### Chapter 1: *The Calm Before the Storm*
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**Mumbai, India - The City of Dreams.**
The humid air of the early morning clung to the bustling streets like a heavy blanket. The sun had only just begun to rise over the horizon, casting long shadows across the busy cityscape. In the narrow alleyways of Lower Parel, where the slums met the towering skyscrapers, the first signs of life began to stir. Street vendors set up their carts, hawking chai and samosas, while early commuters made their way through the crowded roads in a flurry of honking cars, rickshaws, and bicycles.
Atop one of the many buildings overlooking this chaotic scene, **Arjun Desai** stood on the rooftop, his figure silhouetted against the rising sun. His gaze was fixed on the streets below, the pulse of the city pounding beneath him. He was lost in thought, his mind already working, predicting, assessing.
**"Five minutes,"** he muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible amidst the noise. It was a ritual he had developed over the years—stretching his abilities to their limit, testing his skills. **"Five minutes ahead. Just enough time to make a difference."**
A quiet wind stirred his black hair, tousling it as he stood motionless, his dark eyes sharp and focused. He wore simple clothes—a black hoodie and jeans—but underneath, he carried the weight of something far more dangerous. His body, lean and athletic from years of rigorous training, was coiled with the discipline of mixed martial arts. He could fight with the precision of a seasoned warrior, but it was his gift of prediction that set him apart.
It wasn't always this way. At first, it was just flashes—glimpses of what could happen, moments of clarity that came in bursts. But over time, his ability had evolved. He could now predict the next five minutes of the world around him—movements, dangers, even people's actions—before they even occurred. It was both a blessing and a curse. The burden of knowing the future, even if it was only moments ahead, weighed heavily on him.
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**Flashback:**
**Mumbai, 10 years ago.**
A young Arjun, no more than 10 years old, had witnessed his first real tragedy. His parents, who had come from a humble background, had worked tirelessly to make a better life for him. But one fateful day, that dream was shattered in an instant when a tragic accident claimed their lives. Arjun was left to fend for himself, alone in the harsh world of Mumbai's streets.
It was during that time of grief and desperation that his ability first manifested. As he wandered through the crowded streets, trying to escape his pain, he began to see brief flashes of what was coming next—whether it was a car speeding toward him or a group of street thugs planning to rob him. At first, he dismissed it as instinct, a survival mechanism developed over time. But as the years passed, it became clear: this was no ordinary gift.
It was a curse and a blessing—one that shaped his path forward.
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**Back to the Present:**
Arjun's thoughts were interrupted by a sharp sound in his mind. The world around him slowed, and in that instant, he saw it: a car speeding toward a group of pedestrians, the driver unaware that his brakes had failed. Five minutes ahead, the pedestrians would cross the street. They would not have time to react.
His heartbeat quickened, but his movements were steady. With a single motion, he leapt from the rooftop, his body arching through the air like a shadow. As his feet hit the ground, he dashed through the alleyways, weaving in and out of traffic with a precision born from years of training. He had only a few moments before the accident unfolded.
Arjun's senses were heightened. He could already feel the car coming, its engine revving as it gained speed. He could hear the terrified cries of the pedestrians, but it was too late for them to react. He had already seen the future, and there was no turning back.
With a blur of motion, Arjun reached the crosswalk just as the car came into view. He moved with uncanny speed, pulling the pedestrians to safety, one by one, just in time. The car screeched to a halt mere inches away from where they had been standing moments before.
The driver slammed on the brakes, barely managing to stop in time. Arjun stood, his breath steady, his pulse racing, but his face calm. His eyes scanned the scene—just a few moments ahead, the aftermath of the incident. The pedestrians would be fine. The driver would be shaken but unharmed. It was over, for now.
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**Later That Morning:**
Arjun walked through the streets of Mumbai, his mind still lingering on the events of the morning. He had saved lives, but it never felt like enough. He knew that for every life he saved, there were countless others in danger. Mumbai was a city of extremes—its wealth and poverty, its beauty and corruption, all collided into one massive, living organism. And it was always in need of someone to fight for its survival.
As he approached a busy café, his phone buzzed in his pocket. It was a message from **Riya Kapoor**, a journalist he had known since university.
**Riya:** _"We need to talk. Something big is happening in the city."_
Arjun paused for a moment. Riya had a sharp eye for news, often uncovering things that even the police didn't know about. Her investigative work had brought her into dangerous territory more than once. And it seemed like now, whatever was happening, it was about to drag him in.
**Arjun:** _"I'll meet you at the usual spot."_
He tucked the phone away, pushing through the door of the café. He scanned the room, quickly spotting Riya sitting at a corner table, her back to the wall, always cautious. She smiled as he approached.
**Riya:** "You're always so punctual."
Arjun took a seat across from her, his eyes narrowing slightly. **"What's going on, Riya? What's so urgent?"**
She leaned forward, her expression serious. **"There's a new syndicate moving into Mumbai. They're targeting the poor districts, Arjun. And it's worse than anything we've seen before. They're not just robbing—they're planning something big."**
Arjun's mind immediately began to piece together the details. He had already felt the stirrings of something darker in the city, but this was different. The streets were always full of criminals, but now, it seemed like the storm was finally coming.
He took a deep breath, his prediction ability already buzzing in the back of his mind. **"We're running out of time."**
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**End of Chapter 1.**
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