[24 August 2115 (5:00 pm)]
BhattTech Academy, Astra zone
The fight intensifies, both Yantras colliding in the center of the ring. Fire meets lightning, the ground quakes, and the air crackles with the energy from both sides.
Sana: Vajra-Naad… Pralay Drishti!
A wave of crackling golden energy erupts from her palms, shaped like a massive thunder wheel, spinning toward Ananya with devastating speed. The ground beneath her cracks from the sheer force of the technique.
Ananya: Tejas Kunj!
She flips mid-air, slamming both palms into the arena floor. From the cracks erupts a giant serpent of fire, its body swirling like a tornado as it roars to meet the thunder wheel. The impact explodes in a blinding flash—thunder screams, fire howls.
Referee barriers strain to hold the shockwave. The audience leans forward, eyes wide.
Zeel (watching): Are you seeing this? Sana's Vajra Naad is growing more refined with every move.
Jay: And Ananya's fire—it's not ordinary elemental Yantra. That control is top-tier.
Inside the ring, Sana breathes hard, eyes narrowed. Her knees buckle slightly, but she stands tall.
Sana: You're strong… but I'm not backing down.
Ananya (smirking): Good. Because I was getting bored.
She claps her hands together.
Ananya: Agni-Tarangini! (Fire Wave Waltz)
Seven streaks of fire spiral around her and shoot toward Sana in a timed rhythm, each one smarter than the last, curving mid-air like they had minds of their own.
Sana: Vajra-Raksha! (Thunder Barrier)
A dome of crackling lightning envelops her just in time, the first five waves crashing into it and dispersing. But the sixth and seventh twist unnaturally—one arcs beneath, the other from above.
BOOM!
The impact sends Sana flying back, sliding on her side across the arena tiles. She grits her teeth and flips back up.
Ananya: You'll need more than raw power.
Sana (smiling): That's all I have... and that's all I need.
She stomps forward and slams both hands into the ground.
Sana: Vajra Vinaash: Trikona Aaghaat!
A triangular seal flashes beneath Ananya's feet—lightning erupts from three points at once, converging toward her like a net.
Ananya: Smart... but not enough.
She jumps, trying to avoid it—but the lightning shifts mid-course. The seal glows again.
Sana: It adapts.
Ananya twists in the air, arms crossed in front of her as the electric net explodes on contact. She crashes hard to the floor, coughing, her uniform scorched.
The audience roars.
Zeel: That was next-level. She forced Ananya into defense.
Jay: No… she cornered a fire-type with predictive lightning.
In the ring, Ananya slowly stands, lip bleeding, flames flickering unevenly.
Ananya: Okay, okay… maybe you're not a pushover.
Sana (panting): Took you this long to admit?
Ananya: Then let's stop playing.
She raises her arms.
Ananya: Agni Yantra: Bahumukhi Agni-Jaal! (Decree of the Fire God: Multi-Mouthed Fire Trap)
Flames spiral in six directions around Sana, enclosing her in a burning sphere. Each flame-mouth begins charging an attack of its own.
Sana (softly): Vajra... don't fail me now.
She shuts her eyes. Her body glows—pulse by pulse.
Sana: Vajra-Maya Stambhan! (Illusionary Thunder Bind)
The lightning beneath her flares out—then she vanishes.
BOOM—five fire blasts erupt at once, but Sana is no longer there.
Ananya blinks—then gasps.
Ananya: Behind me—!?
Sana (behind her): Vajra-Nihaan! (Thunder Execution)
She drives her charged elbow into Ananya's back. Lightning explodes point-blank.
Ananya screams, flung across the arena and crashing into the barrier. Smoke rises.
Silence.
Then—a cough. Ananya stands, body trembling.
Ananya: Not bad… but...
Her entire body ignites in pure white flame.
Ananya: You just awakened me.
Sana and Ananya face each other again—battered, bruised, yet unrelenting.
The audience watches in stunned silence as the two warriors, both pushed past their limits, channel their final reserves.
Ananya: Agni Yantra: Rudra Roop! (Great Flame: Form of the Destroyer)
A fiery aura engulfs her entire body, the flames no longer red but white-gold—burning with divinity. Her eyes glow, her hands raised in a final stance.
Sana: Vajra-Yantra: Antim Gunj! (Thunder Sea: Final Resonance)
Lightning erupts from Sana's back like wings—jagged, divine, violent. Her hair stands from the static, and her body surges with volts that crack the arena floor under her.
Jay (wide-eyed): They're going to destroy the entire ring!
Zeel: No, they're going to destroy each other.
Ananya and Sana (shouting): AAAAAAAAAH!!
They dash toward each other—fire and thunder blurring into one, their final attacks moments away from impact—
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
The arena blares with flashing red lights.
AI System Voice: DANGER LEVEL EXCEEDED. IMMINENT COLLISION COULD CAUSE FATAL DAMAGE. INITIATING EMERGENCY SAFETY PROTOCOLS.
Just before they collide, a translucent hexagonal energy field expands from the ring's core—freezing them mid-charge.
Ananya: What—!?
Sana (struggling): I can't… move?
The hex field pulses with high-frequency energy, neutralizing both fire and lightning.
AI System Voice: MATCH HALTED. DRAW DECLARED. PARTICIPANTS TO BE EVALUATED FOR MEDICAL CLEARANCE.
Maharshi : For real. I have seen first time AI have to interrupt in match like this.
Jay : That... that was amazing. Ananya Sharma's control on Agni Yantra is amazing. And Sana also fought well.
Zeel(climbing on ring) : Girls you are on fire o-or thunder or both i mean.
Hirak : Astra-Zone's AI system is made in such way if their power goes below 70% it will alert and stop the match to prevent pre tournament damage. Technology is fun isn't it?
Ananya(extending hand) : Good fight... Vajra Girl.
Ananya (extending her hand): Good fight… Vajra Girl.
Sana grasps her hand and pulls herself to her feet, still breathing hard.
Sana (smirking): Same to you… Fire Queen.
Maharshi (stepping forward with a faint smile): Your Agni Yantra tactics… they reminded me of someone from our team.
Zeel (nodding): Yeah. But your control—especially that Bahumukhi Agni-Jaal—might even surpass hers in finesse.
Ananya (tilting her head): There's only one person in BhattTech I've never managed to beat in an Agni Yantra duel.
Sana (instantly): You're talking about Arya Singh, aren't you?
Maharshi (crossing his arms): Correct. Arya isn't just ahead—she's in a league of her own. That's why I want to test you next, Ananya Sharma.
Ananya (chuckling, waving a hand dismissively): Not today. I only came here to assess my potential competition.
Sana (narrowing her eyes): What do you mean by that?
Jay (grinning): So you're officially recognizing Sana as your rival?
Ananya (turning to Sana with a confident smirk): Yes. Sana—today I'm letting you walk away. But when the tournament begins… I will defeat you. And prove who truly deserves the number one spot.
Sana (smiling, eyes locked with hers): I'm looking forward to it.
They hold their eye contact—electric, unspoken tension between them—until Ananya turns and walks out of the Astra-Zone without another word.
Hirak (clapping his hands): Alright, enough drama for one day. Back to target drills—remember those? The things that don't blow up half the zone?
Zeel (stretching): Yep. Let's get back to what we're supposed to be doing before Hirak makes us run diagnostics on our own lungs.
Everyone starts heading back to their stations, grabbing their gear and taking positions. But Maharshi remains still, eyes narrowed in thought.
His mind replays Bahumukhi Agni-Jaal—those six fire spirals weren't just powerful. They were... ancient. Structured.
Jay (calling out): Maharshi! You in or spacing out again?
Maharshi (without looking): I'm in. Give me five minutes.
He stays behind, watching the scorch marks on the floor, mind racing—Where did she learn that technique?
[24 August 2115 – 9:12 PM]
BhattTech Kashi Branch – Command Chamber
Two chairs float silently in the dim-lit chamber. Arya and Riva sit composed, their uniforms damp from the earlier mission. In front of them stands Raghavan Iyer, arms crossed, expression unreadable.
Raghavan: Hmm… so that's what happened at Manikarnika Ghat and beneath the Ganga. Did anyone witness the operation?
Arya: A few locals did catch glimpses. We convinced them it was a classified BhattTech tech test. No leaks so far.
Raghavan (firmly): Arya, we cannot afford civilian panic. If word gets out that a multi-headed Naag emerged from beneath the holy Ganga, it could collapse public morale.
Arya: We understand, sir. We took precautions.
Raghavan (stepping closer): Arya… you're the only one I fully trust on this mission. Not even Surya Pratap Singh. You understand what's truly at stake here, don't you?
Arya (resolute): We do, sir.
Raghavan: Then finish this mission—quickly. Before it escalates any further.
Arya (nodding): Understood.
Raghavan: Anything else to report?
Arya: One thing, sir. It's not confirmed yet, but... it bothers me. That creature—700 to 900 meters long, with 100 heads—it couldn't have grown unnoticed in the Ganga without someone helping from within. Civilians might be unknowingly involved.
Raghavan (eyes narrowing): You're suggesting there's a hidden hand among the people? That someone is orchestrating this from within the population?
Arya: It's just an assumption. But considering the ritualistic traces we found and the timing… we believe Vitrasur might be behind this. And he's planning something big.
Raghavan (after a pause): I see. Then close this quietly and thoroughly. Eliminate the threat. Find those responsible and shut them down. You are our frontline now, Arya Singh.
He turns away slightly.
Raghavan (quietly): You are our hope.
Arya: We won't let you down, sir.
Raghavan: Dismissed.
Arya and Riva rise from their floating chairs, give a brief nod, and exit the command chamber.
Kashi Branch – Corridor to Parking Bay
The corridor hummed faintly with energy as Arya and Riva walked in silence. Their footsteps echoed against the steel walls—precise, unhurried.
Riva: "Hope of BhattTech." That's a risky burden.
Arya (without looking at her): I didn't choose it.
Riva: Still. You carry it.
Arya glanced sideways. Riva's face was unreadable—expression flat, eyes ahead, posture rigid. She wasn't here for small talk. She never was.
Arya: You think Vitrasur's really behind this?
Riva: The pattern matches. Secrecy. Ritualistic scale. Multi-headed mutation. That's his style.
Arya (nods): And if he's moving pieces inside the population… this city's not safe.
Riva: Then let's end it before it spreads.
They reached the lift. Arya pressed the button. Silence again.
Arya (quietly): You don't talk much.
Riva (flatly): I'm not here to talk. I'm here to assist.
The lift doors slid open with a soft chime.
Out stepped Pratham, his arms casually folded behind his head—followed by Jenin Shah, water bottle in one hand, his trademark grin already in place.
Arya (raising an eyebrow): Well, look who's back. Took the scenic route?
Pratham (grinning): Just giving your assistant here a guided tour of BhattTech Kashi. You know, cultural bonding and all that.
Jenin (mock serious): Yeah, I think I saw Ganga from at least three different rooftops. Very spiritual experience. Got soaked spiritually and literally.
Riva (dryly): Fascinating. Do either of you actually work?
Pratham: Hey, I made a friend. That counts as emotional labor.
Jenin (nudging Arya): You should be proud. The guy actually laughed at one of my jokes. That's got to be worth a promotion.
Arya (smirking): I'm more impressed you kept up with the Jal Yantra coordination. That flood detainment at Sector 7B—it was precise. No civilian casualties.
Jenin (shrugging): Water likes me. I talk to it nice.
Riva (checking her tablet): Objective data supports Arya's evaluation. Your contribution reduced overall mission time by 42 seconds.
Pratham (elbowing Jenin): That's the closest thing to a compliment you'll ever get from Riva. Frame it.
Jenin (mock posing): Already screenshot it in my mind.
Arya (more serious now): Keep it up, both of you. We'll need that synergy again. This mission is just getting deeper—and darker.
Jenin (grinning): You say that like we're not used to getting wet.
Arya (with a faint smirk): Hmm... keep going like this, and you'll reach Top-Tier Maha-Khatarnak Shreni soon.
Jenin (mock salute): Thanks, Miss Singh. High praise from the legend herself.
Pratham (tilting his head): By the way, what are you doing here?
Arya: Reporting the Manikarnika operation to Raghavan sir. You?
Pratham: Raghavan sir called Jenin for something. I just tagged along—moral support, hydration supervision, motivational vibes…
Arya (dryly): Yeah, sounds like vital work.
Jenin: Honestly, I think he wants me to look into something related to Ganga flow anomalies. Probably connected to that Naag incident.
Arya: Makes sense. See you both tomorrow, then.
Pratham: Okey then...
As Arya and Riva began walking away, Pratham paused for a moment.
His eyes flicked to Riva. She didn't notice—still calmly scrolling through her tablet.
But in Pratham's mind, her voice echoed from the day they first arrived in Kashi:
Riva (memory): A dead body.
His brow tensed slightly. The words hadn't left his mind since that night.
Pratham (thinking): She's hiding something. I'll ask her later… when the time's right.
He shook it off for now, giving one last look at the two women ahead before turning toward the lift with Jenin. The corridor returned to its calm silence—at least on the surface.
[24 August 2115 - 10:00 am]
BhattTech Academy, Astra-Zone, new Delhi NCR
The sliding door hissed open. From the Astra-Zone lift, Maharshi, Hirak, and Jay stepped out, faces flushed with exhaustion.
Jay (stretching): Man, we really overdid it today. First day and I'm already half-dead.
Hirak: Don't worry, your muscles will adapt. Or you'll die trying.
Jay: Maharshi—?
Maharshi didn't respond. He was walking ahead slowly, lost in thought.
Jay (shaking him lightly): Hello? Earth to Maharshi!
Maharshi blinked and snapped out of it.
Maharshi: Huh? Sorry… what were we talking about?
Hirak: Are you okay? Should we drop you off at the dorm?
Maharshi: No, I'm fine. Just… thinking.
Jay (smirking): Thinking about Ananya, aren't you?
Maharshi (sighing): Yeah… her performance today was something else. At this rate, she might reach Top-Tier Maha-Khatarnak Shreni soon. If I train with her, maybe I'll gain an edge over Mohit in the tournament.
Jay: So it's still about his Agni Yantra, huh?
Maharshi: Exactly. Ananya's style hides something unique—some layered technique I can't read yet. But Mohit… he's made his own advanced Agni Yantra techniques. They're unpredictable.
Hirak: But none of them are officially recognized, right? And don't forget what happened in Nanmangalam Forest. His recklessness almost cost us all.
Maharshi: True… but still, training with Ananya could prepare me better for his wild tactics.
Jay: Fair. But remember, this time it's not just Mohit or Ananya. There are new faces in this tournament. We don't know their full capabilities—like Raghav Rathore, Vraj Patel, and Ankit Solanki.
Hirak: Ankit Solanki… I think I've heard of him. He's a topper from the Kashi Branch. Low-Tier Maha-Khatarnak Shreni, right?
Jay: Yeah. He's ranked #3. Right below Maharshi.
Maharshi (curious): Is he in the academy already?
Hirak: Probably. Participants have started arriving from all over the world.
Maharshi (determined): Then we're visiting him tomorrow.
Hirak (raising a brow): Seriously?
Maharshi: Yeah. I'm not planning to get defeated by someone ranked lower than me.
Jay (grinning): Alright then. Tomorrow, the great #2 meets the mysterious #3. Let's see if sparks fly.
Hirak: Just don't challenge him to a duel in the cafeteria. Again.
Maharshi (smirking): No promises.
The three walked down the corridor. Outside, the academy's campus was quiet under the night sky, only the distant hum of training Yantras buzzing in the background.
Hirak (muttering): You know… I've been hearing strange rumors about Ankit.
Jay (raising an eyebrow): Rumors? What kind?
Hirak: That he doesn't train with anyone. Keeps to himself. Doesn't even use common simulation chambers. And yet… his win record is flawless.
Maharshi: That's odd.
Jay: Maybe he's just an introvert.
Hirak: Or maybe he's hiding something.
Maharshi slowed his pace, his thoughts tightening.
Maharshi: What if he's not here to win… but to test something?
The other two exchanged glances.
Jay: Like what?
Maharshi (serious): Something connected to Vitrasur.
A cold breeze swept through the corridor. The security lamps flickered once—just once—but all three noticed it.
Hirak: That's not funny.
Jay: You think BhattTech let a Vitrasur pawn into the tournament?
Maharshi: I don't think anything yet. But tomorrow, I'll find out.
As they walked off toward the dorms, none of them noticed a figure standing silently on the rooftop of the nearby admin building. Cloaked in shadows, he watched them without a word.
His eyes glowed faintly blue.
Unknown Figure (whispering to himself): The pieces are moving… Let's see how long they last.
To be continue