Episode 6: Ashram Chronicles 2

  FADE IN.

  SCENE 1 - FIRST LESSON

  The flickering candlelight casts shadows across the stone walls. Neel kneels on the ground, his hands resting on his thighs as Niki stands before him, holding an ancient scroll.

  NIKI: "Before we begin, you must understand one thing. Tantra isn’t about brute force. It’s about control. If you let it consume you, you lose more than just strength—you lose yourself."

  Neel nods but says nothing.

  NIKI: "Let’s start with the basics. Energy Control. Close your eyes. Feel the flow of your own life force."

  Neel hesitates before shutting his eyes. Silence fills the room. At first, he feels nothing. Just his own breath. Then—something. A faint hum within him, like a distant current.

  NIKI: "Good. Now focus on it. Try to direct it."

  Neel strains, but the energy feels like a wild river—untamed, erratic.

  NIKI: "Relax. You’re forcing it. Energy isn’t a rope to be pulled. It’s a river to be guided."

  Neel exhales slowly. This time, instead of pulling, he lets himself drift with the current. And suddenly—the hum turns into a pulse. A beat in sync with his heartbeat.

  His eyes snap open. His fingertips tingle with warmth.

  NEEL (whispers): "I… I can feel it."

  Niki smirks.

  NIKI: "That’s step one. Now, let’s see if you can use it."

  SCENE 2 - THE CANDLE TEST

  Niki gestures toward a row of candles lined up on a stone ledge. Some are already lit, their tiny flames dancing.

  NIKI: "Your task is simple. Snuff out the flames—without touching them. Use your energy."

  Neel frowns, stepping closer.

  NEEL: "How am I supposed to—"

  NIKI: "Don’t think. Just do."

  Neel exhales, extending a hand toward the candle. He concentrates, trying to push his energy forward. But nothing happens.

  He grits his teeth. Tries harder.

  Still nothing.

  NIKI: "You’re treating this like a muscle. It’s not. Energy is an extension of will. Feel the flame. Become the wind that snuffs it out."

  Neel clenches his fists. His breath quickens. His jaw tightens.

  NEEL: "Feel the flame? How am I supposed to feel something I can’t even touch? This makes no sense!"

  Frustration boils inside him. He glares at the candle, willing it to go out. His fingers twitch, his forehead beads with sweat.

  Nothing.

  Neel lets out an angry groan, standing up and pacing. "This is pointless! I can feel the energy, but it won’t listen to me."

  Niki watches him with crossed arms, unimpressed.

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  NIKI: "Are you done throwing a tantrum?"

  Neel scowls. "I’m trying. It’s just... hard."

  NIKI: "No one said it was easy. But if you throw a fit every time you fail, you’ll never learn. Energy responds to focus, not frustration. Try again."

  Neel exhales sharply. He closes his eyes, inhales deeply, and this time, instead of forcing, he lets go. He becomes the breeze.

  A soft gust stirs through the room.

  The candle flickers—then dies.

  Neel’s eyes widen. His breath quickens.

  NEEL: "I did it."

  NIKI (nodding): "Not bad for a beginner. But that was just a whisper. Let’s see if you can handle a storm."

  SCENE 3 - BREAK TIME

  Before Neel can attempt again, Niki suddenly frowns and steps back, crossing her arms.

  NIKI: "Wait a second… when was the last time you ate?"

  Neel blinks. "Huh? I—uh—"

  Niki glares at him. "Don't tell me... you haven't eaten since you got here?"

  Neel scratches his head. "Maybe? Lost track of time."

  NIKI: "YOU HAVEN’T EATEN IN DAYS?! AND YOU EXPECT TO LEARN TANTRA?!"

  Neel frowns. "Wait, is that a requirement? I thought hunger was part of the training. Y'know, warrior monk vibes."

  Niki facepalms. "You’re not a warrior monk. You’re just an idiot. Come on, food break. NOW."

  SCENE 4 - FOOD AND LECTURE

  Neel watches as Niki pulls a small cloth bundle from her bag, unwrapping it to reveal a simple meal of chapati and dal.

  NEEL: "Where did you even get this food?"

  NIKI: "I went to the village nearby while you were meditating. Unlike you, I plan ahead."

  Neel raises an eyebrow. "Wait, when did you—?"

  NIKI: "While you were trying to bend energy like a fool, I snuck out. Figured you'd forget to eat, so I got this. Now eat."

  Neel, too hungry to argue, takes a bite and sighs in relief.

  NIKI: "Tantra requires balance. You can’t pull energy from nothing. Your body is the battery. No food, no power. Simple."

  Neel, mouth full: "Mmmph, yeah, makes sense."

  Niki glares at him. "Chew first. Then talk."

  Neel swallows and grins. "You sound like my mom."

  Niki smirks. "If your mom had to teach you how to blast ghosts with energy, then sure."

  SCENE 5 - SHADOW VISITORS

  Just as Neel prepares to attempt again after eating, a sudden chill fills the ashram. The candle flames flicker violently.

  Niki stiffens.

  Neel feels it too—something watching them.

  A deep, guttural growl echoes from the doorway.

  Neel turns—a shadowy figure looms in the entrance. Its form is unstable, shifting like smoke, yet its eyes burn like embers.

  NIKI (whispers): "A stray spirit. It must’ve sensed the energy shift."

  NEEL: "Is it hostile?"

  The shadow takes a step forward. The air grows thick. Heavy.

  NIKI (grimly): "That answers your question."

  Neel clenches his fists. His heart pounds.

  NEEL: "What do we do?"

  Niki lifts a single hand, closing her eyes. Shadows swirl around her fingertips as she gathers energy.

  NIKI: "This is just a projection. A test. Let’s see if you’re ready."

  The shadow lunges.

  Neel barely dodges, rolling to the side as the figure strikes where he once stood. The cold presence chills his skin.

  NIKI: "Control your fear. Fear feeds them."

  Neel grits his teeth, focusing. His fingertips tingle with the same warmth from earlier.

  He exhales sharply—a pulse of energy ripples from his hands.

  The shadow stumbles back, its form flickering.

  NIKI: "Good. Again."

  Neel steadies himself. He exhales, focusing all his energy outward. This time, the wave is stronger—the shadow is pushed back further, until it finally disperses into nothingness.

  Silence returns. The air clears.

  Neel exhales shakily.

  NIKI: "And that’s why you need to master Tantra. Because next time, you won’t get a second chance."

  FADE TO BLACK.

  TO BE CONTINUED…

  Thank you for reading Episode 6: Ashram Chronicles 2! This chapter was all about Neel’s first steps into mastering Tantra and the struggles that come with it. I wanted to emphasize that power isn’t just about brute force—it’s about control, patience, and balance.