Next Day...
The scene shifts to the next morning in Himachal Pradesh, where the Gurukul(School or Acadamy.) is nestled deep within the serene mountains, hidden from the eyes of the ordinary world.
The air is crisp, carrying the scent of sandalwood and the faint hum of sacred chants that echo through the vast halls of the ancient institution.
Inside the Pooja Room, Guru Aravind, the revered master of the Gurukul, sat cross-legged before a blazing oil lamp, his eyes closed in deep meditation.
The golden glow of the sacred fire illuminated his wise, aged face, reflecting the years of knowledge and discipline he carried within him.
The room was filled with the fragrance of burning incense, a sacred atmosphere undisturbed by the outside world.
Suddenly, the heavy wooden doors creaked open, breaking the silence.
An elderly woman, draped in a traditional shawl, stepped inside with quiet grace.
She approached the Guru with measured steps, leaning in to whisper something in his ear.
"____"
The moment her words reached him, a knowing smile formed on Guru Aravind's lips.
His closed eyes fluttered open, and he took a deep breath as if absorbing the weight of the revelation.
With a nod, he placed his hands on his knees and rose to his feet, adjusting his robes.
"It is time,"
he murmured, his voice both calm and resolute.
Stepping out of the Pooja Room, he turned to the disciples waiting outside, his presence immediately commanding their attention.
"We will be going to the Council,"
he declared.
His tone held no urgency, yet it carried an undeniable sense of importance.
As the students exchanged curious glances, Guru Aravind walked forward with purposeful steps.
His mind was already racing through the implications of the message he had just received.
Orphanage...
The scene shifts to Rudra, who slowly wakes up as the first rays of sunlight pierce through the curtains.
His body felt light, his muscles more refined than ever, yet his mind was occupied.
He hadn't collected his system rewards yet.
Stepping into the washroom, he splashed cold water on his face, then leaned against the sink, staring at his reflection.
His Blue-hued irises shimmered faintly, a reminder of the divinity hidden within him.
He closed his eyes and gave a mental command.
[SYSTEM: REWARD COLLECTION AVAILABLE. WOULD YOU LIKE TO CLAIM?]
"Yes."
[PROCESSING… REWARDS GRANTED.]
[New Passive Skill Unlocked: "Combat Instinct" (Enhances reaction speed and awareness in battle. It was an additional reward for completing his first task.)
Hope Points Gained: 20
New Perk Unlocked: BGM Booster (Using this skill by playing fitting background music through the system during significant moments will boost the host's critic strike power by x 10)
Skill Unlocked: Dance (MAX) (Instinctively masters any dance style.)]
As soon as the system's words settled, Rudra felt a surge of power coursing through his body.
His heartbeat steadied, his muscles tingled with refined strength, and his body instinctively shifted into a balanced posture, as if he had gained perfect control over his physical form.
A status window appeared before his eyes.
[STATUS WINDOW]
[Name: Rudra
Race: Human (Reincarnated), (&*^*&^^)
Level: 5
Title: Hope's Chosen
Strength: 100 (Peak Human)
Agility: 100 (Peak Human)
Dexterity: 100 (Peak Human)
Stamina: 100 (Peak Human)
Abilities:
Third Eye (Locked), Hope System.
Passive Skill: Combat Instinct, Nature's Son, Destined One To Be With Fate, BGM Booster (New!), Dance (MAX) (New!), Divine Body. (Locked)
Hope Points: 1,020]
Rudra smirked.
"Not bad."
His body had officially reached peak human limits, putting him at the absolute zenith of what a human could achieve naturally.
After getting ready, Rudra made his way downstairs and was greeted by an unusual sight.
Rajendra and his wife, Anvi, were standing beside Amrita, their expressions serious as they stared at an old conch shell (shankh) in her hands.
Rudra's eyes narrowed slightly.
Amrita held the chank shell, her grip firm but reverent.
Without hesitation, she pricked her finger, letting a drop of blood fall onto the shell's surface.
The moment the blood made contact, a soft pink glow emanated from the shell.
Divine energy swirled around it, causing its spiral structure to shift and morph.
In a few moments, the chank shell had transformed into a hexagonal box, pulsating with intricate golden engravings.
Rudra raised an eyebrow.
"So that's how it works…"
With a gentle press on the engravings, the box unlocked with a soft click.
As the lid opened, a faint golden light spilled out, revealing its contents—
Inside lay a missing piece of the Brahmāstra.
Rajendra's breath hitched.
"You have it?"
Amrita closed the box again, her expression unreadable.
"I was only keeping it safe. Nothing more."
Anvi let out a sigh.
Sigh~
"Amrita, the council won't be pleased."
Rudra watched in silence, his mind racing.
The chank shell Astra was something he recognized from the movie—
it had been used by Mohan Bhargava (Shah Rukh Khan's character) in the opening sequence.
Rajendra turned to Amrita, his tone sharp.
"What do you intend to do with it now?"
Amrita met his gaze.
"Take it where it belongs—back to the Brahmansh."
As their discussion continued, a shift in the air caught their attention.
Rudra had arrived.
His footsteps were light but firm as he entered the hall.
Without hesitation, he greeted Amrita casually, his tone relaxed.
"Good morning, Amrita."
Then, with a simple nod, he acknowledged Rajendra and Anvi.
He didn't stop to chat—
he had a morning routine to complete.
Without wasting any time, he stepped out of the orphanage and into the cool morning air.
Rudra stepped out of the orphanage, stretching his arms before beginning his morning jog.
The streets were still cool, but the warmth of the rising sun hinted at another scorching day ahead.
His routine was simple—
a few laps around the block, some push-ups, then back for breakfast.
But today, his plans changed.
As he turned into a narrow alleyway, he noticed a girl standing near a rundown tea stall.
She was nervously shifting her weight from foot to foot, glancing around as if making sure no one was watching.
Rudra's brows furrowed.
Something about her looked familiar.
Then it clicked.
Mouni Roy.
But here, in this world, she wasn't the Bollywood star.
She was Junoon—the future villainess.
And she wasn't alone.
A man in a black hoodie stood close, his face hidden by shadows.
Rudra could barely see his mouth moving, speaking in a low, persuasive tone.
Rudra slowed his jog, pretending to check his shoelaces while focusing his hearing.
Hooded Man: "You are talented, Junoon. Special. You don't belong in this miserable life."
Junoon (hesitant): "But… my mother… she needs treatment. The hospital bills—"
Hooded Man (soft chuckle): "If you trust me, those problems will disappear. Your mother's hospital bills will be paid. Your father's debts? Gone. You only need to accept who you truly are."
Rudra's sharp eyes caught something glinting from beneath the man's hoodie—a red stone pendant.
His breath hitched.
He had seen that before.
It was Dev's pendant.
Junoon (uncertain): "And… in return?"
Hooded Man: "Your loyalty."
Rudra clenched his jaw.
In the movie, Junoon was Dev's most devoted follower—
but they never showed why she followed him.
Now he knew.
She wasn't just some blind worshipper.
She was desperate.
Dev's people had found her at her weakest, offering salvation at the cost of her soul.
Rudra exhaled slowly.
He had a choice.
Intervene now… or watch from the shadows and gather more information.
For now, he chose the latter.
Rudra exhaled, watching the hooded man lead Junoon into the decrepit shop.
The door shut behind them, the rusted hinges groaning in protest.
For a moment, Rudra hesitated.
Maybe he should wait.
Maybe he should watch from the shadows a little longer.
But then… why should he care about keeping the plot intact?
He had already changed things.
This world was no longer following a script—it was reacting to him.
'Screw it.'
Decision made, Rudra strode toward the door and knocked.
Knock~ Knock~
"____"
Silence.
He knocked again, harder this time.
Knock~ Knock~
Creak~
A few seconds later, the door creaked open.
The hooded man stood before him, his face obscured, the shadow of his cloak giving him an eerie presence.
Behind him, Junoon's confused gaze flickered between them.
Before the hooded man could even utter a single word—
Rudra went full dramatic mode.
"I knew it!"
he declared, pointing at Junoon with mock betrayal.
Junoon blinked.
"What—"
Rudra cut her off, voice cracking.
"So this is where you've been sneaking off to?! I trusted you, Junoon! And you… you betrayed me!"
Hooded Man (confused): "..."
Rudra grabbed Junoon's wrist, yanking her toward him.
"I gave you my heart, and THIS is what I get in return?! Dating some shady street magician behind my back?!"
Junoon gawked.
"What are you—"
"Shh."
Rudra leaned in and whispered.
"Play along. I'm saving you. Don't trust a word he says."
Junoon's body tensed.
Rudra didn't give her time to react.
Instead, he turned to the hooded man, shaking his head dramatically.
"Look, bro."
He placed a hand on his chest.
"You can have her. If she's choosing you over me, then maybe I was never enough for her. Maybe… I was the fool all along."
The hooded man stiffened, unsure how to respond.
Rudra could feel Junoon barely holding in a snort.
Taking advantage of the moment, he spun on his heel, dragging Junoon with him.
"Fine! We're done, Junoon! Done! I hope you're happy with your mysterious, hooded, obviously-sketchy boyfriend!"
He stomped out of the alley, pulling her along.
Once they were far enough away, Junoon yanked her wrist free.
"Okay, what the hell was that?!"
she demanded.
Rudra smirked.
Smrik~
"A classic case of saving your ass."
Junoon glared.
"And you couldn't think of anything less embarrassing?!"
Rudra shrugged.
"What can I say? I like drama."
Rudra sighed.
Sigh~
The helpless girl from earlier? Gone.
Instead, Junoon's fierce glare was drilling holes into his head as she continued her scolding.
"What kind of rescue was that?! You humiliated me in front of a total stranger! What if people saw?! My reputation—"
Rudra pinched the bridge of his nose.
Regret.
This is pure regret.
Why did he bother saving her again?
Just as he was about to give her a serious warning, a set of approaching footsteps made them freeze.
Five hooded figures emerged from the shadows, surrounding them.
Their robes were identical to the one worn by the man Junoon had been speaking to earlier.
'Oh, great. More of them.'
The original hooded man stepped forward, his posture exuding smugness.
"Foolish boy."
His voice echoed in the alley.
"You don't understand what you're interfering with."
He pointed at Junoon.
"She is the chosen one! Her destiny is to serve our Lord— BRAHMA DEV!"
His fanatic declaration was loud enough to wake up half of Mumbai.
Rudra raised an eyebrow.
Then he snorted.
Snort~
"...Pfft. Sorry, what? Chosen one?"
He turned to Junoon.
"Wow. Big promotion. You're going from struggling to pay medical bills to 'Divinely Chosen Minion' status. Impressive career growth."
Junoon whipped her head toward him.
"Are you seriously making jokes right now?!"
Rudra ignored her.
Instead, he tapped his chin, pretending to think.
"So, let me get this straight."
He gestured toward the hooded figures.
"You guys wear creepy robes, lurk in alleys, and tell desperate people they're 'chosen' to serve some mysterious 'Lord'? That's cult behavior, bro."
The leader's expression darkened.
"Silence! You will step aside."
"Nah, I don't think I will."
Rudra cracked his neck.
"Junoon, stay close."
He smirked.
"No need to act anymore. We're past that point."
The air shifted.
The hooded men tightened their stance.
Tension crackled in the alley.
This… was about to get ugly.
The hooded leader's patience snapped.
"Enough! If he refuses to step aside—KILL HIM!"
The five figures lunged at Rudra, weapons glinting under the streetlights.
A dagger, an axe, and a butcher knife—all aimed at him with deadly precision.
But Rudra… smirked.
"Oh, now we're talking."
He sidestepped the first attacker, grabbing the man's wrist and twisting it.
CRACK!
Ahhhhhh~
A pained scream echoed as the dagger clattered to the ground.
The next opponent swung an axe—
but Rudra ducked, driving an elbow into the attacker's ribs.
Before the man could react, Rudra grabbed his collar and slammed him into the wall.
THUD!
The third enemy, wielding a butcher knife, tried to stab him from behind.
Rudra, sensing the movement, twisted his body, dodging just in time before countering with a brutal knee to the stomach.
The hooded man staggered back, gasping for air.
The fight spilled out of the alley and into the crowded street.
Pedestrians screamed and scattered as the scene unfolded.
Shopkeepers watched in horror as the hooded men—now bruised, faces bloodied—
refused to back down.
"We finish this—NOW!"
Fueled by rage and humiliation, the cultists charged at Rudra again.
Round Two Begins.
This time, the battle became ferric and the nearby shops were caught in crossfire.
A missed attack sliced through a market stall, knocking over crates of vegetables.
Rudra, in a swift movement, kicked an attacker into a stack of metal trays, sending a loud
CLANG!
through the area.
Another attacker swung wildly, his axe carving through a shop sign, shattering glass onto the pavement.
The fight was no longer just between them—
innocent bystanders were at risk.
People ran in every direction, desperate to escape the chaos.
"Enough playing around,"
Rudra muttered, eyes narrowing.
As he deflected a knife strike, one of the hooded men managed to push him—
HARD—through an old wooden door.
CRASH!
Rudra slammed into a shop, rolling across the floor as debris scattered around him.
The hooded men followed him inside, their bloodlust burning in their eyes.
Outside, the street was in chaos due to this fight.
And the battle wasn't over yet.
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(Author's POV)
(A/N):
Thanks for reading the chapter!
Please give a review!!! And power stone!!!
Which will motivate me more.