Morning.
Raj was still sprawled on the cold floor of Om's room, snoring faintly.
Om stretched his arms and yawned. "Hmph… finally, some progress."
{Master Om, but how do you plan on using them?}
[These words vibrate under specific frequencies. I believe… they respond like components of spells.]
Om nodded to himself. "Hmm, it's like crafting spells… magic constructed from sound and vibration."
"We need information. Let's head to the library. Maybe we'll find books containing similar words or usage."
{And what about him? I can't stay away from Raj for too long.}
Om glanced at Raj. "Wake him."
THWACK!
The whip lashed Raj across the cheek.
"Mmmmh, what happened? Just five more minutes…" Raj mumbled, rolling over like a lazy cat.
{Any new ideas?}
"I have one," Om said with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
8:00 AM – Outside the Library
The facility was in a state of panic. Alarms weren't blaring, but the tension was unmistakable. Guards had gathered in a frenzy.
Inside his office, Narad received a message.
He called Sara, "Sara, what's with all this commotion?"
"Boss, please just come to the library. You need to see this for yourself."
Minutes later, Narad arrived at the entrance to find a group of stunned soldiers standing outside.
"What is going on here?" Narad demanded, his voice sharp.
Sara replied nervously, "Boss… I don't know how to explain it. You should see it yourself."
Narad pushed past the crowd with swift, angry steps.
Inside the Library
Bookshelves loomed around him, and in the open study area, four skeletons were solemnly walking—carrying a sleeping Raj by his limbs like sacred cargo.
Narad's eye twitched.
"RAAAJJ!!" he thundered.
The sound echoed off the high library walls like a divine judgment.
Raj's eyes snapped open. A chill ran down his spine. The skeletons turned to ash mid-stride, and Raj slammed to the ground—
WHAM!
He scrambled up in panic, saluted like a soldier, and stood stiffly.
"Yes, Mr. Narad!"
Narad approached, arms crossed. "Mr. Raj… care to explain what exactly you're doing here?"
Raj looked around, completely confused. "Here? Wait… why am I here?"
"That's what I asked you."
Panic set in. Raj dropped to his knees and grabbed Narad's leg.
"Mr. Narad, I swear! I don't know how I got here!"
"Then explain the skeletons carrying you into the library," Narad asked calmly, which made it even scarier.
Raj broke down. "I—I was in Om's room last night! We were just talking! Then… then I woke up like this!"
Narad's expression hardened. "You expect me to believe skeletons summoned themselves to drag you here?"
"I mean… technically… it might be the case," Raj whispered.
Without another word, Narad grabbed him by the collar.
"Enough. Come with me. You need training."
"W-Wait—!"
Elsewhere – In the Ancient Literature Section
[Master Om, after scanning the entire library, this is the only book that contains the same characters found in your consciousness.]
Om carefully picked up the thick, dusty volume.
"What's the name?"
[It's called Samaveda. Based on available internet data, it's a Vedic text—full of ancient chants and melodies once used in rituals.]
[But as time passed, people labeled it superstition. Eventually, its full knowledge faded into obscurity.]
"Can we translate it?"
[There are no complete translations online. It will take time, but I can process and decode it.]
"Don't waste time on the full text. Focus on how the words function. I'll start preparing for the battle."
[Understood, Master.]
Om paused. "Wait… where's Whip?"
[I lost track. It must've returned to Raj.]
Meanwhile – At the Training Ground
Raj was groaning in agony as Bhanu hovered over him like a drill instructor.
"Lower! Stretch! Keep breathing!"
Raj, twisted in an unnatural yoga pose, muttered, "Whyyy meeee…"
Back in Om's Room
Om returned and opened the book, placing it on his desk.
[The text seems designed to vibrate when spoken in certain tonal patterns. Like auditory keys unlocking effects.]
"Like sound-based spells?"
[Exactly.]
"I wonder if it's a coincidence… or if these so-called rituals were a primitive form of programming. Command codes."
[Perhaps. The words in your consciousness respond similarly.]
Om's eyes narrowed, flipping a page carefully.
"I need more than translation. I need to understand structure—grammar, intent, triggers."
[Working on it. Give me time.]
He glanced at his calendar.
Days remaining until the battle: 8