It was midnight, and the moon shone brightly in the sky. The moonlight fell upon the forest below, casting an eerie glow. The forest was shrouded in complete silence, the only sound being the gentle hum of insects. But the silence was shattered by the crunch of a dry leaf beneath a footstep.
A woman in her late 20s was running as fast as she could, fear etched on her face. She wore a thin, old hospital gown, and a baby was tied to her chest with a makeshift cloth sling.
Suddenly, a loud voice pierced the air from behind: "Stop!" A few men in black emerged from the shadows, their footsteps pounding the earth as they gave chase. "Running away is of no use," one of them taunted.
But the woman didn't look back. She was running as fast as she could, her hair flowing behind her. She thought, "God, please help me save my daughter. Save this innocent girl. I've already lost so much; I couldn't bear to lose her too." She kept running, deeper into the forest.
*********
3
2
1
The swords clashed on the battlefield, with the audience cheering for their favorite fighter. One of the participants, Mira, had dark black hair and green eyes. Her sword disappeared, and she ran towards her opponent, forming a powerful punch.
Her opponent, Rudra, had dark red eyes and black hair. He didn't flinch, but instead smiled at her. Mira's punch landed on him, and he crashed into the wall, smoke covering his side.
"Mira!" her name echoed through the battlefield, accompanied by proud smiles.
But as the smoke cleared, everyone was shocked to see Rudra standing unfazed. Mira's smile vanished as she stared at him. He smirked and swiftly twisted her hand, pinning her to the ground.
Mira punched the ground in frustration. "Damn it!"
The commentator announced, "And the winner is Rudra!" The screen behind him displayed Rudra's photo, name, and stats.
"As the reward for his victory, 20 stars are awarded to Rudra, bringing his total score to 52,000!" The commentator exclaimed. The whole arena was filled with cheers.
"Approximately 99% of the world's population possesses extraordinary abilities, manifesting as auras and elemental powers. This phenomenon has given rise to both virtuous heroes and malevolent forces, shaping a world where good and evil coexist."
Rudra walked out of the arena, lost in thought. "Rudra!" someone called out.
He looked up to see two boys, Shwet and Shivay, and a girl, Vani, standing before him. Shwet, with his deep brown eyes, rushed forward and hugged Rudra tightly. "Congrats, bhai! You did it!"
Rudra struggled against Shwet's grip. "Shwet, let him go," Vani said, stepping forward with a hint of annoyance in her light Amber coloured eyes.
Shwet apologized and pulled back. Shivay walked up to Rudra and clapped him on the back. "Well done, Rudra! You're in the top 5 now!"
Rudra smiled, grateful for the praise. "Thanks, Shivay."
Vani added, "You deserve it. You're the youngest ever to make it to the top 5 Challenger of Lurania."
Shwet teased Vani, "Stop buttering him up!" Shivay chimed in, "Yeah, we all know you only praise Rudra when you need something."
Vani glared at them, her voice taking on a scary tone as a firewall began to form in her hand. "What did you say, Shivay?"
Rudra intervened, standing between them. "Guys, stop it. It's getting late; we should go home now."
Shwet took off, running towards the exit. "Hey, wait for me!" Shivay shouted, chasing after him.
Vani yelled, "You idiots, where are you going? We're not done yet!" Rudra chuckled, shaking his head at the drama unfolding before him.
**************"
Rudra entered the building and made his way to the elevator. He pressed the button for the 8th floor, and as the doors opened, he stepped out into the quiet hallway. He walked towards the Kumar Residence apartment, located near the staircase, and found the door already unlocked. A hint of confusion crossed his face as he entered.
"Bhai!" a tiny voice squealed, and a little girl, no more than 10 years old, flung her arms around his waist in a tight hug. "Congratulations!"
Rudra smiled warmly, his voice calm and clear. "Thanks, Swara."
He gently detached himself from the hug. "What are you doing here? You should be with Mrs. Sharma."
Swara looked up at him, her eyes sparkling. "She had some work, so she left us here." She walked over to the couch and plopped down, gesturing for Rudra to sit.
Rudra took a seat, accepting the glass of water Swara handed him. "And where are Ruhan and Rohini?" he asked.
"They're sleeping," Swara replied, nodding towards the bedroom.
Rudra set the glass down and stood up, smiling. "Okay, I'll check on them."
He walked into the bedroom, where two tiny figures lay sleeping peacefully on the bed. A warm smile spread across his face as he gazed at the children. He turned and walked back out of the room, leaving the sleeping toddlers undisturbed.
Rudra entered the living room, and his eyes widened in amusement as he saw Swara had taken out everything from his bag. "This girl," he sighed, shaking his head.
Swara's eyes sparkled as she held up a certificate and medal. "Wow, bhai! You're amazing!" She jumped into his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. "You're strong. Can I be like you?"
Rudra chuckled. "If you work hard, you will." Just then, his phone rang. He looked at the screen, which read "Dad." "Hello?" he answered.
After a brief conversation, Rudra said, "Okay, bye, Dad." Swara looked at him with confusion, and he understood her unspoken question. "Dad and Mom are going out for dinner with a client."
He gently set Swara down from his lap. "Let's get to work." He took the certificate and medal from her. "I'll be back soon. Put everything back in my bag, okay?" Swara nodded.
Rudra walked to his room, opened the door, and stepped inside. His room was modest, with a single bed near the window, a small bookshelf, a study desk, and a closet.
He walked to his study desk, placed the certificate and medal in front of a photo frame, and picked it up. A hint of sadness crept into his eyes as he whispered, "Mom."
The photo showed a younger Rudra sitting on a stool beside a hospital bed, where a woman - likely his mother - lay holding a newborn baby girl, Swara. Rudra's smile faltered for a moment before he composed himself and put the photo back.
He walked out of his room, where Swara had put everything back in his bag. "Well done, Swara. So, what do you want for dinner?"
***********
In a dimly lit gym, the only sound was the hum of the treadmill, where Mira was running at full speed. Her gym outfit was drenched in sweat, and her breathing was labored. Suddenly, she lost her footing and tumbled to the floor.
A middle-aged man, standing nearby, shook his head in disappointment. "Useless," he muttered.
Mira sat up, her eyes fixed on the floor, her chest heaving. "What's the point of all this training if I still can't defeat him?" she whispered, her voice laced with frustration.
The man's expression turned stern. "I'm sorry, Dad," Mira said, still not daring to look up.
Her father's voice was laced with disdain. "You're wasting both our time. You should focus on becoming a singer, like your mother. Elemental battles are not for a girl like you."
Mira's determination flared up. "I'll defeat him, Dad. I won't let you down next time."
Her father's response was cold and calculated. "Better win the next battle, or it will be your last."
As he walked away, Mira's anger and frustration boiled over. She clenched her fist and punched the floor, her voice barely above a whisper: "Rudra"
*********
Rudra sat at the table, feeding Ruhan and Rohini, who were enthusiastically punching their tiny fists in the air. Swara stood was putting the dishes in the sink.
"I've finished my work," Swara announced, turning to Rudra with a smile.
Rudra nodded, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Good, now keep an eye on them while I finish washing the dishes."
As Swara settled in beside the twins, she began making silly faces, sending them into fits of giggles. Rudra chuckled to himself as he washed the dishes, his hands moving efficiently through the water.
Once he finished, he dried his hands with a towel and walked out of the kitchen. The twins were now sleeping peacefully on the floor, while Swara dozed off, her back against the couch.
Rudra's smile widened as he gazed at his younger siblings. He gently scooped up the twins and tucked them into bed, marveling at their serene faces. As he walked to his own room, his eyes landed on the medal and certificate displayed on the wall, alongside a collection of books on his study table.
"Time to get back to work," Rudra sighed, settling into his chair.
************
In the grand throne room, a man in his late 40s, adorned in a sleek black silk suit, towered over two kneeling teenagers. The twins' heads were bowed, their eyes fixed on the floor as they trembled beneath the man's wrath.
"What were you thinking, allowing the princess to escape again?" he thundered, his voice echoing off the ornate walls.
The first twin, her voice barely above a whisper, spoke with her head still bowed. "We are sorry, Your Majesty."
The man's expression darkened, his face reddening with rage. "Sorry? You're sorry? You let the princess slip through your fingers once more!"
The second twin ventured a response, her voice laced with fear. "We didn't know about her plans, Your Majesty. We swear it."
The man's skepticism was palpable. "And you expect me to believe you? You two were her bodyguards, tasked with ensuring her safety. I know you're loyal only to her, not to me or the crown."
His voice dripped with venom as he continued to berate the twins. "Your incompetence is staggering. I demand to know what really happened. Who helped her escape this time?"
A commanding voice echoed from the doorway . "Stop it, Aditya."
The twins and Aditya turned to face the speaker, and their eyes widened in reverence. Rajmata Vidya Devi, resplendent in a stunning royal purple saree, stood tall, her silver hair perfectly coiffed. Her authoritative presence filled the room.
"Maa," Aditya whispered, his tone a mix of surprise and deference.
Rajmata Vidya Devi glided towards Aditya, her eyes fixed on the twins. "You both may leave."
The twins exchanged a nervous glance before hastily departing. As they exited, Aditya turned to his mother, his expression urgent.
"Maa, you know they're aware of Nirmita's plans. They've been privy to her secrets for far too long."
Rajmata Vidya Devi's voice was firm and commanding. "I'm well aware of that, Aditya."
"Then why did you let them go?" Aditya pressed, his concern evident. "They know Nirmita's whereabouts."
Rajmata Vidya Devi's expression turned thoughtful. "This is her fourth time escaping. Do you truly believe that bringing her back will prevent her from fleeing again?"
Aditya's voice dropped to a whisper, laced with worry. "But we can't let her remain outside for long. What if...what if he finds her?"
Rajmata Vidya Devi's eyes locked onto Aditya's, and she nodded solemnly. "I understand your concerns, Aditya."
Aditya's face contorted in a mixture of fear and apprehension. "I know, but-"
Rajmata Vidya Devi's gentle smile interrupted him. "It's only natural for a father to worry, Aditya. But we cannot keep Nirmita confined within these walls forever. She was born to soar, to touch the sky."
Aditya's eyes searched his mother's, seeking reassurance. Rajmata Vidya Devi's expression softened, and she placed a comforting hand on his arm.
*****************
Rudra sighed, closing his book. "Finished." He walked out of his room, hearing a sound from outside, and saw his parents at the main door. However, the woman beside his father was his stepmother, recognizable from the photo frame.
Rudra took their bags and followed them to the living room. He headed to the kitchen, bringing back two glasses of water, which he handed to his father and stepmother.
"Did Ruhan and Rohini sleep?" his stepmother asked.
"Yes," Rudra replied, looking at her, hoping for some praise.
His father spoke up, "How was your battle today?"
Rudra smiled, looking at his father. "It was nice, I won."
His father clapped him on the back. "That's like my son! For now, you're at the top of Lurania, but one day you'll be at the top of our Empire, Aurora, just like your mother."
His stepmother's expression changed, and she got irritated. She walked to the twins' room, shutting the door behind her with a loud click. Rudra's father and he exchanged a glance, Rudra's heart aching with a deep sadness and uncertain feeling.That will his mother ever him as his own .
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