) was Andhra Vallabha Srinivasulu, draped in crimson silk garments (red pattu vastram), adorned with a shimmering golden crown (Mukuta), and wearing radiant, gemstone-encrusted jewelry.

The divine golden light radiating from his majestic form illuminated the ruined sector like a second sun.

Shivering with primal fear, the Shadow Lord charged blindly toward him in one last desperate attempt to save himself.

In response, a heavy, glittering divine mace—the Gada—materialized instantly in Srinivasulu’s hand.

As the Shadow Lord closed in, Srinivasulu swung the divine mace with thunderous power, smashing it directly into the Shadow Lord’s face!

The brutal impact launched the Shadow Lord into the air, sending him tumbling violently into an open clearing.

Before the Shadow Lord could even react, Srinivasulu was already upon him.

Giving him no time to recover, Srinivasulu unleashed a relentless barrage of strikes with the mace—shattering his face, smashing his left flank, crushing his ribs, and hammering his torso without pause.

Spitting out torrents of black, corrupted blood, the Shadow Lord slumped to his knees, his entire body broken.

With one final, crushing blow of the mace against the Shadow Lord’s spine, Srinivasulu sent him crashing face-first into the earth, screaming in excruciating agony.

Watching the brutal beatdown from afar, Aira, Rose, Kaito, and Jin could barely contain their joy.

Writhing on the ground, the Shadow Lord turned his head back—only to find Srinivasulu standing directly over him.

Before the Shadow Lord could move an inch, Srinivasulu raised his foot and planted it firmly on his chest, pressing down with immense weight and pinning him helplessly to the ground.

From such close proximity, Srinivasulu’s divine face shone with breathtaking clarity.

The sacred markings of the Vishnu Tilakam burned brilliantly on his forehead, making his expression appear impossibly handsome yet filled with terrifying, formidable authority.

The cosmic presence of Srikakulam Andhra Maha Vishnu was distinctly visible within him.

Terrified beyond measure, the Shadow Lord grabbed Srinivasulu’s foot with trembling hands and pleaded desperately.

"Andhra Vallabha... please! Have mercy on me! Forgive me and let me go!"

In a booming divine voice that shook the atmosphere, Srinivasulu declared,

"O evil sinner! The ocean of your sins has overflowed. Your death at my hands is absolute!"

He raised the divine Gada high into the air, preparing to deliver the final strike.

Aira, Rose, Kaito, and Jin held their breath.

Just as the mace was about to crush his skull, the Shadow Lord shrieked in terror.

"If you kill me right now, you will know NOTHING about the impending great catastrophe!"

Srinivasulu froze his arm midair, holding the mace inches from the Shadow Lord’s face.

Hearing the word *catastrophe*, Aira, Jin, Kaito, and Rose immediately sprinted over.

"Catastrophe?!" Kaito barked. "What nonsense are you blabbering about?"

Jin leaned down aggressively, grabbed the Shadow Lord by his hair, and pulled his head up.

"He won't spit it out if you ask nicely! Speak, you scum! What upcoming catastrophe?!"

"I'll tell you! I'll tell you everything! Just don't hurt me!" the Shadow Lord whimpered frantically.

As Aira and Rose exchanged anxious glances, the Shadow Lord began explaining in a raspy, cough-filled voice.

"In exactly four days from today... a Total Lunar Eclipse will occur!

"During the eclipse, your divine powers will be at their absolute weakest!

"Taking advantage of this opening, our Supreme Demon Lord is dispatching his 5th Rank Commander to launch a massive, full-scale invasion!

"If that army sets foot in Paradise City, everything will be wiped out completely!"

Srinivasulu pressed his foot down harder on the Shadow Lord’s chest, his eyes narrowing.

"How do we stop this invasion?"

"You can't stop it!" the Shadow Lord choked out, coughing up black fluid.

"The orders have already been issued directly by the Supreme Demon Lord! In four days... the invasion WILL happen!"

Andhra Vallabha Srinivasulu, Jin, Kaito, Rose, and Aira stared at one another in grave concern.

Seizing their momentary distraction, the Shadow Lord used his final escape move.

Thick, suffocating black smoke blasted out of his body like steam erupting from an engine exhaust, instantly engulfing the entire area in a dense cloud.

Panicking, Aira, Rose, Kaito, and Jin stumbled backward, coughing violently as they scrambled out of the dark smoke.

"Cough... Cowardly bastard ran away!" Jin growled, waving his hands in the air.

"Ugh, cough! Wretched bastard blew smoke right in our faces! My eyes are burning!" Kaito yelled, wiping his teary eyes.

Rose asked frantically between coughs,

"Aira, guys, is everyone okay?"

"I'm fine, Rose!" Aira replied, coughing softly.

"Wait... where is Srinivasulu?"

They turned back toward the thick black cloud.

Out of the darkness walked Srinivasulu in his towering divine form.

The dark smoke parted around him naturally, unable to touch or affect his holy radiance in the slightest.

As they watched in awe, the divine golden light gradually receded, and his grand eight-foot form smoothly reverted to his true, natural human form.

Aira, Rose, Kaito, and Jin stood silently, watching him in deep reverence.

### Scene Shift — 30 Minutes Later

Under the wide canopy of a large tree near the battlefield, Jin, Kaito, Rose, Aira, and Srinivasulu sat together in a circle.

Srinivasulu looked at all of them, his hands folded politely and his head bowed low in humility.

"This is the complete truth. From the moment I stepped into this world until this very second, I have told you every single detail without hiding anything.

"Whether you choose to forgive me or punish me... my fate is entirely in your hands."

Jin took a long, deep breath and looked around.

"Alright, guys... what should we do?"

Kaito, Aira, and Rose exchanged glances, then looked at Jin, and finally at Srinivasulu, who remained seated with his head bowed, waiting quietly.

Jin reached out and placed a warm hand on Srinivasulu’s shoulder.

"We forgive you, Srinivasulu."

Srinivasulu immediately snapped his head up, his eyes widening with emotional joy.

Jin smiled gently.

"Your loneliness and your pain were real... but the path you took to escape them was wrong."

Srinivasulu’s voice cracked with emotion.

"Thank you... thank you for understanding me."

Rose nodded softly, realization dawning on her.

"So that's why you were acting so awkward around Aira! You were struggling so hard to tell me something, weren't you?"

Srinivasulu chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his neck.

"Well... Rose-garu, your friend Ren's personality and mine are completely different.

"I tried to stay away from Aira, not because I hated her, but because I was terrified that my presence would end up causing her trouble."

Aira couldn't help but smile warmly at his words.

Kaito smirked playfully, throwing his hands up to break the heavy mood.

"Alright, stop it, everyone! Why are you embarrassing the poor guy even more?

"He literally crossed worlds and came here out of love for Rose! Isn't that right, Srinivasulu bro?"

Srinivasulu’s face flushed red with embarrassment.

"Kaito bro! I said that was one of the reasons, not the only reason!"

Jin, Aira, and Kaito burst out laughing at his reaction, while Rose blushed slightly and looked away.

Kaito leaned forward, curiosity gleaming in his eyes.

"Putting jokes aside, Srinivasulu bro... back when you transformed into that grand divine form, where did you get that kind of godlike power?"

Srinivasulu explained,

"When you guys transform into your forms, it's very different from when I transform."

"Different? How so?" Kaito asked.

"I possess five divine forms in total, all granted to me by the supreme grace of Lord Venkateshwara," Srinivasulu said thoughtfully.

"Whenever I assume any of those five forms, I only have 50% control over them."

Jin, Kaito, Rose, and Aira exchanged startled looks.

"Only 50%?" Kaito asked, his eyes widening. "Then what about the remaining 50%?"

"It is under Divine Control—Daivadhinam," Srinivasulu replied solemnly.

The team gasped.

Kaito leaned in closer.

"Under divine control? What does that even mean? How does that work?"

"I cannot describe in exact terms how it works, but I can tell you how it feels," Srinivasulu said gently.

"I have summoned these powers only twice in my life—first, when I landed in the forest and fought your friend Ren, and second, just now, when I fought the Shadow Lord.

"When you transform, you have complete control over your powers and forms.

"But when I invoke a divine form, it is like offering my body as a vessel—praying to the Supreme Lord to manifest His divine energy through that form and into me to protect Dharma.

"This power of the Lord's grace works only when one's heart is pure and selfless. These powers cannot be used by just anyone."

He looked at them, his eyes bright with deep conviction.

"I have five different forms, but according to the philosophy of Sanatana Dharma that I know, though the forms appear different, the ultimate Divine Reality is One—Parabrahma.

"To come closer to us human beings, that same Parabrahma manifests in all these diverse divine forms."

Aira, Rose, Kaito, and Jin listened with absolute fascination.

Kaito asked curiously,

"Why did He take so many forms? What do we gain from Him coming closer to us like that?"

"So that the Atma—the individual soul within us—can ultimately merge back into Parabrahma," Srinivasulu explained.

"According to Dharma, every living creature on this earth possesses a soul that originated from the Supreme Parabrahma.

"The essence of God resides inside every one of us as our soul.

"To help us return to Him and finally merge back into Him, He manifests as the Vishnu Tattvam, the Shiva Tattvam, the Shakti Tattvam, the Krishna Tattvam, and as Lord Venkateshwara—whom I worship.

"Since I am a devoted seeker of Lord Venkateshwara, He is my Parabrahma, and through my devotion to Him, I shall attain salvation—Moksha."

Kaito scratched his head in utter confusion.

"Wait, wait... Karma? Moksha? Atma? Rebirth?

"Bro, can you explain what all these things mean to us?"

Jin, Aira, and Rose leaned in, completely fascinated.

Srinivasulu said,

"To truly understand that, you must first know about the divine dream I had..."

He then proceeded to explain the entire sacred dream he had experienced, detailing the mysteries of life, death, rebirth, and divine cosmic order.

Jin, Kaito, Rose, and Aira listened in absolute wonder.

Kaito rolled his eyes in awe.

"Whoa... Is there such a massive cycle of mystery hidden behind human life?!"

Jin immediately smacked Kaito on the back of his head.

"Listen carefully, you idiot! Life isn't just about watching anime on TV, reading manga during holidays, or going to a temple on festivals just to bow your head symbolically without any devotion!

"He's explaining the profound concepts of devotion (Bhakthi) and spirituality—listen and learn!"

Jin then turned to Srinivasulu with a grin.

"Srinivasulu, please knock some sense into this guy's head! He's been getting completely spoiled lately."

Srinivasulu laughed heartily.

"Leave him with me for just two days, Jin bro! He’ll abandon all his bad habits, become a pious devotee, and sit right next to me doing puja to Lord Venkateshwara!"

Everyone burst into a collective roar of laughter.

Then Kaito asked,

"By the way, who is Lord Venkateshwara?"

Everyone looked at one another.

Srinivasulu then began explaining.

"Lord Venkateshwara is none other than Lord Narayana, the Supreme Lord Vishnu.

"In your culture, He is known by names such as Bichūten and Naraenten, and His vahana, Garuda, is known as Karura.

"But in my homeland, Andhra, He is widely worshipped as Lord Venkateshwara—the manifested Supreme Lord of this Kali Yuga, Kaliyuga Pratyaksha Daivam.

"His main temple is located in Tirupati, which is known as Kaliyuga Vaikuntha.

"If you read the history of Lord Venkateshwara, known as the Venkatachala Mahatyam, along with the histories of His devotees and saints and the accounts of His miracles throughout the ages, you'll learn so much about Him.

"Many of His devotees and saints were real historical people.

"If you read all of those accounts with me, then you'll understand!"

He tapped Kaito's shoulder.

Kaito's eyes widened in amazement.

"Wow! That's quite a long history, but it's interesting!"

Then Jin, Aira, and Rose looked at one another.

Srinivasulu then summarized,

"So, do you understand how my powers work now?

"In simple terms, when I pray with pure intent, the Supreme Lord Himself manifests through me, using my body as a vessel to protect Dharma.

"I retain 50% of the control, while the remaining 50% rests entirely with the Supreme Lord."

Kaito stared at Srinivasulu’s face in total awe.

"100% crystal clear, bro!"

Aira then stepped forward, her voice filled with hope.

"All of this is incredible, Srinivasulu... but what about our Ren? You mentioned earlier that it's possible to bring Ren back?"

"Yes, it is possible," Srinivasulu confirmed.

"If we invoke Devarshi Narada, he can make it happen."

Aira asked eagerly,

"If you call him right now, will he really come?"

"If I call him with pure devotion and a true heart, he will definitely appear..." Srinivasulu began.

Before he could even finish his sentence, a resonant, musical voice echoed from the sky above.

"Narayana! Narayana! It seems someone is remembering me!"

A brilliant beam of celestial light descended from the heavens, and Devarshi Narada materialized gracefully on the ground before them!

Jin, Kaito, Rose, and Aira jumped up in utter shock, staggering backward.

Kaito leaned over to Srinivasulu and whispered in panic,

"Srinivasulu bro... who is this guy?!"

Srinivasulu smiled.

"I told you, Kaito bro! He is the one I was talking about!"

Kaito blinked.

"Wait! You said he’d come if you called him, but he showed up before you even called!"

Devarshi Narada chuckled lightly, plucking the strings of his Veena.

"What do you mean, 'if called,' young man?

"I am a free wanderer, a devotee and servant of Lord Sri Hari!

"I travel everywhere and can travel anywhere, chanting the holy name of the Lord wherever I go—Narayana, Narayana!"

Kaito instantly shut his mouth, speechless.

Realizing his divine stature, Jin, Kaito, Rose, and Aira bowed their heads in deep respect before Sage Narada.

Devarshi Narada raised his hand in blessing.

"Ayushman Bhava! Ayushman Bhava! May you all live in peace and happiness, my children!"

Seeing the sage, Srinivasulu immediately stepped forward, knelt on the ground, and bowed fully, performing Padabhivandanam—touching Devarshi Narada’s feet in complete reverence.

"What is this, Srinivasulu? Rise up!" Devarshi Narada said warmly, catching Srinivasulu by his shoulders and lifting him up.

Watching Srinivasulu touch the sage's feet, Jin, Kaito, Rose, and Aira stared in shock, fascinated by another profound cultural contrast.

Blessing him warmly, Devarshi Narada said,

"Chiranjeeva, Chiranjeeva! Sukhibhava! Sukhibhava!

"You have finally accomplished what I asked of you, Srinivasulu. You accepted the truth and confessed everything."

"Yes, Devarshi," Srinivasulu replied humbly. "I revealed the entire truth to them."

"Your phase of atonement is complete," Devarshi Narada declared.

"You are now free to return to your real world.

"If you walk the path of Dharma in your real life, placing your ultimate faith in Lord Venkateshwara, you will surely attain absolute Moksha, free from the cycle of rebirth!"

Srinivasulu joined his palms respectfully.

"Dhanyosmi, Devarshi. I am eternally grateful."

He then turned toward the team and pointed toward Aira.

"Devarshi... they desperately wish to have their true friend Ren back. Is it possible to bring him back now?"

Devarshi Narada smiled.

"Of course! I can summon Ren back to this world right now, and then take you back to your own world!

"Tell me, Srinivasulu... are you ready to leave?"

"I am always ready, Devarshi," Srinivasulu answered peacefully.

"WAIT!" Jin suddenly shouted.

Everyone—Devarshi Narada, Srinivasulu, Kaito, Rose, and Aira—turned in surprise to look at Jin.

Srinivasulu asked gently,

"What is it, Jin bro?"

Jin looked straight into Srinivasulu’s eyes.

"Srinivasulu... I don't want you to leave right now."

"Why?" Srinivasulu asked, puzzled.

Jin explained urgently,

"You just told us that in times of extreme danger, the Supreme Lord Himself manifests through you to protect righteousness.

"In just four days, a massive, world-ending war is going to break out!

"Right now, rather than having our friend Ren back... having YOU here with us is far more crucial!

"You alone possess the power to fight those high-ranking commanders!

"You alone have the power to destroy their entire demon army!

"None of us can do it—only you can save us!"

Srinivasulu fell into deep thought, weighing the immense weight of Jin's words.

Aira stepped forward, her eyes shining with earnestness.

"Jin is 100% right, Srinivasulu. In a crisis like this, only your power can protect Paradise City and save our entire world."

Kaito nodded vigorously.

"I completely agree!"

Rose added firmly,

"I agree as well!"

Jin continued,

"And Srinivasulu... we shouldn't reveal to the outside world that you aren't Ren.

"Return with us in Ren's appearance!

"Except for the four of us sitting right here, no one else should ever know this secret!"

Rose added hurriedly,

"Don't worry! We won't even tell my father, Rai!"

Srinivasulu turned toward Devarshi Narada, looking for guidance.

"What should I do, Devarshi?

"Once, I wore Ren's face out of pure selfishness.

"Now, they are asking me to wear this face once again to protect their world... What is the right path?"

Devarshi Narada smiled gently, his eyes filled with divine wisdom.

"Do not hesitate for a single second, Srinivasulu!

"To protect this universe and uphold Dharma (righteousness), Lord Sri Hari or Lord Vishwakarma Himself has assumed countless avatars and forms throughout time.

"Back then, you stole this face for your own selfish desire, which is why the Lord's divine powers didn't answer your prayers.

"But today, you are accepting this form to defend an entire world and protect Dharma!

"This does NOT count as selfishness—this is pure Dharma Rakshana! (protecting righteousness)

"Accept their request courageously!"

Hearing the divine approval, Srinivasulu turned to Jin, Kaito, Rose, and Aira with a resolute smile.

"Very well! For the ultimate protection of Dharma... I accept!"

Srinivasulu extended his arms.

A brilliant divine radiance erupted around his entire body, enveloping him in shimmering golden light.

As the light slowly dissolved, Srinivasulu stood before them, perfectly transformed back into the appearance of Ren.

Aira, Rose, Kaito, and Jin watched the miraculous transformation with beaming smiles.

At that exact moment, over the horizon of the Far West abandoned factory sector, the morning sun began to rise.

The pitch-black gloom of the new moon night washed away, replaced by the warm, golden rays of a new dawn.

Plucking the strings of his celestial Veena, Devarshi Narada laughed joyfully.

"Narayana! Narayana! A grand, magnificent new chapter in Srinivasulu's life has begun!"

(End of Episode 4 / Chapter 4, Part 9 — Part 4)