Ring…
The college bell rang, the first period had started. Krishna was in class, but not Pranith. The class in-charge began taking attendance, and when Pranith's roll number was called, Krishna quickly stood up.
"Sir, Pranith went to the washroom. He'll come back in a moment."
Just then, Pranith appeared outside the class and asked for permission.
"Sir, shall I come in?"
"Get in," the sir said.
Krishna sighed in relief as Pranith settled beside him. Once the lecture resumed, Krishna leaned closer and whispered, "Is your stomach okay now? Are you feeling better?"
Pranith smiled, hiding the truth, and replied, "All good. I'm fine now."
But what had actually happened was different—
When Pranith and Krishna entered the college, Pranith had told him, "Krishna, you go ahead. I need to use the restroom. If class starts, please give my attendance."
"Okay, I will," Krishna said, heading toward class.
Pranith, instead, checked the restroom carefully to make sure no one was inside. Then he sat down, recalling Tarkshya's words. Taking a deep breath, he followed the instructions—he grabbed his left hand,
covered his left eye with his palm, and whispered:
"Genesis Wave… Rudra."
Instantly, his left-eye vision turned black. Slowly, the darkness faded, and an image appeared—he saw the small lodge where Rudra and Dhruva were staying. Both of them were asleep.
"Huh… nothing's happening right now? I'll be late if I stay longer," Pranith muttered. He ended the vision and hurried back to class.
That was the truth.
Later, during the break, Krishna asked, "Shall we go for snacks this evening?"
"Sorry, Krishna, I have some work. We'll plan some other time, okay?"
"Okay… but what work? Something personal?" "No, not like that."
"Then tell me."
Pranith smiled faintly. "You know I want to become a writer, right?""Yeah, I know."
"Well, I've been working on a fantasy story recently." "Oh, nice! Will you tell me about it?"
Pranith shook his head. "I'll tell you when I finish half of it." "Alright, as you wish. I'll be ready to listen."
"Sure."
The break ended, and soon the college day was over. The two said
their goodbyes and went home.
Pranith rushed straight to his room, freshened up, ate a few snacks, and then sat at his desk. He began writing down everything he had seen in Genesis Wave—Rudra, the children, the kidnappers, even Dhruva. He captured every detail.
But then curiosity struck him. He wanted to check if Rudra and Dhruva were still asleep. So, he performed the ritual again—covering his left eye, deep breath, whispering the words.
What he saw this time was devastating.
The lodge where Rudra and Dhruva had been staying was engulfed in flames. Ten people lay dead. Only one survivor remained. Rudra's blade dripped with blood, and Dhruva's hands were also stained red.
Pranith's heart raced. "What happened here? Who are those people?"
The lone survivor, barely alive, spoke in a trembling voice: "My entire town… it was taken over by this evil group. The children you protected—they're in their custody, along with my wife and daughter. Please, sir, I beg you… protect our town!"
The man fell to his knees, crying desperately.
Dhruva turned to Rudra. "What do you want to do, Rudra? Protect them—or leave?"
Rudra's reply was cold, unwavering. "You already know my answer."
Dhruva let out a short laugh. "Then let's go."
They mounted the enemy's horses and rode toward the town.
Pranith snapped back to his own reality, terrified. His mind swirled with fear for the children and the fate of the town. He checked the clock—it was only 4:25 p.m. He tried calling Tarkshya, but there was
no answer.
Instead, he recalled Tarkshya's words: Do it alone. Call 'Genesis Wave: Rudra'.
But a thought struck him. If I'm truly a writer, then I can't only focus on the main character. I must also see supporting characters, passersby, and places. If 'Genesis Wave: Rudra' lets me see Rudra, then what if I try other names? Will I see different things?
Tarkshya, unseen, was watching everything—listening to every thought. He laughed softly, his voice echoing in Pranith's ears: "Try your theory and see for yourself."
Pranith muttered stubbornly, "Even if you don't say it, I'll try anyway."
He remembered the name of the town he had seen earlier, written on the welcome sign. Sitting straight, he repeated the ritual—hand over left eye, deep breath—
"Genesis Wave… Via Minor."
His vision blurred, then shifted. He saw the town of Via Minor—its people kneeling before the leader of the evil group. Children were tied to wooden stakes with ropes.
Pranith's fists clenched. Rage burned inside him. Rudra, come fast… please.
Just then, a voice broke through his vision. His mother was calling him from downstairs. He stopped the ritual and left his room.
End of Chapter Five