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- Hidden Flame Base, Outskirts of Bombay-
- May 5, 1937 | Late Evening -
The air was heavy in the infirmary, not with silence, but with uncertainty.
The teleporter—a sharp-eyed woman named Maya—appeared in a flicker of blue light, her arms wrapped around the slumped figure of a tall man whose ornate jacket was scorched and torn. Blood stained his side, his face bruised and breath ragged. Without a word, medics rushed forward, lowering him gently onto the padded table under soft lights.
"Who is he?" one of the medics whispered, eyeing the unfamiliar face.
"No ID," Maya replied tightly, stepping back. "But he appears to be like us, a superpowered individual. He was fighting with a thing that appeared to be a monster which was chasing him. One I've never seen before."
Within minutes, the medics began tending to the man's wounds. The stranger stirred. His eyes fluttered open—dark, sharp, but clouded with pain. He looked around, quickly taking in his surroundings. No marble temples or cosmic stars, just steel walls, clinical lights, and unfamiliar symbols.
"Where… am I?" he rasped.
"You're safe," came a calm voice. A tall man with a trimmed beard and the insignia of the Hidden Flame on his coat stepped forward. "I'm Captain Revaan. You were brought to our base after that… thing attacked you."
Kingo blinked, slow and guarded. "Thank you," he said quietly, forcing composure. "But I don't think I can stay."
Revaan raised an eyebrow. "You were nearly torn in half by something out of a nightmare. We need answers—what was it? Why was it after you? And who exactly are you?"
A breath passed. Kingo sat up straighter, the pain dulling already thanks to his rapid healing. But he kept one hand curled under the blanket, close to his hip, as if ready to bolt. "I… I'm Rajdeep Verma. An Actor from Bombay Film Industry."
Maya and Revaan exchanged glances.
"I was filming nearby. That… thing came out of nowhere. No idea what it wanted." He met their eyes. "Maybe it was just a wild animal."
Revaan crossed his arms. "It moved faster than any wild animal. It had claws, adaptive armor, and was… tracking you."
Kingo gave a forced laugh. "Maybe it didn't like my last film."
The sarcasm fell flat.
Revaan leaned in, voice firmer now. "Look, Mr. Verma, or whoever you are—this isn't just a wildlife report. That creature tore through our security team. You clearly have abilities. We've seen it. So why lie?"
Kingo's smile faded. His voice lowered, tone clipped with hidden urgency. "Because I don't have time. I do heal faster than normal. I've had these abilities since birth. But I'm not here to cause trouble. I just need to leave."
Revaan didn't flinch. "Not until we're sure you're not a threat—or that the thing hunting you won't return."
Kingo's patience cracked. "Listen," he said, teeth clenched, "I'm not your enemy. My comrades are out there. I can't reach them. Something is stopping our communication. That thing, the monster—it's not alone. And if I stay here too long, people I care about will die."
There was something raw in his voice—fear, not for himself, but for others. It wasn't a lie. But it wasn't the whole truth either.
Revaan studied him in silence. Then sighed. "You say you have friends. Allies. But we have no record of you in any registry. No idea what species that creature was. None of our books or scouts have seen its kind before."
"They wouldn't," Kingo said, voice quieter now. "Not from this Earth."
Revaan narrowed his eyes.
Before either could say more, Maya stepped forward, tapping her sigil, a mark all the Hidden Flame members had, which ensures loyalty and communication between members and the higher ups. "Sir. Should we notify Command? This… feels bigger than us."
Revaan hesitated. He looked at Kingo, who was now staring at the floor, fists clenched in silent frustration. The man was clearly powerful. Clearly scared. And clearly hiding something.
"Yes," Revaan said finally. "Inform Vice Commander Karna and Commander Maheshvara. This isn't just a superpowered anomaly—it could be a threat to national security."
"And him?" Maya asked, glancing at Kingo.
Revaan met the Eternal's eyes. "We don't lock people up unless we must. But until we hear back, you'll stay here. For your safety—and ours."
Kingo looked away, jaw tight.
"I'm sorry," Revaan added. "But this isn't just about you anymore. That monster is still out there."
As Maya moved to send the urgent message, Kingo sat in silence. His thoughts raced to Sersi. To Ikaris. To Thena. Were they safe? Or already under attack?
He couldn't wait long.
But for now, he had no choice but to stay. He probably could break out of here by force but he didn't want to use force to harm the humans.
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The still air of the underground facility rippled—once, twice—and then tore open like a silk curtain. Out of the dark shimmer stepped two young figures. One bore the calm power of the void in his eyes; the other carried a warrior's presence, as if the room itself shifted to make space for his certainty.
Aryan Rajvanshi and Karna, the top commanders of the Hidden Flame, had arrived.
The soldiers stood a little straighter. Conversations ceased. Even the machinery seemed to hum quieter in their presence.
Revaan moved quickly to greet them. "Commander. Vice Commander. Thank you for coming on such short notice."
"You said it was urgent," Karna replied, his eyes scanning the room. "And strange."
"It is," Revaan nodded. "We've patched together what we could. A hostile entity of unknown classification attacked a civilian—or someone claiming to be one. He's healing far too quickly. Strength beyond normal parameters. But evasive. Almost… desperate."
Aryan narrowed his eyes, already sensing the faint remnants of distorted energy lingering in the infirmary corridors. "Take us to him."
The two men followed swiftly through the halls until they reached the medical wing.
Inside, Kingo sat upright on the bed now, pulling off the last remnants of gauze from his healed torso. His restlessness was clear—legs bouncing, eyes darting between the locked door and the exit sign. He looked like a man who had run out of time.
Then he looked up—and froze.
The young man who entered had an aura unlike anyone he'd seen in decades. Dressed simply, yet with undeniable authority in his bearing. His presence didn't just fill the room—it redefined it. Behind him stood another figure of similar age—taller, with blade-callused hands and a bronze gaze, calm and measured like a war-forged guardian.
But it was the first who spoke.
"Hello, Kingo," Aryan said gently. "Or would you prefer Kingo Sunen?"
The Eternal stiffened. "What did you say?"
"I said your name," Aryan replied, stepping closer. "Your real one. And don't worry—I'm not here to harm you. Only to understand."
Kingo stood up slowly, searching the young man's eyes for deception. "How do you know that name?"
Aryan offered a faint smile. "Because I simply do. I know of many secrets unknown to the world—and no, even if you ask me I'm not going to explain how I know them. But one thing I can say is that I know enough about you, your allies, and what you're up against." His eyes shimmered faintly with golden script—his Analysis skill activating quietly, pulling threads of cosmic truth. "You're not just an actor. You're one of the Eternals. Created to fight the Deviants."
Karna's eyes narrowed slightly. He remained silent, observing everything with his usual, calculated calm.
Kingo's shoulders sagged with reluctant awe. "Not many are supposed to know that," he muttered. "Except… a few. And the Celestials."
Aryan nodded. "Don't worry—I'm not your enemy. In fact, I'm grateful. To you and the other Eternals. For protecting us for so long. I know of your mission. Your kind. And of those monsters."
"You mean the Deviants," Kingo confirmed quietly, his voice edged with concern. "Then you must have understood what we're up against."
"I do," Aryan said. "But what confuses me is… how were you hurt? The Eternals were designed to fight Deviants. You should've had the upper hand."
Kingo shook his head. "I thought the same. But this one—it was different. It adapted mid-fight. Took my energy blasts and fed on them. Grew stronger with each hit. I barely escaped."
Aryan exchanged a quick glance with Karna. The Vice Commander gave a small nod—confirmation of a pattern they were starting to see.
"This isn't like the accounts I remember," Aryan admitted. "Something's changed. Or something's evolving."
Kingo's tone darkened. "That's why I need to leave. I have to find the others—Sersi, Ikaris, the rest. I haven't been able to contact them since the attack. If it's happening to me, they're in danger too."
"I understand," Aryan said softly. "But you must see why we couldn't let you go just yet. An unknown superhuman, pursued by an otherworldly entity, showing up at our doorstep—this could've been a disaster."
"I get it," Kingo said, his voice rough with worry. "But time is not a luxury I have. If that Deviant reaches my friends before I do—"
"We won't stop you," Aryan cut in, placing a calming hand on his shoulder. "But let us help. I have resources. I have people. And I understand enough to know this isn't just your burden anymore. If the Deviants are back—and worse than before—then Earth itself is in danger."
Kingo blinked. Slowly, the tension in his frame eased. For the first time since the attack, he didn't feel alone.
"I go where I must," he said. "But… if you can help, I won't say no."
Karna finally spoke. "Then let's start with tracking your attacker. And if others like it emerge—we hunt them. Together."
Aryan nodded. "You're not fighting this alone, Kingo. Not anymore."
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