In the ancient land of Aryavarta, people blessed by the heavens possessed mysterious abilities known as Divya Shakti.
Some used these powers to protect kingdoms, defend villages, and maintain order.
They were called Rakshaks.
Others used their abilities for greed, conquest, and chaos.
Those people were feared as Asuras.
For centuries, Aryavarta had been locked in a constant struggle between these two forces.
To oppose the growing threat of dark factions, the kingdoms united to form an elite order known as the Rakshak Sabha—an alliance of powerful warriors sworn to protect the world.
But the shadows of Aryavarta were never empty.
Hidden in abandoned temples, deep forests, and forgotten fortresses were countless villain organizations waiting for their chance to strike.
Among them, one group was particularly infamous.
The Kaal-Chhaya Sangh.
Deep within a hidden fortress near the forests outside Ujjaini, members of the organization rested inside a dim barracks hall.
Dozens of warriors sat around wooden benches, their weapons leaning against the wall.
Among them sat a man wearing simple black armor.
His name was Arivaan.
But inside the organization, nobody called him that.
Instead, they called him something far less impressive.
Soldier 505.
It had been years since Arivaan joined the Kaal-Chhaya Sangh.
Back then, he had arrived with dreams.
He wanted to become a powerful villain whose name would shake the kingdoms of Aryavarta.
Unfortunately, reality had been far less generous.
In a world where even ordinary warriors possessed Divya Shakti, Arivaan had none.
No fire.
No lightning.
No divine weapon.
Nothing.
The only advantage he had was a body slightly stronger than an average man.
And in battles against Rakshaks, that meant very little.
Even a third-tier Rakshak could defeat him without difficulty.
Arivaan leaned against the stone wall and sighed quietly.
"Another night of guard duty…"
His shoulders ached from training.
His legs felt heavy.
All he wanted right now was to lie down somewhere quiet and drink a jar of cheap rice wine.
Unfortunately, life inside a villain organization rarely allowed such comfort.
Low-ranking soldiers like him were often sent into dangerous missions.
Most of them either died within a year… or disappeared.
Yet somehow Arivaan had survived for several years.
Perhaps because of luck.
Or perhaps because his body simply refused to break.
Either way, the Kaal-Chhaya commanders had begun treating him as a useful meat shield.
And that was exactly what he hated most.
"I didn't join this place just to be a disposable soldier…"
He wanted power.
Fame.
Fear.
He wanted heroes to tremble when they heard his name.
Instead, he was nothing more than a numbered grunt.
Arivaan rubbed his forehead and muttered quietly.
"Maybe the Sangh will collapse one day and I'll finally be free…"
Or maybe he would suddenly awaken some hidden Divya Shakti and become the villain he always dreamed of being.
Either option would be acceptable.
As he sat there thinking, the room remained quiet.
Until suddenly—
BWOOOOOOOOOM!!
A loud war horn echoed throughout the fortress.
Arivaan's eyes widened.
Around him, the soldiers immediately jumped to their feet.
"What was that?!"
"Alarm signal!"
"Something's happening!"
Before anyone could react further, the fortress siren began blaring through the corridors.
A wounded soldier suddenly burst through the door, breathing heavily.
His armor was scorched and blood stained his sleeve.
He shouted with panic in his voice.
"Emergency! Rakshaks are attacking the fortress!"
The entire room froze.
"Rakshaks…?"
"Impossible!"
"They found this place?!"
Several soldiers immediately grabbed their weapons.
Others began whispering nervously.
Hero raids were not uncommon.
But the Kaal-Chhaya Sangh usually had advance warning.
A surprise attack like this meant only one thing.
Something had gone terribly wrong.
Moments later, the unit commander rushed into the barracks.
His expression was tense.
"All troops prepare for battle!"
The soldiers straightened immediately.
"The enemy appears to be an elite Rakshak warrior," the commander continued grimly.
"Possibly second-tier… or even first-tier."
A murmur spread across the room.
Second-tier Rakshaks were already extremely powerful.
But first-tier Rakshaks were monsters capable of destroying entire organizations.
One soldier whispered nervously.
"Are… are we all going to die?"
Another shouted,
"We should seal the fortress and escape!"
The commander slammed his fist against the table.
"Silence!"
His voice echoed through the hall.
"Have you forgotten where you are?!"
"This is the Kaal-Chhaya Sangh!"
Even so, sweat trickled down the commander's forehead.
Arivaan noticed it immediately.
Even he is afraid…
Which meant the enemy outside was truly dangerous.
The commander drew his sword and shouted.
"All units move out!"
"We will stop the Rakshak before they reach the inner chambers!"
Reluctantly, the soldiers began marching out of the barracks.
Arivaan followed with the others.
The moment they stepped into the corridor, chaos greeted them.
Broken walls.
Scattered weapons.
Burning debris.
And bodies.
Several Kaal-Chhaya soldiers lay on the ground, badly injured.
Some were already unconscious.
At the end of the corridor stood a lone figure surrounded by flames.
Orange hair flowed behind her like fire.
Flames danced around her hands.
And her calm eyes looked directly at the approaching villains.
Arivaan's heart skipped a beat.
He recognized that face immediately.
A warrior feared across Aryavarta.
A member of the Rakshak Sabha.
An elite hero whose flames had destroyed countless villain groups.
Devika Agnivarna.
Also known by her hero title—
Ignition.
She raised her hand calmly.
Fire gathered in her palm.
Then she smiled.
"If you want to stop me," she said casually,
"bring someone stronger."
The next moment—
BOOOOOOOM!!
Flames erupted across the corridor.
And the battle began.