MY GAME BEGINS Episode 5 / Chapter 5: Lord Venkateswara Swami Shakshaatkaram Part 1: The Council of Higher Beings

MY GAME BEGINS

Episode 5 / Chapter 5: Lord Venkateswara Swami Shakshaatkaram

Part 1: The Council of Higher Beings

Inside the D-Hotel Headquarters

The heavy glass doors of the D-Hotel Headquarters slid open, admitting a cool draft of air along with five weary figures.

The interior was a masterpiece of sleek, modern luxury.

Soft lighting bathed the polished marble floors, while deep executive leather armchairs stood arranged in quiet elegance.

Jin, Kaito, Rose, Aira, and Srinivasulu—in Ren's form—walked inside.

Each step felt heavy with exhaustion.

They made their way into the main lounge and collapsed onto the large, plush sofas, finally allowing themselves a moment of rest.

Chief Rai burst into the lounge, his face pale with stress and his suit jacket slightly disheveled.

The moment his eyes landed on the group, his frantic expression broke into overwhelming relief.

"Dad!" Rose cried out.

She immediately sprang to her feet and ran toward him, flinging her arms around his neck.

Chief Rai held her tightly, closing his eyes for a long moment to catch his breath before gently stroking Rose's hair.

He pulled back slightly, his eyes sweeping over Jin, Kaito, Aira, and Srinivasulu.

"Welcome back... Thank God you're all safe. You have no idea how terrified I was!

"When I realized the Shadow Lord had trapped you, I thought... I thought I'd lost all of you."

Jin leaned back against the sofa, letting out a weary sigh.

"It's all thanks to Ren, Chief. If we're standing here alive today, it's entirely because of him."

Kaito smirked, his energy returning as he crossed his arms with a proud grin.

"You should've seen it, Chief! Our Ren absolutely beat the living daylights out of that Shadow Lord!"

Aira let out a soft laugh, her eyes warm as she nodded.

"It's true, Chief. Ren saved us all."

Chief Rai blinked in pleasant surprise, a warm smile spreading across his weathered face.

"Is that so?"

He gently guided Rose toward the grand sofa in the center of the lounge and sat down beside her.

"Now, tell me everything."

Rose leaned excitedly toward her father.

"Dad, our Ren defeated the Shadow Lord! That's how we all managed to escape!"

Chief Rai turned his gaze toward Srinivasulu, who was sitting silently in Ren's form, staring blankly at the floor.

"Is what they're saying true, Ren?" Chief Rai asked, his tone filled with pride and affection.

Srinivasulu didn't answer.

He sat frozen, his eyes fixed on a distant point, his chest tightening under the heavy weight of a truth he couldn't speak.

"Ren?" Chief Rai called out again, his brow furrowing slightly.

Aira, sitting next to him, leaned closer and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"Ren! The Chief is calling you."

Srinivasulu flinched, snapping out of his trance.

He blinked rapidly, looking around the room before his gaze landed on Aira.

She leaned in close to his ear, whispering softly.

"Srinivasulu... The Chief is calling you. Say something."

Srinivasulu swallowed hard and turned toward Chief Rai.

"Forgive me, Chief... I was... lost in my own thoughts."

Chief Rai let out a soft, sympathetic sigh and nodded understandingly.

"You're worrying about the upcoming invasion, aren't you?"

Srinivasulu's eyes widened slightly in surprise.

"How... how do you know about that?"

"Jin called me while you were all on your way back," Chief Rai explained, his expression turning grave.

"He told me everything about the eclipse and the impending invasion.

"Look at me, Ren. Whatever comes our way, we have no choice but to stand and fight.

"But don't torment yourself by overthinking it right now. What's destined to happen will happen."

Jin, Kaito, Rose, Aira, and Srinivasulu exchanged quiet, solemn glances.

The atmosphere in the room grew heavy with the unspoken weight of the four-day deadline hanging over their heads.

Chief Rai stood up, clapping his hands together softly to break the heavy silence.

"That's enough for tonight. All of you, head to your rooms and get some rest. You desperately need it."

Scene Shift: The Hotel Hallway

The quiet corridor was illuminated by soft, recessed wall lamps.

Srinivasulu walked slowly down the hallway, his boots making faint sounds against the carpeted floor.

His head hung low, his mind swirling in a vortex of guilt and conflict.

"Srinivasulu, wait."

Aira's voice broke the silence.

Srinivasulu stopped in his tracks and turned around.

Aira and Rose were walking toward him, their expressions filled with deep concern.

Aira paused a few feet away, her eyes searching his face.

"Why couldn't you say anything back there in front of the Chief?"

Srinivasulu looked away, letting out a bitter, breathy chuckle that held no humor.

"What was I supposed to say, Aira?

"Just a few days ago, I wove lie after lie just to steal Ren's life and live in his place.

"But now... now that you've all given me the chance to actually live like him... the lies just won't come out.

"Even trying to tell a small lie makes me feel guilty!"

Aira and Rose exchanged a pained glance.

Rose stepped forward, placing a comforting hand on Srinivasulu's arm.

"Why are you talking like this, Srinivasulu?"

Srinivasulu looked down at his trembling hands—hands that bore the appearance of Ren.

"Maybe... maybe you all made a mistake bringing me back here."

"It wasn't a mistake, Srinivasulu," Aira said firmly, her voice leaving no room for doubt.

"A lie told to protect lives and save this world is not a sin. Never think that."

Rose offered a gentle, reassuring smile.

"Don't overthink everything right now. Go to your room and get some sleep, Srinivasulu."

Srinivasulu stared at them for a moment before giving a slow, tired nod.

"All right... You two should get some sleep as well."

He turned and continued down the corridor toward his room.

Aira and Rose stood side by side, watching his retreating shadow with quiet worry until he disappeared around the corner.

View Shifts

Far, far away from Earth, beyond the reach of the stars, resting at the very pinnacle of the universe, was a divine realm of unfathomable beauty.

Countless massive, glowing golden lotuses floated in the cosmic expanse, carrying magnificent golden castles.

This was the Swarna Padmapuram—the Great Golden Lotus Realm.

Among all the celestial lotuses, one stood out as the absolute largest.

Atop this colossal lotus rested a sprawling, majestic palace glowing with a brilliant golden light, shining brighter than a thousand suns combined.

This was the Great Council of Higher Beings.

Inside the grand assembly hall, the sheer scale of divinity was breathtaking.

Towering golden pillars stretched upward into infinity, reflecting off a floor made of seamless, polished gold.

Magnificent thrones carved out of celestial gold were arranged in a vast semicircular gallery.

In the center of the court lay a deep, U-shaped basin filled with glowing, consecrated waters—Pavitra Jalam—that pulsed with sacred energy.

The air inside the court was thick with immense pressure.

A fierce, heated debate was underway among the gathered Higher Beings—the Universal Council responsible for bestowing powers upon mortals and maintaining the cosmic equilibrium of the 'Chosen One' game universe.

Though many seats remained empty, reserved for deities absent from the emergency session, the most influential Higher Beings were present.

To the left of the hall sat the Greek pantheon.

The Almighty Zeus sat atop his high throne, flanked by his sons, the Sun God Apollo and the mighty Heracles, who sat draped in the thick pelt of the Nemean Lion, his massive wooden club leaning against his knee.

Directly opposite them sat the Norse pantheon.

The All-Father Odin sat in solemn silence, accompanied by his radiant son Baldur and the towering God of Thunder, Thor.

To one side, draped in celestial silk, sat the Shinto deities—Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto in serene blue robes and his fiery brother Susanoo-no-Mikoto in crimson attire, flanked by several minor Kamis.

Thor's Outburst

Thor suddenly slammed his iron-gloved fist onto the armrest of his throne and stood up.

His massive, muscular frame, roaring red beard, and flowing copper hair radiated sheer physical power.

Gripping his legendary war hammer, Mjölnir, Thor stomped into the central arena of the court.

"I assume every single one of you understands the grave urgency of this council!" Thor's booming voice rattled the golden pillars.

"The audacity of those foul demons has crossed all limits! That scum—the Supreme Demon Lord—has gathered enough courage to launch a full-scale invasion of Earth during the Total Lunar Eclipse! And he dares to send his 5th Rank Commander to lead it!"

Thor glared around the room, his eyes burning with crackling blue electricity.

"Our greatest mistake was letting that Supreme Demon Lord run away when he first rebelled! Now their dark strength has grown, and those wretched creatures think they have the power to conquer the mortal realm!

"We cannot sit idly by! Before their filthy armies even set foot on Earth, we must launch an immediate, full-scale assault on the Demon Realm and wipe them out to the last soul!"

Thor turned to his father, Odin, his chest heaving with adrenaline.

"Father! Give me the command! I will mount my goat-drawn chariot straight into their realm and grind their entire world into dust!"

Odin opened his single, wisdom-filled eye and spoke softly, his voice echoing like ancient mountains.

"Be patient, my son."

Before Thor could reply, Heracles stood up from the Greek benches.

He adjusted the Nemean lion skin over his broad shoulder and crossed his arms, looking at Thor with a cool, challenging smirk.

"Why so impatient, Thor?" Heracles said, his deep voice carrying through the hall.

"If you make all the decisions by yourself, what purpose does this Council serve? Where is the respect for our laws?

"According to the sacred rules of this court, no action can be taken unless every one of us Higher Beings agrees. How can we make a decree before the Great Enlightened One has even arrived?

"Control your temper. Let the Great Enlightened One arrive, and we shall reach a proper decision together."

Thor spun around, his eyes narrowing to slits as he glared at Heracles.

"Are you even thinking before you speak, Heracles?! This is no time for idle debates and bureaucratic rules! The invasion happens in four short days! Earth is in mortal peril, and you stand there lecturing me about rules?!"

Zeus and Apollo exchanged quiet looks, while Odin and Baldur watched the escalating confrontation without a word.

Heracles stepped down into the center of the court, his heavy wooden club resting casually over his shoulder.

"You are in a court of divine law, Thor. The rules are meant to be followed."

"Rules are meant for times of peace!" Thor roared, taking a step toward Heracles.

"Not when the mortal world faces total annihilation! And you dare speak to me about control and restraint?

"Do you think I've forgotten your past, Heracles? Do you think the cosmos forgot how you brutally slaughtered the Amazons and the Centaurs, even when they did absolutely nothing to deserve it?!"

Heracles' face darkened instantly, his eyes flashing red with fury.

He stepped nose-to-nose with the Norse Thunder God.

"How dare you speak of my past?! What right do you have to judge me and question my honor?!

"When an enemy stole your hammer, you lacked the courage to fight him head-on! You dressed yourself up in women's clothes like a blushing bride just to trick him and steal it back!

"A god who wore a disguise to kill his enemy?! Someone like you has no right to speak of my valor!"

A few minor Greek deities in the back rows burst into sudden, mocking laughter.

Thor's teeth ground together so hard his jaw creaked.

The blue aura around his body flared wildly, and he raised Mjölnir high above his head!

BOOM!

A violent blast of blue celestial thunder detonated in the air right above the central hall!

The shockwave rattled the golden thrones, making every minor god in the court gasp in shock!

"Watch your tongue!" Thor snarled, sparks flying from his beard.

"What did you just say?!" Thor bellowed. "You call me a coward?!

"I, who swore to protect Earth and humanity no matter the cost! You call me a coward?!

"If we are going to point fingers, I can list every single one of your misdeeds! Countless wicked Jötnar have been slaughtered by the might of my hammer!

"There is no one in the Nine Realms who does not know the tales of my valor! Who are you to question my courage?!"

The minor Norse gods immediately began chanting,

"Glory to Thor, son of Odin! Glory to the God of Thunder!"

Heracles slammed the base of his massive wooden club onto the golden floor, creating a deafening thud that silenced the crowd, and stepped aggressively into the center of the hall.

"You talk of valor?!" Heracles shouted. "What about my might?!

"The world still remembers the deeds I have done! My 12 Labors brought universal glory! I was acknowledged as an invincible hero! I was worshipped as a God!

"During my time, I protected countless people, saved kingdoms, and cleansed the Earth of monstrous beasts!

"But you? Your own people are slowly forgetting you! Soon, no one will even remember your tales!"

The minor Greek gods broke into loud, taunting laughter at Thor.

Thor's expression turned terrifyingly cold.

"Cleansing? You speak as if you performed those labors out of noble altruism! You did them as penance to wash away the blood of your own horrific sins!

"You washed your blood-stained hands, wrapped yourself in self-righteousness, and now you dare compare your pathetic penance to a true realm protector like me?!

"Comparing your false heroism to mine is like comparing the light of a cheap hand torch to the blazing Sun in the sky!"

The minor Norse gods roared with laughter, banging their shields.

Heracles, his chest heaving with rage, gripped his massive wooden club with both hands and stepped into a battle stance.

"I'll show you what true valor feels like! Come at me!"

Thor gripped Mjölnir tight, blue lightning blinding the hall.

"Come then! Let the cosmos witness my valor once again after I crush you! Come!"

The two mighty gods stood face-to-face, inches apart, fully prepared to tear the hall apart in a violent clash.

The Shinto Deities

A short distance away, observing the chaos, sat the Shinto deities: Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto in elegant blue divine robes, and Susanoo-no-Mikoto in striking red divine robes, surrounded by minor Kamis.

Susanoo leaned toward his elder brother, Tsukuyomi.

"Brother, has our sister not come to the council today? Had she been here, perhaps this gathering would not have descended into such chaos."

Tsukuyomi, sitting calmly with his right leg crossed over his left and his chin resting on his closed fist, kept his eyes on the arguing gods.

"You know well, brother, that she refuses to attend any gathering where I am present. Why do you ask?"

Susanoo sighed.

"Have the misunderstandings between you two still not been resolved?"

Tsukuyomi glanced sideways at him.

"At least she keeps her distance from me. But when it comes to you, brother... do you remember the chaos that unfolded because of you?"

Susanoo rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

"Why must we speak of those old days now, brother?"

Tsukuyomi turned his gaze back toward the center of the hall.

"Then let us put the past aside and observe what is unfolding before us."

Susanoo frowned as he watched Thor and Heracles confronting each other.

"Those two are on the verge of tearing this entire hall apart! Should we not step in and bring an end to this madness?"

"Do not interfere," Tsukuyomi said calmly. "The time has come for His arrival."

Susanoo turned toward his brother, surprise flickering across his face.

"His arrival? Who do you speak of, brother?"

Tsukuyomi's expression grew solemn.

"The Great Enlightened One himself."

Susanoo's eyes widened in awe.

The Arrival of the Great Enlightened One

Just as Thor's divine hammer, Mjölnir, and Heracles' great wooden club were about to collide in a world-shattering clash, the sudden, resonant sound of divine bells echoed through the cosmos.

DING... DING... DING...

Suddenly, the ethereal, resonant chime of sacred celestial bells echoed through the vast expanse of the hall.

At the exact center of the assembly, right where the main throne was supposed to be, a terrifyingly powerful divine fire erupted in a blinding flash of light!

The divine heat was so intense that Thor and Heracles froze mid-stride, their weapons hovering inches apart as the sheer spiritual pressure forced them back.

Every single god in the council—Zeus, Apollo, the minor Greek gods, Odin, Baldur, the minor Norse gods, Tsukuyomi, Susanoo, and the minor Kamis—immediately stood up from their thrones in profound respect.

The roaring column of divine fire gradually softened, transforming into a soothing, radiant golden aura.

Within the heart of the light, a massive lotus bud materialized, slowly blooming its petals to reveal a figure seated in the center, glowing with boundless golden energy.

Everyone in the court gasped in reverence.

Accompanying Him, at that exact moment, three other divine figures materialized in bursts of holy light alongside Him.

To His left stood Samantabhadra (Fugen Bosatsu), holding a divine sacred staff in one hand and a glowing blue lotus in the other.

To His right stood Manjusri (Monju Bosatsu), holding a flaming sword of supreme wisdom in one hand and an Utpala lotus bearing the sacred Prajnaparamita Sutra in the other.

And standing nearby, enveloped in a gentle glow, was Ananda (Anan Sonja), dressed in humble saffron robes.

As the blinding light surrounding the central lotus faded, the ultimate form of Shakyamuni Buddha (Shaka Nyorai) was revealed in full glory.

Draped in sacred saffron robes, His face radiated absolute, transcendent peace—an otherworldly, breathtaking beauty.

His calm, compassionate eyes slowly opened, sweeping over the assembled deities of the cosmos.

Ananda stepped forward slightly, raising his hand in a gentle gesture.

"Peace unto all. Please, return to your thrones."

Silence descended upon the hall.

Without a word of protest, every deity in the hall sat back down on their golden thrones.

Heracles immediately lowered his club, turned, and returned to his seat beside Zeus.

However, Thor remained standing in the center.

He looked up at Ananda, his voice laced with suppressed anxiety.

"I must speak with the Great Enlightened One."

Ananda offered a soft smile.

"Speak, Son of Odin. He is listening."

Thor turned his eyes toward Shakyamuni Buddha, bowing his head slightly.

"O Great Enlightened One! Do You comprehend the sheer catastrophe brewing on Earth?!

"A full-scale invasion is about to take place during the Total Lunar Eclipse! It is the exact moment when the divine powers we granted to mortals will be at their absolute weakest!

"If we do not step in to intervene, humanity will face catastrophic destruction!"

Shakyamuni Buddha looked upon Thor with infinite tranquility.

His voice, when He spoke, sounded like a peaceful ocean breeze that instantly calmed the roaring storms of the hall.

"I am aware, O Son of Odin. But in this matter... we must not intervene."

Thor gasped, his eyes wide with disbelief.

"What are You saying, Great Enlightened One?! We must do nothing?!"

"Everything is unfolding according to the cosmic flow," Buddha replied softly.

Thor took a desperate step forward.

"Then why... why did You grant that divine boon to the 5th Rank Demon Commander in the first place?!"

Shakyamuni Buddha's expression remained serene.

"That demon performed severe, unyielding penance dedicated unto Me. Do you not know, Son of Odin, that My grace falls equally upon any soul who seeks Me with true devotion, regardless of who or what they are?"

Thor's voice cracked with rising panic.

"What does this mean, Great Enlightened One?! Have Earth's final hours arrived?! Are we to stand by and watch its destruction?!

"Is this... is this the Ragnarok of the mortal world?!"

"Calm your heart, Son of Odin," Buddha spoke gently, His divine radiance comforting the hall.

"Decisions born of the fire of rage and panic bring only sorrow. They bring neither peace nor true victory.

"Therefore, return to your throne and sit peacefully. Everything that is meant to happen will unfold exactly as it should."

The Buddha paused, His serene eyes locking onto Thor.

"However... if, when the time comes, you truly feel that circumstances have slipped entirely beyond human strength... you may personally ride your chariot down to protect Earth.

"At that time, I will not stop you."

Thor stared at the Buddha for a long moment before letting out a heavy breath.

He bowed deeply, turning around and walking silently back to his throne beside Odin.

Zeus, Apollo, Heracles, Odin, and Baldur exchanged deep, uncertain looks.

Susanoo and Tsukuyomi's Conversation

Susanoo leaned toward his brother, his expression filled with concern.

"Brother, what does this mean? Is the Earth truly destined for destruction? In a moment like this, should it not be our duty to intervene? Why does the Great Enlightened One command us to stand aside?"

Tsukuyomi rested his chin against his clenched fist, a faint, knowing smile touching his lips as he gazed down at the center of the court.

"When the Great Enlightened One speaks in such a manner, Susanoo... it can mean only one thing."

Susanoo turned toward him, his eyes widening with curiosity.

"What is it, brother?"

Tsukuyomi's eyes gleamed with deep cosmic foresight.

"It means... humans shall emerge victorious."

Susanoo gasped in quiet astonishment, slowly turning his gaze back toward the mortal realm below.

(End of Episode 5/ chapter5 part 1)