Shiva stepped into the sacred temple, its towering pillars adorned with intricate carvings depicting the ancient battles of the Astradharis. The air was thick with a mystical energy, an unspoken force that pressed against his very soul. This was no ordinary temple—it was a proving ground, a place where only the strongest could endure.

  At the center of the great hall stood a stone pedestal, and atop it rested a golden trident—the weapon of Nandi Astra’s true wielder. Its surface pulsed with raw, untamed energy, as though it recognized Shiva’s arrival. But before he could reach for it, a deep rumble echoed through the chamber.

  From the shadows, an immense figure emerged—a spectral bull with eyes that burned like molten fire. Its horns were adorned with celestial markings, its hooves cracking the ground beneath it. This was Nandi, the Guardian of the Astra.

  The bull’s voice resonated through the chamber. “Strength is not measured by power alone. It is tested by resilience, by the willingness to endure. Prove yourself.”

  Without hesitation, Shiva dropped into a fighting stance. He knew this would not be a battle of brute force alone. He had to prove his spirit, his endurance.

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  Nandi charged, the force of its movement causing the very air to tremble. Shiva dodged just in time, feeling the immense power pass mere inches from his body. He countered with a powerful strike, his energy crackling through the air, but Nandi did not falter. The beast retaliated, sending Shiva flying across the temple.

  Pain shot through his body as he struggled to rise. But he did not allow himself to fall. His limbs ached, his vision blurred, yet he stood once more. Endurance.

  Again, Nandi attacked, each strike more powerful than the last. Shiva met the challenge, refusing to yield. Every fall was met with another rise, every wound became a testament to his resilience. The temple itself seemed to watch, waiting for its verdict.

  Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Shiva fell to one knee, breathless but unbroken. He looked up, eyes blazing with determination. “I will not yield.”

  A moment of silence stretched between them. Then, to Shiva’s astonishment, Nandi lowered its head, stepping back. The trial was over.

  The great beast’s form shimmered, dissolving into streams of golden light that merged with the trident. The air vibrated with an ancient power as the weapon lifted from its pedestal, drifting toward Shiva.

  With reverence, he reached out, his fingers closing around the hilt. The power of the Nandi Astra coursed through him, a strength unlike anything he had ever known. The ground beneath him solidified, his spirit fortified with newfound energy.

  From far away, in the depths of darkness, Dev sensed the shift. A knowing smirk spread across his lips. The true battle had begun.