Chapter 7: The Path to the Maha Council

Arjun stood in front of Clan Leader Mahant Viraaj's office, his mind still racing from the recent battle against the Rift Lord. The weight of the moment pressed on him as he raised his hand to knock. Before he could, the door opened, revealing Viraaj sitting behind his large wooden desk, a solemn expression on his face.

"Come in, Arjun," Viraaj said, gesturing for him to sit. Arjun took a deep breath and entered the room, his thoughts still clouded by the dark energy he had used in the fight. He sat down across from the clan leader, noticing the slight furrow in Viraaj's brow.

"Greetings, Mr. Viraaj," Arjun began, his voice steady but his nerves betraying him inside.

Viraaj leaned forward, eyes sharp with curiosity. "Arjun, I have to ask. How did your power change so much that you managed to defeat an entire Maha Rank Rift Lord on your own?"

Arjun hesitated. How could he explain Kal's presence without revealing too much? "I... I don't really know, Mr. Viraaj," he said, his words careful. "The power—it felt different."

Viraaj narrowed his eyes, clearly sensing Arjun wasn't telling him everything, but he didn't push further. "That battle has raised many questions, Arjun. But that's not the main reason I've called you here."

Arjun leaned forward slightly, intrigued. "Why then?"

Viraaj's tone shifted, becoming more formal. "You've become the seventh Maha Rank Hunter in India, Arjun. Now, you are required to join the Maha Council. It's for the good of Bharatpur and, frankly, for all of us."

"The Maha Council?" Arjun's eyes widened. He had heard of the council before, but it had always seemed like something far removed from his life. "What is this council?"

"It's a gathering of the strongest hunters, all Maha Rank," Viraaj explained. "They govern and protect the interests of the country. Every one of them is a leader, or at the very least, a vice leader, of their respective clans."

Arjun's mind reeled at the thought. "And you're saying I need to join them?"

Viraaj nodded gravely. "Yes, it's your duty now. But there are conditions, Arjun."

Arjun's curiosity deepened. "What kind of conditions?"

Viraaj folded his hands. "To join the council, you must be a leader or a vice leader of a clan, and possess a signature weapon. These are non-negotiable."

Arjun blinked in surprise. "Leader or vice leader? But... your brother Raj is the vice leader of the Suryastra Clan. That's impossible for me."

As if summoned by Arjun's words, the door creaked open, and Raj stepped inside, his presence commanding yet calm. He walked over and stood beside his brother, looking at Arjun with a calm smile.

"You're right, Arjun," Raj said. "I'm the vice leader, but there's another way for you to join the council."

Arjun frowned, confusion written all over his face. "Another way?"

"You can form your own clan," Raj suggested, his tone as if this were the simplest solution.

"My own clan?" Arjun repeated, stunned. "Is that even possible?"

Viraaj leaned back in his chair, nodding thoughtfully. "Yes, it's possible. You will still be connected to the Suryastra Clan, but your new clan would be independent. This is the best solution."

Arjun's mind whirled. His own clan? The idea seemed unreal, but Viraaj and Raj appeared completely serious.

Raj added, "It's the best way to keep our clan intact and allow you to step into the role you've earned. You've grown beyond your rank, Arjun."

Arjun's heart pounded in his chest as the magnitude of what they were suggesting sank in. But Viraaj wasn't done yet. "There's more you need to know. You've proven yourself stronger than even Raj. But now, people will be watching you. Hunters from other countries will be curious—some may try to kill you."

Arjun's face drained of color. "What...?"

Raj nodded solemnly. "It happened to me when I joined the council. They don't like strong hunters rising without a history they can track. You've been lucky to stay in the shadows, but that's about to change."

Viraaj spoke again, this time offering a solution. "To protect yourself, you should wear a chakra mask. You've learned the technique before at the academy. The mask will cloak your identity. You'll need to wear it during council meetings and missions."

Arjun nodded slowly. "I can manage that. We can use a masked photo for my hunter license, too."

Viraaj smiled faintly. "Good. Now, about the signature weapon."

"How do I get one?" Arjun asked, intrigued. Every Maha Rank hunter possessed a weapon that was a reflection of their power.

"In Bharatpur, there's a ritual," Viraaj explained. "It's ancient. Powerful weapons choose their wielder based on worthiness."

"I remember hearing about that from my grandfather," Arjun said, memories of old stories flooding back.

Raj clapped a hand on Arjun's shoulder. "You're in luck. The ritual is in two days. Be ready."

Arjun stood up, his mind spinning from the conversation. "Thank you both for this."

"You've earned it," Viraaj said, his voice warm but stern. "This is just the beginning, Arjun."

---

As Arjun left the office, the weight of everything settled on his shoulders. Walking down the corridor, he spotted Vikram leaning against the wall, arms crossed and a curious glint in his eye.

"So, what did Mr. Viraaj want?" Vikram asked, straightening up. "And why did Raj go in after?"

Arjun let out a small laugh. "Well, it's a bit complicated, but... I've been asked to join the Maha Council."

Vikram's eyes widened in disbelief. "The Maha Council? You've got to be kidding me. That's amazing... and terrifying."

"I know," Arjun replied, the gravity of it all hitting him again. "There's a lot to think about."

"Are you nervous?" Vikram asked, his voice quieter now.

"Yeah," Arjun admitted. "But I'll figure it out. I always do."

Vikram grinned. "You better. Don't forget to invite me when you start your own clan."

Arjun smirked. "You'll be the first on my list."

They shared a brief laugh, but as Arjun walked away, the weight of responsibility pressed down on him once more. He would soon face a ritual that would determine his future, form a clan, and step into a world of dangers far beyond what he'd ever known.

As he made his way back to his quarters, Arjun couldn't help but think about the weapon ritual in two days—the next step on his path to becoming a Maha Rank hunter.