Chapter 60 - The Jalpa

------Basic info ----

Vartian spirit Astras are completely different from Glassian divine Astras.

Vartian Astras: 

1. They are based on spirit-paths called yantras. As for yantras, they are complex energy paths like nadis in a human body that exist in nature and can produce destructive forces such as lightning, thunder, volcanoes, storms, tornadoes, fire etc.  These hypotheses were put forth by Augusta to explain the working of curses or so-called battle skills. (one shouldn't misunderstand them with  regular weather changes)

According to him,   there are two kinds of nadis in any living or no living being --one to keep them alive, and the other to destroy them. Nature uses these paths to cause sudden destruction and untimely deaths. 

2. So when the spirit is made to flow through these yantras, destructive energy is generated which can be of different types based on the yantra used in the spirit weapon. 

3.  Special materials and yantras used in them allow spirit astras to gather spirit from nature itself. A wielder just has to infuse his spiritual sense to activate them. However, different levels of astras require different levels of spirit senses.  In simple words,  a novice who has a weak spirit sense can not activate even a first star Astra, similarly, a school pass out or a beginner apprentice, who can activate first-star astras easily, can not wield a second-star weapon or beyond. 

4. Hence based on the strength of the spirit-sense needed to wield them, the spirit astras are classified into the following categories 

First-star astras:- for a beginner apprentice or a spirit school pass out. 

Second-star astras: for middle-level apprentices 

Third-star astras: for late apprentices 

After the third-star astras come Pashu,  Nara and Divya astras. These astras have sentience. 

"Kaal-Ghosha" the mighty sword of Ankha was a Divya Astra. 

Note: Glassian Astras will be discussed in the coming chapters. 

Leave your thoughts in the comment box

-----------------------------------Happy reading ----------------------------------------------

As soon as Ishit stepped into the giant metal gate, he sensed the ripples of an invisible shield cast all over the smithy to prevent radiation and energy fluctuations from harming the residents of the city. Of course, It also blocked any commoner sneaking into the guild out of curiosity. 

The whole place was bustling with activities, black clocked apprentices, and grey clocked smiths were running all over the large courtyard, amidst them were the spirit bears, carrying heavy pieces of metals, other forging materials and tools. The ding of hammers muffled by the shields was ringing like a chorus. 

Nearly three or four -dozen forges were built around the courtyard, all had their master's names engraved on the heavy metal doors. 

At the centre of the square courtyard, stood a seven-story tower like a giant spear. 

Ishit left dazed at the vastness of the smithy. He could sense powerful fluctuations coming out of the forges.

"What are you planning?" Nandani asked, looking at the disappearing back of Durjaya in the seven-story tower, "You haven't attended the spirit school, so you wouldn't even know the basics of forging." 

"You will soon find out." replied Ishit beaming, "Just tell me where the smithy's symposium is. " 

"It is over there. Why?" Nandani asked, pointing out a hemispherical building to their right.  She couldn't make out what his friend could do to change Viswa's mind. The old man was famous for two things --one his unparalleled talent in forging and second his mood swing. Her daddy had warned her when she told him, all excited, that Viswa had accepted his order. He said the old man must have been tipsy to accept such a humble order of forging one-star Astra. He advised her to change the smith before it was too late. However, she was too complacent to hear him. 

"Let's go there, first." Ishit strode over to the white stone building, dragging puzzled Nandani with him. 

The gate of the symposium was open, so they didn't have any problem getting inside the bowl-shaped building. 

A man, well past sixty, clad in the grey cloak was addressing the crowd consisted of a handful of apprentices all above twenty. A shining medallion was set on the man's chest, declaring proudly his superiority among all the smiths of Garuna.

The man halted his speech as soon as his eyes fell on the newcomers. A frown appeared on his lined forehead. 

"He is Viswa. Don't cause any trouble or he will ban both of us.  " Nandani whispered to Ishit, looking worriedly at the man. 

"Girl, I think I was quite clear when I said I didn't accept orders from apprentices. " The man said, while his eyes scanning Ishit curiously. Though the spirit was caressing the boy lovingly, there was no ripple around him. 

However, Ishit didn't pay any heed to the grizzled man and went over to the large mirror with a golden frame mounted on a raised platform. He picked up the heavy hammer placed on the dais and raised it up in the air to strike the gong hanging just beside the mirror. 

"Hey Boy!  what the hell are you doing…." DING!  Viswa got cut off by the loud metal ringing sound. 

DING! DING!! DING!!

The entire smithy stood still as the loud sound resounded in the air. Only spirit bears continued with their tasks, seemingly unconcerned of the sudden commotion. 

In the next moment,  apprentices and smiths rushed out of their forges and the tower, they looked towards the bowl-shaped building, and then to each other. Their expressions were the amalgam of shock and excitement. They dashed towards the symposium. (Of course, those who were busy in forging and were at the crucial moment didn't come). 

***

Nandani stood rooted to the spot. Her jaw fell to the floor, as she watched Ishit, striking the gong as if it were a saucer of his dining table, and the hammer was a spoon. 

She realized whom she had brought into the smithy guild, but it was too late. How could she be so foolish to forget that he was Ishit, the reckless boy who would have killed himself? Now they were in deep trouble, especially Ishit. 

What should she do now?  Panicked, Nandani looked around to seek help, but all she saw was the hushed crowd.

The apprentices had got up, their faces filled with shock. It had been a long time since someone had rang the Vada gong of their guild. 

It took quite a while for them to get over the shock. When they did, the crowd soon burst into a loud uproar. 

Viswa was frozen to the spot just like Nandani and others. His shining black eyes were bulging out. 

The crowd began to swell as more people joined them, and clamour in the bowl-shaped building grew louder. 

As if unaware of his surroundings, Ishit continued hitting the hammer on the metal gong which was now glowing with faint light. 

Someone in the crowd started counting, and soon all the apprentices were shouting numbers.

(of course, Durjaya was too shocked to do so. His mind wondered how the devil  Ishit had gotten past the shield and What the hell he was doing. However, the surprise didn't last long. An evil smile crept on his face, thinking of his enemy's fate.)

The crowd counted the strike together ...59, 60,.....106,107,108. 

As soon as the 108th strike hit the gong, the mirror began to change colours like a kaleidoscope. 

The clamorous crowd quietened down.  With sullen faces, they watched as a half-opened eye appeared in the mirror. Bright flames like dragons were swirling in place of its large pupil, an invisible pressure fell on them as it blinked. 

Ishit put down the hammer back on the dais. The bright smile and carefree look with which he had stepped into the smithy had gone. He looked at the fabled All-Seeing-Eye and took a deep breath.  In a loud and solemn voice, he spoke, 

"Ishit, the son of Oman, challenges Viswa, the master smith of Minaak's smithy for Jalpa."

As soon as he finished, the crowd gasped. 

Nandani's heart skipped a beat. If her mother, who disliked Nandani's small eyes, had seen them now, she might have changed her opinion. 

What the hell Ishit had done! Did the sickness eat away his witty brain? Or how could he challenge Viswa, a master smith, for Jalpa?

Nandani regretted listening to Ishit. She regretted bringing him here.  She looked at the boy, who had just gambled his entire future on a whim. How could he look so calm! 

Nandani glanced at the smith.

Viswa was in a daze, he hadn't gotten over the shock yet. The master smith would have never imagined even in his wildest dream that a weaner would dare to challenge him. 

She had to do something. Though she couldn't stop the Jalpa as no one could do that, she could inform Lord Oman. So when Ishit lost to the master smith, Viswa wouldn't punish him too severely. 

Nandani gave a worried look to her reckless friend, and rushed out, jostling the uproarious crowd. 

***

In Varta, one could challenge someone with non-combat background for a debate. 

Based on the intention of a challenger, debates were divided into three categories 

Vada: a friendly debate for exchanging knowledge. No one would be a winner or a loser. There would be no reward or punishment. 

Jalpa: It was more like a challenge or a hostile debate. The challenger thought that he had superior knowledge than his opponent. He thought his opponent was unworthy of his title and his reputation. In this debate, if the challenger won he would get the title of his opponent and his reputation, too. However, if he lost, the opponent would decide his punishment. It could be anything except death.

Vitanda: it was also a hostile debate. The winner would get everything it included the loser's property, his wife, his life, his children, too if they were not above 15. However, It was banned in Garuna by Lord Ayan, Oman's deceased brother. 

Please leave comment