On an ordinary planet, where regular humans and animals coexisted, a baby was born in a modest hospital. The cries of the newborn echoed through the halls.
"Uaaa... UuuAAAnn... Hnnnnn... UuuuAAA..."
Five Years Later
The child, now named Era Dube, sat alone in his room in deep meditation. His eyes were closed, his breathing calm and measured.
"When I was very young... something inside my brain changed," he thought. "I started reading books when I was just a year old. One book talked about the connection between the spirit, brain, and body. If I can unlock my spiritual power, my brain and body will both be enhanced... and I'll be able to control them completely."
Era continued his meditation, focused entirely on reaching a higher state of consciousness.
"With proper training, I can hide my presence, sharpen my mind, and even reach a level where I can think a thousand thoughts in a single second. My memory will become flawless. My body, stronger. And all this... starts with spiritual strength. That's why I meditate every day."
Suddenly, his senses tingled.
"Someone's coming."
CLICK... CLACK... CLICK...
The door creaked open.
"Era! What are you doing?" his elder sister Taniya called.
Era quickly shifted, lying on the bed and grabbing his phone. "Uh... just playing a game, Didi."
She rolled her eyes. "Mom's been calling you for ages! Didn't you hear?!"
"Maybe I was just too focused on the game," he shrugged, pretending.
Taniya scoffed. "You little ones really know how to escape responsibilities. Anyway, get up. Mom's waiting."
As she walked off, Era's thoughts returned to his secret life.
"No one in my family knows that I've been unlocking my spiritual powers. They don't know that I've been enhancing both my mental and physical strength. And I plan to keep it that way—for now."
Seven Years Later
Rain poured heavily over the streets as 12-year-old Era exited his tuition class. He opened his umbrella and began walking home. The sounds of water splashing under his shoes echoed faintly.
CLINK... CLINK... CLINK...CHAP... CHAP... SSSHH...
As he passed a narrow alley, something made him stop. He turned, peering into the darkness. There, huddled together in the wet, garbage-ridden corner, sat four children—two boys and two girls—around nine or ten years old.
"What are you kids doing here?!" Era called out. "Go home! You'll get soaked!"
One of the boys looked up. "We don't have a home. This is where we live."
"In this trash?" Era's brows furrowed.
"Yes," another child said. "We eat here, sleep here... This is all we have."
"What are your names?" Era asked softly.
The first boy replied, "I'm Harsh. These are my friends."
"I'm Kavi," the second boy said.
"I'm Rita," one of the girls added.
"And I'm Pinky," said the other.
Era paused, looking at them—so young, yet already abandoned by the world. A fire lit within him.
"They have no home... maybe I can give them something more."
"Come with me," he said firmly.
Pinky blinked. "Where?"
"I'll explain once we get there."
He opened his bag and pulled out another folded umbrella, handing it to Pinky. "You two follow me under that. You two—stay close under mine."
The children hesitated but nodded, following him into the rain.
In the Forest
They walked for a while through the muddy paths and dense trees until a large, broken-down mansion appeared ahead—weathered by time, but still standing strong enough to shelter them.
"There it is," Era said. "Your new home."
The kids stared in awe.
"It's... big," Kavi whispered.
"Come inside."
They stepped into the dark, cold interior, away from the relentless rain.
"You'll stay here. And you'll train here," Era said.
"Train?" Rita asked.
"Yes. I'm forming a team. I'll be the leader, and you four will be the first members."
"What kind of team?" asked Harsh, confused.
"A secret one. We'll be called Night Walker. From now on, I'll go by the codename Nightmare."
Pinky tilted her head. "What will we do?"
"You'll train hard. Then you'll recruit new members. You'll become Masters, and each of you will lead your own groups. Our team will give missions, assign captains, and grow."
Harsh raised his hand. "What kind of missions? And why build a team like this?"
"Good question," Era replied. "Our purpose is simple—to protect others like you. To protect the world. Even if it means being branded as criminals. Even if we're hunted."
"We don't care what people think of us. We just do what's right."
The children stared at him, speechless.
"From now on," he continued, "your new identities are:Harsh – A1Pinky – A2Rita – A3Kavi – A4
These names mark the order you joined. It's not about power or rank."
The kids nodded slowly.
"There will be five ranks in Night Walker," Era explained. "1. Leader – that's me.2. Masters – that's you four.3. Trainers – who'll train new recruits.4. Captains – who'll lead mission groups.5. Members – who'll complete the missions."
"Understood?" he asked.
"Yes, Nightmare!" they replied in unison.
"Good. You'll begin training tomorrow. Today, you can rest or help clean up the base."
"Understood!" A1 replied, already fired up.
"One more thing," Era added. "Any new member must forget their past. Their future belongs to the Night Walkers now."
The four nodded.
"There are three rules that must never be broken," he said sternly.
Betrayal will be punished by death.
Failure to complete a mission will result in punishment.
Anyone who reveals their identity will be executed.
"You must always stay hidden. For the sake of our missions. For the sake of each other."
"Yes, Nightmare!" they all shouted together.
Era smiled faintly. "Good. Get some rest. Tomorrow, your training begins."
[Chapter 1 Ends]