Episode 26
Dark Moon has arrived
Next Day,
Gregg university k clinic mai bitha tha, uske paas kuch log baithe the jinke chehron pe fikar ka izhar tha.
Uska pura jism pattiyaan mai lapeta hua tha jaise koi mummy ho, aur uska munh bhi ladai ki wajah se soojh gaya tha jo usne Sikandar k sath ki thi.
Apna sir ghusse se chhu kar, Gregg ko abhi bhi woh waqt yaad tha jab Sikandar ka paon uske sir par pada tha. Uski izzat aur shauhrat aik hi pal mai mitti mai mil gayi thi.
"Gregg, humein badla lena chahiye. Woh Sikandar bohat ziada khud-parast hota ja raha hai," ek larki jo uske paas baithi thi, chhilte hue boli.
Baaki sab ne bhi saath diya,
"Bilkul! Usko maarte hain!"
"Usne tujhe chot pahunchai, kya usay pata nahi ke tu kaun hai?"
"Aik non-Awakened hoke usne yeh jurat ki? Aise nahi chhodna chahiye!"
Gregg ki aankhon mai gusse ki aag bhadakti ja rahi thi. Uske dil mai jalta hua nafrat ka shola usay yeh keh raha tha ke jo yeh log keh rahe hain, woh kar daal.
Gregg ne ek shaitani muskaan di, "Zaroor badla loonga… main usay maar maar k choor kar dunga!"
"Maar kar choor?" larki ne ab chhilna roka aur seedha Gregg ki aankhon mai dekh kar boli, "Tumhe usay khatam karna hoga."
Gregg ki aankhen phail gayin, "Kya? Qatal? Kyun?"
Larki ne muskurate hue dheere se kaha, "Field test mai woh tumhare saath first rank tak pohanch gaya tha. Ab usne tumhe maar bhi diya. Agar humne usay roka nahi to kal woh rukne wala nahi… aur hamare group k liye sabse bara khatra ban jayega."
Gregg soch mai doob gaya. Phir dheere se bola, "Lekin kaise? University k andar to yeh mumkin nahi."
Larki ne shaitani lehje mai kaha, "Bhool gaye? Jaldi hi tum aur dusre top rankers Faraday University jaane wale ho. Wahan hum usay phansa sakte hain."
Gregg ki aankhon mai chamak aa gayi, "Theek hai… karte hain!"
---
Doosri taraf,
Sikandar aram se apne bistar par ulta seedha ho raha tha, bina iske ke usay zara bhi andaaza ho ke Gregg aur uska group uski maut ki saazish rach raha hai.
"Ekh…" uska haath takiye ki talaash mai side kiya.
Plump!
Uska haath ek naram aur mulayam cheez par pada. Usne bina sochay samjhay usay apni taraf kheench liya, jaise takiya ho.
Lekin us mulayam cheez se ek khoobsurat khushbu uski naak tak aayi — ek aurat ki mehak.
Sikandar ne usay zor se apna liya, aur ab woh sabse ziada pur-sukoon feel kar raha tha, bina yeh jaane k uske paas ek larki so rahi hai.
15 minute guzre, Sikandar ne aankhen malte hue apna jism stretch kiya.
Jab usne side mai dekh kar waqt check karna chaha, to uski saans rukh gayi — ek larki uske bistar par, kam kapron mai so rahi thi.
Sikandar ki aankhen phat gayin, "ADHARA?!"
Uske zehan mai tufaan tha, "Yeh kab mery room mai aayi? Aur sabse important baat… yeh mere room mai kyun hai?!"
Usne jaldi se Adhara ko jagaane ki koshish ki, "Adhara! Utho!"
Lekin Adhara sirf ek black tank top aur black underwear mai thi — bilkul beparwah aur defendless. Uski khushbu Sikandar k hosh uda rahi thi, uska chehra laal pad gaya.
Jab tak woh kuch aur kar pata, Adhara ki palkain hileen aur usne dheere se aankhen khol di.
Usne seedha Sikandar ki taraf dekha, jo abhi bhi shirtless uske paas khada tha.
Sikandar ne khud ko taiyaar kiya ke shayad phir se ghalat samjha jaayega… lekin uske sab se pehle, Adhara ne uski gardan pakdi aur use apne paas kheench kar zor se galle laga liya.
Sikandar ki aankhon mai hairani phail gayi. Adhara abhi bhi aadhi neend mai thi aur usne Sikandar ko takiye ki tarah gale laga kar dobara so gayi.
"Hmmmpffh!" Sikandar ka sar uske seene mai daba tha, usay mehsoos ho raha tha ke Adhara ke jism ki garmi usay ghair rahi hai.
Sikandar uthna chahta tha lekin uske andar ka ek hissa ruk gaya.
Uske kandhe par ek chhota sa shaitani Sikandar dikhayi diya, laal rang mai, singhon k sath:
"Aray, yeh zindagi mai aik dafa milta hai! Mauka haath se mat jaanay do!.
Laga doh chooka"
Dusre kandhe par ek farishta Sikandar aa gaya, jiske sar pe noor ka halqa tha:
"Yeh ghalat hai. Tumhe ek gentleman hona chahiye. Aise waqt ka faida nahi uthana chahiye."
Shaitani Sikandar hans kar bola, "Bakwaas! Suno mat isko!" aur ek laal bhala nikal kar farishte ko uda diya.
Ab asli Sikandar bhi hil gaya — uska hoshiyaar hissa so gaya aur usne phir se aankhen band kar li.
---
20 minute baad,
Adhara ne neend khol kar apne jism stretch kiya. Usay aaj ki neend sabse pur-sukoon lagi.
Lekin jab usne apna haath mehsoos kiya to wahan Sikandar araam se uski baahon mai so raha tha.
Adhara ki aankhen phail gayin, "Main… main ne Sikandar k sath raat guzari?!"
Kal raat ki baatein usay dheere dheere yaad aane lagi — woh akeli mehsoos kar rahi thi, is liye chhupke se Sikandar ke kamre ki taraf gayi aur window se andar aa gayi.
Uska chehra laal ho gaya, "Mujhe kya ho gaya tha? Main to sharm se doob rahi hoon."
Phir usne Sikandar ka soya hua chehra dekha aur muskurate hue socha, "Jagte hue to yeh itna sakht lagta hai, lekin ab dekho… bilkul bacche ki tarah lag raha hai."
Usne uski gaal ko halka sa pinch kiya. Sikandar ne hile kar neend mai muskara diya.
Adhara ne use disturb karna band kiya aur bathroom mai chali gayi taake ek chhoti si bath le kar wapas aaye. Uska iraada tha ke aaj subah Sikandar k liye khana banayegi.
Sikandar ka room VIP tha is liye usme ek chhoti si kitchen bhi lagi hui thi jo bathroom aur darwaze ke bilkul saamne thi. Kitchen saari equipments se bhari hui thi magar Sikandar use kabhi nahi karta tha, kyunki woh cooking bilkul nahi jaanta tha.
Sikandar khanay mein nakhrebaaz nahi tha, is liye cooking na aana uske liye itna bara issue bhi nahi tha.
Adhara ne apne baalon ko ponytail mein baandha aur cooking start kar di. Saath hi apne phone par halka music bhi chala diya taake maza aaye.
Usne decide kiya ke woh Sikandar ke liye ek typical American breakfast banayegi. Omelet, sausages, bacon aur bread.
Uske haath itne skillful the ke ek saath omelet, sausages slice karna, bacon ko sambhalna aur bread ready karna—sab cheezein easily manage kar rahi thi. Kahawat “aurat multitasking mein achi hoti hai” bilkul samne nazar aa rahi thi.
Thodi dair baad kamre mein khushbu bhar gayi.
Sikandar jo abhi tak gheeray neend mein soya hua tha, achanak uski naak hilne lagi. Khushbu ne uski aankhein khulwa di. Dheere dheere usne apni aankhein adjust ki, suraj ki roshni tez thi is liye usne kuch dafa jhapkian li.
Aur phir uski nazar ruk gayi…
Samne Adhara cooking karte hue halki si dance moves kar rahi thi. Masla ye tha ke usne sirf apni black tank top aur kal wali underwear pehni hui thi. Uski khubsurti khuli aankhon ke samne thi, dekh kar Sikandar ka gala khushk ho gaya.
“Kaash waqt yahin ruk jaye,” Sikandar ne socha.
Kisi bhi mard ko uski jagah rakho, to reaction bilkul aisa hi hota. Adhara ki beauty Rosie se kam bilkul nahi thi.
Adhara ko mehsoos hua jaise koi use ghoor raha ho. Usne apni left side dekhi to Sikandar uth kar baithe hue tha.
Uska chehra laal ho gaya. Usne sharmate hue music band kar diya aur muskara kar boli,
“Good Morning, maine breakfast bana liya hai.”
Adhara ne plate uthai aur bed ke paas table par rakhi.
Sikandar muskura kar uth gaya aur beth gaya, intezaar karne laga ke Adhara uske liye plate ready kare.
Jab food uske samne aaya, to khushbu ne uska sabr tod diya.
Adhara boli, “Toh kya intezaar hai? Khao na!”
Sikandar ne foran spoon aur fork uthai aur food muh mein daal diya.
Gulp!
“Yeh toh kamaal hai!!” Sikandar ne excited ho kar kaha.
Taste mein ek dum perfect balance tha. Sweet aur sour dono flavours mix ho kar zabardast lag rahe the. Usse hairat hui ke itni tough training ke bawajood Adhara ne cooking kaise seekh li.
Usually, Awakened log apni sari energy sirf training mein lagate the, normal chores ke liye time nahi hota tha.
Magar Adhara ko cook karte dekh kar Sikandar ka dil aur bhi khush ho gaya.
Aankh jhapakte hi uski plate bilkul saaf ho gayi. Ek bhi tukda baaqi nahi tha.
Adhara ke chehre par khushi chamak uthi, “Hehe, usse mera khana pasand aya!”
“Khatam kar liya?” Adhara ne pyari muskaan ke saath poocha.
Sikandar ne muh mein khana bhara hua tha, phir bhi zor zor se sir hila diya.
Adhara ne tissue uthaya aur uske muh ke kinare saf kar diye. Sikandar stunned reh gaya.
Phir Adhara ne halki awaz mein kaha,
“Sikandar, kya main ajeeb behave kar rahi hoon? Kya yeh Full Moon ki wajah se hai?”
Sikandar ka chehra serious ho gaya,
“Haan, jitni Full Moon qareeb aati hai tum utni restless hoti ho. Lekin fikr mat karo, main tumhare saath hoon.”
Adhara ne seedha sawal kar diya,
“Toh kya is liye mujhe tumse doori mein tanhai mehsoos hoti hai?”
Cough! Cough!
Sikandar zor se khansne laga. Phir usne jawab banate hue kaha,
“Agli Full Moon Dark Moon hai… isse Desire Moon bhi kehte hain. Werewolves andhere mein chup kar un logon ko taraste hain jinse woh… ehm… mohabbat karte hain.”
Adhara ka chehra lal ho gaya, usne nazar neeche kar li.
“Yeh Dark Moon bhi na… sab kuch usse hi pata chal gaya,” usne dil hi dil mein socha.
Sikandar ne usse yaad dilaya,
“Teen din baad Full Moon hai. Tum mere paas rehna, warna mushkil ho sakti hai. Shayad humein bahar jane ki permission leni pade.”
Adhara ne sir hila kar haan kar di.
Breakfast ke baad Sikandar ne apne Training Hall ke liye tayyari shuru ki.
Lekin jaise hi woh log nikalne lage, samne Rosie aa gayi. Uska chehra shock se bhara hua tha.
Rosie ne tez qadam barhaye,
“Adhara? Tum yahan? Mujhse pehle aayi thi kya?”
Sikandar kuch kehne hi wala tha ke Adhara achanak uske paas jhuki aur uske galle par ek chup! kar diya.
Phir Rosie ki taraf dekh kar muskara kar boli,
“Main? Main toh yahan raat ko hi thi. Mujhe tanhai lag rahi thi toh Sikandar ne mujhe apne room mein sula liya. Hai na Sikandar?”
Rosie ki aankhein phat gayin, “Yeh ladki! Kal jo maine kaha tha, ab mujhe hi suna rahi hai!”
Sikandar chup raha, Adhara usse aankhon se ishara kar rahi thi aur woh bina samajhe hi jaise hypnotize hokar sir hila gaya.
“SIKANDAR!!” Rosie cheekh uthi.
---
5 minute baad teeno Training Hall ki taraf chal rahe the.
Adhara khushi mein muskaan bikher rahi thi, Rosie ke upar ek dark cloud jaisa bhaari sa vibe tha, aur bechara Sikandar dono ke beech cheek ko rub karta chal raha tha—ek hi gaal par kiss bhi, aur slap bhi!
Training Hall pohanch kar referee ki awaaz ghoonj uthi:
“Rosie from Class 1-B aur Lyn from Class 1-C, Arena mein aajao!”
Yeh tournament ka aakhri din tha. Sirf 8 log select hone wale the jo Faraday University ke khilaaf spar karenge.
Sikandar to already qualify kar chuka tha kyunki usne pehle hi Gregg Eerbo (No.1) ko hara diya tha.
Aaj Adhara aur Rosie ka test tha. Rosie ne andar se tension feel ki—agar woh haari, to uska Faraday University ka sapna khatam ho jaayega.
Referee ne dono ko dekha aur haath uthakar kaha:
“BEGIN!!”
---
Rosie ne apni battle stance le li, uski sari tawajjo Lyn par thi. Usay darr tha ke kahin woh Adhara aur Sikandar ke sath Faraday University na jaa paye.
Usay andaza tha ke agli round mein Adhara zaroor jeetay gi.
Agar Adhara Rosie ke khilaf puri taqat ka istemal nahi kar rahi, to iska matlab hai ke uski asal combat power aur students se kahin zyada hai.
Jab bhi Rosie, Sikandar ke sath nahi hoti, woh training karti hai. Usay hamesha Vouver City yaad aata hai jahan woh kamzor mehsoos karti thi, na zyada nuksaan pohcha paayi aur na hi Laura ko bacha paayi.
Rosie ne gehri saans li, aankhein band ki, phir aik lamhe mein saans chhod kar apni focus Lyn par jama li. Lyn ke paon pehle hi hawa ke element se enhance ho chuke the.
Wind Elementalists apni speed ki wajah se mashhoor hote hain – hawa ki raftar ke muqable mein koi nahi.
"Boost!" Rosie ne bhi apni speed enhance ki aur Lyn ke hamlay ka intizaar kiya.
Lyn ek brown baalon wali larki thi, dekhne mein aam si lagti thi, magar uske haath par pada hua nishaan usay aik jungju aur khaufnaak shakal deta tha.
"Wind Wave!!"
SWOOSH!!
Tez hawa ka jhonka poori arena mein phail gaya. Rosie ne talwar saamne kar ke hawa ka rukawat rokne ki koshish ki. Hawa itni shiddat se chal rahi thi ke Rosie zameen se uth gayi.
Lyn ne ghutnon ko jhuka kar uchhal maar li, uske haath hawa ke element se banay hue daggers jese teeron ki tarah Rosy ki taraf barh gaye.
Rosie ne apne haath hila kar hawa ka pressure neeche ki taraf kiya aur Lyn ke attack se bach kar uske pait par kick maari.
Lyn ne block karne ki koshish nahi ki, balke usne bhi seedha Rosie ke chehre par mukka mara.
BAM!!
Dono attacks sahi jagah lage. Magar Lyn ko herani hui ke Rosie ki kick uski soch se kahin zyada bhaari thi.
"Huakh!!" Lyn dard se cheekhi aur peeche ki taraf phenk di gayi.
Darshak dekh rahe the, “Dono barabar ki taqat rakhtay hain… haar unki stamina tay kare gi. Aur mera khayal hai Lyn pehle giray gi.”
Sikandar ne bhi match ko gehri nazar se dekha. Usne notice kiya ke Lyn bohot tez saans le rahi thi, jabke Rosie abhi bhi taaza lag rahi thi.
Rosie ki fit body sirf dikhane ke liye nahi thi – usne bohot mehnat se training ki thi.
Rosie ne faida uthaya aur Lyn par lagatar slashes barsane lagi. Uski talwar haath mein bijli ki tarah chal rahi thi. Lyn sirf apne hawa ke element se bane haathon ko saamne kar ke bachne ki koshish karti rahi.
Slash! Slash!
Lyn ke bazuon par zakham lag gaye, uske wind element Rosy ke barsati slashes ka bojh bardasht nahi kar paaye.
Rosie ne talwar ko uthaya aur neeche zor se maara – magar ussi waqt…
Lyn ke haathon ki hawa ka jadoo tez ho gaya. Usne Rosie ki talwar pakar li, “Twisting Snake!!”
WHOOSH!!
Rosie hairan reh gayi – Lyn ki speed bhi usi jaisi thi, magar talwar ko rok lena unexpected tha.
Hawa ka jhonka ek saanp ki shakal mein Rosie ke gird lipat gaya, uske jism ko jakad kar usay roknay laga.
Rosie ke daant bhich gaye – woh hila bhi nahi pa rahi thi!
Lyn ke chehre par muskaan aayi, usne attack karne ke liye daur lagayi. Magar ussi lamhe Rosie ki aankhein green rang ki chamak uthane lagi. Uske andar ki wind mana bohot violent ho gayi.
Lyn ruk gayi – usay yaad tha yeh wohi power thi jo Rosie ne Adhara ko haraane ke liye istemal ki thi. Woh peeche hatna chahti thi… lekin der ho chuki thi.
"Way of Enlil! Pehla stance – Wind Pillar!!"
BOOM!!
Zameen phat gayi aur hawa ka dhamaka hua. Lyn hawa mein uchhal gayi, uska jism dard se bhar gaya.
"Ahhh!!"
Rosie aik pal mein uske paas pohanch gayi, uski aankhein green noor chhorr rahi thi.
"Second stance – Wind Eruption!!"
Uski talwar kaanp rahi thi, saari wind mana usmein sama gayi. Rosie ne aage zor se thokar mari.
WHOOSH!!
Achanak hawa ka tufaan banta hua Lyn se takra gaya. Uske moo se khoon ka fountain nikla aur uska jism zameen par gir kar zor se takraya.
BAM!!
Lyn zameen par be-hosh si pad gayi, uske jism ka har hissa dard se bhar gaya.
Rosie uske paas zameen par utri aur apni talwar uski gardan ke kareeb rok di.
"Winner for this match – Rosie!!" referee ne announce kiya.
Rosie khamoshi se khadi rahi, phir achanak khushi mein uchal pari, “YES!! I WON!!”
Darshak cheekh uthe – “Wah Rosie!! Kya zabardast spell tha! Yeh to middle-grade spell lag raha tha!!”
Sab students ne taaliyan bajayi, kuch to is liye bhi ke woh Sikandar se darte the.
Rosie ne Sikandar ki taraf dekha.
Sikandar ne dono thumbs-up kar ke usay congratulate kiya. Uski aankhon mein bhi herani thi, aur usne socha, “Bas thoda aur… aur main bhi aise spells istemal kar sakta hoon.”
Rosie arena se neeche utar kar khushi se koodti hui Sikandar ke paas aayi.
"Toh kaisa tha? Main strong hoon na!!"
Sikandar hans para uski bachkani harkat dekh kar, magar phir bhi sir hila kar tasdeeq kar di – warna Rosie shayad gussa ho jati.
"Faraday University mein tumhara spot pakka hai," Sikandar ne yakeen se kaha.
Rosie aur zyada motivated ho gayi aur josh se sir hila diya.
Adhara ke mukhalifeen ko us par ek bhi vaar karne ka moka nahi mila, sab arena se bahar knock out ho gaye.
Rosie ka next match bhi aaj hi tha.
Uska opponent class 1-D ka ek aur student tha lekin usne foran hi concede kar diya.
“Rosie se lad ke Sikandar ka dushman ban’na hai? Na baba, main surrender karta hoon,” usne dil mein socha.
Student ne ek jhatka se Sikandar ki taraf dekha, jo usay tezi se ghur raha tha.
Wo foran hi apni nazar hata leta hai, usay lagta hai Sikandar ki aankhon mein maut ka saya hai.
Usay kya pata tha, Sikandar asal mein khud ke khayalon mein ghum tha.
Wo soch raha tha ke zyada gold kaise milay taake ek higher-rank affinity kharid sake aur jaldi se Rank 3 ban jaye.
Lekin uska sochnay wala chehra itna khofnaak lag raha tha ke saamne wala student kanp gaya.
Is tarah, Sikandar, Adhara aur Rosie – teeno ne apna apna spot hasil kar liya.
Dur se Gregg aur uska group inhein dekh raha tha, unke chehron par gusse aur jalan ke saaye the.
“Shit! Yaqeen nahi aata ke Adhara aur Rosie dono qualify kar gayi!”
“Ab hum Sikandar ke liye trap kaise lagayenge? Ye dono uske paas se hiltai hi nahi.”
Gregg gehri soch mein tha. Usay khud apni plan par yaqeen nahi raha tha.
‘Sikandar akela hi kaafi bara threat hai, aur ab uske sath Adhara aur Rosie bhi hain… usay dhoka dena namumkin hai,’ usne socha.
Tabhi wo larki jo pehle Sikandar ko maarne ka mashwara de chuki thi, bol uthi:
“Tum log itne bewakoof ho? Agar Sikandar ki larkiyan bhi uske sath hain to kaam aur bhi asaan ho gaya hai.”
Sab ne hairani se uski taraf dekha.
“Gaby, kya matlab hai tumhara?” Gregg ne pucha.
Gaby ne thandi saans le kar kaha, “Adhara shayad tumhari barabar ki taqat rakhti ho, lekin Rosie abhi sirf early Rank 3 hai.”
Phir uske honton par ek shaitani muskaan aayi, “Hum sab mil kar usay gher lenge aur kidnap kar lenge. Uske baad Sikandar khud chal kar hamare paas aayega.”
Ye sunkar sab ke chehre par wohi shaitani muskaan phail gayi. Unki aankhon mein khuni iraaday chamak rahe the.
Idhar Sikandar Rosie se batey kar raha tha ke achanak—
<DING!!>
<Sudden Quest!!>
<Killing Intent!
Tum par ek shaitani killing intent mandla raha hai, asal mulzim ko dhoondho aur usay khatam karo!
Rewards: 5,000 Exp, 2500 Gold, aur Medium-Grade Mana Charm Elixir>
Sikandar aik dum se hosh mein aya, usne ghoor kar ird gird dekha.
Uski nigah Gregg par pari jo usay ghur raha tha lekin foran hi nazar hata li.
Sikandar ke honton par ek darindaana muskaan phail gayi.
‘Main tumhein nazarandaz karne ka soch raha tha, lekin tumne khud maut bulayi hai… dekhte hain kaun kisko khatam karta hai,’ usne andar hi andar kaha.
Dur se Gregg aur uska group bhi qatilana muskaan kar rahe the, unhein kya pata ke Sikandar ab unke plan se waqif ho chuka hai.
---
Ratmawati City ke Underground Mein
Sheher ke neeche ek puri underground city hai, jahan sab log kaale robes aur masks pehne hue hain. Un sab ke seenay par ek hi nishani hai – Black Crow ka badge.
Log apne kaam mein masroof the ke us waqt do naye mehmaan aaye.
Ek mard aur ek aurat.
Mard ne safed shandar kapde pehne the jahan golden chain usay aur bhi nawabi look de rahi thi.
Aur aurat ne bhadde, purane brown kapde pehne hue the jo usay kaafi shabby bana rahe the.
Dono late 20s ya early 30s ke lag rahe the, unki personality se pakad aa rahi thi ke wo aam log nahi.
Achanak unke samne ek shakhs ubhar aaya—
Ye bhi kaale libaas aur crow mask mein tha lekin uska mask se halki aag si nikal rahi thi aur uske seenay par six-headed crow ka badge chamak raha tha.
“Tum log kaun ho?” usne thandi aur qahrnaak awaaz mein pucha. Saath hi apni Rank 6 wali shiddat bhi unleash kar di.
Mard foran jhuk gaya, “Main Devan hoon aur ye meri saathi Liliya hai. Hum dono yahan Green Recruits ke tor par bulaye gaye hain.”
Ye sunkar masked man ki aankhein thodi si tedi hui.
“Tattoo dikhao! Agar jhooth nikla to yahan se zinda wapas nahi jaoge.”
Devan aur Liliya dono ghabra gaye.
Devan ne apni chest ka tattoo dikhaya aur Liliya ne apni thighs ka.
Masked man ne dono tattoos par apna haath rakha, jahan se surkh energy nikli.
Energy dekhne mein aag jaisi thi lekin dono ko thandak ka ehsas hua.
Turant tattoos ke andar se sabz roshni chamki jo laal energy ko dhakel kar khatam kar gayi.
Ye dekh kar masked man ne apni aura kam kar di aur kaha:
“Tum log waqai Green Messenger ki team ho. Yahan intezar karo.”
Itna keh kar wo ghaib ho gaya.
Thodi dair baad sabz dhund ke saath ek aur shakhs samne aya – Green Messenger apne mask mein.
“Welcome to the Stygian Crow Organization. Mere sath chalo,” usne susti bhari awaaz mein kaha.
Devan aur Liliya ne ek dosray ki taraf dekha aur uske peeche chal diye.
Unhein sheher ke darmiyan ek badi siyah qila dikhaayi di jo dekhne mein aam pathar se bana tha lekin zameen ka bara hissa gherta tha.
Qile ke andar ghus kar dono ki saansen ruk gayi.
Andar sab kuch sona, heere, qeemti chandeliers aur laal carpets se saja tha.
Har taraf butlers aur maids daud rahe the.
Devan ki nazar ek kamray ke darwazay ke crack se andher gayi. Wahan ek bhootnaak kaala skin ek sheeshe ke dabbe mein rakha tha jahan se neelaa rune chamak raha tha.
Usne pehchaan liya – Enchanter ka jild!
Enchanters wo log hote hain jo spells ko itna mazboot banate hain ke Rank 2 bhi lagbhag Rank 4 ki taqat hasil kar leta hai.
Jangon mein sab se pehle unhi ko nishana banaya jata hai.
Devan aur Liliya dono ki aankhein hil gayin.
‘Ye organization itna bara Enchanter maar chuki hai? Ye log asal mein kitne powerful hain!’ Liliya ka dil tez dhadakne laga.
Green Messenger unhein ek bade darwazay tak le aaya.
Darwazay par likha tha: “Green Recruit”
Aur neeche likha tha:
“Green is Luck, Green is Tranquility, Green is Nature. Green is good… but be wary of the Green Messenger.”
Messenger unki taraf ghoom kar bola:
“Yahan tumhari jagah hai. Tum azad ho, lekin kuch qawaid follow karna zaroori hai.
Pehla – har mahine ek mission complete karna hoga.
Doosra – tum SCO ke wafadar rahoge.
Teesra – jo kuch yahan dekha, usay bahar nahi le jaoge.”
Dono ne sar hila kar tasdeeq ki.
Liliya ne hichkichahat se pucha, “Lekin… aapko kaise pata chalega ke hum waqai wafadar hain?”
Green Messenger ke chehre par ajeeb si muskaan aayi.
“Oh, humein pata chal jata hai… Aur haan, missions sirf teen log mil kar kar sakte hain.”
Jate jate usne ruk kar kaha,
“Loyalty ka ritual tab hoga jab tumhara teesra member yahan pohanchayega.
Wo abhi jawan hai, zyada umeed na rakhna.”
Ye keh kar Green Messenger sabz dhuan mein ghaib ho gaya.
---
Teen din guzar chuke hain...
Aaj woh din hai jab Dark Moon aa rahi hai.
Sikandar ko apne jism mein ajeeb si bechaini mehsoos ho rahi hai.
Subah ka waqt hai lekin uske andar ka ghussa aise ubal raha hai jaise koi aag ka pahaad (volcano) phatnay ko ho — aur usse lagta hai ke raat tak yeh zaroor dhamaka karega.
In teen dino ke dauran bhi Sikandar ne apni daily quests aur meditation routine kabhi miss nahi ki, use darr tha ke agar woh inhein chorh de to uski sanity kamzor ho jayegi.
Ab woh level up ke bohot kareeb hai, aur usay yaqeen hai ke aaj woh level 20 tak pohanch sakta hai — jahan uski agli evolution hogi.
Lekin jaise hi Dark Moon ka din utra, uski chhati mein ghabrahat bhar gayi.
"Agar main dobara apne aap ko control na kar saka to kya hoga?"
"Aur agar main aur Adhara dono hi apna hosh kho baithe to...?"
"Kya mere stats Dark Moon ke asar ko jhelne ke liye kafi hain?"
Ye sawal subah se uske zehan ko cheer rahe hain.
Class attend karte hue woh Rosie aur Adhara ke sath chal raha tha.
Usne ek jhalak Adhara ki taraf daali — uske haath kampe rahe the aur chehra aise lag raha tha jaise woh kuch rok rahi ho.
Sikandar ne gehri soch mein Adhara ko ghur ke plan banaya:
Usay ek aisi jagah chahiye jahan seedha chandni na pohanche aur logon ki bheer bhi na ho.
Do options uske zehan mein aaye:
1. Emham Forest, jahan usne pehli baar transform kiya tha.
2. Clinnia Mountain, jo Ratmawati City ke border aur samundar ke paas tha.
Lekin Clinnia Mountain tak train se kam az kam teen ghante lagte.
Sabse realistic option sirf Emham Forest bacha.
Magar ek masla tha: Emham Forest abhi FAA ki inspection ke neeche hai, kyunke Cyclops ab tak zinda pakda nahi gaya.
Sikandar ne apne aap se kaha:
"Mere paas aur koi rasta hi nahi."
Class ke chand minute baad hi Mr. Joseph andar aaye. Sikandar ne foran haath uthaya aur kaha:
“Sir, main aapse baat karna chahta hoon.”
Mr. Joseph ne sir hila kar use bahar bulaya.
“Tumhe accept kar liya gaya hai, yeh khabar mili mujhe,” Mr. Joseph muskuraye.
Sikandar ne pal bhar socha, phir jhoot bol diya:
“Sir, main aur Adhara ek din ki chhutti lena chahte hain. Tournament ki tayari ke liye training karni hai.”
Mr. Joseph ne bhonwein charhai, “Sach mein training? Main ne kuch afwahen suni hain tum dono ke bare mein.”
Sikandar ne hairani se poocha, “Kaunsi afwahen?”
Mr. Joseph thoda jhijhak kar bola, “Kuch students keh rahe hain ke tum... ekhm... Adhara ko sexually choke kar rahe the.”
Sikandar ka khoon garam ho gaya, woh zor se chilla uthha:
“YEH AFWAH KISNE PHAILAYI!!”
Mr. Joseph peechay hat gaye, “Aray aray, itna gussa kyun? Bas students ki bakwaas hai.”
Sikandar ne apni ghalti mehsoos ki aur foran jhuk kar bola, “I’m sorry, sir! Mujhse control nahi raha.”
Mr. Joseph ne uljhi nazar se kaha, “Koi baat nahi. Training pe focus karo.”
Jab woh wapas class ki taraf gaye to Sikandar ne andar hi andar kaha:
"Ghussa daba ke rakhna bohot mushkil ho raha hai."
Usne Adhara ko ishara kiya ke bahar aajaye, magar dekha ke Rosie pehle hi darwaze ke paas unka intezaar kar rahi thi.
Sikandar ne hairani se poocha, “Tum yahan kya kar rahi ho?”
Rosie masoomi se boli, “Main bhi tum dono ke sath chal rahi hoon. Tumhari problem meri bhi problem hai.”
Sikandar ka rang udd gaya, “Rosie, wapas jao! Yeh bohot khatarnaak hai. Main khud ko control nahi kar paunga.”
Rosie ne ziddi lehje mein kaha, “Main khud ko protect kar sakti hoon.”
Sikandar ne dono kandhon se pakad kar gusse se kaha, “Tum samajh nahi rahi ho! Mera power Dark Moon mein aur barh jayega. Main yeh tumhari bhalai ke liye keh raha hoon.”
Lekin Rosie ne mooh pher kar kaha, “Main chalungi, chahe tumhe pasand aaye ya na aaye!”
Aakhir woh rank-four protection rune nikal lati jo uske walidain ne diya tha.
Sikandar ne thandi saans le kar haar maan li.
Rosie ko rokna bekaar hai.
Is waqt Adhara khamosh thi, uske haath abhi bhi kaamp rahe the.
Sikandar ne naram lehje mein poocha, “Adhara, kya ho raha hai? Mujhse baat karo.”
Achanak Adhara cheekh uthi, “STOP TALKING!!”
Uski aankhon mein peeli roshni chamak uthi.
Guzarte students sab unki taraf dekhne lage.
Sikandar foran Adhara ko pakad kar usay wahan se door le gaya taa keh shak na ho.
Woh dono ladkiyon ko car mein bithata hai aur bina waqt zaya kiye Emham Forest ki taraf nikal padta hai.
Adhara sar pakad kar karah rahi thi.
Sikandar ne steering pakde hue socha:
“System, abhi raat nahi hui. Adhara ko itna dard kyun ho raha hai?”
<System: Lack of Willpower leads to Half-Werewolves losing control even before nightfall. The user’s high Willpower protects him, but Adhara’s past trauma weakens her resistance.>
Sikandar ne daant kas liye.
“Woh apne baap ke zulm ki wajah se mental strength mein peechay reh gayi hai...”
Car traffic cheer kar tez raftari se nikal rahi thi. Horns baj rahe the, log galiyan de rahe the, lekin Sikandar ko parwaah nahi thi.
Rosie ne ghabra kar kaha, “Adhara theek ho jaayegi na?”
Sikandar ne rear mirror se uski taraf dekha aur kahaa, “Sacchi baat to yeh hai ke mujhe khud nahi pata... yeh pehli baar hai ke maine kisi ko Half-Werewolf banaya hai.”
Rosie cheekh padi, “Tumhe pehle se prepare karna chahiye tha, stupid!”
Sikandar sir khuja kar bas chup ho gaya.
25 minute ke pagalpan bhari drive ke baad woh akhir Emham Forest pohanch gaye.
Yeh forest Ratmawati City ke andar UWO ke control mein hai. Yahan naye Awakened mutated janwaron se lad kar practice karte hain.
Jungle mein janwar rank three tak ke hote hain.
Yahan aam insaan nahi aa sakta, sirf Awakened ko entry milti hai.
Sikandar ko yaad aya ke pehli dafa usne chhup kar bina guard ke dekhe jungle mein entry li thi.
Ab wohi jagah phir uske imtihaan ka markaz banne wali thi...
Sikandar abhi tak yeh samajh nahi pa raha tha ke aik Cyclop jaise creature Ratmawati City tak kaise pohanch gaya. Ye mumkin hi nahi tha ke koi Supernatural is sheher ke andar ghus sake.
Sikandar aur dono ladkiyan Emham Forest ke entrance par pohanchte hain jo armed soldiers ke hifazat mai tha. Unhon ne apni student IDs dikhayi. Guards ne scan kar ke unhein andar jane ki ijaazat de di.
Rosie, Adhara ko sahara de kar chal rahi thi. Soldiers ki nazrein Adhara par tik gayin, lekin unhon ne koi dakhal nahi diya aur teeno ko andar jane diya.
Emham Forest… ghana jungle jahan har taraf jangli janwar aur ek ajeeb si nami bhari hawa thi. Yeh jungle insano se bilkul untouched lagta tha, is liye Sikandar ko yaqeen tha ke yahan kahin na kahin koi cave zaroor hogi jo Adhara ko Dark Moon ke asar se bacha sake.
Adhara mushkil se chal rahi thi. Rosie ne uska bazu apne kandhe par daal rakha tha, aur dono mil kar Sikandar ke saath shelter ki talash mai phirne lage.
Din dhalta gaya, lekin unhein sirf darakht aur ek jharna mila. Ghanto ki thakan ke baad woh ek bade darakht ke neeche baith gaye. Mutated animals kabhi kabhi saamne aa jate, magar Sikandar ki aankhon mai dekh kar woh khud hi peeche hat jate. Unhein mehsoos ho raha tha ke Sikandar shikar nahi, balki shikari hai — aur food chain ke sabse upar.
Lekin waqt guzarne ke sath Sikandar ke andar ka gussa ubharne laga. Rosie ne mehsoos kiya ke woh khamosh hota ja raha hai, uski aankhen brown se dark blue rang mai chamak rahi thi. Maahaul itna intense tha ke Rosie uski taraf dekhne ki himmat bhi nahi kar pa rahi thi.
Thodi dair aaram karne ke baad Sikandar achanak uth khada hua aur ishara kiya ke chalo. Suraj dhal raha tha, aasmaan ka golden orange rang dheere dheere andhere mai ghul raha tha. Usne apne stats check kiye — Dark Moon bas teen ghante door tha.
Achanak uske jism se safed dhuan nikalna shuru ho gaya. Din ka dhoop uske jism ko jalan dene lagi. Ek ajeeb si bechaini uske andar phail gayi. Uske jazbaat usay ek taraf kheench rahe thay — aur uska instinct use jharnay ki taraf le gaya.
Rosie Adhara ko uthaye peeche chal rahi thi, lekin Adhara ke chehre par takleef saaf likhi thi. Rosie bhi bechain hoti ja rahi thi.
Jharnay ke paas pohanch kar Sikandar ko uske peechay aik darar dikhi. Woh foran us darar mai ghus gaya aur ek chhupi hui cave daryaft ki. Agar us waqt uska instinct na jagta to shayad woh kabhi yeh cave na dhoondh pate.
Teeno cave ke andar chale gaye. Andhera itna ghana tha ke Rosie apne haath bhi nahi dekh pa rahi thi, bas Sikandar ke qadmon ki aahat ka sahara le kar chal rahi thi.
Achanak Sikandar ruk gaya. Saans phoolti hui awaz mai bola:
“Adhara ko yahan rakh do. Rosie, tum bahar chali jao aur kisi safe jagah ruk jao. Meri awaz sunne tak wapis mat aana. Agar meri awaz na aaye… to kabhi humein dhoondhna mat.”
Rosie kuch kehna chahti thi, lekin usne samajh liya ke waqt behas ka nahi hai. Woh sirf sar hila kar bahar nikal gayi.
Cave ke andheray mai sirf Sikandar aur Adhara reh gaye. Sikandar deewar se lag kar baitth gaya, apna seena daba kar bas saans le raha tha.
Waqt guzarta gaya, raat hone lagi. Aasmaan mai chand barh chuka tha, lekin aaj ka chand ajeeb aur siyah sa lag raha tha. Jaise andhera uspar cha gaya ho.
Sikandar ke haath mai pakri pathar dab kar toot gayi. Uska seena aise jal raha tha jaise andar se koi aag bhadak rahi ho. Woh deewar se apna sar takra raha tha, bechaini itni barh gayi thi ke khud ko rokna mushkil tha.
Dusri taraf Adhara bhi badal rahi thi. Uske nakhun lamba aur tez ho rahe thay, woh zameen ko paagalon ki tarah noch rahi thi.
Sikandar ne apne haath dekhe — wahi haal uske sath bhi tha.
Tabhi uski aankhon ke samne system notifications chamak uthay:
<Dark Moon will start in ten minutes!>
<Checking the user's Stats...>
<Adding Mental stat into the user's Sanity...>
<Decreasing Berserk stat using the excessive Mental stat...>
Aur phir…
CRACK!!
Sikandar zameen par gir kar tarapne laga. Uske jism ki haddiyan tootne ki awaaz aane lagi, aur safed dhuan aur ghana hota gaya.
“AAAKH!!” Adhara bhi cheekh uthi.
Aur phir system ki thandi, khaufnaak notification chamki:
<Dark Moon has arrived>
---
Aaj ke liye itnah hi.
I hope aap sub ko ye episode pasind ahye gah..
Like target same 30 likes.
Aur next update ap ke liye mega update ho gah..
Apne comments aur apne suggestions zaror diya karo..
Comments boht kaam hoti hai aap sub ki..
Milty hai next episode par.. Tab tak ke liye....
Thanks and bye..
