Mumbai Criminal Zone, Sector 13, House number 01.
Early Morning…
Das's uncle Roy was giving a rupee coin to all the children who stood in line before him. It is a daily habit for him. Every day, before going to school, the schoolchildren will come for him to take their pocket money.
On the other side, Das is seriously performing a hand combat technique against a wooden pole. Every time Das palm struck the pole, several dents formed on its surface.
Unlike every day, Uncle Roy saw a hesitation on Das's face. He understood that Das was thinking deeply about something. Wondering about the last-night words of Das, Roy approached him in silent steps.
"Kacha…"
After delivering a final blow to the wooden pole, Das took a deep breath and sat in meditation posture. Uncle Roy stood in, waiting patiently.
After ten minutes, Das finally opened his eyes. He got up and brought two chairs to sit with his uncle. He poured a glass of honey for his uncle and picked another glass for him.
"So, what have you decided?" Uncle Roy asked while taking a sip of honey.
Das sighed heavily before replying. "Before that, I need to explain something, Uncle. Yesterday, a girl snuck into my taxi while running away from marriage. I saved her from thugs and took her to War God Mountain, as she asked me to. There, I encountered something, which I can't believe till now." Das paused while thinking about Mohini, who attacked him with a fireball.
"What do you mean?" Uncle Roy asked with a confused look.
"Uncle, do you remember the day you took me away from the Das family?" Das asked while staring at the morning sun.
A tense look appeared on Roy's face as he heard that question. "How could I forget that?" Roy replied while staring at his missing left hand.
Das turned towards Uncle Roy and asked, "Uncle, what did the Das family say when you asked them about my parents' deaths?"
"Those bastards said your parents died in the hands of a few mages who could do magic. I thought of slapping the patriarch with my shoe after hearing that nonsense." Uncle Roy replied angrily with a grim face.
"I think they were not lying, Uncle. Before sending me away, Grandmother said a few strange people came to meet my father and demanded something from him. But my father sent them away with a cold face.
But those same people met my paternal uncle, who is the current patriarch. I think my father's second brother made a deal with them for killing my parents." Das replied while thinking deeply about the past.
But Uncle Roy shook his head in confusion. "Das, why are you believing that nonsense now? Your father is the best fighter in the Trident community. How could anyone kill him in combat?"
Das's face turned serious as he heard the word trident community. "Uncle, those strange people really exist." Das paused as he stared into his uncle's eyes. "Yesterday, I personally encountered a girl who could do magic. She has an artifact in the shape of a bangle. She used strange energy to attack with flames.
That lady threatened the escaping bride's life and gave me a wand to translate the old literature on it. Also, she said one needs to consume 'Heavenly Elixir' to become a cultivator."
Uncle Roy's eyes went wide after hearing the name Heavenly Elixir. "Das, don't you think the word heavenly elixir is familiar?!" Roy asked with a surprised look.
"Yeah… I read about it somewhere. But I can't remember it now." Das replied while trying to remember.
"Don't worry. We will find it later. By the way, what about leaving this criminal zone? Did you make a decision?" Roy asked while patting Das shoulder.
"That's what I've been thinking since last night. I want to go out into the real world and find out more details about cultivators. But the problem is, I want to act low-key for the time being to avoid unnecessary trouble from Das family." Das said before finishing the honey in one gulp.
Uncle Roy also fell in thought after hearing Das's opinion. In physical combat, Das can beat any high-ranking hunters sent by the Das family. But he is not sure about cultivators.
Just as the two were thinking deeply about what to do, Lambu, the fat guy, came running towards them.
"Chief… Chief…" Lambu called out loudly from a distance. An excited smile played on his lips as he came to stop beside Das.
Behind Lambu, several people came with excited cries.
"What happened?" Uncle Roy asked while staring at the mob with a confused face.
Lambu breathed heavily while gasping for air. "Chief, a woman is coming to meet the Supreme. She is so beautiful. Her face is glowing like a moon." Lambu said loudly in an excited tone.
"Yes, chief. Warden Desai is personally escorting her here. We all saw her." Another lady from the mob replied.
Uncle Roy turned towards Das with an enquiring look. Das shook his head, as he was not expecting anyone.
Just then, with a loud horn, a police jeep came rushing towards Das's house. As Das gaze met with the lady who sat in the front seat, his eyes went wide in surprise.
"Who is she?" Uncle Roy asked while observing the surprise on Das face.
"She is the escaping bride I'm talking about." Das replied while continuing to stare at Lily.
As the care came to a stop before house number one, Warden Desai hurriedly got down and opened the car door for Lily.
As Lily walked in front, Warden Desai and four more escort police officers followed her in protection.
She wore a flowery hat and a traditional two-piece gown with simple ornaments. Nervousness played on her face as she stared at the mob of people who stood around Das. Everyone was staring at her with scrutinising gazes.
With steady steps, Lily came to stop before Das. Seeing her nervous face, Das stood up and offered a seat first.
"What are you doing here?" Das asked with a stare.
Lily lifted her head and stared at all the people around her. Understanding her intention, Das asked everyone to leave.
With unwilling looks, everyone moved outside the compound wall. As Lily turned towards the police, warden Desai took everyone away.
_
Thank you for the power stones