The moon hung low in the sky, casting silver streaks across the rippling surface of the river that bordered the outskirts of Meenangadi. The night was quiet, save for the occasional rustling of leaves as the wind swept through the nearby trees. Aryan stood barefoot at the river's edge, his breathing steady but his mind restless. The faint hum of energy coursing through his veins was louder tonight, as if the world itself whispered to him.
Smith sat nearby on a moss-covered rock, skipping small stones across the water. His gaze drifted toward Aryan, watching with keen interest. Timmy circled above, his golden-tinged feathers reflecting the moonlight like shards of light scattered through the sky. Jimmy, always vigilant, lay by Aryan's feet, ears pricked for any sign of disturbance.
"You know," Smith began, breaking the silence, "I'm starting to think this whole thing is getting out of hand." He flicked another stone into the river. "I mean, lifting rocks is one thing, but moving a piece of land? That's something else."
Aryan exhaled softly, extending his hand toward a pile of loose stones near the riverbank. They shuddered, vibrating faintly before rising into the air. At first, he controlled them with ease, twirling them in slow circles above the water. But as he focused, something shifted. A low rumble echoed across the river, and before Aryan realized it, an entire section of the embankment broke free, hovering several feet above the ground.
Smith leaped to his feet. "Whoa! Aryan, put it down!"
Aryan's eyes widened as the massive slab trembled, dirt and pebbles cascading from its surface. His heart pounded. With a flick of his wrist, he lowered the rock gently, watching it settle back into place with a soft thud. The ground quivered beneath his feet, but the disturbance faded quickly.
Smith paced along the riverbank, his hands raking through his hair. "That's not normal. You're getting stronger, Aryan. Way stronger. Maybe too strong."
"I didn't mean to lift that much," Aryan admitted, his voice laced with unease. "It just… happened."
Timmy glided down, landing gracefully on a nearby branch. His gaze bore into Aryan, unblinking and calm, as if assessing his master's growth. Jimmy, too, seemed more alert, nudging Aryan's leg gently.
"We can't keep this hidden forever," Smith muttered, watching Aryan closely. "The villagers are already talking about the crops."
Aryan frowned. Over the past week, strange things had begun to unfold in Meenangadi. The rice fields shimmered with an unnatural vibrance, sprouting taller and greener than ever before. Fruit trees bore harvests that should have taken months to mature. At first, the villagers celebrated, praising their good fortune and offering prayers to the gods.
But Aryan knew better. It wasn't divine intervention. It was him.
"I know," Aryan replied quietly. "I can feel it. The energy—it's everywhere now." He glanced toward the distant glow of the village lights. "I didn't expect it to affect everything around me."
Smith crossed his arms, leaning against a tree. "You think this is a blessing or a curse?"
Aryan didn't answer immediately. He crouched by the river, dipping his fingers into the cool water. The surface rippled in response to his touch, patterns radiating outward in unnatural symmetry.
"It feels like both," he finally said. "I wanted to protect this place, not change it."
Before Smith could respond, footsteps crunched softly against the forest path behind them. Govindan Menon emerged, his expression calm but watchful. He carried a lantern, its soft light illuminating the wrinkles lining his face.
"Out here late, are we?" Govindan asked, his gaze shifting from Aryan to Smith.
"Couldn't sleep," Aryan admitted, rising to his feet. "I needed to clear my head."
Govindan approached, resting a hand on Aryan's shoulder. His grip was firm, grounding. "I know what's troubling you," he said gently. "This power—it's a gift, Aryan, but you must remember that even gifts carry weight. What you do with it matters more than how strong you become."
Aryan lowered his gaze. "I'm trying to control it, but it keeps growing."
Govindan nodded knowingly. "The land responds to you. It always has. But control comes with understanding, and understanding takes time. Don't rush it."
A sudden splash drew their attention back to the river. Aditi stood near the well, several feet away, balancing a clay pot against her hip. She gazed curiously at the water, her brow furrowed.
"What's she doing?" Smith asked, narrowing his eyes.
Aryan watched closely as Aditi lowered the pot into the water. The river's surface shifted again, but this time, it was different. The ripples followed her movements, as if mirroring her intentions.
Aditi lifted the pot, droplets cascading down, and for a fleeting moment, Aryan swore he saw the water cling to the edges unnaturally, defying gravity for just a second before returning to normal.
Smith's mouth opened in disbelief. "You're seeing that too, right?"
Aryan nodded slowly. "It's starting for her too."
As Aditi carried the water back toward the house, she paused, glancing over her shoulder as if sensing their stares. She offered a small wave before disappearing down the path.
Smith let out a low whistle. "Well, looks like we're all in this together."
Aryan exhaled, his shoulders feeling heavier than before. The stars reflected on the river's surface, but their light felt distant. As much as he wanted to shield his family and friends from the storm brewing within him, Aryan knew that the changes affecting Meenangadi were far from over.
And as the night deepened, so too did the weight of the power stirring beneath his skin.
The night stretched on, and the hum of the forest grew louder. Strange flowers bloomed by the riverbank, their petals glowing faintly in the moonlight. Fireflies flickered around Timmy, drawn to the golden glow that now seemed permanent on his feathers. Even Jimmy's muscles rippled more visibly under his sleek fur, his watchful eyes scanning the forest like he sensed more than the human eye could see.