Viraj's eyes narrowed as he stared at Vikram.
"Who's that girl?"
Both of them instinctively turned toward the bed.
Empty.
Viraj frowned, confusion replacing his anger.
"…Where did she go?"
Vikram blinked, then glanced sideways.
Power sat there casually, legs crossed, eating poha like nothing happened.
"Don't worry," she said calmly, not even looking at him. "I became invisible. Only you can see and hear me now."
A wave of relief washed over Vikram.
"Oh… thank god…"
Viraj turned back sharply, his patience snapping.
"Where. Did. She. Go?"
Vikram straightened, forcing a confused expression.
"What are you talking about, Father? There was no girl."
Viraj folded his arms, eyes narrowing further.
"Then why were you running around like a madman?"
Vikram pointed at the wall.
"That's because I punched a hole in it… and I thought you'd scold me."
Silence.
Viraj slowly turned his head toward the wall.
His eyes widened slightly.
He stepped closer… touched the cracked edges… pressed his fingers into the broken brick.
"You… what?"
Vikram puffed his chest slightly.
"Yeah. I did that."
A vein bulged on Viraj's forehead.
That was Vikram's cue.
He bolted.
Outside—
"Damn… if I stayed one second longer, I was dead," Vikram muttered, slowing to a jog.
Power's voice echoed in his mind, amused.
"Yeah, absolutely. I would've loved to see that."
Vikram stopped mid-step.
"…Where are you even talking from?"
Inside Mayasabha—
Power sank deeper into a luxurious spa bath, steam rising around her as she stretched lazily.
"I'm talking to you through your Mudra. Telepathy," she said casually. "Since we're connected now, I can reach you anytime."
Back on the street—
Life moved normally.
Kids in uniforms rushing to school. Shop shutters opening. People arguing over chai.
Everything felt… ordinary.
"So you can talk to anyone like this?" Vikram asked, looking around.
Power chuckled softly.
"No. Only you. Each queen grants a piece of herself when the user proves worthy."
She dipped her fingers into the water.
"You have my bones now… and I have yours."
Vikram's eyes lit up.
"Oh, this is insane… so I'm super strong now, right?"
"Of course," she replied. "Go test it. Criminals, bullies… whatever you like."
A grin spread across his face.
"I know exactly what to do."
He started running.
At first, it felt normal.
Then faster.
Then faster—
Wind rushed past his ears.
Cars blurred.
Bikes couldn't keep up.
"…What the hell—?!" he laughed, adrenaline surging.
A few minutes later—
An alley.
Shouts.
Grunts.
A group of men beating someone on the ground.
Vikram stepped in.
"Oy! Stop!"
The attackers paused.
One of them—a muscular guy with a tongue piercing—turned, annoyed.
"Huh? Who the hell are you, little shit?"
Vikram smirked.
"Someone smarter than you."
Silence.
Power's voice echoed dryly in his head.
"…That was lame."
Vikram's face twitched.
"It's not my fault they only understand abuse," he muttered.
One of the guys tossed his cigarette aside.
"Get lost."
He rushed forward—punch flying.
Vikram caught it.
Effortlessly.
Then—
THUD.
His knee slammed into the man's stomach.
The guy folded instantly.
Another swung a bat.
Vikram ducked—
CRACK.
Uppercut.
The man flew.
Now the rest hesitated.
Fear crept into their eyes.
The tongue-pierced guy stepped forward, trying to act tough.
"They were weak anyway… I'll handle you."
He charged—
—but suddenly—
He was on the ground.
Vikram's foot slammed down on his head.
BOOM.
Silence.
The others ran.
No hesitation.
Vikram crouched, poking the unconscious guy's cheek.
"Oh? Did the baby get hurt?"
He waved his hand dramatically.
"Pain, pain, go away."
The guy groaned weakly.
Vikram pointed at him.
"Get up. That day you were acting tough while bullying my friend—now look at you, pathe—"
His voice stopped.
His eyes widened.
Something cold pierced his neck.
A sharp… burning pain.
"Pathetic."
A voice behind him.
King.
The blade dug deeper—
—but stopped.
It didn't go through.
The force still sent Vikram crashing into the wall.
CRASH.
Dust filled the air.
The dagger remained lodged in his neck.
Vikram gasped, hands trembling as he pulled it out.
Blood soaked his shirt.
"He… stabbed me…"
For the first time—
Fear.
Real fear.
King walked toward him slowly.
Calm.
Interested.
He crouched in front of Vikram, resting his elbows on his knees.
"I thought you'd die in one hit…" he murmured, studying him. "But you…"
His eyes narrowed.
"…you're interesting."
He stood.
Grabbed Vikram by the hair.
"Let's peel you apart and see what's inside."
Inside Mayasabha—
Power slammed her hand on the water.
"Why did I even give you my powers?!"
Vikram's vision blurred.
His breathing grew heavy.
Then—
He remembered.
Her words.
Her power.
His hand shot up—
grabbing King's wrist.
King blinked.
Surprised.
Vikram slowly stood.
King smirked.
"Oh? What now? Going to punch me?"
He tapped his cheek.
"Here. Go on."
Inside King's mind—
Kali roared.
"YOU FOOL! Don't give him an opening! He's your equal—you idiot! He's the Supreme King!"
King frowned.
Annoyed.
Ignored it.
Vikram inhaled deeply.
I chose this… I won't run.
He stepped forward.
And punched.
King's eyes widened.
Too late.
BOOM.
The punch landed.
King's body flew—
crashing through a wall.
Concrete exploded.
Silence.
Vikram stood there, bleeding, breathing heavily.
King emerged from the rubble.
Slowly.
"…Who are you?" Vikram asked.
King wiped blood from his face.
His eyes sharpened.
That punch… felt like a truck.
"…I am King," he said quietly, cracking his neck. "The true ruler of this world."
Then—
He vanished.
A blur of motion.
Strikes.
Kicks.
Punches.
Relentless.
Vikram tried to counter—
—but couldn't land a hit.
"You lack technique."
King grabbed both his arms—
HEADBUTT.
CRACK.
Vikram's nose broke.
Before he could recover—
King leapt.
A crushing kick slammed into Vikram's guard.
The ground beneath him cracked.
What… is this…? My body…
"Where did he go—?"
"RIGHT SIDE!" one delinquent screamed.
King clicked his tongue in annoyance.
Vikram caught his fist—
—but King's knee drove into his stomach.
Air left his lungs.
Still—
Vikram punched back.
Again.
Again.
Again.
A storm.
King staggered.
What is he made of…?
Then—
King's fingers pressed into Vikram's wound.
Agony exploded.
Vikram froze.
That was enough.
King unleashed everything.
Grab.
Pull.
SMASH.
Knee to face.
Vikram hit the ground.
King mounted him.
Sat on his chest.
"Now tell me…"
Punch.
"…who's stronger?"
Punch.
Punch.
Punch.
Each blow landing on Vikram's neck.
Vikram choked.
His vision faded.
I… can't… move…
Darkness.
King stood over him.
Pulled out his dagger.
A cruel smile spread across his face.
"…Time to skin you alive."