That single word — "Forgiven" — had been enough.
Enough for Trikalyagya to finally understand that the little girl he had once watched grow up no longer existed. The innocent child whose laughter echoed in his memories, whose naïve smiles once softened his ancient heart — she was gone.
Before him stood someone far beyond that.
He now understood something painful yet liberating: there had never been romantic emotions in Siya's heart for him. What she carried for him — and for everyone — was compassion. Pure, unfiltered compassion. The same compassion she held even for her enemies.
Part of him had wished she would strike him, hate him, despise him. That would have been easier to bear.
But Siya was above such reactions.
She did not operate from ego. She did not operate from hurt. She operated from understanding.
As Siya walked toward the door, she paused and spoke calmly,
"You may stay here. And if you feel ashamed, then channel that feeling into something meaningful. Help me save this world. You are not evil, Trikalyagya. Your emotions surfaced, you realized your mistake, and you chose truth over pride. I need capable allies — like Ali and Andy. If you truly wish to stand beside me, then stand as one of them."
Trikalyagya simply nodded.
There was a strange peace in his eyes — as if he had received exactly what his soul needed to hear.
Siya stepped outside and called for Ali.
When he arrived, she said gently,
"I am going to sit for Shiv worship. It has been long overdue. I may remain in meditation the entire day. If there is nothing urgent, join me."
Ali hesitated.
If he spent the whole day in prayer, who would handle security? Though the surroundings were calm, responsibility still remained. Andy could manage… yes, perhaps that would work.
Siya snapped her fingers lightly before his eyes.
"What are you thinking? Come help me."
"Alright," Ali replied. "I'll inform Andy."
Before he could finish, Siya added,
"Yes, call Andy too. He will sit in the puja as well."
It wasn't a request.
Ali stepped outside. Trikalyagya had overheard everything.
"If you don't mind," Trikalyagya said quietly, "I can handle security. You sit in peace."
Ali gave him a small smile. "Thank you."
For the first time, Trikalyagya felt useful — not driven by obsession, but by purpose.
Before beginning the worship, Siya instructed everyone to cleanse themselves and wear fresh clothes.
When she returned, Ali and Andy were already seated.
But the moment they saw her — they froze.
It had been thousands of years since they had seen her like this.
Siya wore a simple white sari. Rudraksha beads adorned her neck and wrists. In her hands rested a puja thali. Her presence radiated serene power — not the fierce warrior, but the divine ascetic.
Even Trikalyagya found himself unable to look away.
As Siya reached the doorway, she noticed him staring. He immediately lowered his gaze.
"Would you like to join the worship?" she asked.
Without looking up, he replied, "No. I will guard the perimeter."
"Look at me when you speak," she said calmly.
He lifted his eyes — and met hers. Dark, lined with kohl, steady and unreadable.
"Do not behave as if I oppress you. Speak with dignity."
He lowered his head again, humbled.
Siya smiled faintly and entered.
She sat before the Shivling and closed her eyes.
Ali and Andy were still staring at her.
She suddenly grabbed both their ears playfully.
"What are you two looking at?"
Andy said softly, "You truly look like Maa Parvati today."
Ali added, "Yes… today you actually look like a woman, Boss."
She twisted his ear harder.
"What did you say?"
"I mean… a beautiful woman!" he corrected quickly.
Siya released him and said gently,
"I am a warrior. But sometimes I forget that within me lives both Shakti and a Sadhvi. Today I sit as their union."
She folded her hands and looked toward the Shivling.
"My Lord… bless this strength. Grant me courage and valor so I may restore this world to beauty again. Let darkness be destroyed and let light rise. My countless salutations to you, Mahadev."
Her voice was steady, yet filled with devotion.
Then she turned to Ali and Andy.
"Today we will chant the Shiv mantra one lakh eight thousand times."
Ali blinked. "Why that many, Boss? I've heard chanting 108 times fulfills a wish."
Siya smiled.
"True devotion is not counted. But just as we set targets in battle, we set spiritual discipline too. It is not about the number — it is about surpassing it with sincerity."
Andy asked, "Which mantra?"
Without hesitation, Siya began:
"Om Tryambakam Yajamahe
Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam
Urvarukamiva Bandhanan
Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat."
Their voices joined hers.
The air shifted.
With each repetition, the vibration grew stronger. The chant echoed not just in the chamber, but through unseen layers of existence. Energy pulsed through the walls like a silent cosmic current.
Outside, standing guard, Trikalyagya felt it.
The mantra was not merely sound — it was force.
A force that healed. A force that protected. A force that reminded him why she was never meant to be possessed.
She was meant to be followed.
And as the chant continued, the world — for a brief moment — felt balanced again.
Trikalyagya stood witness.
Not as a lover. Not as a rival. But as a guardian of the devotion that could shake universes.