Abhimanyu and Nitya, along with the others, sat down at the same table.
Abhimanyu: "This restaurant is quite big."
Nitya: "Yes, it is."
Abhimanyu picked up the menu card and started looking for a waiter, but there wasn't one in sight, and there were hardly any customers, possibly because it was still morning.
Abhimanyu: "This is strange. At least there should be a waiter visible. Is there only a receptionist here? Are all the waiters hiding in the kitchen?"
As Abhimanyu was thinking this, the kitchen door opened, and several waiters with their right hands raised, carrying plates of breakfast, walked out in a line. Then, a group of musicians came running in through another door and started playing excited music on the stage.
Abhimanyu: "What is going on? Does this always happen here?"
Nitya: "No, not always. It happens only when I come."
Abhimanyu: "Is this restaurant yours?"
Nitya: "No."
Just then, the waiters placed various dishes on their table, all of them vegetarian. The manager bowed and said, "Enjoy your breakfast," and then everyone left.
Abhimanyu: "This is great."
Nitya smiled and started eating, and the others also began eating without thinking much about it. Abhimanyu's pupils darkened as he looked at the food.
Abhimanyu thought to himself: "This doesn't look like poison."
Saily: "Yeah, no one's going to poison you so openly."
Abhimanyu to Nitya: "By the way, you haven't told me why we are getting this special treatment."
Nitya, looking at her watch: "Just one more minute, and you'll know everything."
Abhimanyu continued eating in confusion.
A few moments later, a man entered the restaurant wearing an open checkered shirt with a T-shirt underneath, jeans, and stylish shoes. He also wore a gold chain. He was as handsome as Abhimanyu and looked almost identical to him, except his hair was styled differently with shades of blonde and brown. He looked like Abhimanyu's twin brother.
Abhimanyu stared at him because he was dressed similarly to him, even down to the gold chain hanging outside his T-shirt. Abhimanyu was in his classic style at that moment.
Abhimanyu's friends looked at Abhimanyu and then at the other guy in astonishment.
The man, without paying attention to Abhimanyu, went straight to Nitya, knelt down, and said: "I love you. I've left all my bad activities and become a good man for you. Please say yes."
Nitya, with a hint of arrogance: "Alright, but first, you have to impress me."
The man: "If you ask, I can even bring the moon to your feet."
Nitya: "Filmy dialogues won't work. To impress me, you have to defeat the one I'm already impressed with."
The man: "You mean fighting? No one has ever beaten me. But who do I have to fight?"
Nitya pointed at Abhimanyu, who was still staring at him.
When the man looked at Abhimanyu, he too started staring at him and then got up to look at him from every angle.
The man: "Hey, did you have a twin brother who got lost in the Kumbh Mela?"
Abhimanyu: "Not to my knowledge."
The man: "Where are you from?"
Abhimanyu: "Bihar."
The man thought to himself: "Could my dad be from Bihar? Our ages seem the same. I need to talk to mom about this."
The man: "Where were you born?"
Abhimanyu: "I was born at home in Bihar, not in a hospital."
Nitya: "He has a whole family. He has no connection with you. I thought the same at first, but your ages are the same and your birthplaces are different. And his mother has never left her colony, right?"
The man: "Yes, that's true. Alright, let's fight, boss."
Abhimanyu: "Why should I fight?"
The man: "To impress Nitya darling."
Abhimanyu: "Yes, but why should I fight?"
The man, confused, looked at Nitya.
Nitya: "Look, if you want to impress me, you have to defeat him in a fight."
The man to Abhimanyu: "You heard her, right? To impress her, we need to fight."
Abhimanyu: "Yes, but maybe you didn't hear that she's already impressed with me. Why would I reduce my value by losing to you?"
The man: "Alright."
He was about to grab Abhimanyu's collar when Nitya said: "What are you doing? No hooliganism. You have to convince him to fight and defeat him like a true player."
Abhimanyu to Nitya: "Why are you troubling me?"
Nitya: "Meeting after two years, this is your punishment."
Abhimanyu: "So, is this why you brought me here?"
The man: "Hey, brother, accept the challenge. It's just one fight. Aren't you a man?"
Abhimanyu: "I'm not a fighter; I'm a scientist."
The man to Nitya: "A scientist will definitely lose to me."
Nitya: "Do you underestimate scientists? Anyway, I was impressed by him when he acted as a gangster. Maybe I'm impressed by Surya because he resembles you."
The man: "Brother, there's some truth in what you said. I'll give Nitya all the time she needs to resolve this confusion."
Nitya: "But remember, you still have to defeat Abhimanyu to impress me."
The man: "I can fight even the Prime Minister for love, and this is just a scientist."
Abhimanyu suddenly remembered that the Nagraj of Naglok, Indraansh, also looked like him. He wondered if Surya could be the Nagraj.
Abhimanyu looked closely at Surya.
Saily: "I also think if you're not the Nagraj, then he must be."
Abhimanyu to Surya: "By the way, what do you do?"
Surya: "I have small businesses in Bangalore, like this restaurant."
Abhimanyu: "You seem like a gangster to me."
Surya: "I was, but Nitya changed me."
Abhimanyu: "And your family?"
Surya: "It's just my mother. I'm devoted to her."
Abhimanyu didn't ask any further questions.
Abhimanyu: "Alright, we'll be leaving now. It's getting late."
Kashmira: "Yes, it will be night by the time we reach Pushpgarh."
Surya: "Pushpgarh? That name sounds familiar."
Surya, after thinking for a while: "Oh yes! My mother's village is there. She moved to the city with my father after his death. We still have a house there."
Abhimanyu: "Are you telling the truth?"
Surya: "Absolutely. But why are you going to my village?"
Abhimanyu: "We investigate ancient ruins and temples. I've heard Pushpgarh has many ancient ruins and is quite old."
Surya: "Yes, I've heard that too but never went there. Let's go together; it will be an opportunity for us to bond."
Abhimanyu: "You're coming with us?"
Surya: "Yes, you all can stay at my house. But it's not safe to go there at night. As they said, we'll reach there by nightfall. Let's go tomorrow morning."
Everyone looked at Abhimanyu.
Abhimanyu looked at Black Dragon.
Black Dragon: "There's no harm in staying one more day. Since his mother is from the same village, we can get valuable information about the ruins."
Abhimanyu to Surya: "Why isn't it safe to go there at night?"
Surya: "My mother says there are many thieves and robbers who can even kill you."
Abhimanyu: "Alright, we'll stay."
Surya: "Great, you all come to my house. Nitya, you too."
Nitya smiled and nodded in agreement.
As they stepped out, they saw several cars parked outside the restaurant, surrounded by men holding hockey sticks and chains. In the center was a Fortuner, and a man was sitting on its bonnet, wearing sunglasses and smoking a cigarette.
The man: "Hey Surya, I'm here to finish you off today. After this, I'll rule Bangalore alone."
Surya: "I've left all my bad activities. Do what you want, just stay away from me."
Abhimanyu looked at Nitya.
Nitya: "This is Rocky. Rocky and Surya used to be in the same gang. After their leader's death, the gang split into two, and they ruled their respective areas. But Rocky wanted the entire Bangalore, so they became enemies. Surya left the underworld at my request, which gave Rocky a chance to strengthen his hold."
Rocky: "But you still control this area, and no one will accept me as the king of Bangalore until you're out of the way. Either work for me or get out of Bangalore."
Surya ignored him and said to Abhimanyu: "Let's go."
A man laughed: "He's turned into a lamb. What's his market respect?"
Another man blocked their path.
Rocky: "Why the hurry? Is this your item, Nitya? Quite a bombshell."
Rocky had just finished saying this when the man blocking their path was kicked into a car window, shattering it.
Surya: "Don't you dare mention Nitya's name with your filthy tongue."
Black Dragon: "Wow, just one kick sent him flying so far. Impressive."
Abhimanyu asked, "Surya, don't you have any men?"
Surya replied, "I do, but I gave them the day off. They're probably in the colony right now."
Abhimanyu said, "They should have gotten the news by now."
Surya said, "Yes, they probably have, but I instructed them not to participate in any gang fights. They're all likely at their respective shops."
Rocky said, "What are you all looking at? Get him!"
At that moment, three or four goons attacked Surya simultaneously.
Surya threw each of them away with a single punch or kick.
Impressed, Abhimanyu said, "Amazing."
Black Dragon remarked, "Did you notice?"
Abhimanyu replied, "Yes, he's using advanced spiritual energy."
Ammy said, "But how? His moves seem immature to me."
Abhimanyu explained, "Look closely. This is called freestyle. In this style, the fighter creates his own moves and adapts to the situation. It appears that he's a grandmaster in freestyle fighting, especially since he's using advanced spiritual energy naturally."
Ammy said, "But isn't spiritual energy used naturally?"
Abhimanyu replied, "No, typically martial artists control their spiritual energy and focus it on the parts of the body they use to attack. But in his case, the energy flows freely through his entire body. It seems like Surya isn't controlling the energy; instead, the energy is naturally following his moves."
Ammy said, "Is that even possible?"
Black Dragon said, "Yes, it's common among athletes and other experts who don't meditate or try to control their spiritual energy. The energy flows automatically as if it's a part of the body."
Jin Gyong said, "This is all over my head."
Abhimanyu said, "Just understand that he's very powerful."
Jin Gyong asked, "So can he defeat you?"
Abhimanyu replied, "I don't think he's as powerful as a regular soldier of the Night Demon, but it's hard to say since he's not controlling his energy. If he could control it, he could easily defeat Riya."
Riya said, "Are you calling me weak?"
Abhimanyu replied, "No, I'm saying Surya is strong."
Meanwhile, Surya had knocked out 15 men.
Rocky said, "Surround him and attack the girl!"
About 10 goons surrounded Surya, while a few others advanced toward Nitya.
Surya started attacking those goons but was a bit late. As he looked at Nitya, all the men advancing toward her were suddenly flung back towards Rocky. Rocky jumped off his Fortuner to avoid getting hit, while the goons crashed into the car, breaking the windshield, bonnet, tire, and falling to the ground.
Rocky finally noticed Abhimanyu. Until now, his attention had been on Surya and Nitya. He rubbed his eyes and looked at Surya, then back at Abhimanyu, repeatedly.
The remaining goons approached Abhimanyu and his friends to attack, but Abhimanyu and Black Dragon were throwing them around like balls. The condition of these goons was worse than those hit by Surya, with more injuries, wounds, and blood. Within moments, all of Rocky's men were down.
Abhimanyu walked over to Rocky and said, "Is this all the men you have?"
Rocky replied, "I have more men. Wait, I'll call them."
Abhimanyu laughed and said, "Do you even know who you're standing in front of?"
Rocky kept staring at Abhimanyu.
Suddenly, a pistol appeared in Abhimanyu's hand. No one saw where it came from, as it seemed to appear out of nowhere. He acted as if he was drawing it from his waist, but there was no pistol visibly tucked there.
Abhimanyu pressed the pistol to Rocky's forehead and said, "Whatever issue you have with Surya is none of my concern, but stay away from that girl or you'll wish for death."
Abhimanyu's eyes had turned black, and he instilled so much fear in Rocky that he would genuinely stay away from Nitya.
Abhimanyu put the pistol back and told Surya, "Let's go from here."
Surya, staring at Abhimanyu, left with them.
On the way, Surya asked, "Are you a gangster too? I have a pistol, but I don't carry it in my pocket."
Abhimanyu handed him the pistol and said, "This is an air gun. It doesn't kill anyone; it just looks real."
Surya fired it into the air and confirmed it was indeed an air gun.
Surya said, "This is perfect for scaring people, but Rocky won't mess with Nitya now. Her life might be in danger."
Abhimanyu said, "Don't worry, Nitya's family protects her 24/7. Even if they aren't visible, no one can harm her."
Surya said, "But I've never noticed anyone, even when Nitya came to my house."
Abhimanyu laughed and said, "See that BMW behind us? Those are her family's guards."
Surya saw a car maintaining a 200-meter distance from them.
Surya said, "It's strange that the road is clear in front of the BMW, but it's moving so slowly."
Abhimanyu said, "That's just how it is."
Surya said, "But the car turned away."
Abhimanyu said, "Yes, so now another car must be following us. It's a strategy."
Looking at Nitya, Surya said, "Nitya, I don't know much about your family."
Nitya said, "They're businessmen in Mumbai."
Surya said, "They seem quite wealthy."
Nitya didn't respond.
Abhimanyu said, "They're not just wealthy, they're powerful too. They practically rule Mumbai."
Surya said, "Oh my God!"
Abhimanyu said, "Don't worry, everything will be fine."
Surya asked, "What do you mean?"
Abhimanyu said, "Nothing."
Surya said, "Take the next left and we've arrived."
Surya led them to his house, which was neither too big nor too small, just an average middle-class home.
Nitya told Abhimanyu, "His mother doesn't know that Surya was a gangster. She thinks he has a normal job."
Abhimanyu said, "How did he manage to hide this?"
Nitya replied, "His mother never leaves the colony, and no one in the colony knows about him."
Surya asked Abhimanyu, "How about we play a prank on my mother?"
Abhimanyu said, "I'm not in the mood to get hit with a slipper."
Surya asked, "How did you know?"
Abhimanyu said, "I guessed."
Just then, the door opened, and a woman between 45 and 50 years old came out holding a broom, ready to hit Surya. But seeing the others, she quickly hid the broom behind her and smiled. Seeing Abhimanyu, she was shocked and then looked at Surya again.
Surya said, "Surprised, aren't you? We look quite similar, don't we?"
Surya's mother just nodded.
Surya said, "Come on, everyone, let's go inside."
Abhimanyu and the others entered.
Surya's mother was still staring at Abhimanyu.
Surya waved his hand in front of her eyes to get her attention away from Abhimanyu.
Surya said, "What happened, Mom? We're just look-alikes. They say there are seven people in the world who look alike."
Surya's mother said, "Alright, come inside."
Surya's mother went to the kitchen to make tea for everyone but kept peeking at Abhimanyu, whose body structure and face were just like Surya's.
After a while, as she was giving Abhimanyu tea, she asked, "Son, are you from Bangalore?"
Abhimanyu replied, "No, I'm from Bihar."
Surya's mother asked, "And your parents?"
Abhimanyu said, "They live in Bihar. My father is in the army, and my mother is a businesswoman."
Surya then said, "Mom, these people are researching our village's ruins. They're scientists."
Surya's mother said, "But why did you choose our village?"
Abhimanyu replied, "According to our research, the village is perfect."
Surya's mother said, "But there's some danger in that village."
Abhimanyu asked, "What kind of danger?"
But Surya's mother didn't say anything.
Abhimanyu said, "Ma'am, since we're all going there, we should know what danger we might face."
Surya's mother said, "You kids will think I'm telling stories."
Jin Gyong said, "Aunty, please don't keep us in suspense."
Surya's mother said, "Alright, there's a demoness in that village."
Abhimanyu asked, "A demoness?"
Surya's mother said, "Yes, she lives near the river and kills men on every new moon night. By morning, their naked bodies are found near the river, with their clothes scattered nearby."
Surya said, "Mom, why have you never told me this before?"
Surya's mother said, "I didn't want you to be scared."
Surya said, "I don't fear my enemies, whether they are demonesses or demons."
Surya's mother said, "These things used to happen a long time ago. I heard that the demoness was captured 20 years ago, but still, you all should be careful."
Abhimanyu asked, "What is the story of that demoness?"
Surya's mother replied, "I don't know much. I couldn't stay in that village for long. I only knew that the demoness would make a man her prey every new moon night."
Jin Gyong asked, "But if they knew about the demoness, why didn't the villagers leave the village?"
Surya's mother said, "They were poor people. Where would they go, leaving their homes and fields? They just tried to stay hidden in their homes. But the demoness was very deceitful. She would somehow create illusions and lure a man out. Those who resisted and didn't fall into her illusions, she would kill."
Jin Gyong asked, "So, she wouldn't enter the house?"
Surya's mother said, "No, she never stepped inside any house because the prey would come to her on his own. Maybe she was very confident in her powers."
Surya's mother continued, "Her last victim was my husband. After that, a group of sages managed to trap her in a peepal tree by the river, but they all died in the process. I had already left the village with Surya before that happened."
Nitya asked, "So, if that demoness is still trapped in the peepal tree, can she never be freed?"
Surya's mother replied, "I don't know how she was trapped. I never went back to that village. I just occasionally speak to the village head. By the way, where do you plan to stay?"
Abhimanyu said, "We haven't thought about that yet."
Surya said, "Mom, I was thinking that we could have them stay at our house in the village."
Surya's mother said, "That would be good, but the house must be in terrible condition by now. It will need cleaning and repairs before it's fit to stay in."
Surya said, "I'll go with them and take care of everything."
Surya's mother said, "Alright, but make sure to leave before evening. Don't want anything to happen to you."
Surya replied, "Mom, don't worry. I'll take care of everything and return after all the work is done. You can come with us if you want."
Surya's mother said, "No, I won't go there. Stay as long as you need, but stay away from that tree and the river."
Surya said, "Okay."
Surya's mother then looked at Nitya and asked, "Are you going with them?"
Nitya said, "No, aunty. I have a lot of work in the lab."
Surya said, "I don't know what you do in the lab all day. I saw on TV that scientists mix some juices in the lab."
Nitya laughed and said, "They're called chemicals, and yes, sometimes we do that."
Abhimanyu asked, "I've heard there are a lot of ruins there."
Surya's mother said, "Yes, they are around the village and in some forests nearby. The village itself is built around those ruins, near a temple. The village council is right next to the temple."
Abhimanyu asked, "And how old is that temple?"
Surya's mother replied, "I don't know. I've heard it's very ancient."
Abhimanyu thought to himself, "So, the next clue might be in the temple."
Saily asked, "What will you do about that demoness?"
Abhimanyu said, "What do I have to do with her? She's fine where she is."
Saily said, "You can make her your servant."
Abhimanyu replied, "No, she's fine in her place."
Abhimanyu stayed there until 4 AM the next morning.