[22 August 2115]
Nanmangalam Reserve Forest, Chennai
Zeel: Sana?!
Her Vajra Yantra flickered—then vanished.
Before she could process it, her body gave in.
THUD.
She collapsed onto the ground, her limbs unresponsive. Her breathing was shallow, her forehead drenched in sweat.
Maharshi (panicked): Sana!?
He rushed to her side, pressing two fingers against her neck. Her pulse was there—but weak.
Zeel (checking her wrist): She's burning up! What's happening to her?!
Before anyone could answer—
BOOM!
A deafening explosion shook the ground. Trees snapped like twigs. The air vibrated with raw power.
A monstrous entity emerged from the shadows—a towering, grotesque beast covered in dark, pulsating veins of Srapit Shakti. Its molten-red eyes burned with rage, its jagged fangs dripping with black saliva.
Jay (gritted teeth): Hirak, what the hell is that?!
Hirak (through comms): Intermediate-Tier Maha-Khatarnak Shreni's Srapit Aatma! High regenerative abilities, enhanced strength… and—oh, perfect—it absorbs Yantra attacks!
Maharshi (clenching his jaw): Of course it does. It's abilities are same as Mahito.
The monster lifted its massive arm—and swung.
A wave of corrupted energy blasted forward, tearing through trees like paper.
Maharshi: SCATTER!
The team split in different directions, barely dodging the attack as it shattered the earth beneath them.
Zeel (pulling out her pistols): If we can't use Yantra, we'll do it the old-fashioned way!
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Zeel fired directly at the beast's eyes, aiming to blind it. The bullets hit—but disintegrated on impact.
Jay (frustrated): It's no use! We need a new plan—
The beast moved—fast. It lunged at Maharshi, its claws slashing through the air.
Maharshi barely dodged, flipping backward. But the moment his feet touched the ground, the monster was already on him again.
Maharshi (gritted teeth): Persistent bastard—
He unsheathed his sword, pivoting mid-air, and slashed at its arm. The blade sliced through—only for the wound to instantly regenerate.
Jay (yelling): IT'S HEALING TOO FAST!
The beast roared and swung again. Maharshi raised his sword to block—
CLANG!
The impact sent him flying into a tree.
Zeel: Maharshi!
He coughed, gripping his ribs. That hit hurt.
But he didn't have time to recover.
The beast turned its attention to Sana.
Its glowing eyes locked onto her unconscious form.
Maharshi (furious): Oh no, you don't—
He launched himself forward—but the monster was faster. It raised its massive claw, aiming straight for Sana's head.
A direct hit would kill her instantly.
Zeel and Jay were too far. Hirak was still calculating. Maharshi wouldn't make it in time.
Sana's fingers twitched.
Her breath hitched.
Then—
ओम् वज्राय विध्यमानं, विद्युत् शक्ति संचारय, यंत्रं प्रवर्तय!
BOOM!
A shockwave erupted from Sana's body.
Her Vajra Yantra reactivated—but this time, it was brighter. More intense. The electricity around her crackled violently.
Her eyes snapped open.
And for a split second—her pupils glowed completely white.
The beast froze.
Sana moved.
In a flash of lightning, she disappeared—then reappeared above the monster's head.
Sana (whispering): Not this time.
She raised her leg—her Vajra Yantra glowing brighter than ever—
And brought it down.
KRA-KOOM!
The impact shattered the ground.
Lightning erupted in all directions, surging through the monster's body like a raging storm. Its corrupted energy spasmed—its regeneration failing.
Maharshi (stunned): What the—
The beast screeched in agony, its entire form crackling with unstable energy.
Sana landed gracefully, her breathing heavy.
Her hands trembled. She was exhausted. But she wasn't done yet.
She took a step forward—
And collapsed again.
Maharshi (catching her): Sana!
Her body was limp, completely drained.
But the monster wasn't dead yet.
Its mangled body twitched—then started regenerating again.
Jay (gritting teeth): How the hell do we kill this thing?!
Hirak (suddenly, through comms): Guys—I think I found a weakness!
Maharshi's eyes sharpened.
Maharshi: Then tell us—because I swear, I am so done with this thing!
Hirak (typing furiously): The core! Its regeneration is powered by a central node inside its body—probably near the heart or spine. If we destroy that, it won't heal!
Maharshi (gritting teeth): Great. And how exactly do we reach it when this thing shrugs off our attacks like mosquito bites?!
Hirak: We need to overload its Srapit Shakti! If we pump in too much energy at once, it'll destabilize!
Zeel (reloading her guns): Overload it with what? Our Yantra won't work on this thing!
Jay (eyes narrowing): But Sana's did.
Everyone froze.
Maharshi looked down at Sana, still unconscious in his arms. Her Vajra Yantra had broken through the monster's defenses. But she was barely breathing.
Maharshi (muttering): Dammit.
Zeel: She can't fight. She's already drained.
Hirak: Then we use what's left in her system!
Maharshi's head snapped up.
Maharshi: What?
Hirak: Vajra Yantra still has residual energy in her body. If we can extract it and channel it into the monster all at once—
Jay (catching on): —It'll fry from the inside out!
Maharshi clenched his fists. It was a risky plan. Sana was barely hanging on. Draining the last of her energy could push her past her limits.
Maharshi (grimly): …Can you do it without killing her?
Hirak (hesitating): If we're careful. But we don't have much time! That thing's almost fully regenerated!
Zeel: Then let's move!
Maharshi laid Sana down gently, his heart pounding.
Maharshi (softly): Hang in there, Sana.
Zeel knelt beside her, placing her hand over Sana's chest. Static crackled at her fingertips.
Zeel (to Hirak): Tell me how to do this.
Hirak: Find the Vajra Yantra's central node. It should be somewhere along her spine. Press there and channel the energy out.
Zeel nodded and focused. Her fingers pressed against Sana's back—
ZZZZZZT!
A jolt of electricity shocked Zeel's entire arm, making her gasp. Sparks danced across her skin.
Zeel (hissing): This is insane! It's like grabbing a live wire!
Jay: Keep going!
The monster roared. Its body was almost fully healed.
Maharshi (to Jay): Buy them time!
Jay nodded and dashed toward the beast.
Jay (mocking): Hey, ugly! Remember me?!
He leaped into the air, slashing with his Arial blades. The monster swung its claw—Jay twisted midair, dodging by inches.
BOOM!
Jay slammed his Arial blades into the ground, sending a shockwave of debris flying into the beast's eyes. It screeched in rage.
Jay (grinning): That's right, keep looking at me!
Meanwhile—
Zeel's hands trembled as she channeled the last of Sana's Vajra Yantra. The energy was overwhelming.
Zeel (gritted teeth): Almost there…
Maharshi grabbed his sword, eyes blazing.
Maharshi: Get ready to move. The moment she extracts it, I'm delivering the final blow.
Hirak: You'll only have seconds before it stabilizes again!
Maharshi: Then I won't miss.
Zeel clenched her jaw and pushed.
Sana's body glowed—lightning surged from her into Zeel's hands.
Zeel (yelling): NOW!
She thrust the energy forward.
CRACK-THOOM!
A massive bolt of lightning shot into the monster's chest. It froze mid-roar, body twitching violently as electricity flooded its core.
Maharshi moved.
He blurred forward, Yantra-enhanced speed launching him toward the beast.
Maharshi (roaring): DIE ALREADY!
He drove his sword straight into its chest—
BOOOOOM!
The monster convulsed, its body cracking apart as Srapit Shakti overloaded. Its molten eyes widened—
Then—
KA-THOOM!
It exploded into pure energy, the shockwave sending everyone flying back.
Silence.
Smoke and dust settled. The forest was in ruins.
Maharshi coughed, staggering to his feet. His sword was still crackling with residual energy.
Jay (groaning): Did we… do it?
Zeel (panting): It's gone. It's finally gone.
Hirak (weakly, through comms): Confirmed. No traces of Srapit Shakti left. It's over.
Maharshi turned toward Sana. She was unconscious, but still breathing.
Maharshi (softly): You did good, Sana.
He lifted her into his arms.
Maharshi (to the team): Let's get out of here.
As they walked away, the forest behind them still crackled with remnants of their battle.
[22 August 2115]
Kashi Vishwanath Mandir
The divine echoes of Om Namah Shivay reverberated through the temple as the sacred flames of the Bhavya Aarti danced in the air. The rhythmic clang of bells mixed with the deep hum of conch shells, filling the space with an almost celestial energy.
Arya stepped forward, her expression serene yet focused. She carefully poured the holy water over the Shivling, watching as it cascaded down the smooth stone surface, merging with the petals of fresh bael leaves. The cool touch of the water against her fingertips sent a shiver up her spine, as if the deity himself acknowledged her presence.
Pratham, standing beside her, stole a quick glance at Arya. She looked different here—calmer, almost vulnerable. He had seen her in battle, fierce and unshaken, but here, in the presence of Mahadev, there was a softness to her—a quiet surrender to something greater than herself.
Pratham (whispering): You look... peaceful.
Arya (smiling slightly): Because I am.
Riva, standing behind them, clasped her hands together, her eyes closed in deep prayer. A few other officers followed suit, their disciplined postures momentarily melting into reverence.
As the Aarti concluded, the pujari approached them with a brass plate, the sacred flame still flickering. Arya, Pratham, and Riva extended their hands, absorbing the warmth before touching it to their foreheads. The scent of burning camphor and sandalwood lingered in the air.
Pujari (smiling): May Mahadev bless you with strength and clarity.
Arya nodded in gratitude, but before she could respond—
Suryapratap (serious, voice firm): Arya, if you're done with your prayers, can we move to the mission area?
His sharp tone cut through the lingering echoes of the temple bells. The warmth of the Aarti still clung to the air, but a sudden cold tension settled between them.
Arya (raising an eyebrow, playful but with an edge): If it's so important, why didn't you say it right here?
Suryapratap's jaw tightened. His eyes, hardened with authority, barely concealed his impatience.
Suryapratap (lowering his voice, measured but urgent): This isn't a joke, Arya. You know as well as I do that something this sensitive can't be discussed here.
The words "top secret" left his lips like a locked vault, and Pratham caught it. His casual posture stiffened, curiosity flaring in his eyes. Arya noticed the shift immediately.
Before Pratham could press, she slipped into a different rhythm, her expression unreadable.
Arya (feigning nonchalance, but calculated): Oh… I think I forgot my bracelet inside the Mandir. I should go back and get it.
She turned away smoothly.
Arya (over her shoulder): Let's continue this in your cabin, sir.
Suryapratap held her gaze for a second longer, as if measuring her intent. Then, with a sharp nod, he stepped back.
Pratham, however, wasn't so easily dismissed.
As Arya strode back into the temple, Riva adjusted her glasses and exited with precision, as if she already knew how this would play out. Pratham didn't hesitate—he quickened his steps, catching up beside her.
Pratham (casual, but fishing): Hey, Riva, you must know what they're talking about, right? You're her assistant—
Riva (flat, dismissive): Sorry, Mr. Patel, but I have no clearance to share headquarters' details with you. I am here solely to assist Miss Singh.
She didn't even spare him a glance.
Pratham (grinning, pushing his luck): Oh, come on, not you too. At least tell me what Lieutenant Commander Surya Pratap Singh is doing here?
Riva didn't answer. She just kept walking, as if his words were nothing but wind passing by.
Annoyed, Pratham watched as she descended the temple stairs, slipping further from his grasp. His curiosity burned hotter.
Pratham (calling after her, half-joking but half-serious): Hey! What's it gonna take for you to spill what's going on? Name your price!
Riva stopped.
Slowly, she turned back—her eyes no longer indifferent, but dark. Something unreadable flickered in her expression, something that made the teasing air around Pratham vanish in an instant.
Then, in a voice low enough to slice through the air, she whispered—
Riva (eyes unblinking, voice chilling): A DEAD BODY.
A cold shiver ran down Pratham's spine.
To be continued...