Chapter 66:Before The Storm

Morning at Jengraimukh Academy

The golden sunlight bathed the academy grounds as students bustled about, still energized from the victory at the Annual Event. For the first time in weeks, there was no immediate danger, no noises, no battles to fight.

Yet, deep inside, Mri felt a strange unease.

Standing on the rooftop of the academy, he stared at the horizon, where the roads led to Dibrugarh.

A voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

> "You're doing it again."

Mri turned to see Jasmine, arms crossed, raising an eyebrow at him.

He smirked. "Doing what?"

She walked up beside him, looking at the horizon. "Staring into the distance like some tragic hero. Thinking too much."

Mri chuckled. "I'm not a tragic hero."

Jasmine smirked. "Oh? Then why do you always act like one?"

Mri had no answer for that.

She sighed. "You're thinking about leaving, aren't you?"

Mri hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah. I got a message last night. I have to go to."

Jasmine frowned. "And you're not even going to tell me?"

Mri looked at her, confused. "Why would I?"

Jasmine punched his arm.

> "Because I'm your damn buddy, idiot."

Mri winced. "Ow."

Jasmine glared. "I know you like handling things alone, but that's not how this works. You have friends now, Mri."

Mri rubbed his arm. "Fine, fine. I was going to tell you."

Jasmine raised an eyebrow. "Liar."

Mri sighed. "Okay, I wasn't. But I will now."

Jasmine nodded, satisfied. "Good. Because I'm coming with you."

Mri's eyes widened. "Wait, what?"

Principal Kutum's Office: The Mysterious Meeting

Meanwhile, inside the Principal's office, Basanta Kutum sat behind his desk, staring at the figure hidden in the shadows.

> "So, it's finally happening," the figure said.

Basanta sighed. "It seems so. Mri is leaving."

The figure was silent for a moment. Then—a low chuckle.

> "The past always catches up, doesn't it?"

Basanta looked uneasy. "This isn't a game. If he finds out the truth…"

The figure leaned forward, revealing a scarred jawline and piercing eyes.

> "Then it's up to him whether he can handle it."

Basanta's expression hardened. "And if he can't?"

The figure smirked. "Then he was never meant to survive."

The tension in the room was suffocating.

> "You're playing a dangerous game," Basanta muttered.

The figure's smirk widened. "Aren't we all?"

Then, in a blink, the figure vanished.

Basanta exhaled heavily, rubbing his temples.

> "Mri… be careful."

The Dragons & Amai Gang: A Tense Alliance

Across town, inside an abandoned warehouse, the Amai Gang and The Dragons gathered once again.

This time, the atmosphere was different.

There was no hostility—only a silent understanding.

Biplob leaned back against a crate, spinning a knife in his hands. "So, it's decided then?"

Baikon nodded. "Yes. We'll put aside our differences."

Girish, Amai's second-in-command, raised an eyebrow. "Just like that? No dramatic fights first?"

Gaurav scoffed. "If you want a fight, I can give you one."

Biplob laughed. "Nah. I like my face intact."

Girish sighed. "Fine. But let's be clear—we're not friends."

Baikon smirked. "No. We're just on the same side… for now."

Biplob's expression darkened. "Good. Because we're gonna need all the help we can get."

Girish frowned. "You still think it is a bigger threat?"

Biplob's smirk faded.

> "No. I know it is."

A heavy silence fell over the room.

Something was waiting .

Something far worse than the Monstrous Beasts.

And they weren't ready for it.

Mri's Final Night at the Academy

That evening, Mri sat outside with Ayang,Rihan & Jasmine.

They gathered around a small bonfire, the warm glow flickering against their faces.

Rihan stretched. "Man, I forgot what peace felt like."

Ayang laughed. "Enjoy it while it lasts. Knowing Mri, he'll be fighting again soon."

Mri smirked. "Hey, not everything revolves around me."

Jasmine rolled her eyes. "Yeah? Then why do we keep ending up in life-or-death situations with you?"

Mri shrugged. "Bad luck?"

Rihan sighed. "So, you're really going to Dibrugarh?"

Mri nodded. "Yeah."

Ayang grinned. "Then let's make it count."

The group sat in comfortable silence, staring at the fire.

Tomorrow… everything would change.

And none of them knew what was waiting for them on the other side.