The more we run from our struggles, the stronger and more relentless they become.
Instead of creating distance, it is better to face them—without fear of the outcome.
Because today, I was finally going to confront mine.
This encounter would either end one of the greatest threats of my journey…
or turn my path into something even more dangerous.
I moved forward.
The massive creature I had fought earlier had already breathed its last.
Ali had awakened his first chakra, and it would take only a little more time before his second chakra awakened as well. Until then, I had no choice but to keep moving forward.
This barren land felt unsettling.
If only I had been given a chance to go back in time and save the world before it collapsed…
But that chance was gone.
Still, the fragile hope that survived in people's hearts—that their world could become beautiful and peaceful again—
I would not allow that hope to shatter.
Countless innocents had sacrificed their lives in this war of mine.
Now, I was ready to place my own life on the line for them.
If only I hadn't been careless…
Maybe none of this would have happened.
These thoughts had robbed me of sleep for days.
I was waiting—waiting for the end of those monsters.
All I needed now was the blessing of the Supreme and the strength of the Mother.
Raktabija… I am coming.
As I continued forward, three weeks passed.
I could feel it—Ali would awaken soon.
A sudden gust of wind brushed past me.
For a brief moment, it felt as though someone had passed right beside me.
I instantly became alert.
Danger was close.
Another gust of wind touched me, and in a flash, I grabbed whoever it was by the neck.
Even at that speed, my awareness caught him.
The figure struggled and quickly pleaded,
"Please forgive me! I thought you might have food… I assumed you were just a wandering traveler."
I looked at him carefully and loosened my grip.
He was human.
Yet… he possessed powers.
"Who are you?" I asked coldly.
"And don't you feel any shame stealing like this? How do you have abilities?"
He lowered his eyes.
"My name is Maan. I'm nineteen. I don't have parents—or maybe they abandoned me to die. I've survived only because of my powers."
He paused, then continued,
"Before the pandemic, I lived in an orphanage. Now, I steal just to stay alive."
I was stunned.
"How did you get these powers?" I asked again.
"I've had them since childhood," Maan replied.
"That's why they kept me hidden in the orphanage—so no one would find out. I don't know how I got them… or why I have them."
Then he looked at me curiously.
"Who are you? And why are you asking me so many questions?"
"I am a Mystic Soul," I answered.
His eyes widened instantly.
"What is a Mystic Soul?"
"Souls created to help humanity," I said, "who remain hidden from the world."
Maan hesitated, then asked softly,
"Does that mean… I'm a Mystic Soul too?"
That thought struck me like lightning.
Another Mystic Soul—
one I had not created,
one I had no knowledge of,
and still just a child.
Before I could process it, the ground began to tremble.
Boom… boom… boom…
The earth shook violently.
He had arrived.
I immediately told Maan to hide.
A cruel, echoing laugh filled the air.
"Ha… ha… ha… Kali! At last, I've found you. Today will be your end. Today, the blood-drinker will drink your blood!"
I stepped forward.
"What arrogance consumes you, monster," I said calmly.
"You think you are Raktabija? You are nothing more than a mass of flesh created by chemicals. You don't even know your own truth."
He roared furiously.
"Try to mislead me all you want, Kali! I won't fall for your words. Your end is inevitable!"
With that, he began stomping violently, trying to crush me beneath his feet.
I was moments away from being crushed when I released a blast of fire, burning his leg.
But I needed help—
someone to restrain him so I could reach the small opening behind his neck, the only way to end him.
Ali was still in deep meditation.
Interrupting his remaining practice felt wrong.
Ending Raktabija alone would be nearly impossible.
He was overpowering me.
My anger erupted.
With a fierce scream, I sliced his torso into two halves.
But I knew—
this would not kill him.
Seizing the moment, Raktabija hurled a massive stone at me.
My eyes blinked for just a fraction of a second.
A gust of wind rushed past me.
The stone stopped mid-air.
Maan stood before me, holding it back with his power.
"Are you okay, sister?" he asked anxiously.
"Yes… I'm fine," I said, startled.
"If you want, I can distract him," Maan said quickly.
"I'll keep him busy. You finish him."
I nodded.
Maan sprinted at incredible speed, drawing Raktabija's attention.
The monster attacked him relentlessly, strike after strike, while I desperately tried to reach his neck from behind.
Raktabija managed to wound Maan.
Just as I reached his neck, Raktabija sensed me.
With a violent motion, he flung me away.
In the next instant, he grabbed both of us in his massive palms.
He began crushing us—
another few seconds, and we would have been torn apart.
Then—
A blinding light exploded across the battlefield.
Raktabija's body shattered into pieces, scattering across the ground.
When my vision cleared, I saw him.
Ali.
Both his chakras had awakened.
He stood before me in his transcendent form.
I rushed into his arms, overwhelmed with relief.
Ali shouted,
"Boss! Couldn't you wait just a little longer? If something had happened to you—do you realize how dangerous that was?"
I smiled softly.
"Whenever I'm in danger, you always come to save me, don't you?"
Ali's gaze shifted behind me.
He noticed the child standing there.
"Who is he?" Ali asked.
Before I could answer, the boy stepped forward nervously.
"I—I'm Maan"
And just like that,
a new chapter of destiny was about to begin.