Fifteen Years Later
Winter gripped Delhi in its icy claws. The temperature had dropped to a chilling -5°C, and a light snowfall dusted the city in white. In a quiet park, five teenagers huddled together, talking and laughing amidst the frosty air.
Meera, always the serious one, spoke first. "The elemental affinity test is coming soon. We have to be ready, whether the results are good or bad."
Sharan nodded and added, "Yeah. You know, my mom makes me take a mud bath every weekend to improve my earth elemental affinity."
Everyone burst out laughing — except for Sharan, who sighed dramatically.
Sarath grinned. "Who gave your mom that idea?"
Sharan groaned. "Some baba she met. Charged her ten credits for that brilliant advice."
Sarili's eyes widened. "Ten credits?!"
The group fell silent for a moment, before Meera started giggling. Soon, all of them were laughing again.
Still chuckling, Sharan continued, "That's not all. The baba told her that if I wanted to build a connection to the wind element, I had to visit high-wind places and let the breeze touch my face."
In his deep voice, Sarath asked teasingly, "And did you actually do it?"
Sharan shrugged. "Where do you think I was when you called me for football last week?"
More laughter erupted.
"If that's the logic," Meera said, giggling, "then I should jump into a fire to get the best fire affinity!"
Another round of laughter.
Finally, Om, who had been quietly sitting beside Sarath, spoke up, his voice soft. "What elemental affinities do you all want?"
The atmosphere turned serious.
Meera answered first, determination flashing in her eyes. "I want Fire as my primary element. I plan to join the Bhargava Clan and fight against the Eternal Kingdom."
Everyone sighed, knowing how ambitious that was.
Sharan added, "I want Earth as my primary element and to join the Outside Road Association."
Sarili chimed in, smiling gently, "I want to become a teacher at Gurukul. Honestly, any element would be fine for me."
The group gave her a thumbs-up.
Sarath grinned. "I want Metal as my primary element. I dream of becoming a blacksmith."
Meera teased him, "That means you're aiming for a sub-branch elemental!"
Sarath shrugged, smiling. "You know only ten percent of people awaken one of the five main elements. The majority—sixty percent—have sub-branches. I'm being realistic."
Sharan munched on chips, laughing. "Sarath's already thinking practically. That's good. So, Om, what about you?"
Om smiled and said quietly, "I want to be a soldier, like my father, serving under the Dharma King. As for the element... anything that lets me fight the Eternal Kingdom is fine by me."
Meera cheered, "Big dreams, Om! Just like me."
Om grinned. "Yeah. I'll be turning sixteen in a few days. That's when my affinity test begins. I'm really looking forward to it, guys."
Sharan, finishing his snack, patted Om's back. "Good luck, Om! I hope you get Water and Earth, like your father. He's considered one of the best."
Om smiled warmly just as his watch buzzed.
Seeing the caller ID, he quickly answered, "Yes, Mom, I'm coming home. Okay, I'll get vegetables and milk." He ended the call and looked at his friends apologetically. "Gotta go, guys. Shreya's coming back from her hostel today, and Mom sent me on an errand."
The group waved, shouting, "Don't forget the milk, Om!"
Om waved back with a bright smile and set off briskly toward his house. The supermarket was only a ten-minute walk away. As he entered, he greeted the cashier warmly, "Hello, Nancy! How's it going?"
Nancy, putting down her phone, smiled. "Hi, Om. All good."
Grabbing what he needed, Om made his way back home. His family lived on the tenth floor of an apartment building. He took the lift and rang the doorbell.
A lady in a blue saree — his mother, Sharanya — opened the door, frowning slightly. "You're late today."
Om smiled sheepishly, placing the groceries by the shoe rack. "I was hanging out at the park with my friends. Has Shreya come home yet?"
Sharanya replied sternly, "Yes, and you should start addressing her with respect. She's your elder sister."
Om chuckled. "But, Ma, Shreya herself told me to call her by name! Why are you upset?"
Sharanya snatched the groceries and his backpack with a grunt. "She may not mind, but I do."
Grinning, Om tiptoed into the house, spotting Shreya sprawled on the bed, scrolling through her phone.
With mischievous glee, he tiptoed closer — and screamed right into her ear.
Shreya jumped up in shock, glaring at him.
Om burst out laughing and sprinted away, Shreya chasing after him furiously. They raced around the apartment, laughing and yelling, until Shreya finally cornered him.
"You think you can escape from a Mortal Chakra–level warrior, little brother?" she smirked, releasing his shirt.
Om sighed dramatically, just as their mother shouted from the kitchen, "Stop causing chaos! First, your father hasn't contacted us, and now you two are tearing the house apart! If this continues, no dinner for either of you!"
That shut them up quickly.
Sharanya smirked in triumph. "Good. Now behave yourselves. Om, try calling your father."
Om muttered, "Alright, alright," and was about to dial when the doorbell rang.
Racing to the door, Om opened it—
—and froze.
Standing outside were three men in military uniform.
Fear crept into Om's heart. Soldiers coming to your house was rarely good news.
The one with the badge of a commander stepped forward. "Is this Commander Viranth's residence?"
Om, his throat dry, managed to nod. "Y-Yes, this is Commander Viranth's house."
By then, Shreya and Sharanya had come to the door, sensing the tension.
Sharanya asked, voice trembling, "Nothing has happened to Viru... right?"
The commander removed his cap, holding it against his chest, sorrow etched into his face.
"I'm sorry. Your father... has died on the battlefield."