Prologue 11

In a quaint village nestled amid rolling hills, a child struggled against the relentless floodwaters that surged through the narrow pathways. The raging river had swallowed everything in its path, leaving chaos in its wake. The child clung desperately to a makeshift stick, his mother's cries for help echoing in the air. Suddenly, his tiny hands slipped from the stick, and the powerful current engulfed him. The mother's anguish filled the air as her son succumbed to the torrent.

In the realm beyond consciousness, Siddharth awoke with a sharp jolt. A heavy stick had struck his head, and he found himself in the presence of an elderly man, his mentor. The old man, wielding the stick with a sense of purpose, prodded Siddharth, urging him to wake from his slumber. A playful banter ensued, filled with youthful energy. But the playful moment took an unexpected turn when a larger figure loomed behind Siddharth, and with a resounding "WHAM," the stick connected.

"Siddharth," the imposing figure spoke, revealing himself to be Siddharth's father. A dialogue unfolded between father and son, exposing the tension beneath the surface. Siddharth, the chief's son, harbored a desire for exploration and a belief in his readiness for everything. He went on to say he was ready for the tribe's trial of the legend. His father, however, saw the need to humble his son, to instill respect for the teachings of the elderly.

In an unconventional move, Siddharth's father threw him off a cliff into the lake below. The lake, surrounded by mythical tales of a defeated dragon, held an unexpected challenge for Siddharth. The people of the tribe said it was a dragon that the first forefather of the clan had defeated, but Siddarth had always argued the lake was not as big as it could host a dragon. As he plunged into the depths, the once-familiar world transformed into a mysterious abyss. The weight of his body increased, the struggle for air intensified, and Siddharth faced the possibility of his demise.

Amidst the darkness, a metallic sound pierced the water, jolting Siddharth back to consciousness. Before him loomed the shadowy form of a colossal serpent-like creature. Fear and coldness gripped him, but the mysterious encounter was far from over. As he teetered on the edge of consciousness, Siddharth witnessed a surreal sight – a face identical to his own emerged in the underwater realm.

A primal scream echoed as Siddharth grappled with the disorienting experience. The familiar faces of his real-life – Isha, friends, and Krishna – flashed before his eyes. Confusion and surrealism enveloped him as a metallic sound reverberated, transporting him to an entirely new and unfamiliar place.

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In the dimly lit practice hall, the rhythmic sound of martial arts echoed as Abhay and Ishan engaged in a spirited sparring session. The hall, owned by Ishan's family, bore witness to their years of training and friendship. As beads of sweat glistened on their foreheads, Ishan, with a swift move, found himself on his knees. Abhay, with a grin, remarked, "That's exactly how Siddharth defeated me back then."

Reminiscing about Siddharth's arrival at their school, memories flooded their minds. Siddharth had entered a school environment filled with delinquents. Rivalry between SVVM, NJMS, and other schools was a common occurrence, and clashes were frequent.

Abhay then recounted a tale of Siddharth's unexpected heroics. In the beginning, Siddharth, a seemingly focused and studious newcomer, had faced the brunt of delinquents from SVVM. The bullies targeted him as he conversed with the class princess, Isha. However, to everyone's surprise, Siddharth swiftly turned the tables, defeating the bullies with ease.

Ishan interjected, emphasizing Siddharth's courage. "He saved me from those bullies," Ishan recalled with gratitude. Siddharth, having tasted victory, didn't stop there. He took it upon himself to confront every school bully, including Abhay, eventually earning the respect of his peers.

Their conversation took a sudden turn as a shout from the practice hall's entrance disrupted the nostalgia. "There's a call for you, Master Ishan," a voice called out. The news hit like a thunderbolt – "Sir Siddharth is in ICU." The weight of the message hung in the air, abruptly halting their trip down memory lane. The camaraderie, tales of triumph, and shared laughter were overshadowed by the stark reality that Siddharth, their friend and comrade, was in critical condition.

The air in the hospital waiting area was thick with tension, the sterile scent doing little to mask the collective worry that hung in the atmosphere. Isha, Krishna, Abhay, and Ishan stood together, a quartet bound by a shared concern for their friend Siddharth.

Isha, her normally vibrant eyes now clouded with worry, took charge. "I'll check with the nurse for any updates. Krishna, can you please inquire at the front desk? Abhay, Ishan, stay with me." She maintained a calm demeanor, but her swift movements betrayed the anxiety beneath.

Krishna nodded, his determination evident. "I'll get the latest information. Don't worry, Isha, we'll figure this out."

As Krishna headed towards the front desk, Abhay exchanged a glance with Ishan. Unspoken words passed between them, an acknowledgment of the seriousness of the situation. Ishan took a deep breath and addressed the group, "Let's stick together. We need to be strong for Siddharth and each other."

As they waited, memories of their shared experiences with Siddharth played like a reel in their minds. The times they had laughed together, faced challenges, and, yes, even sparred in the practice hall. The absence of Siddharth, the one who had once bridged gaps and brought them together, felt palpable.

Isha returned, her expression still guarded. "The nurse said they are stabilizing Siddharth. We can see him soon, but they want to run a few more tests."

Krishna joined them, his face serious. "It's serious, guys. We need to be prepared for anything. But Siddharth is strong; he'll pull through."

As the group made their way to Siddharth's room, a mixture of trepidation and hope clung to the sterile hospital corridors. The door loomed ahead, a threshold to the unknown. Ishan hesitated for a moment, then pushed it open.

Siddharth lay in the hospital bed, surrounded by machines and monitors. The rhythmic beeping of the heart rate monitor was both a comfort and a reminder of the fragility of life. His usually lively face appeared serene in the artificial hospital light.

Abhay's eyes softened as he looked at his friend. The memories of their practice sessions, the camaraderie they had shared, flashed before him. Krishna stood by Siddharth's bedside, a silent vigilante exuding strength. Isha and Ishan flanked the other side of the bed, creating a protective circle around their fallen friend.

The room became a haven for shared memories, unspoken fears, and a resolute determination to stand by Siddharth. The bonds they had forged were now tested, and in the quiet hum of the hospital room, they found solace in each other's presence.

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Ameya's world was one of privilege, where lessons in music, dance, philosophy, and more were woven into the fabric of her days. The daughter of a wealthy individual who generously supported the Akhil Vishwa Vaidik Parivar, she enjoyed certain privileges, including a heads-up on the upcoming state rankings. Her father's influence ensured that she had an extra week to prepare for the exams, a luxury not afforded to many.

Yet, within the cocoon of luxury, a sense of guilt and sadness lingered. Her world collided with the unexpected when she learned of Aiedrow, a boy her age who had infiltrated her father's company servers. Initially, her reaction was one of anger and frustration, feeling a deep desire to confront and challenge this audacious intruder.

However, her father, aware of Aiedrow's capabilities, announced that the boy would also be participating in the upcoming exams. He even speculated that Aiedrow might outshine Ameya, even with her additional preparation time. A wager was made – if Ameya ranked second, she would have to take the business classes she had long been avoiding.

The week leading up to the exams was a mix of anticipation and guarded preparation. When the day finally arrived, Ameya found herself face to face with Aiedrow, a seemingly carefree spirit in stark contrast to her seriousness. He approached the situation with humor and lightness, even posing a peculiar question about a cycle losing its screw in a park. His departure, leaving her confused and questioning her own abilities, marked the beginning of a challenging journey.

Online preparation became Ameya's refuge, where she encountered Vishnu. Together, they navigated the intricacies of the exam syllabus, and for the first time, Ameya approached her studies with a seriousness that mirrored Vishnu's commitment. Both of them were guided by one of the previous year's examinees Shiv Shastri.

When the results were declared, Aiedrow claimed the second spot. A third player, Visnu, entered the scene, capturing everyone's attention. However, the newfound complexity in Ameya's life didn't end there. Visnu's sudden expression of feelings for her added a layer of bewilderment. He was a formidable individual, his intellect possibly rivaling even Aiedrow's, but she was not sure; she had never thought about romance.

Before Ameya could decipher her own feelings, a call from her father disrupted everything. feelings of guilt confronted her, as Aiedrow's copies were revealed to have been either tampered with or he himself let her win. The intentional misdirection in the computer science exam section, a deliberate move given Aiedrow's hacking skills, shattered the illusion of her victory.

As Vishnu stood in front of her, confessing... "COME NOW," her father's command echoed through the call, a summons that forced her to leave everything behind, including the unfolding complexity of her emotions.

Shiv's words hung in the air, and Visnu's mind was a swirling vortex of emotions and thoughts, trying to process the revelations. As he grappled with the weight of Ameya's past, she continued her narrative.

"It wasn't as easy as you think," Shiv said, looking at Visnu, perhaps sensing the turmoil within him.

Still processing Ameya's story, Visnu was on the brink of understanding the intricacies of her journey. Ameya, with a composed demeanor, continued, "After the wager, I took the business classes, and to my surprise, Aiedrow was also present there. We became friends during those sessions, and gradually, the rivalry transformed into a unique camaraderie."

She recounted how, beyond the world of exams and rankings, Aiedrow shared with her his discoveries about the Akhil Vishwa Vaidik Parivar and Project Veda. Their discussions delved into the mysterious depths of an organization with ambitions and secrets that went beyond conventional understanding.

"One day," she continued, "Aiedrow told me about Project Veda, a venture shrouded in mystery and purpose. As we unraveled its complexities, our talks delved into realms beyond our immediate reality. But then, as mysteriously as he arrived, Aiedrow left."

The narrative took an unexpected turn as Ameya stepped into a role she hadn't anticipated. "In the aftermath of our discussions, I found myself taking over the NGO my father had opened in my mother's name. It became my responsibility, a connection to a legacy that went beyond the corporate intrigues and academic challenges."

As Visnu absorbed the layers of Ameya's life, he couldn't help but marvel at the intricacies woven into her journey. The threads of friendship, rivalry, and shared purpose had created a tapestry that mirrored the complexities of the world they inhabited. And amid it all, Project Veda loomed a shadowy enigma that connected their fates in ways they were only beginning to understand.