Chapter 5 – Escape and Revelation

  The next morning, Adhira knew that the Snake Organization would return sooner or later. Those relics were not just objects to them; they were a source of power, a secret that perhaps only Adhira truly understood. They had to leave—fast.

  He rushed back into his home, gathering whatever little supplies he could find—things that might help him and Savi on their journey. Among the scattered remains, his eyes fell upon something familiar.

  A book.

  An old, half-burnt book.

  Memories flooded his mind—how Yama used to tell him stories from this very book when he was a child. It was damaged, charred from the fire, but still intact enough to read. Without a second thought, Adhira slipped it into his bag and stepped outside.

  The moment he did, his breath caught in his throat.

  Two Snake Organization guards stood there, smirking. One of them held a knife to Savi’s throat.

  “Well, well… so you’re Adhira,” one of them sneered. “We searched everywhere that night, but you were nowhere to be found. Hiding like a little mouse, weren’t you?” He chuckled darkly. “But today… today, luck isn’t on your side.”

  Adhira felt his rage boil inside him. His fists clenched. His heartbeat pounded in his ears.

  The second guard stepped forward. “Where are the other two relics? Tell us, and we’ll let the girl go.”

  Adhira didn’t answer. Instead, he slowly brought his sword forward, as if he was about to surrender it. His steps were measured, controlled… but deep inside, his fury was reaching its breaking point.

  Then—his eyes burned.

  A sudden glow erupted from his red eye.

  The guards barely had time to react before—SHRING!

  In the blink of an eye, one of the guards screamed as his arm was severed clean from his body. Blood splattered across the ground. He barely realized what had happened before his knees buckled.

  The other guard’s eyes widened in terror. Where is he?! He turned sharply, but Adhira was gone.

  Then—behind him.

  The guard barely had time to turn before he saw them—glowing, fiery red eyes piercing through the air.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  Adhira’s strength and agility had increased beyond human limits. It was as if he had teleported. With a single strike, he had severed the first guard’s arm within a millisecond.

  Savi scrambled backward, clutching her bow tightly. But then—Adhira staggered.

  Pain.

  A searing, unbearable pain.

  His eyes burned, his veins felt like they were tearing apart, his bones felt like they were breaking from the inside. His body had never used this power before—he wasn’t ready for it.

  Adhira collapsed to his knees.

  The second guard saw his chance. Gripping his sword tightly, he lunged forward, aiming straight for Adhira’s neck.

  But then—

  Savi’s eyes glowed.

  Her bow hummed with power.

  There was a resonance between them—between Adhira’s rage and Savi’s will. As she pulled back the bowstring, an arrow formed out of thin air, glowing bright with raw energy.

  The air around her heated up. Sweat dripped down her forehead.

  The guard’s sword was only inches from Adhira’s throat—

  Savi released the arrow.

  A blazing fire arrow shot through the air at blinding speed.

  The moment it pierced the guard’s eyeball, flames erupted from his body. His screams were drowned out by the crackling fire consuming him. Within seconds, he was nothing but ash.

  Savi rushed to Adhira, trying to lift him, but his body was too weak to move. Panic rose inside her—she could see them.

  More Snake Organization guards were coming. Dozens of them.

  Summoning all her strength, she slung Adhira’s arm over her shoulder, dragged him toward a small boat by the river, and pushed off just as the enemy forces arrived.

  They had escaped.

  For now.

  Meanwhile…

  Back in the ruined village, a lone figure stepped down from a throne-like seat. A slow, chilling laugh escaped from his lips.

  In his hand… was the eyeball of the fallen guard.

  Without hesitation, he popped it into his mouth and ate it.

  The remaining guards trembled in fear. The man’s face was still hidden beneath his hood, but his aura was suffocating.

  “What a beautiful day, isn’t it?” he said, his voice dripping with amusement. “The shining sun… the shimmering river… and these glowing eyes.”

  One of the guards nervously stepped forward. “Y-yes, Maharaj…”

  The hooded man turned to him. Slowly, he reached out, gripping the guard’s face. Then—he pulled the man’s head under his hood.

  A sickening hiss.

  When he let go, the guard’s face was melting. Flesh dripped off his bones like wax, eaten away by something acidic.

  “Useless,” the hooded figure muttered, stepping over the dying man’s body.

  His eyes gleamed beneath the hood.

  “It’s time to hunt.”