Prologue 12

The hospital corridor echoed with the hushed footsteps of worried friends and family. Siddharth's room stood as a silent witness to the quiet prayers and shared concern. In this somber atmosphere, Siddharth lay in the hospital bed, his consciousness navigating through realms unknown.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Siddharth's eyes flickered open, greeted by a surreal dreamscape. Before him stood a boy, bathed in an ethereal glow, a figure that seemed to embody the very essence of this mystical realm. Yet, this serenity shattered as Siddharth's gaze fixated on a knife clutched in the boy's hands.

"Who are you? No, what are you?" Siddharth's urgency echoed in his voice as he grabbed the collar of the enigmatic figure.

The boy chuckled, his response carrying a mix of amusement and defiance. "What? I'm just a guy. Human, male. How weird would it feel if I asked, 'What are you?'"

A glitch, a sudden disturbance in the dreamlike reality, interrupted Siddharth's query. "No, that's not possible. In here, other than me, there are..." Before he could finish, Siddharth abruptly vanished. The dream realm echoed with a glitching voice, "Sid-a-r-t," before plunging into pin-drop silence, leaving behind confusion and an expletive from the other boy.

"F@$K it!" the boy exclaimed, frustration evident in his voice. The dreamscape morphed, revealing a darker tone. Shadows closed in, sinuous and ominous, their movements echoing the encroaching uncertainty.

"They can now take human shapes and talk as well. Creepy!!" the boy muttered to himself, a sense of unease settling in. The dreamscape had transformed into a realm where reality blurred with the surreal. As Siddharth vanished, Jay seemed to grapple with the idea that the newfound ability of these shadows was to adopt human forms. Jay's mind raced, contemplating the implications of the shadows' evolving abilities.

A sudden impact jarred Jay's senses as a punch landed on him, sending him sprawling several feet away. He grumbled, feeling the pain resonate through his body. The dreamscape, despite its fantastical elements, seemed to adhere to the laws of physicality. Undeterred, Jay picked himself up and started running again. The shadows, relentless in their pursuit, continued to close in on him. Each step was a reminder of the palpable danger lurking in this dreamlike realm.

As Jay ran, he couldn't shake the memory of a previous encounter with these shadows. A vivid recollection flashed in his mind – the moment when he had killed the second shadow. He remembered the peculiar sensation, a sock as if an invisible force had surged through him. Was it possible? Was this dreamscape altering not just the environment but also him? Jay pondered these questions as he navigated the surreal landscape. The shadows, now taking on grotesque and distorted forms, seemed to mirror the chaos within.

A realization dawned on Jay – this dream was more than a mere illusion. It was a crucible, a realm where his strength, both physical and metaphysical, was being tested and transformed. The boundaries between reality and dream blurred further as Jay sprinted through the shifting landscapes, a lone figure against the encroaching shadows.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the quietude of their shared space, Rudra's question hung in the air, waiting for Asva's response.

"Where were you gone?" Rudra inquired, a hint of curiosity in his tone."None of your business. Besides, you wouldn't understand even if I tell you," Asva replied, his gaze fixed on an unseen horizon.

Rudra, never one to back down from a challenge, countered with a simple "Try me."

Sighing, Asva decided to indulge Rudra's curiosity. "I was setting the stage for a perceptive point."

"What?" Rudra's confusion was evident.

"Exactly. As I said, you wouldn't get it," Asva stated cryptically, leaving Rudra without further explanation.

The atmosphere between them settled into a contemplative silence. As Rudra mulled over the cryptic exchange, Asva shifted the focus to a different matter.

"What about your progress?" Asva inquired, turning his attention to Rudra's endeavors.Rudra's response carried a tinge of frustration. "Still trying, but it just feels different. I can't see it."

Asva, ever patient and understanding, encouraged him, "Keep trying."

Seated next to Rudra, Asva assumed a meditative stance, a gesture that invited calm and introspection. The air around them seemed to change as Asva delved into a state of deep concentration.

Rudra, taking Asva's advice to heart, renewed his efforts. The space they occupied became a canvas for Rudra's exploration, a realm where the threads of perception intertwined with the fabric of reality.

As Rudra grappled with the elusive concept, Asva, in his meditative state, emanated a tranquil energy. His presence, a guidepost in Rudra's journey of understanding, offered a sense of reassurance.

Time flowed in a rhythm only they could perceive, a dance between inquiry and introspection. Rudra's determination to unravel the mysteries before him echoed in the quiet moments of contemplation.

In the shared silence, the seeds of understanding were sown, and the threads of perception began to weave a tapestry that transcended the boundaries of the tangible. As Rudra persisted in his quest for comprehension, guided by the enigmatic wisdom of Asva, the narrative of their shared exploration unfolded, painting a picture of awakening and enlightenment in the quiet corners of their metaphysical journey.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The air buzzed with anticipation as Devesh and his team reached the designated place, finding Vishnu, Ameya, and Shiv Shastri already present. Greetings were exchanged, and they awaited the arrival of others.

Jay emerged from a room, offering warm greetings, followed by Alisha and the rest, creating a gathering of minds destined for a shared purpose.

"So... what is next? Do we all completely understand what is happening?" Devesh inquired, directing his gaze at Vishnu, who, in turn, looked at Ameya.

Ameya, with a sense of conviction, began, "As we all know, we are national rankers." She went on to explain how Aiedrow proposed the idea of elevating exams beyond academics, leading to the inception of Project Veda.

"It was built with an intent to restore humanity to its long-lost glory, This was not humanity in its peak form, and our texts are proof of that. The idea was to return to the potential that stood unlocked at the moment" she continued, setting the stage for a revelation.

Suddenly, Aiedrow's voice echoed through the air as he walked in, joining the conversation. "Before I could make that vision a reality, I needed you all here. Precisely you guys. But before I could do that I needed something more and that is why we are here. I will naturally answer all your questions but before that..." He introduced Pratham Shukla, hailed as the greatest mind, unparalleled in his genius. Aiedrow highlighted Pratham's accomplishments, and everyone's eyes turned to Oviyan.

"I'm just an artist," Oviyan protested, eliciting laughter from Aiedrow and Pratham. "No, you are more than just that," Pratham asserted.

Aiedrow then announced, "We have a week's time. After that, we will be going to the USA, where we will meet teams from different nations. Keep in mind, each competition will be streamed live."

He mentioned that a file with details about competitions and micro teams would be provided shortly. "Feel free to connect with each other in the meantime."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Maya stood in her room, a space that had become both her sanctuary and her prison. The weight of Visnu's departure still lingered in the air, a void that even Dev's attempts at comfort couldn't fill. She wore a facade of composure, pretending that everything was fine, but the ache within her was undeniable.

Amidst the quiet turmoil, Maya's eyes fell upon a package, neatly wrapped and addressed to her. Curiosity mingled with a sense of hope as she gingerly unwrapped it. Inside, she found a diary and a letter. The sender was none other than Aiedrow, a name that had surfaced in the narratives of Visnu and Dev but had never been the subject of casual banter.

The letter bore words that resonated with Maya's longing for purpose. Aiedrow, recognizing her desire for more, had penned this as a guide. The realization that someone, especially Aiedrow, considered her journey significant ignited a spark within her. It was a gift for growth, a lifeline thrown into the sea of uncertainty that had engulfed her.

In the solace of her room, Maya delved into the pages of the diary. Words, inked with purpose, painted a canvas of possibilities. Fiction had been her refuge, an escape from a world where she felt inconsequential. Now, within the lines of Aiedrow's guidance, she glimpsed the potential to craft her own narrative.

As she read, the worlds within the diary unfolded like secret realms, and Maya envisioned herself as more than a mere observer. Aiedrow's words became a whisper of empowerment, urging her to break free from the rubble of books and step into a reality where she mattered.

The letter lingered in her thoughts. Aiedrow, despite not meeting her personally, had sensed her situation. The gift, a testament to his understanding, hinted at a connection that transcended the physical. Maya wondered if, through the written words and shared aspirations, she was becoming a character of significance in the lives of these extraordinary individuals.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As the week passed by, every student who was present at Siddharth's hospital returned to their homes. It was a hard time for them all. There was a long time before the term ended, but the competitive spirit that was present not long ago was now nowhere to be found. Abhay and Ishan managed the boys who used to take care of fights and other things, and to their surprise, NJMS didn't make any move. For some reason, Rudra was not coming out either.

The week passed, and an advertisement started appearing on their phones while browsing social networks. It was re-occurring and was not just on their phones; the advertisement was everywhere - VANCE, an event consisting of young geniuses across the globe. Watch Live on UTube.

In a room, a group stood tall: Aiedrow, Niyank, Devesh, Jay, Oviyan, Alyssa, Ameya, Shiv, and Pratham. The air crackled with the energy of collaboration and purpose as they delved into discussions that would shape their collective destiny. His team was ready, The Navratnas, of Aiedrow. All present in a single room, at once, their journey was about to begin now.