‘Slightly different. Astras are easier to use because they do not use your soul energy. Nor do they require a knowledge of the glyph structures of the Chakras. Combine a kir with any of the Elementals, and you have an Astra.’

‘What is a kir?’

‘No one knows for sure…but I hear it is the remains of an old God.’

‘What does that mean?’

‘I’ve only heard rumours. They say the true God is dead, and his body splintered into many parts called kirs. They were used to make astras to fight against the Daevas. Extremely arduous process. They can be summoned by an Astradhari, Bearer of an Astra, at will, if he knows the proper way to do it. But that is just what I have heard. The study of Astras is reserved only for the most senior of Shishyas at Meru, which we are not. The truth may be entirely different,’ saying which Varcin tossed an apple to Nala, who caught it with his knife.

‘What is an Astradhari?’ Nala wanted to know.

‘Umm, so you know the standard ranks in most armies in Aryavrat? The ones approved by Meru, not the ones kingdoms are conjuring on their own. So, above knight, you have a paladin. That is the hero class. The rarest of rare heroes enjoys such a title, and they are entitled to chariots. But in the times of the Elder Men, there was another class above the paladins – the paragons or Astradharis – the bearers of Astras. Paragons almost singlehandedly decided wars between themselves in those days, and could topple kingdoms at a whim.’

‘Sounds horrible. Good riddance. But what did you mean ‘use your soul energy’?’ Nala asked, flipping the pages of the book with renewed passion. Back in the forest, knowledge was passed by word of mouth. They looked on written records with disdain, treating writing as something foul that could be twisted to make a lie permanent. Fortunately for Nala, when he had first learned the letters before he entered Meru, he found he was a fast learner.

‘Soul energy or atmans or eyons is the power of blood that flows through us. And before you scowl at me, I do not mean the blood defined by caste. Hmm, let me see how I can explain this better.’ Saying which, Varcin descended on a stool nearby. ‘Come to think of it, I really can’t.’

‘You are spectacularly useless, Varcin.’ Nala went back to the book. He was beginning to increasingly compare Chakras with God in his mind, which was to say they were extinct, impractical and beyond all understanding but still exciting.

‘All I know is that one can increase soul energy by certain well-defined acts that pressurize your soul; either in a good way or bad. Mostly bad. Penance, strenuous meditation, sacrifices, abstinence from pleasure, hardship; they all do their part in furthering one’s soul energy,’ revealed Varcin.