Raghav was on top of his building, looking at the dawning sun in front of him. The colour orange was covering his entire body.
"Ever wonder why the sky turns orange when it's dawn or sunrise?" asked the old man.
"It's a reminder that the person who brings light, can also bring darkness." And the old man got silent for a moment.
"Who told you that?" asked the old sage in curiosity.
"No one. I made it up."
"You are a smart guy Raghav. Always remember this line Raghav. People are not bad nor good, they are doing what they are doing, because they are thinking it's right."
"The reason for war," Raghav said matter-of-factly.
"Can you describe the word war for me?" asked the old sage in his mind.
And Raghav looked thoughtful.
"A war is a battle which has no victor and no loser. Only widows and orphans. And only one who profits from it, was one not partaking in it." And he didn't say anything.
"What is victor?"
"A person who still has something left to fight with."
"And what's the loser?"
"Who has nothing left to fight with."
"What's a widow?"
"The cost of war."
"What is an orphan?"
"Result of war."
"And what's the result?"
"Ashes."
"Ashes of what?"
"Of burning."
"What is burning?"
"The world."
"Which world?"
"The world they dreamed of."
"Who dreamed them?"
"Who started the war."
"And who started the war?"
"The people with greed."
"Greed of what?"
"Power, revenge and women."
"What is power?"
"A medium."
"What is revenge?"
"A poison."
"And woman?"
"Material."
"What is a medium?"
"A source of all."
"What's a poison?"
"Anxiety and depression."
"What is a material?"
"A drug."
"What's the source?"
"Envy."
"What's anxiety and depression?"
"Loneliness."
"What's a drug?"
"Cure for loneliness."
"So what's the reason for envy?"
"Unbalance."
"Of what?"
"Emotions." And the questions stopped. And Raghav looked in front of him.
"What's the reason for war?"
"Emotion."
"What's the reason for defeat?"
"Emotion."
"What's the reason for winning?"
"Emotion."
"So remember, control your emotions, and let your heart and mind do the rest of the work," said the old man wisely.
"I'll remember that," said Raghav.
"You better will," was the reply from the old sage.
"Well, it looks like the job calls," Raghav said, sensing an odd signal.
And after that for a few weeks, Raghav kept on saving the Soma reserves from the Kaal and their Chaya-Ratri. He fought them all over the globe and all over the place, they were hundreds in number and they kept on coming. Raghav was getting fluent in his control and power usage. Using Matsya, which he called Mat, and Kurma, which he called Kurma for some obvious reason, helped him in many ways. The fish avatar of Lord Vishnu has the most useful abilities according to him, he can sense people from far away, can swim and breathe in all water possible, and he has the ability to mark someone, and see what they are doing and track them down. His second and really strong tortoise avatar gave him heavy durability and some short shield-like abilities. He can fly much faster than before and he can lift any amount of weight very easily. He was just imagining what kind of power he will have if he unlocks all ten avatars. Maya was in a sort of prison where her human form will slowly go on to dissolve into nothingness, and she will form herself back in a new form somewhere else. And aside from his super life, his professional life was going way better than he thought. The storm of the Maldives, which was considered one of the most dangerous storms of this century, has been dealt with without much casualties. Many thanked the government and the prime minister for early help, and many thanked the invisible wind that helped the people there. People were talking about some invisible force that happens to them in the time of need and saves them from their early demise. Many claimed it's the miracle of God and many just a gust of wind. And both comments didn't affect our resident Maharakshak. He was ok with it, he didn't care for the popularity. And if we are talking about his popularity, it went nil to millions in a very short amount of time. His blog and ad about the destruction in Maldives and his personal help, helped many people in need, and many were looking at him in a new light now. His help and way of dealing things made him popular, and then his help for the destruction caused by the meteor gave him some brownie points from the local people. And the confrontation of Dizzy in the office changed quite a bit, but a small treat and a whisky bottle make settle things simple. The candidates for new news and paper were coming in at a fast rate, he didn't know that many people wanted to work under him, but he has yet to hire someone. And the person who just entered his office might have the chance to be the first one.
"So who are you?" asked Raghav looking at the girl in front of him, who was a youngster in all mind, around twenty or twenty-five fair-skinned woman with long curly hair, five-six height and a cute smile. In all manners, a college girl.
"My name is Sakshi Mehra. And I'm a student in Mumbai National, and I'm looking for a job experience under your firm, and if it's possible under you."
"Why me?" asked Raghav with a smile, and beside him Dizzy was scribbling some notes.
"There are so many famous news outlets, and seeing your personality, and reasons I'll bet they'll be all ears for you."
"I know but I'm a free spirit, and I don't wanna be controlled by an old man, who doesn't know how to talk to younger people."
"Fair point. You are sharp, and I need sharp people. I see you have an interest in crime photography. It's a risky job," said Raghav to the girl.
"I can handle risk. And they didn't know who my brother is."
"Is he a superhero?" asked Raghav jovially. And they all laughed. Man doesn't know how true he was.
"Well whatever, in this profession, you need to be always ready for anything, and always ready your guard for anything, it's really dangerous, and I don't want any of my people to get hurt or worse," Raghav said, looking serious.
"I know the danger, and I can handle it for the truth," said Sakshi looking determined.
And looked at her.
"Your charisma and confidence is very high, I love to have someone like you under my wing, but why crime photography? You can be a popular anchor for our show," said Raghav suggested an alternative. And the girl in front of him looked a little serious.
"I know, but I want to be a crime photographer, and help people. I can do anything for this job," she said in a serious tone.
"Anything?" Raghav raised an eyebrow.
"Yes," she replied.
"So you can do anything for this." And a smile appeared on his face. And Dizzy looked at his smile, and sighs.
"Yes, anything," she replied.
"So it's my place or your place?" Raghav asked, looking at her with a curved smile.
"Excuse me?" she replied, understanding the hidden meaning.
"You said you can do anything, and you know without any help you can't go much higher," he said with that same smile. And she looked at him in a way that said are you serious.
"Are you implying what I think you are implying?" she asked, still sitting on the chair.
"Maybe maybe not, you are one who came here from the door and me and—" His words died down when he heard a recording of his voice, coming from the recording device that the girl Sakshi was holding. And it was repeating his sly words. She stopped the tape and looked at him.
"I heard many of your rumours, Mr Raghav, so I came prepared," she showed him the small recorder.
"Now what do you have to say?" And Raghav in response, grinned at her.
"Now that's the kind of person I want, you are perfect for our firm, young and brave," he said with a beaming smile.
"So it was a test," she said with a surprised smile.
"Puff! Of course it was. What do you think, I'm not that kind of guy."
"You are definitely my boss, it'll be an honour working with you. I couldn't even see behind your tricks, it'll be really gonna be an experience of a lifetime sir I'm really glad. So can I assume that my job is fixed?"
"It is, come tomorrow and I'll give you your ID and other stuff. And expect a bright relationship in future," said Raghav shaking her hand.
"And delete that audio, it can be troublesome." And after a little more talk she left, and Raghav kept on that smile, and Dizzy asked him a question.
"It was a test right?"
"What do you think?" Raghav asked his assistant.
"Keep thinking," she replied plainly.
"You are right," he said with that same smile.
"She is too young."
"What jealousy? I'm twenty-eight. It can work. And how long do you think I'm gonna keep being single. I need to settle down somewhere. And she is cute. Imagine me handsome and rich and cute and dangerous. What a couple. And I always like the queen type of girl," said Raghav looking at her.
"She is gonna go far," said Raghav, and then his inner voice called him for something.