Om sat silently on the sofa, deep in thought. The things he'd learned from Mark that day weighed heavily on his mind. The house was quiet, save for the occasional clatter of dishes from the kitchen where Sharanya was busily cleaning. He knew she was trying to keep herself distracted—perhaps from the pain, perhaps from the silence. Even Shreya wasn't doing well. She had been working out nonstop, pushing herself relentlessly, as if trying to escape her emotions.
Om felt helpless.
Ding-dong.
The doorbell broke the stillness. Om stood up and opened the door to find a man in military uniform, a solemn expression on his face. In his hands, he held a box that resembled a ceremonial urn. Om's breath caught—he didn't need to ask. He knew. It was his father's ashes.
With trembling hands, he received the urn, muttering a quiet thank-you. As he turned to close the door, the soldier spoke.
"Can you please call Lead Shreya?"
Om nodded, understanding. "Please come in."
The man stepped inside, removed his hat, and sat quietly in the living room. Om went to call Shreya.
She entered the room moments later. As soon as the soldier saw her, he stood up and gave a formal military salute. Shreya responded with a nod and motioned for him to sit.
Om recognized that the conversation to follow was confidential. He stepped out respectfully, placing the urn before his father's photograph in the living room. Then he retreated to his room, letting the silence swallow him again. He didn't try to eavesdrop. He knew the military was strict with sensitive information.
As he sat on his bed, his watch vibrated. A call from a friend, offering condolences. Om spoke for about half an hour, grateful for the distraction. As the call ended, he heard the front door open and close.
He stepped out and found Shreya sitting on the sofa, gazing at their father's photo. She turned to him.
"I got a call from my superior," she said. "I need to report back to base immediately. My leave has been cancelled."
The words hit him hard. Before he could respond, their mother, Sharanya, stepped out from the kitchen and overheard.
Sharanya didn't say a word, but both Om and Shreya could see the pain in her eyes. Watching her daughter leave for the military—especially now, after the loss of her husband—was almost too much to bear. Yet she nodded silently and asked, "When are you leaving?"
"Tomorrow," Shreya replied emotionlessly. "I'll be back during Om's Elemental Test."
Om's eyes widened. "That's still twenty days away. Is it that important?"
"Yes," she said firmly. "As a First-Stage Chakra Protector, I'm needed at the base. I also have to visit the Gurukul."
Shreya was the pride of the family. During her own Elemental Test, she had manifested both a primary and a secondary element—Viranth—and had been accepted into the elite Gurukul. Those who trained there didn't need to rise through the military ranks. They could skip straight to becoming a Lead Protector, bypassing the soldier stage entirely.
In just one year, Shreya had reached the First Chakra and earned the title of Lead. Her call to return was not something that could be ignored.
Sharanya nodded solemnly, and Shreya returned to her room to begin preparations.
That night passed in quiet resignation. Om remained in his room, while Sharanya continued with chores, both of them lost in their own thoughts.
The Next Morning — 6 AM
Shreya had finished packing. She stood near the door, saying her farewells. Sharanya tried to maintain a stoic face, but it was clear how deeply she was worried.
Shreya's watch buzzed—a call from the vehicle that had come to pick her up.
"I'll be there in ten minutes," she said into the device.
She hugged her mother and brother tightly, whispering words of encouragement into Om's ear, reminding him of the things he needed to do over the next few days. Then, without another word, she left.
Om watched the vehicle disappear into the morning mist. Then he returned to his room to study. According to tradition, no one in the family was supposed to leave the house for ten days after a death. But emergencies made exceptions.
He studied quietly all day, eating his meals in his room. When evening came, he stepped into the living room and turned on the TV, hoping for some distraction.
But peace was not what the news brought.
The screen showed breaking news: The Eternal Kingdom has launched an attack on the military base Shreya was stationed at. Many Dharma soldiers had perished. Due to a severe shortage of personnel, all soldiers had been recalled. Though the attack was swift and brutal, the enemy didn't linger. But the report confirmed their worst fear—the Eternal Kingdom had infiltrated India.
How many enemy operatives had made it across? No one knew. Om, however, suspected the military did—only they weren't disclosing it.
He tried calling Shreya. No response.
Soldiers below the rank of Captain weren't allowed to wear communication watches, especially during deployment. His worry deepened. His sister was out there, possibly in danger, and there was nothing he could do.
Ding-dong.
The bell rang again. His mother wasn't home—she'd gone out to pick up groceries.
Om walked to the door, heart pounding.