"What is your goal?" the figure's deep voice resonated through the void.
Without hesitation, Rudra answered, "To destroy the evil cult."
A crushing force bore down on him. The air grew heavy, his knees buckled, and blood trickled from his lips. The entity's eyes glowed as it loomed over him.
"Do you have the strength to achieve what you dream?" it challenged.
Rudra gasped for breath, his body trembling. Gritting his teeth, he pushed against the pressure. "No matter what happens... I will face everything... and destroy them!"
A silence fell. Then, the entity smiled. "You have strong willpower. Let's see how you grow."
A dark energy surged forward, touching Rudra's forehead. It seeped into his very being, igniting something deep within him.
As he regained consciousness, a final whisper reached his ears: "Go to Vishwanath Temple ruins when you reach Level 10."
Outside, fifteen minutes had passed. The sky darkened as a massive black column of energy erupted from the tower, and gray bhasma (ash) coated its exterior. Anika's face paled with worry for Rudra.
"Vice Principal, what's happening?" she asked, voice laced with concern.
Rajveer's expression was unreadable. "I have never seen or heard of such a phenomenon."
After Rudra steps out of the portal
The silence that followed his emergence from the portal was palpable. The students, their gazes burning with curiosity, waited eagerly for Rudra to display his newly awakened skill or weapon. But Rudra remained silent, his hands empty.
Vice Principal Rajveer stepped forward, his stern expression unreadable. He studied Rudra for a moment before speaking.
"Rudra," Rajveer said, his voice deep and calm, "You did not awaken a weapon or skill like the others. This is... unusual."
Rudra stood still, his face calm, despite the weight of the situation. "It's locked for now," he answered, his tone steady, though a faint trace of uncertainty lingered in his eyes.
Rajveer's gaze sharpened as he took in Rudra's words. "Locked... yes. I've heard of this phenomenon before, but it is rare. Rare, even in the records we keep." He paused for a moment, considering the implications. "A locked skill means that your potential is hidden—perhaps even greater than what others could ever hope to achieve. But it also means that you are not in full control of it... yet."
Rudra frowned, unsure of how to interpret Rajveer's words. "Does that mean I'm... weaker?"
"Not at all," Rajveer responded swiftly, shaking his head. "In fact, it could mean the opposite. You may not see it now, but the locked state of your skill means that it is tied to something greater—something deep within you. When it unlocks, the force it brings with it could very well surpass anything we've seen before."
Rudra nodded slowly, absorbing the Vice Principal's words. "So, I just need to wait?"
Rajveer considered this for a moment. "In part, yes. But you must also prepare. The unlocking of your skill is often linked to significant events in your life. It could be a trial, a battle... something that challenges you to grow."
Rudra's mind immediately flashed to the strange conversation with the dark figure in the tower. Go to Vishwanath Temple ruins when you reach Level 10. He kept this to himself, not yet ready to speak of it.
Rajveer's gaze softened slightly, though his voice remained serious. "I will be keeping an eye on you, Rudra. Do not let the rarity of your awakening discourage you. It is simply a sign that your journey is unlike any other."
The students behind them murmured amongst themselves, the tension still thick in the air. Vikram's mocking laughter had faded, replaced by a more curious, if cautious, atmosphere. Rajveer turned to address the students at large.
"The primal awakening ceremony has concluded. You will all be given time to reflect on your abilities and potential. The real work begins now."
With that, the Vice Principal motioned for everyone to disperse.
On the way home
The evening sky had darkened, and the quiet hum of the world around them contrasted with the intensity of the primal awakening ceremony.
As Rudra and Anika walked side by side, the weight of the day lingered in the air, and Anika couldn't hold back her curiosity any longer.
"Rudra, I... I don't understand," Anika began, her voice tentative but full of concern. "Why didn't you awaken like the rest of us? You're different, I can feel it. But... how?"
Rudra looked ahead, his mind racing with the strange encounter in the tower. The dark figure's voice echoed in his thoughts, but he kept his expression neutral. He could tell that Anika was waiting for an answer, but he couldn't bring himself to tell her the truth—not yet, at least.
"I don't know," he replied quietly, his voice distant. "My skill... it's locked for now. It hasn't unlocked, but it's... there."
Anika looked at him with wide eyes, trying to process his words. "Locked? What does that even mean? Are you telling me your skill will just... appear later?"
Rudra nodded slowly, unsure of how much he should explain. "Yeah. I guess. That's what the Vice Principal said. And... there's a lot more to it, but I'm not sure when it'll come out. I have to... wait, I guess. Or... maybe it will happen when something triggers it."
Anika's expression shifted between confusion and worry. "That doesn't sound fair. Everyone else has a weapon or a skill, but you have to wait for something to unlock? What if it never happens?"
Rudra glanced over at her. There was a mixture of concern and determination in her eyes, and for a moment, he felt his resolve strengthen.
"I don't know what will happen, Anika," he said softly. "But I'll face it. I can't give up just because it's not happening the way I thought it would. I don't need a weapon right now to know what I have to do."
Anika fell silent for a moment, taking in his words. She could sense the quiet strength in his voice, and while she still didn't fully understand what was going on, she could tell that Rudra wasn't one to back down.
"I think you'll figure it out, Rudra," Anika said finally, a faint smile touching her lips. "You're stronger than you think."
Rudra looked at her, his gaze softening. "Thanks, Anika. I just... need to keep going. Whatever happens, I'll face it head-on."
Anika smiled more openly now, though there was still a hint of worry in her eyes. "I'll be here to help you, whatever you need. You're not alone in this."
They walked the rest of the way in comfortable silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Anika's support was a small but important comfort for Rudra, and he couldn't help but feel grateful for it. Whatever lay ahead, he knew he had someone by his side—at least for now.
When they reached Rudra's home, Anika waved goodbye. "I'll see you tomorrow," she said. "And Rudra... whatever happens, I know you'll be ready."
Rudra nodded, watching her leave. As he turned to enter his house, he couldn't shake the feeling that things were about to get a lot more complicated. But he would face it all, one step at a time.