The Rise of Darkness -
The force of Ravi's blow had launched Veer into a wooden cabinet, which collapsed under his weight with a loud crash. Splinters scattered across the room as Veer groaned, momentarily stunned. Kartik stood frozen, his back against the wall, heart racing wildly.
In the center of the room, Ravi—or rather, the thing inside him—straightened its spine with a sickening series of cracks. His body twitched unnaturally, arms hanging loose for a moment before snapping up with stiff precision. His head turned sharply toward Kartik, black eyes locking onto him like a predator.
A cruel grin stretched across his face.
"You brought them here, Kartik," the voice said—low, echoing, not Ravi's at all. "You think these tricks can save you?"
Kartik's breath hitched. He barely recognized his friend in that voice.
Veer's hoodie was torn at the shoulder, revealing the light purple circles on his upper arms—now glowing faintly, as if responding to the evil presence.
"You're not welcome here," Veer said, wiping blood from his lip. "Leave the boy."
The spirit tilted Ravi's head. "Ah… a Divine Warrior. How rare. How… fragile."
Awakening -
Veer's body lay still amidst the shattered remains of the cabinet, dust swirling in the air. Kartik's breath caught in his throat.
Across the room, Ravi—no, the spirit—turned its head toward Kartik. Its black eyes locked onto him like a beast spotting prey. The grin widened. Then it crouched low.
And leapt.
Kartik froze. He couldn't even scream.
But the impact never came.
Because standing between him and the spirit—was Veer.
Veer's arm was outstretched, holding Ravi back by the neck mid-air, his body unmoved by the force. The air shimmered faintly around him. The light purple markings on his arms now glowed brightly, alive with divine energy, wrapping around his forearms like awakened sigils.
Kartik's eyes widened. "V-Veer?! But you were knocked out!"
Veer didn't take his eyes off the spirit as he spoke. "The more damage we take… the more we awaken. That
is the path of a Divine Warrior."
He shoved Ravi back with a single powerful motion, sending the possessed boy sliding across the floor.
Then, Veer turned to Kartik.
"Stay in that corner. He won't reach you again."
With surprising calm, he knelt and drew a glowing line across the floor just in front of Kartik using his finger. The line shimmered faintly as he whispered a mantra under his breath. Sanskrit syllables echoed briefly in the air before fading.
"This seal will hold. Whatever happens, don't step over it."
Kartik nodded shakily, the fear in his chest giving way to awe.
Veer turned back to the spirit. His eyes burned with divine resolve.
"Now… let's finish this."
Clash of Power -
The spirit let out a furious howl and rushed forward again. The creature's speed was unnatural, but Veer matched it now, countering each blow with precision.
Every impact shook the walls. Bookshelves toppled. Glass cracked. The house groaned like it could barely contain the power being unleashed.
Kartik watched in awe and horror. Veer was not just fighting—he was changing. With each strike, his movements grew sharper, faster. His arms moved with divine rhythm, every muscle flowing with controlled fury.
Veer drove a palm strike into Ravi's chest, sending him skidding back across the floor. Dust kicked up from the impact.
But the spirit wasn't done.
"You think you're winning?" it hissed through Ravi's mouth. "You're scratching the surface. But the darkness is rising."
Veer stepped forward. "Your tricks won't work on me."
The spirit laughed—a laugh so cold it felt like needles.
"You may destroy me now… but your fate is sealed. The Asura... the true one... is awakening. And none of you will survive the storm that's coming."
For a brief moment, the air turned ice cold.
The Final Blow -
Veer narrowed his eyes. "Then we'll be ready."
He closed his fists. The glowing violet marks surged brighter than ever, forming a three-pointed trident symbol at the center of his chest.
Kartik gasped as the room trembled. A faint hum filled the air, as if the walls themselves could hear the chant building in Veer's throat.
"Om Trayambakam Yajamahe…" Veer began, his voice rising with divine strength.
The spirit shrieked, covering its ears, Ravi's body convulsing violently.
"Release him!" Veer shouted, and with a blinding strike, he slammed his palm into Ravi's forehead.
A burst of violet light exploded from the point of contact.
The spirit screamed in agony—Ravi's mouth wide open as dark vapor poured from his body. The blackness peeled away like burning mist, screaming as it left him.
Then—silence.
Ravi's body collapsed.
Aftermath -
Kartik ran to his friend's side. "Ravi!"
Veer knelt beside them, panting heavily. The glow on his body faded, the trident symbol dissolving into faint heat. The tattoos returned to their soft purple tone. His hands trembled slightly.
"He's alive," Veer said softly, placing two fingers on Ravi's neck. "The spirit's gone… for now."
Kartik stared at him. "What... what was that thing?"
Veer didn't answer at first. Then, slowly, he said:
"A herald. Just a whisper of something bigger. It came to test the waters… and to warn us."
Kartik shivered. "What did it mean by Asura?"
Veer looked toward the cracked ceiling, lost in thought.
"We'll talk on the way. For now… we need to leave. This house isn't safe anymore."
As they turned toward the door, Kartik looked back at his unconscious friend, still breathing softly.
"Will he remember?"
Veer shook his head. "No. But the scar inside him might linger."
Then, almost as an afterthought, Veer muttered under his breath—
"I will not let you corrupt my friend's soul."
Kartik looked down at Ravi, still breathing but unconscious. "We can't leave him like this. What if something happens again?"
Veer nodded. "You're right. Whatever was inside him is gone, but his body is still weak. We need to get him
proper medical care."
Together, they lifted Ravi carefully. Kartik supported his shoulders while Veer steadied his legs. The house, once filled with a suffocating darkness, now felt strangely hollow.
As they stepped outside into the quiet morning, Veer looked back one last time.
"Let's get him to a hospital," he said. "Then we prepare to head for Trinetra."