Powerless

As the two Vrikraal, Ayush and Rahul, was defeated, the adrenaline began to wane. The air, heavy with the scent of blood and decay, began to settle as the adrenaline that had kept Akshay on edge began to fade. Despite regaining some semblance of control over his numb arm, it still trembled, the aftereffects of wielding such a powerful, uncontrollable weapon. He clenched his fist, trying to hide the frustration that bubbled beneath his surface. The feeling of weakness, however fleeting, gnawed at him.

The white Vrikraal stood over the fallen body of Ayush's beast form, breathing heavily. Blood splattered across his once-pristine white fur, and though the beast's form still exuded ferocity, something seemed off. The Vrikraal trembled, as though fighting some unseen force, as waves of agony rippled through its frame. His fur began to thin, falling in clumps like shredded fabric, exposing patches of bruised, human skin beneath.

The transformation was grotesque, almost painful to witness. His spine arched as it cracked and realigned, a sickening crunch echoing through the still air. Muscles and bones shifted, contorted, and reformed with an audible snap, shrinking the massive, hulking beast down to something smaller, more human. Claws retracted into fingers, fur fell away, and thick, dark nails grew in place of talons. With each passing second, the Vrikraal shed its monstrous appearance, until nothing remained but the shape of a seventeen-year-old boy, just as young as Akshay and Nayana. His exposed torso was littered with old scars, evidence of a brutal past, and his torn pants hung loosely from his waist. Barefoot and battered, Vragha stood there, struggling to regain his human form, his breath ragged and uneven.

Akshay's lips twitched into a smirk, though it was strained by the lingering tension in his body. "Hey Vragha, where's your damn shirt?" he teased, masking his frustration with an attempt at humor. "Nayana's here... You should at least be a little embarrassed about it."

Nayana heard Akshay, she chuckled softly, her voice carrying a melodic yet mischievous tone as she pulled down her hood. Her dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing a pale, ethereal face. Her skin was an otherworldly white, smooth and almost luminous in the dim light, but it was her ears that caught the eye—one elegantly pointed, a hallmark of her kind, while the other bore a jagged edge where its pointed tip had been cruelly severed, a silent testament to a past untold.

She turned to Akshay, her voice light but laced with a flirtatious undertone. "Are you jealous, Akshay?" she teased, stepping closer, her presence drawing him in. "Don't worry... You're the only one I have eyes for."

As she slid nearer, her index finger pressed lightly against his chest, her touch delicate yet charged. "You always take my breath away with those beautiful crimson eyes and that white hair," she purred.

Akshay quickly sidestepped her approached, deflecting with a casual grin "Hey, my hoodie's pretty much covered in blood. So, let's not ruin your clothes too."

"Haha, rejected again," Vragha snickered from the side, his voice carrying a teasing edge.

Nayana shot him a glare, her cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and irritation. "Shut it… you damn animal," she snapped, her tone a little sharper than intended.

"Hey…," Vragha shrugged, unfazed. "I mean, you're not wrong… But still, it's rude."

But their moment was interrupted by a sudden voice. "Are you guys done?"

Turning to the voice, they saw a familiar face, a young man, about twenty-eight years old, casually dressed with a bag slung over his shoulder, leaning against a concrete post as he watched them.

He tossed the bag their way, stepped forward, his boots crunching against the blood-soaked debris. His eyes scanned the place, a headless man's body, a severed head, the mutilated remains of a Vrikraal with its arm and head turn of, and a twisted pile of flesh, guts and bone.

"You guys sure made a damn mess, huh?" he remarked dryly, raising his eyebrow.

By now, Vragha dressed up with a new shirt and pants, wiping the blood stains and dirt as thought nothing unusual had happened.

Akshay stripped off his bloodied clothes, wiping the crimson stains from his skin with steady, deliberate movements. He pulled a fresh T-shirt over his head, followed by another black hoodie, the familiar fabric grounding him amidst the chaos. His gaze drifted to where Maya lay unconscious, nearly forgotten amid the aftermath.

As he approached her, his eyes caught on her torn clothing, her exposed shoulder revealing a glimpse of her undergarment. Though her state was one of vulnerability, Akshay quickly averted his gaze, respect overriding any lingering thoughts. Without hesitation, he shrugged off his hoodie, gently draping it over her cover what was left bare by the ripped fabric.

From the corner of his eye, the young man smirked, his voice cutting through the silence. "Akshay… can I do my job this time?"

Akshay glanced over his shoulder, his expression still shadowed with frustration, but he gave a curt nod. The man's attention flicked toward Maya. "Alright, all of you head down. Akshay, carry her. And, Vragha," he gestured with casual authority, "grab his crutch."

Nayana and Vragha exchanged glances, silently acknowledging the order before making their way downstairs. Akshay lingered for a moment, his eyes locked on Maya. Her reddened cheek, branded by the earlier violence, stirred something deep within him—a storm of anger and frustration he couldn't entirely suppress. He had kept his cool when it mattered most, but now, in the quiet aftermath, the memory of her cries struck harder than he expected.

"Hey, Akshay!" the man barked, breaking his reverie. "You want her to get left behind in the flames?"

The sharp tone jolted him back to reality. Shaking off his hesitation, Akshay bent down, with a steady breath, he scooped her up gently, cradling her limps from in his arms. As the hoodie was covering her, her head rested against his shoulder, her dark hair spilling over his arm, as he held her with a firm but careful hands. Without hesitation, he began to descend the stairs carrying her as if she weighted nothing.

As they reached the ground, two newly arrived cars were there. Among them were standing Virat and a woman in a khaki police uniform, who appeared to be around 26 years old. Noticing them, she hurried to her vehicle and opened the back door just as Akshay gently placed the unconscious Maya inside.

Once he secured her in the back seat, the woman patted Akshay's head with an appreciative smile. "You okay, Akshay?" she asked warmly.

"I'm fine, Tanaya Di," Akshay replied quietly.

Tanaya ten turned to Vragha and Nayana. "And you two?"

"We're good, Tanaya Di," Vragha responded, giving a thumbs-up with both hands

However, Virat's gaze was fixed on Akshay, a look of concern mixed with frustration in his eyes. "Hey, Akshay, come here," he called.

Akshay nodded and stepped closer; his demeanor subdued. "What happened to your arm? Why is it shaking?" Virat asked, his voice steady but firm.

Akshay's eyes widened with alarm as he instinctively tucked his trembling hand behind his back. "It's… nothing," he stammered, attempting to mask his unease.

Without warning, Virat's hand lashed out, the slap echoing sharply in the stillness. Tanaya gasped in shock, while Vragha and Nayana froze, their expressions reflecting a mix of fear and disbelief.

Grabbing a fistful of Akshay's hair, Virat pulled his head to the side, forcing him to meet his piercing gaze. "How many years has it been?" he demanded, his voice low but brimming with anger.

Akshay, who had faced death and fought monstrous Vrikraals just moments ago, now looked utterly powerless. The fear in his crimson eyes was palpable, rendering him unable to respond immediately.

"How many… years?" Virat repeated, his tone insistent.

"Si… Sixteen" Akshay finally responded; his voice barely louder than a whisper.

"Virat, that's enough," Tanaya interjected, her tone firm as she stepped forward, attempting to diffuse the tension.

Virat released Akshay's hair but continued to glare at him. Akshay just looked down, resembling a frightened animal before a more powerful predator.

"Let me take the girl back to her home," Tanaya said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument. She then turned to Akshay. "And Akshay, you're coming with me."

"Why?" Virat's sharp voice cut through the air, his brows furrowing in disapproval.

"She's his classmate, isn't she?" Tanaya explained. "If she's already seen his face, it'll raise suspicion if he's not there."

Virat's jaw tightened as he considered her words. Finally, he relented. "Fine," he said, his voice curt. He turned to Akshay, his gaze stern. "Change your appearance."

Akshay nodded and closed his eyes, focusing deeply. Gradually, his hair shifted from stark white to jet black, and when he opened his eyes, they were a normal, unremarkable shade. The lingering mark from Virat's slap faded as if it had never been there.

As he moved toward the back seat of the car, Vragha called out, "Akshay!" He paused and turned, just in time to catch the elbow crutch Vragha tossed his way.

Tanaya glanced at him as she adjusted the driver's seat. "So, where does she live?" she asked, casting a quick glance back at Maya, who lay unconscious in the back seat.

Akshay reached into his pocket and handed her Maya's school ID, the address clearly visible on the laminated card.

Tanaya raised an eyebrow, her expression curious. "Where did you find this?"

"I picked it up earlier," Akshay replied casually, though his thoughts were still racing with everything that had just unfolded.

Tanaya studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Alright," she said, slipping the ID into her pocket.

She started the car, the engine humming to life. With a final glance at Virat, Vragha, and Nayana, she drove off into the night, leaving them behind as the vehicle disappeared into the distance.