Part 36 – The First Dreamer Appears

The room fell into stunned silence. The weight of Kael's words hung in the air like a thick fog.

Then—the door creaked open.

A slow, deliberate set of footsteps echoed through the dimly lit room.

Maya's breath hitched. No… it can't be.

Arjun turned toward the doorway, his fists still clenched, his body tense. And then—he saw him.

Dr. Varman.

The man stepped inside, his sharp gaze scanning the room before settling on Arjun. His face was calm, unreadable—but his presence was overwhelming.

"Father?" Arjun's voice cracked, a mix of shock and anger.

Dr. Varman exhaled slowly. "You've done well to come this far." His voice was measured, almost… calculated.

Maya felt her pulse quicken. There was something off about him—about the way he looked at them.

"You knew we would come," she whispered.

Dr. Varman's eyes met hers. "Of course."

Arjun took a step forward, his expression tight. "You… You're the first dreamer?"

Dr. Varman didn't answer right away. Instead, he looked at Kael, then at Aditya. A knowing smirk tugged at his lips.

"You figured it out," he finally said. "I was the first."

A stunned silence followed.

Maya couldn't breathe. The first dreamer. The one who started it all.

Arjun's jaw clenched. "Then tell us the truth. All of it."

Dr. Varman sighed, walking further inside, his steps careful. "The truth… is complicated."

He turned toward Kael. "You always were impatient."

Kael chuckled darkly. "And you were always too careful."

Maya's stomach twisted. These two had been working together for years.

Dr. Varman finally turned back to them. "I need you to listen carefully. Because what I'm about to tell you… changes everything."

The room felt impossibly still.

And then—he spoke.