Marvel: The Journey

In the year 1957, in the remote and mystical Himalayan region of Nepal, Val found himself amidst the gathering of sadhus, the wandering holy men known for their austere lifestyle and profound spirituality. Val stood out with his bare feet, overgrown beard and hair, and a deep sense of reverence for these ascetics.

As he walked among the sadhus, Val heard their mesmerizing chants and the echoes of their mantras, which seemed to resonate deep within his soul. He breathed heavily, his body struggling to keep pace with the arduous journey. With each step, Val's feet were cut and bleeding, leaving scars that healed as quickly as they appeared.

Val's eyes searched the crowd of holy men around him, but he could barely keep himself upright. Just as he was about to collapse, a kind-hearted sadhu appeared beside him, catching him before he fell. Val looked up at the stranger, grateful for the assistance. He saw a gentle smile on the sadhu's face, which instantly put him at ease. Taking Val's hand, the sadhu led him forward, and Val closed his eyes, trusting in the stranger's guidance.

After a few minutes, Val slowly opened his eyes, taking in his surroundings. He immediately recognized the landscape, searching eagerly for a particular door belonging to a bald woman. However, despite his best efforts, he could not seem to locate it. Despite this, a smile spread across Val's face, and he thought to himself, 'Perhaps, now's not the correct time.'

Val walked alongside the group of wise sadhus, appreciating the company and the profound lessons he was learning along the way. Finally, they arrived at his destination, and Val expressed his gratitude to the sadhus for their kindness and guidance. He found his spot, a large stone that had become a familiar resting place for him on his journey.

Val took a deep breath and allowed himself to fully absorb his surroundings. The sound of the chanting sadhus echoed in his ears, and the fragrant scent of incense filled his nostrils. He felt a sense of peace wash over him as he sat down, ready to rest and reflect on the profound experiences of his journey. The stone beneath him felt cool against his skin, grounding him in the present moment.

Val sat on the large stone, cross-legged and straightened his posture. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, focusing his attention inward. With each inhale and exhale, Val repeated a mantra, "Peace! Inner Peace!" to calm his mind and connect with his innermost self.

As he continued to breathe deeply and steadily, Val felt his body relax, and his mind clear. He allowed himself to let go of the worries and distractions of the outside world and fully immerse himself in the present moment. The sounds of the chanting sadhus and the rustling leaves of the nearby trees seemed to fade away, leaving only his breath and the peacefulness of his surroundings.

While Val continued his meditation practice, he suddenly sensed someone's presence beside him. The familiar scent in the air made him open his eyes, and he turned to face the person sitting next to him. It was a lanky man with long hair and an overgrown beard, who greeted him with a serene smile.

Val reciprocated the smile and asked, "How was your day, Swami Akashananda?"

Swami Akashananda looked at Val with a peaceful expression and said, "Don't ask me about my day, Val. I'm more interested in hearing about your progress with the Pranayama practice that I taught you."

Val took a deep breath and looked up at the sky, taking a moment to reflect on his journey. With a sense of accomplishment, he replied, "After practicing Pranayama for the past five years, I have achieved far better results than I ever could have hoped for."

Swami Akashananda inquired, "And what of your obsession, Val? Have you found a way to overcome it?"

Val closed his eyes, taking a deep breath before answering, "It was a fleeting passion, much like how a child grows bored with a toy after a few minutes of playing with it. Once I uncovered the secrets behind the object of my obsession, my interest in it simply disappeared."

He paused for a moment, his eyes opening to meet Akashananda's gaze. "Now, through years of practicing Pranayama, fasting, and enduring the most extreme climate conditions, I have found a sense of inner peace and control over my mind. My obsessions no longer hold power over me."

Akashananda looked up at the sky, then turned to Val with a gentle expression on his face. "What about your family?" he asked quietly, "You told me that you lost them under tragic circumstances."

Val's eyes welled up with tears and he struggled to control his emotions. Taking a deep breath, he tried to speak, "I-I-I...," his voice cracked, and he clenched his fists in frustration. Tears streamed down his face and soaked his clothes as he continued, "I-I miss them a lot. I try to put on a brave front and keep myself in control, distracting myself with other things, but I know deep down that I'm just one small tap away from the brave front shattering."

Akashananda sighed and looked at Val with pity as he continued to cry. "I long to hear my wife's voice, Sarah, just once again," Val said through sobs, "I wanted to meet her, but I can't ever hear her again. My son, Magnus, inherited Sarah's cleverness and charm and became the CEO of her company. My daughter, Amber, inherited my intelligence and became a world-renowned prize-winning biologist."

Val's voice trembled as he spoke, "I long to see them again, but I was suddenly thrust into this world filled with familiar yet unfamiliar people. I realized that the only way for me to stay strong was to accept my new reality and confidently keep moving forward."

Akashananda let out a heavy sigh and spoke as his eyes gazed upon the horizon, "I must confess, my knowledge of the world is limited. Fifty years of seclusion have kept me away from many events and changes that have taken place. However, I know that the only path to healing is through acceptance, both of oneself and one's flaws, and by taking active steps to address them."

With a gentle hand on Val's shoulder, he held his gaze. "Listen, my dear child. It's admirable that you still hold your family dear, but it's time to let go. You can't keep punishing yourself like this. Your wife, God rest her soul, would want you to move on and find happiness again. Embrace your new reality, engage with both the familiar and the unfamiliar, and become an indelible part of this world. The people around you are real and they are in dire need of your help. You have so much to offer, and the world needs you to make it a better place."

Val felt a stirring within him as Akashananda's words sank deep into his heart. A wave of soothing calm washed over him, replacing the exhaustion that had weighed heavily on his body moments before. As he looked around, the colors of the world seemed to brighten, and even the air felt fresher.

The weight of his loss still rested heavily on him, but he felt a glimmer of hope for the first time in a long time. Perhaps, he could find a way to move on and accept his new reality, without forgetting the family he had lost.

Val gazed at Akashananda with a deep sense of appreciation and rose to his feet, paying respect by bowing and touching the Swami's feet before standing upright. "I am grateful for your guidance, Swami. I feel ready to embark on my journey," he said with conviction.

After bidding farewell to the wise sadhu, Val made his way down the winding path that led away from the mountaintop. With each step he took, he felt a newfound sense of purpose and a growing confidence in his ability to face the challenges that lay ahead.

As Val walked away from Swami Akashananda and descended down the mountainous path, the Swami's face contorted and transformed, morphing into that of a woman with vibrant green hair. She let out a soft chuckle and spoke, "Grow strong, my champion. The future battles that decide the fate of the universe lies in your hands." In an instant, she disappeared, leaving the nearby sadhus and onlookers none the wiser.

Meanwhile, as Val continued on his journey, a sense of gratitude and relief filled his chest. He couldn't help but smile as he thought to himself, 'Thank you for being my confidant and guide, Yggdrasil. I owe you one.'