Rudra Eswar: The Multiversal Odyssey.

(A/N): Guys, I read a Fanfic where the Author posts a funny meme. any meme along with his readers. To make the chapter interactive. 

So I decided to take inspiration from it. 

Drop a meme here that you find funny. Or reflects your mood.

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Highway – Crash Site...

After 15 minutes...

The screech of tires broke the eerie stillness as Anish Shetty's black SUV came to a halt near the wrecked car.

Dust swirled under the headlights as he stepped out, followed by his wife—

Her face was pale with worry—

and Guru Arvind, calm but stern-eyed.

Behind them, another vehicle pulled up.

Shiva, Amirtha, and Junoo quickly got out, their eyes widening as they saw the mangled remains of Rudra's car and the bloodstains along the roadside.

"Rudra!"

Amirtha called out, her voice tight with panic.

From the edge of the scene,

Rudra stepped into view, shirt stained with blood—

Not all of it is his.

He raised a hand to reassure them.

"I'm okay,"

He said, just as Junoo ran to him, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist.

Seconds later,

The wailing siren of an ambulance pierced the night.

A white van skidded to a stop as paramedics rushed out.

Behind it, a police highway patrol car followed, lights flashing.

And then… more cars arrived—

Sleek black SUVs, motorcycles, and a few discreet civilian vehicles.

Doors flung open, and more than a dozen people stepped out—

Men and women in dark jackets, many with sigils stitched on their sleeves.

One of them—

A tall man with a trimmed beard and scanning eyes—

Approached Guru Arvind with a crisp salute.

"Sir,"

He said,

"Brahmanāsh team reporting in. We arrived as soon as your call came through."

The others followed suit, greeting Guru Arvind with respect before quickly assessing the area.

Anish turned to the nearest officer, who was already speaking with one of the Brahmanāsh operatives.

The officer looked uncertain until he received a buzz on his walkie-talkie.

After a brief exchange, his demeanour shifted noticeably.

"Understood, sir,"

The officer said.

"We've just received clearance from higher-ups. We'll fully cooperate with your team."

Guru Arvind nodded in appreciation.

Nod~ 

"Secure the area. No media, no leaks. I want the scene cleaned and the boys treated."

The paramedics moved quickly.

Ravi, Tarun, and Rohit were placed on stretchers and lifted into the ambulance.

Anish's wife held Rohit's hand, eyes glistening with tears as she sat beside him inside the vehicle.

Rudra, still sore and bruised, watched silently.

"____"

Anish walked over, clapping a hand on his shoulder.

"You did well, Rudra. You kept them alive."

Rudra offered a faint smile.

"____"

Guru Arvind looked toward the totalled car and then back at Rudra.

His eyes narrowed—

Not with anger, but calculation. 

"We'll talk later. For now, stay with them. The danger isn't over."

Rudra nodded.

Nod~ 

The ambulance pulled away, red lights flashing in the rearview, as Anish, Rudra, and the others climbed into the vehicles behind.

Rudra's own car was crumpled metal now, a reminder of how close they had come to disaster.

Government Hospital, Ooty...

Emergency Ward...

The faint smell of antiseptic and the soft hum of medical machines filled the emergency room.

Ravi, Tarun, and Rohit lay on adjacent beds, being tended to by nurses and doctors under the watchful eyes of Anish's wife.

She sat beside Rohit and Tarun, holding their uninjured hand tightly as tears finally slipped down her cheeks—

Silent, relieved tears.

In the corridor outside, a tense group had gathered:

Rudra, Anish, Guru Arvind, Amirtha, Junoo, and Shiva.

Their faces were pale but composed, each of them bearing the weight of what had just occurred.

Rudra stood near the wall, arms crossed.

His shirt, stained and torn, was draped over his shoulder.

A bottle of water dangled from his other hand.

"They weren't just random attackers."

Rudra said quietly, gaze locked on the floor.

"They were organised. They have something which could detect Astras."

Guru Arvind nodded slowly.

Nod~ 

"I agree. This wasn't some petty gang. They will come even more prepared."

Anish, still fuming beneath his calm demeanour, asked,

"Did you manage to identify any of them?"

Rudra shook his head.

"I didn't need to. One of them said they were part of a gang working for someone bigger. And the one who seemed like the leader…"

He paused.

"Naman."

Amirtha's eyes widened slightly.

"____"

"____"

"____"

There was a moment of silence before Rudra looked around.

"Wait. Where's Sandeep?"

Junoo, who had been quiet until now, replied quickly.

"He stayed back at the hotel."

She said.

"We thought someone needed to look after things while we all came here."

Rudra blinked, then gave a soft, approving nod.

Nod~ 

"Smart. That means the inn's safe, and we can regroup there."

Shiva stepped forward, his brow furrowed.

Frown~ 

"What about the bodies back there?"

Anish answered firmly,

"The Brahmanāsh team is handling cleanup. Police reports are being managed under high-level supervision. No leaks. No questions."

Guru Arvind turned to Rudra.

"From this point on, we don't move alone. These attacks won't stop. And if Dev is truly awakening, then things will only get worse."

Rudra took a long sip of water, his eyes distant but focused.

Gulp~ 

"Then let them come,"

He said.

"We will show them who we are."

Junoo placed a hand on his arm, smiling faintly.

"Yes, we will."

Amirtha nodded, her voice firm.

Nod~ 

"To the very end."

Just then, the emergency room doors creaked open.

A nurse stepped out and called gently,

"You can see them now. They're stable."

Everyone exhaled in relief.

Rudra placed a hand on Guru Arvind's shoulder.

"Let's go talk to them. And then... we plan our next move."

The relief that had begun to bloom in the corridor was instantly shattered by the sharp trill of a mobile phone.

Everyone turned as Guru Arvind pulled his device from his jacket pocket.

One glance at the caller ID, and he answered without a word.

The others continued toward the emergency room—

Until they heard it.

A trembling exhale.

They turned back.

Guru Arvind stood frozen.

"____"

His hand, still holding the phone, trembled.

His usually calm, collected face had gone pale.

Eyes wide.

Breathe shallow.

"Guruji?"

Amirtha asked gently, stepping forward.

But before she could reach him,

Guru Arvind's knees gave out.

Shiva, quick as ever, caught him just in time, easing him into a nearby chair.

Everyone surrounded him, confused and deeply alarmed.

"____"

"____"

"____"

The phone slipped from his fingers, landing screen-up on the floor—

THUD.

Still connected.

A broken whisper escaped his lips as silence settled like a storm cloud over them.

Then, in a voice none of them had ever heard from him—

Shattered, hollow—

Guru Arvind spoke.

"The council… today… three elders… they… they betrayed the Brahmanāsh Code."

His hands clenched as his body trembled.

"They slaughtered the remaining five... in the sacred chamber itself."

Gasps broke out around him.

This is a big shock because fighting in a sacred chamber is the iron rule which shouldn't be broken, even Dev or any other before them didn't break it.

If they did, they would be hunted down no matter what.

Junoo's hands flew to her mouth.

Rudra stiffened, his jaw tightening.

Amirtha took a step back, eyes wide in disbelief—

Stood frozen.

Guru Arvind continued, as if every word cost him a piece of his soul.

"They've joined Dev. He… he promised them something. Something they desired more than loyalty. More than honour."

His eyes met Rudra's, filled with grief and quiet fury.

"Now… only one Elder of Brahmanāsh remains."

A heavy silence followed.

"____"

"____"

"____"

Rudra clenched his fists, the veins on his arms tightening.

"You."

Guru Arvind nodded weakly.

Nod~ 

"Yes. I am the last."

Everyone stood there, stunned.

The very core of their resistance had been torn apart in a single betrayal.

Amirtha whispered,

"This… changes everything."

Rudra's voice, calm but burning with quiet fire, cut through the air.

"Then we make a new core. Right here. Right now."

Guru Arvind looked up at him, a flicker of strength returning to his eyes.

"We have to. For those we lost. For what Brahmanāsh was meant to protect."

He slowly stood, with Shiva's support.

His legs still trembled, but his resolve hardened like steel.

"Dev is moving faster than we expected. We must rally what remains. And we cannot lose you, Rudra."

Rudra nodded.

Nod~ 

"You won't. But from now on, we act with eyes wide open. No more trust without proof."

He turned to the others—

Anish, Amirtha, Shiva, Junoo.

"If the council has fallen… then the war has begun."

One Hour Earlier...

Brahmanāsh Council Grounds...

The sun filtered through the carved stone latticework of the ancient council compound, its golden light spilling onto the corridor where Rajendra and Anvi walked side by side.

Despite the tension in the world, their conversation carried a sense of practised calm.

Two warriors accustomed to walking in the shadow of danger.

"Meena and Tejas should be fine handling our sectors."

Anvi said, her tone even but watchful.

"But Dev's pawns are moving faster than we expected."

Rajendra gave a slight nod, adjusting the edge of his shirt.

Nod~ 

"Tejas is sharp. Meena is ruthless when she needs to be. We trained them well."

Anvi glanced at him sidelong, a teasing smile tugging at her lips.

"What we didn't train was your ability to talk to your own father properly."

Rajendra sighed, rolling his eyes with a slight groan.

"____"

Sigh~ 

"Not this again."

"Oh, come on,"

She nudged him playfully.

"Acharya Vedan may be a pain, but he's still your father and one of the Council Elders. You could at least pretend not to hate him."

"I don't hate him,"

Rajendra muttered.

"I just… disagree with everything he stands for. He never forgave me for joining Guru Arvind's gurukul instead of inheriting his legacy. Said I was throwing away centuries of our family's path."

Anvi smirked.

Smirk~ 

"Well, you kind of did."

Rajendra gave her a sharp look, but before he could retort—

"So your brain still functions after all, Rajendra?"

A voice, familiar and barbed with sarcasm, echoed from the archway ahead.

An old man in flowing ochre robes stepped out of the shadows—

Acharya Vedan, Rajendra's father.

His white beard was neatly combed, eyes sharp and judgmental as ever.

But beneath his stern exterior was a flicker of amusement…

The kind that always lit their arguments on fire.

"Still loyal to that wide-eyed idealist, Arvind? Thought you'd outgrow your rebellion by now."

Rajendra's jaw tightened.

"Better a wide-eyed idealist than a blind traditionalist living in the past."

Vedan let out a dry laugh.

"Still that silver tongue of yours. One day it'll get you killed."

"Only if you don't do it first,"

Rajendra shot back.

Anvi held back a snort of laughter as the two men continued walking—

Bickering with the ease of people who've had the same argument for decades.

The trio moved down the ornate corridor toward the council chamber, their voices trailing off.

As the heavy double doors of the Council Hall swung open, the air shifted.

The chatter faded.

The warm tones of casual bickering turned solemn.

"____"

Acharya Vedan, who moments ago was scolding his son like a grouchy grandfather, now stood tall—

His expression was composed and regal.

The weight of his years, wisdom, and pride settled onto his shoulders as he stepped across the polished marble floor.

The flickering golden flames from enchanted lamps lined the circular chamber, casting long shadows on the etched emblems of each Council Elder on the stone walls.

He walked to the raised dais and took his seat with a respectful nod to his fellow Elders.

Seated at the sacred council table were seven others:

Elder Maitreya –

A calm, white-haired man with a short beard and penetrating eyes.

Known as the "Silent Judge" of the Council, his wisdom was revered by all.

Elder Rukmini Devi –

A woman in her early sixties, dressed in layered violet robes, her hands adorned with prayer beads.

A seeress and keeper of sacred scrolls, her voice was both feared and sought for its clarity in times of doubt.

Elder Surya Vardhan –

A heavily built man with a booming voice, always speaking from the heart.

His speciality lay in astral alignment and protection runes.

Known for being one of the oldest loyalists of the Brahmanāsh code.

Elder Kalavati –

A sharp-featured woman with eyes like cold steel and a silver streak in her hair.

She was a master of intelligence gathering and had an infamous temper.

Many feared her more than they did enemies.

Elder Abhinav –

Youngest of the Council Elders, barely in his forties, with short hair and a scholar's mind.

Though idealistic, he had earned his place with contributions to the Arcane Vaults and purification rites.

Elder David –

An elder with a laid-back personality who didn't care about anything.

Acharya Maria –

An elder who seems to be gloomy and in deep thought if she were thinking something dangerous.

One Seat Left Empty –

The seat of Guru Arvind.

It bore his symbol: a golden flame cradled by two hands, a sign of protector and nurturer.

Acharya Vedan's eyes locked onto the empty chair.

"Hmph,"

He grunted with visible irritation.

"And where, may I ask, is our revered guru? While we sit here guarding ancient oaths, he's probably out playing kitchen games with children and stray animals!"

Some of the other elders chuckled faintly—

Chuckle~ 

Mostly Kalavati, who never passed up an opportunity to mock Arvind's compassion.

"He believes in grooming the next generation."

Elder Rukmini said softly, with a hint of reproach.

"A value some of us may have forgotten."

Rajendra and Anvi stood at the edge of the hall as the elders murmured among themselves.

Despite the banter, a palpable tension hung over the chamber.

Something wasn't right.

Rajendra could feel it in his bones.

Acharya Vedan leaned forward, tapping the hilt of his walking staff on the stone.

"Let us begin the proceedings. Dev's agents are moving. If we don't—"

But before he could finish—

A shadow passed over the chamber.

As the discussion continued...

As the final topic of the day shifted to Rudra—

Wielder of the Brahmāstra—

Elder Maria leaned back in her chair, her weathered eyes narrowing.

A heavy silence hung in the air.

"____"

"____"

"____"

Then, with an almost dismissive sigh, she spoke.

Sigh~ 

"If a brat like him can control such power,"

She said coldly,

"Why not give it to Dev and bring him back to Brahmanāsh?"

The words hit the chamber like a thunderclap.

Several elders froze mid-breath.

At the head of the table,

BOOOM! 

Acharya Vedan's palm came down with such force that the thick marble cracked beneath it.

He rose sharply, the anger in his eyes raw and unfiltered.

"Watch your words, Maria."

He warned, his voice a low growl.

"This council will not tolerate treason draped in logic."

Elder Rukmini Devi's fingers tightened around her prayer beads as she stood beside him.

"To even mention Dev in this chamber is an insult to everything we stand for."

Kalavati's dagger slipped from her sleeve with a metallic whisper.

Abhinav and David exchanged a glance, both stepping forward in silent defiance.

Support was building—

Until a strange quiet fell upon the others.

Surya Vardhan and Maitreya remained still.

Too still.

As if they weren't shocked.

As if they agreed.

Then came the sound—

A soft chuckle.

Chuckle~ 

"____"

Maria.

Her laugh was quiet at first.

Then deeper.

Younger.

Before their eyes, her body began to change.

Wrinkles disappeared.

Her silvered hair turned ink-black.

The stoop in her back vanished.

She stood taller now, her skin flawless and glowing with power long hidden.

Gasps erupted across the room.

"____"

"____"

"____"

A moment later, Surya Vardhan shed his council robes, revealing a web of runes scorched into his skin, pulsating with dark energy.

Beside him, Maitreya's staff dissolved into a cruel spear laced with black fire, and a grin stretched unnaturally across his face.

"What have you done…"

Whispered Rukmini.

Maria's eyes gleamed crimson.

"What you were too afraid to do. We chose freedom. Dev offers that."

Kalavati moved first, lunging with her blade.

Maria's hand shot up, catching the weapon mid-air—

And shattering it like glass.

With a flick of her wrist, a pulse of energy sent Kalavati crashing into a marble pillar.

Abhinav raised a sigil shield, only for Surya's burning fist to crash through it like paper, knocking him off his feet.

David barely had time to react before Maitreya's spear slashed across his neck, his body collapsing in a silent heap.

Pandemonium broke loose.

Rukmini tried to use her Astra, which requires chanting,

But Maria countered it effortlessly.

Her rosary turned into barbed chains, coiling around her neck with a hiss.

Kalavati staggered up again, bloodied but determined—

Only to be engulfed by Surya's flames.

Acharya Vedan tore a solid bronze pillar from the floor, wielding it like a warhammer.

He charged Maria, smashing through her shield and forcing her to stumble back—

But she was still smiling.

"____"

Acharya Vedan's sharp gaze swept across the chamber as the air thickened with the traitors' rising power.

A dark aura pulsed from Surya Vardhan, Maitreya, and the newly transformed Maria.

Twisted shadows of the elders they once were.

They weren't just betrayers.

They were monsters now.

Vedan's fists tightened as he turned toward his son and daughter-in-law—

Rajendra and Anvi—

Standing frozen near the shattered doorway.

From within his blood-stained robes,

Vedan retrieved a blood-red ruby orb, its surface etched with runes older than the council itself.

Without a word, he crushed it in his hand.

The crystal exploded into scarlet light, enveloping Rajendra and Anvi in a protective dome of shimmering energy.

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(Author's POV)

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