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Chapter 6 - The Calm Before the Storm

Ranveer lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought. The past few days had been a whirlwind. From dealing with Aryan Saxena's goons to finding himself in that strange dimension and meeting his master, everything had changed so rapidly. But now, his thoughts were fixated on one thing: Rishi Saxena.

Rishi Saxena was a threat, one that Ranveer knew he couldn't ignore for long. His heart burned with the desire for revenge, but his mind warned him of the dangers. If he attacked without thinking, it could bring unwanted attention to the orphanage, and that was something he couldn't risk. He had seen enough cruelty in his life to know that people wouldn't care that he was just a boy if they believed they could steal his newfound power. The thought of crime lords or corrupt men hunting him down for what he had was enough to keep him cautious.

He sat up in bed and walked over to the window. The night was calm, with a cool breeze rustling the leaves outside, and the moonlight painted the orphanage garden in a silvery glow. The universe felt vast and distant, its mysteries endless. His gaze shifted upward, where the stars dotted the sky like glittering jewels. His master had spoken of the power that resided within the cosmos—the energy that he had barely begun to understand.

Lost in these musings, Ranveer was startled by a familiar presence. Vani appeared before him, her holographic form glowing softly in the dim light of his room. Her expression was unreadable, though Ranveer could sense her frustration. Ever since their disagreement, Vani had been more distant. Yet, her duty to him, as assigned by his master, Rohitash Singh, overrode any personal feelings she might have. Tonight, despite her reservations, she initiated the conversation.

"You've chosen a difficult path, Ranveer," she began, her voice cold but steady. "Your attachments to this orphanage and the people here are noble, but they're also holding you back. You are capable of so much more than you allow yourself to be. If you weren't so fixated on what Mrs. Geeta Srivastava or the others might think, you could have taken care of Rishi Saxena already."

Ranveer listened in silence. He knew Vani had a point, but he also knew she couldn't fully understand his emotions. The orphanage had been his home since he was a child, and Mrs. Geeta Srivastava was more than just the head of the orphanage to him. She was like a mother, the only constant in a world full of uncertainty. He couldn't just throw that away, no matter how strong he had become.

"Vani," he finally spoke, his voice calm, "the orphanage means the same to me as my master meant to you. Just like you wouldn't betray his legacy, I won't let anything happen to the people here. My strength isn't just for me—it's for them too."

Vani's holographic eyes narrowed slightly. "I understand your loyalty," she replied, "but remember, your master didn't choose you to protect just this small corner of the world. His vision for you was much grander. You have the power to shape the future, not just for yourself but for this entire planet, perhaps even beyond. If Rishi Saxena is a threat, eliminate him tonight. End this distraction so you can focus on your true potential."

Ranveer turned away from her, staring back out the window at the moonlit sky. "You don't get it, Vani. Rishi isn't just a 'distraction.' He's a real danger, and if I don't handle this carefully, he could retaliate and harm the people I care about."

"And what about your future?" Vani countered. "You're holding back, Ranveer. If you keep delaying, you'll never grow strong enough to face the real challenges out there. You said it yourself—there are bigger threats than Rishi Saxena. Don't let fear of what could happen stop you from becoming who you're meant to be."

Ranveer sighed, leaning against the wall. He understood Vani's argument, but he couldn't bring himself to act impulsively. Rishi Saxena wasn't just another schoolyard bully. He was powerful, dangerous, and connected. And despite the strength Ranveer had gained, he knew he still had a lot to learn. His master had taught him that battles weren't won by strength alone. They required strategy, patience, and careful planning.

"I need to be smart about this, Vani," he said quietly. "One wrong move could put everyone in danger. Rishi may not be as strong as me physically, but who knows what connections or tricks he has up his sleeve? I can't rush in blindly."

Vani's expression softened, though her tone remained firm. "Then be smart, Ranveer. But don't let fear paralyze you. Remember, strength is not just in your fists. It's in your mind. Use it."

With that, Vani's holographic form flickered and vanished, leaving Ranveer alone with his thoughts once more. He stepped outside into the garden, letting the cool night air clear his head. The peepal tree stood tall, its branches swaying gently in the breeze, offering a sense of peace. As he gazed at the stars, he remembered his master's words: _"Your strength isn't in your hands, but in your mind."_

He clenched his fists, feeling the power coursing through him, but knowing that with this power came responsibility. He would protect the orphanage. He would protect Mrs. Geeta Srivastava and everyone else who had given him a home. But he had to do it the right way, without letting his anger control him.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps. He turned to see Mrs. Geeta Srivastava walking toward him, her kind face illuminated by the moonlight. She approached him slowly, sensing the inner conflict he was grappling with.

"Ranveer," she said gently, "I don't know what's been going on with you lately, but I can see you've changed. You've grown stronger, but you're also more burdened. Whatever it is, just know that we're here for you. The orphanage will always support you."

Ranveer smiled, a wave of relief washing over him. Mrs. Geeta Srivastava had always been like a mother to him, and hearing her words gave him the reassurance he needed. "Thank you, Geeta Ma," he said quietly. "I'm just trying to do what's right, but sometimes I don't know if I'm making the right choices."

She placed a hand on his shoulder. "That's because you have a good heart, Ranveer. Don't lose that. It's what sets you apart from people like Rishi Saxena. Whatever you do, just remember who you are and where you come from. You don't have to become like him to defeat him."

Her words resonated with Ranveer, giving him clarity. He knew what he had to do now. He would take down Rishi Saxena, but he would do it on his terms. He wouldn't let his quest for revenge compromise his values or endanger the orphanage.

Mrs. Geeta Srivastava, seeing that he had found some peace, patted his shoulder gently. "Now, get some rest. Tomorrow is a new day, and you'll need your strength."

Ranveer nodded, feeling lighter than he had in days. He returned to his room and, for the first time in a while, slept soundly.

The next morning, Ranveer woke early, refreshed and ready. After bathing and getting dressed for school, he made his way to Mrs. Geeta Srivastava's office to seek her blessings. As he entered, he saw Rahul, one of the older boys at the orphanage, who had always looked out for him.

"Ranveer," Rahul greeted him with a smile. "You seem more focused today. Have you decided what you're going to do?"

Ranveer nodded. "I have. I'm not going to do anything that would bring harm to the orphanage. But I also won't let Rishi Saxena or anyone else mess with us. I'll handle it, but in my way."

Rahul raised an eyebrow, impressed by the boy's maturity. "Just be careful, Ranveer. Rishi Saxena is ruthless. Don't underestimate him."

"I won't," Ranveer replied. "But this fight isn't about brute strength. It's about strategy. I'll make sure it's done right."

With that, Ranveer left the orphanage and headed toward school, the rising sun casting long shadows on the ground. He felt the weight of the battle ahead, but his mind was clear. He knew what he had to do.

Rishi Saxena would fall. Not because of anger or revenge, but because Ranveer had learned the true meaning of strength.

After taking blessings from Mrs. Geeta Shrivastava he walked down the street, the sun shining brightly overhead, Ranveer knew one thing for sure: this fight, this challenge—it wasn't about proving his strength to the world. It was about protecting what mattered most. And that's exactly what he intended to do.