Kunal and Vaibhav moved through the dark streets, heads down, sticking close to walls and shadows. Every glance felt like it could be a spy. But they didn't stop. They didn't talk.
Only when they reached the busy market, blending into the crowd, did Kunal let out a slow breath.
Vaibhav nudged him. "Bro… your face looks like you just fought against five Asuras. Just relax. We're almost at the lodge."
Kunal gave a tired smile. "I'm relaxed."
Vaibhav raised an eyebrow. "Your shoulders say otherwise."
---
Their lodge was small, plain, tucked between shops. Nothing special. That was the point. It didn't stand out. People passed by without a second look. Abhishek had booked it for them earlier, calling it "the perfect hideaway."
Inside, the room was simple — one bed, one chair, an old fan creaking above. But the lock worked. The curtains closed tight. It was safe. Private.
"Not bad," Vaibhav said, throwing his bag on the bed. "Abhishek's a magician, finding this from Mumbai."
"More like a paranoid genius," Kunal said, sitting down, stretching his legs.
---
They set up the call. Ananya appeared on screen, worry in her eyes. Abhishek sat beside her, sipping coffee, as if he was attending a normal office meeting from his home.
Kunal told them everything — the tunnel filled with gems, the golden hall, the Throne, the vision of Chanakya.
Vaibhav jumped in, grinning. "And then I touched this shiny gem—bam! Darkness. Bro, I swear, it felt like something slapped me from nowhere."
Ananya gasped. "You WHAT?"
"I let go!" Vaibhav defended. "But seriously, that place? Not normal."
Kunal chimed," It was me who slapped you."
Vaibhav stared at him with a shocked face.
Abhishek shook his head. "You're lucky you didn't get buried alive."
---
Halfway through, Ananya frowned. "Kunal… when did you last call your mom?"
Kunal blinked. "…uh…"
"When?"
"…four days ago."
"Kunal."
He sighed. "Okay, okay. I'll call her."
He smiled a little. "Honestly, if she wasn't there… I don't know what I'd be."
Vaibhav groaned. "Oh wow. And we're just some background characters then loitering in the background?"
"Yeah," Abhishek added. "We are NPCs."
Kunal laughed. "Fine. You're main party members. Happy?"
"Barely," Vaibhav grinned.
---
They turned back to planning.
"I've been thinking," Kunal said. "That place… I think Chanakya was the one who made the pact with Devas."
Abhishek leaned forward. "Why do you think so?"
"Because no way that site can remain untouched for so long, just right next to a city. Even archaeologists were blocked—but not harmed. Like silent protection's covering it."
Ananya nodded slowly. "A hidden contract."
"Exactly."
They sat quiet for a moment.
"Tomorrow," Kunal said. "We go back. We take what's waiting for us."
---
Later that night, Kunal stood on the balcony, phone pressed to his ear.
"Mummy?"
"Kunal! Where are you?"
"I'm safe. Just busy. Bad network here. Lots of travel."
"Are you eating? You sound tired."
"I'm eating. Promise."
"Come home soon."
"I will. I miss you."
He hung up quietly, breathing in deeply to push away his guilt.
---
Before sunrise, Kunal and Vaibhav pedaled rented bicycles through the empty streets, backpacks strapped tight.
"You really think all the treasure's gonna fit in these?" Vaibhav asked, eyeing the bags.
"Chanakya said it's ours," Kunal replied. "We'll figure it out."
Vaibhav snorted. "Watch us roll out looking like ancient delivery boys."
They pedaled forward. Ahead, the mound waited—quiet, still, glowing faintly as the first light touched the sky.
---
Somewhere far away. Hidden beyond mountains.
A place veiled behind the Himalayas. Snow didn't reach here. Green forests spread wide. Rivers ran clear, feeding into a crystal lake. Orchards bloomed with many exotic fruits. Strange birds flew. Animals moved peacefully. The air felt… untouched. Beyond the corruption of a normal life.
At the center, a castle stood above a large waterfall. White and gold. Ancient symbols carved deep into its walls. Water fell from it, feeding the river below.
Inside, a grand hall stretched under high ceilings. A long table stood, surrounded by chairs. Figures sat — each with their own aura. Some calm. Some fiery. Some cold.
At the head sat a man in a blue blazer, white shirt, white pants, white shoes. His skin fair. Hair dark, streaked with light blue. His sharp eyes watched the room.
"Director Agni," he spoke. "Your report said he's regaining his memories faster than expected. Is it true? Do we need to speed up?"
Director Agni — the same man who'd met Kunal in the cave earlier— leaned back. Now his aura burned hotter.
He sighed. "Indra… seriously. Do you really have to cosplay corporate even here?"
Indra smirked. "Not just Indra. CEO Indra. Owner of OmniCorp Innovations. A Fortune 500 company. And aiming for number one."
Agni groaned.
Indra's grin sharpened. "But speaking of business—our ex-employee Kunal's ahead of schedule. His actions are shifting our timelines. It's messing with our bandwidth."
Everyone sighed.
Agni rubbed his face.
Then Samyara spoke—the golden-eyed woman Kunal had seen that night. Her voice cut through the room.
"Enough, Indra. He's already at the vault Chanakya left for him. Once he opens it… everything changes. We need to be ready. I won't let him suffer again."
Indra raised an eyebrow. "Board Member Samyara, I understand your concerns. But this time's different. We are prepared this time."
Varayan, the monk beside her, added quietly, "You said that last time too, Lord Indra. And we lost him even if we could do something if you took some action when we suggested."
Indra's smile faded. His aura cracked with electric current. The air becomes heavy. Pressuring everyone present their, making Varayan flinch others at the far end grab their chairs and the table to steady themselves.
"Chief Executive Varayan," Indra said coldly. "I ask you to respect the decorum. Or else you can leave."
A new aura fell—soft, absolute. It locked Indra's power in place.
"No one talks down to Varayan," Samyara said quietly. "Not here, not anywhere."
Behind Agni, another figure leaned forward. Green jacket. Short brown hair streaked with emerald.
"If you guys wanna fight," Vayu said, "go fight Asuras. We're here to plan."
Indra grinned again. "Thanks, Director Vayu."
He turned back to Samyara, his tone light. "I apologize. But trust us. We're ready. Less than two years are left. Everything's moving, I request you to not get involved in something which we can't handle for now."
Samyara stared at him. "We'll see. Only one year. After that, I will decide what I should do."
Indra's grin widened.
He looked at the others, voice dropping dead serious.
"The Crimson Lotus is blooming faster. World's karma is thinning away. Every faction will fight for this world, to gain more Karma. We can't let them win. We can't be left behind. We are Devas. Protectors of humanity. OmniCorp was built for this."
He pointed upward.
"Deadline moves up. Four months sooner."
Murmurs spread.
Above the castle, clouds parted.
A crimson constellation glowed.
Its fourth star had begun to shine.
And Indra's smile faded, his eyes locked upward.
"We move fast. Or we lose everything like before."
To be continued…