Chapter 7: The Mark Awakens
The room felt colder than before.
Meera sat on her bed, staring at her wrist.
That strange mark…
It was still there.
Faint.
But real.
Her fingers trembled as she slowly touched it.
The moment her skin made contact—
A sudden sharp sensation rushed through her body.
"Ah—!"
She pulled her hand back quickly.
Her breath became uneven.
"That… that hurt…" she whispered.
The mark flickered again.
This time—
Brighter.
Meera's heart started racing.
"What is happening to me…?"
Her phone lay beside her.
Still no reply from Arjun.
Anger slowly mixed with fear.
"Why is he not answering?!"
She grabbed her phone again and typed—
"Tell me what's going on!"
The message was sent.
But again—
No reply.
Silence.
Heavy.
Uncomfortable.
Suddenly—
The lights in her room flickered.
Meera froze.
"…No…"
The air turned cold again.
The same cold she felt yesterday.
Her heartbeat grew louder.
"No… not again…"
The mark on her wrist began glowing.
Dark energy slowly spreading around it.
And then—
She heard it.
A whisper.
Soft.
But clear.
"Found you…"
Meera's eyes widened in fear.
"W-who's there?!"
No answer.
But the presence was there.
Closer.
Stronger.
The curtains moved slightly—
Even though the window was closed.
Meera slowly stepped back.
Her body trembling.
"I… I don't want this…" she whispered.
The whisper came again.
This time louder.
"You can't escape…"
Suddenly—
A dark shadow formed in the corner of her room.
Meera's breath stopped.
"No…"
The shadow slowly took shape.
Tall.
Distorted.
Watching her.
Her legs felt weak.
She couldn't move.
"Help…" she whispered.
The shadow moved closer.
Step by step.
"You've been chosen…" it said.
Meera shook her head.
"I didn't choose anything!"
The shadow let out a low laugh.
"You don't have a choice."
It raised its hand—
Reaching toward her.
Meera closed her eyes tightly.
Tears forming at the corners.
"I don't want this…"
Suddenly—
A bright flash of light burst from her wrist.
The mark glowed intensely.
The shadow stopped.
A powerful force pushed it back.
Meera opened her eyes in shock.
"What…?"
Her entire body was glowing faintly.
The mark burning with energy.
The shadow hissed in pain.
"That power…!"
Meera looked at her own hands.
She didn't understand.
"I… I'm doing this?"
The energy around her grew stronger.
The shadow tried to move again—
But couldn't come closer.
"Impossible…" it whispered.
Suddenly—
The door burst open.
Arjun rushed inside.
"MEERA!"
He stopped the moment he saw her.
His eyes widened.
The glowing mark.
The energy.
"…It awakened," he said quietly.
Meera looked at him.
Confused.
Scared.
"Arjun… what is happening to me?!"
He walked closer slowly.
Careful.
"You need to calm down," he said.
"How can I calm down?!" she shouted.
"There's something in my room!"
Arjun turned his head.
The shadow was still there.
Weaker now.
"…Leave," Arjun said coldly.
The shadow hesitated.
Then slowly—
It disappeared.
Silence filled the room again.
The glowing around Meera slowly faded.
Her legs gave up.
Before she could fall—
Arjun caught her.
Her breathing was still fast.
Her body shaking.
"Arjun…" she whispered.
"Tell me the truth…"
He looked at her.
For a moment—
He couldn't avoid it anymore.
"…You're not normal, Meera," he said quietly.
Her heart dropped.
"That mark… it means you've been chosen."
"Chosen for what…?"
Arjun's expression turned serious.
"…For a war that hasn't even begun yet."
Meera's eyes filled with fear.
And in that moment—
She realized—
Her life…
Would never be the same again.