SEE YA LATER RIVAAN

Jilpa's Dream with Neigh

In the quiet of the night, Jilpa found himself in the midst of another dream. A surreal landscape stretched out before him—rolling hills of golden sand beneath a sky of swirling colors. Amid the shifting sands stood Professor Neigh, still donning his peculiar pig mask, his presence as strange and commanding as ever.

Professor Neigh (with a dramatic flourish): "Ah, the chain wielder returns. You're proving to be more intriguing than I anticipated."

Jilpa crossed his arms, frowning.

Jilpa: "Alright, Neigh. What's the cryptic message this time?"

Professor Neigh tilted his head, the eerie smile in his voice unmistakable.

Professor Neigh: "Tomorrow, you must go to the Great Wall of China. There, you'll find what you need to unlock your next potential. And don't think for a moment you'll be walking into a sightseeing tour—it'll be far more enlightening than that."

Jilpa sighed, his tone laced with sarcasm.

Jilpa: "Great. More riddles. Why not just send me a postcard with instructions next time?"

Professor Neigh chuckled, his voice echoing unnaturally.

Professor Neigh: "Ah, but that's not all. Your light-wielding friend must go to the Temple of Heaven. What awaits him there... well, that's for him to discover."

Jilpa furrowed his brow, concern flashing across his face.

Jilpa: "Why separate us? What's going on, Neigh?"

Neigh stepped closer, his voice dropping to a grave whisper.

Professor Neigh: "The paths you two walk are intertwined, but to strengthen the bond, you must first strengthen yourselves. Trust me, chain wielder. You'll understand soon enough."

Before Jilpa could ask more, the dream dissolved into a flurry of golden light.

Morning Departure

Jilpa woke with a start, the words of the dream still fresh in his mind. Without wasting a moment, he grabbed a piece of paper and scrawled a quick note to Rivaan:

Rivaan,

I had another dream. Neigh wants us to split up for now. I'm heading to the Great Wall of China to find whatever it is he's sending me for.

He said you need to go to the Temple of Heaven. Something important's waiting for you there.

Don't argue. Just go. I'll see you later.

—Jilpa

Leaving the note on Rivaan's desk, Jilpa grabbed his jacket and quietly left the apartment. The early morning air was crisp, and the streets of Beijing were still waking up.

As he walked towards the station, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. Splitting up felt wrong, but he trusted Neigh's cryptic wisdom. Whatever awaited them at their respective destinations, Jilpa knew it would shape their futures in ways they couldn't yet imagine.

For now, all he could do was follow the path laid out before him.

Rivaan's Morning

The morning light filtered through the apartment's curtains, casting a soft glow across Rivaan's room. He stirred awake, stretching his arms lazily before sitting up. His gaze fell on the piece of paper resting on his desk.

Yawning, he reached for the note and began to read.

Rivaan,

I had another dream. Neigh wants us to split up for now. I'm heading to the Great Wall of China to find whatever it is he's sending me for.

He said you need to go to the Temple of Heaven. Something important's waiting for you there.

Don't argue. Just go. I'll see you later.

—Jilpa

Rivaan let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his messy hair.

Rivaan (grumbling): "He could've at least waited for me to wake up. Always running off like some solo hero."

He crumpled the note slightly before smoothing it back out. As annoyed as he was, he knew Jilpa wouldn't have left without good reason. If Neigh had told him to split up, it had to be something serious.

Getting out of bed, Rivaan stretched again, his muscles still stiff from the intense training they'd been doing. He glanced at the clock—it was early, but not too early to get moving.

Preparation and Resolve

Rivaan quickly got dressed, pulling on a comfortable yet sturdy outfit for the day ahead. Grabbing a small bag with essentials, he looked around the apartment, now eerily quiet without Jilpa's usual presence.

Rivaan (to himself): "Temple of Heaven, huh? Alright, Neigh. Let's see what you've got waiting for me."

As much as he hated to admit it, Rivaan felt a pang of nervousness. The Temple of Heaven was an iconic site, but if Neigh's cryptic instructions were involved, it wouldn't be a simple tourist visit.

Setting Out

Rivaan stepped outside, the bustling sounds of Beijing coming alive around him. He hailed a cab and gave the driver the destination. Leaning back against the seat, he stared out of the window, his thoughts racing.

He wondered what Jilpa might be facing at the Great Wall and hoped his friend would be okay. Whatever awaited them, they had to face it separately this time—a thought that didn't sit well with Rivaan.

Rivaan (thinking): "Jilpa, you better not do anything reckless. We're in this together, even if we're apart right now."

The cab pulled up at the Temple of Heaven. Rivaan paid the driver and stepped out, gazing at the historic structure before him.

Taking a deep breath, he walked towards the entrance, his mind set on whatever challenge lay ahead. "Alright, Neigh. Show me what you've got."

Jilpa's Thoughts

Riding in the cramped, slightly bumpy bus heading towards the Great Wall of China, Jilpa stared out the window, his mind swirling with emotions.

Jilpa (thinking): Neigh better not be leading me into another one of his cryptic wild goose chases. Why the Great Wall? And why split us up now?

The landscape sped by, and with each passing moment, Jilpa felt a strange weight settle in his chest. It wasn't fear, exactly—it was more like an overwhelming sense of importance.

Jilpa (thinking): What am I even supposed to find there? Neigh didn't exactly leave an instruction manual. He just tells me to "go" like I'm some errand boy. And Rivaan...

He sighed, closing his eyes for a moment. The memory of Rivaan's annoyed face popped into his mind. He could almost hear his friend grumbling about being left behind.

Jilpa (thinking): He'll be fine. Probably better off without me slowing him down anyway. The Temple of Heaven seems like something meant for him. He'll figure it out.

A pang of sadness hit him unexpectedly. It wasn't often they were apart, and despite his teasing and tough exterior, Jilpa valued their partnership deeply.

Jilpa (thinking): Stay safe, Rivaan. We've been through too much for this to be the end of our story.

Rivaan's Thoughts

The cab ride to the Temple of Heaven was silent except for the occasional honk from passing cars. Rivaan sat with his arms crossed, staring at the scenery with a mixture of annoyance and concern.

Rivaan (thinking): That idiot. Running off without me. What if something happens to him? Neigh's vague instructions are always sketchy. "Go here, do that." What even is this, a scavenger hunt?

He shifted uncomfortably, his fingers drumming against his knee.

Rivaan (thinking): The Great Wall, though... that's no joke. Whatever Jilpa's walking into, I hope he's ready for it. I should've insisted we stick together. Splitting up feels wrong.

A small smile tugged at his lips as he remembered Jilpa's note. Despite his frustration, he couldn't help but admire Jilpa's determination.

Rivaan (thinking): Still, he's always so headstrong. And now I'm heading to the Temple of Heaven on a vague promise that something's "waiting for me." Great.

The cab slowed down as they neared the destination, and Rivaan leaned forward, looking at the ancient architecture coming into view.

Rivaan (thinking): Whatever this is, I'll deal with it. And Jilpa... you better come back in one piece. We're not done yet.

His jaw clenched, determination replacing his irritation. The Temple of Heaven stood tall before him, and Rivaan felt a strange pull, as if something—or someone—was watching him.

Rivaan (thinking): Alright, let's get this over with.

The air around them crackled with a strange, otherworldly energy as Jilpa and Rivaan reached their destinations, both feeling an undeniable pull that connected them to something vast, ancient, and powerful.

Jilpa's Journey

Jilpa reached the farthest end of the Great Wall, where the world seemed to open up before him. The vast ocean stretched endlessly, its waves crashing against the rocks below. Something in the air shifted, and without thinking, Jilpa ran toward the water. His instincts guided him, his legs moving as though they had a mind of their own.

Without hesitation, he leaped into the cold, churning waters. The rush of the waves hit him, but it didn't matter. His body was focused, his mind completely clear as he dove deeper. As he swam, his hand brushed against something hard—an object partially buried beneath the ocean floor.

A chest.

He pried it open with his chains and immediately felt a surge of spiritual chi. Inside the chest, there were five glowing pills, each radiating immense power. But something else caught his eye—a strange, metallic hand, half-clawed, half-human, lying in the bottom of the chest.

Jilpa felt an urge to touch it, and as soon as his fingers made contact, a wave of energy flooded through his body. His spiritual chi flared, expanding uncontrollably. His body screamed in agony as it started to break apart, bones cracking, veins shifting, and muscles tearing. It felt like an eternity of pain, his very being being restructured from the inside out.

For three weeks Jilpa's world was filled with searing, unrelenting pain. Every cell in his body screamed for relief, but there was none. It was a brutal transformation, one that demanded more than just strength—it demanded his very soul.

Rivaan's Journey

Rivaan's heart pounded as he walked through the Temple of Heaven, his senses on high alert. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was calling him. His eyes scanned the temple, and then, as though guided by an invisible force, he saw it—a hidden door beneath the temple, half-concealed by ancient, crumbling stone.

His steps quickened as he approached, and with a grunt, he pushed the door open. The door creaked, revealing a narrow stairwell that spiraled downward. At the bottom of the stairs, a stone pedestal stood. On it lay a sword hilt, unassuming yet pulsating with an aura that demanded respect. Alongside it, five glowing pills rested in a small, ornate bowl.

Rivaan felt a strange pull, a force stronger than anything he had ever experienced, urging him to grab the sword. He did, without thinking, and the moment his fingers wrapped around the hilt, everything changed.

The ground beneath him trembled. His body convulsed, muscles spasming and veins bulging as his spiritual chi skyrocketed. Every cell in his body was being restructured—twisting, breaking, and reforming. Pain lanced through him as if his body was being ripped apart and put back together with a force greater than anything he had ever known.

For three weeks, Rivaan was consumed by agony. His body fought to hold together as his veins and muscles rewrote themselves, each transformation causing excruciating pain, but also, strange, indescribable power. His blood pulsed with energy, and his mind teetered on the brink of madness as the changes continued.

The Aftermath

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the pain ceased. Both Jilpa and Rivaan, at different points, found themselves emerging from the nightmare of transformation. They stood in the exact places they had begun their respective journeys—Jilpa standing at the mouth of a cave on the edge of the ocean, Rivaan standing in the darkened chamber beneath the temple, the sword still in his hand.

But their bodies had changed.

Jilpa could feel it first—the power coursing through his veins, his body now perfectly sculpted, each muscle in control. His chains felt different, stronger. The strange hand he had touched had infused him with a power he couldn't quite comprehend, but it was undeniably his now. His spiritual chi was unlike anything he had ever known before. It was pure, untapped, and it flowed through him like an endless river. His bones, harder than diamond, seemed to hum with energy, and he could feel the air around him vibrate.

Rivaan, too, had undergone a transformation. The sword in his hand was no longer just a weapon—it had become an extension of himself. His veins were like rivers of power, and every muscle in his body responded to his command. His mind felt sharper, clearer, as if he had transcended his limits.

The two stood in silence for a moment, staring at one another across the distance that separated them, each trying to process what had just happened. They felt invincible, untouchable. They had been remade into something more than human, more than they ever could have imagined.

The world around them seemed to bow to their newfound strength. The very air felt different—charged with energy. They were ready, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, knowing that they were no longer the same.

Together, they had evolved, and nothing could stand in their way now.

The world around Jilpa and Rivaan seemed to hum with an ominous energy. The moment they stood, their senses pierced through the vast expanse of China. They could feel it—the pull of something dark and monstrous unfolding in a town not far from them. It was as though the very fabric of reality had been torn open, and something horrific was slipping through.

Jilpa's heart began to pound in his chest. He didn't need to speak to Rivaan. The two shared a bond now—one of unspoken understanding. Their power surged within them, and they both realized, almost simultaneously, that they had become so strong that they were now moving faster than the speed of sound, without even the need for chi. The earth beneath their feet seemed to crack as they sprinted, leaving the world behind in their wake.

Jilpa's Rage Unleashed

Jilpa, always the first to react, was the one to arrive at the town first. As he came into view of the scene, his eyes scanned the chaos unfolding. A woman was being attacked, her cries muffled by the brutal actions of several men. Jilpa's heart raced—not from fear, but from a cold, burning rage that rose from the depths of his soul. The pain of his mother's death surged back to him, and in an instant, he knew exactly who was behind this violence.

The Russian mob.

Jilpa saw the mark—the distinctive brand of the Russian mob, the symbol of Elbelem etched into the backs of the men assaulting the woman. His breath caught, a wave of grief and fury crashing over him like a tidal wave. His mother, his family—they had all fallen victim to these monsters. And now, once again, they were desecrating the world around him.

His spiritual chi flared violently. It surged through his body like a wild animal, twisting and turning inside of him. His eyes blazed with the intensity of a thousand suns, and at that moment, four additional arms sprouted from his back, his chains and spiritual chi pulsating through them. It was the result of the hand he had touched on the Great Wall, the power awakening within him, manifesting as a symbol of his rage.

The Russian mobsters, realizing who stood before them, froze in terror. The young man they had brutalized, the one whose family they had destroyed—wasn't just any ordinary person. They tried to flee, but it was too late. The moment they saw the extra arms, they knew they were facing something far beyond their reckoning.

Rivaan's Rush

As Jilpa's anger boiled over, Rivaan wasn't far behind. He could feel it—the surge of power coming from Jilpa, the uncontrollable force that was growing within him. Rivaan knew that if he didn't hurry, Jilpa might destroy the entire village in his blind rage.

His legs pushed him harder, faster, his heart pounding in his chest. But even as he ran, the earth beneath him seemed to crumble, and the wind felt like it was breaking apart with each step he took. The speed at which they had become capable of moving was surreal. It was as if the laws of physics had bent to their will.

Rivaan's thoughts raced. "I can't let him do this. He's already losing control."

But by the time he reached the scene, Jilpa was already in the midst of his fury. The Russian mobsters were trembling before him, too terrified to move, their faces pale as they realized their fate.

The Moment of Destruction

In the blink of an eye, Jilpa had incapacitated all but one of the men, his chains slicing through the air with deadly precision. His rage was so palpable that the very air around him seemed to ignite with his power. The last man, the one who had been closest to the woman, turned to run. But there was no escape. Jilpa's chains shot out and ensnared him, pulling him back toward Jilpa, where he stood waiting, his extra arms stretching like tendrils of death.

Rivaan arrived just in time to see Jilpa's chains wrap around the last man's throat, pulling him toward Jilpa's wrath. He shouted, his voice hoarse with urgency.

"Jilpa! Stop! You don't have to do this! He's not worth it!"

But it was too late.

Jilpa's eyes were wild with fury. He had already snapped the man's neck, his rage reaching its apex. The body fell limp in Jilpa's grasp, blood staining the ground beneath them. He stood there, panting, the blood of his enemies and his own pain mixing together in that brief, brutal moment of triumph.

Rivaan stepped forward, his face grim but resolute. He placed a hand on Jilpa's shoulder, his voice soft but firm.

"You didn't have to do it. you could've killed him later after we ask who did it."

Jilpa didn't respond at first, his breath ragged and uneven. He was still feeling the aftershocks of the fury that had consumed him. But slowly, he turned to Rivaan, his expression a mix of guilt and anger.

"I had to. They... they killed my mother. They destroyed everything I ever loved." His voice cracked as he spoke, the weight of his loss finally breaking through.

Rivaan didn't say anything. He just nodded, understanding the depth of Jilpa's pain. He had seen it in Jilpa's eyes before. This wasn't just about the Russian mob—it was about everything that had been taken from him.

Jilpa wiped the blood from his hands, his face a mask of resolve. "I won't let anyone else suffer like this. Not anymore."

Rivaan stood with him, his hand still on his shoulder. They had become more than just allies. They were brothers now, bound by their pain, their power, and their quest for justice. Together, they would face whatever darkness came their way—even if that meant walking through it in the most agonizing way possible.

And as they stood there, the woman they had saved walked up to them, tears streaming down her face, her hands trembling. She knelt before them in gratitude, but Jilpa and Rivaan both knew they weren't here for praise.

They were here for something greater. Something that would bring justice to the fallen.

THANK YOU FOR READING

TO BE CONTINUED