A shadowy figure was standing in the office, wearing a black cloak. Even though his face was hidden behind the cloak and shadowy aura, his chest bore a blackish golden badge with an insignia of Purple Peacock.
"Yes, Magistrate," The shadowy figure said, "We found Shyam in the village Karn spoke of. He didn't use Chakras, which further confirms his identity."
"And still our guys lost their lives?" The bald man asked with furrowed brows.
"Yes, Sir."
"How the hell are these Keepers so damn strong?" The officer was frustrated with the news.
" I didn't believe it at first… but these Keepers will be really disastrous to us if we let them grow." He muttered to himself.
"But that is not the problem I spoke of, Magistrate ." The shadowy figure interrupted his monologue.
"Heh, then what?" The bald man frowned.
"We couldn't find his son. And I sensed a Voidheart in the village."
" A Voidheart with a keeper? How is this possible?" The officer mused. "Are you sure you sensed a Voidheart?"
"The presence I felt was not completely of a Voidheart, but I am sure that the soul is not completely human. I think it was an unawakened Voidheart." The shadow figure explained himself.
" Unawakened? So weakling." The bald officer said with a scoff. " Anyways we need to capture him and bring him to his rightful place."
"Marut," He ordered the shadowy figure, " Inform the border posts. And also survey the village again."
"As you command, City Magistrate." The shadowy man disappeared with a gust of wind. The Magistrate was left with his thoughts, alone.
*****
Sharv and Kant were walking on a concrete road, leading to a magnificent gate. It was over fifty meters tall, golden in color with a Purple peacock painted on it.
The peacock had seven colored trains (tail feathers).
"Remember my instruction, Okay?" Kant whispered.
Sharv nodded and led to the small human sized door on the left corner. On the other side, some military personnel, wearing golden uniforms with red embroidery, took them into custody.
All of them had badges on their chests, of copper red color with a Purple peacock insignia.
'Seems just as Kant said.' Sharv thought. But still he was evaluating the personnel present there, in case something happened.
Kant showed his Identity Card and working certificate, which was enough for his entry, but Sharv didn't have any of that.
"Where is your home, boy?" An older military officer asked him, sitting behind the Inquiry Counter meant for entry permits. He had two badges, unlike the others.
"I used to live in the Dandak forest."
"Oh, so is this your first time going out of the forest?"
" Yes." Sharv's tone was emotionless as always.
"What is your purpose in entering our kingdom?" Now the officer had a frown, creating small peaks in his connected eyebrows. He was scanning Sharv with intense eyes.
" Exploration." Sharv answered. The officer was not pleased by his one word answers, so he threw his own one word in a commanding tone as he moved his face forward, "EXPLAIN."
Sharv was a little surprised by the change in tone.' I forgot, I can't be me here. What a hassle.'
" I am now on a tour of the world, as it was the last wish of my Father." Sharv said in a much more formal and pleasing tone.
"Shelly and Aarav, run a medical checkup of him and note the power level." The old officer ordered.
"Yes, Major."
A female, with blonde hair, led Sharv to another room. It was filled with both big and small machines. Between different instruments, a ten feet tall, round blue machine, with a transparent glass in front, stood out the most.
"Please, enter the blue machine." She guided Sharv.
Sharv followed the instructions, after putting down his weapon and spatial pouch.
"Insert your finger in the black hole in front. We need a blood and Prana sample, for a proper identity."
Sharv felt a sting in his finger, a few seconds after he followed the command. His face was still emotionless, but his black eyes scanned the room.
But suddenly the machine started beeping and a siren went off in the whole military encampment.
"Your heartbeat.... the machine can't pick it up," Shelly spoke with fear visible on her face. Aarav, the power measuring man, entered the medical room with his blade out. He also had fear written all over his face. Sharv didn't show any signs of emergency. He was still looking towards Shelly with a calm expression.
"Are you a... Vo-vo-voidheart?" Shelly questioned, stuttering with fear.
'Would a Voidheart really answer that?' Sharv thought to himself but pretended a smile outwardly, "Lady, Do I look like one?"
'He smiles!' Both Shelly and Aarav thought and looked at each other. Other army personnel, along with the old man, had also reached the room.
'He was unusually calm but did I really travel with a Voidheart?' Kant, who was standing outside, was questioning himself. Surprise was written all over his face as he could not believe a Voidheart would help him.
"Just bring a physical heartbeat tester. This machine can't measure it because it's too slow." Sharva spoke.
Shelly looked towards the old man in charge, who approved with a nod. She brought an old fashioned BP tester, while Sharv came out of the machine. He was still surrounded by the army personnels. The old man was scrutinising him with his experienced eyes as if trying to look through him.
The BP tester was put around his arm. For a few seconds there were no readings but slowly numbers appeared. It did not go beyond fifteen though.
Aarav sighed in relief. Shelly and others were relieved too. But Old Major was still not satisfied.
"Can you explain why it is so low?" he asked.
"I am practicing a breathing technique. It has a calming effect." Sharv said with a smile.
"Hmm," The old man nodded, "How many Chakras have you formed or awakened?"
"Just started." Sharv evaded, " You can say the first… and second one."
"So you are implying you are a Novice?"
Sharv nodded. The Old man stared directly in Sharv's eyes. The tension was tangible in the atmosphere. Kant, who was standing outside, was sweating buckets.
"Disperse." The old man finally said with a sigh. "Shelly and Aarav follow me. And you…" he looked at Sharv, "What is your name?"
"Ari Mardan."
"Okay, wait outside," The old man ordered as he walked away. After walking far enough, he spoke, "Shelly, issue an Adept level ID card for him." Both Shelly and Aarav looked surprised, but the next sentence really widened their eyes.
"And Aarav, check if Magistrate Durjay is available. I have news for him."