With a tiny spark of hope he had gathered from the ruins, Shubhu kept walking for hours, talking to them—the ones who had just recently become his new friends. Shubhu asked them, "Since when have you all existed?"
To this, they replied, "We don't know, but ever since the merging happened"—by which they meant Earth and Satal—"that's when we started gaining consciousness."
Shubhu said, "Were you the ones who saved me from there?"
Those beings replied, "We don't understand what you are saying."
To this, he said, "When they were about to hang me, a portal suddenly threw me here, and I have been wandering in this place for who knows how long."
Those beings said, "We don't know what you are talking about, but this world is not connected to that world, so no one else can come here."
Through them, Shubhu learned many more things. Since the time Shubhu had arrived in this place—which these beings called their world—five years had passed here, while ten years had passed outside. Meaning, time here flowed at half the speed of the outside world.
Shubhu told them that he had tried many times to die here. Many times he tried to hang himself, many times he jumped from tall towers and stairs, but after remaining unconscious for some time, he would regain consciousness again. No matter how many times he tried, he could not die.
Those beings replied, "This world has just been born. Here, the rules of hunger, thirst, and death have not yet been formed, which is why you are still alive."
Shubhu said, "So that means this world has only just begun to form, and you all are the first beings of this place. But I am from outside—then how are this world's rules affecting me?"
They replied, "We cannot say much ourselves, but perhaps because you are the creator of this world, all of this is happening."
Shubhu said, "That might be true," and then asked, "But tell me—why didn't you appear before me earlier?"
They replied, "We were always with you, but we had no form, no voice, which is why it took us so long to establish a connection with you."
While talking, they had gone very far ahead.
The broken stone roads of the fallen city slowly faded away, and in their place came a barren forest—trees with twisted roots, an eerie silence spread everywhere, nothing could be seen far or near. Strangely shaped herbs, oddly colored mushrooms, and a terrifying silence… a silence as if it itself was breathing.
Glowing figures floated behind him, their soft light guiding him through the darkness. Yet the same burden remained in Shubhu's heart—destruction, screams, and his guilt.
But he had found a new hope to live in this world, where two worlds—Earth and Satal—had merged into a single horrifying reality. And at the center of this madness, he knew it was himself.
He sat on the trunk of a fallen tree. The forest air was cold, but for the first time, something warm stirred within him—a strange feeling that maybe… maybe he wasn't completely alone.
And at that very moment, the silence of the forest broke.
Small glowing lights began to appear around him. At first faint, then slowly brighter. The same lights—but this time more clear, more alive.
Shubhu looked carefully. One of them shone brighter than all the others—as if it were their leader. It slowly floated toward him.
There was no voice, yet the words echoed directly inside his mind—
"What has already happened cannot be changed."
Its voice was deep, but there was no hatred in it, no anger.
"But what is yet to come… we can change."
Shubhu's breath caught.
"You… how?"
At this, it came closer. Its light was gentle, warm—almost human.
"We are beings born from the birth of this new world."
"Your experiment gave birth to this world… and we are its result."
"You did not only destroy… you also created something. Us."
"And now… you are not alone."
"Can you really… fix everything?"
With slight hesitation, he asked, "Will… you help me?"
The light grew brighter, and it said, "We will give you a new identity and our companionship, so that you can once again roam freely in this world."
"We will help you… and in return, you will help us."
"This will be a contract."
Shubhu was startled.
"A contract?"
"Yes."
"You need a new identity and power… and we need your guidance."
"We will grant you our power. And in return, you will become the god of our world and help us understand this new world."
It was an opportunity—a new path… and perhaps, redemption.
Shubhu took a deep breath.
"Alright… I accept this contract."
And at that very moment—
the entire forest filled with light.
Countless beings made of concentrated light began to revolve around him. Their light merged into him—an unfamiliar energy began pulsing through his veins. His face tingled, as if some invisible power was reshaping him.
The spirit's voice echoed again—
"We grant you a new face. A form that even the gods cannot recognize."
"This disguise will protect you."
Shubhu felt it—he was no longer the same person. His body began to grow young again, as if slowly he had become a teenage boy. His eyes began to resemble a universe itself, as if a god had descended into the world. His dirt-covered hair was now black, shining with a faint golden hue. Running his fingers over his new face, he said, "Is this really… me?"
A new form… a new identity… a new beginning.
The spirit spoke for the final time—
"This is the beginning, Shubhu. Give us a name."
Shubhu thought for a moment, then whispered—
"SPIRITS."
"Very good," the flame replied.
"From this moment, our race shall be called 'Spirits.' And now… your journey truly begins."
New power, a new face, and the Spirits by his side—Shubhu was now ready to face the world he had unknowingly created himself.
Author's Note
Shubhu's past is still shrouded in mystery. Who was he really… and what was it within him that could merge two entire worlds? Was it merely a scientific accident, or was something else hidden deep inside him—a power even he never understood?
And then, these Spirits. Why are these glowing beings so drawn to him? Why do they feel such a connection to him, as if they had known him even before the fall of the worlds?
And the greatest question—what exactly are the powers of the Spirits? What can they do? Are they the protectors of this new world… or the first glimpse of something far more ancient, far more powerful?
Shubhu's forgotten past, the true nature of the Spirits, and the mystery behind the creation of this merged world—all remain unresolved.
To uncover these answers—
keep reading Divine Echoes.