Kaal sat quietly on the cold ground, his legs folded beneath him. The faint smell of dust and stone clung to the air inside the cavern, and his stomach growled softly in protest. He had not eaten anything proper in days, and the exhaustion of his training was slowly catching up to him.
Just then, Ravi appeared, carrying something in his hand. His steps were light but steady, and he stopped beside Kaal lowering a small bundle wrapped in cloth.
"Here," Ravi said with a calm smile. "Eat."
Kaal raised his head slowly, his tired eyes narrowing at the sight. He looked at Ravi, then at food with suspicion.
"what is this?" he asked, his voice hoarse.
"Food," Ravi replied simply, as if the answer were obvious.
Kaal frowned. "No, I mean... what exactly is it?, nothing. Forget it."
Ravi didn't press the matter. Instead, he unwrapped the bundle, revealing pieces of roasted potato, mushrooms, and cooked meat. The aroma spread faintly through the cave, foreign yet strangely inviting.
"This is simple," Ravi explained. "Potatoes, mushrooms, and meat. Eat it. You need strength if you're serious about training."
Kaal stared at the food, his eyes wide. He had never seen anything like it in his life. For him, survival had always meant stale bread tossed over the wall, scraps of grains, or the occasional dry fruit that someone managed to steal. but this-this was warm, fragrant, alive with flavors he couldn't even imagine.
Slowly, he picked up a small piece, bringing it close to his nose. He sniffed it first, cautious as a child, then placed it hesitantly into his mouth.
The moment the flavors touched his tongue, his eyes widened. It was unlike anything he had even known-soft, rice, layered with tastes that felt like a new language carved into his very sense. His throat tightened, not with pain but with a strange joy. He chewed slowly, as though trying to memorize every texture, every spark of flavor.
And then, as though a dam had broken, he reached for more. Bite after bite, piece after piece, Kaal ate without stopping, the emptiness in the stomach filling with warmth. For the first time in his life, food wasn't survival-it was bliss.
Ravi watched silently, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Kaal kept eating until his hunger was completely gone, leaning back with a heavy sigh. He sat quietly, holding his stomach, and whispered almost to himself, "So this... this is what real food tastes like..."
Just as peace settled over him, a familiar voice echoed in his ears.
"So tell me, why did you ask to learn the sword from them?"
It was Kapil- the voice of his system. Kaal rested his chin on his palm, thinking deeply before answering.
"So that thing... it's called a sword, right?"
He exhaled slowly. "I have two reasons. First, because the sward is powerful. If I learn it, maybe I can become strong too. And second... because he also knows the mantra-the same one my mother used that day."
A shadow flickered across his face as memories of that tragic night came rushing back. His mother's final stand, her body weakened yet still defiant, standing against the so-called supreme.
"I don't remember everything clearly," Kaal continued, his voice thick, "but one thing I know for sure. My mother was powerful so powerful that even while sick, she fought that monster better than anyone else. If I can master the same power... then maybe, just maybe, I'II be strong enough to take my revenge."
Kapil's voice carried a hint of amusement.
"Hmm. Clever reasoning."
Then it shifted, sharp and mocking. "But right now, all I see is dreaming of power."
"Shut up!" Kaal snapped , his teeth clenched, his eyes flashing with anger. He turned quickly, searching for the voice, but of course, Kapil wasn't anywhere to be seen
Just then, another voice called out.
"Kaal!"
It was Ravi. His tone was commanding, his presence undeniable.
"Come here. Follow me."
Without hesitation, Kaal rose and followed him. They walked a short distance deeper into the cavern until they reached on open space lit faintly by torchlight. Raj was already there, waiting with something in is hands.
it was a wooden stick-long enough to match the size of Kaal's arm, carved smooth and polished. Raj help it out toward him.
"This will be your weapon for now. But before you can even think of training, there's something else you must do first."
Kaal took this stick, his brows furrowing. "And what is that?"
Ravi stepped closer, his eyes gleaming with a quiet intensity.
"You must activate your chakras. At least one. Without that, all training is useless."
"Chakras?"