Virat lay on his bed, eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling like it owed him answers. Last night's argument with his dad kept playing in his head like a broken tape.
"Is he right?" he whispered.
His father's words echoed in his ears, "You need a real future, not this superhero nonsense!"
But then Virat clenched his fists under the sheets.
"No!" he muttered aloud. "I won't give up! Never ever! I'm gonna be a superhero. I'm gonna train hard… and harder…"
He sat up, eyes burning with resolve.
"…right after I sleep. It's already 9 PM, and I'm emotionally drained."
And just like that, the fierce warrior of justice pulled his blanket over his head like it was a cape and knocked out cold.
Next Morning
6:45 AM.
The alarm went off like a war siren.
Virat slapped the snooze button. "Five more minutes…"
6:50 AM.
Another alarm. He groaned, rolled over, and fell off the bed.
"Okay okay! I'm awake! Gosh, even villains aren't this annoying…"
He got ready in a flash, wolfed down a mountain of toast, chugged milk like a Viking, and zipped into his tracksuit. He stared at himself in the mirror and shouted, "Let's go, future Hero Virat!"
He stormed out of the house, fists clenched, heart pounding.
The Park
The early morning park was peaceful. Birds chirped. Old people did yoga. Kids chased kites.
Then came Virat.
With the energy of a man on a mission, he ran to a cluster of trees and started punching one.
Thud!
"Argh!" he winced, shaking his hand.
But he didn't stop.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Bark scraped. His knuckles started bleeding. His breath got heavier.
"Come on… I'm not weak!" he grunted. "I have… infinite growth!"
Just then, something dropped from the sky and landed beside him with a thump.
"Whoa, are you trying to murder trees or summon squirrels?" came a deep voice.
Virat turned and gawked.
It was him.
Inferno.
The No.1 superhero. Flame cape, glowing eyes, confidence radiating like sunlight.
"You!" Virat gasped. "Did you just… drop out of a tree?"
"I call it dramatic surveillance," Inferno smirked, folding his arms. "What the hell are you doing here? Looks like a nature documentary turned violent."
Virat wiped his bloody knuckles and stood tall. "I'm training. I want to awaken my powers and become a superhero."
Inferno raised an eyebrow. Then…
Pfffft!
He laughed. "You think punching trees will awaken your powers? What's next? Hugging volcanoes?"
Virat blushed but stood firm. "Mock me all you want. I'll become a hero, even if I have to fight the entire world."
Inferno stopped laughing. He saw something. A spark.
"You're serious."
Virat nodded.
"Well then," Inferno cracked his knuckles, "Let's see how far that determination goes."
At the Beach
Minutes later, they stood on an empty stretch of sand. A massive 2-ton boulder sat in front of them.
Inferno smirked. "You see that rock? Pull it. 800 meters. Alone."
Virat blinked. "You're joking, right?"
"I'm a superhero, not a comedian."
Virat gulped. "And if I do it?"
"I'll consider training you."
Virat stared at the rock. Then back at Inferno.
"Deal."
He tied the harness around his waist. The rope was thick. The rock looked like it ate protein shakes for breakfast.
He leaned forward. Pulled.
Nothing.
Not even a wiggle.
Inferno raised an eyebrow. "Need help?"
"No!" Virat grunted.
He pulled again. His muscles screamed. His feet dug into the sand. The rock moved—just a little.
Virat smiled.
"HAH! I saw that! You budged!"
He pulled again. Again. The rope stretched, sand flew, sweat poured.
People passing by started watching. An old lady shouted, "That's the spirit, young man!"
A kid yelled, "Go Super Dude!"
After 20 minutes, he had barely crossed 200 meters.
Inferno watched silently, arms crossed, a flicker of admiration hiding behind his cocky grin.
At 500 meters, Virat collapsed.
He panted, chest heaving. "I… can't…"
Inferno knelt beside him. "You came far, kid. Let's call it."
Virat shook his head. "I… said I'll do it."
He forced himself up. Legs trembling. Blood trickled from his hands where the rope burned him. He clenched his teeth.
Then he screamed. Not in pain—but in pure, raw determination.
He pulled.
The rock rolled.
At 650 meters, tears streamed down his face. But he didn't stop.
Inferno stood silent, eyes wide.
At 800 meters, Virat collapsed on the sand, breathless.
He did it.
Inferno walked over and looked at him.
"You're crazy."
Virat chuckled weakly. "Thanks…"
Inferno held out a hand. "Alright, Super Dude. Let's train."
Virat took his hand and smiled.
This was only the beginning.
The beginning of the Fist.
[TO BE CONTINUED]