The morning sun burned away the remnants of last night\u2019s storm, casting long shadows across the streets of Imphal. The city hummed with its usual rhythm\u2014buses rattling along the roads, vendors hawking their goods, and students hurrying to class. But Ajit couldn\u2019t shake the sense that something darker was at play beneath the surface.
He stood at a street stall, sipping a steaming cup of chai while Rajesh typed furiously on his laptop beside him. They\u2019d chosen the stall for its anonymity\u2014tucked into a corner near the university, it was busy enough to blend in but quiet enough to talk.
\u201cSo, what do we have?\u201d Ajit asked, keeping his voice low.
Rajesh adjusted his glasses, his face illuminated by the glow of his screen. \u201cI\u2019ve been pulling double shifts on this. Found more breadcrumbs, but they lead to some sketchy places.\u201d
\u201cDefine \u2018sketchy,\u2019\u201d Ajit said, his eyes scanning the street for anything unusual.
\u201cDeep web forums. Black-market tech deals. Prakash\u2019s name doesn\u2019t show up directly, but the same aliases keep popping up: \u2018NagaLab,\u2019 \u2018Asura Prime.\u2019 Someone\u2019s buying cutting-edge gear under the radar, and the patterns line up with his timeline.\u201d
Ajit frowned. \u201cAny idea what the endgame is?\u201d
Rajesh shook his head. \u201cNot yet. But based on the drones, the transmitter, and what little we know about Project Asura, it\u2019s big. Like, take-over-the-city big.\u201d
Before Ajit could respond, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced at the screen\u2014Padmini.
\u201cHold on,\u201d he said to Rajesh, stepping away to answer.
\u201cAjit,\u201d Padmini said, her voice tinged with urgency. \u201cAre you on campus?\u201d
\u201cNot yet. Why?\u201d
\u201cYou need to get here. Now,\u201d she said. \u201cSomething\u2019s happening at the main fountain. People are getting sick.\u201d
Ajit\u2019s heart sank. \u201cSick how?\u201d
\u201cI don\u2019t know\u2014nausea, dizziness. Some of them collapsed. The whole area\u2019s cordoned off.\u201d
\u201cI\u2019m on my way,\u201d Ajit said, ending the call. He turned back to Rajesh, who was already closing his laptop.
\u201cWhat\u2019s up?\u201d Rajesh asked.
\u201cTrouble at the campus fountain. Sounds like it might be an attack.\u201d
\u201cFigures,\u201d Rajesh muttered, grabbing his bag. \u201cLet\u2019s move.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n
By the time they reached the campus, the fountain was surrounded by police tape, and a crowd had gathered despite the officers\u2019 attempts to keep them back. Students whispered anxiously, their eyes darting toward the motionless figures being loaded onto stretchers.
Ajit pushed through the crowd, Rajesh close behind. The faint hum of his snake sense grew stronger with each step.
\u201cOver here!\u201d Padmini called from the edge of the barricade.
She looked pale, her notebook clutched tightly in her hands. \u201cIt started about half an hour ago,\u201d she said as they approached. \u201cA group of students drank from the fountain, and then\u2026 this.\u201d
Ajit\u2019s eyes followed hers to the water, which shimmered unnaturally under the sunlight. He stepped closer, his enhanced vision picking up faint traces of movement in the liquid.
\u201cRajesh,\u201d Ajit said, his voice sharp, \u201cget a sample.\u201d
Rajesh hesitated. \u201cUh, you sure? That stuff doesn\u2019t exactly scream \u2018safe.\u2019\u201d
\u201cI\u2019ll handle it,\u201d Ajit said, pulling a small vial from his bag.
He moved toward the barricade, his snake sense flaring as he approached the fountain. The water\u2019s surface rippled unnaturally, and a faint chemical smell wafted into the air. Carefully, Ajit dipped the vial into the fountain, collecting a small sample before retreating.
\u201cWhat do you think it is?\u201d Padmini asked, watching him closely.
Ajit capped the vial and handed it to Rajesh. \u201cNot sure, but I don\u2019t think it\u2019s natural. Can you analyze it?\u201d
Rajesh nodded, already slipping the vial into his kit. \u201cI\u2019ll head back to the lab. Call me if anything else happens.\u201d
As Rajesh hurried off, Padmini stepped closer to Ajit. \u201cYou seem\u2026 different,\u201d she said, her voice low.
Ajit tensed. \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d
\u201cYou knew exactly what to do,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd the way you moved, the way you looked at the water\u2014it\u2019s like you\u2019ve done this before.\u201d
Ajit forced a chuckle. \u201cJust paying attention in biology class.\u201d
Padmini didn\u2019t look convinced, but before she could press further, a commotion erupted near the barricade.
One of the officers had collapsed, clutching his throat as his face turned a sickly shade of green. The crowd recoiled, panic spreading like wildfire.
Ajit\u2019s snake sense surged, sharp and insistent. He turned toward the fountain, his eyes narrowing. Something\u2014or someone\u2014was behind this.
And they were still close.
The tension around the fountain erupted into chaos. Students screamed and stumbled over one another, pushing back against the barricades as more people collapsed. Ajit\u2019s snake sense buzzed louder now, the warning as clear as a fire alarm. Whatever was happening, it wasn\u2019t over.
\u201cEveryone, move back!\u201d a police officer shouted, trying to restore order. But the growing panic made it impossible.
Ajit turned to Padmini. \u201cGet out of here. Find a safe spot and stay put.\u201d
\u201cWhat about you?\u201d she asked, her voice tight with concern.
\u201cI\u2019ll be fine,\u201d Ajit said firmly. \u201cJust go.\u201d
Padmini hesitated, her eyes searching his, before nodding reluctantly and disappearing into the dispersing crowd.
Ajit turned back to the fountain, stepping over the barricade before anyone could stop him. The faint chemical smell was stronger now, mixing with the sour stench of bile from the affected victims.
\u201cSir, you can\u2019t be here!\u201d an officer called out, moving toward him.
Ajit ignored the warning, his eyes fixed on the shimmering water. His enhanced vision caught subtle changes in the liquid\u2019s surface\u2014a faint swirl of iridescent colors, like oil on water, but moving with a deliberate rhythm.
\u201cPoison,\u201d he muttered to himself, crouching near the fountain\u2019s edge. The venomous aura in the air was unmistakable, tingling against his heightened senses.
The officer approached, reaching for his arm. \u201cSir, I said\u2014\u201d
\u201cStay back!\u201d Ajit snapped, his snake sense flaring violently.
Before the officer could respond, the water in the fountain began to churn violently, frothing and bubbling as if alive. The crowd gasped, and a few onlookers screamed as the water suddenly shot upward, forming a towering column that twisted unnaturally in the air.
Ajit stood his ground, his fists clenching instinctively as a shape began to emerge from the water.
The column split apart, cascading back into the fountain and revealing a man standing in its center. His body was covered in scales the color of tarnished brass, his eyes glowing a sickly green. He moved with a serpentine grace, his long, clawed fingers flexing as he surveyed the crowd.
\u201cGreetings, little mortals,\u201d the man said, his voice low and rasping, like a hiss carried on the wind. \u201cI am Karkota, herald of chaos. And you\u2026 are trespassing in my domain.\u201d
Ajit felt a surge of recognition\u2014the name Karkota was steeped in mythology, a serpent known for venom and treachery. But this wasn\u2019t just a story come to life. The man before him radiated danger, his presence setting every nerve in Ajit\u2019s body on edge.
The crowd backed away further, their fear palpable. The officers drew their weapons, but Karkota\u2019s laughter stopped them cold.
\u201cGuns?\u201d Karkota said, his lips curling into a sneer. \u201cHow quaint.\u201d
He raised one hand, and the water around him surged outward in a wave. The officers scrambled to avoid it, but the liquid turned to mist midair, enveloping them in a thick, noxious cloud. One by one, they dropped to the ground, coughing violently.
Ajit stepped forward, his voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through him. \u201cLeave them alone.\u201d
Karkota turned his glowing eyes on Ajit, tilting his head like a predator assessing its prey. \u201cAnd who are you to issue commands, little worm?\u201d
Ajit smirked, rolling his shoulders as he stepped closer. \u201cSomeone who\u2019s about to send you back where you came from.\u201d
The serpent-man\u2019s laughter echoed across the plaza. \u201cBold. But you\u2019re no match for me.\u201d
\u201cLet\u2019s find out,\u201d Ajit said, his voice sharp.
Karkota lunged, his movements a blur as his claws slashed through the air. Ajit dodged to the side, his enhanced reflexes carrying him out of harm\u2019s way. He countered with a burst of venom from his palm, aiming for Karkota\u2019s face.
The serpent-man hissed in anger as the venom sizzled against his scales, leaving dark, corroded marks. But the attack only seemed to enrage him.
\u201cYou\u2019ll regret that,\u201d Karkota snarled, his body twisting unnaturally as he lashed out again.
Ajit ducked, narrowly avoiding the swipe, and landed a solid punch to Karkota\u2019s midsection. The impact staggered the serpent-man, but he recovered quickly, his glowing eyes narrowing.
\u201cYou\u2019re not just human,\u201d Karkota said, his tone shifting to one of curiosity. \u201cInteresting.\u201d
Ajit didn\u2019t respond. He moved with precision, circling Karkota and looking for an opening. The serpent-man\u2019s movements were fast but erratic, leaving brief windows of vulnerability.
Karkota struck again, his claws aimed for Ajit\u2019s throat. Ajit caught his wrist mid-swing, using his enhanced strength to twist Karkota\u2019s arm and throw him backward into the fountain.
The water exploded outward as Karkota hit the surface, but the serpent-man rose again, unharmed and smiling.
\u201cThis isn\u2019t over,\u201d Karkota said, his voice dripping with malice. \u201cNot by a long shot.\u201d
Before Ajit could move, Karkota raised both hands, and the fountain erupted in a blinding column of water that enveloped him completely. When the water collapsed, Karkota was gone, leaving only ripples behind.
Ajit stood motionless, his breathing heavy. His snake sense was quiet now, the immediate danger gone.
The plaza was in chaos, the affected victims still writhing on the ground. Ajit clenched his fists, his mind racing.
This wasn\u2019t a random attack. Karkota had a purpose\u2014and he\u2019d be back.
The plaza was a chaotic mess, with police officers and medics scrambling to aid the victims of Karkota\u2019s attack. Students had backed away to the far edges, their whispers filled with fear and speculation.
Ajit crouched near one of the fallen officers, his enhanced senses zeroing in on the symptoms. The man\u2019s skin had turned pale, his veins darkened like ink spreading under his flesh. He coughed violently, gasping for air.
\u201cPoison,\u201d Ajit muttered under his breath, recognizing the signs immediately.
Padmini emerged from the crowd, her expression a mix of worry and confusion. \u201cAjit, what just happened? Who was that?\u201d
He hesitated, the weight of the truth pressing down on him. \u201cSomeone dangerous,\u201d he said finally, keeping his voice low. \u201cAnd this wasn\u2019t random.\u201d
\u201cRandom or not, we have people collapsing left and right!\u201d she said, her frustration evident. \u201cWhat are we supposed to do?\u201d
\u201cI have an idea,\u201d Ajit said, straightening. \u201cStay with the victims. I\u2019ll be back.\u201d
\u201cWait, where are you going?\u201d
Ajit didn\u2019t answer. He pushed through the crowd and jogged toward the science block, his mind racing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n
Rajesh was hunched over his laptop in the small lab space they\u2019d commandeered, surrounded by scattered equipment and cables. He looked up as Ajit burst through the door.
\u201cLet me guess,\u201d Rajesh said, closing the lid of a soda bottle. \u201cSomething worse just happened.\u201d
\u201cKarkota,\u201d Ajit said, dropping into a chair. \u201cHe poisoned the fountain. People are dropping like flies.\u201d
Rajesh frowned. \u201cKarkota? That serpent guy from mythology?\u201d
\u201cHe\u2019s real, and he\u2019s dangerous,\u201d Ajit said, pulling the sample vial from his pocket. \u201cWe need to analyze this now. There\u2019s a chance we can synthesize an antidote.\u201d
Rajesh took the vial, holding it up to the light. The liquid inside shimmered faintly, almost alive. \u201cYeah, this is definitely some next-level stuff. Let me run it through the spectrometer.\u201d
He set the vial into the machine and began typing furiously. As the device whirred to life, Ajit paced the room, his fists clenching and unclenching.
\u201cWhy now?\u201d he muttered. \u201cWhy target the campus?\u201d
Rajesh glanced up. \u201cIf this guy\u2019s working with Prakash, maybe it\u2019s part of the bigger plan. Or maybe he just wanted to make a statement.\u201d
Ajit stopped pacing, his jaw tightening. \u201cWhatever the reason, it\u2019s on me to stop him.\u201d
\u201cEasy there, hero,\u201d Rajesh said, his tone light but his expression serious. \u201cYou\u2019re strong, yeah, but this guy sounds like he\u2019s in your league. Maybe even above it.\u201d
Ajit exhaled sharply, forcing himself to calm down. \u201cJust focus on the analysis. We\u2019ll figure out the rest later.\u201d
The spectrometer beeped, and Rajesh leaned closer to the screen. His brow furrowed as the data filled the display.
\u201cOkay, so this isn\u2019t just venom,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s a hybrid toxin\u2014a mix of natural and synthetic compounds. Whoever made this knows their biochemistry.\u201d
\u201cCan you neutralize it?\u201d Ajit asked.
\u201cMaybe,\u201d Rajesh said, typing rapidly. \u201cI\u2019ll need some time. This stuff is complex, but I think I can break it down into its components and reverse-engineer a counteragent.\u201d
Ajit nodded. \u201cHow long?\u201d
\u201cCouple of hours, if I don\u2019t screw it up,\u201d Rajesh said. \u201cMaybe less if you stop hovering.\u201d
Ajit smirked despite himself. \u201cI\u2019ll head back to the plaza and see what I can do to keep things under control. Call me the second you have something.\u201d
\u201cYou got it,\u201d Rajesh said, already lost in his work.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n
Back at the plaza, the situation was deteriorating. Medics worked frantically to stabilize the victims, but without an antidote, their efforts were limited. Ajit scanned the crowd, his snake sense on high alert.
Padmini approached him, her face pale but determined. \u201cThe paramedics are saying they can\u2019t do much without knowing what\u2019s in the water. Please tell me you have a plan.\u201d
Ajit hesitated, then nodded. \u201cRajesh is working on it. If he can crack the toxin, we\u2019ll have an antidote soon.\u201d
\u201cAnd what if it\u2019s too late?\u201d she asked, her voice wavering.
\u201cIt won\u2019t be,\u201d Ajit said firmly, though the weight of her words pressed down on him.
A commotion near the fountain drew his attention. One of the fallen students had started convulsing, his limbs jerking violently as foam bubbled from his mouth. The medics rushed to restrain him, their movements desperate.
Ajit\u2019s snake sense flared, sharper than before. This wasn\u2019t just a reaction to the toxin\u2014there was something more at play.
He moved closer, his enhanced senses zeroing in on the convulsing student. The darkened veins under the boy\u2019s skin pulsed rhythmically, as if something were moving within them.
\u201cPadmini,\u201d Ajit said quietly. \u201cGet everyone back. Now.\u201d
She didn\u2019t question him, turning to shout at the crowd. The medics hesitated but began pulling back, dragging the convulsing student with them.
Ajit stepped closer to the fountain, his eyes narrowing. The water\u2019s surface rippled unnaturally, and the faint chemical scent in the air grew stronger.
\u201cKarkota,\u201d he muttered, his voice low.
The water began to churn again, sending small waves lapping over the fountain\u2019s edge. Ajit tensed, readying himself for another attack.
But instead of Karkota, the water surged upward in a smaller column, forming a snake-like shape that writhed in the air before collapsing into the fountain.
Ajit stepped back, his mind racing. The attack wasn\u2019t over.
It was only beginning.
The unnatural rippling of the fountain\u2019s water slowed but didn\u2019t stop, its surface shifting as though alive. The faint chemical smell hung heavy in the air, a toxic warning. Ajit\u2019s instincts screamed at him\u2014something was still there, lurking just beneath the surface.
The convulsing student had quieted, his body limp as medics worked frantically to stabilize him. Padmini stood with the other onlookers, her face pale but resolute.
Ajit stepped closer to the fountain, his movements deliberate. His snake sense buzzed with intensity, warning him that the danger hadn\u2019t passed.
\u201cAjit,\u201d Padmini called out, her voice taut with concern. \u201cWhat are you doing? Get back!\u201d
\u201cNot yet,\u201d Ajit said without turning.
He crouched near the fountain\u2019s edge, his enhanced vision catching faint trails of energy in the water. It wasn\u2019t just poisoned\u2014it was being manipulated. Karkota had left more than a mark.
The water shifted suddenly, small tendrils curling upward like grasping fingers before collapsing back into ripples. Ajit\u2019s hand shot out instinctively, releasing a burst of venom into the pool.
The reaction was immediate. The venom sizzled on contact, and the water recoiled, as though it were alive and in pain. A low hissing sound echoed from the fountain, unnatural and grating.
The crowd gasped, their fear rippling outward like a wave.
\u201cWhat was that?\u201d Padmini asked, stepping closer despite the panic in her voice.
Ajit didn\u2019t answer. His eyes remained locked on the water, which had begun to churn violently once again. The surface rose in another column, but this time, it didn\u2019t collapse. Instead, it formed a new shape\u2014long, sinuous, and unmistakably serpentine.
The water-serpent lashed out, striking toward the nearest group of onlookers.
\u201cGet back!\u201d Ajit shouted, moving with lightning speed.
He leaped between the serpent and its target, raising his arms to shield the panicked students. The serpent collided with him, the impact sending a shockwave through his body. It felt like being struck by liquid steel\u2014fluid but unyielding.
Ajit staggered but held his ground. The serpent hissed, its glowing green eyes boring into him as it coiled back for another strike.
\u201cAjit!\u201d Padmini cried out, her voice breaking.
He didn\u2019t look back. His focus remained on the writhing creature before him. It wasn\u2019t just water\u2014it was an extension of Karkota\u2019s will, a remnant of the serpent-man\u2019s venomous power.
The serpent struck again, faster this time. Ajit dodged to the side, his enhanced reflexes saving him by a hair\u2019s breadth. He countered with a venom spray, aiming for the serpent\u2019s head.
The venom struck true, and the creature hissed in agony, its form flickering like a glitch in a projection. But it didn\u2019t disappear. Instead, it grew larger, its coils thickening as it drew more water from the fountain.
Ajit clenched his fists, frustration building. Every attack only seemed to make it stronger.
\u201cRajesh,\u201d he muttered under his breath, activating his earpiece. \u201cPlease tell me you\u2019ve got something.\u201d
Rajesh\u2019s voice crackled to life. \u201cWorking on it! I\u2019m close to synthesizing the antidote, but\u2014what\u2019s happening? Your feed\u2019s glitching!\u201d
\u201cKarkota left a parting gift,\u201d Ajit said grimly, dodging another strike. \u201cA water construct. It\u2019s attacking the plaza.\u201d
\u201cA water construct? Seriously?\u201d
\u201cNo time for commentary!\u201d Ajit snapped, diving behind a nearby bench as the serpent smashed through a row of barricades.
\u201cOkay, okay!\u201d Rajesh said. \u201cIf it\u2019s tied to the poison, neutralizing the toxin should weaken it. But I\u2019m not ready yet!\u201d
\u201cThen hurry,\u201d Ajit said, his voice taut.
The serpent lunged again, and Ajit met it head-on. This time, he shifted tactics. Instead of attacking directly, he used his agility to evade, drawing the serpent\u2019s strikes away from the crowd. The creature\u2019s movements were predictable, almost mechanical, but its speed and strength made it relentless.
\u201cCome on,\u201d Ajit muttered, leaping onto a statue and baiting the serpent into following him.
The creature lashed out, its watery coils smashing into the statue and shattering it into chunks of stone. Ajit used the distraction to vault over the serpent, landing behind it.
\u201cAjit!\u201d Padmini shouted. \u201cIt\u2019s coming back!\u201d
The serpent turned, its glowing eyes locking onto him once more. Ajit braced himself, his mind racing for a solution.
\u201cRajesh,\u201d he said through gritted teeth, \u201cI can\u2019t hold this thing off forever!\u201d
\u201cI\u2019m sending the antidote formula to the medics now,\u201d Rajesh said. \u201cThey\u2019ll load it into the sprayers. Just keep that thing busy!\u201d
Ajit smirked grimly. \u201cNo problem.\u201d
The serpent lunged again, its movements a blur. Ajit rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding its strike, and countered with a venom-coated punch to its body. The venom disrupted the creature\u2019s form momentarily, giving him enough time to put some distance between them.
From the corner of his eye, he saw medics rushing toward the fountain with large spray tanks strapped to their backs.
\u201cRajesh, they\u2019re in position,\u201d Ajit said.
\u201cGood. Tell them to spray directly into the fountain. If the construct is tied to the toxin, breaking the source should destroy it.\u201d
Ajit relayed the message, shouting at the medics over the din of the serpent\u2019s hissing and thrashing. The first sprayer activated, releasing a fine mist of antidote into the water.
The reaction was immediate. The serpent recoiled, its body flickering violently as the antidote disrupted its structure. It writhed in agony, its form shrinking and collapsing with each passing second.
Ajit seized the opportunity, delivering a final strike to the serpent\u2019s head with a concentrated burst of venom. The creature let out a deafening hiss before disintegrating into a spray of harmless water.
The plaza fell silent. The crowd stared in stunned disbelief as the fountain returned to its still, lifeless state.
Ajit straightened, his chest heaving. His snake sense was quiet now, the danger finally passed.
\u201cNice work,\u201d Rajesh said in his ear. \u201cThat was\u2026 intense.\u201d
\u201cUnderstatement of the year,\u201d Ajit muttered, brushing water from his jacket.
Padmini approached him, her eyes wide. \u201cWhat just happened? How did you\u2026?\u201d
Ajit glanced at her, his mind racing for an answer that wouldn\u2019t reveal too much. \u201cIt\u2019s a long story,\u201d he said finally.
She didn\u2019t look satisfied, but before she could press further, a medic approached.
\u201cWe stabilized the victims,\u201d the medic said. \u201cThanks to that antidote, they should recover.\u201d
Ajit nodded, relief washing over him. But his victory felt hollow. Karkota was still out there, and the attack on the fountain had been just a prelude.
This was only the beginning.
The crowd had begun to disperse, though a lingering tension remained in the air. Students whispered in hushed tones, their eyes darting to the fountain and then back to Ajit. The medics worked swiftly, loading the last of the stabilized victims into ambulances, while the police cordoned off the plaza entirely.
Ajit wiped his damp hands on his jeans, exhaustion beginning to creep in. The serpent construct was gone, but the bigger threat loomed like a storm cloud on the horizon.
\u201cAjit.\u201d
He turned to see Padmini standing nearby, her arms crossed. Her expression was a mix of concern and suspicion.
\u201cWhat happened back there?\u201d she asked, her voice low enough that no one else could hear. \u201cYou were\u2026 different. Faster, stronger. And that thing\u2014it went straight for you.\u201d
Ajit hesitated, his mind racing for an explanation. \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d he said finally, avoiding her gaze. \u201cMaybe it saw me as a threat.\u201d
Padmini frowned. \u201cDon\u2019t lie to me, Ajit. I\u2019ve known you too long to believe that. You\u2019re hiding something, and I want to know what it is.\u201d
Before he could respond, Rajesh\u2019s voice crackled through his earpiece. \u201cAjit, you there? You\u2019re gonna want to see this.\u201d
Ajit placed a hand over the earpiece, glancing at Padmini. \u201cI\u2019ll explain later. Right now, I need to check on something.\u201d
She stepped closer, her voice firm. \u201cYou always say that. But you never do.\u201d
Ajit\u2019s jaw tightened. \u201cI will. Just\u2026 trust me, okay?\u201d
Padmini looked at him for a long moment before stepping back, her frustration evident. \u201cFine. But this isn\u2019t over.\u201d
Ajit nodded and turned, walking briskly toward the science block.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n
The lab was dimly lit, the glow from Rajesh\u2019s monitors casting shadows across the cluttered desks. He was hunched over his laptop, his fingers flying across the keyboard.
\u201cWhat do you have?\u201d Ajit asked as he entered, shutting the door behind him.
Rajesh didn\u2019t look up. \u201cPulled footage from the plaza security cameras and cross-referenced it with traffic feeds. Check this out.\u201d
He tapped a key, and the screen filled with grainy footage of a figure in a dark coat moving through the plaza just before the attack. They carried a small case, which they placed near the fountain before slipping away into the crowd.
\u201cThat\u2019s our guy,\u201d Rajesh said, pointing to the screen. \u201cOr at least the one who planted whatever poisoned the fountain.\u201d
Ajit leaned closer, studying the figure. \u201cCan you enhance it?\u201d
\u201cAlready did,\u201d Rajesh said, pulling up a closer view. The figure\u2019s face was mostly obscured by a hood, but the faint outline of scaly skin was visible beneath the shadow.
\u201cKarkota,\u201d Ajit said, his tone grim.
\u201cYep. And guess where he went after the plaza?\u201d
Rajesh switched to another video feed, showing the same figure entering a nondescript building on the outskirts of the city.
Ajit\u2019s snake sense tingled faintly as he watched. \u201cWhat\u2019s the building?\u201d
\u201cSome kind of old storage facility,\u201d Rajesh said. \u201cBut get this\u2014it\u2019s owned by a shell company. One that ties back to, you guessed it, Prakash\u2019s research fund.\u201d
Ajit exhaled sharply, his suspicions solidifying into certainty. \u201cIt\u2019s not just Karkota. Prakash is behind all of this.\u201d
Rajesh leaned back in his chair. \u201cIf this is where they\u2019re operating from, it\u2019s your best shot at finding out what they\u2019re planning. But you can\u2019t just waltz in there. They\u2019ll be ready for you.\u201d
Ajit nodded. \u201cI\u2019ll need to prepare. And I\u2019ll need backup.\u201d
Rajesh raised an eyebrow. \u201cBackup? As in\u2026 me?\u201d
\u201cWho else?\u201d Ajit smirked.
Rajesh groaned. \u201cOf course. Fine. But if I get eaten by a water-snake, I\u2019m haunting you forever.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n
Later that evening, Ajit sat on the rooftop of his building, the cool night air washing over him. Below, the city lights shimmered like distant stars, masking the dangers lurking beneath.
He flexed his hands, venom pooling at his fingertips. His powers had grown stronger, sharper, but so had the threats he faced.
The attack at the plaza had been a warning, a small piece of the larger puzzle Prakash was building. Karkota was a formidable opponent, but Prakash was the real danger\u2014a man who saw humanity\u2019s limits as chains to be broken, no matter the cost.
Ajit clenched his fists. Whatever Prakash was planning, he\u2019d be ready.
He had to be.<\/p>\r\n
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