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'curses'
Nex's mind went blank—his body motionless, unable to understand what to do as the sword closed the gap.
He stared at the sword, as if accepting fate.
'clank'
The sound of something crashing against metal.
The sword's trajectory changed and slightly grazed his cheek, leaving a small cut. That sudden change snapped his mind back into motion.
He looked around, trying to understand what had happened, his mind unable to comprehend it.
"Zero!"
He looked a few feet away. Zero lay on the ground, trying to stand, his fur burned on one side.
What? Are the others here? Was it Zero? I gotta stand up—
Shit… move, damn leg.
I can't remove this dagger or I might die from blood loss.
Shit.
Nex's eyes moved restlessly, a faint glimmer of hope flickering in them.
But his face soon turned pale.
I can't see anyone. Are they still not here…? Then how did Zero— wait, Zero.
He glanced again at Zero, who was still struggling to stand.
How strong was that impact? No— first I gotta reach him.
Nex pointed his hand toward Zero, trying to teleport him.
Nothing happened.
What…? Why isn't it working? Is my stamina low? Damn it.
He cursed himself.
I gotta do something… I have to stall for time until the others arrive.
"Nex!"
A scream echoed from the opposite side—Aryan.
"Move!"
Nex's eyes instinctively shifted toward Mayukh.
"Curse!"
He threw himself to the left, pushing off the ground with his hands as another flaming sword flew toward him.
Can I survive like this…? Only if—
A sudden wave of heat brushed his face—another sword.
How is he doing this?
Nex fell onto his back, narrowly dodging it.
'woof… woof'
Nex looked up from the ground.
Zero had somehow managed to stand and was now barking at Mayank.
"No!"
Narayan panicked, trying to stand.
Zero charged at Mayukh, slashing with his claws—but Mayukh sidestepped and kicked him hard, sending Zero flying.
Before Zero could crash into the burnt vehicle, his body froze mid-air—floating.
Nex glanced toward the vehicle and felt a flicker of relief.
The others had arrived.
Pranidhi stood with her hands raised, her ability holding Zero in place. She gently pulled him back and lowered him into Anvit's arms.
Gaurav looked around, confused.
"What's even happening here?"
Pranidhi and Tahira rushed toward Janvi, Ridhima, and Aryan, who were sitting by the side of the road.
"What happened to you all?" Pranidhi panicked.
"I told you not to go," Tahira said, her voice filled with worry—and regret.
Gaurav turned toward Mayukh.
"What happened to him?"
"We don't know," Aryan babbled. "He just started attacking us out of nowhere. He doesn't reply—he keeps throwing those blazing swords at us."
"What?!" Gaurav asked, staring at him.
"But why isn't he attacking now?"
Mayukh stood still, fingers trembling slightly. Two swords revolved around him, their flames dim.
"I don't know…" Aryan swallowed. "He does this sometimes like he's observing… or recovering. But one thing's certain—he's too strong. We couldn't even scratch him. I don't think any of us can fight anymore."
Gaurav clenched his fists.
"Then what do we do…"
While everyone gathered around the injured, Anvit didn't move. He carefully checked Zero for injuries—then ran toward Nex.
"What happened to your leg?!"
His eyes widened at the dagger embedded there.
"It's fine," Nex said quietly. "Is he okay?"
"No… I think he has broken bones," Anvit muttered, jaw tight.
He took his bag off his shoulder and handed it to Nex.
"You can do something… right?"
"I will."
Nex opened the bag and pulled out a bottle.
"Where's Akshil?" Anvit asked, panic creeping in.
"I don't know," Nex replied. "I heard him scream my name when the dagger hit… but everything went blank after that."
He tried to stand slightly. "We have to find him."
"You stay here. I'll go," Anvit said, glancing at Zero.
Zero barked, looking toward the far side of the road.
Anvit ran off.
Nex exhaled slowly.
I hope Akshil is okay…
Now let's get ready. I don't know how much time we have.
He glanced at Mayukh, chugged the water, then quietly took something out of the bag and slipped it into his pocket.
Mayukh stood motionless, as if observing, flaming swords revolving around him like a shield.
This might be the best time, Gaurav thought as he looked at everyone.
He moved his hands up, targeting Mayukh.
A force pulled Mayukh down; he stumbled a bit but still stood. Slowly, he raised his hands again—pointing the swords toward Gaurav and the group.
"Pranidhi, use your ability to keep his hands down," Gaurav panicked.
Pranidhi pointed her hands toward Mayukh as a faint blue light covered his arms, forcing them down. "Will this work?"
But the swords still shot toward them. Two blue energy spheres crashed into them mid-air, changing their direction.
"Don't worry about these things," Tahira said as she formed two energy spheres floating in her hands.
Another pair of swords started to form around Mayukh.
"This won't work like this," Nex said as he teleported behind everyone, stumbling and struggling to stand.
"Your leg!...," Pranidhi gasped.
"Focus!," Gaurav shouted, pulling her attention back to Mayukh.
"We won't be able to do much like this. We need to knock him down," Nex thought for a moment. "Tahira, can you make a bigger one?"
"Yes, but I need some time," Tahira replied.
"Okay. Make two," Nex said, glancing at Mayukh as another pair of swords shot toward them.
Nex teleported the swords behind Mayukh, but he dodged them without breaking a sweat.
How is he still dodging while being restrained… I can't waste much time.
Nex teleported behind Mayukh and threw a punch—but Mayukh dodged it without even looking back.
Mayukh then threw a blazing dagger that sliced through the air.
Do it fast, Tehsin!
Nex teleported a few feet away.
"Take this!" Tahira shouted as a massive energy sphere—almost as big as a bike—shot toward Mayukh.
But Mayukh formed a shield before it could hit.
"Not happening," Nex mumbled.
The energy sphere suddenly appeared behind Mayukh.
Boom.
The blast sent dust flying everywhere.
"Did it have any effect?" Gaurav clenched his teeth.
"Another one, Tahira!" Nex shouted.
As the dust cleared, Mayukh was still standing, though minor scratches covered his body.
It had some effect… his legs are trembling. We might be able to end this now.
Nex watched as Mayukh pointed again, launching another pair of swords toward him.
Nex teleported the swords behind Mayukh once more.
Mayukh created two shields to block them.
Let's end it now.
Nex teleported another energy sphere directly in front of Mayukh—this time blasting straight into his face.
As the smoke cleared, relief spread across everyone's faces.
Mayukh lay on the ground—awake, but motionless.
"Finally," Aryan said with a relaxed grin.
"How long did it take?" Janvi asked.
"It would've been faster if my mana didn't run out," Ridhima bluffed.
"My energy spheres are what did it," Tahira said to Ridhima, rubbing her nose.
"Let's check what happened to him first…" Pranidhi mumbled, but her voice was lost in the noise.
"Where's Anvit?" Gaurav asked.
"He went to find Akshil," Nex sat down on the road. Now let's think.
He won't attack us like this… so it's another awakener's ability. Maybe mind-related.
Hmm… but he's stronger than before too… and he still doesn't seem okay.
Do I have to find that awakener?
Nex looked around the road, then his eyes stopped at an unfinished five-story building around fifty meters away,
That's the nearest one… should I check it out?
"Everyone! I found him." Anvit shouted from a distance, Akshil—half conscious—on his shoulder, Zero walking slowly by his side.
"As I thought, you did it, Nex," Anvit blurted out as he put Akshil down near Aryan.
"You okay?" Aryan asked.
"I can still do a deadlift," Akshil said sarcastically.
"Hah, idiots," Nex muttered, still looking at the building. It feels lively here… I think I should check that place.
Nex glanced at Mayukh, then slowly stood up.
"Hey Gaurav, listen. I'll be back in a few minutes. Restrain him till then, please."
"Where are you going?" Gaurav asked.
"To find the root cause. Don't worry—I'll be back soon," Nex replied.
He glanced at everyone once, then teleported to the building's ground floor. Let's check silently.
He moved floor to floor using teleportation, scanning each one carefully, but found no one.
This is the last floor.
He turned back—
A big wooden stick accelerated straight toward his face.
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Near the group,
"ANVIT!" Gaurav and Aryan screamed together.
A blazing blade accelerated toward Anvit.
To be continued…
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