Prologue 6

Under the moonlit sky, Krishna and Siddharth walked along the quiet road, the night breeze carrying fragments of their conversation into the ether. Abhay, known as The Manager, and Ishan, The Knight, followed a few steps behind, their voices hushed as they discussed the events of the past night.

Ishan couldn't contain his satisfaction as he shared his account of the brawl. "You should have seen it, Abhay. Siddharth took down Sohaib single-handedly. It was like watching a master at work. He's on a whole new level now, finishing him so quickly. Compared to the past the fight today ended in a flash."

Abhay, equally impressed, added his own embellishments. "Indeed, it was a sight to behold. Siddharth's prowess knows no bounds. He didn't just defeat Sohaib; he dismantled him, piece by piece."

Ishan chuckled, aware of their exaggerations. "Ah, yes, the tale must grow with each telling. But also let's not forget Krishna. He appeared out of nowhere and managed to wipe out several enemy groups before dealing the final blow to Rudra."

Abhay nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Krishna's a mystery, but he's undoubtedly formidable. He's earned his place among us."

As their conversation meandered toward Rudra's behavior and stories, Ishan remarked, "Rudra may be a fierce fighter, but his demeanor... it's as if he revels in chaos. There's an unpredictable wildness about him."

Abhay concurred, his tone grave. "Indeed, it's disconcerting. He fights with a reckless abandon that borders on madness. I've heard tales of his exploits, but seeing him in action is another matter entirely. It wouldn't even be wrong if we called him an Ashura".

Meanwhile, Krishna and Siddharth strolled side by side, their voices carrying across the night. Their conversation drifted toward their childhoods, two contrasting tales woven with threads of similarity.

Krishna, recalling his days in the village, smiled at the memory. "Life in the village had its own challenges. It was about proving your worth, growing beyond the confines of your childlike self. I had to leave behind my naivety to face the world."

Siddharth nodded, his gaze fixed on the park where children played with carefree abandon. "Growing up in the city wasn't much different. The weight of expectations and the need to prove oneself were always there. Isha's brother once told me, 'Those who don't feel guilt for not being good enough don't really try their best at the given task in the first place.'"

Krishna's curiosity was piqued. "Was it after the party where Isha's brother's rank was celebrated? I heard a lot from Subh about it, he wouldn't shut up about how cool his school president was- Tanishq right?"

Siddharth nodded, rubbing his temples. "Yes. It was a moment of realization for me. It's as if he understood the complexities of my situation better than I did."

Krishna observed Siddharth closely, sensing there was more to the story. "And you? What did you think at that moment?"

Siddharth's smile remained faint. "I felt a mixture of emotions. Guilt, yes, but also determination. I realized that if I wanted to be more than I was, I had to transform. I had to distance myself from the person I used to be."

Krishna glanced at Siddharth, detecting an unspoken layer beneath his words. "Did you ever reach out to Isha's brother afterward?"

Siddharth's gaze remained steady. "Once, I did. I tried to mend our friendship, but Isha's brother's reaction was different. He was probably angry at something, and I remember him saying, 'Prove yourself.' He's been analyzing my actions ever since. But he thinks the best thing I can earn is school president. That is the end of my potential."

Their conversation shifted, and they found themselves admiring their leader's growth. Siddharth had evolved into someone driven and focused, and Krishna, despite his one-sided feelings for Isha, had respect for the path Siddharth had chosen.

Ishan leaned closer to Abhay, his voice low and content. "Abhay, do you see what's happening here? Siddharth and Krishna, are forming a connection. It's something special, something we've been missing."

Abhay nodded, his eyes fixed on the two friends who walked ahead of them. "Indeed, there's a bond developing between them. It's unique, yet it feels strangely familiar."

Ishan smiled, his gaze softening as he watched Krishna and Siddharth talk and laugh together. "It's like they're completing each other. They're different but the same, like two sides of the same coin. Reminding me of the golden days, Senior Raj and Ansh. It really is getting like that-"

Abhay couldn't agree more. "Yes, and it's refreshing to see Siddharth smile like that. It's been a while since I've seen him so relaxed. Hopefully, it won't end like how we have heard The Twins[1] ended-"

As their leader and the newcomer continued their conversation, the night unfolded around them, with the promise of new connections and unexplored paths ahead.

Author's Note :

[1] The Twins is another name given to Ansh and Raj, who used to be the leaders of SVVM before Tanishq. During their reign, SVVM was at it's peak, as they were the strongest. They had forced all other schools into an alliance sort of situation where the leaders were themselves.

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In a room shrouded in darkness, Vishnu sat alone, his thoughts a swirling tempest of emotions. The dim light from his phone illuminated his face as he stared at the blank wall, attempting to make sense of the turmoil within. His thoughts were a tumultuous maze, a relentless cycle of questions that tormented him. Why had he been surpassed first by Aiedrow and then by Ameya? It was a bitter pill to swallow, one that left a lingering sense of inadequacy.

As his mind wandered through the labyrinth of his memories, Vishnu's thoughts settled on Maya. Her image, with its captivating blend of strength and grace, dominated his thoughts. Amid the chaos of his contemplation, a fragment of memory surfaced, a shard of a moment that had etched itself into his heart.

In this cherished memory, Vishnu and Maya sat on the rooftop of Kushawati High, gazing up at the starry night. The cold breeze added to the beauty of the night, smiling and talking about random things, insulting each other their fingers brushed lightly, igniting a spark that left an indelible mark on his soul. He could see her smile at that moment but he pretended not to notice, I should've said something - all that left now was regret, Vishnu recalled the laughter, the shared secrets, and the moments when they had grown closer. But one thing remained clear: his decision to come to this place had hurt her, and that pain weighed heavily on his conscience.

His reverie was abruptly interrupted by the familiar sound of his phone, a message from Ameya demanding his attention. "Please visit the hall, we have something to talk about" the message read, serving as a stark reminder of the reality he couldn't escape.

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Elsewhere, in a secluded field, a young boy ran tirelessly, a heavy bag strapped to his back. Beads of sweat glistened on his face, a testament to his endurance. "Should I stop now, bhaiya?" he gasped, casting a glance at the figure standing beneath a tree.

The boy standing there, Dev, offered a reassuring smile. "Ten more," he encouraged, infusing a hint of challenge into his voice.

Ajay, the determined runner with the weight on his back, managed a strained smile, pushing himself harder. He continued his grueling training, unaware of the watchful eye of Dev's friend, Giriraj Vyas.

Giriraj observed the scene with keen interest. His dark, mid-length hair and light brown skin exuded an air of quiet confidence. "He seems to be holding up well," Giriraj remarked to Dev. "But, you know, sooner or later, everyone breaks."

Dev nodded, fully aware of the limits of human endurance. "I know."

Giriraj's gaze shifted to a nearby bench, where Maya sat engrossed in a book. "And what about her?"

Dev sighed, momentarily drawn back into the recesses of his thoughts, to a time when he and Maya had shared a special connection. "What do you think? Any guesses?"

Giriraj's chuckle conveyed his understanding. "I see." His curiosity persisted. "Where is he now?" Dev's phone chimed with a message notification, and he glanced at it. "That guy hasn't yet responded to me. We'll see."

A silent pact solidified between Dev and Giriraj, united by their desire for vengeance. "Support me until we're prepared," Dev urged. "Assist me in dismantling them, in teaching them a lesson they won't forget."

Giriraj's grin broadened. "You know me. I'm with you until the end of the road, until I'm not."

As Dev's thoughts circled around his past and his determination to surpass Aiedrow and Ameya, "So, when are you finally planning to tell me what you have been hiding for years?" Girish inquired, a knowing smile playing at the corners of his lips.

Dev's smile faded slowly, replaced by an expression of surprise and apprehension. Had Girish somehow unearthed his closely guarded secret?