Chapter 8 - Reality

It's midnight. Kaliyug is trapped in a haunting dream. He sees his classmates dragging Jeeva away, her cries echoing in the darkness. He clings to her hand, but they tear her away, disappearing into the shadows. Suddenly, he bolts awake, shouting her name: "Jeeva!" Jeeva, startled, wakes and rushes to his side. "What's wrong, Kaliyug?" she asks, her voice filled with worry.

"I dreamt that everyone was taking you from me… into the darkness," he whispers, his voice trembling as he buries his face in his hands. Jeeva places a comforting hand on his shoulder. "No one can separate us, Kaliyug. You're always here to protect me," she says softly. She helps him lie down and rests beside him, her arms wrapped protectively around him. "No one can hurt you while I'm with you," Kaliyug murmurs under his breath before closing his eyes and falling asleep.

The next morning, Kaliyug and Jeeva walk to school together under the soft morning sunlight. Along the way, they run into Kunal and Rumi. "How are you two?" Rumi asks with a smile. "We're fine!" Jeeva replies cheerfully. Kunal chuckles sarcastically. "You're the first couple in this world without any powers. Quite an achievement." The others look at him strangely. "Sorry, just joking," Kunal adds awkwardly. The group continues to school, where an unusual stillness fills the air. The students are already in their classrooms, and no one lingers on the grounds. Everyone heads to their respective classes and settles in.

Meanwhile, on the school roof, Vinoy sits surrounded by the most powerful students, including Raj and Kamli, awaiting his orders. "Spread the unconscious smoke in the teachers' room and lock them inside. Do the same with the principal in their office," Vinoy commands. Raj frowns. "What about Kaliyug? And Kunal and Rumi—they're protecting Jeeva too," he asks irritably.

"Karma will handle them," Vinoy says smugly, gesturing toward Karma, who can mimic anyone's appearance. "He'll disguise himself as the principal, lure Kunal and Rumi to an empty room, and lock them in." Kamli looks puzzled. "And Kaliyug?" Vinoy smirks. "We'll exploit his kindness. Someone will pretend to need help and lead him out of the school."

A while later, Vinoy's plan is in motion. Students release gas in the teachers' room, rendering them unconscious, then lock them and the principal in a single room. Meanwhile, Kunal and Rumi, suspicious of the eerie silence, encounter the disguised Karma in the hallway. "Where are you going, kids?" Karma, in the principal's form, asks.

"We were checking why no classes have started," Kunal replies. "The teachers are in a meeting," Karma lies, "but I need to discuss something with you two in my office. Follow me." As they enter the office, Rumi senses something is off. Activating her powers, she sees Karma's true form. She pushes him out and locks the door, dragging Kunal to an empty room.

"What are you doing? The principal will suspend us for this!" Kunal protests. "That wasn't the principal—it was Karma!" Rumi explains. "Karma? The shapeshifter?" Kunal asks, stunned. "Yes. Something's wrong here. Teachers are missing, and that fake principal confirms it. Vinoy is behind this," Rumi says firmly. They peer out the window, watching the students below.

Elsewhere, weaker students are rounded up and locked in a hall while stronger ones patrol the school. An injured boy approaches Kaliyug. "Help me," he pleads, clutching his wound. "What happened?" Kaliyug asks, concerned. "A student attacked me. Please, take me to the hospital outside the school," the boy groans. Kaliyug hesitates but, after a reassuring nod from Jeeva, agrees to help.

As Kaliyug heads out, Vinoy's students seize Jeeva and drag her toward the roof, her screams muffled by a cloth. From a window, Rumi and Kunal witness the scene. "That's Jeeva! They're taking her to the roof!" Rumi exclaims. "We need to warn Kaliyug," Kunal says. "But what can he do? He doesn't have powers," Rumi replies nervously. "You underestimate him. Powers or not, Kaliyug can take on anyone!" Kunal says, grabbing Rumi.

Flying down with his wings, Kunal blocks Kaliyug's path. The injured boy flees at the sight of him. "That boy was setting you up," Rumi explains. "Vinoy's students have Jeeva. They're holding her on the roof, and the school is crawling with his lackeys," she adds. Kaliyug looks at the roof, his face hardening.

On the roof, Jeeva is trapped in a glowing shield as Vinoy taunts her. "You could've been my girlfriend, but you chose that powerless loser. He can't save you now!" Jeeva glares. "Kaliyug is stronger than you'll ever be. His heart is pure, unlike yours!" she retorts. "Let's see him try," Vinoy sneers, tightening the shield, cutting into Jeeva's skin.

"Kaliyug!" Jeeva's scream pierces the air. Hearing it, Kaliyug falls to his knees, tears streaming down his face. Kunal and Rumi urge him to stay back, but Kaliyug rises, his eyes glowing green. "This isn't your fight. It's mine," he declares.

"But there are 100 students guarding the school!" Kunal protests. Kaliyug smirks. "Just 100?" he says, his voice laced with confidence. "You don't stand a chance against Vinoy!" Rumi warns. Kaliyug steps forward, unshaken. "Vinoy should've known better. My last school expelled me for creating chaos." With an expression of fearless determination, he strides toward the school.

"Who is this guy?" Kunal and Rumi whisper, astonished.