Chapter 1: The Battlefield of Destiny

Professor Oppenheimer guided them to a historic battlefield in India, a place Lara instantly recognized. While she felt a sense of familiarity, Papa and Raul remained puzzled, silently absorbing their surroundings. The comforting cave in Tibet was now a distant memory.

They stood at a distance, observing various factions preparing for battle.

“What’s going on?” Lara inquired.

“The royal family is at odds. Two groups of cousins each claim their rightful place as heirs. On one side are five brothers, and on the other, a hundred sons of a blind regent.” The group nodded, urging the professor to continue.

“The third brother, Arjuna, and his siblings have unique support. Look at Arjuna in the chariot—notice his companion?” They could see the intricately adorned chariot containing two striking figures amidst the vibrant battlefield.

The sight was magnificent: elephants bedecked in gold and armor sparkling with gems, colorful flags symbolizing power, and a lush green countryside alive with vigor. The air felt sweeter than anything they had experienced in modern times. It was a world transformed, a glimpse into the past.

Yet, the familiar theme of family conflict persisted, echoing lessons learned in school—kin against kin, community in turmoil.

The professor signaled for them to listen closely. Although they stood hundreds of yards away, Lara, Papa, and Raul overheard the prince's words.

“I see not soldiers and archers, nor charioteers. I see fathers, grandfathers, mentors, sons, and friends.” Arjuna spoke, unaware that he was confiding in the god Krishna, who was cloaked in human form. Overwhelmed with fear, he dropped his weapons.

Krishna chuckled gently, while Arjuna wept. “This is the moment for you to realize that the divine self is eternal. If you slay your kin, their essence endures.” Although Arjuna listened, he struggled to comprehend. Krishna continued, offering guidance.

“Professor, can the others perceive us?” Lara asked. Though they were separated from the battlefield, she felt intricately linked to the scene. Miraculously, they could hear the conversation between Krishna and Arjuna. The professor nodded affirmatively.

“Isn’t it odd that we’re here?” Lara pondered.

“This battlefield transcends mere human conflict over a throne. Arjuna is kin to Krishna,” the professor explained. The revelation stunned Lara, Papa, and Raul; it was akin to declaring a Christian saint as related to Jesus.

“The Bhagavad Gita intricately weaves the stories of divine and mortal beings,” the professor continued, his interest piqued.

“Are you, Professor, that human prince? Arjuna?” Lara asked, noticing a resemblance that stirred her curiosity.

“Lara, you’ve uncovered a truth. My fate is intertwined with this narrative; I had to learn my role and fulfill my duty.” She felt a surge of compassion for him. Though she struggled to connect with the Hindu gods, the professor was revealing something profound.

“Shh. Listen,” Raul urged.

Time seemed to freeze. Krishna had been imparting wisdom to Arjuna for what felt like ages. Arjuna began to realize he was more than a mere warrior; he was part of a grand cosmic scheme. He needed to understand his true essence and divine origins.

As Arjuna began to grasp Krishna's nature, he recognized him as the manifestation of the true God. No longer just a warrior torn by familial obligations, he was evolving, moving towards Vishnu, the ultimate deity.

“Show me your true, immortal form, the master of all creation,” he pleaded.

Krishna bestowed upon Arjuna the sight necessary to perceive the divine, as human eyes could not grasp the truth of God. With this newfound vision, Arjuna—and Lara’s group—beheld the true form of God. The battlefield vanished from view, replaced by a being radiating like a thousand suns united. Krishna's true essence bore countless faces watching over the universe. Lara thought she glimpsed Sujita’s face among them.

Krishna wielded an infinite number of weapons in myriad hands, symbols of his boundless power. They beheld Krishna, embodying every object that ever existed, unified in one form.

Arjuna knelt, and Lara and her companions followed suit, recognizing Brahma, the Father God, seated upon a lotus, emanating warmth and light that illuminated all creation.

Overwhelmed, Arjuna managed to ask Vishnu to clarify his identity.

“I am time, the ultimate destroyer. All present on this battlefield will eventually perish. This truth is unalterable. Therefore, fulfill your dharma and lead the Pandavas into battle.”

“What is dharma?” Papa interjected, struggling to grasp Hindu concepts.

“The eternal nature of reality, regarded in Hinduism as a cosmic law governing right conduct and social order,” the professor replied, tears glistening in his eyes.

“Are you suggesting, Professor, that your role was to father the atomic bomb?” Lara barely comprehended the magnitude of this implication. It suggested an urgency to salvation, akin to Hindu beliefs that transcendence from karma and reincarnation is necessary to reunite with God, as Sujita had done.

It was all a grand examination, and Lara felt barely capable of passing.

“What predates what? The story of the Indian prince or your narrative as Professor Oppenheimer?” Lara proposed, realizing that linear thinking might limit their understanding. The professor's story could be far more intricate than she had considered.

“Precisely,” he affirmed. At that moment, Lara felt overwhelmed, her mind racing. She glanced at Raul, who appeared drowsy, while Papa seemed on the verge of madness.

Suddenly, the air around them began to swirl in a brilliant whiteness. “Wait! Professor, please don’t leave. Explain the connection to the human-alien conspiracy!” she implored.

“You are the warrior, Lara. You are the human prince now. It’s time,” he declared, and in an instant, he vanished.

For what felt like an eternity, Lara and the others lingered in that ethereal space. She wept profusely, unsure of why. Gradually, a sense of spiritual embrace enveloped her, transforming her confusion and sorrow into comfort and tranquility. She drifted into a deep, restorative sleep.

Time lost its meaning as Lara and her companions eventually awoke, drenched by rain. They found themselves back at the edge of the vast field where adversaries had once pursued them.

To Be Continued…

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