"The Three Sisters… strange name, isn't it?"
"Yeah. And they even call themselves The Weird Sisters sometimes."
"Haha, that's even stranger."
"It is."
"Alright, enough of this half-telling! Start from the beginning and explain everything properly."
"Fine. But promise me one thing — you won't tell anyone. And no questions until I'm done."
"Hmm… okay. Promise."
It was almost two in the morning.
The train rushed down the tracks at full speed, slicing through the night. After a while, its rhythm slowed. Probably approaching a station.
Arjun Rathod was awake, lost in his thoughts. Priya and Viju were fast asleep on their seats. He glanced at them once and then quietly walked toward the door.
The train kept slowing. By the time he reached the doorway, the lights of a station appeared in the distance, growing closer.
When the train finally stopped, Arjun glanced around the coach everyone was asleep.
He stepped closer to the door and peered outside.
Something about the station felt… off.
It looked new, too new. Every wall spotless, tiles shining as if freshly laid. But what unsettled him most not a single human in sight.
Curiosity tugged at him. He stepped down onto the platform, his eyes drawn to the strange symbols painted across the walls — unfamiliar markings that made no sense.
He was still studying them when—
Trriinngggg… trriinngggg…
A telephone nearby started ringing.
He looked around no one was there. The ringing continued.
After a few moments, when no one came to pick it up, Arjun hesitated… then walked toward it.
As soon as he lifted the receiver, the station lights flickered on and off, on and off.
He glanced up at them nervously, then slowly brought the phone to his ear.
"Hello…?"
A distorted voice echoed through the line, deep and metallic:
"The time has come… to recognize who you are.
The time has come… to face the bitter truth of life.
The time has come… to test your patience, measure your strength, judge your wisdom, and reveal your destiny.
The time has come… to meet us."
"Hello? Who's this? Hello?!"
But the line went dead.
Arjun set the receiver down, heart pounding. As he turned to leave—
A black mist began to rise in front of him. Slowly, it grew larger… and larger… until it took the shape of a man.
Its eyes glowed blood-red bright, like liquid fire.
A shiver ran down Arjun's spine. What… what is this thing?
He felt something burn inside him, as though invisible flames were licking at his soul.
The figure's body was pure smoke, or maybe its clothes were he couldn't tell. The sight was horrifying. The lights still flickered, and every time they went off, those eyes shone brighter, piercing through the darkness.
The creature stood silently between Arjun and the train door.
It felt like a dream. A nightmare he would soon wake up from screaming.
Finally, he found the courage to speak.
"W-who… who are you?"
"I am Nayati," the being rumbled, its voice like thunder. "The King of the Dark Ones. I have been sent to guide you… to your path."
"Dark Ones?" Arjun blinked. "What is this, some kind of Harry Potter nonsense? I'm definitely dreaming—"
Before he could finish, a spark of smoke lashed out and struck his face like a burning slap. He cried out in pain.
"This is no dream, boy," Nayati growled. "Do not waste my time. Prepare yourself."
"P-prepare for what?" Arjun stammered, fear gripping his chest. He wanted to run, jump back into the train, but the creature stood directly in his way.
"I have orders to take you to your destination," Nayati said. "So be ready. We leave in moments."
"My destination? Look, my train is already taking me there. I don't need a ride, thanks!"
"Foolish child!" Nayati roared, the air trembling around him. "If not for the command of the Pradhan, I would have burned your soul where you stand!"
The sound of his voice shook Arjun to his core. For a second, it felt like his heart stopped. Still, he managed to speak.
"Whoever you are… I'm not going anywhere with you. I'm going home, that's it."
Nayati's tone softened, though the rage still simmered beneath. "You dare defy Nayati? I do not wish to use force, boy. Come with me willingly, and no harm will come to you. I know not why the Pradhan has sent me to fetch someone as ordinary as you."
"Yeah, well, I told you already I'm not going anywhere. I don't care if the Pradhan sent you or the President himself. And where exactly are you planning to take me?"
"To the same place every warrior must go."
"But I'm not a warrior. I'm just an ordinary man."
"That much is obvious," Nayati hissed. "Yet you have been summoned. Even I question why."
"You… have questions?" Arjun asked weakly.
The creature's eyes flared even brighter. "Enough! I've run out of patience. This is your final warning prepare yourself!"
"No! I'm not going anywhere!"
For a moment, Nayati stood still. His eyes still burned red, but then the glow softened. A faint smile crossed his smoky face.
"As you wish."
And in the blink of an eye — he vanished.
The lights returned to normal. The station was empty again, silent as before.
A train horn blared suddenly, making Arjun jump. The train began to move.
He sprinted toward his coach, but it was already ahead of him. He ran faster, grabbing the handle of the door as the platform ended. With one desperate leap, he caught hold and hung on, feet barely finding grip.
When he looked back Nayati stood at the end of the platform, watching him with a cruel smile.
Arjun's heart pounded. He climbed into the coach and—
"Then what happened, Arjun? Tell us! Was someone there? Who was it?"
He blinked, realizing he was back home.
"Mom…" he whispered.
"Mom?" Anaya frowned. "What do you mean Mom? What about her?"
"Shhh. She's coming," Arjun murmured.
Just then, there was a knock on the door. Anaya opened it — Meera Rathod stood there, arms crossed.
"What are you both doing up at this hour?" she asked sternly.
"Nothing, Mom," Anaya said quickly. "We were just talking."
"Talking? Look at the time! You have college tomorrow."
"I know, Mom, just five more minutes—"
"No. Go to bed. Whatever you were talking about can wait till morning."
Anaya glanced at Arjun, eyes full of longing, but he gestured gently for her to go.
"Good night," she whispered, sighing before walking away.
Meera smiled fondly. "That girl… she didn't bother you, did she, my son?"
Arjun chuckled softly. "Mom, how could anything she says ever bother me?"
"True," Meera said warmly. "You adore her, and she adores you. Remember when she was sick as a child? You didn't leave her bedside for days until she got better."
Arjun smiled faintly, resting his head in her lap.
Meera stroked his hair, tears glistening in her eyes. "Why did you go so far from me, my child? My lap has felt empty without you."
He gently wiped her tears. "I'm back now, Mom. No more crying. It's been so long since I heard your lullaby… sing for me tonight."
A smile returned to her face. She began humming softly, her hand moving lovingly through his hair.
Within moments, Arjun drifted into sleep…