Echoes of the Flame

A possessed human, imbued with terrifying power, wreaks havoc, defying even gunfire. As fear grips the hearts of men, Moksh confronts the chilling reality: time is running out. He must unravel the mystery of the possession and find a way to combat this supernatural threat before it consumes everything. The fate of humanity hangs in the balance, resting on Moksh's ability to tap into hidden strengths and perhaps, even the mystic arts themselves.

The roar ripped through the air, a guttural sound that froze the council officers in their tracks. Paralyzed by fear, they watched as the possessed human, its eyes burning with malevolent energy, advanced. Moksh's mind screamed, Not again! The memory of the inferno, the screams, the accusing eyes of the survivors, flashed before him. He could still smell the acrid smoke, hear the crackling flames. It's my fault. I should have… The mantra echoed in his head, a relentless torment.

He saw himself again, standing amidst the charred rubble, the faces of the dead etched in his memory. "It's because of you!" they'd shrieked, their voices accusing whispers in the wind. "If you'd warned us…" The words were daggers, twisting in his heart. Dismissed. A pariah. He'd vowed never to interfere again, to fade into the background, to become invisible.

But the sight of the officers, helpless before the creature, snapped him back to reality. He couldn't stand by and watch another tragedy unfold. No! I have to act! He glanced around frantically. Council backup. Where are they? He couldn't wait. He had to do something, anything.

Moksh sprinted towards the nearest unconscious sniper, his hand trembling as he grabbed the fallen weapon. As he raised the rifle, a fresh wave of memories crashed over him. This time, it was a monstrous, hulking figure, wreathed in flames, laying waste to the city. Buildings crumbled like sandcastles, and the air was thick with the stench of burning flesh. That creature… it's the same… He saw his own hat, lying incongruously in the middle of the creature's chest, a target painted in blood.

The vision broke, and he was back in the present, the possessed human just meters away. He focused, ignoring the tremor in his hands. Anti paranormal bullet… He remembered the specialized rounds, designed to neutralize these supernatural threats. He chambered one, the metallic click echoing in the sudden silence. He aimed, his breath catching in his throat. The creature was almost upon the officers.

Boom! The rifle roared, spitting fire and death. The anti paranormal bullet slammed into the possessed human, right where his hat had been in the vision. The creature convulsed, a guttural shriek escaping its lips, and crashed to the ground, its unnatural energy dissipating like smoke. The officers remained motionless, still trapped in their fear-induced paralysis.

"Back in the profession again, I see." The voice was familiar, laced with a hint of amusement. Moksh turned to see Albert Sarkar, the council's elite operative, standing a short distance away. Relief washed over him, quickly followed by a wave of guilt. He'd broken his vow. He'd interfered.

"I… I'm sorry," Moksh stammered, his eyes fixed on the fallen creature. "I'm leaving now. Forgive me if I've caused any inconvenience." He turned to walk away, desperate to escape before the recriminations began.

"Hold on, Moksh," Albert called out, his tone unexpectedly friendly. "Give me your home address. I'd like to talk to you about something."

Moksh hesitated, surprised by Albert's demeanor. He gave the address, then hurried away, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Why does he want to talk to me? Is this a trap?

As he disappeared, Albert calmly observed the fallen creature. It twitched, attempting to rise. With practiced ease, Albert drew his own weapon and fired. Four precise shots, each hitting a vital point. The creature finally stilled, its threat neutralized. Albert watched, his expression unreadable, then turned in the direction Moksh had gone. "How long can you run from the truth?" he murmured to himself.

Moksh arrived home to the familiar chaos of his family. His sister, Tara, was arguing with their older brother, Rashid, about something trivial. The smell of spices hung heavy in the air, a comforting reminder of normalcy. But the memory of the creature, the fear in the officers' eyes, kept intruding.

"I'm going to the shop," Moksh announced, trying to sound casual.

"No, you're not," Tara retorted, her voice sharp. "You're still recovering."

Rashid, their usually jovial brother, frowned. "I gave you two months' leave, Moksh. What's the rush?"

"I don't feel like sitting around," Moksh replied, avoiding their gazes. He knew they were worried about him, but he couldn't explain the restlessness that gnawed at him.

"Where were you yesterday?" Rashid asked, his voice hardening. "You came back late."

Moksh flinched. He'd known this was coming. "I… I was with a friend," he mumbled.

"A friend you meet in the middle of the night?" Rashid's suspicion was evident.

"Just drop it, Rashid," Moksh snapped, his frustration boiling over. "I'll stay home for another two weeks, okay? Then I'm going back to the shop."

He turned to Tara, changing the subject. "Isn't there a parent-teacher meeting at your school today? Why didn't you tell me?"

The tension in the room eased slightly. Tara explained that the meeting was at 11:00 am, and Moksh promised to be there.

After Rashid and Tara left, the doorbell rang. Moksh opened the door to find Inspector Vikas standing there. "Don't ask me in," Vikas said, his expression serious.

Moksh, surprised by the unexpected visit, stepped aside. Vikas entered and sat heavily on the sofa. "What were you doing there yesterday, Moksh?" he asked, his eyes searching Moksh's face.

"I told you, I was with a friend," Moksh replied, trying to maintain his composure. "We were discussing a business proposal. I can give you the address if you want." He added, almost as an afterthought, "I didn't know there was a possessed human there."

Vikas raised an eyebrow. "Oh really?" he said, a hint of skepticism in his voice. "And how's your hand? You weren't injured in this… discussion?"

Moksh bristled. "What are you talking about, sir? I didn't fight anyone. We were just talking."

Vikas picked up the remote and switched on the TV. The news was reporting on the incident with the possessed human. The reporter praised Albert Sarkar's quick action in containing the threat. "These incidents are becoming more frequent," the reporter said. "Experts believe they are linked to negative emotions. Citizens are urged to remain calm and avoid succumbing to fear and anger."

Moksh watched, his heart pounding. He was nowhere to be seen in the footage. Of course not, he thought. I'm a ghost.

Vikas turned to Moksh, his eyes narrowed. "You weren't there, huh?"

"No, sir," Moksh said firmly. "If I was, I wouldn't be hiding. I have nothing to be ashamed of."

Vikas considered this for a moment. "So, what are your plans now?"

"I have to go to Tara's school," Moksh said. "Parent-teacher meeting. It starts at 11:00." He glanced at his watch. "Oh, it's almost time. I have to go."

"I'll drop you," Vikas offered.

Moksh hesitated, then agreed. He couldn't afford to be late. Vikas dropped him off at the school gates and drove away. As Moksh turned to enter, a voice called his name. He turned to face the speaker. It was Albert.

"Moksh," Albert said, his voice calm and measured. He wasn't in his Council uniform, but dressed casually, yet an aura of authority still clung to him. "We need to talk."

Moksh felt a knot tighten in his stomach. He nodded slowly. "About yesterday?"

Albert shook his head slightly. "About a great many things. But not here. Come with me."

He gestured towards a nondescript car parked across the street. Moksh hesitated. He had a parent-teacher meeting to attend. He glanced at the school, then back at Albert. There was something in the man's eyes, a knowing look that made Moksh's blood run cold. He felt an inexplicable pull towards Albert, a sense that he couldn't refuse.

"Just a few minutes," Moksh said, a flicker of anxiety in his voice. He knew he was making a mistake, but he couldn't help himself.

He followed Albert to the car and got in. As they drove away, Moksh glanced back at the school. Tara would be waiting for him. Rashid would be furious. But something told him that this meeting with Albert was more important, more significant, than anything he could possibly imagine. He just didn't know what.

The car took them to a secluded location, an old warehouse on the outskirts of the city. Albert led Moksh inside. The warehouse was empty, save for a single table and two chairs in the center. The air was thick with dust and the.

In the heart of the city, Albert led Moksh to a desolate warehouse, a place where shadows danced with secrets. Moksh's past was a tapestry of enigmatic memories, a life shrouded in mystery. Albert, a man of few words, sought to unveil the truth, a revelation that would forever alter Moksh's destiny.