After days of intense training, fire blasts, bruised ribs, dislocated shoulders, and enough burnt cloth to start a campfire shop, Maarun finally got a day off.
And he wasn't wasting it.
"We're going out," Dev declared, hands on hips, grinning like he just escaped from jail. "I'm not spending another second inhaling herbal smoke and listening to fire monks chant."
"Agreed," Roshan said, adjusting his sleeves. "I need real food. With spice. Not leaf water."
Rajyashrī laughed as she adjusted her earrings. "Don't pretend you don't like the food. You cried when the kitchen ran out of boiled yams."
"That's because I thought I'd starve!" Roshan fired back.
Maarun chuckled, his arm still lightly bandaged but improving. "Are we walking or taking the path orb?"
"Walking," Dev said. "It builds character."
"Says the guy who asked for a palanquin two days ago," Rajyashrī muttered.
The City of Devasthala
The city below the Gurukul — Devasthala — bustled with vibrant marketplaces, cloth vendors, spice sellers, and wandering musicians. Intricately carved stone arches loomed above as they walked along the river-adjacent bazaar. Bright flags hung from poles. The scent of fried dumplings, coconut rice, and mango chili filled the air.
"THIS is life," Dev said, stuffing two sweet dumplings into his mouth at once.
"You're going to choke," Rajyashrī said, watching in horror.
"Death by dumpling," Maarun murmured. "A hero's end."
They passed a group of street performers — one was juggling flames. Roshan raised an eyebrow. "Think he's from Agnigriha?"
"If he is, I quit," Maarun joked. "He's better than me."
They turned toward a quieter part of the city near the temple gardens — only to halt mid-step.
There, walking along a lotus-lined path… were Aksharā and Abhinav.
Aksharā looked relaxed, arms crossed behind her. Abhinav said something, and she laughed — not the short polite laugh Maarun knew, but the real kind.
"Uh-oh," Dev said, nudging Maarun.
Maarun blinked. "What? What's 'uh-oh'?"
"That's the 'my crush is hanging out with someone cooler, more powerful, and taller' kind of uh-oh," Rajyashrī said, lips twitching into a grin.
"He's not taller than me," Maarun muttered.
"He is," Roshan confirmed.
"And probably smarter," Dev added. "And smoother. Look, he just summoned a firefly orb for her."
They watched as Abhinav casually released a flicker of flame that hovered like a glowing dragonfly. Aksharā leaned forward to admire it.
"Okay, we're leaving," Maarun said, turning sharply.
"Awww," Rajyashrī cooed. "Maarun's heart just got roasted."
"It's fine," Maarun said stiffly. "He can summon glowing bugs. I can dislocate my shoulder on demand. Equally impressive."
Later that Evening – Back at Gurukul
As they returned through the golden steps of the Gurukul, a loud bell rang across the courtyard.
Students turned as a Bhūmigriha elder, clad in vine-draped robes, stepped into the center stage.
"By order of Mahasthāna and Bhūmigriha head Bhūmivedan, the next Intra-House Trials for Earth Elementals will commence in two days' time. All trainees of rank B1 and below are to prepare."
Dev froze.
Roshan nudged him. "Time to start digging, rock boy."
Rajyashrī smirked. "Don't worry. You only need to push a boulder up a cliff using your eyebrows."
Maarun laughed. "Or form a statue of Mahasthāna using pebbles. Blindfolded."
Dev groaned. "Why can't Earth trials involve eating? Like… building a mountain out of rice balls."
"Because Bhūmigriha respects strength and structure," Rajyashrī said. "And not rice balls."
"Well, good luck to me," Dev said. "Let's hope I don't fall through the ground. Again."
"You fell through the ground?" Roshan blinked.
"Don't ask," Dev muttered.
As they headed toward their dorms, the four friends shared easy laughter, the tension of the past days easing. Despite fire duels, shoulder wounds, awkward city sightings, and incoming trials — they had each other.
But as Maarun glanced up at the night sky, a question lingered in his mind:
Why did Aksharā say nothing when she saw him?
His fingers clenched slightly.
And somewhere, in the quiet halls of Agnigriha, a dice rolled without being touched.