Avyan stood in front of his training room, the heavy wooden door looming like a sentinel of his past and future. His fists were tightly clenched, knuckles white with the force of his grip, and his head hung low, shadowing his face. His eyes were shut so tightly that it felt as if he were trying to shut out the world. Inside his mind, a torrent of childhood memories cascaded, vivid and unrelenting. He saw fragments of his younger self, running through sun-dappled fields with his father, the laughter in the house echoing in his ears, and the gentle and loving gaze of his mother.

The flood of emotions was almost too much to bear. Each memory carried its own weight, each one a link in the chain that bound him to his past. He felt the sharp pang of loss, the bittersweet sting of nostalgia, and the deep ache of longing. It was as if his very soul was being torn apart by the force of these recollections.

Then, amid the chaotic whirlwind of images and feelings, everything suddenly stopped. His mind latched onto a single, precious frame. He saw his grandfather, the lines of age softened by a tender smile, eyes twinkling with unspoken love. They were sitting on a large rock by the gentle river, the sunlight dancing on the water's surface. His grandfather watched him with pure joy as Avyan devoured a piece of sweet, the taste of sugar lingering on his tongue, mingling with the warmth of that perfect moment.

Avyan felt a calmness wash over him, like a soothing balm on a raw wound. He opened his eyes slowly, the image of his grandfather's smile still vivid in his mind. His fists relaxed, fingers uncurling as if letting go of something that had been tightly held for too long. He took a deep breath, the air filling his lungs and grounding him in the present. With a renewed sense of purpose and a heart a little lighter, he reached out and opened the door.

As he entered the room that had yet been calm, gentle and misty, a once serene and gentle sanctuary now pulsed with an otherworldly energy. The air crackled with tension, an unnatural misty glow illuminating the space and casting an eerie light on everything it touched. The scene was a chaotic marvel: poles hovered, suspended in mid-air, spinning slowly with an ethereal grace. Avyan, standing at the threshold, couldn't help but feel a mixture of awe and bewilderment at the sight before him.

Amidst the swirling poles and glowing mist, a figure floated effortlessly, commanding the room's energy with an almost regal authority. Pulkit, a powerful and enigmatic presence, hovered in the centre, his lean frame cloaked in a billowing overcoat that moved as if alive. His eyes, devoid of warmth, locked onto Avyan's, piercing through the confusion and reaching deep into his soul.

Pulkit's entrance had transformed the room into a spectacle of raw power and mysticism. The very air seemed to hum in reverence to his presence. Avyan's heart raced, a mix of fear and admiration flooding his senses as he struggled to comprehend the magnitude of the scene before him.

"Pulkit?" Avyan's voice trembled as he spoke, the single word carrying the weight of his astonishment and hope. Pulkit's gaze softened slightly, acknowledging Avyan's presence with a nod. The room seemed to hold its breath, the poles ceasing their dance for a moment, as if paying homage to the powerful man who had commanded their frenzy.

In that instant, Avyan realized he was in the presence of greatness, a man who wielded power beyond comprehension. Pulkit was no mere mortal; he was a force of nature, a beacon of strength and mystery that had irrevocably changed the fabric of reality around him. Avyan was amazed and thought, "I didn't think I'll see something like this with my own eyes. This is his eldritch", his eyes widened in amusement.

He gradually descended down and as he stepped on the ground gracefully, he put his hands in his pocket. As he got down, Avyan noticed his eyes, they were unsettlingly still, as if frozen in time, betraying no hint of emotion or humanity. The vibrant hues of eyes were muted, reduced to shades of grey that reflected nothing but an icy detachment. Gazing into them felt like staring into an abyss, a bottomless chasm of emptiness that left a lingering sense of unease. Pulkit said in a stoic tone, "You are finally ready", his voice was a deep, resonant baritone. Avyan's face brightens up and he smiles. He says in excitement, "So, what do I do?"

Without a tint of emotion on his face, Pulkit replied in a deep, resonant voice that carried the weight of unyielding authority, "Copy me." The words hung in the air, a command rather than a suggestion. Avyan didn't understand what he was trying to say. He was stunned, his mind reeling. Then, it struck his mind, Pulkit wanted him to lift the poles just like him. He had expected to be tasked with something familiar, albeit on a grander scale, but this was beyond anything he had imagined. He looked around at the floating poles, moving around in the air in utter disbelief. His eyes, usually bright with curiosity, narrowed, their light dimming as the enormity of the challenge set in.

Pulkit turned and began to walk out of the door, his movements purposeful and confident. Avyan, caught between awe and trepidation, hesitated for a moment before following. His steps were uncertain, his heart pounding in his chest as he struggled to find his voice. "Bu-But how is that even possible? I am not like you," he stammered, his words trembling with a mix of fear and disbelief.

Pulkit continued without turning back, his silence more daunting than any response. As he exited, the door closed on Avyan's face with a finality that echoed through the hall. Avyan stood there, feeling the weight of the impossible challenge pressing down on him. His thoughts raced, a maelstrom of doubt and determination. The task seemed insurmountable, but Pulkit's command left no room for refusal.

A loud sound snapped Avyan out of his shock, the sharp clang reverberating through the room. He turned to see all the poles had returned to their exact positions, as if mocking his uncertainty. Determination flickered in his eyes. He took a deep breath, steadying himself. "Okay, let's just try this for once," he muttered under his breath, a hint of resolve creeping into his voice.

Avyan walked forward, his steps hesitant yet deliberate. As he approached the nearest pole, he raised his hands, pointing them toward it. His mind raced, trying to recall the exact way Pulkit had commanded the objects around him. He concentrated intensely, feeling the weight of his task settle heavily on his shoulders. With a trembling breath, he began to exert force, willing the pole to rise.

His entire body trembled as he poured every ounce of his energy into the effort. His muscles strained, his face contorting with the exertion. Sweat beaded on his forehead, trickling down as he fought to maintain his focus. But despite his best efforts, the pole remained stubbornly still, not even a hint of movement betraying his struggle.

Avyan's heart sank, a wave of disheartenment crashing over him. He took a step back, wiping the sweat from his brow, his hands shaking. The enormity of Pulkit's command seemed even more daunting now. Doubt gnawed at the edges of his resolve, whispering that he was not capable of such feats.

Yet, in the midst of his despair, a spark of hope refused to be extinguished. Avyan clenched his fists, a steely determination setting in his eyes. "I won't give up that easily," he murmured to himself, his voice barely above a whisper. He sank to the floor, sitting cross-legged in front of the pole. He closed his eyes, taking a series of deep breaths to calm his racing heart.

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"Again," he said aloud, his voice firmer this time. He envisioned the pole lifting, visualizing every detail of how it would feel, how it would look. He extended his hands once more, this time with a clearer focus and steadier breath. His mind was a tempest of concentration, blocking out everything but the pole before him.

Hours seemed to pass as Avyan persisted, trying again and again. Each failure stung, but it also fuelled his resolve. His body ached, exhaustion pulling at the edges of his consciousness, but he pushed on. The room, silent but for his laboured breathing, bore witness to his relentless efforts, but to no visible results. The pole still stood there with all it's pride still intact.

In the evening, the boys anxiously gathered outside Avyan's training room. He had never been this late before, and their concern grew with each passing minute. As they cautiously entered the dimly lit room, they were greeted by an unexpected sight. Avyan sat on the ground, legs crossed, his face contorted in a mix of anger and determination. His voice echoed through the room as he commanded a nearby pole to lift, shouting at it with a desperate intensity.

Ishan couldn't help but chuckle, breaking the tension. "Hey you, the pole might just lift in the air if you keep doing this," he said with a playful smirk. Anirudh and Akash joined in, their laughter filling the room.

Avyan's eyes, however, remained fixed on the pole as he continued his efforts. "Yeah, that's what I am trying to do," he muttered, his voice strained but resolute.

The laughter died down as the boys exchanged puzzled glances. Anirudh shook his head in disbelief. "Come on, you're kidding. There is no way you can do that. You don't have any of that...umm, what was that?"

Akash interjected, "Eldritch?"

"Yes, eldritch," Anirudh confirmed, still sceptical.

Ishan laughed again, this time more heartily. "You got off easy, Avyan. I am literally beaten down to death every day. Apparently, I still can't pass the first round of the fifth set," he admitted, his voice tinged with frustration.

Avyan finally looked up, concern replacing his earlier anger. "Yeah, it is quite clear. How is your shoulder, by the way? I heard it got dislocated yesterday during training."

Ishan shrugged nonchalantly. "The shoulder's fine. Although, one of my ribs is broken after today's training. I got some painkillers and medicines," he said, lifting his shirt to reveal his bandaged chest.

Avyan's eyes widened. "It's bad. How are you okay with this?"

Ishan smiled, a hint of pride in his eyes. "I think I have got the hang of it now. Also, I get less wounded now during training."

Anirudh chimed in, "Yeah, me too. We're getting better at handling it."

The boys share a smile, addressing that they are getting closer to their goals.

As they made their way back to their rooms, a familiar figure came into view. Soham stood waiting for them in front of their door, a rare and welcome sight. "Finally, you're here," he said, his voice a mix of relief and urgency. The boys immediately gathered around him, their excitement palpable after so many days apart.

"Where were you? I didn't see you for the past few weeks," Akash exclaimed, his eyes wide with curiosity.

Soham sighed, the weight of his recent experiences evident in his expression. "I get to stay here less and less. Ever since the letter dropped, the frequency of zombie activity has increased significantly. I've been off on missions. A lot of people are losing their lives to these zombies," he explained. Ishan notices that Soham looked tired and exhausted.

The mood shifted instantly. Avyan stepped forward, concern etched on his face. "Is Raezi behind all this?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"We currently cannot confirm that," Soham replied. "If it is true, then it means he has the ability to command zombies in some way or another."

Akash frowned, deep in thought. "I don't think this is possible. These things do not have a brain active enough to process commands," he mused.

Soham nodded in agreement but continued, "The main reason I'm here is to inform you that you've been assigned your first mission by Lord Zeesham."

Anirudh's brow furrowed in confusion. "Mission? Are we a part of your little army now?" he asked, scepticism colouring his voice.

Avyan's mind flashed back to Zeesham's calm face, his soothing voice. He felt a sense of clarity and purpose. "Let's discuss this privately," he suggested. Soham obliged and stepped aside, giving them space.

"I think we should do this," Avyan said once they were alone.

Anirudh crossed his arms, his stance defensive. "Why? They are in no position to command us."

"It's not about command. It's a mutual agreement. We share the same goals. We have to help our families and they need to defeat Raezi. We're dependent on each other," Avyan explained.

Akash added hesitantly, "I would also like to mention that from what I've studied, Raezi is a threat to all of us, not just them. If they lose, the remaining civilizations will collapse. I don't think humanity will survive, at least not in the northern region of the country."

Avyan nodded, his resolve firm. "Yes, and I mean to contribute in any way possible to finish off Raezi before something terrible happens. I agree with Zeesham."

Anirudh's eyes flashed with frustration. "Why?"

"Because I trust him," Avyan replied calmly, his gaze steady.

Anirudh hesitated, his mind torn between scepticism and trust in his friend's judgment. After a tense moment, he sighed, his resistance softening. "Alright"

The decision made, they turned back to Soham, who watched them with a knowing look. "What do we have to do?" Avyan said, his voice resolute.

Soham nodded, a small smile of approval playing on his lips. "Good. We leave at dawn." The boys exchanged determined glances, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, united in their purpose and strengthened by their bond.

At dawn, under a cloudy sky, the boys stepped out of the palace for the first time in weeks. The city, unlike before, was silent and dark. Windows were shut tight, likely out of fear after hearing about the recent zombie activity. The usual buzz of the streets was replaced by an eerie stillness.

As they approached the gate, Soham pulled up in an SUV. The boys piled in, with Ishan taking the front seat while Avyan and Anirudh settled in the back. The vehicle rumbled to life, and they began their journey along the curvy mountain roads. Valleys and towering peaks surrounded them, casting long shadows in the early morning light.

After they passed the outskirts of Lunaria, Soham broke the silence. "We're heading downhill from here, to what once was Dehradun," he said, his voice steady but serious.

Ishan glanced back at him, eyebrows raised. "Wait, so was Lunaria previously Mussoorie?"

Soham sighed, shaking his head. "No, it was Dhanaulti." He paused for a moment, then continued, "Dehradun is less populated now. Far less than Lunaria. The community there had been living peacefully for years since Dehradun lies in the green-marked region. However, about a week ago, some residents came to Lunaria, reporting that people were going missing at night. The old fear of the undead has returned, and the people are terrified and in danger. We sent five of our soldiers to inspect the area the next morning. They scoured the inhabited regions and radioed back that everything seemed clear. They were instructed to keep watch at night. But, for the past two days, we haven't heard from them. Their radios have been silent. We assume they're fine and that their radios might have malfunctioned. We just need to check on them."

Soham tried to inject some optimism into his voice. "Celebrate, boys, it's an easy mission. We'll search for them during the day. No need to take risks at night."

Ishan rolled down his window, letting in the fresh mountain air. "I hope they're okay," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.

Avyan, staring out at the passing scenery, couldn't shake his worry for the missing soldiers. "It's strange they haven't checked in. Radios don't just stop working," he said, his voice filled with concern.

Anirudh, always practical, decided to take a quick nap before the action started. "Wake me when we get there," he said, reclining his seat and closing his eyes.

Soham looked at Avyan, sensing his unease. "We'll find them, Avyan. They're probably just having some technical issues," he reassured, though his own eyes held a flicker of doubt.

The SUV continued its descent, the road winding through lush forests and steep cliffs. The atmosphere inside the vehicle was a mix of anticipation and apprehension. As they neared Dehradun, the sun struggled to break through the thick clouds, casting a muted light over the landscape.