Chapter Two – The Seeker's Choice
The doorbell rang.
"Ding-dong! Ding-dong!"
Anjali, busy chatting on the phone with her daughter abroad, barely noticed. The bell rang again. And again. On the fifth ring, she glanced at the clock—8:35 p.m. A smile touched her lips. She knew exactly who it was.
She hurried to the door and opened it.
Her husband, Shiva Prasad, stood outside, his office bag slung over his shoulder. "What happened, Anjali? Is the bell broken?"
"No, it's perfectly fine," she replied. "I was talking to our daughter and didn't hear it."
He handed her the bag. "Is she still on the call?"
"Yes." She passed him the phone. "Here. Talk to her while I set the table."
Shiva Prasad lifted the phone to his ear. "So, the great Anjali didn't even hear me ringing because of you, hmm?" he teased.
A cheerful laugh came through the line. "Oh, the great Shiva Prasad finally returns! How was your day, Dad?"
"It was good. And how's our queen doing over there?" "Your queen is ruling just fine; don't worry."
Father and daughter bantered with ease, filling the house with warmth. Anjali watched them from the kitchen doorway, smiling as she set out the plates.
"Alright, Dad," his daughter said after a while. "I'm at the office now. I'll call later. Go have dinner. It must be almost 9:00 there."
Shiva Prasad glanced at the clock—it was only 8:45. He chuckled. "Take care of yourself. Don't overwork. And eat properly."
"Don't worry. I will. Bye, Dad."
The call ended.
Anjali called him to dinner. After washing his hands, Shiva Prasad sat at the table while she served the food.
"Where's Pranith? Still outside playing?" he asked between bites.
"No, he's in his room," Anjali replied. "He already had his dinner."
When Shiva Prasad finished eating, he went to check on his son. He opened the door gently.
Pranith was already asleep, curled beneath his blanket. The boy's face was calm, untroubled. Shiva Prasad smiled softly, switched on the fan, adjusted the blanket around him, and closed the door without a sound.
In the stillness, Pranith shifted unconsciously, pulling the blanket closer.
The clock ticked toward 9:00.
And then—
The world around him faded.
The hum of the fan vanished, the comfort of his bed dissolved, and Pranith felt himself pulled downward into a current deeper than sleep. His eyelids glowed silver as light seeped in from nowhere.
He fell.
Through silence. Through darkness.
Until his feet touched an endless black ocean. The surface was glasslike, stretching forever.
"Pranith…"
The voice echoed. Familiar. Steady.
A figure approached, and with every step he took, light spilt outward. The void bloomed into a blue sky. Clouds drifted on a gentle breeze. Green grass spread beneath his feet. Chairs appeared, as if waiting for them.
Tarkshya stood before him.
Pranith stared, amazed. "You can change this place? Why didn't you do it yesterday?"
Tarkshya smiled faintly. "I never thought of it. But let's return to what matters. Yesterday, I gave you an offer. Have you decided?"
Pranith hesitated. "Before I answer, I have a question." "Ask."
"There's so much I don't understand—who you are, where this is, what it all means. But I'll ask only one thing now." His eyes sharpened. "If I accept your offer, will my family be in danger? Will they suffer because of me? Tell me the truth."
Tarkshya's voice softened. "I understand your fear. But no—there will be no harm, no threat. Your family's lives will remain as they are. The only link is you."
Pranith let out a long breath. His chest eased. "Then I accept."
"Good." Tarkshya's smile widened. "From this moment, you are part of my journey."
Pranith frowned. "But how does this even work? What exactly am I
supposed to write?"
With a gesture, Tarkshya summoned a glowing cloud. "This cloud is a window. You can watch the world through it—but that is for me. For you, it's different. You will enter the world of Genesis Wave in a mental form. No one will see you. You may observe, but you cannot touch, speak, or interfere."
Pranith nodded slowly. "Alright. But… what do I write, then?"
Tarkshya's eyes gleamed. "In every world, there is one destined to change its fate. Genesis Wave is no different. You will follow him— and write his story."
Pranith leaned forward. "Who is he?"
The air grew heavier. Tarkshya's voice dropped, deep and resonant. "Rudra."
The name vibrated through Pranith's very bones.
He swallowed. "That name… it feels powerful. What kind of man is he?"
"See for yourself." Tarkshya waved his hand, and the ground tore open into a swirling portal. "Dive in. You will find him."
Genesis Wave – Hours Later
The stench of blood filled the air.
Five bodies lay motionless on the floor, their lives extinguished. Over them stood a man, his body drenched in crimson, his breathing heavy. Around him, children wept, their cries cutting through the silence.
Pranith's eyes widened. His heart thudded in his chest. The only word that escaped his lips was—
"Rudra…"
End of Chapter 2