Red.
The screen was drowned in blood-red light.
A scar slowly formed across the red pupil within the pitch-black eye.
Blood began to flow—
thick, dark, and heavy—
covering the eye completely.
Suddenly—
A Vision
The world shifted.
An ancient battlefield appeared.
Dust filled the air.
Two figures stood facing an unseen enemy.
One held a bow—his presence sharp and unyielding.
His face remained hidden.
Beside him, on a chariot, stood another figure.
A peacock feather fluttered above his crown . Holding Chariot leads.
No face was shown.
Yet—
The pressure was absolute.
Divine arrows were released.
The sky shattered.
A cataclysmic explosion tore through reality itself.
Even the unseen observers trembled.
A terrified thought echoed—
"We cannot oppose those two…"
"The greatest warriors…"
"…and that living god."
"We must escape."
The vision collapsed.
Blood flooded everything.
---
Nikhil's Room – Early Morning
Nikhil gasped.
He jolted awake.
His breath was heavy.
His heart felt like it was about to tear out of his chest.
He looked down.
The floor—
Covered in blood.
"What the—"
Shock hit him instantly.
His legs weakened.
He collapsed on floor of blood.
---
Nikhil woke again.
This time, reality returned.
His bed.
His room.
His body drenched in sweat.
He was breathing heavily, chest rising and falling uncontrollably.
Nikhil (thoughts):
"Wh… what was that blood…?"
"I feel… scared."
A sudden thought struck him.
"My sister…"
"I hope… she's not here in this world ."
He sat up slowly and reached for water, drinking deeply.
His hands were still trembling.
He walked toward the window.
Outside—
The sky was slowly turning pale.
Dawn was near.
Nikhil (thoughts):
"It's almost morning…"
"Today… we have to prepare for our mission."
A bitter smile formed.
"But the funny part is—none of us know how to fight."
"No sword skills. No combat experience."
His gaze hardened.
"We need training."
"Especially the girls… they've never faced something like this."
"They'll need extra training."
---
The door creaked open.
Aditya stepped inside.
Aditya:
"Hey, Nikhil. You're awake this early?"
He stretched lightly.
"I was thinking of walking around the castle."
Nikhil nodded.
They walked out together.
---
Castle Grounds
The morning air was cold.
Quiet.
Too quiet.
Aditya:
"What do you think, Nikhil?"
"How are we supposed to face all this?"
"And… are we the only ones like this, or are there more?"
Nikhil remained silent for a moment.
Nikhil:
"I don't know."
"But from today… we start training."
He paused, then smirked slightly.
"By the way… my Intelligence is A+++."
Aditya glanced at him.
"It should be S-rank."
"After all… you solved that case."
He shook his head.
"But forget it."
"For now, it doesn't matter."
They stepped onto the open ground.
The sun finally rose above the horizon.
---End of Chapter