Bombshell

The argument dies down, though not before Anil and Balram throw a few lingering glares at each other, their silent battle continuing in their heads. Oh, Anil and Balram are two new heads joining our group or should I say that we are the two new heads joining the group? I will call it my group, why? Because no gives a fruit!!

Honestly, what a weird group we’ve gathered. First, we have the stupid old Man—Om—who seems to have some kind of untouchable authority. This man is more mysterious than a murder mystery film, not that I have watched any but still. I say this because of the layers in his character, sometimes he seems so aloof and next second he be looking like he is going to war. It should be better to call him Mr. Onion. Actually, that's what I calling him from now!!

Then there is Mr. Criminal—Ash, yes a criminal. Why? Apparantly he kidnapped this boy named Anil and dragged him all the way here without giving him any reason or anything. I kind of feel bad for him as I can understand the pain of people forcing their own descision on you, but I can only sympathise with him, I don't really want to get ahead of myself and let him hear some words of comfort, mostly because I am a cow- ehm, Introvert. I am a INTROVERT.

He has been snapping at him every other moment only to be stopped by the Mr Brute, or Muscle Head, as Anil calls him—Balram—who is following Ash like an obedient dog. He got defeated by Ash in a wrestling match and now has become his devoted follower. I actually saw his jaw drops more than anyone else when Ash bowed to Onion. Ofcourse I found the fact of his defeat from Anil's continuous rant. Balram is a pro wrestler, hailing from a family of wrestlers. He has the build of mountain, even I can tell that he has more muscles than anyone here. Honestly, how did he even manage to lose to Ash? Sure Ash is taller than him but he seems so frail that this muscle gorilla could have defeated him by just falling over onto him. How did you manage to lose to him, Mr. Gorilla? Damn!! I have to put a leash on my tongue or it will be I who will be flattened by this walking monster truck if I end offending him.

Then last but not the least, Ms. Internet sensation with a arrogance bigger than the elephant I saw in the forest, Lady Ananya. And guess what? Her ego just grew bigger? Why? Because... Because, these two new guys recognised her as the award winner, Ms beautiful diva famous dancer and she has been looking at me with this wierd expression since then and it feels like she is laughing at me, but the smug face she made immediately after Balram recognised her was worse than this. The scene of her keeping her hand on her waist and puffing her chest with pride, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth, it fills me with a sense of defeat! That's why I have been avoiding her eyes, and this girl is trying every possible way to get me to look at her so that she can give me that smug look, BUT I AIN'T LOSING THIS FIT!!!

My condition is honestly the worst in all of the group. First of all, I have zero, literally zero experience of associating with people and having conversation with them. I have not said anything other than my name, just my name from the moment everyone introduced themselves. Secondly, this other girl in the group doesn't leave any chance to put me down and establish herself as the superior one. Probably because I didn't recognise her when we first met at the University but can you really blame me for that? I really am not interested in her world or work and I have no intention to be, I don't understand why she would take it so seriously. Why? I don't understand and I can't because our brains function at completely different levels so it's just wasting energy and asking for am unnecessary headache, and I don't want that.

All in all, I would be better sleeping in my bed right now than being with all of these people. But I brought this on myself be agreeing to come here in the first place, for some reason I have no idea about.

Anyway, we begin moving again, weaving through the surreal landscape of this so-called heavenly place. I glance around, trying to take in every bit of it. It’s breathtaking, like something ripped straight out of a fantasy novel—except no one in their right mind would actually believe this place exists.

Towering trees with luminescent veins stretch into the sky, their branches twisting unnaturally, casting ethereal glows across the terrain. Beneath them, wildflowers in colors I’ve never seen before sway despite the lack of wind. Strange little creatures skitter around—some with more eyes than necessary, others with translucent bodies that shimmer in the dimming light. It’s beautiful, magical… and completely unnatural.

It’s like stepping into a dream that isn’t entirely safe.

As we walk, Om suddenly halts and raises a hand. “Listen up,” he says, his tone sharp and commanding. We stop in our tracks immediately. Even Anil, who had been mumbling complaints under his breath, shuts up.

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“You are not to offend or enrage the people we are about to meet. At any cost.”

The weight in his voice is unsettling.

“Do not do anything that might be considered even slightly offensive,” Om continues. “That means no unnecessary movements, no talking out of turn—hell, don’t even blink the wrong way. Understood?”

I exchange a glance with Ananya, who has finally dropped her smugness and looks equally wary.

Ash, standing beside Om, crosses his arms and nods. “He’s not exaggerating. Keep your mouths shut unless spoken to.”

…Okay. That’s serious.

A shiver crawls up my spine as tension spreads through the group. If even Ash is agreeing with Om, then this is no joke. I gulp and glance at the others. All the young ones share the same expression, a slight fear has probably taken roots in them too.

Who are these people we’re meeting?

I keep quiet as we resume our trek, my mind racing. The entire situation is bizarre. Why would Om and Ash—both powerful in their own right—be this cautious? Who exactly are we about to meet?

Minutes stretch into what feels like hours before we finally reach an open clearing. The air here feels heavier, almost charged with something unseen.

And then I see them.

Three figures stand at the center of the clearing, each one vastly different from the other.

The first is a towering mountain of a man—easily over eight feet tall! Yes, a eight feet tall tower—with a build that could make even the most intimidating wrestlers look small. If Balram is the gorilla, them this man would be the one who eats thousands of balram for breakfast. His black-and-white hair is wild, streaked with age but still thick, and his massive beard looks like it could house a small bird’s nest. His arms are folded, muscles bulging even under his loose garments, and his mere presence is suffocating. He could probably snap someone in half with a flick of his fingers. I sort of understand why we were warned about not angering them, and I don't want to do it either, I mean who wants the wrath of a gorilla overlord directed at them.

The second man, standing slightly behind the first, is shorter but no less imposing. Dressed in a simple orange robe, his pure white hair flows past his shoulders, and his long beard makes him look like one of those monks from ancient paintings. But his lean frame and piercing eyes make it clear—this isn’t just some old hermit.

And then there’s the third figure.

A young man. Tall—probably the tallest among us younger people—and standing with an unnerving rigidity. His posture is too straight, his expression unreadable. His fair skin and sharp features make him stand out, and for some reason, I get the feeling he doesn’t quite belong here.

Who is he? Another recruit? Or was he also dragged here like us?

Before I can dwell on it further, something insane happens.

Onion Om bows.

And not just a polite dip of the head—a full, deep bow.

My jaw drops.

Then, as if that wasn’t shocking enough, Ash drops to both knees and touches his forehead to the ground.

What the actual hell?!

If Ash bowing was insane, Om bowing is unthinkable. I glance around, and everyone else is just as stunned as I am. Even Balram—who follows Ash like a loyal disciple—looks utterly floored.

Who the hell are these old men?!

The two elders raise their hands, their palms facing us. Om slowly straightens, but Ash remains kneeling, his head still lowered.

And then the leaner man speaks.

His voice is gentle, warm, and oddly soothing—like a grandfather talking to his grandchildren. “Children, you are finally here. We have been waiting for your arrival for quite some time.”

The tension in the air instantly dissolves.

“We understand that you are confused about why you are here,” the man continues, his tone kind and patient. “But do not worry. You do not need to fear us. Everything will be explained. First, you must rest. You must be tired from your journey.”

The soft-spoken kindness makes something in my chest ease. Maybe this isn’t as bad as Om and Ash made it seem. Maybe we aren’t about to meet some terrifying overlords.

And then the other old man speaks.

His voice is deep, thunderous, and absolutely terrifying. It crashes through the air like an explosion, sending shivers down my spine.

“There is no time for rest.”

I physically flinch.

“If they are so weak that a simple journey up the mountain has tired them, then they might as well be useless,” he declares, his voice dripping with authority and impatience. “We cannot afford to waste time. We must start. Now.”

Silence.

Om steps forward hesitantly. “But my lord, they are not ready to—”

“Shut up!” The old man’s roar shakes the ground beneath us. “Do you think we have time to waste?! They must be drilled into shape immediately. There is no room for delay.”

I gulp. What the hell is going on?

I glance at the others. Balram’s jaw is clenched, Anil is frozen in shock, and Ananya’s lips are pressed into a thin line. Even Ash—who bows to no one—doesn’t dare look up.

What could be so urgent?

The soft-spoken elder sighs. “Then so be it. I will explain everything now.”

He turns to us, his gaze kind yet firm.

“My children,” he says, “we have brought you here because you have been chosen to fight a war.”

I stiffen. A war? My ears are not ringing are they? Or I am probably hallucinating from the fatigue? What the hell you mean "We brought you to fight a war!!!" You can't go around spouting any nonsense just coz you are old. If you are senile, go to doctor or something instead of living up in some mountain!! This is what I want to say but words don't dare to leave my mouth, the presence of the giant makes it impossible to even breath properly, let alone saying anything.

“A war against the Asuras—an otherworldly race far beyond your imagination.”

Asuras?