Leader Dev reached his residence just as the sun dipped lower, painting the sky in amber and violet hues. The gates recognized him instantly, scanning both his fingerprints and retinal pattern before unlocking with a faint mechanical chime. He was about to push open the polished oak door and surprise his wife with a warm greeting when the sharp vibration of his communicator startled him.
The name flashing across the display made him pause. Subrao Jagger — the current head of the Jagger family. Dev's brow furrowed. Subrao was not one to call lightly, and rarely for trivial matters. After a brief moment of consideration, he accepted the call.
"Hello, Subrao!" Dev greeted, his voice composed yet curious.
On the other side came the brisk and unembellished tone he had expected.
"Hello, Uncle Dev. I called to share something important regarding the cultivation of Cosmic Force."
Dev allowed a faint smile. Subrao's blunt manner reminded him of his late father — a man Dev had respected deeply. Over the years, Dev had grown used to the younger man's directness, though most would have found it rude.
"Subrao, I know," Dev replied evenly, already anticipating the subject. "We've confirmed the increase in CF level after cultivating with the official technique. Every cabinet member, along with their families, reported the same. You don't need to worry. Just prepare for tomorrow's cultivation cycle and follow the press announcement we're preparing for tonight."
He was about to end the call when Subrao's urgent voice interrupted.
"Wait! Uncle Dev, wait!"
Dev paused mid-motion, raising an eyebrow.
"It's not only about the improvement, Uncle Dev," Subrao pressed, his voice firm yet anxious. "It's about cosmic stones — something we discovered today while cultivating."
Dev froze. His heartbeat quickened. "What did you say?" His voice carried genuine astonishment now. "Cosmic stones? Explain yourself, Subrao."
"You heard correctly," Subrao said, then launched into an account of the discovery.
He described the necklace his son Neel had worn, the crystal attached to it, and how it seemed to interface directly with the Cosmic System. He explained the morning's experiment, the remarkable surge in CF levels, and the implications that left even his seasoned mind reeling.
Dev listened in silence, gripping the communicator tighter with every word. By the time Subrao finished, Dev was standing motionless in the hallway, struggling to contain the storm of thoughts. For a few moments, no words came. Then he exhaled sharply.
"I did not expect this… Subrao, your son's discovery is nothing short of revolutionary. If this truth leaks, it could throw the entire continent into chaos. But it also presents us with an unimaginable opportunity. Thank you for trusting me with it." His voice carried both gravity and excitement.
Subrao's tone softened, though it retained its urgency. "I have not shared this outside my family. Only Neel's friends, Bella and Zade, know of it. Through them, the Spark and Velton families have likely received word as well. I urge you to take charge before rumors spread unchecked."
"Understood," Dev replied firmly. "I'll personally ensure Spark and Velton keep this matter sealed until we decide on an official stance. As for your family… the Alliance holds a limited reserve of comet fragments — unaltered, pure stones untouched by modification. Since you brought this forward, I'll allocate a portion to you. But don't expect a large quantity. These stones are rare and guarded."
"That's more than I hoped for, Uncle Dev," Subrao said gratefully. "I won't keep you any longer. I just wanted to ensure this secret reaches safe hands. Please extend my regards to Aunt Sakshi."
The call ended.
Subrao leaned back in his chair at home, relief softening his features. Though he had bought altered asteroid fragments in the past, he had never expected the unaltered stones to be distributed directly by the Alliance — especially not for his family.
For the first time that day, hope outweighed his anxiety.
Back at his doorstep, Leader Dev remained still for a moment, his mind racing. The revelation of cosmic stones changed everything.
They could accelerate cultivation beyond natural limits, becoming the deciding factor between order and anarchy. He made a mental note to raise this in tonight's high council session — but first, he had to secure silence.
He dialed the Spark and Velton family heads immediately, issuing stern yet careful instructions to conceal this discovery until further notice.
Only after these urgent arrangements did he unlock the door and step inside. The familiar scent of spices and simmering food drifted from the kitchen, instantly soothing his strained nerves.
Slipping off his shoes, he walked toward the warm glow of the hearth.
There, in the kitchen, stood Sakshi Ashley, his wife — graceful and composed even while tending the final touches of their meal.
She turned with a smile as he entered.
"I'm home, honey," Dev announced, his voice softer now.
"Wash your hands, dear. The food is nearly done." Her voice carried warmth, her smile reassuring.
Dev chuckled heartily. "Straight to business, as always," he teased, his tension easing for the first time that day.
After washing up, the two shared a quiet meal. Later, Dev settled into the living room, lighting a cigarette and exhaling a long trail of smoke.
Sakshi sat beside him, her gaze sharp, searching his face.
"What troubles you, Dev? You've carried the weight of the world on your shoulders all day. Did something happen at the Alliance?"
He hesitated for a moment, then spoke carefully. "Nothing disastrous yet. We discovered a method to accelerate CF beyond meditation — but it requires further verification. General Pedro will be crucial in confirming whether there are unseen risks. Beyond that, we must brace for upheavals. The surge in strength across the population will inevitably lead to riots and disorder. We must be ready to preserve order while cultivating ourselves."
Sakshi placed a gentle hand on his arm. "Don't shoulder it all alone. Have you thought about consulting Pedro again? Not just for information, but for guidance on managing this storm?"
"Yes," Dev admitted, inhaling deeply before sighing.
"Then ask him. Sometimes protection and wisdom matter more than raw strength. Pedro knows more than any of us about unpredictable crises."
Her words brought Dev a fleeting sense of calm. He nodded. "You're right… though I cannot yet decide whether this cosmic gift is our salvation or our curse."
******
Elsewhere, in the Jagger household, Neel was reveling in his newfound strength.
In the gym room, sweat glistened across his arms as he completed another set of push-ups with ease. He had once struggled to push past one hundred twenty. Now, he breezed past three hundred. His squats had tripled as well. Each repetition fueled his excitement.
Breathless but exhilarated, he picked up his communicator, eager to share his triumph.
He called Zade, but the line rang endlessly without answer. He tried Bella next — again, no response. After several failed attempts, he sighed. They must still be cultivating.
He showered quickly and changed into fresh clothes before joining his parents in the living room.
Subrao and his wife were already seated on the large couch, their expressions oddly light.
"Come here, son," Subrao beckoned, patting the empty space beside him.
Neel sat down, curiosity sparking in his eyes. "What happened, Dad? You look unusually cheerful."
"Haha!" Subrao chuckled, his voice filled with pride. "I just spoke with Leader Dev. I told him about the cosmic stone, and he promised to allocate us a few unaltered stones from the Alliance treasury tomorrow. On top of that, I've secured some through other means. With these, we'll be able to push our CF levels far higher than anyone else by tomorrow."
"Really?!" Neel's eyes widened in disbelief. His body trembled with excitement.
But his father's gaze hardened, tempering the moment. "Yes, son. But remember this — composure is everything. Your grandfather and I built the Jagger family's reputation through calm discipline, not recklessness. Power without control leads to downfall. If you want to succeed, remain steady, rational, and composed at all times."
Neel took a deep breath, steadying himself. "Yes, Dad. I understand."
His mother, however, frowned and placed a gentle hand on Subrao's arm. "Darling, don't burden him with unnecessary weight. Neel is already disciplined and thoughtful. Pressuring him too much may harm his nature. Trust him."
Subrao coughed lightly, a hint of embarrassment coloring his face. "Yes, yes… you're right, my dear. Old habits."
He quickly changed the subject. "Neel, until we receive the unaltered cosmic stones, do not cultivate further. Patience will yield greater results once you have them."
"Understood, Dad."
Later, in his room, Neel opened his communicator again, still hoping for messages from Zade or Bella. Nothing.
Disappointed, he turned to his CF panel.
[Cosmic Force (CF): 55%]
He stared at the glowing digits, his heart racing. Only yesterday, fifty percent had seemed monumental. Now, fifty-five felt like just the beginning.
Closing his eyes, he lay back on his bed. Within minutes, fatigue gave way to a deep, dreamless sleep — the kind only someone with a rapidly evolving body could experience.
And so, while the continent simmered with hidden changes, the Jagger household drifted into an uneasy calm — unaware of the storms that awaited them tomorrow.