Episode 16:
The next day dragged on like an endless punishment. Every tick of the classroom clock echoed in Alok's mind, pulling him closer to the mysterious meeting Rihan had asked for.
By the final bell, his heart was thundering. Students rushed out, laughing, shoving, planning their evenings. Alok, as always, slipped through quietly. Yet today his steps carried an unfamiliar weight anticipation.
He walked past the schoolyard and toward the back gate. The air felt colder here, shadows pooling under the tall neem tree that stood guard like an ancient sentinel.
Rihan was already waiting. He leaned against the rusted iron gate, arms crossed, eyes sharp like he'd been expecting Alok for hours.
"You came," Rihan said simply.
Alok swallowed. "Why did you want me here?"
Rihan studied him for a long moment before speaking. "That pendant you carry… it's not ordinary."
Alok froze. His hand instinctively touched the small jewel at his chest. "How do you know about that?"
"I see things," Rihan replied cryptically. "Things others can't. That pendant it's not just a trinket. It's a chain."
Alok frowned. "A chain?"
Rihan nodded. "Not the kind that bindsyou. The kind that connects you to something far beyond this world. Do you feel it? Sometimes, like it's alive?"
Alok's eyes widened. "…Yes."
Rihan's lips curved into a knowing smile. "I thought so."
Before Alok could ask more, a sharp noise cut through the air like metal scraping stone. Both turned their heads.
From the shadows beyond the gate, something stirred.
A black shape, thin and twisted, slipped forward. Its form was like smoke given claws and hunger. Its eyes two burning red coals fixed directly on Alok.
Alok stumbled back. "What… what is that!?"
Rihan didn't flinch. Instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out something Alok couldn't quite see a small silver charm, etched with runes.
"It's here for you," Rihan said, his tone grim. "The chain has already been noticed. That thing… is a Shade. A hunter from beyond."
The Shade lunged.
Alok froze, every muscle screaming to run. But his pendant flared a blinding blue light spilling out, wrapping him in a sudden shield. The Shade slammed against it, hissing furiously.
Alok gasped. "It's protecting me!"
Rihan didn't waste time. He hurled the silver charm, and it exploded in a flash of light, scattering the Shade back into the shadows.
Silence returned, but the air remained heavy.
Alok's chest rose and fell rapidly. "What… what just happened?"
Rihan stepped closer, his gaze fierce. "That was just the beginning. You've been chosen, Alok. Whether you wanted it or not."
Alok shook his head. "Chosen? For what? I don't understand"
"You will," Rihan interrupted. "Soon. But you have to decide something right now: will you keep running from this, or will you face it?"
Alok's throat tightened. His whole life had been running running from bullies, from hunger, from fear. But deep down… deep down he was tired of being powerless.
He clenched the pendant. Its faint pulse answered him like a heartbeat.
For the first time, Alok whispered, "I… want to face it."
Rihan smiled faintly, but there was no joy in it only the shadow of a larger truth. "Then prepare yourself. Because from this moment, your life will never be ordinary again."