"…In a mysterious turn of events, within just the last three days, three infamous businessmen and dons of the country have died under highly suspicious circumstances! The police are actively investigating, but so far, they haven't found any solid lead behind these incidents. Meanwhile, the public is left with one burning question—are these deaths just a coincidence… or carefully planned murders? Stay connected with Ab Tak to get every update on this case, because this is where you get the news that matters!"
The moment the anchor finished, the TV shifted back to routine headlines.
But inside the ward, everything had changed.
Om, Sharda, and Anshika stared at the screen, their eyes filled with shock… and something deeper—unease.
None of them could understand it.
Just a few days ago, those same people had nearly wiped out their entire family… and now, out of nowhere—they were dead.
Just like that.
Sharda slowly let out a breath and said softly, her voice carrying a strange mix of sadness and relief,
"Looks like God has finally punished them for their sins… may their souls rest in peace."
Then she turned toward Om, forcing a small, comforting smile,
"Now you can finally rest peacefully, right, my dear? Isn't that right, Anshika?"
Om and Anshika both nodded quietly.
Om knew his aunt well—she was soft-hearted. Even if the ones who died were their enemies… the same people who had made them suffer… she still felt pain at their deaths.
That was just who she was.
Kind… pure… and deeply human.
Anshika glanced at Om for a brief second, her eyes holding unspoken thoughts, before quietly walking out of the ward with Sharda.
And now—
Om was alone.
But his mind… was anything but quiet.
A storm had already begun inside him.
"How… how did Bali die like that? And Singhania too… a mysterious explosion in the middle of the night? And then the very next day, Bhadra… dead?"
His fingers slowly curled into a tight fist.
"Who has the guts to pull something like this off?"
His jaw tightened.
"This can't be a coincidence… no, things like this don't just happen. Someone planned this. Someone powerful enough to wipe them out overnight… and leave behind not a single trace."
His breathing grew heavier, but his eyes turned sharper.
"Whoever it is… they're not normal."
A deep silence followed.
Then suddenly—
Om straightened his back, his expression turning firm, his voice low but filled with determination,
"Om… this world is far darker than you think. It's filled with people far more dangerous than anything you've seen so far."
His hands clenched tighter.
"From now on, every step you take has to be careful. You need to become stronger… because if someone like Bali could leave you in that condition…"
A flicker of anger passed through his eyes.
"…then how are you going to protect yourself? Your family?"
His voice dropped into a cold resolve.
"You need power. Real power."
"Only then… will you survive in this world."
With that, Om slowly placed one hand over the other in his lap, sat upright, and closed his eyes.
His breathing steadied.
His mind… focused.
And just like that—
He slipped into meditation.
Meanwhile…
Outside, the evening had begun to fall.
Deep within the Aravalli mountain range, a man dressed in a black jacket with a large hood was making his way forward.
The path wasn't easy.
Thick bushes, tangled vines, and wild growth blocked his way at every step. He had to cut through them one by one, pushing forward with effort. Every movement demanded strength, patience… and stubborn determination.
But he didn't stop.
Not even for a second.
"Seriously…" the man muttered under his breath, clearly irritated, "what is it with these ancient legends and their obsession with mountains, forests, and hidden places? Why not just live among people? The more you stay in the open, the more hidden you actually are."
He slashed another bush aside.
"But no… they all have to live in some lonely, secret place. I swear, I don't know what they find in places like this…"
That man—
was Vipul.
Om's father.
And the moment he finished speaking—
a voice echoed through the forest.
"Peace…"
Vipul froze.
Completely still.
His grip tightened as his eyes darted around, scanning every direction. The forest was growing darker with each passing second. Shadows stretched longer. The wind had gone quiet.
All he could see were a few squirrels, some crows, and distant birds moving about.
But no human.
No presence.
Yet… the voice was real.
Without wasting a second, Vipul reached to his waist and pulled out a glass-edged knife. His stance shifted—alert, ready.
"Who's there?" he called out sharply.
No response.
Only silence.
His eyes narrowed.
"I asked—who's there? Show yourself!"
And then—
from behind him—
a voice spoke again.
"What are you doing in this forest?"
Vipul spun around instantly.
Nothing.
No one.
But he wasn't foolish.
In a place like this, if something unseen speaks… you don't provoke it.
You respect it.
Keeping his guard up, Vipul replied calmly,
"I've come here looking for someone… I wish to meet them."
Just then—
something moved past him.
Fast.
A black shadow.
Gone in a blink.
Vipul's grip tightened.
"You've come to meet that crow… the one who looks like a man?"
Vipul lowered his tone, his voice respectful now,
"Yes. And I'd appreciate it if you spoke of him with respect. He is a great being… his name is Kakbhushundi. A noble soul. The least he deserves is respect."
As Vipul moved forward, he could see that same dark shadow slipping through the bushes ahead of him.
He followed it.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Then the voice spoke again,
"Human… you are strange."
Vipul didn't hesitate.
"Sir, please come before me and introduce yourself. I cannot sense your life force… it feels as though there's no human presence here at all."
For a moment—
silence.
Then the voice answered,
"And I find you strange as well, human. I can see your soul… but you do not feel alive."
Vipul's eyes widened slightly.
That… wasn't normal.
"Who… are you?" he asked, his voice now edged with curiosity and caution.
But before he could get an answer—
a new sound filled his ears.
Loud.
Rushing.
The sound of flowing water.
Vipul quickly pushed aside the thick bushes in front of him and stepped forward—
—and then suddenly stopped.
His body froze.
His eyes widened in shock.
Because what he saw in front of him—
was something he had never expected.