Ash's gaze shifted from the now-faded stab marks on his body to the perplexed faces of his friends. His own confusion was mirrored in their expressions.
"I... I don't know," Ash stammered, running his fingers over the spots where the wounds should have been, his touch confirming the impossible. "I remember the fight, the pain... but then, everything's just a blur."
Ananya's brows furrowed as she examined the wounds closely. "This doesn't make any sense. Wounds like these would take time to heal, even with medical treatment."
Thiruvikraman's detective instincts kicked in as he weighed the situation. "Could it be some sort of rapid healing ability? It's almost like your body regenerates itself."
Rishi leaned in, his eyes filled with wonder. "You know, in the ancient texts I mentioned earlier, there are tales of warriors who possessed incredible regenerative powers. Could this be something similar?"
Ash shook his head, still grappling with the inexplicable turn of events. "I've never heard of such abilities, and I definitely don't remember having them."
As they exchanged puzzled glances, Ananya's voice cut through their thoughts. "Wait, there's something else. Remember when you summoned that lightning in the alleyway? It's like the elements responded to you, almost as if you commanded them."
As the hospital staff worked tirelessly to manage the aftermath of the explosion and ensure the safety of the patients, Rishi's condition had improved enough for him to be discharged. The four friends found a quiet corner outside the hospital, away from the chaos, and sat down to catch their breath.
"Man, that was intense," Rishi said, shaking his head. "I can't believe all of this is happening right now ."
Ash nodded, his gaze distant as he mulled over the events. "And what about the woman across the street? Did any of you recognize her?"
Their eyes met with a stunning sight. Across the street, partially obscured by the crowd of onlookers, stood a mysterious figure. A woman with striking features and an aura of intrigue watched the chaos unfold with a mixture of curiosity and something else—a spark of recognition.
The woman's gaze met Ash's for a brief moment, and in that fleeting connection, he sensed a connection to his past, to the enigmatic events that had led him to this point.
Ash quickly nudged Thiruvikraman, who was walking by them. "Do you see her? Thiruvikraman squinted at the woman Ash was pointing to, his expression thoughtful. "I do. She seems familiar, but I can't quite place where I've seen her before. His detective instincts were piqued, and he couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to this woman than met the eye.
Ananya and Thiruvikraman exchanged puzzled glances before shaking their heads. "No, I've never seen her before," Ananya replied.
"Me neither," Thiruvikraman confirmed. "But there's something about her that's bothering me."
Rishi leaned in, his eyes brightening with curiosity. "You know, this whole situation reminds me of some of the ancient texts I've read. About astras and powerful warriors who could summon destructive forces."
Ash raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Astras? What are those?"
Rishi leaned back, looking thoughtful. "Astras were divine weapons, supernatural forces that ancient warriors could invoke and channel to unleash various effects. They were categorized based on their nature—some could summon fire, others could control the weather, and some could even cause immense destruction."
Ash frowned, trying to process the information. "But I don't remember anything about astras or using them."
Rishi's eyes widened, realizing that Ash's memory seemed to have a significant gap. "Wait, you don't remember anything about the fight in the alleyway, or the lightning rod, or even using an astra?"
Ash shook his head, a mix of confusion and frustration evident in his expression. "No, it's all blank. I don't remember any of that."
Thiruvikraman leaned forward, his gaze fixed on Ash. "If you don't remember using an astra, then how did you survive those attacks and defeat those assailants?"
Ash's brow furrowed, his mind racing to make sense of the situation. "I don't know. It's like there's a gap in my memory, like something is missing."
Thiruvikraman leaned against the wall, processing the information. "So, you're saying that during the fight, not only did your wounds heal rapidly, but you also displayed control over natural elements?"
Rishi nodded, excitement and curiosity dancing in his eyes. "It's like you're tapping into powers that belong to ancient legends. Elements bending to your will, wounds vanishing... it's almost fantastical."
Ash's mind was a whirlwind of confusion, fascination, and a touch of fear. "But why? Why now? And what does it mean for me?"
Before anyone could respond, a sudden chill seemed to envelop them, accompanied by the faint sound of footsteps echoing in the distance. Thiruvikraman's hand instinctively went to his holster as his eyes scanned their surroundings.
"Did anyone else hear that? Ananya whispered, her senses on high alert.
Before anyone could respond, a commotion erupted nearby. The crowd of onlookers suddenly parted, revealing a trio of individuals advancing with purpose. Dressed in dark attire, their expressions were grim and determined.
The newcomers bore a striking resemblance to the assailants from before. Their eyes locked on Ash, a mix of hostility and recognition in their gaze. Without a word, they reached for concealed weapons, their intent clear.
"We've got company," Rishi said, his voice low but urgent.
Ash's instincts kicked in, and his body moved on instinct.
As the tension mounted, the trio of assailants closed the distance. The atmosphere crackled with danger, and it was clear that a confrontation was inevitable.
Just as the situation reached a critical point, a voice echoed from behind them. "Stand down!" The voice was authoritative, commanding attention. All heads turned to see a tall, imposing figure stepping out of the shadows. Dressed in attire that seemed to blend ancient and modern elements, he exuded an aura of power and authority.
The figure's gaze shifted to Ash and his friends, his eyes narrowing slightly. "You're interfering with forces beyond your understanding," he stated, his voice a low rumble.
Ash's grip on his emotions tightened. "We're not backing down. We won't let them harm anyone."
"Understood." The mysterious person took a stance beside Ash and Thiruvikraman, facing off against the assailants.
"Evacuate the hospital; this is going to get messy." He murmured to Thiruvikraman, who promptly pushed the fire alarm button placed on the side.
Blaring alarms sounded again as Thiruvikraman pulled the gun out of his holster.
"Let's start round 2."