Drago: The Beginning Of Darkness

After meeting Nishan, Safal walked back with a strange unease. Each step felt heavier, as though unseen chains were dragging him down. His mind was clouded, memories—or were they dreams?—swirling chaotically. As he approached the group, a sudden surge of pain gripped his body, causing him to stagger. He clutched his chest, gasping for air. Then it came, a voice, cold and relentless, echoing in his mind:

"Sacrifices. Sacrifices must be made. Protect your brother. Kill the king."

The words sent shivers down his spine. His pulse quickened, and his vision blurred. Were these remnants of a forgotten past? Or something more sinister? The voice grew louder, overpowering his thoughts, filling every corner of his mind until it was all he could hear. Then it happened—his body began to change.

First, his eyes turned a menacing shade of red, glowing like embers in the dark. His hair grew longer, cascading to the back of his neck, wild and untamed. His skin darkened, not as if it were merely changing but merging with the very essence of darkness itself. The transformation was agonizing, and his screams echoed through the camp, drawing everyone's attention.

Ram, Kavya, and the others rushed to the scene, their faces frozen in shock. Kavya, always quick to act, summoned her Pyrokinesis, creating a blazing ring of fire to contain Safal's rampage. The fire crackled fiercely, illuminating the night with an ominous glow. But before anyone could react further, Safal's voice boomed, resonating with an unnatural power:

"Put out the fire."

The words were not a request; they were a command. In the blink of an eye, Kavya obeyed, extinguishing the flames without hesitation. Her expression was one of terror and confusion as if her body had acted against her will.

Varun, watching from the sidelines, was both terrified and awed. "So this is why Nishan placed his hopes on Safal," he muttered under his breath. The power to command others with mere words—it was a terrifying gift. Yet, it seemed to only work on those blessed with the world's mysterious powers, the so-called "power holders." Ordinary humans were immune to Safal's influence.

Realizing the danger, the skilled fighters among them, including Kavya and Varun, sprang into action. Kavya unleashed a flurry of controlled flames, while Varun, wielding his telekinetic abilities, worked to subdue Safal without causing further harm. Together, they managed to bring him back from the brink. The darkness receded, leaving Safal unconscious but alive. The group exchanged uneasy glances, their breaths heavy, understanding just how precarious their situation was.

Despite the chaos, the ceremony proceeded as planned. Vinay, Ram, and Meera were presented with the legendary Mighty Plant, a test of their courage and determination. The plant's shimmering, ethereal glow seemed to mock them, its beauty belying the potential agony it promised. Seeing Safal's earlier torment, they hesitated. The risk was palpable, but their resolve held firm.

Vinay stepped forward first, his jaw clenched. Without a word, he bit into the plant. His face twisted briefly in disgust as the bitter taste hit his tongue, but he swallowed it down. He wiped his mouth, then grinned.

"Tastes like despair," he joked, trying to lighten the mood.

The group laughed nervously, grateful for the brief reprieve. Meera followed suit, her expression unreadable. She ate silently, her stoicism unshaken, though a faint shiver betrayed the storm raging within her.

Then came Ram. All eyes were on him as he took the plant. He hesitated for a moment, then brought it to his lips. As the others watched, he appeared to eat it. But in a subtle sleight of hand, he discreetly tossed it away when no one was looking. Why did he do it? Was he merely afraid of transforming into a monster, or did he have another reason entirely?

Varun, ever the observer, noticed the act but chose to remain silent. Instead, he broke the tension with a quip. "Well, congratulations on not turning into monsters… yet. Though Vinay's face does look a little more monstrous. Or is that just the Mighty Plant working its magic?"

Vinay groaned, rolling his eyes. "Oh, come on, Varun. At least my hair's not trying to start a rebellion like yours."

The group chuckled, the tension easing slightly. But the weight of what lay ahead was undeniable. Each of them knew the risks, the sacrifices that might be required. The Mighty Plant was just the beginning.

Varun addressed them seriously, his usual humor fading. "Listen up. Your abilities won't manifest immediately. It might take days, weeks, even months. But when they do, you must remember the risk. If any of you lose control, the consequences could be catastrophic."

His gaze swept over the group, lingering on Safal. The young man lay nearby, still unconscious, his face pale but peaceful. "To ensure everyone's safety, you'll all be chained while you sleep. It's not ideal, but it's necessary. Tomorrow, we'll start training. I'll teach you how to control your powers and prevent any… unfortunate incidents."

The group nodded, the gravity of their situation sinking in. The air was heavy with unspoken fears, but there was also a flicker of determination in their eyes. They had chosen this path, and there was no turning back.

As the others dispersed, preparing for the long night ahead, Varun lingered. He stared at Safal, his thoughts a whirlwind of worry and curiosity. What exactly had Nishan seen in this boy? And what price would they all pay for his potential?

In the quiet of the night, as the stars glimmered faintly above, Safal stirred. His eyes fluttered open, briefly flashing red before returning to their normal hue. He sat up slowly, still caught between darkness and light. One thing was clear—their battle was only beginning. And the storm that awaited them was far more dangerous than any of them could imagine.