The roar came again, louder this time, vibrating through the streets of Delhi. Mukul looked up, shielding his eyes against the golden glow of the dragon circling high above. His heart thumped—not from fear, but from recognition. Somehow, he knew the creature was calling to him.
"Do you see that too?" Meera asked, pointing. Her tone was steady, but her eyes betrayed awe.
"Yes," Mukul whispered. "It… it's trying to tell me something."
He stepped closer to the building's edge, feeling a strange pull in his chest, a tingle that ran through his arms and legs. Memories he had never lived flashed before him: battles in misty mountains, ancient rituals, and hands healing the sick with a mere touch. It was overwhelming, but he felt… powerful.
The dragon swooped lower, landing on a nearby rooftop. Its golden eyes locked with his, and Mukul felt a voice in his mind—not words, exactly, but thoughts, emotions, and images all at once.
"Your lineage awakens. The city, the shadows, the hidden forces—they all converge on you. Heal, fight, and uncover the truth."
Mukul staggered back. "I… I don't understand."
"You will," the dragon seemed to say. Its massive wings stretched and shimmered like molten gold. "But first, you must trust yourself."
Meera stepped beside him. "Whatever's happening, I think you're meant to do something big," she said carefully. "And maybe… you're not alone."
Mukul nodded, still absorbing the dragon's presence. His mind raced—ancient warriors, mysterious healing powers, mafia conspiracies, and now this mystical creature. How could one person handle all of it?
Before he could dwell on it, a commotion erupted in the street below. Two men in black suits clambered out of a car, weapons drawn. Mukul's instincts flared. He glanced at Meera. "Stay back."
But she didn't move. Instead, she flipped her notebook open and scribbled furiously. "I'm not leaving," she said. "I need to know what's going on."
Mukul swallowed. Alright, then. He focused. The dragon let out a low rumble, almost like encouragement. Mukul felt the energy in his body align—his reflexes sharpened, every muscle coiled and ready.
He jumped down from the rooftop, landing between the men and the dragon. With swift, precise movements, he disarmed the first man, then spun to avoid the second's strike. Every action flowed naturally, almost instinctively. The dragon roared, sending a gust of wind that knocked the men off balance.
Breathing heavily, Mukul pinned the men with his eyes blazing. "This city has rules," he said quietly, "and you just broke them."
They scrambled, retreating into the night. Mukul felt the dragon's gaze on him, proud and approving.
Meera walked over, brushing dust from her coat. "Okay," she said, grinning. "I admit it. That was… impressive. But now I really need answers."
Mukul smiled faintly, feeling the weight of destiny settle on his shoulders. "I think… we'll find them together," he said.
Above, the dragon lifted off, disappearing into the night sky. Mukul knew this was only the beginning. Somewhere, deep in the city's shadows, a larger story was waiting for him—a story of ancient power, hidden enemies, and secrets that could shake the world.
And for the first time, he felt ready to face it.