Ravi never imagined he'd see the inside of a hidden government facility before turning nineteen. A few months ago, he was just an awkward teen stumbling through life—literally stumbling, since he tripped over everything from sidewalk cracks to stray dogs. Then a gold-flecked pigeon lured him into an abandoned temple and bestowed an unbelievable boon: "May your efforts be halved and your results be doubled." Ever since, he'd been able to train at twice the effectiveness—though bizarre physical accidents still dogged him like a cosmic prank.
A Government summons
The letters had come without warning. A plain envelope delivered by special courier:
"You have been identified as AWAKENED. Report to Station 14 at 0600 hrs.. Minimal luggage. This is a classified assignment.– Priya, Paranormal Affairs Bureau"
Ravi's mother fretted, but there was no halting destiny. The pigeon's visions still danced in Ravi's mind: illusions of old gods withdrawing from Earth, leaving cracks in reality that awakened mortals to cosmic powers.
Ravi's mother hovered over him like a whirlwind, her hands flying from one corner of the room to the next. She was packing far too much, as always—an endless stream of clothes, snacks, and small trinkets meant to "keep him safe" on his journey. "Make sure you wear the thick wool sweater I packed, the weather could turn cold," she instructed, her voice a mix of concern and insistence. She had bundled it up so tightly that Ravi could barely see around the pile of clothes spilling from his suitcase.
"I'll be fine, Ma," Ravi protested, trying to maneuver around the mountain of belongings she insisted on sending with him. "It's just a short trip, I don't need all this."
But she was relentless, stuffing the last few items in with a precision that could only be described as military. She managed to fit in extra socks, a few bottles of herbal tea, and even a tiny first-aid kit, as if she feared the universe itself might conspire against him.
The scent of curry and ginger filled the room as she set a plate of food in front of him. "Eat, Ravi. You haven't had a proper meal all morning." Her eyes were full of worry, and despite his protests, she stood over him, arms folded, watching him with such intensity that he couldn't refuse. He picked at the food, sighing inwardly as she pressed him to finish. "You need strength for your journey. You never know what could happen out there."
As if in response to her concern, Ravi's bad luck seemed to intensify. As he bent down to tie his shoes, he knocked over the glass of water she'd just placed on the table, spilling it across the floor. His frustration mounted, but he tried to hide it. Each small accident piled onto the next—his elbow scraped the corner of the kitchen counter as he tried to grab his bag, and when he reached for the door handle, he accidentally bumped his forehead against the door frame. His mother, never missing an opportunity to fuss, clucked her tongue and hurried to wipe the water from the floor, chiding him for his clumsiness.
"Careful, beta," she said softly. "It's like the world is against you today."
"Maybe I'm just not meant to leave," Ravi muttered under his breath, but his mother didn't hear. She was already packing the last few odds and ends—a jar of pickles, a woolen scarf—into his backpack, a final attempt to prepare him for whatever awaited on his journey.
Despite the minor disasters, Ravi's sense of duty overpowered his growing frustration. He packed the last few items into his bag, now a disorganized jumble of things he didn't need but couldn't bear to leave behind. His mother kissed him on the cheek, her face a mix of pride and concern, and finally, after what felt like an eternity of endless preparations, he was ready to go.
As he stepped outside, the sun rising lazily over the horizon, Ravi couldn't shake the feeling that this trip was more than just a simple journey. The visions of the pigeons, the strange foretelling of gods withdrawing and cracks in reality—everything seemed to be pushing him forward, despite his bad luck, despite his mother's frantic packing. He had no choice but to follow the path laid out before him, even if it felt like the universe itself was conspiring to make it as difficult as possible.
Despite nearly knocking down a neighbor's spice stand while packing, he boarded a rickety bus to Station 14. At dawn, he found an isolated train car guarded by stoic officials, who checked his papers and ushered him aboard.
The ride was silent, tense. Through tinted windows, he saw no landmarks. Hours later, the train halted in total darkness. Guards directed him into an elevator. Metal groaned as it descended, deeper and deeper, until heavy doors opened onto a stark corridor lined with advanced tech. So began his first day at Sector-7—a secret base rumored to coordinate thousands of Awakened across India.
The director
At a checkpoint, a stern agent asked his name. "Ravi," he managed, showing the letter. The agent nodded and led him to a briefing room. Rows of chairs faced a large screen, while men and women chatted in low voices. Ravi felt every eye flicker his way, sizing him up. Don't trip, don't trip, he prayed.
Soon, the clamor hushed as Priya strode in—her presence commanding the room with effortless grace. In her mid-thirties, she was tall and statuesque, her figure an enviable hourglass that exuded both elegance and power. Her tailored charcoal-gray suit was immaculately cut, the blazer cinched perfectly at the waist to accentuate her curves, while the pencil skirt skimmed her hips and fell just above her knees, highlighting long, shapely legs that were clad in sheer black stockings. A pair of sleek black heels clicked softly against the floor with every deliberate step, adding to her aura of confidence.
Her hair, a rich cascade of ebony silk, was swept into an elegant bun, with a few loose tendrils falling artfully along her temples, framing a face that seemed almost unreal in its perfection. Her skin had a warm, honeyed glow, smooth and flawless, as though untouched by time. Her almond-shaped eyes, lined with a precise touch of kohl, sparkled with sharp intelligence and an unspoken authority, while her full lips, painted a soft rose, curved into a faint, mysterious smile.
The crisp white blouse beneath her blazer hinted at a delicate lace trim, adding a subtle touch of femininity to her otherwise professional attire. A faint trace of an expensive perfume lingered as she passed, a scent that was both soothing and intoxicating.
An unmistakable diamond ring on her finger caught the light, marking her as married—a detail that Ravi knew should temper his thoughts, but it only made her seem more unattainable, and therefore, more captivating. His heart betrayed him, skipping an embarrassing flutter that left his palms clammy. She was everything he admired yet intimidated him—a walking contradiction of strength and allure that left him both awestruck and tongue-tied.
"I'm Priya," she began, voice clear. "I head Paranormal Affairs here at Sector-7. If you're here, you possess awakened powers triggered by the cosmic cracks left behind when the old gods withdrew from Earth. We face a threat from malevolent beings once known as Asur, Danav, and Yaksha. Our goal is to unify Awakened talents against them.
The hierarchy of awakened individuals—both in India and abroad—can be seen as a spectrum, with a few elite figures at the top, followed by those with varying levels of spiritual understanding and influence. The awakening process is deeply personal, and while some achieve widespread recognition for their insights, others may remain more low-key, focusing on local communities or specialized practices. The global nature of spiritual awakening has created a diverse and ever-expanding network of individuals."
Ravi stood frozen for a moment, his breath catching in his throat as Priya entered the room. She was everything he had never dared to imagine, yet here she was, in front of him, a living vision of grace and power. Her presence consumed the space, and he couldn't help but feel small in comparison. His heart raced, thundering in his chest, betraying him in ways he couldn't control. The way she moved, with such purposeful elegance, had a magnetic pull that left him utterly captivated.
He couldn't help but imagine what it would be like to be the one to walk beside her, to be the one she looked at with that intelligent, piercing gaze. His mind drifted to the thought of her in moments of quiet intimacy, her confidence melting into something softer, more vulnerable. He pictured them on a balcony, the city lights twinkling beneath them, laughing together as they shared stories that only the two of them could understand. Ravi's imagination ran wild with the idea of her hand resting lightly in his, the touch so electric it made his pulse quicken.
In his daydreams, Priya wasn't just the powerful, untouchable woman who commanded every room she entered—she was someone who looked at him with admiration, the same way he looked at her. His thoughts were a whirlwind, each fantasy more vivid than the last, each one more impossible to reach. He envisioned the softness of her voice, her laughter—how it would feel to be the one who made her smile that rare, knowing smile, the one that seemed to hold a thousand secrets.
But as his thoughts spiraled, doubt crept in. Ravi felt his self-consciousness take hold, the weight of knowing she was so far beyond his reach, a woman who exuded grace and power in every movement. The fact that she was married only added to the feeling of unattainability, and yet, it didn't quell the longing that stirred within him. If anything, it made her seem more out of reach, more perfect—an unreachable star in a world that felt too small.
He tried to shake off the thoughts, but they clung to him, flooding his mind with visions of her and pulling him deeper into his fantasies. Ravi couldn't help but feel like a spectator to her life, watching from the sidelines, wondering if someone like him would ever be worthy of sharing even a fraction of the space she occupied. His daydreams were a mix of longing and admiration, a bittersweet cocktail of emotions he knew he had no right to indulge in—but couldn't stop himself from doing.
A hush lingered. Ravi tried not to stare. Focus on the mission, not on her, he scolded himself. Did she notice him gawking? Heat rose in his face.
"Now," Priya continued, "we'll form squads, run tests, and orient you to our operations. Please follow me."
Awakened test: New muse(s)
Ravi followed the crowd into a high-ceilinged laboratory, strobing with scanner lights. Priya explained they'd each be measured for power levels. Dr. Raghavan was nowhere in sight—apparently, Priya herself handled these tasks here, toggling advanced equipment with practiced ease.
As they queued, Ravi noticed two young women:
Avni, with her cropped hair and sleek track-suit, had a raw energy about her that was both captivating and intimidating. Her body, lithe and athletic, moved with a natural grace, the kind that came from someone who was always on the go, always in control. Her sharp, confident eyes held a flicker of curiosity that made it impossible to ignore her presence. She wasn't the type to wait for things to come to her; she went after them with a fire that both intrigued and challenged those around her. She had an air of independence, but there was something undeniably magnetic about her, something that drew people in, especially Ravi. Her flirtatious nature was subtle but unmistakable—little glances, teasing remarks, a playful touch on the arm as she passed by. Avni made it clear she was interested, but only on her own terms, keeping everyone on their toes. Ravi couldn't help but fantasize about the possibility of being more than a casual acquaintance, of being the one to spark that curiosity in her and perhaps even earn her affection.
In his daydreams, he imagined the two of them spending late nights talking, her sharp wit and playful banter drawing him out of his shell, while he tried to keep up with her quick mind. He imagined her as someone who could be both his partner in adventure and his equal in challenge—someone who would keep him on his toes and never let him get complacent. But there was always that distance she kept, that coolness that made him wonder if she would ever really let him in.
Tara, on the other hand, was a different kind of beauty—delicate, warm, and effortlessly charming. Petite and graceful, with long hair that gleamed under the lab lights, she radiated a quiet femininity that was impossible to ignore. Her playful smile, coupled with the small nose ring that added a touch of rebelliousness to her otherwise soft demeanor, made her seem approachable yet intriguing. Tara had a way of making people feel like they were the most important person in the room, her friendly demeanor drawing others in with ease. She wasn't as distant as Avni, and her flirtations were more direct, her eyes dancing with a warmth that invited connection. Ravi found himself drawn to her in a way that felt natural and comforting—she was the type of person who made him feel seen, appreciated, like he could truly be himself around her.
He imagined dating her, the two of them exploring the world together, Tara's bright laughter filling the air as she teased him affectionately. He pictured the gentle intimacy of quiet evenings together, long conversations that stretched into the night, and moments of tenderness where she would rest her head on his shoulder, her presence soothing and grounding. Tara seemed like the kind of woman who would make a loving, devoted partner—someone who would support him through anything, but also challenge him to grow in ways he hadn't imagined. Ravi fantasized about a future with her, the kind of life where they shared not just their joys but their struggles, building something lasting and meaningful.
Both had that aura Awakened folks often did—like they brimmed with hidden power. And both, Ravi realized with a jolt, were quite beautiful. Focus, focus, he told himself. Priya's already scrambled your teenage brain enough without adding two more goddesses.
He coughed awkwardly, turning to face the scanning device.
Cosmic Scanner
One by one, new Awakened stepped onto a circular platform. The machine beeped and announced their "Tier." Priya typed notes on a console. Eventually, Avni hopped up gracefully.
The scanner droned: "Subject: Avni. Athletic synergy, Tier 2 illusions, potential Tier 3. Physical enhancement moderate."
A small smirk curved Avni's lips. Ravi swallowed, certain she'd catch him looking.
Next was Tara, stepping lightly onto the platform. "Subject: Tara. Empathic manipulation, Tier 2 mental aura, potential Tier 3 or 4 with disciplined practice."
Tara hopped off, meeting Ravi's eyes. "Not so scary, right?" She winked. He mumbled something incoherent. She's older, confident… dear cosmic gods, keep me from face-planting.
Then Priya signaled for Ravi's turn. He gingerly stepped onto the pad, recalling the pigeon's boon. The device hummed, then:
"Subject: Ravi. Physical might, Tier 3. Potential to improve with practice"
Ravi smiled as it was not bad. However, he got distracted with Priya's smile on the way back and stumbled into the tara who was standign there. A wave of stifled laughter rippled through onlookers. Avni and Tara exchanged intrigued glances. Ravi's ears burned. "Uhh....Sorry ," he mutteredˀ.
Priya's lips curved with mild amusement.
The power scale and the threats
Priya gathered them at a display screen, unveiling a chart of Tier 1 to Tier 5 powers. She summarized:
Tier 1: Minor psychic or physical boosts.
Tier 2: Noticeable illusions, moderate strength, some aura sense.
Tier 3: Superhuman feats—like telepathy, illusions shaping entire rooms, or heavy-lifting might.
Tier 4: Reality bending, strong aura repulsion.
Tier 5: Legendary level—near-divine.
Ravi sat there, trying to focus on the conversation, but his mind kept drifting. As the afternoon wore on, he couldn't help but feel mesmerized by each of them in turn—Avni, Tara, and Priya.
For a teenage guy like Ravi, seeing three beautiful girls like Avni, Tara, and Priya together would definitely be overwhelming. It's not just that each of them had their own unique appeal—it was the way they seemed to stand out in different ways, all at once.
All in all, Ravi felT a bit like he's stuck in a daydream, trying to figure out where he fit in with all these amazing girls. He'd be caught between feeling flustered, excited, and a little self-conscious, not knowing what to say or how to act. But one thing was for sure—having them all in one place was enough to make him feel both out of his depth and completely fascinated by each of them.
As the afternoon passed, Ravi found himself caught in a whirlwind of thoughts, each one of them leaving an impression on him. Avni's boldness, Tara's warmth, and Priya's unspoken authority all tugged at him in different ways, leaving him feeling both excited and uncertain.
Priya tapped the screen again, showing references to Asur—brutish demon-lords—Danav—cunning demon clans—YAKSHA —disease spirits—and Pret—restless ghosts. "Reports confirm these malevolent entities slip in through cosmic cracks. We must unify Awakened talents to stop them."
She nodded at Ravi, Avni, and Tara. "Your synergy starts here. Train well."
The new Team
To his surprise, Ravi, Avni, and Tara were assigned to the same small squad: Squad 5. Alongside them were a brawny older man named Arif (Tier 3 physical) and a stoic illusions specialist named Nandini (Tier 2). Surya was stationed in another group. Ravi felt a pang—he'd glimpsed Surya earlier, but evidently, they wouldn't partner.
Priya explained, "Squad 5 will handle moderate-level threats and training. Your synergy is crucial. Each of you brings unique gifts."
Avni flashed a grin at Ravi. "Guess we're stuck together, big guy," she teased, apparently referencing his Tier 3 might.
Tara also smiled. "Hopefully we work well together."
He gulped, returning a shy grin. Focus on demons, not on how they both have killer smiles.
They soon assembled in a vast underground arena, ringed by sensors. Ravi's new teammates arranged for a short demonstration match to gauge synergy. Tara offered to begin: She tapped her aura, shimmering empathy that calmed Nandini's illusions. Avni displayed agile illusions, making afterimages of herself sprint across the floor.
Arif stepped in next, hoisting heavy steel blocks like they were foam. Nandini conjured illusions of swirling flames around him, testing how he'd respond. He roared theatrically, earning chuckles.
Finally, it was Ravi's turn. He approached a large metal crate. "I'll just… show my strength?" he asked uncertainly.
Arif nodded. "Let's see it."
Drawing on half-effort, double-result synergy, Ravi lifted the crate with minimal strain. But in that moment, an untied shoelace snagged on a stray bracket. He stumbled forward, nearly flinging the crate across the arena. Avni gasped, Tara squeaked. At the last second, he twisted, only dropping it with a loud bang rather than launching it. A comedic fiasco averted—barely.
A smattering of relieved laughter followed. Priya, observing from a balcony, arched an eyebrow. "Noted," was all she said over the loudspeaker, though he sensed amusement in her voice.
Ravi's cheeks blazed, mind whirling with fantasies of him performing a heroic display—yet reality insisted on comedic missteps. He avoided Avni and Tara's gazes, too mortified to see if they found it cute or pitiful.
Incoming trouble
When training paused, they gathered for a mini-lecture from Priya about the old rishis who used Dhyan and Tap to repel Asur or Danav in ancient times. She stressed that modern Awakened could replicate some aspects—like breath control, posture-based martial forms, synergy with illusions or empathic waves—to ascend higher tiers.
"So that's how sadhus allegedly banished entire YAKSHA plagues," Avni murmured, eyes shining. "I wonder if we can reach those heights?"
Tara fiddled with the hem of her kurti. "I'd be thrilled to just hold my own in a real fight."
Ravi swallowed. He pictured himself stepping onto a battlefield alongside Avni and Tara, illusions swirling, empathic waves pulsing… and him slamming cosmic fists into demon-lords. And hopefully not face-planting.
A sudden mental image flitted through his teen brain: Avni, resplendent in illusions, fighting at his side, or Tara glowing with empathic aura, smiling at him in admiration. He shoved the daydream aside, face burning. Stop fantasizing!
Priya concluded with a sober note. "We must unify. Asur and Danav sightings grow. If a YAKSHA plague emerges or Pret haunt a city, we have no time for petty errors. Train hard. Squad 5, you begin advanced practice tomorrow."
Ravi nodded, heart pounding. He wanted to impress them all—Priya, Avni, Tara—yet dreaded comedic meltdown overshadowing everything.
Bonding (and near Blunders)
That evening, Squad 5 relaxed in a break lounge. Fluorescent lights hummed overhead, and the group sipped instant chai from vending machines. Avni and Tara sat close, occasionally whispering conspiratorially. Ravi, perched on a chair across from them, tried to appear casual while feeling an irrational swirl of teenage longing. They were so poised, so older-by-a-few-years, so unbelievably out of his league… and so there, in his new life.
Avni caught him glancing and grinned. "What's on your mind, hero? Still thinking about that near-crate-launch fiasco?"
Tara giggled. "You nearly made a pancake out of poor Arif."
Ravi forced a laugh. "I… yeah, I'm just, you know… adapting." He took a gulp of chai, nearly scalding his tongue. Brilliant, more comedic meltdown.
Avni's illusions flickered briefly, forming a small dancing spark near his cup. "I can help you practice posture if you want. I used to do martial arts. Might reduce your slip-ups."
Tara nodded. "And I can infuse empathy so you stay calm. Panic triggers comedic accidents, right?"
A surge of gratitude mixed with flustered excitement. They want to help me. He gave a small grin. "I'd…like that. Thanks."
He caught himself imagining Avni guiding his arms in a stable stance, or Tara gently placing a palm on his shoulder to soothe anxiety. Get it together, man, he scolded. Focus on training, not romance fantasies. But his teenage mind refused to fully comply.
Incursions
Just as they were warming up to each other, an alert blared through the base. Priya's voice crackled over speakers: "All squads, gear up. We have intel on a Danav manifestation near the southwestern coastline. Possibly Tier 3 or Tier 4 threat. Squad 5, report to Hangar B at once."
Adrenaline spiked. Avni and Tara shared tense looks. Arif's jaw set grimly. Nandini stood, illusions flickering in readiness. Ravi's pulse pounded—a real demon-lord? No time for comedic daydreaming now.
They raced through corridors, joined by staff bustling with equipment. Priya met them at the hangar, expression taut. "Locals report sightings of a horned beast with black aura. It must be repelled before it causes mass casualties."
"Understood," Arif said. Avni and Tara nodded. Ravi gulped, every fantasy replaced by raw fear.
They boarded an armored truck that rumbled up a hidden ramp, emerging onto farmland under dusk skies. Agents manned the wheel, speeding along dusty roads. Inside, Avni checked a small illusions amplifier, Tara quietly hummed an empathic tune. Nandini fidgeted with illusions of her own, while Arif cracked his knuckles. Ravi gripped his seat, determined not to let them down. Halved effort, double results, he reminded himself. No face-plants.
After hours, they reached a coastal hamlet. The ocean glowed purple at the horizon, as though cosmic energy brewed beneath the waves. Locals had fled inland, leaving a ghost town. Squad 5 dismounted, scanning for the Danav.
Danve with the demon (danav)
A savage roar ripped the air. A monstrous silhouette, easily eight feet tall with curved horns, emerged from behind a collapsed fishing shack. Purple sparks crackled around it, eyes gleaming with malice. Danav. The old myths said they rivaled gods in cunning and brute strength.
Arif charged first, landing a powerful punch that made the Danav stagger. Nandini layered illusions, swirling phantom fire around it. Avni stepped in with agile illusions that distorted the demon's sense of direction. Tara focused, sending calming empathic waves to hamper its aggression.
The Danav roared, swiping at illusions, partially fooled but lashing out with blasts of dark aura. One slammed into a wooden post, sending splinters flying. Ravi darted forward, forging a stable stance. Don't slip, don't slip. He hammered the demon's flank. The boon's synergy kicked in—his strike felt twice as potent. The Danav hissed, reeling.
But comedic fate nearly struck as a chunk of debris slid under Ravi's foot. He stumbled, arms flailing, about to crash. At the last instant, Avni made the ground stable, triggering a reflex that corrected his balance. Saved, he realized with relief. Tara's empathic aura soothed the panic in his gut.
Recovering, he struck again, forcing the Danav backward. Arif grappled it from behind, while Nandini conjured illusions of binding chains. The demon howled, purple aura fluctuating. Avni stepped in, illusions intensifying. Tara poured empathic disruption, confusing its fury.
"Ravi—finish it!" Arif bellowed, straining.
Ravi inhaled, summing the full power. He drove a punch into the demon's midsection. The impact wave rattled the ground. With a final shriek, the Danav collapsed, aura sputtering. Soon the team jumped in and finished with the weapons. Agents arrived with a portable rift generator, chanting as they opened a swirling gateway. The demon was shoved through, sealing the threat.
Panting, Squad 5 surveyed the broken fishing huts. Another cosmic danger thwarted. Avni's illusions flickered out, Tara's empathic glow faded, and Arif released a breathless laugh. Nandini exhaled relief. Ravi's knees felt wobbly. We did it. And I only almost slipped once.
In the aftermath, Avni and Tara turned to him, wide grins on their faces. "Nice punch," Avni said, playful pride in her voice.
Tara nodded. "You really came through."
Ravi felt a surge of triumph. Emboldened by adrenaline, his teenage imagination spun a wild scenario: What if Avni or Tara found him heroic now? He pictured them running into his arms in gratitude. Stop it—this is not a movie, he scolded himself, cheeks reddening. He managed a shaky grin. "Thanks. Couldn't have done it without you guys"
Tara gently touched his shoulder, sending a last wave of calm. He nearly melted inside. Breathe, just breathe, he told himself, ignoring the swirl of fantasies that threatened to overshadow reality.
Back to team
They returned to base under star-filled skies. Inside Sector-7's halls, staff greeted them with subdued cheers. Avni and Tara glowed with satisfaction, Arif gave them all fist-bumps, and Nandini joked about illusions scaring the demon half to death. Ravi tried to contain an outsize grin—he'd never felt so… accepted.
Priya approached, scanning them. "Well done. Minimal collateral damage, no fatalities. I see Squad 5's synergy is strong." Her gaze flicked to Ravi. "Your boon proves valuable. Keep refining it."
He swallowed. Why does she have to be so calmly stunning? She's older, married, your boss—snap out of it.
Late night relections
That night, exhausted but too wired to sleep, Ravi wandered into a dim lounge area. To his surprise, he found Avni and Tara there, sipping bottled juice from a vending machine. They waved him over to their worn-out couch.
Tara offered him a seat, patting the cushion. "Couldn't sleep either?"
He shook his head, sinking next to them. "Too much adrenaline. I still feel the demon's roar in my ears."
Avni fiddled with her illusions amplifier. "Or maybe it's the comedic near-slip replaying in your mind," she teased gently. "But hey, you recovered well."
Ravi laughed self-consciously. "Thanks to you. If I'd fallen, the demon might've capitalized on it."
Tara sipped her juice. "You have something special. You have insane potential."
His heart fluttered. Potential… that they see in me. Another fantasy flickered: Avni cheering him on in a training ring, Tara providing an empathic push, possibly a quick celebratory hug… He forced the daydream away, focusing on the conversation.
Avni stretched, her track-suit jacket riding up slightly. Ravi's teenage mind short-circuited for a second. She didn't notice, continuing, "Tomorrow, let's do footwork drills. I'm good at that. Maybe we can do some partner illusions."
"Yeah," he croaked, forcing a normal tone. "Partner illusions."
Tara nodded. "And I'll guide you through breath-based empathy exercises. If you can keep calm, you'll reduce comedic slip-ups."
"Thank you," he murmured. "I—I'm glad we're… a team."
They exchanged tired smiles, the warmth of camaraderie mingling with Ravi's swirling teenage fantasies. He had to remind himself not to read too much into their kindness. They were older, more confident… but it felt good that they cared.
More threats
Over the following week, rumors spread of more cosmic cracks opening across India. Some let through lesser demons, others spewed illusions that mimicked YAKSHA plagues or let Pret slip into unsuspecting towns. Sector-7 hustled with new arrivals—dozens more Awakened. Priya worked day and night orchestrating squads, her calm presence anchoring the chaos.
Avni and Tara occasionally teased Ravi about his "puppy eyes" whenever Priya passed by. "She's your boss, you know," Tara would say, half-laughing. Avni joked, "You're collecting crushes left and right—Priya, me, Tara? Focus, man." Ravi always turned beet-red, stammering denials.
His fantasies roamed wild: from imagining bravely rescuing Avni from a demon nest, to a scenario where Tara's empathic aura singled him out in gratitude, or even fleeting thoughts of somehow impressing Priya despite the ring on her finger. He felt guilty but couldn't stop. He was an eighteen-year-old teen with cosmic might and a comedic curse—his hormones had no chill.
As training ramped up, Ravi's boon shone. He progressed at double speed: each day, Avni's footwork tips sank in quickly, Tara's empathy lessons took hold easily. Even illusions from Nandini or new weapons from Arif never seemed to intimidate him for long. Priya occasionally observed from a control booth, nodding approvingly as he soared in skill.
Still, snags remained. He once flung a practice dummy so hard it tore through netting and smacked an unsuspecting agent. Another time, he tried illusions synergy with Avni but tripped on her amplifier cable, nearly yanking the device from her hand. She giggled, "So much for half effort, double result," as he apologized profusely.
Yet overall, his strides were undeniable. "You might be Tier 4 in no time," Arif joked. "If you don't flatten the base first."
Yaksha signs
Sector-7 got word of a possible YAKSHA infiltration in a small city. Locals reported a strange malaise spreading overnight—faint illusions of rotting plants, people losing energy. Squad 5 was dispatched to investigate, joined by a few medical teams. Priya briefed them personally before departure.
"Yaksha are disease spirits," she said, eyes flicking from Avni to Tara to Ravi. "They can project illusions of decay, draining victims' vitality. This might be Tier 2 or 3 infiltration. If it's stronger, you'll need synergy."
Ravi clenched fists. No comedic meltdown, no messing up in front of Avni or Tara.
They traveled by government van to the afflicted city. Streets were eerily quiet, plants wilted as though illusions had made them rot. People huddled indoors, complaining of fatigue and nightmares. Avni tried illusions to detect hidden spirits. Tara cast empathic ripples, searching for malevolent presences.
Soon, they cornered flickers of shadowy shapes near a run-down warehouse. Nandini's illusions pinned them momentarily—small clusters of ephemeral, ghost-like forms. YAKSHA . They hissed silently, weaving illusions that turned walls green with fake mold, tricking bystanders. Arif smashed through phantom obstacles. Avni layered illusions to corral the spirits. Tara poured empathic waves, draining the Yaksha's impetus.
Ravi soared, calm in the face of illusions. He delivered cosmic-laced punches at the largest swirling form. Each blow distorted the illusions. Yet comedic fate teased him: debris underfoot threatened to trip him at every step. He managed to keep balanced, thanks to Avni's illusions highlighting safe ground.
Bit by bit, they forced the Yaksha illusions together. Surya from another squad lent telepathic help. A specialized device from Sector-7 then "sealed" the illusions, banishing the disease aura. The city's gloom lifted, though real damage needed healing.
Squad 5 exhaled. Another cosmic threat thwarted. Avni locked eyes with Ravi, cheeks flushed with excitement. Tara grinned, sweaty but radiant. They look incredible, he thought dreamily, fantasies creeping in. Stop that, focus on the job.
Days later, back in Sector-7's bustling corridors, Ravi found a measure of peace amid the chaos. He had Avni's illusions to sharpen his reflexes, Tara's empathy to calm his comedic nerves, Arif's unstoppable muscle for backup, and Nandini's illusions weaving new strategies. They were forging an unbreakable bond.
In quiet moments, his teenage mind still spun improbable daydreams: Avni smiling at him over a training mat, Tara leaning in to whisper encouragement, or Priya acknowledging him with a gentle smile. He felt guilty but couldn't help it. He was eighteen, living among extraordinary older women, each with her own brand of grace and power.
Yet beyond personal crushes lay a cosmic battle: Asur warlords, cunning Danav clans, disease-ridden YAKSHA , and restless Pret threatened Earth's stability. Thousands of Awakened across India—and tens of thousands globally—stood on the front lines. Sector-7 was just one hub among many.
And in the background of all this, a glowing pigeon soared through Ravi's memories, bestowing half-effort, double-result synergy. Each day, he grew stronger, comedic stumbles aside. If that strange boon allowed him to become the unstoppable champion Earth needed, he would accept all the silly slips and bruises that came with it.
Because in this new Age of Awakened—where an eighteen-year-old could arm-wrestle a demon and still get flustered by a pair of radiant older teammates—Ravi had found purpose. He might blush, trip, and fantasize like any teenager, but he'd defend this world against Asur, Danav, and Yaksha
As he stood on a balcony overlooking the subterranean complex, Avni and Tara by his side, he let the warmth of friendship (and, yes, a bit of teenage infatuation) mingle with the steely resolve in his heart. Maybe comedic fiascos were a small price to pay for forging a cosmic destiny.