They left for Samanya's house and Bhairavi told him to explain to Namma the situation if she called. Then, she sat in Padma Asana and closed her eyes. This time, she concentrated on her necklace and uttered the Mool Mantra of Goddess Tripura Bhairavi in her mind, after cutting herself off from her surroundings.

As she slowly entered into a trance, she felt herself being lifted from her body, almost a jerk like sensation, and felt her consciousness float above. She floated out of the roof of his house, going higher and higher as she saw Kolkata grow smaller and smaller till it vanished from her sight and she saw Bengal in its entirety growing smaller.

Then she floated even higher and saw the whole of India and other countries. Looking around, she realized she was surrounded by darkness on all sides, with distant glowing balls and huge mounds of rocks flying by. It then dawned upon her that she was in space.

Stunned, she looked around, her eyes devouring all that she had only seen pictures of. But pictures could do no justice to the gorgeousness of the Universe and the peace it inspired in her. "Beautiful, isn't it?"

Bhairavi turned on hearing the voice, it was a familiar one. 'Maa, you came!' The fierce Goddess smiled, "How could I not? Especially when you are seeking my advice."

'Maa, I...I don't know how to defeat Bhay'

"What are you scared of? Losing or dying?"

Bhairavi thought hard, 'Neither, actually. I am scared of the fear he inspires in me. I have never felt anything like that before.'

The Goddess nodded approvingly, "Smart choice. Your biggest fear is fear itself. How do you think you can accept that?"

Bhairavi stared, confused, 'But don't I have to defeat fear? Why accept it?'

"Because one can never defeat fear head on. Every one, even Gods, fear something or someone. But you need to understand one thing, unless you accept what you fear, unless you accept your weakness, you can never turn it into your strength. The first step to defeating Bhay is accepting that you are afraid, and playing that to your advantage. "

Intrigued, Bhairavi asked, 'How is that?'

"I don't have much time with you, Bhay gets closer to you by the minute. But someone else does."

'Who?'

Tripura Bhairavi smiled, "Remember your friend? Not the Rakshasa, the one you met at the party? Concentrate on him. He will come to your aid."

Bhairavi's mind went back to the evening...the stranger with a dog...how he was a psychic as well...'Okay Maa. But...I have a question.'

"Ask, little one."

'You are Divine. The other Gods and Goddesses are as well. Then why do you give boons to Evil Rakshasas and demons? And why don't you defeat them yourselves? Not that I am complaining,' Bhairavi hurriedly added, anxious as to not displease the Goddess, but she laughed away her inhibitions.

"Ah Bhairavi, you share my name and blood. But the one thing which makes you special and sets you apart is your mortality and kindness. Immortal beings often lose kindness and grow immune to emotions over time. It is only you humans, and your devotion which reminds us what it is to feel and love.

Perfection is overrated, my dear. No Divine being is perfect and consciously active at the same time. When you are alive for as long as us, you understand that knowledge is earned just as much through mortal experiences as Tapasya. And as for why we give boons, well, everyone deserves another chance, unfortunately not all make good use of it."

The Goddess suddenly stopped and frowned, sensing something, "We must part now, time is running while your friend grows impatient, awaiting your return."

She is talking about Samanya, Bhairavi guessed.

"Vijaya Bhava, my child. You are our brightest hope for humanity, now. Make the right choices. We shall meet again."

With that, Bhairavi fell back into consciousness, rather sharply. Gasping, as a headache sprung into existence after a long time,

Bhairavi's first sensation was wet. Something, or more specifically some one was licking her face with great excitement.

Opening her eyes, she saw the man from the party standing across the room, beside a scowling Samanya, while the dog was licking away at her face merrily.

Bhairavi realized the man was the friend awaiting her. 'Maa...I mean Goddess Tripura Bhairavi sent you...? She asked him mentally. "You...can assume that," he spoke back, smiling mysteriously, "Your boyfriend does not like me, though, I wonder why."

'I...no...he...I mean we are...undefined as of yet,' Bhairavi blushed before clearing her throat, 'But that is beside the point. And I will talk to him right now.'

"Are you both talking mentally?" Samanya's scowl deepened, "Who is he, Bhairavi? He just appeared at the doorstep and said he was a friend of yours from Mayuri's party. And...you both spent time alone on the balcony while I searched for you the entire time."

Bhairavi knew time was short and that Bhay was getting closer and that a stranger was waiting to help her, but she burst out laughing. Her sense of humor had a terrible timing.

'Samanya, relax. The Goddess sent him to help me. And, come on, don't be jealous. Instead, he pointed out my mistake and made me realise that I should apologize to you. '

Samanya's scowl lessened but it was still there, "Hmph. So what are we doing." A calm, strong voice was heard, "You don't play a role in this practice of hers, unfortunately, Samanya. Now you can either tarry and reduce her chances of victory or you can be helpful and stay out of our way."

Taken aback at the rude yet direct statement, Samanya looked at Bhairavi once with hurt eyes before nodding, "I will be in my room, if you need anything."

After he left Bhairavi asked, 'Don't mind me asking, but why can't he?'

"Because you can defeat him now. You need a stronger opponent to learn and practice with." A tad skeptical, Bhairavi could not stop herself from asking, 'And you are that opponent?' Smiling at her naive disbelief, he said, "Let's see."

As she stood watching, he began to walk around and trace his fingers on the walls of the living room. Confused, she asked, 'Umm. I don't want to interrupt you to remind, but isn't time running?' The man did not reply till he had traced the walls of the living room with his fingers, and stood before her, "No, it isn't. Not anymore."

'What?' Bhairavi asked in disbelief. The man patiently answered, "Time is not running anymore. You have an eternity of it to practice and perfect. Don't worry, you won't feel hunger or thirst. Just practice. Come, pick up your sword. Attack me, let's see what you got."

Bhairavi stared and wondered if the man was insane, but she sensed something was indeed off about the room. Deciding not to question anymore and to trust him, she picked her sword which Samanya had kept for practice and lunged at him. He easily moved out of her path and when she turned midway to take him by surprise, he deftly avoided the strike.

"Come, come Bhairavi, you don't have to go easy on me. I don't need a weapon to defeat you." That stung, and Bhairavi sliced through the air with a snarl but he stepped back and kicked her knee. Growling in pain and anger, she twirled on her other feet and tried to strike him while he was off guard but he anticipated that and jumped over the sweeping sword.

"Too slow Bhairavi. Don't let your emotions hold you down. " Deciding to be methodical, she tried for a strike, duck, slash method, with an aching knee but she lost even faster than before and the sword fell from her hand. "Too predictable, Bhairavi. Is this how you will defeat, Bhay?"

Gritting her teeth at the pain of two ripped off nails, Bhairavi limped and picked the sword. She refused to give in to his taunts. Her powers swirled in her body, her mind begging her to teach the arrogant man a lesson. She decided to make use of both, as she moved forward to thrust her sword, she conjured another one with a flaming blade. As he swerved to parry that, she thrust the flaming sword with her left hand. To her surprise, the flames vanished into his stomach and he elbowed her away, sharply.

"That was good. But not effective enough. Using only your emotions, or your mental powers won't do. Learn to combine the two with your physical strength." Her side ached from the sharp knock of the elbow but she nodded and conjured three burning knives and as she threw them at him she pretended to thrust with her sword, and as he knocked aside the knives and moved to the side, she twisted and kicked him with her good foot. That knocked him back a few steps.

Panting from the what might have been her hundredth attempt to gain an upper hand, Bhairavi wiped the sweat from her face and rubbed her palms on her pants, before facing him with sword raised. But the stranger smiled widely, "Finally, finally you learned to use your powers to their greatest advantage. Well done, Bhairavi."

'But is that enough to face Bhay?' Bhairavi asked worriedly.

"Only if you can accept your fear. That lies in your hand."

Bhairavi stared at him for some time, contemplating. The man stood unflinching and silent. 'Can I ask you something?' Bhairavi asked.

"You can ask me three questions. Only one won't be enough to accommodate your burning curiosity."

Bhairavi sat on the ground cross-legged beside his slumbering dog, and while scratching his ears asked the first one. 'When are we?' The man smiled, acknowledging her sharp wit, "We are in a reality which has no beginning, and no end. There is no time here, and however long you spend in this reality is but a second in yours."

Bhairavi nodded, her mind had already begun to comprehend and expand beyond the human understanding. 'Why are you helping me?'

"Because you are our brightest hope against the darkness which threatens humanity. It is not yet time for Kalki's arrival. Yet, this Yuga has reached the peak of decay and cruelty. Kali and his family, his immortal family" the man corrected himself, "have become too powerful. They need to be eliminated to protect the little goodness which still resides inside Manavas."

Realizing her confusion regarding the mortality, he said, "Bhay is indeed immortal. He cannot be killed, but he can be defeated and dissipated. Fear can never leave the equation completely, it just has to be restored to balance. Now ask your final question."

'Am I the only one? Or are there others like me?' The man seemed disappointed by this question, but he answered, "There are others like you. You will cross paths with them in the future. I cannot say more than that. Hope your curiosity was slaked."

Bhairavi smiled at his implication, 'Yes, indeed it is, Baba.' The man smiled in admiration, "When did you realise?"

'While fighting. The answer to the first question cemented my guess. Who else can wield time but Lord Kal Bhairava?' Bhairavi got up and bowed her head in obeisance before touching his feet.

Pleased by her behavior and wisdom, the God blessed her before speaking, "I was angry with your Maa Tripura Bhairavi when she told me of what she had done. Later, I understood, when she accepted my son as her own. Being a parent is not about giving birth, it is about nurturing and caring for your child. You are my daughter as well. Go, Bhairavi. Your fate awaits your arrival."

The world spun around Bhairavi and when it righted itself, she found herself standing alone in the middle of Samanya's living room.