Arjun was still standing on the floor where the Nagas and Nagalok were present.
Many people moved toward Nagalok to obtain Naga Prāpti.
Some decided to explore this floor first, while others skipped it entirely and descended deeper.
Arjun remained where he was.
Niraj was gone.
The space felt heavier than before—thick, pressing, familiar.
He muttered under his breath,"Why does this feel so heavy… like that day…"
His thoughts drifted.
Niraj isn't that powerful, he realized.What I saw in the underground place… that strength came from the Gandiva.
He still has only one active marma point—just like me.
So I can still compete with him. Except maybe in experience.
Before the thought could settle, someone placed a hand on his shoulder.
Arjun stiffened for a fraction of a second, then turned.
Viraj stood behind him.
"The prince himself?" Arjun said, masking his unease. "Didn't expect to see you here."
Viraj smiled faintly."But I expected to see you."
"I knew you would participate."
Arjun's gaze sharpened."You held back that day."
Viraj didn't deny it.
"How did you catch that?" he asked.
Arjun paused.
"At first, even I wasn't sure," he said. "But then you deliberately said I was stronger. It felt like you were announcing it… not admitting it."
Viraj nodded.
Around them, several participants still stood in hesitation—unsure whether to accept Naga Prāpti or not.
Viraj glanced toward the deeper passage beyond the dome.
"I needed people to believe I lost," he said. "Sometimes it's safer to disappear than to stand out."
"So it was deliberate," Arjun said.
Viraj nodded once. "Completely."
They began walking beneath the dome, toward the scattered ruins of this layer of Dwarka.
The stone beneath their feet was worn smooth, dulled by water and time.The water pressed constantly against the body, making every movement feel heavier than it should have been.Broken structures loomed nearby, half-buried and silent.
"Then why are you here now?" Arjun asked.
Viraj answered without slowing."Because pretending only works once."
A short silence followed.
"Why didn't you take the Naga Prāpti?" Viraj asked.
"I've learned that borrowed power always asks for more later," Arjun replied.
Viraj gave a brief nod. "That's true."
They reached the edge of the dome.
"I'm going to the deeper floors," Viraj said.
"You sound confident," Arjun said.
"I'm careful," Viraj replied. "There's a difference."
He turned away.
They separated.
Viraj moved toward the temple passage leading deeper.
Arjun stepped out of the dome.
The water closed around him immediately.
He released Shakti from the marma points across his body—precise, controlled, minimal. A thin layer formed around him, just enough to stabilize his breath and resist the pressure.
The weight remained, but it was bearable.
This was Layer One.