Vikram stepped into the empty 10-by-10 square, his gaze locking onto Shiv's eyes with heavy intensity. "Listen closely, Shiv. Step Two is the tipping point. One slip here, and it's all over."
Shiv's knuckles whitened as he clenched his fists, his face devoid of fear, replaced by a burning resolve. A confident smirk played on his lips. "You're kidding, Vikram. I'm ready for this." Just tell me what to do!"
Vikram exhaled a long breath, a wolfish grin creeping onto his face. "Fine... but don't come crying to me if your world goes dark forever.
Now, take that chakra you've been feeling for the last two hours. Direct it. Move it slowly through the optic nerves and flood it into your pupils. Remember—balance is everything. Not a drop more, not a drop less."
Shiv's eyelids snapped shut instantly. Vikram watched as the veins at Shiv's temples began to throb and bulge like strained wires.
Incredible, Vikram thought to himself. It took me a month to master this, and this kid cleared Step One in two hours. His future is blindingly bright.
Stay here and practice. I'll go get something for you," Vikram said, turning on his heel to leave.
20 Minutes Later...
Shiv was drenched, his clothes clinging to his skin with sweat. His legs were visible tremors, and the veins across his face looked like a roadmap of overexertion. Suddenly, his eyes flew open. His left eye wasn't just open—it was bleeding a faint, ethereal blue chakra.
"I... I did it?" Shiv muttered, staring ahead.
But in a heartbeat, the color drained from his face. "W-what... GHOST!"
Shiv lunged backward with such force that he hit the ground in a heap. Vikram appeared at that exact moment, a Black Mask dangling from his hand.
"What's the panic? You look like you've seen death," Vikram asked, his brow furrowing.
Shiv's finger shook as he pointed into the void. "There... there was a shadow in black clothes! A ghost!"
Vikram's eyes widened, a bead of sweat rolling down his forehead. "You... you actually saw her?"
"Yes! A dark figure!" Shiv panted, his heart hammering against his ribs.
Vikram's gaze dropped as he took a heavy breath. "Calm down... she won't harm you."
Then, without warning, Vikram slapped Shiv on the shoulder with a roar of laughter.
"Congratulations, Shiv! You've cleared Step Two!"
The terror evaporated instantly. "Wait, really? I actually learned it?" Shiv punched the air, a grin spreading across his face. But then he froze. "Hold on. If that ghost was already there, why didn't you tell me?"
Vikram stammered, "Well... I..."
"Why didn't you tell me?!" Shiv yelled.
Vikram's face turned a violent shade of red, the veins in his neck bulging. He threw a ferocious punch through the air. Shiv reacted instinctively, blurring to the left and stood his ground five meters away."
"What is wrong with you? If you don't want to tell me, then don't!"
Vikram pulled back, a sly glint in his eyes. "I was just testing the results of your training. Look at yourself, Shiv."
Shiv glanced down at his hands, confused. "What? Everything looks normal."
Vikram crossed his arms over his head. "You've officially reached the Advance Level of the Second Chakra."
Shiv stood rooted to the spot, paralyzed by the words. "Second Chakra... Advance Level? That means I'm breathing down the neck of the Third Chakra!" He started jumping around like a madman.
"Don't let it go to your head. This is just the beginning," Vikram said, stepping up behind him.
Shiv turned eagerly. "When do we start Step Three?"
Vikram burst into a loud, mocking laugh. "Step Three? There was never a Step Three! I just wanted to mess with you, and honestly, it was hilarious."
"You...!" Shiv glared at him, but suddenly the world tilted. His limbs turned to lead, his vision blurred, and he collapsed onto the tiles.
8:55 PM.
Shiv's eyes fluttered open on the sofa. Vikram sat across from him, the tension in his shoulders and the sweat on his brow telling a story of deep worry.
"You're awake. I thought you were out for the count today."
"What happened to me?" Shiv asked, rubbing his throbbing temples.
"Chakra overload. You pushed your reserves too far," Vikram said, turning his back. "Get up. It's 8:55. Mission time. Move it."
Shiv splashed cold water on his face in the washroom and made it outside the apartment by 8:59. Arav and Saket were already there, blending into the shadows in their black gear.
"Sorry I'm late," Shiv said.
Saket's voice was ice. "Don't worry about it. Let's move."
Vikram stepped out from behind Shiv. "Saket, why are you tagging along? This mission is for Arav and Shiv, isn't it? You aren't needed."
In a flash, Saket drew a shimmering knife. Shiv lowered his gaze—he wasn't in the mood for another round of their bitter rivalry. Saket stopped and turned, his voice low.
"I'm just going to keep an eye on them... to make sure nothing 'accidental' happens."
Vikram gave a sharp, knowing smile. "Are you joking? Your organization is top-tier; why would Arav need a babysitter?"
Saket walked slowly toward Arav, then leaned into Shiv's personal space until their breath mingled. "Shiv, instead of failing this mission, why don't you just give up... and hand your body over to us?"
Shiv stared back into his eyes, unblinking. "We'll see about that during the mission."
Saket pulled back with a cold smirk. "You haven't changed a bit. I thought staying with Vikram might have softened you."
Vikram tried to cut the tension. "Tell you what, I'll come along too."
"No," Saket snapped. "Vikram, you stay. And if you want to follow us, you'll have to fight me first."
Shiv's heart sank. "No, Vikram! Don't do it!"
Vikram's face was a mask of suppressed rage and a chilling smile. "Fine. Shiv, you go ahead. This match will be over in no time anyway."
Shiv and Arav took off at high speed. As they veered toward the left, a cruel, predatory smile stretched across Arav's face.
"Hmm... exactly as I planned."
Shiv caught the look. "What's with the smile, Arav? You hiding something?"
Arav wiped the expression from his face, staring straight ahead. "Nothing... let's go!"