《Soul Hunter: Destiny Forged in Flames》 The Invitation The rhythmic chirping of birds filled the air as the sun set behind the towering apartments, casting long shadows across the park. The laughter and shouts of children playing echoed, amplified by the coconut trees swaying gently on the sidelines. Suddenly, a boy struck the ball with such force that it rolled to the feet of a man sitting on a bench, lost in thought. He picked up the ball and tossed it back with little energy before returning his gaze to a worn photo tucked neatly in his wallet¡ªa snapshot of his wife and son. The evening breeze rustled his white kurta, its fabric fluttering slightly but held in place by his heavy frame. Then his gaze was drawn towards a father teaching his one-year-old son to ride a bike. Father, his voice soft and calm, ¡°Peddle it.¡± Suddenly, his son appeared on the cycle, crying, ¡°Father, don¡¯t leave me,¡± as he pedaled a few meters. He looked away, letting his eyes wander towards the clouds, when a mid-aged couple approached¡­ ¡°We are with you, Raghvendra¡± said Mr. Kapoor, offering quiet comfort. ¡°You can call us at any time, Mr. Singh.¡± Softly added by his wife. They bade him goodbye and left the place with their son, Krishna. As they walked away, a mysterious suitcase appeared on the path, but only for a moment. Raghvendra¡¯s eyes locked onto it, and an unsettling voice echoed in his ears, ¡°Hell awaits you.¡± He shook his head in disbelief as the suitcase vanished, realizing with a chill that it had been nothing more than a hallucination. But was it? No, I need to hold myself together," he muttered, trying to steady his resolve. The sun finally set, and the moon took its charge in the night sky. Under the faint glow of the streetlight, he turned his head to the left, his eyes lingering on a charred, desolate bungalow as a suffocating weight settled on his chest. In the eerie silence his mind betrayed him, the echoes of their screams pierced his ears. His eyes turned numb and finally a single tear hesitantly traced a path down his cheek, another followed. He quickly wiped it away with his bare hand, but the tears continued their relentless path. When someone handed him a tissue. Startled, he turned to his right and saw a man in a suit sitting next to him with a briefcase. He accepted with a nod of gratitude. The soothing breeze turned into a gust of wind, its sudden force rustling the leaves as the echoes of a wolf¡¯s howl and a dog¡¯s bark shattered the park¡¯s stillness. Raghvendra, gathering what little courage he had left, stood up, silently acknowledging his internal lapse. Before he could bid the man goodbye, his eyes locked onto the suitcase¡ªa familiar sight from earlier. The man handed him a card: ¡°WELCOME TO HELL.¡± Raghvendra raised an eyebrow, his voice steady but tinged with disbelief, ¡°Is this really the moment for this kind of joke?¡± The man, unshaken, replied calmly, ¡°It¡¯s an offer of a lifetime.¡± Raghvendra¡¯s voice faltered, barely audible as he whispered, ¡°Offer of a lifetime,¡± his anger rising. His eyes flickering with rage. He took a closer look at the card before tearing it into pieces. ¡®And I reject it,¡¯ he said, turning to stride toward his house, scattering the torn fragments in the air. The man smirked as the fragments of the card spontaneously ignited, their flames flickering in the dim light, leaving behind his briefcase marked with the symbol of the Macabre¡ªa dead skull.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. The breeze exerted all its might to hinder Raghvendra¡¯s journey home. Yet, his grief-laden body stood firm as his thoughts lingered on the enigmatic appearance of the man in the suit. Gazing at the stars, he muttered inwardly, " All I am left with now are the fading echoes of you and our little monsters¡¯ memories¡± His eyes wandered, lost in the vastness of the sky, searching for some last flicker of hope, but disappointment soon etched itself across his face. With a heavy heart, he lowered his gaze and trudged forward, each step weighted with the burden of his thoughts. The next morning, Raghvendra was stirred awake by the cheerful chatter of a child. Before he could even determine whether it was another hallucination, a small voice called out, ¡°Wake up, Papa! Wake up!¡±. His son leaped onto him. ¡°Let¡¯s go play!¡±. When his wife entered with a tray, her tone soft but firm. ¡°First, eat something.¡± The boy grabbed a piece of toast. The woman sat beside Raghvendra, her movements gentle and deliberate, as she softly said, ''Recently it¡¯s been hard for you.¡± Raghavendra nodded as he wrapped her in his arms. His wife¡¯s eyes filled with concern, further added, ¡°But you need to move on.¡± Raghvendra, his voice crackling as he questioned, ¡°How?¡± She slowly freed herself from his grip and, with a pained look, replied, ¡°Find a purpose.¡± Suddenly, the air grew blisteringly hot, and flames erupted around them. Raghvendra watched in horror as the fire consumed everything in front of him. His wife screamed, clutching their son, whose face twisted in pain. ¡°Dad, you didn¡¯t save us!¡± The flames roared in his ears, the heat unbearable, and then, with a jolt, Raghvendra awoke¡ªdrenched in sweat, his heart pounding. He found himself back in his bed, the oppressive silence of the room a stark contrast to the nightmare he had just endured. He splashed cold water onto his face, the droplets trailing down as he stared at his reflection in the mirror. He murmured, ¡°What purpose?¡± His breath caught when his wife¡¯s face appeared beside his¡ªher features marred by burns, one side still hauntingly familiar, her eyes soft yet filled with sorrow. ¡°You should accept it,¡± she said gently. ¡°It will give your life a purpose¡ªand me, peace.¡± ¡°It might be another hallucination. Just like you, just like everything else I¡¯ve seen,¡± he argued, his voice trembling with frustration and fear. ¡°Or maybe a chance for us to reconcile,¡± she reassured His eyes welled up, emotions surging through him, but before he could respond, she vanished like a wisp of smoke. Shaken, Raghvendra wiped his face with a towel, steeling himself. He glanced at the photo of his wife and whispered, ¡®If there¡¯s any chance to be with you, I¡¯m going to take it. No matter what.¡± He then quickly hurried to the bench; his eyes fixed on the briefcase. Just as he reached for it, a hand rested on his shoulder. Startled, he turned to find the man in the suit was standing behind him. ¡°What¡¯s inside?¡± Raghvendra asked, his voice edged with curiosity. The man simply gestured toward the briefcase. ¡°Open it and see for yourself.¡± Raghvendra hesitated, then unlatched the briefcase. Inside was a single letter, on which in bold was written, ¡°KUA WELCOMES THE NEW SOUL HAUNTER.¡± The moment he read it; the sky turned black; clouds formed around him. Raghvendra, his voice trembling asked, ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± But the man remained unshaken, his coat clinging to him as though it were part of him, an unnatural stillness about him, ¡°Your chance.¡± He replied. When a surge of power lifted him off the ground. His eyes blazed with flames; lightning sparkled in his hand. Pain shot through his body as he shut his eyes, overwhelmed by the transformation as a sword materialized in his grip. The immense pain coursed through him, turning his veins a deep crimson red. He tried to look away, but his gaze caught on a boy nearby. His eyes locked on the child¡¯s face, confusion and anger warring within him. But to the boy¡ªand to anyone else in the park¡ªnothing seemed amiss. There was only a man in a suit, casually scrolling on his phone, as if nothing out of the ordinary was happening. Moments later, Raghvendra was flung to the ground, unconscious. As the suited man calmly picked him up and with a smirk, he vanished into thin air leaving behind a single note: ¡°WELCOME TO KUA.¡± The chosen/condemned one Raghvendra jolted awake, his wife gently removing his blanket and urging him to wake up. But as his eyes snapped open, he realized he wasn¡¯t in his room¡ªhe was in a dim, eerie cave. The silence was deafening, broken only by the sound of dripping water. Clenching his right hand, he felt the familiar hilt of the sword. A dark path stretched before him, faintly illuminated by the blueish light filtering through the gaps in the cave¡¯s rocky walls. He gulped his saliva, his grip tightening as he moved forward. The cave was full of small macabre symbols etched into the walls, their shapes twisted and grotesque, suddenly a gust of wind brushed past his face. His eyes bulged out as he swung his sword in panic, only the blade to cut through the still, oppressive air. Raghvendra took a deep breath, the stillness of the cave was only shattered by the pounding of his own heart Then, a hiss echoed in his ear, making him spin around. A droplet of sweat fell to the ground, but this time, it didn¡¯t echo, adding to the suffocating silence. He tightened his grip and held the sword in both of his hand, the sound of the dripping water also disappeared, the cave felt silent Before he could react, an invisible force slammed into him with crushing intensity, sending him flying several meters backward. He crashed to the ground, a sharp pain stabbing through his back. A silent scream escaped his lips as crimson red seeped from his mouth. He struggled to catch his breath; each inhalation was sharp and painful. His vision blurred, the edges of the world growing indistinct, while his body trembled with exhaustion and pain. When his son''s voice echoed in his mind, ¡°Father, get up! Get up!¡± The voice was firm, urging him forward with a sense of urgency, with every ounce of strength he could muster, Raghvendra reached out and gripped the sword. As his blood-soaked hand gripped the handle, the sword hummed with power, channeling its energy into him, healing his wounds in an instant. The sword radiating lightning with flames all around it. He suddenly rose, standing like a behemoth, his muscles rippling with newfound strength, arms outstretched as if defying the world around him. With just a single swing, the monsters disintegrated into ash. Suddenly Raghvendra fell to his knees, exhausted from the fight. He, trying to catch his breath, focused on the sword in his hand, attempting to make sense of the chaos that had just transpired. The silence of the cave seemed to stretch on¡ªuntil a sharp clap of hands broke it, echoing through the stillness Raghvendra¡¯s grip on his sword tightened, but his frantic, wide-eyed gaze softened. Before him, a figure emerged from the shadows¡ªa man cloaked in a long, flowing black coat, topped with a tall magician¡¯s hat that seemed to float above him. Following closely behind was an army, including that suit man. That man in coat spoke, his voice deep yet tinged with an unsettling joy. "Welcome to my kingdom, Raghvendra." Confused and overwhelmed, Raghvendra hesitantly asked, "Who are you? What is happening to me? The man with a smirk answered, ¡°OHH! Sorry! My name is KUA, half-brother of LORD YAMRAJ. This¡ª" he gestured expansively, "¡ªis my kingdom, Kua." He pointed upwards, ¡°My brother handles the good soul in heaven while me.¡± He pointed downwards, ¡°Handles the bad souls. And you, my BOY,¡± he said with a chilling grin, "you are my hunter." Raghvendra struggled to understand. "But why me? He replied, leaning on that suit man, ¡°Because of two reasons: First, you no longer have a family. And the second? Well, you¡¯ll understand when the time is right¡± Without waiting for a response, KUA turned to that man in the suit. "He¡¯s my best asset. He will explain and give you a tour."The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Without another word, KUA gestured to his army. "Carry on with your work." he lifted his hat and bid Raghvendra goodbye and vanished into the shadows. The man in the suit escorted Raghvendra into a room cloaked in pitch darkness, save for a single, glowing light illuminating a stone at the centre. The eerie stillness of the space seemed almost alive, pulsating with unspoken energy. Breaking the silence, Raghvendra asked, "What¡¯s your name?" "I don¡¯t have one, but you can call me Misty," the man replied. Raghvendra smirked. "Misty? Strange name for someone like you." Misty¡¯s sharp glare silenced him, and Raghvendra quickly apologized as they approached the stone. Misty stopped right before it, the faint glow casting long shadows across his face. "Your role," Misty explained, "is to hunt lingering souls¡ªthose who defy the Yamadootas (Messengers of Yamraj, who guides the soul afterlife) and refuse to move on. He waved his hand above the stone, and a large, transparent display materialized before them. In awe, Raghvendra asked, "What¡¯s this?" Misty replied, his tone steady, "It determines whether a soul ascends to heaven or descends into the depths of KUA." Raghvendra¡¯s eyes widened in shock as he asked, "What is KUA?" With a cold smirk, Misty¡¯s voice grew deeper, "HELL." Raghvendra¡¯s voice trembled as he asked, "Can I see my family?" Misty nodded, his gaze unwavering, and waved at the display. His eyes filled with a mix of fear and longing as he saw his wife, Muskan, and his son, Arjun¡¯s souls, asleep. Pointing at them, Raghvendra asked, his voice cracking, "Why does it say, ''To be decided''?" Misty replied quietly, "Their fate hasn¡¯t been decided yet." Before Raghvendra could ask further, Misty shushed him and said, "Enough for today." As Misty left, Raghvendra noticed another stone¡ªsmall and black¡ªin the shadows. Misty turned, his gaze dark and enigmatic. "Ready or not. It begins now.¡± And Misty left the room, leaving Raghvendra behind, alone. Inside an old apartment, filled with dust and decay. A group of three men were toying with the yamadootas when Misty and Raghvendra appeared at the entrance, they at first observed them as the three embarrassed the yamadootas by playing bullfighting with them. Seeing the condition of yamadootas, Raghvendra curiously asked, ¡°Why aren¡¯t the Yamadootas attacking them?¡± his voice tense. Misty with a calm demeanour replied, ¡°Because they are forbidden to interfere. That¡¯s where you come in.¡± Raghvendra again asked, ¡°And what did the three do?¡± Misty turned, his eyes filled with rage, ¡°Raped a three-year-old.¡± and the burn house of a poor on the orders of a wealthy tycoon.¡± Raghvendra staggered backward, a memory flashing vividly before his eyes¡ªthe day when he coldly instructed his secretary to forcefully evict poor families to clear the land for a mall project. A pang of guilt tightened his chest. When Misty¡¯s sharp snap jolted him back to the present. "Hey! We don¡¯t have time.¡± There, one of the men raised a stick, aiming to strike the Yamadootas, but Raghvendra stepped in. The man laughed, mocking his attempt, and said to his friends, ¡°Another Soul Hunter.¡± Raghvendra materialized his sword and swung at the man¡¯s neck, but he blocked it effortlessly with his bare hand. Shock etched Raghvendra¡¯s face as he turned to Misty. ¡°I forgot to mention,¡± Misty said coolly. ¡°The more dreadful things one does in life, the more powerful they become in the afterlife.¡± Before Raghvendra could react, a brutal kick sent him flying several meters away. Before Raghvendra could recover, the second man threw a radio at him as a distraction, while the third struck him from behind with a rod. Raghvendra collapsed, losing his grip on the sword. From afar, Misty shouted, ¡°Concentrate!¡±. One of the attackers lunged at Misty, but with a snap, Misty burst his hand into flames. Distracted, the second one hit Misty with a jar, knocking him down. The three laughed at them, mocking their failed attempt. When, from a distant echo, Muskan¡¯s voice pierced the fog of his mind. ¡°Time to show your power.¡± Her words, though faint, stirred something deep within him. The memories of his past, the guilt that had haunted him, surged to the surface, fueling his will to rise. As her words faded, the sword in his hand burst to life with flames and crackling lightning. With a swift swing, he decapitated one of the attackers, his body now glowing with an otherworldly energy. The remaining two charged at him, but Raghvendra stabbed them both, causing them to vanish into thin air. But from above, someone was silently observing it all. Echoes of Kua The radio crackled to life, its static filling the dimly lit apartment. "Mr. Raghvendra Singh, the real estate tycoon, has donated 90% of his property in memory of his wife and son.¡± Misty, standing near a lifeless body, barely lifted his gaze as he reached down, pulling a struggling soul from the corpse. ¡°Look, you¡¯re the breaking news now,¡± he remarked, his tone indifferent as he watched the soul writhe in his grip before finally submitting to the pull of the void. Raghvendra replied with a hollow tone, ¡°Just a common phenomenon.¡± As they carried the souls toward Kua, Raghvendra asked, ¡°What¡¯s your job?¡± Misty, taken aback, questioned, ¡°Mine?¡± Raghvendra nodded, and Misty replied, ¡°I¡¯m the keeper of these souls.¡± Raghvendra pressed further. ¡°And how did you come to this role?¡± Misty¡¯s voice grew hollow as he explained, ¡°I was left abandoned when I was three. Kua adopted me, and for over a millennium, I¡¯ve served him.¡± In awe, Raghvendra followed Misty as they approached the edge of a towering mountain. Without hesitation, Misty hurled the souls into the deep, dark valley below. Unable to contain his curiosity, Raghvendra asked, ¡°Am I the fast one... a soul hunter?¡± Misty brushed ash from his hands. ¡°No,¡± he said, his gaze hardening. ¡°One of them betrayed us.¡± The words hung in the air like a storm about to break, heavy with unspoken anger and pain. Then, with a tone that brooked no argument, he ordered, ¡°Go back and rest.¡± The very next day, as Misty continued hurling souls into the abyss, Raghvendra stood at the edge of the mountain, gazing into the void. Suddenly, a familiar, piercing cry shattered the eerie silence. His heart raced as he recognized the voices¡ªit was Muskan and Arjun. He froze, his feet crumbled as his breath catching his chest as he saw their souls, fragile and glowing faintly, reaching out to him from the dark valley. Their faces contorted in anguish, their cries echoing: "Help us!" Before he could react, they vanished into the darkness, their pleas lingering like a haunting melody. Shaken, he grabbed Misty, demanding, ¡°Why?¡± Misty replied calmly, ¡°Wake up.¡± Raghvendra jolted awake in his quarters, drenched in sweat. The haunting cries still echoed, blurring the line between dream and reality. As Misty reminded him, ¡°Time to do some work.¡± Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. In the coming days, the bond between the two grew stronger, and Raghavendra gradually mastered his newfound powers. One day, as Misty was hurling the souls, Raghavendra curiously asked, ¡°What¡¯s beneath that valley?¡± Misty answered, ¡°Beneath it lies the reason for Earth¡¯s rotation.¡± Raghavendra, confused, asked, ¡°What?¡± Misty replied, ¡°Souls are forced to rotate the Earth. If a soul becomes weak, he is, then consumed by the hot lava, below.¡± Raghvendra closed his eyes, envisioning the horrifying scene: tormented souls pulling an enormous, grinding wheel with their bare hands, their bodies straining under the weight. Overseeing them were towering superiors, cold and unyielding in their vigilance. Suddenly, one soul faltered, collapsing to the ground. Without hesitation, the superior barked a command, and the fallen soul was cast mercilessly into the molten lava, vanishing with a final, anguished scream. Raghvendra''s eyes snapped open, his chest heaving as he returned to reality, he exclaimed, ¡°Wow!¡± He then inquired further about Kua, to which Misty responded, ¡°Kua feeds on the bad souls¡ªthe more, the better for him¡ªwhile Yamraj feeds on the good souls.¡± Raghavendra asked, ¡°But what if a good soul is identified as a bad one and vice versa?¡± Misty, heading back, replied, ¡°It will benefit Kua, but in the case of Yamraj, it will harm. As you¡¯ve likely heard, a single bad fish can spoil the entire ocean.¡± Misty then informed Raghavendra not to be late for tomorrow¡¯s assignment. As Raghvendra bade him good night. Suddenly, he sensed someone behind him. Without hesitation, he wielded his sword and, in a flash, swung it through the air. To his surprise, the blade hovered over his own shadow, its edge grazing the dark outline on the floor. He murmured with a smirk, "I should get some rest, now," before turning and walking away. But Raghvendra was right¡ªonce again, that man emerged from the darkness, the metallic scent of blood filling the air as crimson dripped from his arm. With a sinister smile, he flew toward an abandoned apartment. Inside, in front of an old chair, he bowed and said, ¡°They are heading tomorrow.¡± The chair jerked violently, its movement unnaturally sharp. The silence of the apartment shattered as waves of water seemed to surge beneath the floor. Suddenly, the sound of rushing waves filled the room, and a man of similar stature appeared seated in the chair. In a voice both commanding and eerily familiar, he said, ¡°Time for you to reveal yourself, Karan.¡± The flames that never died The next day, Raghvendra appeared above a modest hut. He waited for Misty but grew impatient and entered the house. When Misty contacted him, warning that the soul was emotionally attached to his family, and his overwhelming emotions could pose a threat. Raghvendra noted it and entered the house, he saw a woman coughing uncontrollably. Her son rushed to her, explaining that the pharmacist had refused to provide the medicine on credit. This scene reminded Raghvendra of his own son. Whenever Raghvendra fell ill, his son would sit beside him, narrating stories from a book while his wife prepared porridge. His gaze then got locked at the soul, sobbing near the woman. Raghvendra approached him but as soon as he turned, Raghvendra¡¯s eyes widened. He stood there froze. After a while, Misty appeared and shouted, ¡°Why aren¡¯t you doing your job?¡± Raghvendra didn¡¯t respond. Misty pressed further, asking, ¡°Why?¡± To which Raghvendra finally replied, ¡°Because of me.¡± His eyes grew numb, and a deep sense of guilt washed over him as he knelt. A memory flashed before him¡ªof the same man pleading to him not to demolish his shop, but Raghvendra ignored him. That had led to the man becoming jobless, eventually turning to violence to protect his family¡¯s survival. Misty jolted back him to reality, ¡°Remember you saw that your family faith was ¡®To be decided¡¯. It¡¯s because of you. Their path to heaven depends on your actions here. Now, take his soul.¡± Raghvendra hesitated, but finally he swung his sword, when suddenly his sword was blocked by another. The figure holding the sword greeted Misty. Misty replied, ¡°Long time, no see, Karan.¡± and ordered Raghvendra again to take the soul, but still overwhelmed by guilt, he refused as Karan claimed the soul instead. They returned to Kua¡¯s lair inside the cave, where Kua was waiting, his rage palpable. His voice echoed through the cavern as he demanded, ¡°What happened?¡± Misty responded, his tone tense, ¡°Karan appeared out of nowhere.¡± Kua¡¯s confusion deepened. ¡°Who?¡± Misty explained, ¡°The previous Soul Hunter.¡± Kua smashed his throne in a fit of fury. ¡°That bastard.¡± He collapsed to his knees, a ray of light escaping his hand as the others rushed to his side. Meanwhile, Raghvendra remembered the black stone and stealthily approached the room where it was kept. With hesitation, he waved his hand above the stone, revealing a display titled, "Time of Death." He searched for his wife and son, only to be stopped by a gentle pat on his back. He turned, his eyes blazing with anger and betrayal. ¡°Why did you hide it, Misty?¡± His voice shook. Misty responded, his voice sharp, ¡°Because it¡¯s your fault.¡± The stone had revealed that his family was never meant to die in the fire¡ªthey were supposed to live long, happy lives. Misty continued, ¡°Your wrongdoings killed them.¡± Raghvendra crumpled to his knees, unable to bear the truth. Misty placed a hand on his shoulder. ¡°Your actions here will decide their afterlife¡ªHell or Heaven.¡± Tears streamed down Raghvendra¡¯s face as he clutched his head, haunted by memories of his past sins, including the countless innocents he had sacrificed for his greed. Misty placed a comforting arm around him. ¡°The past is past,¡± he said softly. Sobbing, Raghvendra looked up. ¡°Can I trust you?¡± Misty met his gaze, unwavering, and nodded. The weight of these overwhelmed Raghvendra, and he staggered toward Misty, pulling him into a sudden embrace. Misty stiffened, clearly uncomfortable. He stood awkwardly, his hands hovering in the air, unsure of what to do. The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. For the first time, Misty felt a flicker of solace and felt the warmth of human connection. In a reassuring tone, he said, ¡°Now, get up and do what must be done.¡± They made their way back to Kua and sought his blessing. They searched everywhere, when Misty soon informed Raghvendra that Karan had been spotted near the oceans. In a rush, Raghvendra pushed through the winds, reaching the coastline, while Misty followed close behind. There, they confronted Karan. Karan, visibly amused by their sudden appearance, sneered, ¡°Misty! Your idol, Kua, is no idol.¡± Turning towards Raghvendra, he added, ¡°And for you¡­ you¡¯ll understand later.¡± Misty, his voice sharp and taunting, shot back at Karan, ¡°He¡¯s just a loser.¡± With that, Raghvendra lunged at Karan, sword drawn, but Karan swiftly blocked the attack. The two clashed fiercely, swords locked, their fury palpable. Raghvendra struck again with full force, his sword crackling with lightning and flames, but Karan effortlessly parried the blow. Karan then summoned the power of the ocean, pushing Raghvendra several miles away. Shaken, Raghvendra sprinted back, his determination unwavering. He leapt, the sky behind him erupting with lightning, but Karan met his strike head-on, absorbing the force and driving him to the ground. With a wicked smirk, Karan taunted, ¡°That day, you managed to save yourself, but not today.¡± A memory flashed in Raghvendra¡¯s mind¡ª that night. Arjun¡¯s cheerful voice echoed through the phone, ¡°When are you coming, Papa?¡± Excitement bubbled in every word. Raghvendra, busy passing files to his secretary, replied with practiced calmness, ¡°In half an hour.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be late again,¡± Arjun pleaded, his tone a mix of hope and caution, as though he had been let down too many times before. Raghvendra smiled faintly, even as his eyes remained glued to the papers before him. ¡°How can I be late for your birthday?¡± ¡°No, Papa!¡± Arjun corrected him with a laugh. ¡°Not just mine¡ªMom¡¯s too!¡± ¡°Yes, her too,¡± Raghvendra replied, his voice softening. A sound echoed from the kitchen, ¡°He will only arrive here when you will end the call.¡± Moments later, Raghvendra left the office in his car beside him was a big three-wheel bicycle and a delicate necklace in his hand. As he neared his home, he parked his car a few blocks, eager to surprise them. But his steps faltered as he saw the gigantic flames engulfing his house. ¡°Arjun! Priya!¡± he screamed, his voice raw as he sprinted inside. Smoke clawed at his lungs, the acrid stench of burning wood and flesh stinging his senses. In the kitchen, he found them¡ªhis wife crouched over Arjun, shielding their son with her body. ¡°Hold on!¡± he shouted, rushing toward them. Just as his fingers reached hers, the flames licked the stove. The blast ripped through the air hurling him out of the window. Through the haze of pain, he saw the inferno consume everything¡ªhis family, their laughter, their home¡ªreduced to ash before his eyes. He tried to crawl back, his arms trembling under his weight, but his shattered limbs betrayed him. A child''s voice, barely a whisper, echoed through the flames. ¡°Papa... you were late.¡± The Sins of the future Raghvendra lay unconscious on the ground, his breath slow but steady, the echoes of Arjun¡¯s voice still lingering in his mind. Dust swirled around him as Karan stepped forward, his heavy footfalls stirring the silence. A sudden gust sent fine grains into Raghvendra¡¯s eyes, jolting him back to reality. His memory blurred, fading into the present. Blinking rapidly, he opened his eyes and pushed himself to his feet, his gaze blazing with unrelenting flames. The echoes of joyful moments with his family intertwined with the searing pain of their loss, fuelling his fury. With a swift motion, he kicked him and then a swung a sword towards, Karan could only saw the flames and lightning beneath Raghvendra. Raghvendra swung his sword for a final blow, his breath ragged. But as his blade arced through the air, another sword pierced through his sword, shattering the clash of steel. The ocean tide swelled rapidly, rising higher as a figure emerged from the depths. Raghvendra stood frozen, his mind struggling to comprehend the vision before him. His body trembled involuntarily, caught between awe and fear. Misty greeted the other Raghvendra and addressed the present Raghvendra, saying, ¡°Your future, who betrayed us.¡± Misty, then ordered Raghvendra to kill the future version of himself. Hesitantly, Raghvendra sprinted toward him, but the future Raghvendra, with a wave of his hand, sent him to another dimension. In this new dimension, Raghvendra found himself standing once again in front of his house, the gifts clutched tightly in his hands. He stood silent for a moment, unsure if this was real or another cruel trick of his mind, the silence was suddenly shattered by the joyful cheers of Arjun, Raghvendra rushed inside the house. There he saw his wife, Muskan chasing Arjun, his vision blurred with tears, joy flooding his heart. Arjun darted behind Raghvendra, using him as a shield to escape his mother. ¡°You¡¯ve unleashed his mischief!¡± Muskan exclaimed, catching her breath. ¡°Calm down! Let¡¯s cut the cake first,¡± Raghvendra said gently. Together, they celebrated his wife¡¯s and son¡¯s birthday, the room filled with laughter and joy. As he took in the moment, Raghvendra wiped away tears of happiness, grateful to finally savor such a precious memory. Later that night, Raghvendra sat with his wife and son, the warmth of their presence comforting him. His wife, holding his gaze, softly spoke, ¡°It¡¯s time to let go of us.¡± With a final kiss, she and Arjun disappeared into thin air. Raghvendra was left overwhelmed, tears streaming down as he faced their heart-wrenching farewell. This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Suddenly, Raghvendra jolted awake as finding himself in the black stone cave of KUA. His eyes locked onto Misty, who sat silently in front of him, ¡°Finally, you woke up.¡± he said, his voice carrying the weight of something far beyond mere words. Overwhelmed by the sheer miracle of it, He wrapped him in his arms. "Your future self has caused sheer havoc in KUA,¡± Misty continued, his tone heavy with concern. The vision played out before them. The future Raghvendra, devoid of mercy, cut through the defenders of the kingdom with brutal efficiency. Each strike was precise, each life snuffed out without hesitation, their desperate cries fading into the echoes of his wrath. He unleashed the souls, breaking the sacred laws that governed their collection. Souls, once bound in their ethereal prison, now wandered aimlessly, disrupting the balance that KUA relied on. The power of Kua faltered, its strength deteriorating with each soul lost, each rule broke. The once mighty force was now reduced to a mere shadow of its former power. As the vision faded, Raghvendra, still reeling from the horror of it all, asked, ¡°But why is he doing this?¡± Misty¡¯s voice was soft, but firm. ¡°His grief has consumed him, drowning all reason.¡± Raghvendra, clinging to the last shred of hope, asked, ¡°Now, what?¡± Misty¡¯s gaze darkened as he answered, ¡°Only a good soul, one who committed the most horrendous act imaginable, can cure Kua and become the weapon of his destruction.¡± Raghvendra¡¯s eyes flickered with hope. ¡°Is there someone?¡± he asked urgently. Misty nodded before speaking in a low, measured tone, ¡°But are you ready for that?¡± Raghvendra met her gaze, unwavering. ¡°Yes.¡± Misty waved her hand over the stone, and as the display shifted, Raghvendra¡¯s eyes narrowed in recognition. ¡°Near my house?¡± he asked. Misty simply nodded, his silence holding a weight of its own. A few hours later, Raghvendra stood beside Misty, his gaze fixed on the remnants of his house, reduced to ashes. The echoes of their cries lingered in his mind. But Raghvendra shifted his focus toward the nearby house. The house in front of him seemed oddly familiar, but he didn¡¯t bother to inquire. His mind was consumed with a single purpose: he had to stop his future self. Misty¡¯s voice was steady as she reminded him, ¡°This time¡­ it¡¯s not about your physical strength, but your mental resolve.¡± Raghvendra nodded, determination filling his eyes, before stepping toward the house. The Fabricated Past Inside, he found a child¡¯s soul sitting on the roof, gazing at his parents. As Raghvendra approached, his breath caught. The child turned, and to his shock, it was none other than Mr. Kapoor¡¯s son, Krishna. Raghvendra turned to Misty, his voice trembling with disbelief. ¡°What did he do?¡± Misty¡¯s gaze was calm as she replied, ¡°See for yourself.¡± She placed Raghvendra¡¯s hand over Krishna¡¯s head. Instantly, a vision flooded Raghvendra¡¯s mind. He saw Krishna, cold and merciless, drowning three children in the nearby lake. As they struggled for breath, Krishna laughed, his joy twisted and dark. Stunned, Raghvendra hesitated, his hand reaching for his sword. Just as he was about to strike, Karan suddenly grabbed him from behind, pulling him away. The two landed in Raghvendra¡¯s house with a heavy thud. Karan shouted at him, ¡°Are you mad or what?¡± Raghvendra¡¯s eyes flared. ¡°Don¡¯t teach me,¡± he snapped. Then, with a sharp glance, he added, ¡°Let me ask you the same question. Are you also mad?¡± Karan¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°You¡¯ll know the truth soon enough.¡± Raghvendra¡¯s voice was cold. ¡°Talk less.¡± With that, he summoned his sword again, the blade gleaming in the dim light. Karan, undeterred, formed a massive flaming ball in his hand, preparing for the next move. Without warning, Raghvendra took a huge leap toward him. At that moment, Karan hurled the ball of flame. Raghvendra blocked it mid-air with a swift, precise strike, then swung his sword at Karan with full force. The clash rang out with a heavy thud. But Raghvendra didn¡¯t made contact with Karan, his swing was effortlessly blocked. With a single, dismissive push, Raghvendra was sent sprawling several feet away. Barely able to keep himself upright, Raghvendra looked up¡ªhis future self-stood before him, cold and unyielding. Raghvendra¡¯s gaze was fixed on his future self. ¡°You finally showed up,¡± he said, his voice laced with a mix of challenge and defiance. His future version gave a commanding nod to Karan, who quickly created a protective barrier around them. The future Raghvendra then wielded two swords, one in each hand, his eyes filled with cold purpose. ¡°Where it all began,¡± he warned. Raghvendra summoned a second sword in his left hand. ¡°Where it all will end.¡± Both swords ignited with fire and lightning as they clashed together, the sound of the strike ringing out. They leaned toward each other, locked in a deadly dance. ¡°The truth is right in front of you,¡± the future version said, his voice tinged with regret. Raghvendra¡¯s reply was swift, a sharp retort. ¡°At least I¡¯m not consumed by grief.¡± With a quick motion, he swung his leg at the future version, knocking him off balance and sending him crashing to the ground. Summoning all his power, Raghvendra¡¯s eyes blazed with both fire and lightning as he struck down on his future self. The impact was immense, but his future self-blocked the blow with fierce precision. The force was so powerful that it shattered the protective barrier, sending Karan flying out of the house. In a flash, the future Raghvendra gathered the power of the ocean, his fists crackling with energy. He punched Raghvendra with a force that sent him flying in the air. As Raghvendra struggled to regain control, the future version rose above him and, with terrifying speed, slammed him back down onto the ground with full force. The future Raghvendra sword dangled just above the pupils of Raghvendra. Raghvendra still smirked and told him to dang it in. Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. At that critical moment, Misty appeared with Krishna¡¯s soul, shouting, "Kua can only defeat him!" The future version of Raghvendra momentarily looked toward Misty, giving Raghvendra the opening he needed. He threw his future self into the sky and rushed forward. Misty extended the soul, and Raghvendra hesitated before swinging his sword. The voice of his future self-echoed in his mind, his sword loomed in mid-air. His hands trembling, the boy reminding him of Arjun. But Misty urged, ¡°Don¡¯t listen to him!¡± Raghvendra ignored the voice and swung his sword. The future version rushed and leaped on Raghvendra but it was too late¡ªthe boy''s soul was taken, and the balance was restored, or was it? In a moment of joy, Raghvendra hugged Misty, but Misty stiffened slightly, discomfort flickering across his face. Before Raghvendra could inquire, the ground trembled. Cracks split the earth, and Kua emerged from beneath, towering and ominous. Kua greeted the future Raghvendra with a nod and praised the present Raghvendra¡¯s efforts. But then, with sudden ferocity, Kua conjured a Trishul and swung it at Raghvendra. The future version of Raghvendra stepped in, blocking the strike and absorbing the full force of the impact. He collapsed to the ground, unconscious. Raghvendra, filled with awe, rushed toward his fallen future self. But as his fingers brushed against the future version¡¯s armor, a surge of energy coursed through him, forcing his eyes shut. A flood of memories and visions overwhelmed his senses, forcing his mind to witness what had already been revealed. He saw the future Raghvendra uncovering Kua¡¯s dark history in a black stone. The future Raghvendra explained that Kua was once the ruler of heaven but was demoted to hell due to his greed for power. He fed on the souls of the wicked, but eventually, he began consuming the good as well, growing stronger in his quest to reclaim his throne. Misty was a mere creation from Kua¡¯s flesh, devoid of memories. Kua, wielded the power to manipulate minds, weaving false memories to ensnare his prey. The cherished memories of Raghvendra¡¯s family were nothing but a cruel fabrication, designed to lure him into Kua¡¯s web. Worse still, some of the souls Raghvendra had captured were good, innocent beings who had fallen victim to Kua¡¯s insatiable hunger. The Soul Hunter system, far from being a force for universal balance, was revealed as a tool of manipulation, designed solely to serve Kua¡¯s selfish ambitions. Furthermore, the stone clarified a critical truth: Krishna had never committed any heinous acts. The boy¡¯s life ended tragically in a road accident. By the time the future Raghvendra uncovered these truths, Kua had grown unstoppable. Desperate to undo his failures, he travelled back in time, determined to change the course of events and confront the shadow that had ensnared them all. Realizing the truth, Raghvendra returned to the present, jolted from the vision. Raghvendra, burdened by betrayal, stared at Misty. Misty pleaded for forgiveness from Raghvendra. As Kua approached Raghvendra and said, ¡°I guess now you know the truth.¡± He further apologized, ¡°I am sorry... for a defect in my design¡± Suddenly, Kua pierced his Trishul through Misty¡¯s chest. ¡°The defect has been removed,¡± Misty, his eyes turned crimson, blood tripping from his mouth, with his trembling voice, ¡°Thi¡­This is the¡­reward for my¡­ lo¡­l¡­. loyalty.¡± Kua¡¯s lips widened into a cruel smile. A beat of silence hung in the air before he said, his voice dripping with disdain, ¡°Not because of your loyalty.¡± Then, with a casual flick of his wrist, he hurled Misty¡¯s lifeless body. Raghvendra¡¯s arms shot out instinctively, catching the limp form. The weight of Misty¡¯s body, now cold and lifeless, pressed against him, blood staining his hands and kurta. A gasp escaped Raghvendra¡¯s lips as he stared down at Misty¡¯s vacant eyes. A wave of pure, unadulterated rage washed over him as Kua continued, his gaze fixed on Raghvendra, ¡°His.¡± Pointing towards Misty, he added, ¡°human weakness infected them all. Karan. Your future self and you.¡± Raghvendra carefully lowered Misty¡¯s body to the ground, his movements slow and deliberate. A silent farewell, a final acknowledgment of the bond they had shared. He, then looked at Kua, his eyes blazing with rage, charged forward, his sword crackling with lightning. With a fierce cry, he swung at Kua. The air around Raghvendra shimmered and distorted as Kua unleashed a force a blow that tore Raghvendra¡¯s soul free. A scream tore from his throat, though no sound escaped his lip, the pain was beyond the physical, a wrenching of his very essence. His lifeless form crumpled to the ground, the sword slipping from his grasp. Kua stood tall amidst the chaos, his dark silhouette towering over the fallen. Around him, they all lay helpless, the weight of his power pressing down like an unyielding storm. He reached down and seized the future Raghvendra by the collar, dragging him effortlessly. Before vanishing into thin air, leaving behind a chilling note: ¡°JUST THE BEGINNING.¡± Epilogue Raghvendra¡¯s soul stood amidst the destruction he had caused, his gaze heavy with guilt. Seeking solace, he wandered into the kitchen to relive that fateful moment when everything changed. He sat down at the kitchen table, the same spot where he had shared countless meals with his family. The lingering scent of her chai, the faint scratches on the wooden surface where Arjun had once banged his spoon¡­ every detail was a painful reminder of what he had lost. The memories of holding a newborn Arjun, his soft and little fingers to holding his ashes. To hold her hand around the flames to losing her hand in the flames. The memory twisted in his spectral gut, the joy turning to ash as he remembered how it all ended, the flames, the screams. When a voice broke the silence, soft yet familiar: ¡°Father.¡± He turned sharply, his breath catching. Arjun stood there, hand in hand with Muskan, just as he remembered them. But instead of joy, a cold dread gripped him. Could this be another cruel manipulation? Raghvendra ignored it. He knew that Kua still existed, it was his world, and he was just a pawn in it. The voice grew stronger, Tears welled in Raghvendra¡¯s spectral eyes, blurring the already indistinct figures of his family. He squeezed them shut, trying to force the image away, to deny the hope that flickered within him. Kua¡¯s world. His rules. The thought echoed in his mind, a cold, hard truth that threatened to shatter the fragile illusion before him. He clenched his fists, fighting against the tide of longing that threatened to overwhelm him. But Arjun, as if sensing his hesitation, stepped forward, his small arms wrapping around his father. ¡°Father, we¡¯re not fabricated,¡± he said gently. He could almost feel Arjun¡¯s small hand in his, the way Muskan¡¯s eyes sparkled when he looked up. ¡°We¡¯re a part of you.¡± Muskan smiled softly, her presence calm and unwavering. ¡°We believe in you,¡± she said firmly. Raghvendra finally realized: these moments, these feelings, were his and his alone. Not even a god could fabricate such joy. He finally embraced their appearance, a wave of warmth washing over his spectral form as he wrapped his arms around them, a bittersweet ache blooming in his chest. As he finally allowed himself to embrace them, a sense of peace settled over him. The crushing weight of guilt that had burdened him for so long began to lift. He held them tightly, tears streaming down his face. His voice, hoarse and choked with emotion, finally broke the silence. ¡°I¡­ I love you,¡± he whispered, the words a desperate plea, a heartfelt confession, a promise that echoed through the desolate kitchen. Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.