The next morning, Ria led Amar through Pune's bustling streets, the sun bright, the air alive with the scent of fresh chai, blooming jasmine, and the hum of city life. They reached a modest building, its sign reading "Uplift," a sanctuary for the city's forgotten—orphans, widows, laborers crushed by corruption. Inside, the space buzzed with hope: children laughed over books, their voices bright as they read aloud in a corner lined with colorful shelves, women worked at sewing machines, stitching patterns with newfound confidence, and volunteers served warm meals, their faces lit with purpose. Ria gestured to the scene, her eyes shining with pride. "This is because of you, Amar. Your idea, your fight against the corrupt—it gave me the courage to build Uplift. You're changing lives, saving them. You're not the evil you fear; you're their hope."
Amar's chest loosened, a smile breaking through as a young girl ran to him, offering a drawing of a shadowed figure protecting a village, her eyes wide with admiration. "This… it's real," he murmured, crouching to meet her gaze. "You're learning to read?" The girl nodded, beaming, and pointed to a book about stars. Amar's heart lifted, the faces of Uplift's people—children dreaming, women rebuilding, families fed—easing the weight of his kills. "Seeing this, Ria—it reminds me why I fight, why I carry this burden."
Ria's hand found his, her voice fierce with love. "You protect the weak, Amar. Whatever you choose—kill or spare—I'm with you. Uplift, it's our dream alive in them. Keep going, God of Darkness. I love you for it." She pointed to a wall covered in letters from families, thanking the "shadow savior" for freeing them from corrupt landlords and traffickers. "They don't know your name, but they feel your impact."
Amar nodded, his golden eyes fierce, his conflict easing but not gone. His bond with Darkness—a friendship where he could defy without fear—was his strength, a secret the Council couldn't fathom. Uplift's light rekindled his purpose, his shadows swirling with renewed resolve, ready for the battles ahead.
In the Persian Gulf, Khalid Al-Mansour's obsidian stronghold thrummed with energy. Arjun Kapoor stood in a training chamber, its steel walls scarred from his experiments with Sound. His black tunic clung to a frame taut with vengeance, his sharp jaw set, haunted eyes burning with focus. Khalid, proxy of Lightning, stood on a rune-etched platform, his white ghutra framing eyes that sparked with approval, guiding Arjun with precise instructions. Noor Al-Bakri stood nearby, her dark hijab framing a poised face, silent but observant.
"Focus the frequency," Khalid instructed, his voice steady like rolling thunder. "Sound can sway a single mind or a crowd. Your father used it to bind nations. Try again—target the panel's core."
Arjun nodded, his heart set on mastering Sound to hunt the God of Darkness, the rogue proxy who killed his father. He trusted his instincts, absorbing Khalid's lessons without hesitation. He spoke—"Resonate"—his voice laced with a low, harmonic pulse. The air quivered, and a steel panel vibrated violently, splitting clean down the middle with a piercing hum. Khalid's eyes gleamed, impressed. "Good. Now, softer—imagine bending a will, not breaking it."
Arjun exhaled, his voice a whisper—"Sway." The air shimmered faintly, and Noor's posture shifted, her eyes briefly unfocused before she blinked, steadying herself. Arjun's lips curled, a spark of confidence igniting. "I'm learning," he said, his tone resolute. "This power—it's mine to wield. The God of Darkness won't stand a chance."
Khalid's aura pulsed, his voice encouraging. "You're becoming Sound's master. Your father ruled eight nations—India, Bangladesh, Nepal, beyond—with this. Keep training, and you'll surpass him. The God of Darkness's shadows will crumble before you." Arjun's chest thrummed with Sound's power, his resolve unwavering, his heart aligned with Khalid's teachings, driving him toward his vengeance, unaware that across India, a proxy unbound by servitude prepared to judge the corrupt, his identity and power a mystery to all.
From: Aurthor Nikhil T.
Subject: Please check out my new novel, Asura: The Hunter
Hello,
I've recently published my new novel, titled Asura: The Hunter.
I would appreciate it if you could give it a read.
Thank you very much for your time and consideration.
Best regards,
Nikhil T. (Author)