Twins of Tatva

Avantika ran through the moonlit forest, leaves whispering secrets only the brave dared to hear. Her heartbeat synced with the rustling — like memories calling her back.

She was alone — or so she thought.

"You shouldn't be here, Avantika,"

a voice came, calm yet powerful.

Arjuna.

He stepped from behind an ancient tree — his eyes glowing faintly, as if the forest itself had marked him. His palm bore the eclipse-shaped sigil.

Avantika's voice trembled, "You… saw it too?"

He nodded. "The vision. The prophecy. The time loops. I saw you die… over and over."

He stepped closer, placing a protective hand over hers. "But I'll change that."

A gust of cold air passed — and suddenly, the trees around them began to whisper names. Not just names… their names.

Thousands of versions. Thousands of possibilities.

"Where are we?" she asked.

"The Forest of Forgotten Echoes," Arjuna whispered. "Every past life, every future fate — they echo here."

As they moved deeper, they came across a frozen statue.

Her heart skipped a beat.

It was herself — turned to stone, eyes open in fear.

Arjuna gently held her shoulders. "We have to survive the three trials. This is the first: the Trial of the Heart."

And then… the statue cracked.

A darker version of Avantika stepped out — her shadow-self, born of fear and jealousy.

"If you wish to save the world," the shadow hissed,

"you must first defeat yourself."