Chapter 11: The First Training Begins
Morning came slowly.
But for Meera—
It didn't feel like a new day.
It felt like the continuation of a nightmare.
She stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection.
Everything looked the same.
Her face.
Her eyes.
But inside—
She wasn't the same anymore.
Her gaze slowly moved to her wrist.
The mark was faint again.
Almost invisible.
But she could feel it.
Alive.
"…So it wasn't a dream," she whispered.
A soft knock came from her door.
"Meera, are you ready for school?" her mother's voice called out.
Meera froze for a second.
School.
Normal life.
Could she really go back to that?
"…Yes," she replied after a pause.
Her voice sounded normal.
But she knew—
Nothing was normal anymore.
After getting ready, she stepped outside her house.
The sunlight felt warm.
Peaceful.
Too peaceful.
Her eyes instinctively scanned the surroundings.
Every corner.
Every shadow.
Nothing.
But that didn't make her feel safe.
"Looking for something?"
Meera turned quickly.
Arjun stood there.
Leaning casually against a wall.
But his eyes—
They were alert.
Always watching.
"You came…" Meera said softly.
"I said I would," he replied.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Meera broke the silence.
"…Are we really doing this?"
Arjun straightened up.
"You asked me to teach you."
"I know," Meera nodded.
"But… I don't even know where to start."
Arjun looked at her wrist.
"That's where we start."
Meera followed his gaze.
"The mark?"
Arjun nodded.
"That power saved you last night," he said.
"But you don't control it."
Meera clenched her hand slightly.
"So what do I do?"
Arjun stepped closer.
"First—stop being afraid of it."
Meera frowned.
"How am I not supposed to be afraid?"
"Because fear weakens it," Arjun replied.
Meera looked confused.
"I thought fear makes power stronger…"
"Not this one," Arjun said.
A pause.
"This power responds to your will."
Meera blinked.
"My… will?"
Arjun nodded.
"If you lose control—
it takes control."
A chill ran down her spine.
"So I just… believe in myself?" she asked unsurely.
Arjun gave a slight nod.
"That's the first step."
Meera took a deep breath.
"Okay…"
Arjun looked around.
"We can't train here."
"Then where?"
Arjun turned and started walking.
"Follow me."
Meera hesitated for a second—
Then followed him.
They walked for a while.
Away from the busy streets.
Away from people.
Until they reached an empty open ground.
It was quiet.
Completely isolated.
"This is perfect," Arjun said.
Meera looked around.
"Perfect for what?"
Arjun turned toward her.
"For you to fail."
Meera blinked.
"What?!"
Before she could react—
Arjun suddenly moved.
Fast.
He grabbed her wrist.
The mark began glowing instantly.
"Focus," Arjun said firmly.
Meera's heart started racing.
"I—I don't know how!"
"Then learn," he replied.
The energy started building again.
Stronger.
Unstable.
Meera winced.
"It hurts…"
"Don't fight it," Arjun said.
"Control it."
"How?!"
"Feel it."
Meera closed her eyes tightly.
She focused on the sensation.
The warmth.
The energy.
It was wild.
Uncontrolled.
But slowly—
Very slowly—
She tried to calm it.
Her breathing slowed.
Her mind steadied.
The glow began to soften.
Arjun watched carefully.
"…Good," he said quietly.
Meera opened her eyes.
The energy was still there—
But calmer now.
"I did it…?" she whispered.
Arjun nodded slightly.
"For the first time."
A small smile appeared on Meera's face.
But it didn't last long.
Because Arjun stepped back and said—
"Now try again."
Meera blinked.
"Again?"
Arjun's expression turned serious.
"This was just the beginning."
Meera took a deep breath.
Fear was still there.
But now—
Something else was growing too.
Strength.
And for the first time—
She wasn't just running from danger.
She was preparing to face it.