The silence stretched as Kal's question hung in the air. Arjun, though torn by the weight of the decision, felt an undeniable force pushing him forward. His homeland, his family, and friends—everything he loved—was at stake.
"I will become your successor," Arjun said firmly, his voice filled with resolve.
Kal's expression remained unreadable, but something flickered in his dark eyes, a brief glimmer of satisfaction. Yet, Arjun had more questions lingering in his mind. "But what do you mean by 'the fallen Dev'? How did you get banished?"
Kal's gaze shifted slightly, as if recalling a distant memory. "I was once like the others, a Dev. A celestial being with power over creation. But I defied them—and the Asura Kings. It was a war that tore the realms apart."
Kal's voice dropped as he delved into the past. "The other Devs believed in balance, in allowing worlds to rise and fall. But I believed power should be used to protect at any cost. The Asura Kings sought to conquer all, and I would not sit idly by. When I defied their rules and fought against both the Asura Kings and the forces that sided with them, I was banished."
Arjun listened closely, absorbing every word, his curiosity deepening. The thought of the war, the betrayal, and the punishment intrigued him. He had so many questions, but one stood out.
"Can my body handle your power?" Arjun asked cautiously.
Kal's tone grew grave. "No. Not yet. Your body cannot yet endure the full magnitude of what I possess. To wield it would be to invite death."
"But how will I inherit your power then?" Arjun continued, still determined. "You mentioned something about a gift—what makes me worthy?"
Kal's eyes softened just slightly. "The gift is not just strength—it's your connection to the realms. You are a bridge between the mortal and celestial worlds. This is what I sensed when I brought you here. I can merge with you, but my power will unlock gradually. It will require great resilience."
Arjun's heart pounded in his chest. The weight of the responsibility sank into him, but with it came a strange, simmering excitement. "Then merge with me," he said, his voice steady despite the growing tension in his muscles. "I'm ready."
Kal stepped closer, his form shifting, and suddenly the air around Arjun thickened. A wave of power surged into him, knocking him to the ground as darkness clouded his vision. Every muscle in his body screamed in pain as Kal's essence merged with his own, flooding his senses with raw energy.
Arjun's screams echoed in the void, his body convulsing under the strain. It was as though his very soul was being torn apart and reassembled. His consciousness dimmed, but through the haze, two abilities slowly surfaced within him:
Jeevantara (Fast Regeneration): Arjun could feel his wounds starting to heal, albeit painfully slowly.Rakshasya Samvedana (Monster Whisperer): He suddenly understood the faint whispers of creatures that lurked beyond his vision.
But the strain was too much. Arjun collapsed, unconscious and gravely wounded.
A mysterious portal reappeared, pulling Arjun's unconscious body from the realm and depositing him in the forest near Bharatpur.
Vikram was leading a frantic search team, his heart racing with every rustle in the underbrush. "Arjun! Where are you?" he called out, desperation creeping into his voice. Suddenly, he spotted a familiar figure slumped against a tree. "There he is!"
Vikram rushed forward, pushing through the branches. His heart sank as he knelt beside Arjun. The boy was barely conscious, his body covered in injuries. "Arjun!" he shouted, shaking him gently.
Arjun stirred slightly, his eyes fluttering open for a moment before falling back into darkness.
Meanwhile, the clan leader anxiously awaited updates. "What's taking them so long?" he muttered under his breath. The thought of Arjun's disappearance weighed heavily on his mind, threatening the clan's reputation.
Back at home, Arjun's mother was praying fervently. Tears streamed down her face as she whispered his name, calling for his safe return.
The Rift Council was also alerted, their members exchanging worried glances. "Something unusual is happening," one council member noted, their brows furrowed in concern.
As Vikram and the search team carefully lifted Arjun's battered form, they felt the slow, steady pulse of life beneath the injuries. "We need to get him back!" Vikram ordered, his voice urgent.
At clan headquarters, Vikram burst through the doors, Arjun cradled in his arms. "He's back!" Vikram gasped, relief flooding through him, but concern quickly replaced it as he looked at Arjun's condition.
The clan leader felt a mix of relief and dread as he assessed the situation. "What happened to him?" he asked, his voice laced with worry.
The instructors, meanwhile, were overcome with guilt. "We should have foreseen this," one murmured, shaking his head.
Arjun's family rushed to him, their faces a mix of joy and terror. His mother knelt beside him, tears of relief spilling over as she cradled his hand, feeling the warmth beneath her fingers.
As Arjun slowly regained consciousness, groggy and disoriented, he sensed something had changed within him. He glanced around the HQ, the familiar faces of his loved ones surrounding him, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his journey.