Vinay steps inside the world he has never heard of. The place felt distant from the modern skyscraper he is spending his livelihood at.
The entry gate gave an ancient Indian vibe. The path carved out of granite and the structures resembling the stuff that Vinay has definitely skipped in the countless history lessons. Small structures made out of bricks and marbles. The dome shaped on every structure was the only thing that looked consistently eye pleasing. He proceeds to walk swiftly enough to take grasp about the system and people he has to deal with. The dedicated training grounds, duels conducted with numerous eyes spectating the skills of sword swung with trained moves. The sound of sword cutting the air takes away the sight of Vinay that he has locked on to a compound. From the distance, the fight looked less intense, the cheers and insults smoke the environment with competitiveness. Vinay gazed upon the structure and with a look on the address note his eyes confirms the location. He took his steps again to the path he is leading to. Opening the door, he sees the pool of benches stationed to withstand 4-5 students. He rubs his hands feeling the cold air creeping onto his presence. From the back he felt a touch of Somone's hands, he turns and finds Yuvraj smiling and pulling his hand to seek a high five
"Hey man, good to see you here. I didn't expect you to obediently follow that grumpy man's order. " . Yuvraj laughs with his eyes closed and having a hesitant high five from Vinay.
"Grumpy man? Who are you referring to actually?". Vinay questions
"Of course, that man who picked up on you before I stopped him from a pep talk". Yuvraj mocks and glances everywhere as he continues
"Well now you are here Afterall then let me be your guide and take you to that grump cold and boring man ".
Vinay starts walking beside Yuvraj and his eyes fixed upon Yuvraj as he questions
"This eternal essence… What is this exactly, I mean why do predators devour humans for this eternal essence". The hesitant voice makes Yuvraj grins and then moves his fingers as he explains.
"Eternal essence is basically parallel to what we breathe every second. Our bodies have this core which contains two consciences, Roop and Aroop. Yuvraj continues while walking
"Our bodies create a balance between Roop and Aroop. Thus, this allows eternal essence to flow into our body like a river flowing in a stream. But the predators are the beings which have an imbalance of Roop and Aroop". Yuvraj glances at Vinay with his hopeful eyes as he explains.
"So, due to the imbalance of Roop and Aroop, the eternal essence leaks out of their bodies and then they start to suffer due to lack of eternal essence with the leaks. They hunt humans and take their eternal essence to survive. It is mostly the necessity for eternal essence that make them annoying to fight".
"So how does anyone become a predator then? ". Vinay questions after feeding the information in his mind.
"Well in most cases when predators bite the human and start devouring the eternal essence of that human then their eternal essence accidentally mixes with the prey's eternal essence thereby disrupting the balance of the prey's Roop and Aroop balance. Blah blah the prey becomes the next predator. Yuvraj brushes his fingers on his forehead as he reveals
"But in some cases, extreme close death situations or trying to save a predator attacked survivor can have potential to become predators because their Roop and Aroop balance is disrupted ".
"I hope, I am not rotting your brain with my nerdy knowledge". Yuvraj smirks and short laughs breaks the serious sounding Yuvraj.
"You know it took me four months memorizing this garbage to pass the exams ". Yuvraj pats on Vinay's shoulder as he jokes.
"But Aarna, she was acting normal before attacking Rishabh. So how could this have happened in the first place if you are saying that predators are only driven by eternal essence right? Vinay looks at him with his hopeful eyes needing more answers.
"It was strange when you told us about this. It seems that she was able to act normal while being a predator. Normally predators act brain dead when their only goal is to devour eternal essence".
"I can't imagine those dumbass bastards having to talk while attacking humans, it is gross ". Yuvraj disgusts as he sticks his tongue out and imitates vomiting.
"Oh, then I guess that you guys have to investigate on these phenomena. Vinay noted the strange factor leading to add more hope for his promise keeping.
The infirmary ward itself has a dedicated building which looked no less different than the structures he has witnessed already.
"Damn even the infirmary looks so stylish. God this place is amazing". Vinay exclaims and his eyes shinning like stars when they go near the building.
"The garden Infront of the recovery room is a nice idea, keeping people less stressed and emotionally damaged when they see the greenery and the beautiful flowers". Vinay's eyes sparkles looking at the garden and its beautiful flowers. He kneels a bit and leans closer to look at the flower shinning brightly with rays falling on the petals giving a relaxation to all the tension buried inside his minds.
"Alright Mr Gardner, I will accuse you of plucking some flower from this garden". Yuvraj grins with a mocking smile as he watches the bright face of enthusiastic Vinay.
"Hey that's not fair, you can't do this while following the rules, right?". Vinay clenched his fists and panics a bit.
"I want to know who gave you this misconception! I don't follow these rules, rules are for the grumpy adults like Acharya Lokesh, it is so boring to follow rules". Yuvraj tightens his chest proudly and exclaims with soft laughs.
"What the hell are you two doing here?". Acharya Lokesh clears off his throat and stands close enough to knock the air of them.
"Oh Acharya, I… I was just giving this kid a tour to our precious campus … and I was appreciating the quality of the education of this academy". Yuvraj panics and hesitantly responds his eyes avoiding the intimidating gaze.
"You can't lie straight with that face". Acharya Lokesh interrupts and looks suspiciously at him.
"Wow Acharya, I always knew that you deserve bonus for your talented work … Man I think you should lay down your demands for professional growth!!". Yuvraj points the finger straight at the building as he provokes Acharya.
"You are so annoying!!". With the palm directed towards Yuvraj, a wave of energy hits Yuvraj sending him fly to distance and crashing into the garden.
"I will accuse you of destroying the flower garden". Acharya Lokesh crosses his arms and cries out loudly.
"Augh… that hurts. You are so mean Acharya!". Yuvraj stands up slowly clearing of the dust from his cloths as he shouts in the air.
"I recommend that you shouldn't tag along with that idiot if you don't want be troubled ". Acharya Lokesh looks at Vinay as his eye studies Vinay curiously.
"You came to see that man, right? Follow me and meet him". Acharya Lokesh turns to walk away swiftly and Vinay follows him to the infirmary building.
"Hey wait! Don't leave me here like this. Everyone is going to make fun of me for this!". Yuvraj cries out loudly and jogs to meet their pace.
The infirmary room is filled with the smell of medicines and the only sound that can be heard are heart monitor beeping and the slow breathings of the man lying on the bed. The nurses wearing blue red Jodhpuri bund suite with gloves covered with blood and so does the cotton kept at the surgical tray.
"Rishabh? Is he gonna be alright? Vinay kept a distance from the bed but looked down towards the wounds stitched to keep the flesh connected.
"Well, the doctors have made sure that his life is out of danger... but". Acharya Lokesh leans against the wall his arms crossed and facing Vinay as he continues.
"His nervous system was damaged by the bite and thus his body is paralyzed for the time we can not be sure of… though we have made sure that the predator's eternal essence hasn't intoxicated him to make him another predator".
"But is he gonna recover from all of this?". Vinay faced Acharya Lokesh, his mind having a flicker of doubt as his eyes searches for the certain answer.
"Hope is the only thing we all can believe on". Acharya Lokesh sighs out a breath and looks down at the floor his arms still crossed.
"I actually wanted to talk to you about… Aarna." Vinay approaches him and joined his hands bowing Infront of him.
"Please… Don't kill Aarna… I beg you to save her life and… turn her back into a human once again?". Vinay begs desperately as he joint his hands and kept his head down a bit.
"You don't understand this thing, kid". Acharya Lokesh coldly stares at him as his jaw tightens.
"You are a fool if you think that a predator can be turned back into a human once again. Sorry to burst your bubble but once a predator is transformed then it is next to impossible to save them from their misery". Acharya Lokesh steps forward invading his privacy and coldly responds.
"Look at that man ". Acharya Lokesh turns his eyes towards Rishabh and continues.
"He is paralyzed by the attack… The woman tried to take that man's eternal essence and once the eternal essence is taken away completely then we would see this man at morgue instead of being treated in the infirmary ward".
"But… She was all normal before all of this. Predators don't talk like us and there is no way she suddenly transformed into a predator just to hunt others". Vinay protest with a raw desperation in his voice.
"I know your story, kid. But she is the potential threat to the civilians. So, we will track her down and execute her right there. Acharya Lokesh interrupt Vinay and Boldy declares without a second thought in head.
"If that is what you want then… I will become an Assassin! Vinay tightens his knuckles and declares without any hesitation.
The room went silent for a minute the words came out as a shock for everyone. Before Acharya Lokesh opens his mouths, Yuvraj interrupts with a hand placed on Vinay's shoulders.
"I think you should reconsider your decision. You have to go through a lot of trouble for this and why do you want to become an assassin after all?
"I want to become an assassin to eliminate the predators to gain all of your trust so that I can handle Aarna on my own. I will train myself according to this academy's standards and I swear, I will handle the responsibility of my actions". Vinay shook his head before gathering courage to speak up with determination. He said the words with a straight face, but inside, his heart hammered against his ribs. He wasn't just joining the Academy; he was beginning a war against it.
Principal enters the infirmary ward with his hand at the back and a smile after witnessing the tensions filled in the environment of the infirmary ward.
"Well, well, I can smell another admission request from this place, Kind of crazy to think, isn't it? Principle Gupta with his glasses searching everywhere and smile tucked to his face.
"Principal Gupta? I apologise for my lack of your awareness at this place". Acharya Lokesh bows his head his tone replaced with obedience and discipline.
"Cut the slack Lokesh, you don't have to bow Infront of me for every meeting". Principal Gupta waved his hands in the air as he casually stops him.
" I was just walking towards the garden and saw the flower bed being destroyed so I came here after listening to this little banter."
The mention of Flower bed being destroyed forces the eyes on Yuvraj who was casually standing next to a window.
"Yeah, I also wonder who could destroy such beauty with its questionable intentions. That person must be a monster." Yuvraj crossed his arms and beating around the bush, speaking hesitantly and his head faced towards the window.
"So, you were eavesdropping?". Acharya Lokesh look dead into Principal's eyes as he questions curiously.
"No, you are wrong. I … I was just wandering around this place monitoring each area as a principal." Principal Gupta's sweat drops down his face and with panic masking his voice.
"Well never mind. I have talked to you about the next grand meeting…". Just as Acharya Lokesh was discussing something Vinay interrupts as he steps forward.
"Excuse me? I want to say something. I am Vinay Rekhawat and I want to become an Assassin. I would work hard to become stronger. That's my promise!
"Are you sure? You are gonna become an assassin? You have to put your life on the front to save innocent people. Plus, you are gonna be killed with one wrong step. Are you competent enough?". Principal Gupta's smile turns grin as he studies Vinay's face.
"I will take the risk involved in being an assassin. Please consider my request". Vinay responds directly looking at Principal with courage and determination on the face.
"Okay, I will consider your request. You are accepted". Principal Gupta's hands stormed Vinay's shoulder with impact shaking him violently. The grin on his face does not vanishes.
"But You have to pass some of the training under the guidance of Acharya Lokesh, you are going to not take a step back, are you?" Principal Gupta leans closer to Vinay's face, looking for any hesitation but found none.
"Lokesh, are you agreeing to my decision? if you have any criticism to make which I am sure you have already thought of, speak up then." Principal Gupta speaks up playfully.
"No sir, If You have made up your decision then I should also agree to it". Acharya Lokesh stumbles back and considers his words carefully.
"Vinay, from now on you are an assassin which means you have to leave your personal life at home and dedicate your attention towards completing missions with effective results, got it?". Acharya's words force Vinay to think carefully and he responds confidently
"Yes Acharya Lokesh, I get it ".
"Welcome to our community, Vinay". Yuvraj extending his hand for a handshake.
"Yeah thanks". Vinay's face lights up with a bright smile as he shakes the hand.
"Alright, Vinay we will talk to your school for preparing a leaving certificate and now you are an assassin academy's student." Acharya Lokesh turns to leave as he hides his transforming smile.
"Well how will you talk to them; they need a guardian for that". Vinay follows him walking right behind him as he questions.
"I think we should have a party inside the campus for the newbie!". Yuvraj puts his hands on Vinay's shoulder as he declares enthusiastically.
"No party allowed under my watch ". Acharya Lokesh dismissed it off with serious look returning on his face.
"Acharya, you are so boring!". Yuvraj pouts playfully as he exclaims.
Vinay looks behind for a moment and takes a huge breath before joining the world he has to make sure that his promise is retained along with carrying the hope for Rishabh's recovery.
The academy has found a new student though lacks talent like Yuvraj but the will of preserving bonds and leave his normal life to safeguard other's normal lives is driving the need for becoming stronger. Strongest tools are not effective just because they have sharp edges but they are upgraded to get the sharpest edge. Vinay has to become the strongest tool for the academy and for saving Aarna before it is too late.