Chapter 21: The Calm Before the Storm
The sky was quiet.
Too quiet.
Soft clouds drifted slowly above.
The wind carried a gentle breeze.
Everything felt… normal.
But that was the problem.
Nothing was normal anymore.
Meera sat on the grass.
Her hands resting beside her.
For the first time in days—
She wasn't fighting.
She wasn't running.
She was just… sitting.
"…It's peaceful," she said softly.
Arjun stood a few steps away.
Watching the horizon.
"…For now," he replied.
Meera sighed lightly.
"You always ruin the moment."
Arjun didn't react.
Meera smiled faintly.
"…But you're right."
Silence followed.
A calm silence.
Not heavy.
Not painful.
Just… quiet.
"…Do you think it will ever end?" Meera asked.
Arjun didn't answer immediately.
His eyes remained fixed on the distance.
"…No," he said finally.
Meera looked at him.
"…That honest, huh?"
Arjun nodded slightly.
"This kind of power…"
"It doesn't just disappear."
Meera looked down at her hands again.
The faint glow—
Still there.
Still a part of her.
"…Then I guess I'll just have to live with it," she said quietly.
Arjun glanced at her.
"…You're stronger than before."
Meera smiled a little.
"…Because of you."
Arjun looked away.
"…Because of you," he corrected.
A small silence passed between them.
But this one felt different.
Warmer.
Real.
"…Arjun?"
"…Yeah?"
"…What if…"
She hesitated.
"…What if I lose control again?"
Her voice was softer now.
More vulnerable.
Arjun turned toward her fully.
"…Then I'll stop you."
Meera looked up at him.
"…Even if it means hurting me?"
A pause.
A long one.
"…Yes," Arjun said quietly.
The answer was honest.
And heavy.
Meera nodded slowly.
"…Good."
Arjun frowned slightly.
"Good?"
Meera gave a small smile.
"Because I trust you."
Silence again.
But this time—
It meant something deeper.
A bond.
Unspoken.
Real.
The wind suddenly shifted.
Colder.
Stronger.
Arjun's expression changed instantly.
"…Something's wrong."
Meera stood up quickly.
"What is it?"
The air grew heavier.
The calm—
Gone.
Replaced by something dark.
Something familiar.
"…He's here," Arjun said.
Meera's heart skipped.
"…Already?"
Before Arjun could answer—
The sky darkened slightly.
As if something was covering the light.
The wind stopped completely.
Silence.
Then—
A voice.
Soft.
Cold.
"…I gave you time."
Meera froze.
That voice—
She knew it.
Arjun stepped forward.
"…Show yourself."
A shadow slowly formed in front of them.
Twisting.
Growing.
Until—
It took shape.
The same figure.
Watching.
Smiling.
"…I must say…" it said calmly.
"You've improved."
Meera clenched her fists.
"…Why are you here?"
The figure tilted its head slightly.
"Isn't it obvious?"
Its eyes glowed brighter.
"…I've come to test you."
The air cracked slightly around them.
Power building again.
But this time—
Meera didn't step back.
She stepped forward.
"…Then I won't lose this time."
The figure smiled wider.
"…Good."
"Because this time…"
"I won't be holding back."
The ground beneath them trembled.
The storm—
Had arrived.