Chapter 15
The air in the Nagalok was different now, heavier with a sense of foreboding. The glowing rivers of energy coursed more rapidly through the surreal terrain, their currents twisting like serpents in midair. The vibrant sky dimmed slightly, the swirling hues of gold and green giving way to deeper shades of indigo.
Ajit, Padmini, and Rajesh stood at the edge of a wide expanse, the bridge behind them now shimmering faintly as it dissolved back into the landscape. Ahead, the terrain sloped downward into a valley, its surface marked with intricate carvings that pulsed faintly, as though alive.
Rajesh adjusted the strap of his backpack, his gaze fixed nervously on the valley below. “You know, I thought the giant snake and the whispering shadows were bad, but this place just keeps leveling up the creep factor.”
Padmini ignored him, her disruptor held steady in her hand as her eyes scanned the area. “What’s the next trial?” she asked, glancing at Ajit.
Ajit’s snake sense buzzed faintly, the warning subtle but persistent. “We’ll find out soon enough,” he said, his voice calm but edged with tension. “Just stay alert.”
As they descended into the valley, the hum of the Nagalok grew louder, resonating through the ground beneath their feet. The carvings on the surface shifted subtly as they walked, their patterns rearranging themselves in a way that made Rajesh shiver.
“Are those… moving?” he asked, his voice tinged with unease.
“They’re alive,” Ajit said, his snake sense buzzing sharply. “This whole realm is.”
“That’s comforting,” Rajesh muttered, his fingers tightening on his tablet.
The group stopped abruptly as the ground before them rippled like water, the carvings coalescing into a single, massive symbol. A burst of light erupted from the center, and a figure began to rise from the ground.
The figure was humanoid but impossibly tall, its body covered in scales that glowed with the same golden light as the rivers. Its eyes burned with an intense brilliance, and its voice echoed through the valley with a resonance that seemed to come from everywhere at once.
“You have entered the domain of the Nagas,” the figure said, its tone both commanding and ancient. “To claim the Nagamani, you must prove your worth.”
Ajit stepped forward, his tendrils sparking faintly. “We’ve already passed the first trial,” he said. “What’s next?”
The figure tilted its head slightly, its glowing eyes narrowing. “Strength alone will not carry you through this realm. To claim the Nagamani, you must demonstrate unity. Without it, you will not survive the challenges ahead.”
The figure raised its hand, and the ground beneath them trembled violently. The terrain shifted, the valley reshaping itself into a labyrinth of twisting paths and towering walls. The glowing rivers coursed through the labyrinth, their currents splitting and rejoining in unpredictable patterns.
“You must traverse the maze,” the figure said. “Each path will test the bond between you. Only those who stand as one will find the way forward.”
Rajesh groaned, staring at the labyrinth in dismay. “Of course it’s a maze. Why wouldn’t it be?”
“Focus,” Ajit said sharply, his gaze fixed on the entrance to the labyrinth. “We’ll get through this—together.”
Padmini nodded, her disruptor raised as she stepped forward. “Let’s move. The longer we wait, the more this place works against us.”
The labyrinth was a disorienting maze of twisting corridors and shifting walls. The glowing carvings on the ground provided a faint guide, but the paths they marked seemed to change with every step.
Ajit’s snake sense buzzed constantly, its warnings guiding him as he led the group through the ever-changing terrain. He stopped abruptly at a fork in the path, his gaze narrowing as the carvings shifted before his eyes.
“Left,” he said after a moment.
Padmini followed without hesitation, her movements calm and deliberate. Rajesh hesitated briefly, muttering under his breath as he hurried to keep up.
“Are you sure about this?” Rajesh asked, glancing nervously at the glowing symbols.
Ajit didn’t look back. “Trust me.”
The first challenge came quickly.
As they rounded a corner, the ground beneath them shimmered, and a massive, coiled serpent materialized from the glowing carvings. Its body was translucent, its scales shimmering with golden light, and its eyes burned with a predatory intensity.
Ajit’s tendrils lashed out instinctively, but the serpent moved with impossible speed, dodging his strike and rearing back to attack.
“Padmini, take the left!” Ajit shouted, dodging the serpent’s lunge.
Padmini moved swiftly, her disruptor firing a precise burst of energy that struck the serpent’s side. The creature hissed, its form flickering faintly as the energy disrupted its flow.
Rajesh scrambled to the side, his tablet clutched tightly as he shouted, “I don’t suppose this thing has an off switch?”
“Just keep moving!” Ajit barked, delivering a venom-coated strike to the serpent’s head.
The creature recoiled, its form dissolving into glowing fragments that merged back into the carvings on the ground. The path ahead shifted, opening a new corridor.
“Come on,” Ajit said, his voice steady despite the tension. “This isn’t over.”
The challenges grew more intense as they delved deeper into the labyrinth. Shadowy figures emerged from the walls, their forms flickering with the same golden light as the serpent. Each attack was faster and more coordinated, forcing the group to work together seamlessly.
Ajit’s snake sense guided him, his tendrils lashing out to counter the relentless onslaught. Padmini’s disruptor fired with precision, her calm demeanor never wavering. Rajesh moved quickly, using his tablet to analyze the shifting paths and call out warnings.
At the center of the labyrinth, the terrain shifted again, the glowing carvings forming a massive sigil that pulsed with blinding light. The air grew heavy, and the ground trembled as the labyrinth began to collapse around them.
“We’re close!” Ajit shouted, his gaze fixed on the glowing sigil. “Move!”
The group sprinted toward the center, their movements in perfect sync as the walls of the labyrinth dissolved into shimmering light.
As they reached the sigil, the light consumed them, and the maze vanished, leaving only a vast, empty expanse.
The voice of the figure echoed through the void, its tone filled with quiet approval. “You have passed the second trial. Unity will carry you forward. But the final challenge awaits.”
Ajit stood at the edge of the expanse, his gaze steady. “We’re ready.”
The light shifted, forming a new path that stretched into the horizon. At the end of the path, a faint, golden glow pulsed rhythmically, beckoning them forward.
The Nagamani was within reach.
The path before them shimmered like liquid gold, its surface rippling faintly as if reacting to their presence. The air was thick with energy, each step heavy with the weight of what lay ahead. In the distance, the golden glow of the Nagamani pulsed steadily, its light radiating with an almost hypnotic rhythm.
Ajit took the lead, his snake sense buzzing faintly but steadily. The warnings were less urgent now, more like a constant hum that reminded him of the stakes.
Padmini and Rajesh followed close behind, their movements cautious but determined. Padmini’s disruptor was still in her hand, and Rajesh clutched his tablet like a shield.
“We’re almost there,” Padmini said, her voice steady.
“Yeah, because walking on a glowing path toward a legendary artifact in a living realm totally screams ‘almost safe,’” Rajesh muttered, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
Ajit glanced back at them, his tendrils flicking faintly. “Stay focused. The Nagalok isn’t done with us yet.”
As they moved closer to the Nagamani, the path began to change. The rippling surface grew darker, the golden glow fading into a deep, metallic sheen. The air grew colder, and the faint hum of the realm’s energy turned into a low, resonant vibration that seemed to echo through their very bones.
Ajit stopped abruptly, his snake sense flaring sharply. “Something’s wrong.”
Padmini raised her disruptor, her eyes scanning the horizon. “What is it?”
Before Ajit could answer, the path beneath them trembled violently. The golden glow ahead flickered, and the vibration in the air grew louder, rising to a deafening pitch.
Then, the ground erupted.
A massive, serpentine figure burst forth from the path, its body coiled and gleaming with a dark, obsidian sheen. Its eyes glowed with a fiery red light, and its mouth opened in a snarl, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth.
Rajesh stumbled backward, his tablet clattering to the ground. “Oh, come on! Another one?”
Ajit stepped forward, his tendrils sparking as he faced the creature. “This isn’t just another one,” he said grimly. “It’s the guardian of the Nagamani.”
The creature let out a deafening roar, its voice reverberating through the realm. “You dare seek the heart of the Nagas?” it bellowed. “Prove your worth, or be consumed by the void!”
The guardian attacked with blinding speed, its massive coils striking the path with enough force to send shockwaves rippling through the air. Ajit moved instinctively, his snake sense guiding him as he dodged the first strike.
“Rajesh, get back!” Ajit shouted, his tendrils lashing out to block another attack.
Rajesh scrambled to retrieve his tablet, retreating to the edge of the path. “Yeah, don’t have to tell me twice!”
Padmini fired her disruptor, the burst of energy striking the guardian’s side. The creature hissed, its obsidian scales shimmering as it recoiled slightly.
“It’s tough,” Padmini said, her voice tense. “That barely scratched it.”
“Then we hit it harder,” Ajit said, his venom pooling at his fingertips.
The guardian lunged again, its movements impossibly fast for its size. Ajit twisted, his tendrils wrapping around its massive body as he delivered a venom-coated strike to its neck. The creature roared in fury, its coils thrashing wildly as it tried to shake him off.
The battle raged on, the path beneath them cracking and splintering under the force of the guardian’s attacks. Padmini moved with precision, her disruptor firing controlled bursts that targeted the creature’s weak points.
Ajit’s movements were a blur, his tendrils and venom striking with relentless speed. His snake sense buzzed constantly, guiding him as he evaded the guardian’s devastating blows.
Rajesh crouched at the edge of the path, his tablet glowing faintly as he worked furiously to analyze the guardian’s movements. “It’s protecting the Nagamani,” he called out. “The closer we get, the harder it’s going to fight!”
“Then we end this now,” Ajit said, his voice firm.
Ajit leaped onto the guardian’s back, his tendrils wrapping tightly around its massive body as he delivered a series of venom-coated strikes to its head. The creature roared, its movements growing more erratic as it struggled against him.
Padmini aimed her disruptor at the base of the guardian’s neck, where its scales shimmered with a faint, golden light. “Ajit, hold it steady!” she shouted.
Ajit tightened his grip, his tendrils sparking as he pulled the creature’s head down. “Now!”
Padmini fired, the disruptor’s energy striking the guardian’s weak point with a blinding burst of light. The creature let out a final, guttural roar before collapsing onto the path, its massive form dissolving into shimmering fragments of light.
The path beneath them steadied, the cracks and splinters mending themselves as the golden glow returned.
The group stood in silence for a moment, their breaths heavy as the remnants of the battle faded into the stillness of the realm.
Rajesh broke the silence first, his voice shaky but filled with nervous energy. “Okay. That was officially the worst thing I’ve ever seen. Can we not do that again?”
Padmini lowered her disruptor, her gaze fixed on the glowing light of the Nagamani ahead. “We’re almost there,” she said quietly.
Ajit stepped forward, his snake sense buzzing faintly as he approached the pulsing glow. “Stay close,” he said, his voice steady. “This isn’t over yet.”
The group moved cautiously toward the Nagamani, its golden light growing brighter with each step. The air around them grew warmer, the vibrations in the ground intensifying.
As they reached the edge of the glowing chamber where the Nagamani rested, Ajit’s snake sense flared sharply, a warning that sent a chill down his spine.
The final trial was about to begin.
The chamber housing the Nagamani was unlike anything they had encountered in the Nagalok. The golden glow of the legendary artifact illuminated the vast space, casting long, rippling shadows along the walls. The Nagamani itself floated above a pedestal of shimmering obsidian, its surface a swirling blend of gold and emerald hues.
The energy radiating from it was overwhelming. It thrummed through the chamber, resonating in the air, the ground, and even within Ajit’s body. His snake sense buzzed wildly, a sharp warning that this was no ordinary artifact—it was alive.
Padmini’s grip tightened on her disruptor as she stepped cautiously into the chamber. “This is it,” she said, her voice quiet but steady. “The Nagamani.”
Rajesh lagged a few steps behind, his eyes darting nervously between the artifact and the walls of the chamber. “Yeah, great. We found it. Now how do we make sure it doesn’t kill us when we try to take it?”
Ajit ignored the comment, his focus entirely on the Nagamani. “Stay back,” he said firmly. “This trial is mine.”
Padmini frowned, glancing at him. “We’ve been through everything together. Why does this have to be different?”
“Because this isn’t just about strength or unity,” Ajit replied, his tendrils sparking faintly. “The Nagamani is the essence of the Nagas. It’s testing me—the one who carries their mark. If I fail…”
His voice trailed off, but the implication was clear.
Padmini hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. “Be careful.”
Ajit stepped forward, the energy in the chamber intensifying with each step. The air grew heavier, and the golden glow of the Nagamani pulsed in time with his heartbeat. His snake sense buzzed louder, the warning almost deafening now.
As he reached the base of the pedestal, the ground trembled violently. A deep, resonant voice echoed through the chamber, ancient and commanding.
“To claim the Nagamani is to bear the weight of its power,” the voice intoned. “You must prove yourself worthy, Naga Man.”
Ajit straightened, his tendrils sparking brighter. “I’m ready.”
The voice rumbled again, filled with a quiet menace. “We shall see.”
The chamber shifted abruptly, the walls dissolving into a swirling void of golden light. Ajit found himself standing alone on an endless expanse of shimmering ground, the Nagamani hovering just out of reach.
The voice returned, softer now but no less powerful. “The Asura rise because of their arrogance. Their desire for power without balance. To wield the Nagamani is to confront your own darkness. Face it, or be consumed.”
The golden light before him rippled, and a shadowy figure emerged. It was a mirror of himself, but twisted and menacing. Its eyes burned with a fiery glow, and its tendrils lashed out with venomous energy.
“You think you can save them?” the shadow sneered, its voice dripping with malice. “You can barely save yourself.”
Ajit’s tendrils sparked as he stepped into a fighting stance. “I’ve heard enough.”
The shadow lunged, its movements a blur as it struck with venom-coated tendrils. Ajit dodged smoothly, his snake sense guiding him as he countered with a powerful strike.
The clash was fierce, their movements mirroring each other with uncanny precision. Each strike, each dodge, felt like fighting himself—a test of his strength, his resolve, and his limits.
The battle raged on, the golden void trembling with the force of their attacks. The shadow’s strikes grew faster, more relentless, pushing Ajit to his limits.
“You’re not strong enough!” the shadow hissed, its voice echoing through the void. “You’ll fail, just like before!”
Ajit gritted his teeth, his tendrils lashing out to block another attack. “I’ve faced failure before,” he said, his voice steady despite the strain. “And I’ve come back stronger every time.”
The shadow snarled, its form flickering as Ajit’s words struck a nerve. “Strength alone won’t save you. You carry doubt, fear—weakness!”
Ajit twisted, delivering a venom-coated strike to the shadow’s chest. “Weakness doesn’t define me,” he said firmly. “It’s what I do with it that matters.”
The shadow staggered, its form flickering and distorting as Ajit pressed his attack. His tendrils moved with a precision born of instinct, each strike landing with decisive force.
Finally, with a powerful venom-coated blow, Ajit struck the shadow’s core. The figure let out a guttural roar before dissolving into golden light, the void around him calming as the energy subsided.
The voice returned, quieter now but filled with approval. “You have faced your darkness and emerged stronger. The Nagamani is yours to claim.”
The void faded, and Ajit found himself back in the chamber. The Nagamani hovered above the pedestal, its golden glow brighter than ever.
He stepped forward, his snake sense buzzing faintly as he reached out. His tendrils flicked softly as his fingers brushed the surface of the artifact.
The energy surged through him instantly, a wave of warmth and power that seemed to fill every corner of his being. The Nagamani’s glow dimmed slightly, its energy transferring into him as the connection solidified.
Ajit staggered back slightly, his tendrils sparking wildly as the energy coursed through him. The chamber trembled, the golden light radiating outward in a brilliant wave that illuminated the entire Nagalok.
Padmini and Rajesh ran to his side, their faces a mix of awe and concern.
“Ajit!” Padmini called, steadying him as the energy settled. “Are you okay?”
Ajit nodded slowly, his gaze steady as he straightened. “I’m fine,” he said, his voice filled with quiet determination. “And we’re ready.”
Rajesh glanced at the now-dim pedestal where the Nagamani had rested. “Ready for what?”
Ajit’s tendrils sparked faintly as he turned toward the chamber’s exit. “To end this.”
The chamber walls shimmered as the energy from the Nagamani settled into Ajit’s body. Each step he took resonated with the hum of the realm, as if the Nagalok itself was responding to his newfound connection. The path ahead, once dim and uncertain, now pulsed with a steady golden light, guiding their way.
Padmini and Rajesh followed close behind, their gazes darting between Ajit and the surroundings. The weight of what had just occurred hung heavily in the air, but neither of them dared to speak until the silence became unbearable.
“Okay, so… what now?” Rajesh finally asked, his voice a mix of awe and nervous energy. “You’ve got the Nagamani’s power. Does that mean we just waltz out of here and the Asura pack it up and go home?”
Ajit glanced back, his expression calm but resolute. “No. This power is only part of the fight. The Asura won’t stop until they’re forced to. And that means taking the fight to them.”
Padmini adjusted the disruptor on her shoulder, her gaze steady. “And we’re with you every step of the way.”
Ajit nodded, his tendrils flicking faintly. “Let’s finish this.”
The exit from the Nagalok wasn’t the same as the path they had entered. The golden light ahead seemed to fold into itself, creating a swirling vortex that pulsed in time with the Nagamani’s energy.
Rajesh hesitated as they approached, his tablet clutched tightly in his hands. “Please tell me that doesn’t lead to another trial.”
“It’s the way back,” Ajit said, stepping toward the vortex.
Padmini glanced at him. “Are you sure?”
Ajit’s snake sense buzzed faintly, reassuring him. “I’m sure.”
Without waiting for further discussion, he stepped into the vortex. The golden light enveloped him instantly, its warmth both comforting and overwhelming. For a moment, he felt weightless, as though suspended in the heart of the Nagamani’s power.
Then, with a sudden jolt, he was back.
The clearing where they had activated the portal was eerily quiet. The remnants of the amplifier lay scattered around, its parts flickering faintly with residual energy. The air was still heavy with the scent of ozone, and the ground was marked with faint, glowing patterns where the portal had once been.
Padmini and Rajesh appeared moments later, their expressions a mix of relief and exhaustion.
“Okay, we made it,” Rajesh said, exhaling heavily. “Now what?”
Ajit’s gaze swept the clearing, his snake sense buzzing sharply. The hum of the Nagamani within him had changed—stronger, more focused. He could feel the fragments’ energy resonating with him, their power no longer chaotic but synchronized with his own.
“They’re close,” he said quietly.
Padmini raised her disruptor, her movements precise. “The Asura?”
Ajit nodded. “They know we have the Nagamani. They won’t wait for us to come to them.”
The attack came without warning.
The ground trembled violently, and the trees around the clearing shattered as a massive wave of dark energy surged toward them. Ajit reacted instantly, his tendrils lashing out to create a protective barrier that absorbed the impact.
From the shadows of the forest, the Asura emerged. Their forms were twisted and menacing, their glowing green eyes fixed on the group with unrelenting malice. At their center was a towering figure—an Asura unlike any they had faced before. Its body was massive, its obsidian scales glistening with a faint, fiery glow.
“The Asura Prime,” Ajit said, his voice low.
Rajesh took a step back, his tablet trembling in his hands. “Great. Because regular Asura weren’t enough.”
The Asura Prime stepped forward, its deep, guttural voice echoing across the clearing. “You dare to wield the Nagamani, mortal? Its power is not yours to claim.”
Ajit stepped in front of Padmini and Rajesh, his tendrils sparking with golden energy as he faced the towering figure. “The Nagamani belongs to the Nagas. And its power will end you.”
The Asura Prime let out a deafening roar, its massive body coiling as it prepared to strike.
The battle erupted with brutal intensity.
The Asura Prime moved with terrifying speed, its massive claws striking with enough force to crack the ground. Ajit countered with precision, his tendrils infused with the energy of the Nagamani as they deflected the blows.
Padmini fired her disruptor in controlled bursts, targeting the smaller Asura that swarmed around the Prime. Each shot was precise, dispersing their shadowy forms before they could close in.
Rajesh scrambled to the remains of the amplifier, his fingers flying over the controls as he worked to reactivate its energy disruptor. “A little help here?” he called, ducking as an Asura lunged at him.
“I’ve got you!” Padmini shouted, firing a burst of energy that sent the creature sprawling.
Ajit’s movements were a blur as he engaged the Asura Prime directly. His venom-coated strikes found their marks, sizzling against the creature’s obsidian scales. The energy of the Nagamani surged through him, amplifying his speed and strength as he delivered blow after blow.
But the Asura Prime was relentless, its fiery eyes burning with a hatred that seemed to fuel its attacks. Each strike grew more ferocious, forcing Ajit to push his powers to their limits.
“This ends now!” Ajit shouted, his tendrils glowing with golden energy as he unleashed a powerful strike that sent the Asura Prime staggering.
The creature let out a guttural roar, its form flickering as the Nagamani’s energy disrupted its core.
“Rajesh, now!” Ajit called, his voice sharp.
Rajesh slammed his hand onto the amplifier’s controls, reactivating the energy disruptor. A blinding pulse of golden light erupted from the device, engulfing the clearing and striking the Asura with devastating force.
The smaller Asura dissolved instantly, their forms disintegrating into shadowy fragments. The Asura Prime let out a final, ear-splitting roar before collapsing to the ground, its massive body dissolving into shimmering ash.
The clearing fell silent, the golden light fading as the disruptor powered down.
Ajit stood in the center of the clearing, his breathing heavy as his tendrils sparked faintly. The energy of the Nagamani pulsed within him, steady and calm.
“It’s over,” he said quietly.
Padmini and Rajesh approached cautiously, their expressions a mix of relief and disbelief.
“For now,” Padmini said, her voice steady. “But the fight isn’t finished.”
Ajit nodded, his gaze fixed on the horizon. “The Asura will come again. But so will we.”
The clearing was eerily quiet after the battle, the golden glow of the Nagamani fading into a soft, steady pulse. The remnants of the Asura Prime’s essence lingered in the air like faint embers, slowly dissipating into nothingness.
Ajit stood still, his tendrils sparking faintly as he absorbed the weight of what had just transpired. The energy of the Nagamani within him resonated with the calm hum of the clearing, its power a steady presence that both reassured and burdened him.
Padmini approached cautiously, her disruptor lowered but still in hand. “Ajit,” she said, her voice calm but firm. “Are you okay?”
He nodded slowly, his gaze still fixed on the horizon. “I’m fine.”
Rajesh slumped against a tree, his tablet dangling loosely in his hand. “Fine? You just fought a giant, flame-eyed snake demon and lived to tell the tale. ‘Fine’ doesn’t quite cover it.”
Ajit allowed a faint smile to break through his serious expression. “You’re right,” he said. “We won. But this isn’t over.”
The group gathered near the remains of the amplifier, the faint hum of its disruptor still lingering in the air. Rajesh tapped on his tablet, his expression thoughtful as he analyzed the aftermath of the battle.
“The good news?” he said, his tone lighter now. “The fragments’ resonance is completely neutralized. The Asura shouldn’t be able to draw any more power from them—at least not for a while.”
Padmini crossed her arms, her gaze shifting to Ajit. “And the Nagamani? Does its power… last?”
Ajit looked at his hands, his tendrils flicking softly as the energy of the artifact pulsed within him. “It’s part of me now,” he said quietly. “As long as I carry it, its power will remain. But it’s not limitless. If the Asura come again, we’ll need to be ready.”
Rajesh raised an eyebrow. “So, what does ‘ready’ mean? Because if it involves more snake temples and glowing portals, I’m officially retiring from this whole sidekick gig.”
Padmini smirked faintly. “You’re not retiring from anything.”
Rajesh sighed dramatically, shoving his tablet into his bag. “Yeah, yeah. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
As the sun began to rise over the clearing, its light cutting through the fading mist, Ajit turned to face his friends. His expression was calm but resolute, the weight of the Nagamani’s power reflected in his steady gaze.
“This fight isn’t just about the Asura,” he said. “It’s about balance. The Nagas created the fragments to keep the world in check, but they underestimated how far the Asura would go to take back their power. Now it’s up to us to protect that balance.”
Padmini nodded, her eyes meeting his. “And we will. Together.”
Rajesh rolled his eyes but couldn’t hide the faint smile tugging at his lips. “Yeah, fine. But I’m getting hazard pay next time.”
Ajit allowed himself a small laugh, the tension in his body easing slightly. “You’ll get your hazard pay,” he said. “But first, we rebuild.”
The journey back to the safehouse was quiet but purposeful. The weight of the Nagamani’s power lingered with every step, its presence a constant reminder of the challenges still ahead.
When they finally reached the city, the first rays of sunlight bathed Imphal in a soft, golden light. The streets were beginning to stir with life, the hum of morning activity a comforting reminder of what they were fighting to protect.
As they stepped inside the safehouse, the familiar hum of Rajesh’s equipment greeted them. The fragments still glowed faintly in their reinforced case, their energy no longer chaotic but stable.
Rajesh dropped into his chair with a groan, his tablet clattering onto the table. “Home sweet home,” he muttered.
Padmini set down her disruptor, her movements calm but deliberate. “What’s our next move?” she asked, her gaze shifting to Ajit.
Ajit stood near the window, his tendrils flicking faintly as he looked out at the city. His snake sense buzzed softly, a reminder of the fight still ahead.
“We prepare,” he said finally. “The Asura won’t stop. But neither will we.”
As the sun rose higher, casting warm light across the room, Ajit allowed himself a moment of quiet reflection. The Nagamani’s power hummed within him, its energy both a blessing and a burden.
The Asura had been dealt a major blow, but their threat was far from over. Their power, their hunger, would always seek to rise again.
But Ajit knew one thing for certain. As long as he carried the mark of the Nagas, he would be ready.
Naga Man was just beginning.