The night's frenzy was slowly creeping into the city's veins. But something else had awakened within Aarav and Rehan, something that hadn't yet learned to stay calm. Both found themselves drowning in a strange fatigue, yet sleep refused to take them.
Under the moonlight, they uttered the same words, one in Sanskrit, the other in Urdu. The phrase echoed in the air, and as it did, their bodies were drawn by an alien force. Control was lost, they were no longer in command.
Aarav felt it first - a tremor in his palms, an unusual rush in his veins. It was as if something inside him, not his heart, was clawing its way out. Without thinking, he stepped out of his room.
The streets were deserted; the area near the hotel was quiet. Aarav's steps were fast, but his eyes were hazy - he didn't remember the path, yet his feet dragged him forward.
He encountered a lone figure a few steps away - perhaps someone returning late, mobile in hand. Aarav's gaze barely registered his face; it was just a target.
Without a word, Aarav pounced on him. Everything became swift and uncertain - a push, a stumble, and then silence.
Aarav's throat felt cold and wet; it was as if someone had given him a drink, but the taste was like blood - metallic, like iron.
Aarav experienced a mix of horror and fascination as he tasted the blood. A voice inside him laughed - "Haha! Today, my eyes are filled with supreme joy. This human blood is sweeter than nectar. I will never leave this body - it will be my abode!"
Meanwhile, Rehan, having lost control, stepped out into the city's outskirts, reaching an old, deserted square where an elderly stranger sat, either asleep or drunk.
Rehan's steps led him closer, and then everything happened without warning - the man felt pressure on his neck, and then silence.
Rehan felt blood on his hands; the same iron-like taste was on his tongue. The thirst subsided a bit, but the fire within didn't quench.
A voice inside him laughed - "Haha! Today, the flames of hell have ignited in my eyes! This human blood... how exquisite, how enchanting! Even angels would crave its taste. I will never abandon this body - it's now my vessel, my sacred chalice, through which I'll spread darkness in this mortal world!"
They were in a deserted area, standing on a building's rooftop, staring at each other as if reunited after ages. The words that came out weren't their own voices - they were deep, hushed, and mocking.
First, a voice from Aarav's body spoke - "Rehan, my brother."
The sound was accompanied by a glimmer in Aarav's eyes; a cold, strange smile played on his lips.
Then a voice rose from Rehan - "Aarav, my brother."
Rehan laughed too - slow, but enough to send shivers down the spine.
They stared at each other, but their eyes no longer held friendship - something else was brewing there, satisfied, aggressive, and triumphant.
Aarav's body spoke again - "It's been ages since I had a body like this. The previous five couldn't handle my power and died, but their blood was exquisite. This body is handling it well."
Rehan's inner voice responded - "True. The real pleasure of drinking blood is when you're in a body. We'll soon rule this world, kill everyone in this city, and reign supreme. No saint, no fakir will be able to stop us. But we must be cautious, or history will repeat itself."
Aarav felt a strange unease in his chest. He asked, "What are you doing with my body?"
Suddenly, Rehan's face twitched; he opened his mouth to say something, but stopped, as if a shadow was controlling him.
Aarav shouted, "Give me back my body!"
Rehan's eyes showed a mix of human shame and the shadow's provocation. For a moment, he stood frozen, then said, "Yes... Aarav, you're right... but who are you? This is my body."
Their fight was no longer about words; it was a battle of souls, of existence.
As the shadows' voices grew louder, their steps quickened. They fought not each other, but the rising power within them - and the struggle began to show its effects.
The city above was quiet, the alley below was asleep, but the rooftop was filled with tension.
In a moment, an unknown force pushed them both - as if their souls were colliding in the same space.
They grappled, hitting each other, pushing. One pushed the other hard, and Rehan lost his balance, stumbling near the rooftop's edge.
The alley below was dark - and empty air between.
He didn't jump, but his body was pulled forcefully.
Aarav tried to grab him, but it was too late. Rehan fell.
The sound of his impact was terrifying. Dogs barked loudly, but there were no human voices.
Rehan lay unconscious, breathing slowly and unsteadily.
Aarav's humanity, his friendship and sense of responsibility, refused to let go. He didn't jump (it wasn't possible), but rushed down the stairs, through the alley to Rehan.
He bent down - Rehan's clothes were dirty and bloody; his face was covered in dust.
Aarav lifted him onto his back without wasting time.
The night was cold, but Aarav's thoughts were colder - a mix of fear and responsibility.
He hurried home, reached there, and leaned Rehan against the wall.
"Oh no, I forgot... the balcony window was open," Aarav muttered, fetching an old wooden ladder.
He climbed up, entered through the window, went down, and opened the main door.
He came out, lifted Rehan, closed the door, and laid him on the bed.
He removed Rehan's shirt, dressed him in clean clothes, and changed his own clothes too, as they had bloodstains.
The room had a dim yellow light, and the cold air and silence from outside filled the space.
Aarav cleaned everything, then lay down on the floor beside Rehan.
"Just sleep peacefully for a bit," he said, closing his eyes.
The room fell silent. Outside, dogs were still barking in the distance. The clock struck 3:55 AM.
Moments later, as Aarav drifted off, he felt someone whispering.
A faint voice, like someone's breath near his ear... "Blood... need..."
Aarav opened his eyes abruptly. He turned to see Rehan sleeping deeply, but his lips were moving.
He heard again - "Thirst... so much..."
Aarav's throat dried. The silence outside, and a faint voice - "Now it's our turn..."
Aarav felt a chill spreading in his chest, as if an invisible shadow was returning.
The cold wind blew outside, the window curtains swayed. The room was dark and strangely quiet.
Aarav was sweating, breathing fast. He composed himself and slowly approached Rehan.
Rehan was still unconscious on the bed - his face pale, lips dry.
Aarav picked up the water jug and, with shaky hands, poured a few drops into Rehan's mouth.
After a while, Rehan's breathing normalized, his face stabilized.
Aarav sighed - "Relief... he seems okay now," he told himself.
He lit the table lamp. The yellow light spread across the room - the shadows on the walls seemed crooked for a moment, as if someone had pulled them.
Aarav sat on a chair, closing his eyes.
"Just... gonna sleep a bit," he whispered.
Outside, the wind rustled, inside, the faint light... and in that silence, a soft echo of laughter was heard... very faint, but terrifying.
The strange morning dawned slowly; light began to fill the room.
Sunlight from the window touched Aarav's eyelids, and he turned, looking beside him -
Rehan was still in a deep sleep. His hair was disheveled, there was dried blood on his lips, and his face looked like it had returned from a grueling journey.
Aarav went to him and smiled, saying, "Wake up, lion... I don't even sleep this long."
He was about to shake him awake when Rehan suddenly turned and hugged him tightly in his sleep.
Aarav froze for a moment. "Hey, bro... what's going on—?"
Just then, Rehan opened his eyes.
He stared at Aarav blankly for a few seconds, then jerked back.
"Dude... what are you doing in my room?"
Aarav raised an eyebrow, "Are you crazy? This isn't your room, it's mine."
Rehan looked around - the chair, laptop, painting on the wall... then said in surprise, "So... we slept at your place last night?"
Aarav sighed tiredly, "Yeah, and don't worry, you're not what you're thinking."
Rehan covered his face with mock embarrassment, "Oh God! He took advantage of me!"
Aarav threw a pillow at him, "Shut up, drama queen! Nothing happened, idiot."
Rehan grabbed a pillow too and said, "For sure? You're quite the sly one."
Both burst out laughing, and for the first time, the room echoed with laughter instead of the night's eerie silence.
After a while, Aarav said, "Come on, get up. Forget what happened last night, freshen up first."
He went to the wardrobe, pulled out some clothes, and threw them at Rehan.
"There's the bathroom - and take these, my clothes. Yours were covered in mud and blood."
Rehan took the clothes, then said with a smirk, "I'll wear your clothes? Don't get too attached."
Aarav replied without looking, "If you do, you'll be the one doing the laundry."
The atmosphere paused for a moment - there was something unspoken in the silence between them.
Then Aarav shook his head, returning to a normal tone, "Come on, go take a shower. I'll use the common bathroom and make breakfast. No fights today. You must be tired, just come down to the dining table."
As Rehan left, he said, "Okay, Chef sir, just don't burn the toast... or I'll starve to death."
Aarav smiled, "I won't burn the toast... but if you mess around too much, I'll fry you instead."