In Mumbai 's Old dark tunnels, water dripping from the walls and rotten stench made the place nightmarish. Masked No. 8 (the one who'd met the principal) approached a shadow at the tunnel's end.
A young man stood there, about 27-28, in a sleek black Team Uniform with a chilling logo—a black sun: 'Team Andhkar.'
His name: Kiwa Kalyani. His eyes held an eerie cold gleam.
"You're late," Kiwa's voice echoed off the walls.
No. 8: "Relax, Kiwa. Extracting intel from Virat Academy isn't child's play."
Kiwa Kalyani: "No. 8, focus on your mission. Cut the chit-chat."
No. 8: "Hey! Why so touchy? Just joking—we're old friends..."
Kiwa (stepping forward angrily): "Friends? Know your place. Give me what I came for."
No. 8 paused, greed flashing in his eyes. "Sure, but remember our deal? Or did you forget? Gimme that 'Beyond' Injection we agreed on."
Kiwa pulled a small metallic tube from his uniform pocket, purple liquid glowing inside. "Here. Now mine."
No. 8 handed over a tiny black box. Kiwa grabbed it, turned, and started leaving.
No. 8: "Not checking it? What if it's empty?"
Kiwa stopped without turning, voice deadlier. "No need."
No. 8: "I could cheat you, Kiwa."
Kiwa: "Don't test me. If it's empty, I'll snap your neck right here. Remember—Team Andhkar's revenge is nothing less than death."
Kiwa vanished into darkness. No. 8 beyed the injection—designed to push human chakra energy beyond natural limits—and prepped his vein.
Back at Viraat Academy, Shiv sat on his bed, staring at his trembling hands. What he'd done in training terrified him.
"Signature Skill... (Tether)?" he whispered.
Arav and Viru slept, but Shiv was wide awake. His skill wasn't just power. Linking Veer and Ritika's chakras, he'd felt their fear, anger, memories.
'T' truly meant The Soul Linker.
He realized his power could master others' strengths—but at a cost. The more he connected, the more he risked losing himself.
A shadow appeared at his window. The unseen man.
"You've only knocked on the door, Shiv Chandravanshi," his voice echoed in the air. "True power awakens when Team Andhkar makes its next move. Let's see if you save your legacy... or get erased like history."
Shiv bolted up—nothing there. Just cold wind from the window. No one at the academy was safe anymore.
Chapter 8 (Continued): Master's Return and the Burden of 100,000 Points
The next morning, Shiv woke to find Arav and Viru ready. "Guys! Why didn't you wake me? We're late again!" Shiv yelled. They bolted to class in panic.
Bursting in: "Sorry Ma'am, we—"
Silence. No Miss Naina, no students.
Shiv: "Holiday today?"
Viru: "Nah, that's day after."
Arav: "Oh yeah! Forgot—everyone's at main hall. Principal's big announcement."
They dumped bags and ran. Thousands from 1st-year to AA packed the hall. Shiv found Veer and Ritika.
Shiv: "Veer, what's happening?"
Veer (gruff): "Dunno."
Shiv: "But Sir said you're top 1st-year—you should know."
Veer (angry): "What're you saying?"
Ritika: "Cool it! Principal's here."
On stage: "Students! You're Virat Academy's future. To elevate your training, we've invited a 'special guest'—India's oldest, greatest martial arts master: Shri Ravi Bacchan!"
The hall froze as the 'unseen man' appeared. Veer's grandfather.
Shiv: "What? Ravi Bacchan? Veer's grandpa?"
Arav: "Yeah, Shiv—full name Veer Bacchan."
Shiv: "Veer's from that martial arts dynasty?"
Ravi grabbed the mic, voice booming like mountains. "I'll train you for 1 week. It'll be brutal—so only 10 students. Tournament decides. Rule: No killing, no extra weapons. Show full power—I pick only the best."
After Ravi left, Shiv asked Ritika, "Why 'Oldest Martial Master'?"
Ritika: "He's 65, was India's No. 1, world's No. 3. Whole family's warriors."
Shiv noticed Veer gone—off to meet his grandpa.
Veer: "Why're you here? You know how mad I am at you."
Grandpa: "Came at my old friend Principal's request. And for some fun... wanna see that 'Chandravanshi' boy."
Veer: "So Shiv's just entertainment? What's special?"
Grandpa: "Last heir of Chandravanshi line, son of your dad's biggest rival. Gotta see him."
Veer stormed to his training room, practicing like a maniac. Shiv's Signature Skill haunted him. "Shiv... I won't lose to you."
At The Registration Desk, Shiv and friends signed up. Kavya was there.
Shiv: "Kavya!"
She blushed. "Why'd you call me?"
Shiv: "Saw you, called."
She turned away, smiling. Viru and Arav smacked him: "Idiot! Focus."
Shiv paid registration fee via DG-device: "Payment successful. 2,000 points deducted from 100,000. Balance: 98,000 points."
Everyone froze. Kavya, Arav, Viru—stunned.
Viru: "O-One... hundred thousand points?"
Kavya: "Shiv! Know what that means? Academy history's only seen it once. Seniors learn you have that? They'll make your life hell! Challenge you to 'duels' to steal 'em!"
Shiv: "Cool? Then I should yell I got 100K!"
Kavya: "Are you nuts? I'm warning you!"
Shiv: "Kavya, trouble's how I get stronger."
Kavya went quiet. Shiv was different.
Shiv approached Sir Dikshit. "Sir, make me stronger."
Sir led him to massive doors. "Survive inside 2 days. Then tournament."
Before Shiv spoke, Sir shoved him in.
Shiv: "Siiiir! What the—"
Door slammed shut. Sir muttered, "Survive, Shiv. Praying for you