Chapter 7: A City on the Edge

The morning after the battle, Delhi felt different. Walking through the congested streets, Arjun could feel it: a tension that seemed to hang in the air, unseen but palpable. The vendors shouted their usual calls, the rickshaws honked impatiently, and life went on – but there was an undercurrent of restlessness.

"It's subtle, isn't it?" Vikram's voice echoed through Arjun's thoughts.

They were both standing near Connaught Place, mingling with the crowd. Vikram was scanning the area, his sharp eyes taking in everything – nervous eyes, hasty steps, quiet conversations.

Arjuna shook his head. "It seems like people might feel something wrong, even if they don't know what.

"They can," Vikram said critically. "Violations leave scars. Not enough to make regular people look, but enough to make them uncomfortable. The city itself seems to be holding its breath.

Arjuna frowned. "So what happens if this continues? The more violations, the more asuras—how long does it take for people to start to notice for real?

"They will," Vikram said. "And by then, it may be too late."

A Call to Action

As they came back to the sanctuary, Arjuna could not shake the feeling of being seen. This wasn't the first time since the breach; He could feel it even when he left the factory.

"Do you feel that way?" he asked Vikram.

Vikram's hand instinctively went to his spear. "What?"

"Like... We are being chased," Arjun said in a low voice.

Vikram did not respond immediately. His eyes blinked into a narrow lane ahead. Without any warning, she grabbed Arjuna's arm and pulled him in.

"What-" Arjun started to say, but Vikram silenced him with a gesture.

They waited in the shade, listening. The sound of footsteps grew louder, then stopped.

"Whatever it is, they're good," Vikram muttered. "Stay behind me.

Arjuna grabbed his sword, his heart pounding. The moments were unbearably stretched until a figure stepped into the scene—a young woman with sharp, calculating eyes and a bow hanging over her shoulder.

"Relax," she said, raising her hand in mock surrender. "I'm not here to fight."

Vikram's stance did not waver. "Who are you?"

The woman smiled. "Radhika. Warrior monks of the Jyotirlinga sect. And if you're half as good as they say, you've already figured it out.

An unexpected ally

Vikram lowered his javelin slightly but did not relax completely. "What does the Jyotirlinga sect want from us?"

"You don't," Radhika said, her gaze shifting towards Arjun. "Him.

Arjuna blinked. "Me? Why?"

"Because you are the new weapon carrier," Radhika said. "And the order has a vested interest in keeping you alive."

Vikram sniffed. "Convenient time. Where were you last night when we were dealing with an asura?"

"I was dealing with my problems," Radhika shot back, crossing her arms. "You think violations are only happening in your little corner of the city? Think again.

The tension between them was palpable, and Arjun felt like a spectator in a sparse match.

"Okay, time up," he said, stepping between them. "Let's say you're telling the truth. Why show up now?"

Radhika's expression softened slightly. "Because the violations are getting worse. The order believes that the Asuras are planning something bigger. And if that happens, we'll all need each other.

Jyotirlinga Connection

Back at the sanctuary, Radhika explains about the role of Order.

"The Jyotirlinga order has existed for centuries," he said, sitting cross-legged on the floor. "We are the custodians of ancient wisdom, tasked with protecting the balance between the realms. Sounds familiar?"

"Yes, a little," Arjun said, looking at Vikram.

Radhika continued. "Violations are not random. Asuras are targeting specific locations – places bound by powerful energies. Temples, lay lines, relic sites. Last night's breach was just a test.

Arjuna frowned. "A test for what?"

Radhika said, "To do something bigger. "We don't know yet what, but the signs are not good. If the Asuras succeed in destabilizing these spaces sufficiently, the barriers between the realms can be completely demolished.

"And then this game is over," Vikram said critically.

"Very much," Radhika agreed.

A new mission

Vikram leaned against the wall, his arms crossed. "So what's your plan?

"The order identifies the next potential target. "An old temple on the outskirts of the city. If the Asuras are planning another breach, it will be there.

"And you want us to stop it," Arjun said, his tone half questioning, half statement.

Radhika shook her head. "It's not just about saving lives. If they contaminate the energy at that site, it will make the next breach even stronger. We need to stop them before they gain more land.

Arjuna hesitated. The weight of the situation pressed upon him, but he couldn't ignore the urgency in her voice – or the way his sword fainted, as if urging him to move forward.

"I'm in," she finally said.

Radhika smiled. "Good. So let's go.

The calm before the storm

As they were ready to leave, Vikram pulled Arjun aside.

"Radhika is tough," she said softly. "And he knows what he's talking about. But keep your guard. The command doesn't always play straight.

Arjun nodded, though he wasn't entirely sure what Vikram meant.

The three of them set out under the cover of dusk, the golden light of the city giving way to the shadows as they headed towards the temple. The journey was stressful but uneventful, each of them lost in their own thoughts.

When they arrived, the temple hovered in front of them, its ancient stone walls covered with moss and cracks. The air was filled with the same oppressive energy that Arjuna had felt earlier, and the faint sound of chanting echoed from within.

"They're already here," Radhika said, her hand going over his bow.

"So let's not wait for them," Vikram said, his spear at the ready.

Arjuna took a deep breath, clutching his sword tightly. He didn't know what would happen next, but he knew one thing for sure: there was no turning back now.

Please read it now on Google Books:.https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=7zc-EQAAQBAJ