(Chapter - 29)

  [The Fire's Reunion]

  Mehaki's question makes Asroy uneasy. He replays the events in his mind and hesitates to answer.

  Asroy : That… Uh, I don’t want to remember.

  Mehaki : *He didn’t even tell Tori, Karu, or Tushar. What's the matter?*

  Tushar : Aw, c'mon!

  Karu : Isn't it about time you finally told us?

  Asroy : No. You don’t need to know.

  Tori : Asroy, we know that something is bothering you.

  Asroy : It's… Nothing.

  He remains completely unmoved. But Mehaki’s determination urges her to tease Asroy so he’ll have no choice but to tell them everything.

  Mehaki : *Stubborn, isn’t he? Well, how about this?* Um… I also met someone from your family. He said he's your brother.

  Asroy : You what!? My BROTHER!?

  Tori : *She met Asroy's brother???*

  Karu : What?

  Mehaki : Yeah.

  She deliberately acts nonchalant.

  Mehaki : His name is Shomoy.

  Asroy : Huh? Shomoy??

  Restlessness flickers across Asroy’s face and seeps into his voice. Tori, Karu and Tushar are surprised to hear that as well. Tori's face shows concern.

  Asroy : Where? Where did you meet him? What did he say? How- no, where is he now??

  Mehaki : Uh…

  Karu : Speak slowly, Asroy.

  Tushar : Yo, how many trains did you book that you’re gonna miss?

  Tori : At least let Mehaki process it.

  Though Mehaki grows slightly nervous, she keeps up the act.

  Mehaki : I'll tell you only if you tell us about what happened yesterday.

  Asroy : Ah…

  Mehaki : *Gotcha.*

  Tushar : Whoa! Great deal Inufa!

  Karu : Right, though.

  Tori : *That's a clever move.*

  Tori smiles subtly, unknowingly feeling proud of Mehaki's clever tactic.

  Mehaki : Hm?

  Karu : We told Mehaki about our lives. So feel free, you don’t need to over explain anything for her.

  Asroy : Okay… Fine.

  Tori : So you're finally saying it?

  Tushar : Woo!

  Mehaki : *Yeah! Tell us!*

  Asroy : Last night, I met my younger brother. Not Shomoy, his name is Obhoy. Shomoy is my youngest brother.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Mehaki : I see…

  Tori : You met Obhoy!?

  Tushar : That insolent, two-faced evil?!?

  Karu : What is he doing in Shopnopur?

  Asroy : Let me finish first at least.

  Karu : Ok, continue.

  Asroy : I went out to cool down my head. I was frustrated for many reasons. Nothing was feeling right…

  [As the wind of the night sways the trees, Asroy walks alone in the empty park, sighing. His eyes look dejected.

  “I went to the park and walked until nightfall. There were no people then. No noise, just peace. But to make it worse, suddenly a fire as big as a human showed up in front of me.”

  Just a few steps away from him, a massive fire appears out of nowhere. Startled, Asroy takes a step back nervously, wondering what that is. It looks like a guy, whose skin is made of lava and eyes are flaming red. Flames surge from his body, radiating intense heat.

  Guy : Well, well… If it isn’t Asroy!

  Asroy : …Who are you?

  Guy : Huh? Hahaha! Already forgot about me, brother?

  Asroy's eyes widen in shock, but quickly composes himself, refusing to show any weakness. He furrows his eyes as he realizes who it is.

  Asroy : Obhoy.

  Obhoy : You know I hate to call you my brother. But you still made me. Aren’t you so evil?

  Asroy : Ha! Evil? Funny coming from you!

  Obhoy : Well, of course you'd have trouble recognizing me, since I've become so powerful now. And… Seems like you've been living well.

  Asroy : Why are you here? You're the reason I'm away from my family, completely detached! Haven’t you tormented me enough? What do you want now!?

  Obhoy lets out a low, chilling snicker.

  Obhoy : I thought I'd feel like killing you the moment I'd see you. But you still look miserable just like back then. Hehe… So I thought of a better use for you. Lucky you!

  Asroy clenches his fists, jaw tightening with barely contained fury.

  Obhoy : I went through a hassle to find you, you know. Because you suddenly became resourceful for me!

  He circles Asroy slowly, like a predator sizing up its prey. Asroy’s eyes stay locked on Obhoy, wary and alert.

  Obhoy : See, I found an amazing fact. About how I'll become even more powerful than now. I need the powers of the girl who can use the magic of a flower called Ariya or something. I found out that she's somewhere in this city. And conveniently you're here too! I guess, you’ll come in handy to find that powerful, blessed girl. I want all of that blessed girl's powers and I'll become the strongest! No one will be able to beat me! Hahaha!

  Asroy : *As if I'd do any help to this devil!*

  Obhoy : You'll definitely find out the girl's whereabouts. I want you to.

  Asroy : You know, Obhoy? Even if I had known anything about the girl, I wouldn’t have told you a single thing! Not to some wicked brat with a corrupted mind and evil intentions like you!

  Obhoy : Hmm… I see, talking nicely won't work with you.

  Obhoy's smile slowly fades and he narrows his flaming red eyes at Asroy. He ignites fire in his fist and is about to attack Asroy.

  Asroy : !?

  He dodges the fire and strikes Obhoy back with wind powers, but Obhoy is seemingly stronger than Asroy this time. They continue to clash, but Asroy’s strength begins to falter.

  “When I saw him in the form of his elemental power, I knew right away how much stronger he had become. Because it takes immense training and strength to achieve that. We fought nonstop but I couldn’t keep up anymore. I gave all of my strength and powers, but still lost to him.”

  Asroy loses his breath and Obhoy knocks him down in one hit of fire. He trembles, unable to accept how powerless he feels against Obhoy now.

  Obhoy : Hahaha… I think you've got an idea of how powerful I already am. Stronger than you now. Hard to believe right? This is just an example.

  He slowly rises into the air, suspended by his own blazing power.

  Obhoy : I'll leave for now. And I'm giving you time to think. If you don’t cooperate, I’ll deal with it my own way.

  He dissolves into a swirl of black smoke and vanishes. Asroy slowly gets up, struggling to make his body move.

  “After he left, I came back home immediately. I didn’t even have the energy to talk. I was overly exhausted and fell asleep as soon as I got home. Later, I developed a fever.”]

  “What!?” Karu and Tushar shout together after hearing Asroy. Tori's heart thuds. His face turns pale, knowing who Obhoy mentioned was none other than Mehaki. Mehaki’s eyes tense, worries settling deep inside her. Karu shows shock, Tushar shows rage. Asroy is still unsettled about it.

  Tori : *Obhoy meant Mehaki… The blessed girl who can use the Ariya flower's magic… He was looking for Mehaki!! Does no one else realize it??*

  Karu : Obhoy can take his elemental form now!?

  Tushar : That ruthless devil is now in the city so he can use you for his benefit!?

  Asroy : *Sigh* Life just became easy and now he searches for me again. He's become so powerful, yet he still wants to be stronger. I can’t even put into words how dangerous he could become.

  Mehaki : He wants… My powers?

  Asroy : No, he- wait… Your powers? What do you mean your ‘Powers’!?

  Her words hit Asroy like a blow. Karu and Tushar realise who Obhoy's target is. Asroy's shocked gaze demands answers.

  Mehaki : Yes. Rosy powers.

  Karu : Oh. My. God.

  Tushar : He's after our Inufa!

  Asroy : Wait a minute! I know that you're connected to the Ariya flower. But you have powers!? The blessed girl who can use its magic!?

  Mehaki : Well, I also had no idea until my granny and my great granny told me about it.

  Asroy : Your GREAT GRANNY!!?

  Mehaki : Um, yes…

  Asroy : Ah, I think I'm about to fall sick again…

  Asroy slumps back on the pillow. Everyone laughs subtly seeing his reaction.

  Mehaki : Hey, stop that.

  Tushar : Pfft! Asroy, Hahaha!

  Karu : Did you learn to be dramatic from Tushar?

  Tushar : Hey, I'm not dramatic!

  Tori : *Not dramatic? Yeah, as if!* Haha…

  The tension in the room lightens. Asroy gets up again looking all serious.

  Asroy : No, really… You're the one who Obhoy is looking for!?

  Mehaki : Well…

  Tori : It's too dangerous. Even if Mehaki has powers, she's not used to it. She doesn’t know how to control it yet.

  Tushar : We must not let Obhoy get to Mehaki.

  Asroy : I know that! *I don’t want Obhoy to even get to any people!*

  Karu : Asroy, all you have to do is keep denying him every time he asks you about Mehaki's whereabouts.

  Asroy : He doesn’t know it's Mehaki, though. And of course, I'll pretend not to know anything. But I must also keep you guys away from him. He's inhuman!

  Karu : Listen, you don’t have to face him alone. If necessary, we’ll dive in and fight beside you.

  Tori : Yes. You won't be alone.

  Tushar : Absolutely! Four against one will be a piece of cake!

  Tori : We'll protect Mehaki together.

  Karu : Yes!

  Asroy : …Okay.

  Mehaki : *They care about me so much!* Thank you, everyone!

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