Ashvael sat upright in bed, looking around
The room was still dark there was no one in the room but the words he heard ' You are Chosen ' still echoed in his ears, he was puzzled he thinks what happening to him first the man incident in jungle and now this voice coming. He picked the phone and looked at the screen the time was 2:00 Am he said i should sleep i have school and deliveries tomorrow, he ignored the voice and gone back to sleep.
Suddenly Ashvael was on his bike on the same road, ash talked to himself and said how am i here i was sleeping his bike stopped at exact spot where he see the man lying motionless, he looked again the man was there but this time man stood up, Ashvael was frozen not able to move he shouted for help but no one was there to help him, he asked the man question who are you and how i am here the man slowly opened his eyes, his eyes were like burning coal, Ashvael stepped back his legs trembling. "Who… who are you?"
The man didn't said anything instead he pointed finger at Ashvael and said "The blood remembers," he said. "You carry what was lost. The seal is broken." before ashvael could react the tree around him started burning with the black flames and ground beneath ash cracked open and he fell, screaming into darkness.
Beep! Beep! Beep!
Ashvael jolted awake again—this time, for real. His alarm blared from the cracked phone screen beside him. It was 5:45 AM.
ash said that was a dream he sighed of relief. He wake going to brush his teeth while brushing teeth he remember about the the pendant, he rushed back to his delivery bag and reached into side pocket of bag and felt the cold touch of metal. Ashvael slowly pulled the pendant out, the pendant looked ancient, but untouched by time. A pitch-black gem sat in the center, shaped like an eye, framed by twisted silver that pulsed faintly with a crimson glow. It didn't feel like just jewelry—it felt like it watched.
It looks beautiful in dark, terrifying way yet Expensive
"What even is this thing?" Ash whispered, rotating it in his hand. For a split second, the gem blinked. Or maybe it just shimmered weirdly. He quickly shoved it back into his pocket, heart thumping again.
"Whatever it is," he muttered, "I don't need more weird today. School first."
After an hour later, Ashvael stood in a wrinkled white shirt and loose tie, adjusting his worn-out school bag as he stepped onto the local train. The morning rush was already in full swing—sweat, steel, and swearing filled the air. He gripped the pole tightly, trying to stay awake as the train rocked through the city.
Dhirubhai Ambani International School stood like a different world altogether glass walls, ac classroom and student who belong to rich families. On other hand Ashvael who don't belong here, he passed through the gate like a ghost among royals, blending in just enough to not stand out. Most kids talked otherworldly stuff like vacations in Europe, coding bootcamps or latest mobile phones which are out of reach for Ashvael. He just thought about getting through the day, finishing deliveries, and making sure Anara's medicines were on time.
Still... today felt different.
Ashvael has no friends and no one in his classroom talks to him, Ashvael think everyday why i am studying in this school i am an average student, poor and no connection how i am studying at this world class institute for free.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF SCHOOL ENDING
Every student has drivers waiting for them but ashvael started his bike, gone in nearby public toilet and changed his clothes to delivery clothes, and change his status to online on delivery app.
As soon ashvael hit online status, received an order
📦 New Delivery
AssignedLocation: Café Brew Haven, Sector 9
Destination: Skyline Residences, Tower 18
Tip: ₹42
Pickup Time: Within 7 minutes
Distance: 2.1 km
Ashvael muttered, "No rest for the broke," and slipped the phone into his pocket, starting his bike. After delivering the last order of day he reached home, he reached the pocket of bag and pullout the pendant and wore it.
The pendant pulsed like its alive suddenly the lights in the room flickered.Ashvael froze. The candle he had lit earlier hissed violently—then went out. Darkness swallowed the room. The pendant on his chest grew warm, then scalding. He gasped, trying to rip it off——but it wouldn't budge.
The air grew thick. Like something was breathing beside him.From the corner of the room, a voice whispered—not in his head, not like his dream but out loud it was real.
"Unit... online."
Ashvael spun toward the sound.Nothing.Then something shimmered in the mirror.A face, not his own.
It looked like him.But it wasn't.Its eyes glowed violet. Its smile didn't belong on a human face.
"Designation: LUX."
The mirror shattered.