Mist swirled around us as the shadow slowly moved closer. My heart began to race. Purav lightly grabbed my shoulder, as if ready to run if anything went wrong.
As the figure approached, we could finally see clearly — it wasn't a demon, but three men. All of them were tall, well-built, and dressed in fine clothes. Different kinds of weapons hung from their shoulders, faintly glinting in the misty light.
They stopped in front of us.
One of them, the man standing at the front, stepped forward. His face was calm, but his eyes held a strange confidence. Looking straight at us, he spoke,
"I am Ashok, heir of the Arma District."
His voice was deep and steady.
"We heard laughter from a distance. We thought that if travelers were passing through this path, they might need assistance."
Purav and I exchanged glances.
Ashok gestured toward the surrounding mountains.
"These hills are not as peaceful as they seem. Demons are often spotted here… and the path itself is quite dangerous. One never knows when someone might need help."
The two companions behind him looked calm yet alert. Their hands remained close to their weapons, as if a battle could begin at any moment.
Purav leaned toward my ear and whispered,
"Dhruv… they seem important."
I nodded slightly, then turned toward Ashok.
"We're heading toward the Element District. If you don't mind us joining you…"
A faint smile appeared on Ashok's lips.
"That's exactly what we want as well."
He gestured toward the path ahead, and we all began walking together. The journey suddenly felt safer than before.
As we walked, conversations began to flow. The mist gradually cleared, and the mountain path no longer seemed as dangerous. Ashok and his companions were quiet yet friendly.
After a while, Ashok himself started speaking.
"We are students of the same Gurukul. From the Arma District… and we've been called for this year's competition."
Purav and I looked at each other.
"Really?" I asked in surprise.
"Yes," I replied with a smile. "We're going there for the same competition."
Purav quickly added,
"It's our first time… we didn't even know the route properly. Good thing we met you."
Ashok nodded slightly.
"Then consider this journey to be heading in the right direction."
Talking along the way, we didn't even realize when the mountain path ended and an open field appeared ahead. The sun was slowly setting. The sky was painted in shades of orange and violet. Before evening fully settled, we reached the outskirts of the Element District city.
From a distance, the massive walls of the Element District were visible. Strange symbols were carved upon them — waves of fire, spirals of water, currents of wind, and lines of earth. It felt as if the five elements themselves were guarding that place.
As we moved closer, the atmosphere grew even more beautiful. The air carried a different kind of energy — cool yet alive. Large torches burned at the city gates, their light making the entire wall glow.
The moment we stepped inside the gates, I looked around in awe.
This was no ordinary Gurukul.
It was spread across an area as vast as a large village. Inside were small houses, central discussion halls, water ponds, meditation spaces surrounded by trees, and in the middle — a massive training ground. Everywhere, students practiced different powers. In some places, gusts of wind rose into the air. In others, streams of water swirled midair. Elsewhere, students were shaping golems out of earth.
Purav whispered softly,
"Dhruv… feels like the real world begins here."
I silently gazed at the vast Gurukul.
A strange feeling stirred within me — excitement, fear… and an unknown pull.
Two students approached us to guide us further inside. Both greeted us politely and began leading us through the pathways. The inner part of the Gurukul was even more magnificent. Students from different districts were everywhere — some practicing, some learning to control their powers.
After walking for a while, they stopped in front of a large building.
"This is the Rest House," one of them said. "Please rest here tonight. After sunrise tomorrow, all new students must gather at the Assembly Grounds."
The other student added with a smile,
"There will be some important announcements before the competition. Don't be late."
With that, they turned back and disappeared into the darkness.
Purav and I stood there for a moment, then slowly stepped inside the rest house. The atmosphere inside was peaceful — wooden rooms, dim lamp light, and cool air drifting in from outside. The fatigue of the journey suddenly began to settle in.
Purav dropped onto the bed and said,
"That's it, bro… enough adventure for today. Whatever happens tomorrow, we'll see."
But I couldn't sleep.
I walked to the window and stood there. Outside, the Gurukul looked different at night — torchlight flickering, the faint clash of swords echoing from afar, and a strange restlessness in the air.
Both of us were eager for morning to arrive.
But one thought kept circling in my mind…
Would she be here too?
That girl… with the silver vial in her hand.
The same one whose jade pendant I still kept safely with me.
I slowly took the jade out of my pocket. In the torchlight, it glowed faintly, as if hiding a secret.
My heart whispered softly,
"Maybe tomorrow… I'll meet her again."
With that hope, I closed my eyes…
But more than sleep, it was tomorrow's dawn that awaited me.