Chapter 6
The night stretched on as Ajit drove through the outskirts of Imphal, the hum of the stolen transport vehicle blending with the occasional rustle of trees in the cool breeze. The city lights were faint in the distance, offering little comfort.
His mind raced with fragments of the night’s events: Prakash’s chilling confidence, the advanced drones, and the ominous mention of the Asura project. Even with Prakash temporarily out of play, the villain’s words echoed in his mind.
“This is only the start, Nagaman. You cannot stop progress.”
Ajit tightened his grip on the steering wheel, the tension in his knuckles mirroring the storm inside him. He needed answers, and he needed them fast.
The safehouse came into view—a small, unassuming building nestled behind a cluster of abandoned shops. Ajit parked the vehicle behind the structure and slipped inside, his body still aching from the night’s battles.
Rajesh was waiting, his face illuminated by the glow of his laptop. He looked up as Ajit entered, his relief evident. “You’re alive. That’s… better than I expected.”
Ajit dropped into the chair across from him, wincing as the movement pulled at his side. “Barely.”
“Prakash?” Rajesh asked, leaning forward.
“Down for now,” Ajit said. “But he’s not out. Whatever the Asura project is, he’s poured everything into it. And he’s convinced it’ll change the world.”
Rajesh frowned, typing rapidly on his keyboard. “Change the world? Great. That’s never a good sign. Let’s see what I can dig up.”
The room fell silent except for the rapid clicks of Rajesh’s typing. Ajit leaned back, closing his eyes for a moment. His body screamed for rest, but his mind wouldn’t allow it.
“Found something,” Rajesh said, breaking the silence.
Ajit straightened, the fatigue momentarily forgotten. “What is it?”
Rajesh turned the screen toward him. “This. It’s a partial schematic of the Asura project—looks like a hybrid system combining neurotech with advanced robotics. But there’s more. These files reference something called the Nagamani.”
Ajit’s breath caught. “The Nagamani? That’s not just mythology?”
Rajesh shook his head. “Apparently not. According to these files, it’s a real artifact—some kind of energy source that Prakash is after. He thinks it’s the key to completing the Asura project.”
Ajit stared at the screen, the weight of the revelation sinking in. The Nagamani wasn’t just a piece of folklore. If Prakash got his hands on it, the consequences could be catastrophic.
“Where is it?” Ajit asked, his voice steady but urgent.
Rajesh hesitated. “There’s no exact location in the files. But there’s a mention of a research outpost in the hills north of the city. If Prakash is looking for the Nagamani, that’s where he’ll start.”
Ajit stood, the exhaustion replaced by a surge of determination. “Then that’s where I’m going.”
Rajesh grabbed his arm, stopping him. “Hold on. You’re barely standing, and you’re talking about storming into the hills after some mythical artifact? You need rest, Ajit.”
“I don’t have time,” Ajit said, pulling free. “If Prakash gets the Nagamani, it’s over. For all of us.”
Rajesh sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Fine. But you’re not going alone. I’ll guide you remotely, and I’ll prep a backup route in case things go south.”
Ajit nodded. “Thanks, Rajesh.”
As he turned to leave, Rajesh called out, his voice softer. “Be careful, Nagaman. This isn’t just about Prakash anymore. You’re up against something bigger.”
Ajit paused at the door, his jaw tightening. “I know.”
The weight of the name hung over him as he stepped into the night. Nagaman wasn’t just a title anymore—it was a responsibility.
And the stakes had never been higher.
The northern hills loomed in the distance, their silhouettes dark and imposing against the faint glow of the predawn sky. Ajit moved quickly but cautiously, his steps muffled by the damp forest floor. The air was cooler here, carrying the faint scent of moss and wet earth, but his snake sense remained sharp, keeping him alert.
Rajesh’s voice crackled in his earpiece. “You’re about a kilometer out from the coordinates I pulled. Should be a small research outpost tucked into the hillside. If Prakash’s goons are there, you’ll know soon enough.”
Ajit adjusted the hood of his jacket, keeping his movements steady as he navigated the uneven terrain. “Any signs of activity?”
“Not yet,” Rajesh replied, the sound of his typing in the background. “But if this place is connected to the Nagamani, you can bet it’s not unguarded.”
Ajit reached the crest of a hill, crouching low as the outpost came into view. It was a squat, bunker-like structure built into the rock, its steel walls almost camouflaged by the surrounding vegetation. A faint glow emanated from the narrow windows, and two figures in black tactical gear patrolled the perimeter.
“Two guards outside,” Ajit murmured. “Looks like they’re armed.”
“Figured as much,” Rajesh said. “You taking them out?”
“Quietly,” Ajit replied, slipping into the shadows.
He crept closer, his enhanced vision cutting through the dim light. The guards’ movements were predictable, their patrols overlapping briefly every few minutes. Ajit waited until one guard moved out of sight, leaving the other isolated.
With a burst of speed, he closed the gap, wrapping his arm around the guard’s neck and applying just enough pressure to knock him unconscious. He lowered the man to the ground silently, then moved toward the second guard.
The second guard barely had time to turn before Ajit struck, his venom-coated fist connecting with the man’s side. The guard crumpled with a low groan, his weapon clattering to the ground.
“All clear,” Ajit said into his earpiece, dragging the unconscious guards into the cover of the trees.
“Nice work,” Rajesh replied. “Now get inside before they wake up—or worse, call for backup.”
Ajit approached the outpost, his snake sense tingling faintly as he reached the steel door. A keypad was mounted beside it, the screen glowing faintly with a red light.
“Rajesh, I’ve got a keypad,” Ajit said.
“Hold on,” Rajesh replied, the sound of rapid keystrokes filling the line. “Should be an older model… Yeah, got it. Standard encryption. Give me ten seconds.”
The keypad beeped, and the red light turned green. The door slid open with a hiss, revealing a dimly lit corridor lined with exposed pipes and cables.
“You’re in,” Rajesh said. “Be careful, though. If this place is tied to the Nagamani, you’re walking into a snake pit. Pun intended.”
Ajit smirked faintly. “Thanks for the reminder.”
The corridor was silent, the only sound the faint hum of machinery. Ajit moved slowly, his snake sense growing sharper with every step. Something was here—something powerful.
At the end of the corridor, he found a large steel door marked “Restricted Access.” The energy emanating from beyond the door was almost tangible, a low thrum that vibrated through his bones.
“Rajesh, I’ve found something,” Ajit whispered. “It’s behind a locked door. Feels… strong.”
“Strong how?” Rajesh asked.
“Like it’s alive,” Ajit said, placing his hand on the door.
Rajesh’s typing slowed. “Be careful, Ajit. If that’s the Nagamani, we have no idea what it’s capable of.”
Ajit didn’t hesitate. He pushed the door open, the heavy steel groaning on its hinges. The room beyond was massive, its walls lined with ancient carvings interspersed with modern technology. At the center, resting on a pedestal, was a glowing gem the size of his fist.
The Nagamani.
The artifact pulsed with a deep blue light, casting strange shadows across the room. Ajit stepped closer, his snake sense buzzing louder than ever. The energy radiating from the Nagamani was overwhelming, a mixture of allure and danger.
“Rajesh,” Ajit said, his voice low. “I’ve found it.”
“Describe it,” Rajesh replied.
“It’s a gem,” Ajit said, stopping just short of the pedestal. “Glowing. Feels… alive.”
Rajesh exhaled sharply. “That’s it. That’s what Prakash is after. Be careful, Ajit. If he wants it that badly, it’s probably more dangerous than it looks.”
Ajit studied the Nagamani, his instincts screaming at him to keep his distance. But before he could decide his next move, a voice echoed through the room.
“You’ve saved me the trouble, Nagaman.”
Ajit spun, his fists clenched. From the shadows, a figure stepped forward, tall and imposing. His armor glinted in the dim light, and his eyes burned with an unnatural glow.
“Prakash,” Ajit growled.
The man smiled, his mechanical arms flexing menacingly. “You’re too late. The Nagamani belongs to me now.”
Ajit moved into a fighting stance, his snake sense buzzing with intensity. “Not if I have anything to say about it.”
Prakash laughed, the sound cold and hollow. “You’re a relic, Nagaman. And tonight, the world will see the rise of the Asura.”
Ajit’s muscles tensed as Prakash advanced, his mechanical arms clicking and whirring. The fight for the Nagamani had begun.
The glow of the Nagamani intensified as Prakash stepped closer, its light reflecting off the sleek metal of his mechanical arms. The energy in the room felt charged, a palpable weight pressing against Ajit’s senses.
“You have no idea what this artifact truly is,” Prakash said, his voice calm but laced with menace. “It’s not just a source of power—it’s the key to humanity’s next evolution.”
“Funny,” Ajit shot back, his fists clenched. “I thought you already decided machines were the future.”
Prakash’s lips curled into a cold smile. “Machines are only the beginning. The Nagamani will bridge the gap between flesh and metal. It will make me unstoppable.”
Ajit’s snake sense flared sharply as Prakash’s mechanical arms flexed, their joints glowing faintly with energy. He knew the fight was inevitable.
“Let’s see how unstoppable you really are,” Ajit said, moving into a defensive stance.
Prakash’s smile vanished, replaced by a look of cold determination. “As you wish.”
He struck first, one of his mechanical arms lashing out with blinding speed. Ajit dodged, the arm smashing into the ground where he’d been standing. The impact sent a tremor through the room, cracks spidering across the floor.
Ajit countered with a venom-coated punch aimed at Prakash’s torso. The venom sizzled against the armor, but the advanced plating held firm. Prakash retaliated, another arm swinging in a wide arc.
Ajit ducked and rolled, narrowly avoiding the strike. He landed in a crouch, his eyes narrowing as he studied Prakash’s movements. Each attack was calculated, precise—Prakash wasn’t just relying on brute strength; he was thinking three steps ahead.
“You’re faster than I expected,” Prakash said, his tone almost admiring. “But speed won’t save you.”
Ajit didn’t reply. He surged forward, dodging another strike and landing a powerful kick to Prakash’s side. The impact staggered the man, but only briefly. Prakash’s mechanical arms swung around in unison, forcing Ajit to retreat.
“Rajesh,” Ajit said through gritted teeth, “tell me you’ve got something on those arms.”
“Working on it!” Rajesh replied, the sound of frantic typing in the background. “But it looks like the Nagamani’s energy is powering them. You’ve got to separate him from the artifact!”
“Easier said than done,” Ajit muttered, dodging another barrage of strikes.
Prakash’s laughter echoed through the room. “You’re outmatched, Nagaman. Why not surrender? I might let you live long enough to witness the new world I create.”
Ajit smirked faintly. “You talk too much.”
He leaped onto a nearby console, using the elevation to vault over Prakash’s next strike. As he landed behind the villain, he grabbed a length of loose cable and wrapped it around one of the mechanical arms.
The arm jerked violently as Prakash tried to shake him off. Ajit held firm, pulling the arm off balance and slamming it into the wall. Sparks erupted from the impact, and Prakash snarled in frustration.
“You’re persistent,” Prakash growled, his movements growing more erratic.
“It’s a gift,” Ajit said, swinging around and landing a venom-coated strike to another arm.
The venom hissed as it corroded the joint, but Prakash countered quickly. One of his remaining arms lashed out, catching Ajit across the chest and sending him sprawling.
Ajit hit the ground hard, his breath knocked out of him. He rolled onto his side, coughing as Prakash loomed over him.
“This ends now,” Prakash said, raising one of his arms for the finishing blow.
Ajit’s snake sense flared again, and he rolled just as the arm slammed into the ground. Using the momentum, he sprang to his feet and grabbed a shard of broken metal from the floor.
With a surge of adrenaline, he drove the shard into the connection point of Prakash’s central arm. The impact sent a burst of sparks flying, and Prakash let out a roar of pain as the arm jerked violently.
Ajit didn’t let up. He moved quickly, landing a series of rapid strikes to Prakash’s torso and legs. Each blow forced the villain back, away from the Nagamani.
Prakash stumbled, his mechanical arms sparking and jerking erratically. His glowing eyes burned with fury as he glared at Ajit.
“You think this changes anything?” Prakash snarled. “The Nagamani’s power is limitless. You can’t stop me!”
Ajit squared his shoulders, his voice steady. “Let’s find out.”
He lunged forward, his fists glowing faintly with venom as he aimed for Prakash’s chest. The villain’s remaining arms swung in desperation, but Ajit dodged each strike with precision.
With one final burst of strength, Ajit delivered a venom-coated punch directly to the center of Prakash’s chest. The impact sent the villain crashing into the pedestal, his body convulsing as the Nagamani’s energy surged uncontrollably.
The room trembled, the glow of the artifact growing blindingly bright. Ajit staggered back, shielding his eyes as the energy filled the air with a deafening hum.
“Rajesh,” he shouted into his earpiece, “what’s happening?”
“The Nagamani’s destabilizing!” Rajesh replied, panic in his voice. “You’ve got to get out of there now!”
Ajit turned toward the exit, his snake sense screaming at him to move. But as he sprinted toward the door, he glanced back to see Prakash struggling to reach the artifact, his movements sluggish and desperate.
Ajit hesitated for only a moment before running back, grabbing Prakash by the collar and dragging him away from the pedestal.
“You don’t get to die this easily,” Ajit muttered, hauling the villain toward the exit.
The room behind them erupted in a blinding explosion of light and sound, the Nagamani’s energy consuming everything in its wake.
Ajit burst through the exit just as the blast ripped through the outpost, the shockwave propelling him forward. He hit the ground hard, rolling to a stop as debris rained around him.
When the dust settled, he pushed himself up, his chest heaving. Prakash lay unconscious beside him, his mechanical arms shattered and sparking.
Ajit looked back at the smoldering remains of the outpost, his snake sense finally quiet.
“Rajesh,” he said into his earpiece, “it’s done. The Nagamani… it’s gone.”
There was a pause, then Rajesh replied, “You okay?”
“More or less,” Ajit said, his gaze shifting to Prakash. “But this fight isn’t over. Not yet.”
Ajit sat on a boulder just outside the smoldering remains of the research outpost, his breath slowing but his mind still racing. The faint glow of dawn began to creep over the horizon, casting a pale light on the scattered debris. Prakash lay a few feet away, unconscious, his shattered mechanical arms twitching sporadically as their systems sputtered.
“Rajesh,” Ajit said into his earpiece, “do we have any way of securing Prakash? He’s still breathing, and I don’t trust that he’s out for good.”
Rajesh sighed, his voice tired but steady. “Let me think. Local authorities are a no-go—they won’t even know what to do with him. But I might have a contact in a private lab who can hold him until we figure this out.”
Ajit frowned, glancing at the man who had nearly ended him less than an hour ago. “He’s dangerous. If we’re not careful, he’ll escape and come back worse than before.”
“No kidding,” Rajesh muttered. “I’m pulling strings, but it’ll take time. You’ll need to keep him in check until then.”
Ajit stood, his muscles protesting the movement, and stepped closer to Prakash. The man’s breathing was shallow, his face pale against the backdrop of his ruined machinery. For all his bravado, Prakash looked fragile now—just a man beneath the weight of his shattered dreams.
“You don’t look so unstoppable now,” Ajit muttered under his breath.
He crouched down, gripping Prakash’s collar and pulling him upright. The man groaned, his eyelids fluttering before they opened fully, revealing the dull glow that still lingered in his eyes.
“Where…” Prakash rasped, his voice barely above a whisper. “Where is it?”
Ajit’s jaw tightened. “The Nagamani? Gone. Whatever power you thought you’d have, it’s over.”
Prakash chuckled weakly, the sound hollow and bitter. “You think… destroying the artifact… ends this?” He coughed, his body trembling. “The Nagamani… is only the key. The door… has already opened.”
Ajit’s snake sense flared faintly, a warning that sent a chill through him. “What do you mean, the door? What have you done?”
Prakash’s laugh grew softer, almost delirious. “You’ll see. Soon enough.”
Ajit felt his grip tighten on the man’s collar, but he forced himself to let go. Prakash slumped back against the boulder, his head lolling to the side as his mechanical arms twitched feebly.
“Rajesh,” Ajit said, standing. “He’s rambling about a door. Does any of that make sense?”
“Not yet,” Rajesh replied, the sound of furious typing in the background. “But if the Nagamani really was just a key, then whatever it unlocked might still be out there. I’ll keep digging.”
Ajit glanced at the horizon, the first rays of sunlight breaking through the clouds. “Keep me updated. I’m bringing Prakash in.”
“Be careful,” Rajesh said. “And hey—nice work out there. You saved a lot of people, even if they don’t know it yet.”
Ajit’s expression softened for a moment, but only briefly. “Yeah. Let’s hope it stays that way.”
The drive back to the safehouse was slow and tense. Prakash remained unconscious in the back of the transport vehicle, his faint breathing the only sign of life. Ajit kept one hand on the wheel and the other near his venom-coated tendrils, ready to subdue him at the first sign of trouble.
The streets of Imphal were quiet as he passed through, the city just beginning to wake. He felt a pang of guilt as he thought about Padmini and Rajesh—how his life as Nagaman had dragged them into this chaos.
But there was no time to dwell. Not with the stakes higher than ever.
When he arrived at the safehouse, Rajesh was waiting by the door, his laptop tucked under one arm and a nervous expression on his face.
“Glad you made it,” Rajesh said as Ajit hauled Prakash out of the vehicle. “You look like you’ve been through hell.”
“Feels like it too,” Ajit muttered, dragging Prakash inside.
They secured the unconscious villain to a reinforced chair in the center of the room, his arms bound with heavy-duty restraints. Rajesh paced nervously, glancing between Prakash and his monitors.
“Anything new?” Ajit asked, wiping sweat from his brow.
Rajesh nodded, his expression grim. “I’ve been digging into the Nagamani’s history. There’s not much, but what I found is… unsettling.”
He pulled up a file on his laptop, showing grainy images of ancient carvings and texts. “The Nagamani wasn’t just a source of power—it was a beacon. A signal. Some of these texts suggest it could awaken something—or someone—hidden for centuries.”
Ajit’s snake sense buzzed faintly, as though confirming Rajesh’s words. “Hidden where?”
“That’s the thing,” Rajesh said, shaking his head. “I don’t know. But Prakash does. Whatever ‘door’ he was talking about, he’s the only one who can tell us what it means.”
Ajit glanced at Prakash, his fists clenching. The man stirred slightly, his head rolling to the side.
“Then we make him talk,” Ajit said, his voice firm.
Rajesh hesitated. “You sure about that? He’s not exactly the cooperative type.”
Ajit stepped closer to Prakash, his snake sense buzzing faintly as he leaned in. “He’ll talk. One way or another.”
The weight of Prakash’s cryptic warning hung heavy in the room. Whatever was coming, Ajit knew this fight was far from over.
Prakash’s breathing was shallow, but his eyes flickered open, revealing the faint, unnatural glow still lingering within them. He blinked slowly, his head lolling forward as if the weight of consciousness was too much to bear.
Ajit stood over him, his arms crossed, venom faintly pooling at his fingertips. Rajesh hovered nearby, his laptop open on the makeshift desk, casting a faint blue glow across the room.
“You’re awake,” Ajit said, his voice steady but cold. “Good. Saves us the trouble of waking you up.”
Prakash chuckled weakly, the sound dry and strained. “Nagaman… Still playing the hero, I see.”
Ajit’s jaw tightened. “Start talking. What is the Nagamani? What door are you talking about?”
Prakash tilted his head, his lips curling into a faint, mocking smile. “Even with all your gifts, you’re still so limited. The Nagamani is far beyond your understanding.”
“Try me,” Ajit said, stepping closer.
The faint hum of his snake sense buzzed in the back of his mind, urging caution, but he ignored it. Prakash was dangerous, but he was also the only lead they had.
Prakash exhaled sharply, his shoulders sagging against the restraints. “The Nagamani… It’s not just an artifact. It’s a beacon, a signal to something far older than either of us. A force that sleeps beneath the earth, waiting to rise.”
Ajit frowned, his mind racing. “A force? What kind of force?”
Prakash chuckled again, the sound rasping in his throat. “You wouldn’t understand. It’s… evolution. The world as it’s meant to be—machines and man, united as one. The Nagamani was the key to unlocking it. And now…” His voice trailed off, his smile fading into a grimace.
“And now it’s gone,” Ajit said, leaning in closer. “Destroyed, thanks to you.”
Prakash’s eyes narrowed. “Destroyed? You think the power of the Nagamani can be undone so easily? Its signal was sent the moment it was activated. You’ve only delayed the inevitable.”
Ajit’s snake sense flared sharply, sending a chill through him. “What does that mean?”
“It means you’ve lost,” Prakash said, his voice low but filled with venom. “You and your city will be the first to witness the awakening. The rise of a power beyond your comprehension.”
Rajesh stepped forward, his brow furrowed. “He’s bluffing, right? He doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”
Ajit didn’t answer, his eyes locked on Prakash. His instincts told him otherwise.
“What power?” Ajit demanded. “Who’s coming?”
Prakash’s smile returned, twisted and cruel. “Ask your ancestors. Ask the ones who told the stories of the Nagas and the Asuras. They knew. They tried to warn you.”
Ajit’s fists clenched, his venom glowing faintly in the dim light. “If you’re lying…”
“Am I?” Prakash interrupted, his tone almost gleeful. “You’ve already felt it, haven’t you? The rumble beneath your feet? The whispers in the dark? The Nagamani was just the beginning.”
Ajit stepped back, his mind racing. Prakash wasn’t bluffing—not entirely. His snake sense had been warning him for weeks, ever since the first attacks began.
“Rajesh,” Ajit said, his voice steady despite the growing unease. “Pull up everything you can on seismic activity in the area. Anything unusual.”
Rajesh nodded, his fingers flying across the keyboard. The tension in the room was palpable as he worked, the glow of the laptop reflecting his furrowed brow.
After a moment, he froze. “Ajit… You’re not gonna like this.”
“What is it?” Ajit asked.
Rajesh turned the screen toward him, showing a map of the region. Several red markers dotted the area around Imphal, each one labeled with recent seismic activity.
“There’s been a spike in tremors over the past twenty-four hours,” Rajesh said. “Centered around the eastern hills. It’s subtle, but it’s there.”
Ajit’s snake sense buzzed again, confirming Rajesh’s findings. “What’s out there?”
Rajesh hesitated. “Not much. Just old ruins. Ancient sites no one’s cared about for centuries.”
Ajit glanced at Prakash, who smiled faintly, his head tilting back against the chair.
“Ruins,” Prakash said, his voice soft but laced with satisfaction. “How fitting. The past will rise from the ashes of your ignorance. And when it does… you’ll beg for the machines to save you.”
Ajit’s fists clenched. He turned to Rajesh. “We need to get to those ruins. Now.”
Rajesh blinked, his mouth opening to protest, but Ajit cut him off. “Prakash is right about one thing—this isn’t over. If there’s even a chance he’s telling the truth, we can’t wait for it to come to us.”
Rajesh sighed, his shoulders slumping. “Alright. I’ll get the coordinates. But Ajit…” He hesitated, his voice softening. “Be careful. This feels bigger than anything we’ve dealt with before.”
Ajit nodded, his gaze steely. “It is. But we’re not backing down.”
He turned back to Prakash, who watched him with a glint of amusement in his eyes.
“You’re making a mistake, Nagaman,” Prakash said. “You’ll only hasten what’s already begun.”
“Maybe,” Ajit said, stepping toward the door. “But if you’re wrong, you won’t get the chance to find out.”
The safehouse door closed behind him, leaving Prakash in the faint glow of the laptop. His smile faded, replaced by a flicker of something else.
Fear.