Shadowflame rising

The village was under attack again.

This time, no one came to help.

No Master Vishma.

No Asura.

No Daksha.

Not even the village leader.

Only the village guards… and Parashu.

The Kara Army stormed in like monsters. They showed no mercy—burning houses, killing people, taking whatever they wanted.

Parashu ran through the fire and screams, trying to help whoever he could. He swung his axe again and again, fighting beside Veerath, the village guard captain.

> "We can't stop them!" Veerath shouted, blood on his face. "They're too many!"

Parashu looked around—people crying, dying. The sky was black with smoke.

He didn't reply. He just kept fighting.

Then… everything went quiet for a moment.

From the middle of the flames, Jalandhara, the general of the Kara Army, appeared. His black armor was glowing faintly in the firelight. His sword was wet with blood.

Beside him stood a huge man—one of the Kara generals. Tall, wearing a mask like a demon. He raised his hand and pointed at Parashu.

> "That boy… he's the one. Take him alive."

Parashu didn't run.

He stood tall and held his axe tightly.

Kara soldiers rushed at him. Veerath fought to protect Parashu, yelling, "Go! Get out of here!"

But Parashu didn't move. He shouted and attacked, cutting down soldier after soldier. His hands were shaking, his body was tired—but he didn't stop.

Then the Kara general reached him.

They fought.

Spear against axe. Blow after blow.

Parashu gave it everything he had—but the general was too strong.

One hit sent Parashu crashing to the ground. The general walked over and stepped on his chest, pinning him down. He raised his spear.

> "You don't belong in this world," the general said. "Let me end this."

As the spear came down—

Something broke inside Parashu.

A strange pain shot through his chest. His heart pounded hard, louder than anything. His eyes flew open.

And then…

It awakened.

His eyes turned gold.

His skin glowed faintly, black lines running through his arms.

The wind around him changed—it became heavy and sharp.

The Kara general stepped back, shocked.

Parashu slowly stood up. The axe in his hand was glowing. Something ancient had taken over his body—something powerful.

Then, with one scream, a shockwave burst from Parashu. Soldiers were thrown away like leaves.

Even Jalandhara stared.

> "So… it's true," he whispered. "The blood has awakened."

Parashu stood there, glowing in the middle of fire and ash.

Not a boy anymore.

But something more.

Something... terrifying.

---

Parashu stood in silence, his eyes glowing gold.

Dark veins pulsed under his skin. His breath was deep… broken… like something ancient was breathing through him.

The Kara general took a step back.

> "What… what is this boy?"

Before anyone could answer, Parashu moved.

Not ran. Not walked.

He flashed.

His axe split the Kara general in half with a scream of energy—not a clean cut, but something more violent. The body twisted, shredded from inside. Blood sprayed, but Parashu didn't even blink.

Then… he turned.

More Kara soldiers rushed in—brave or foolish. It didn't matter.

Parashu tore through them.

One swing of the axe shattered bones.

One roar sent a wave of force that crushed warriors into the ground.

But something was wrong.

His hands were shaking. His face—twisted, confused. His breath had changed into growls.

Veerath limped toward him, bleeding but alive.

> "Parashu! Stop! You're—"

He didn't finish.

Parashu's axe turned toward him. His glowing eyes didn't recognize friend from foe.

He attacked.

Veerath barely dodged—his shoulder still got slashed, blood pouring out.

> "No… no, this isn't you!"

Parashu screamed. The sound wasn't human. The wind howled. The earth cracked. A storm of raw energy exploded from his body—burning trees, tearing down houses. Even the village soldiers who were trying to help got caught in the blast.

They cried out for help.

But Parashu didn't hear them anymore.

He was gone.

What stood there now… was a weapon. A curse awakened too early.

Jalandhara, standing on a rooftop, watched the chaos with cold eyes.

> "So… this is what he's hiding," he whispered.

"The boy is dangerous. To us… and to everyone."

He gave a signal to retreat.

Kara soldiers fell back, some dragging wounded bodies, others screaming as they burned in the wild storm Parashu had become.

The village was in ruin—again.

But this time…

It wasn't the Kara Army who ended it.

It was Parashu.

He stood alone in the smoke and fire, blood dripping from his axe.

His body trembled. His heart beat like thunder.

And slowly… his eyes began to dim.