Episode 17:
Alok could not sleep that night.
Every time he closed his eyes, he saw the Shade's burning red eyes slashing through the dark, its claws striking the shield of light from his pendant. His chest still tingled faintly where the light had burst out, as if something inside him had awakened.
But he forced himself not to think too much. Because the more he thought about it, the more questions rose and none had answers.
By morning, his eyes were red, but he dragged himself back to school. He couldn't afford to skip. Even if he hated the stares, the whispers, the way teachers overlooked him, at least in school he had a roof and time away from the house where hunger waited.
The day passed in a blur. His mind replayed Rihan's words:
"It's a chain… not the kind that binds you. The kind that connects you to something far beyond this world."
What did that mean? Connected to what?
When the final bell rang, Alok expected Rihan to appear again, leaning by the back gate like before. But this time, Rihan was nowhere.
Instead, as he walked home, the streets felt unusually empty. The vendors had packed up early, the alleys too quiet. Even the crows that usually swarmed over garbage heaps had vanished.
A cold dread crept down his spine.
And then he heard it.
A scraping sound. A hiss. The same sound from last night.
"No…" Alok whispered, clutching his chest. The pendant throbbed faintly against his skin, as though it, too, had sensed the danger.
From the corner of the alley, the shadows stretched unnaturally long. And out of them, another Shade slithered.
This one was larger, its body like smoke wrapped around bone. Its red eyes locked on Alok instantly.
Alok stumbled back. "Why me? Why are they after me!?"
The Shade's growl was his only answer as it lunged forward.
The pendant blazed again, but weaker than before its shield flickered like a dying flame. Alok realized with horror that it couldn't protect him forever.
"Move, Alok, move!" he screamed at himself, bolting down the alley.
The Shade chased him, claws scraping walls, sparks flying where stone was gouged. Alok's legs burned, his lungs begged for air, but terror drove him. He turned corners, shoved past old crates, nearly fell over trash piles.
But no matter how fast he ran, the sound of scraping claws stayed behind him.
Then
"Get down!" a voices shouted.
Alok dropped instinctively. Something flashed above him silver light exploding as it struck the Shade. The monster shrieked, recoiling.
Alok looked up. Rihan stood at the other end of the alley, another one of those rune-etched charms smoking in his hand. His face was tense, his usual calm gone.
"You idiot," Rihan snapped, rushing to pull Alok up. "Didn't I tell you? Once they find you, they don't stop."
Alok's chest heaved. "What… what do they want from me!?"
Rihan didn't answer. Instead, he pulled him along, sprinting toward a hidden stairway behind an old tea shop. They climbed until they reached a deserted rooftop.
The Shade clawed its way up after them, slower but relentless.
Rihan pressed a charm into Alok's hand. "Throw this when it gets close."
Alok stared at it, trembling. "I don't even know how!"
"Just believe it will work," Rihan said sharply. "The pendant already chose you. That means you're not powerless, even if you don't understand why."
Alok's grip tightened on the charm. The Shade hauled itself over the ledge, its form twisting and writhing.
It leapt.
Alok screamed and hurled the charm.
For a split second, he thought nothing would happen. But then the charm burst into blinding silver fire, engulfing the Shade. It shrieked, its body unraveling into smoke until only ashes scattered in the wind.
Alok dropped to his knees, his heart racing so fast he thought it would explode.
He had done it. He had actually fought back.
But the victory brought no comfort only more fear. Because now he knew the truth:
The Shades weren't just after him by accident. They were hunting him. And his pendant… it was the reason why.
Rihan crouched beside him, his expression unreadable. "You're in this now, Alok. Whether you want it or not. That pendant will keep drawing them."
Alok shook his head, voice breaking. "Then tell me… what IS this pendant? What am I caught up in?"
Rihan looked at him for a long moment, then away. His eyes darkened.
"…Not yet," he said quietly. "If I tell you now, you won't survive what comes next."
Alok's hands curled into fists. He wanted to scream, demand answers but deep down, he already knew Rihan was right. He wasn't ready.
Still, as he clutched the pendant, he couldn't shake the feeling that the truth was closer than ever and far more terrifying than he imagined.