---
Chapter 1: The Day Everything Changed
The sky was soft and endless, painted in hues of orange as the sun dipped toward the horizon.
A boy pedaled lazily down a quiet street, the breeze tugging at his messy black hair. Seventeen, maybe eighteen. Ordinary in his own mind, but with a presence that made people's eyes linger a second longer than they meant to.
He stopped at a small, modest home — the kind of place where neighbors knew your name and dinners were always warm.
"Back already?" a deep voice called out from inside.
"Yeah, Dad. Just out for a ride," he replied, slipping his shoes off at the door.
In the living room, Rajesh Ashvara sat on the sofa with a newspaper. His build was average, his features unassuming — the picture of a simple middle-aged man.
"Wandering doesn't count as exercise," Rajesh said without looking up.
"Leave him alone," came a softer voice.
From the kitchen emerged Ananya Ashvara, apron tied neatly, wiping her hands on a cloth. She smiled warmly at her son.
"Dinner will be ready soon," she said.
Eshan grinned. "Thanks, Mom. I'm starving."
The evening passed in quiet simplicity. They laughed over small stories. Rajesh teased his son. Ananya scolded them both for bickering.
For a little while, it felt like nothing could touch them.
But peace is fragile.
It broke in an instant.
The world went dark.
Eshan's chest tightened, his head swimming. He blinked — and the house was gone.
Fire. Ash. The street he knew now a graveyard of smoke and rubble.
"Mom? Dad?!" Eshan's voice cracked as panic surged. He stumbled forward, searching, choking on the heat and dust.
Then he saw them.
Three figures stood ahead.
The first — a hulking brute of a man, muscles like boulders, his shadow alone menacing enough to make Eshan's knees weaken.
The second — lean, sharp, with a disturbing grin that split his face unnaturally wide.
And the third…
Expressionless. Calm. Yet his stillness was more terrifying than any roar.
"The boy?" the burly man rumbled.
"Perhaps," the leader said softly.
"If he was here," the grinning one sneered, "my flames would've already turned him to ash."
"Do not underestimate him," the leader replied flatly.
Their eyes turned toward Eshan.
"Found him," the grinning one said, his smile widening.
Eshan froze.
And then — movement.
Two figures stepped between him and the intruders.
Rajesh. Ananya.
But this wasn't the warm father with the newspaper. Nor the gentle mother who served dinner.
Their auras flared — heavy, burning, divine.
"Son," Rajesh said, his voice like steel. "I'll send you away from here. Don't resist."
Eshan barely processed the words before the brute lunged. Rajesh met him head-on, the clash shaking the ground.
The grinning one darted toward Eshan — but Ananya was faster. Sparks erupted as their powers collided.
For a moment, Eshan's parents held the line. They were strong — impossibly strong.
But the leader still hadn't moved.
And then he did.
In an instant, Rajesh was sent flying, blood spilling from his lips. Ananya faltered under the sudden pressure.
The leader approached, slow and deliberate.
Rajesh staggered up, desperation in his eyes. He wasn't looking at the enemy.
He was looking at Eshan.
I promised… I would protect him.
He rushed to his son, ignoring his wounds, and pressed his palm against Eshan's chest.
"Live," Rajesh whispered.
Light engulfed Eshan.
And the world vanished.