As the door clicked shut behind him, Om stepped into Narad's office. The room was quiet. Faint incense smoke curled in the air, and soft orange light from the side lamps warmed the corners.
Narad looked up from a report and gave a small nod.
"You came. Good."
Om sat down in the chair without being asked. His movements were steady—fluid, precise. His body felt balanced, as if every joint and muscle had finally found its place.
Narad leaned forward, eyes scanning Om carefully.
"Tell me," he said, "what happened to you in the past six days?"
Om looked down briefly at his gloved hands. Then met Narad's gaze without hesitation.
"A battle," he said simply.
Narad tilted his head but remained silent.
"For the first two days, I couldn't breathe properly. My body felt like it was being torn apart and stitched back together every hour. I was burning from the inside out. Even blinking was painful."
He paused only for a breath.
"My heart almost gave out. Zero said I was close to collapse multiple times."
Narad's eyes narrowed slightly. "Yet you endured it."
Om's expression was calm. "I had to. Giving up wasn't an option."
"And then?"
"On the third day, something changed. My senses began to stretch. I could hear the hum of wires behind the wall. I sensed movement three rooms away. The smallest shift in the air felt like a gust."
Narad said nothing, letting Om continue.
"By the fourth day, my bones ached as if they were regrowing. My body felt light, fast—like I could move without effort. But also fragile, like a single wrong movement would shatter me."
He leaned forward slightly. "By the fifth day, I saw symbols under my skin, glowing faintly like pulsing veins. "
[They are still there, Master. Faint, but stable.]
Narad raised an eyebrow but didn't interrupt.
"On the sixth day, I stood without effort. I knew where everything was. Every object. Every edge. Without directly looking at them."
He let the words settle before finishing, "The enhancements are real. But unstable. I can't fully control them yet. Sometimes I suppress it—but it flickers back."
Narad leaned back in silence. A faint drop of sweat gathered behind his ear as he thought: How did he survive something like that?
"So that's your breakthrough," Narad said, forcing a calm voice. "Not just endurance—but transformation. Impressive."
Om nodded. "It's only the beginning."
Narad's voice lowered. "Does anyone else know?"
"No," Om replied firmly. "Only me—and Zero. The markings are hidden. I've covered the changes."
Narad gave a slow nod. "Good. Keep it that way."
Om then added, "One more thing. Outside the dining hall… someone stopped me. Looked like staff. Said dinner wasn't ready and that I should meet you first. But when I turned around—he was gone."
Narad's expression shifted just slightly. "Describe him."
"Tall. Calm. Didn't blink. Almost too normal. Then vanished."
Narad let out a slow breath. "That's Vasu."
"Who's Vasu?"
"My left hand. Like Bhanu is my right. He doesn't work like others. He appears when he wants, leaves when he wants. I don't summon him."
Om narrowed his eyes. "So he wasn't supposed to be there?"
"No. But if he approached you, it means he's watching."
Om stood, shoulders steady, gaze unwavering. "Then I have more work to do."
Narad nodded, satisfied with the change in the boy before him.
"But first," Narad added with a faint smile, "let's have some dinner."
Om's stomach grumbled softly in response.
"…Agreed."