Chapter 1: Dreams of Discord
In a quaint bedroom, the morning light filtered through the curtains, casting soft shadows across the room. The figure of a young man lay on the bed, seemingly at peace. However, his contorted face told a different story—a restless one. Suddenly, he jerked awake, eyes wide open as he gasped, "Haaa!" His breath came in heavy, ragged gulps as if he'd been running in his sleep.
vijay sat up, trying to calm the racing of his heart. "That dream again," he muttered to himself, rubbing his eyes as if to erase the remnants of the nightmare. The images from his sleep were fading, but the feeling lingered—fights, chaos, hunters clashing on a massive scale. It all seemed so vivid, so real.
He swung his legs over the side of the bed and made his way to the bathroom, splashing cold water on his face to wash away the last traces of sleep. The coolness of the water helped to clear his mind, though the questions remained. "Why do these hunters keep fighting each other like that? Have they forgotten about the Earth Protection and Unity Act?" he mused aloud, the law that all hunters were supposed to uphold, meant to protect humanity from threats, not tear it apart from within.
Stepping back into his room, vijay crossed to the window and flung it open, letting the morning breeze sweep in. Below, the Hunter Market sprawled out in all directions—a bustling hub of activity that never seemed to rest. The streets were alive with traders, hunters, and ordinary people, all going about their business in the early hours of the day.
vijay took a deep breath, inhaling the familiar scents of the market. The sound of temple bells and the melodious bhajans being sung downstairs reached his ears, reminding him that it was already morning. Glancing at the clock on his wall, he was shocked to see it was 9 AM. "Oh shit!" he exclaimed, leaping to his feet. "Father is not going to be happy about this!"
By the time the clock struck 9:30, vijay was ready for the day, hastily dressed and trying to look as presentable as possible. He rushed downstairs, his mind racing as he rehearsed what he might say to his father. Entering the dining room, he was met with the sight of his entire family already seated at the table. At once, they turned to face him, their synchronized movement so precise that it felt rehearsed.
A sheepish grin spread across vijay's face as he scratched the back of his head. "Okay, okay, don't say anything. I know I'm late," he admitted, trying to deflect the scolding he knew he deserved.
His father, Rajesh, smiled warmly, his stern demeanor softened by the warmth of a parent. "Sit down. At least you're on time for breakfast," he said, his voice gentle but firm.
Dhruv took his seat, but as he did, his eyes caught sight of his father's hand. It trembled slightly as he lifted a spoon to his mouth, a subtle yet telling sign of the heart attack that had shaken their family not long ago. "The aftereffects are still there," Dhruv thought, a wave of worry washing over him. His mother, Meera, noticed his gaze and gave him a reassuring smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Eat your breakfast, Dhruv," she urged softly, her tone carrying both comfort and concern.
The family ate in silence, the clinking of cutlery against plates the only sound in the room. Toasted bread with an omelet perched on top, accompanied by a large glass of milk, made up the simple yet nutritious breakfast.
At the head of the rectangular dining table sat Rajesh, Dhruv's father, once a stern man devoted entirely to his family and their business. Since his heart attack, he had become more relaxed, embracing life's small joys and spending more time with his loved ones. A Rank 2 support hunter and an avatar of Kubera, the god of wealth, Rajesh used his abilities to sustain the family's business and ensure their prosperity.
To Rajesh's right was Dhruv's mother, Meera, a Rank 1 support hunter and an avatar of Dhanvantari, the Hindu god of medicine and healing. Meera focused on keeping the family healthy, both physically and mentally, her nurturing nature a constant source of comfort for them all.
Next was Raj, Dhruv's elder brother, a Rank 4 combat hunter and an avatar of Agni, the god of fire. Raj was serious and often unapproachable, but beneath his stoic exterior was a kind heart. His formidable skills and unyielding dedication made him one of the most powerful hunters in their family.
Dhruv's uncle, Anil, sat nearby, a man whose cunning and intelligence were as sharp as his business acumen. An avatar of Kubera like his brother Rajesh, Anil was a Rank 3 support hunter whose skills were geared towards intelligence gathering and strategy. He was the mastermind behind the family's business strategies, his mind always calculating their next move.
Anil's wife, Aarti, was the one who managed the household's daily affairs, ensuring that everything ran smoothly. As an avatar of the Saraswati River, a minor goddess under Saraswati who oversaw purification and peace of mind, Aarti possessed abilities that brought tranquility to those around her. Although she had never sought to advance beyond Rank 1, her presence was invaluable to the family.
Arjun, Dhruv's first cousin, had recently entered hunter school and was already a Rank 1 healer. An avatar of Shiva, he had chosen to focus on the healing aspect, mastering the challenging task of converting mana into creation energy to heal others. Though he appeared foolish at times, Arjun's intelligence and dedication were unmatched, his skills as a healer already in demand by guilds.
Vikram, Dhruv's younger cousin and an avatar of Brahma, was still young, having just graduated from junior hunter school. Though only a Rank 0, his potential was immense, with the power to create objects of power through Brahma's creation aspect.
And then there was vijay himself—the rankless one. He had no known constitution, no special abilities that marked him as an avatar of any deity. Having just finished hunter school, Dhruv helped his father in the family business, feeling that it was the only way he could contribute. The absence of powers weighed heavily on him, a constant reminder of his perceived inadequacy.
The silence at the table stretched on, with no one wanting to be the first to break it. As vijay was finishing his breakfast, his elder brother Raj broke the tension. "So, what has the Aditya Group done now?" he asked, directing the question at Dhruv.
vijay paused, choosing his words carefully. "It's not about what they're doing, but what they're planning. They're trying to capture the hunter market and bring it under their control," he replied, the frustration clear in his voice.
Rajesh looked at his son with concern, sensing the weight of his worries. "Don't worry about it, vijay . Your brother is deterrence enough as a combat hunter. We only need to earn what we require. Excessive earnings fuel greed," he said, his voice calm and reassuring.
"But it also fuels ambition!" vijay blurted out before he could stop himself. "If we had ambition and used Raj's deterrence like they do at Aditya, we wouldn't have been humiliated at my graduation." The words hung in the air, and vijay instantly regretted them.
His mother's glare was sharp, and his uncle gave him a stern side-eye. Rajesh put down his spoon, his face serious. "Do you really want to go down this road?" he asked, his tone leaving no room for argument. The atmosphere in the room grew tense, the air thick with the unspoken tension.
Raj, sensing the rising tension, quickly interjected. "Let's cool down. I'm sure he didn't mean what he said. vijay knows better than to suggest something like that." His voice was steady, calming the storm before it could escalate further.
The peace slowly returned to the table, and vijay wiped the sweat from his brow. In truth, he didn't want to use force or power. The feeling of inferiority and the humiliation he had faced at graduation, especially at the hands of Ross, the son of the Aditya Group's head and his school bully, had bruised his pride. It was that sting of failure that had driven his earlier outburst.
As the atmosphere relaxed, everyone finished their breakfast and began preparing for the day ahead.