[24 August 2115]
BhattTech's Branch In Chennai
The BhattTech heroes entered their luxury airship parked discreetly on the edge of the compound. Sana and Maharshi walked side by side, their expressions unreadable. Jay quickly took his seat. Hirak ran a swift diagnostic on the ship's controls, and Zeel finally exhaled—relieved but tense.
Before anyone could sink into their comfort zone, Maharshi broke the silence.
Maharshi: Hirak?
Hirak: Everything's fine. I don't think they planted any tracers or mics in our airship.
Maharshi finally exhaled.
Zeel: That was close. I thought Inspector Jayanth would never let us leave... but somehow they did. Still, I think their team is suspicious of us.
Jay: Yeah. But I don't think they'll take action.
Zeel: And why's that?
Jay: Because Maharshi handled the situation perfectly.
Zeel: Obviously.
Sana: I never thought we'd have to lie to them…
Hirak: We didn't lie. We just didn't let them bring up the real topic. We showed them the approved reports, kept the focus controlled. So there's nothing to worry about, Sana.
Zeel: Yeah. You know why Maharshi is our leader—even though he's not the most powerful among us?
Sana: Huh?
Maharshi: Guys…
Zeel: Because when it comes to politics and legal manipulation, Maharshi is the best. No one outplays him in a diplomatic game.
Maharshi : Guys...
Jay : Yeah, There is no doubt that he obtain this skill from his father Kartik sir. Just like him he always come up with unique solution.
Maharshi(Angry): GUYS ! We still have to discuss onething. Sana... do you really know that creature or that srapit aatma whatever it is ?
Sana : No. I don't know.
Maharshi : Then why did it recall you by your name ?
Sana : I really don't know.
Maharshi : hmm, Ok then but if you know anything regarding to this issue please tell us. Otherwise our team will be in big trouble.
Sana : I understand.
Zeel : Then it is good. Now what to do next ? Let's go to academy.
Maharshi : Let's go back to studies.
The airship's engines hummed low as Hirak prepped for liftoff. Just then, a red notification blinked on the control screen.
Hirak: Uh… guys? We've got an incoming signal. Emergency-level. From Inspector Jayanth's unit.
Everyone tensed.
Jay: I thought we were cleared to leave!
Hirak: We were… but this isn't a stop order. It's a data ping—sending us a file.
Maharshi stepped forward and read the message aloud.
Maharshi: "You missed something. Found near the creature's remains. Not safe to talk here. Trust no one. Decode this yourself."
Attached was a compressed audio file and an encrypted image—both untraceable, military-grade encryption.
Sana: What… what is this?
Zeel: Either someone's helping us... or setting us up.
Maharshi: We'll check it after we take off. Hirak, move.
Hirak: Already on it.
The airship lifted from the ground silently, blending with the dusk sky as it ascended into cloud cover.
[24 August 2115, 11:43 AM]
BhattTech Dormitory, New Delhi – Mentor's Briefing Room
A large digital screen displayed mission logs, holograms flickering with combat footage from the Chennai forest. The team sat lazily on the chairs and couches, sipping juice pouches and protein bars like it was just another Tuesday.
But Ganesh? He was pacing like a man watching his favorite cricket team lose.
Ganesh (squawking): Wait—WAIT! You're telling me…
You went to a cursed forest…
Fought ZOMBIES who were once HUMANS…
One of them was mutated and tanked your Yantras like it was a water balloon fight…
He grabbed his head with both hands.
Ganesh: AND YOU DEFEATED IT!?
Zeel (casually): Yeah. Was tough. But we managed.
Ganesh: And THEN—THEN!—you randomly ran into a mysterious creature who used Vajra Yantra out of nowhere?! Just—boom, Vajra!?
Jay (yawning): Pretty much.
Ganesh (mock crying): Oh wow. Oh great. I was eating my dal chawal and y'all were out there in a horror movie!
Hirak (grinning): We sent the report on time, though.
Ganesh (dramatically): You think I'm worried about reports!? I'm worried about my blood pressure!
He pointed at Sana like she was a Marvel villain.
Ganesh: And YOU! The creature looked at you and just went "Hi Sana" like you're long-lost cousins at a wedding! WHAT IS THIS!?
Sana (nervously): I really don't know why…
Ganesh: Great! Wonderful! We're collecting unknown monsters now! Should we give it a BhattTech ID card while we're at it?
Maharshi (smirking): We're safe. That's what matters.
Ganesh: SAFE!? Inspector Jayanth filed a report on you! You were one mic-wire away from getting arrested—and you're all just sitting here like you finished a group project!
Zeel: Well, technically we did.
Ganesh (throwing hands in the air): I can't! I CAN'T! Why are you all so chill?
Jay: I mean… we've seen worse.
Ganesh: Worse!? WHAT'S WORSE THAN A ZOMBIE ARMY LED BY A CURSED CREATURE WHO KNOWS YOUR TEAMMATE'S NAME AND USES VAJRA YANTRA!?
Hirak: Srapit Aatma with time-loop powers?
Ganesh (muttering): I need a vacation. Or a therapist. Or a bottle of ginger chai and a therapist.
Maharshi (serious now): Sir, jokes aside… this incident needs to stay off public records.
Ganesh (sighing, dropping into a chair): Yeah… yeah, I know. This goes into the black archives. I'll speak to Kiran Ma'am and lock it down. But listen up...
He leaned forward, dramatically.
Ganesh: Next time… take ME with you. I want some action too, dammit.
Zeel: You sure? Last time we took you on recon, you ran from a squirrel.
Ganesh (offended): It JUMPED at me! That was not a squirrel, that was a demon with fur.
Ganesh clapped his hands dramatically.
Ganesh: Alright! Enough post-mission therapy. Let's talk about something just as stressful—the Mahayantra Tournament.
Jay (groaning): we already know..
Zeel: I knew it.
Ganesh: You bet. Tournament starts in one week, and the brackets are almost set. We just got the system update.
He tapped a button. A large hologram flickered to life, displaying BhattTech's Elite Combat Leaderboard.
Ganesh: Look at this beauty. This is the official ranking board as of today.
The screen showed:
#1 – Mohit Singh
#2 – Maharshi Bhatt
#3 – Ankit Solanki (Kashi Branch)
#4 – Zeel Prajapati
#5 – Jay Gohil
#6 – Raghav Rathore
#7 – Anaya Sharma
#8 – Vraj Patel
#9 – Hirak Joshi (Navigator Division)
#10 – Sana – [No Public Data]
Sana (blinking): Wait… I'm on the list?
Hirak (checking): You are. But your data's redacted. Probably because of your classified Vajra Yantra activation in exams. No one knows much about you—yet.
Ganesh: Which is why everyone's curious. You're the mystery name. While others have battle records and highlights, you're the quiet wildcard.
Zeel: Unlike some people who love the spotlight. Hi Mohit.
Jay: Don't get jealous. You're #4.
Maharshi: Mohit being #1 isn't a surprise. He's strong. But he's also overhyped.
Ganesh: Well, half the Academy's betting on him. The other half? Waiting to see what you do, Maharshi. And yes, Pratham's missing from the list—since he's off with Arya on classified duty.
Sana: So Arya isn't participating either?
Ganesh (nodding): No. Last year's champion is officially out. Her withdrawal has created a huge power vacuum. Now it's anyone's game.
Hirak: And with Pratham gone too, the main pillars are missing. This year's bracket's going to be unpredictable.
Ganesh: Exactly. Here's the rundown:
One-on-one knockout format
No teams, no Navigators—just pure Yantra combat
10-minute limit per round
Ring-outs, knockouts, or surrenders decide the winner
Srapit Yantra is allowed—but lose control and you're done
Final Four get invited to the Elite Advancement Program, which means access to experimental Yantras, high-tier missions, and direct mentorship from senior Navigators.
Jay: No qualifiers for us, right?
Ganesh (smirking): Of course not. You're all Khatarnak Shreni or higher. Straight to the main bracket.
Zeel: So who's our biggest threat? Mohit?
Ganesh: Him, and a few others. Shivang from Kashi. Raghav Rathore. Even Anaya Sharma from Pune's Psi-Department. But don't sleep on the dark horses either.
Maharshi: This tournament is the perfect place for unknowns to rise and egos to fall.
Ganesh (looking at Sana): And some unknowns might just turn into legends.
Sana (quietly): I'm not sure I'm ready for that.
Jay (smiling): You weren't ready in Chennai either. But you still brought the thunder.
Zeel: Literally.
Ganesh (grinning): One week to prepare. Train hard, rest harder, and please—for the love of chai—no cursed forests until this tournament ends.
The canteen buzzed with life—hundreds of students in uniform, laughing, eating, debating battle strategies. On one corner table, the Chennai mission heroes sat in a loose circle.
Zeel, Jay, Hirak, Sana, and Maharshi.
Zeel: I'm telling you, Chennai was a six-star difficulty. That forest fight? Literally a mini warzone.
Jay: You screamed when the monster regenerated.
Zeel: It bit me! Who wouldn't scream?
Sana (smiling): Still… we won.
Hirak (typing on his datapad): We survived. That's different. Technically, Sana's overcharged Vajra saved us all.
Maharshi (quietly): Don't get comfortable. That was just the first test.
The group went silent for a beat.
A pair of girls passed their table, eyes on Maharshi.
Student 1 (whispering): That's him. Maharshi Bhatt. He's kinda hot when he's brooding.
Student 2: And that's Sana! The Vajra Girl. She's trending today again—Rank #10. Some people are mad about it.
Suddenly—
The main entrance slid open with a hiss.
A cool draft entered. Conversations began to stutter and shift.
Students turned, looked, whispered.
And then—he walked in.
Mohit Singh.
Wearing his signature dark BhattTech coat, with a silver crest of the Singh clan shining faintly on his shoulder. His eyes were distant. His posture calm, but every step was calculated power.
A ripple passed through the crowd.
Student 3: Oh look… it's Mohit!
Student 4: I didn't know he was back on campus!
Student 5: That coat is customized with Grade-VII carbon silk. That's elite class.
Phones lifted. Cameras clicked. Students swarmed toward him.
Student 6: Mohit bhaiya, please just a handshake!
Student 7: My sister loves you! Say hi once—please!
Mohit kept walking. Silent. Unbothered.
Security bots rolled alongside him, subtly guiding the crowd away. No one dared push further.
Zeel (watching, unimpressed): And the royal highness arrives.
Jay: It's like watching a comet walk in.
Sana (curious): That's Arya's brother?
Zeel: Yep. Arrogant. Silent. Brilliant. And apparently allergic to friends.
Hirak : Stop biching already about him.
Maharshi stand-up from his chair and go to Mohit's table. Students seen that and start murmuring.
Student 8 : Do they are again going to fight ?
Student 9 : Or just again arguments on each other.
Maharshi : Hey Mohit i didn't thought i will tell this but thanks for your support in chennai.
Students are not so close to hear what they both are talking about.
Mohit: Hm. I did what was necessary. Don't mistake that for concern.
Maharshi: Still, I acknowledged it. Didn't expect you to show up when things got real.
Mohit (raising an eyebrow): Unlike you—who acts on impulse and calls it leadership.
Maharshi (gritting his teeth): At least I don't hide in the background pretending to be some silent savior.
Mohit: No. You just charge ahead without a plan and hope your teammates cover the fallout.
Maharshi: And you? You just watch from the sidelines waiting to show off when the cameras are on.
Mohit (calmly): Jealousy doesn't suit you, Maharshi.
Maharshi (coldly): And false humility doesn't suit you either, Mohit.
Students nearby leaned in, sensing the tension rise like static before a storm.
Student 10 (whispering): Here we go again…
Student 11: Every time these two talk, the temperature drops ten degrees.
Hirak sighed from their table.
Hirak: Someone get a mop. Ego spill in aisle three.
Zeel (grinning): I give it two more lines before they challenge each other to a duel.
Jay (dry): One, if Mohit brings up ranking.
Mohit (to Maharshi): Enjoy your #2 spot. It won't last long.
Maharshi (smirking): Neither will your lucky streak.
The two locked eyes, the air between them crackling with unspoken history.
Sana (murmuring): Do they hate each other?
Zeel: Nah. They just refuse to admit they're actually similar. And that's what drives them nuts.
Mohit (sharply): You're too reckless to lead. How many missions have nearly failed because of your impulsive decisions?
Maharshi (snapping): And how many lives were lost while you stood silent, doing nothing? Hiding behind "strategy" doesn't make you brave, Mohit!
Mohit (stepping closer): I don't waste energy on unnecessary drama. That's your speciality—throwing flashy moves for attention.
Maharshi (jaw clenched): Better than being a coward who waits until others are bleeding to step in like a hero.
Mohit: Careful. You're starting to sound like a whining brat instead of a commander.
Maharshi (shouting): And you're sounding like a jealous little brother who can't stand being overshadowed by Arya and me!
Mohit (eyes narrowing): Don't bring Arya into this. You're not even worthy of being compared to her.
Maharshi (furious): Say that again, and I swear I'll knock that smug look off your face!
Mohit (taunting): Try it. Let's see if you're anything without your team backing you up.
The chairs screeched as students stood, anticipating a fight.
Zeel: Uh-oh. Gloves coming off.
Jay (firmly): If someone doesn't stop them, this is gonna turn into a Yantra duel.
Hirak (activating console): Should I prep emergency protocols?
Sana (tense): This is bad. They're really going to—
Suddenly, a wave of dense spiritual pressure surged through the room like a blast of cold wind.
Voice (calm, commanding): That's enough.
The heavy pressure in the room snapped into stillness. Everyone turned toward the doorway.
Standing there was a tall woman in a dark maroon BhattTech combat coat, her arms folded. Her presence was sharp—like a blade forged from years of battle. A faint scar ran across her left eyebrow, and her expression carried the calm of someone who had already survived worse.
Zeel (whispering): Whoa... that's...
Jay (nodding slowly): Revaanshi Rajput. Top-Tier Maha-Khatarnak Shreni. New Delhi HQ's tactical advisor.
Hirak (adjusting specs): Ex-Mission Commander of the Black Ops 7 Unit. She's supposed to be on standby until next quarter.
Revaanshi: Continue this nonsense, and I'll personally request both of you be disqualified from the Mahayantra Tournament.
Maharshi clenched his fists but said nothing. Mohit's smirk faded.
Revaanshi (stepping forward): You two are strong. But strength without discipline is just a liability.
Mohit (coldly): With due respect, this is a team matter.
Revaanshi (eyes narrowing): And I'm part of that team's oversight board. Keep talking.
Mohit looked away.
Revaanshi (to Maharshi): You're a leader. Start acting like one.
Maharshi (gritting his teeth): He provoked me.
Revaanshi: Then outsmart him. Not out-shout him.
She turned to the room, voice cutting through the tension.
Revaanshi: The Chennai team is on thin ice after the Nanmangalam incident. Don't add fuel to the fire. Your actions reflect on all of BhattTech.
A long silence followed.
Sana (softly): She's... intense.
Zeel: No kidding. That woman once neutralized three Srapit Aatmas alone without breaking a sweat.
Revaanshi (to all): Carry on with the briefing. Tournament or not, the real war is still out there.
She gave one last hard look at Mohit and Maharshi—then walked to the side, leaning against the wall like a silent sentinel.
Zeel,Sana, Jay and Hirak came after.
Zeel : Guys calm down.
Jay : Yeah just fight. And stop arguing.
Maharshi : Tch..fine..
Maharshi returns to his table. And other too. But from the corner of the canteen Ananya Sharma is looking to Sana with suspicious looks.
To be continue