A violent shockwave rippled through the facility as Ronnie and Raj's powers clashed, the walls trembling in protest.
"Both of you, stop."
The voice cut through the chaos like a blade. It was Bhanu.
Instantly, the roaring energies vanished. Raj and Ronnie froze, their power suppressed as if snuffed out by an unseen force.
"I expect nothing less from the right hand of Mr. Narad," Kashyapa muttered, clearly impressed. Rumors had circulated about Bhanu, but witnessing his authority firsthand was an entirely different experience.
Narad turned to Kashyapa with a calm smile. "Bhanu may only be classified as a Rathi... but his true strength surpasses most Ati-Rathis."
"Bhanu."
"Yes, boss."
"Release them."
Bhanu flicked his fingers. "You may move now."
Raj and Ronnie blinked in confusion. Whatever had bound them was gone.
"Who the hell stopped me?" Ronnie growled, fists clenched.
"Ronnie," Kashyapa warned, "you're lucky Bhanu didn't use even half of his strength."
Raj remained composed, but Ronnie was still brimming with rage, though respect for his father kept him from lashing out.
Om, watching silently, felt something stir within him.
So this is just a glimpse of their true power... How far beyond them must I go?
Narad's stern gaze landed on Ronnie. "We're here to assess your strength, not to feed your egos. Show some restraint."
He turned to Sara. "Is everything ready?"
"Yes, boss," she replied, then turned to Bhanu. "Take them to the field."
Bhanu said nothing. He simply walked toward the lift.
"Ronnie, Raj—follow Mr. Bhanu," Kashyapa ordered.
The two exchanged a look, sparks of rivalry crackling silently between them.
We're not done yet, both thought.
Their intensity made the others uneasy.
Should we really let them fight? someone whispered inwardly.
Kashyapa leaned toward Narad. "Sir, maybe they need to be... disciplined."
Just then, Sara's device beeped. She glanced at the screen.
"We're ready."
Narad nodded. "Everyone, move out."
A glowing blue light flared beneath their feet. As it engulfed them, Om's eyes widened like a child seeing magic for the first time.
Every day, something extraordinary happens here...
In a flash, they vanished.
Elsewhere – The Arena
Ronnie and Raj followed Bhanu through a metallic tunnel. Strange alloy walls pulsed faintly with light. A soft glow at the tunnel's end grew brighter as they approached.
Despite walking in the same direction, neither acknowledged the other. Their silence was louder than any insult.
They stepped into a massive circular dome—an arena surrounded by a translucent barrier that shimmered like glass. Nothing beyond it could be seen, only void.
"What is this place?" Raj asked, scanning the strange structure.
Ronnie was about to ask the same.
"This arena is designed to train and test inheritors," Bhanu explained. "It exists in a pocket dimension. So... go all out."
The only things visible were the glass-like floor tiles and a hovering observation platform nearby.
"Take your positions," Bhanu ordered.
The two boys stood far apart, eyes locked.
Bhanu stepped between them and laid out the rules:
"Rule one: Fight with everything you've got.
Rule two: No killing.
Rule three: If you can't continue, say, 'I give up.'
Understood?"
"Yes," they both responded.
As Bhanu turned toward Raj, a voice echoed telepathically in Raj's mind:
Don't use the whip.
Raj's eyes narrowed. He knew I was planning to? How strong is he, really...?
Bhanu raised his hand.
"Are you ready?"
"Yes!" both shouted.
"Then fight."
And with that, Bhanu vanished.
The Clash Begins
Lightning exploded from Ronnie as he vanished—then reappeared in front of Raj with a smirk, his fist swinging.
But Raj only smiled back—and vanished into black fog.
Ronnie's punch passed through empty air.
What?!
A kick smashed into Ronnie's abdomen, launching him backward. He bounced across the floor like a ragdoll and slammed into the barrier, coughing violently.
Raj stood still, composed. "Is that all you've got, kid?"
From the dust, a bolt of lightning surged past Raj's shoulder, slicing it open.
Blood trickled down.
"So... energy attacks can hurt you," Ronnie smirked.
Dozens of lightning orbs crackled to life around him and launched toward Raj.
Raj's body melted into a shadow on the floor, slithering toward Ronnie.
Ronnie unleashed a barrage of strikes.
Boom. Crackle. Smash.
Explosions rocked the arena, but Raj's shadow danced between them.
Ronnie's eyes sharpened.
Even on the ground... I can hit you.
He formed multiple lightning spears and launched them, pinning the shadow in place. Above them, he conjured a massive lightning orb.
But the shadow vanished.
Ronnie's face turned pale. Where is he?!
He spun in every direction—but Raj was gone.
On the floating platform, the audience was silent, entranced.
Sara whispered, "They're already as strong as half-Rathis..."
Om's mind, meanwhile, raced. He simulated tactics, calculating openings, considering counters—but the mental overload was too much.
He collapsed.
Observation Deck
Om lay unconscious in Sara's lap. Soldiers gathered.
"Is he alright?" Kashyapa asked, concerned.
Sara checked his pulse. "He's fine. Just overwhelmed."
Narad gave a nod. "Take him to his room."
Two soldiers gently lifted Om and teleported away.
Back in the Arena
The space filled with thick, black fog.
Raj's voice echoed from within:
"Your speed means nothing now. No target. No light. You're in my trap."
Ronnie didn't flinch.
Instead, he brought his palms together in a Namaskar mudra. The air around him spun like a vortex. Wind howled, sweeping the fog aside.