I'm Your Problem Now

Dear Anonymous, I have received your answer and am glad you have shown interest. I know that the process seems daunting, but the opportunity that I have given to you is worth the risk. I have outlined the instructions below, as promised. Follow each step precisely, and the power you seek will be yours. But first, I'm giving you a little background info that pertains to your task. In Hindu mythology, there were great wars waged between the devas (gods) and the asuras (demons). Maintaining order and peace became impossible because the tide of power was in a constant flux. The devas and asuras would do tapas, which are practices that involved giving up pleasure in order to obtain siddhis, powers such as strength or invisibility. Tapas usually involved menial tasks like yoga, fasting, tantras, meditation and the like. While the devas were more devoted to practicing tapas as a form of enlightenment, asuras would perform them long enough to obtain a siddhi and then abruptly stop. Sukra, the teacher of the asuras, gave the asuras knowledge of different tapas and rituals to grow more powerful. Eventually, he was able to give them invincibility. The devas lost battle after battle against the asuras, and faced extinction. However, under the guidance of Vishnu, the Supreme, they were able to obtain the drink of immortality and defeat the asuras. Now, you may wonder why I told you this little tidbit of myth. The asuras are real, and you're going to perform a tapa to get a siddhi from them. I have a few things to note before I start. You're not going to be doing the upward dog on a yoga mat or chanting hymns. These tapas have more...exciting requirements that may repel those with weak hearts. This power is not meant for the meek. Second, as I have stated earlier, the asuras were defeated in many of the great wars. While many died, some of the more powerful asuras are still alive. They are weaker than when they waged war on the devas, so their siddhis are much more accessible. You will attempt to gain a siddhi from one of them. Finally, a word of caution; there is no turning back after the tapa. You may leave and forget everything - the power, the tapa, and this letter - before the tapa begins. Once initiated, the tapa cannot be stopped. You will either finish the tapa or die. This is not a threat from me, but a warning of what you will face once the tapa begins. Now that you have been properly informed, please feel free to read on. Your first step is to go to a local jeweler or charm shop to find a symbol of a snake. This can be an actual snake or just a fang. The symbol can be on a ring, bracelet, necklace - any accessory that can be worn. You will need to keep it on to begin the tapa. Once you have found a suitable accessory, roam the streets until you come across a peculiar shop that you never noticed before. It's a small, windowless establishment with a black snake on the door. A small peephole outlined in red will be above it. Knock twice and hold your accessory, with the snake symbol visible, to the peephole. After a brief moment, the door will open and you will be greeted by a small, elderly women in gray robes. Return her greeting by saying 'Namaste' and bowing slightly. If done correctly, she will usher you inside. The woman will seat you at a large wooden table, and then sit across from you. Do not be fooled by her frail appearance - she is a rakshasa, a guardian of the asuras. If you show her weakness, she will either kill you or drive you insane to the point of suicide. Do not tell her anything about yourself. She will trick you into reminiscing on a past memory or dropping a hint of the slightest insecurity. Her innocent small talk is an attempt to pry the fear from you, but you must not give her a single detail. If she offers you food or drink, do not take it. If you start to feel tired and she offers you a bed, refuse. If she begs or pleads with you, ignore her. She will even shapeshift into hideous, monstrous forms to scare you. Do not show fear and do not scream. Soon, she will know that you are serious and will ask