---
The forest was bleak, wind whispering through the twisted trees as dust swirled around the boots of Master Vishma and Parashu. Dry leaves danced like dying embers, scattered along the narrow path beneath their feet. The world felt quiet, holding its breath beneath a gray sky.
Parashu walked close behind, his brow furrowed, thoughts tumbling inside his head.
"Master," he said, glancing at Vishma, "According to Asura, his friend has the power to defeat that monster. If he truly has that much power… then why is he hiding?"
Ahead of them, Asura came to a halt. He turned slowly, his expression unreadable, but his eyes—those tired, haunted eyes—carried a storm of buried pain.
"If you want to know," Asura said flatly, "you should ask me directly."
---
Years Ago – A Forgotten Village
Once, in a corner of the world untouched by chaos, there was a village cradled by hills and sunlight. Laughter rang through its markets. Children raced down cobbled streets. Peace reigned.
But peace, like smoke, never lingers for long.
"Asura," Parashu said, walking beside him, "What do you mean by 'Kara Army'? Who are they?"
Asura didn't look at him. His voice came low, distant, as though speaking across time.
"The truth is, their real motive remains unknown. But they are ruthless. Monstrous. They are the Soul Archivers," he said, his eyes darkening. "They collect souls. And with every one they steal, they grow stronger. Strong enough to erase an entire village in a blink."
Parashu shook his head, disbelief written across his face. "That sounds… impossible to defeat."
"It was," Asura said. "But my friend and I… we came this close to ending it all."
Parashu stared at him, confusion turning to suspicion. "Wait—you told us your powers were useless against them. And now you're saying you almost won?"
Asura stopped walking. His shoulders stiffened as memories clawed their way up from the past.
"Because it wasn't the first time we fought them."
Parashu blinked. "So… you've faced them before."
"We were winning," Asura murmured. "Until my friends turned on me."
Silence fell between them.
Parashu's voice grew cold. "You mean your friend betrayed you? And now we're supposed to trust him to help us defeat them again? That's foolish."
Asura's gaze drifted to the horizon, his voice low and hollow.
"Every time we encounter something we think is wrong, we rush to judge it. But sometimes... there's something hidden. Something we never understood."
---
That Night — A Burned Village
As dusk descended, the trio reached a ruined village. Ash clung to the air. Charred homes leaned against each other like corpses in mourning.
Parashu's voice broke the silence, trembling. "What happened here? It's… it's like the war already came and left nothing behind."
Vishma stepped forward, surveying the scene. "You're not ready for battle yet, Asura," he said softly. "You need rest."
He turned to Parashu. "It's already nightfall. We'll sleep here."
Parashu frowned, frustrated. "But—"
"No buts," Vishma said firmly. "We'll find shelter. This place is unfamiliar and dangerous. Stay close. Don't wander off."
Parashu scoffed. "Don't worry about me. I'm not a child anymore."
---
Later That Night
The moon hung low, casting silver shadows that clung to the crumbled ruins. While the others slept by the fire, Parashu sat wide awake, his fingers twitching with curiosity.
"I'll just take a quick look around…" he whispered.
He crept away from the firelight, into the deeper darkness of the village.
---
Within the Hollow Streets
The village was a ghost of itself, the air heavy with silence. The wind whispered secrets through broken doorways and shattered windows.
Parashu moved cautiously, eyes scanning the empty homes. "Where is everyone?" he murmured.
Then he heard it.
A low growl. A deep, dragging sound.
Parashu froze.
A shadow shifted behind a crumbling wall. The sound grew louder—like something massive scraping against stone.
"What the hell…?" he muttered.
From the corner of his eye, something moved.
Then it stepped out.
A monstrous figure, grotesque and towering, its body stitched with pulsing shadows, eyes glowing with inhuman fury.
"RRRAAAAHHH!" the creature bellowed.
Parashu reached for the blade at his waist. The monster lunged.
He barely dodged in time, tumbling backward as the creature's claw slashed through the air where his head had been moments ago.
"I gotta get out of here!"
Parashu bolted, racing through the ruins, his heartbeat hammering in his ears.
---
Into the Forest
Branches tore at his skin as he plunged into the dense trees, the monster crashing through the undergrowth behind him. The moonlight flickered through the leaves, offering only glimpses of the path ahead.
He stumbled, caught himself, and kept running.
"I can't outrun it," he gasped. "Not for long…"
The growls grew louder. Closer.
Every shadow looked like death.
---
The Clearing
Parashu burst from the trees into a wide clearing. His legs buckled beneath him, and he collapsed to the dirt, breath ragged, body trembling.
"No… Not now…"
The ground shook.
The monster emerged, more terrible in full light, its massive form blotting out the stars.
"You can't escape," it growled.
Parashu scrambled backward, but a claw lashed out, wrapping around his throat. It lifted him like a doll, his feet dangling, strength draining.
"Please… no…" he choked.
"You were never going to make it," the creature hissed.
The darkness wrapped around him, the world closing in—
---
Then Came the Voice
A voice, like thunder breaking the sky.
"You son of a bitch… haven't you done enough?"
The monster stiffened, its grip loosening in confusion.
"Who dares—"
Footsteps.
Slow. Heavy.
A figure stepped into the clearing, cloaked in shadows and wrath. He was tall, clad in blackened armor that glinted under the moonlight. His eyes burned like molten steel, and in his hand, a sword hummed with quiet rage.
"You slaughtered every soul in that village," the man said. "And now you want to kill this traveler too?"
The monster growled and dropped Parashu to the ground with a heavy thud, shifting its full focus to the intruder.
"You dare challenge me?" it spat.
"I do," the warrior replied coldly. "And I won't let you kill one more innocent soul."
Parashu lay gasping on the dirt, barely conscious. His eyes widened as he watched the stranger stand tall before the beast.
Who is this... and why is he risking his life for me?
The warrior raised his sword.
"You're gonna regret this."
And in the clearing beneath the moon, steel met shadow.
---
TO BE CONTINUED…