Three Soul Avatars went to Patna via helicopter while Mia used a private jet. But....

Honk Honk!

“Mumm, Tara, why are we taking the bus and sitting right next to each other?” Dhruv questioned, glancing over at his companion, who remained silent for a moment, lost in her thoughts. Finally, she broke her silence, her tone serious. “Do you believe in karma?”

“Yeah, why do you ask?” He replied, a hint of curiosity creeping into his voice.

“Nothing specific; I just have a bad feeling about all of this. So, I feel compelled to be extra careful, you know?”

Dhruv raised an eyebrow, slightly perplexed. “Ah, really?”

“Yes, and think about it. The Soul Avatar of Patna hasn’t even bothered to disguise his presence. It’s almost as if he’s deliberately inviting his enemies into the open, which is unsettling. And here we are, placing our hopes on the White Soul users.”

“Now that you mention it, that does seem a bit odd,” he conceded.

“We need to assess our situation,” she continued, her expression serious. “Let’s review our skills. I possess ‘Treasure Identifier’ and ‘Treasure Grab’, which you’ve seen in action; they both are wide range skill. Plus, I have the ‘Karma Spotter’ skill, which helped me find the person you kille...”

“Accidentally killed,” he interrupted defensively.

“Yeah, ‘accidentally’ killed, lastly, I have ‘Copy Memories’. And this is my limit as a ‘Will’ clone. It is way better than White or Black Soul Clone, which require the user to leave their body with one skill to use.” She explained.

“Hold on,” Dhruv interjected in confusion, “I can see the benefits of the ‘Will’ clone. So, why do they all use Soul Clone?”

“Simple, they can’t use it. To form ‘Will’ clone, the user must possess supreme trust in themselves and their beliefs.” She answered proudly. “Alright, let’s get back on track; What skills do you have? And don’t hide from me, I know you don’t trust me.”

Dhruv hesitated, unsure of how to respond. “Well, it’s true that I don’t fully trust you. You’ve lied and withheld information from me several times, and that’s a significant barrier to trust.”

“In my defense,” she shot back, “when we first crossed paths, I did contemplate eliminating you. But after witnessing your awakening, I thought perhaps I could put your talents to use. It was only later, after realising how naturally skilled you are with crafting and utilising skills, that I genuinely wanted to collaborate with you.”

“How can you say that to my face?” He asked and considered. “Starting fresh would mean focusing on our goals and gradually rebuilding our relationship.”

“I don’t think that would work, as my objective is already completed.”

“Huh!”

“Yeah dude, it’s true. All I needed was to acquire one Soul Box and leave this world at my earliest convenience—that’s why I didn’t bother equipping myself with any offensive or defensive skills.”

‘What a way to disrupt the flow of the conversation,’ he muttered under his breath before continuing, “If that’s the case, why are you even here? You clearly don’t seem interested in me.”

Hehe, she giggled, “Don’t even consider that, A year back, I was contacted by the lords of the Soul Domain. They struck a deal with me, However, after the boundary hole opened, I received instructions from my main body to collect as many Soul Boxes as possible. The minimum I can return with is one.”

Dhruv’s mind raced with thoughts. ‘Why was the Soul Domain involved in all this? Didn’t she mention they were meant to protect Earth? The entire situation felt convoluted, almost chaotic. Who was pulling the strings behind the scenes?’ He couldn’t seem to figure out who was conspiring against whom. ‘One thing is clear: a mastermind was orchestrating events in the shadows; the disappearance of my father’s soul is also suspicious.’

‘It is undeniably clear that she cannot be relied upon, given her freedom to leave at any moment without warning or explanation. The decision to take the Soul Box from her early on was undoubtedly a wise move on my part.’ However, a troubling thought has begun to creep into his mind. ‘Did she interfere with the Soul Box that I am currently using? If that is indeed the case, my mother and sister’s souls could be in grave danger, and the implications of such a scenario are alarming. No, I’m overthinking it, she said she has only four skills, which I don’t think can be used to tamper. But can I trust her word on that? Hash! This is frustrating.’

Tara was keenly observing Dhruv as he sat there, lost in his thoughts, his brow furrowed in concentration. She sensed that he was wrestling with something significant and didn’t wish to disturb the quiet intensity of the moment. Yet, just then, the bus hit a particularly deep pothole in the road, causing a sudden jolt that threw Dhruv off balance. In an instinctive reaction, he reached out and wrapped his arm around her waist to steady her and prevent any potential fall. This unexpected move resulted in a surprisingly intimate embrace, with their faces now just inches apart, creating a charged atmosphere between them.

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As they found themselves locked in this unexpected moment, their eyes met, and Dhruv’s voice broke the silence, carrying a softness that contrasted with the tension in the air. “You know,” he said gently, “things would have been much easier if you were interested in me apart from these worldly affairs.”

Tara, allowing herself to nestle comfortably within his grasp, looked back at him with a hint of contemplation. “I also think along those lines,” she replied thoughtfully. “How much simpler everything would be if I were a real person instead of just a clone. I could do a lot of stuffs”

At her words, Dhruv released his grip slightly, the weight of her statement settling in. He couldn’t shake the thought that, ‘at least he would continue to exist after death in some capacity. But for her, the situation was far different; she would not have the same privilege. The experiences they shared would merely serve as transient memories for her main body, never fully hers to possess. It dawned on him why the standards for creating a ‘Will’ clone were so stringent. Clones had emotions that ran deep and were bound by an inherent loyalty to their main body, unable to stray from its will.’

With this newfound understanding swirling in his mind, Dhruv closed his eyes, choosing to retreat into the depths of his own subconscious. He began to explore the possibilities of his own ‘Will’ clones, contemplating the complexities of their existence. Meanwhile, Tara remained quiet, soaking in the shared silence. Though their embrace had ended, Dhruv continued to hold her hand—a gesture she did not resist. Instead, she looked out the window, seemingly lost in thought.

After a brief moment, Dhruv declared, “I have devised a solution and formulated a plan that is destined for success. However, to ensure its effective execution, you have to die.”

Tara, caught slightly off-guard by the unexpected assertion, turned her head towards him, and her expression clearly conveyed a sense of disbelief.

“I mean, pretend to be dead,” he clarified.

A slight smile appeared on her face. “Alright, please elaborate.”

Firstly, I possess ‘Soul Absorb’ skill, which I firmly believe is an innate ability derived from my Black Soul. This skill allows me to draw upon the essence of other souls, granting me unique advantages and strengthening my own powers. In addition to this, I have gained a substantial understanding of Wisdom skill, which encompasses a broad range of insights and capabilities. To merely classify ‘Wisdom’ as an innate skill of the Red Soul would be to significantly underestimate its depth and potential.” He paused and released her hand, “Through my mastery of wisdom skill, combined with your ‘Copy Memories’ skill, I was able to create a new skill termed ‘Replace Thought’. This skill empowers me to modify the memories of others, enabling me to alter their perceptions and experiences.”

Tara teased, “Dude, can you not make me your confidante?”

“Absolutely not.” Dhruv firmly rejected and summoned a purple star on his palm, “Furthermore, I developed an innovative technique called ‘Star Clone’, which builds upon the foundations of ‘Replace Thought’ and soul possession.” He looked at Tara and passed the purple star to her. “Just now, following our discussion, I made some adjustments and added my ‘Will’ to the ‘Star Clone’. It now exhibits its own independent character, so I renamed this evolved clone to ‘Star Clone’, essentially my own ‘Will” clone.” He explained proudly.

‘This guy, look at his smug face. Being at level 0, he made his own ‘Will’ clone, although it’s grueling but possible. Even I would show off, if I achieved that.’ Tara thought and asked further. “Do you want to boast any more skills you developed?”

Dhruv admitted in low voice. “No, this is the last.”

“I must admit, I did not expect you to have become so proficient in utilising your Wisdom skill.” Tara praised and concluded, “In summary, you now have two active skills at your disposal: ‘Soul Absorb’ and ‘Replace Thought’. Plus a ‘Star Clone’ which stands out as the most formidable as it is literally a copy of yours.”

“Hmm, I have five ‘Star Clones’.

“What!” She exclaimed at this new revelation.

Dhruv took out another four purple stars on his palm which made Tara’s eyes widened. ‘‘Wisdom’ skill is the greatest.’

Dhruv added, “I think that ‘Soul Absorb’ possesses the most destructive potential when it comes to confronting either the Black Soul or the White Soul, if used at 100%.”

Tara’s expression shifted as the implications of Dhruv’s words sank in. She recalled his previous encounters and the souls he had absorbed from the Soul Box, leading her to another pressing question. “Why do you want me dead?” she inquired, a hint of disbelief in her voice.

Dhruv’s response was calculated. “Your current exposure is a liability; your skill won’t be effective if your enemies are forewarned.” He paused and elaborated further, “However, you will be able to utilise your power in Patna, attempting to gather intelligence before your supposed demise.”

“Are you suggesting I pretend to die?” she asked, seeking clarity in my plan.

“Exactly,” he confirmed, “This strategy offers us two significant advantages: we can determine whether the White Souls are trustworthy, while simultaneously catching any lingering Black Souls off guard during our confrontation.”

Tara contemplated the strategy but was puzzled about one crucial aspect. “How do you plan to save me? That part remains unclear.”

With a confident smile, Dhruv pointed at the purple stars, “I will separate you into two distinct entities.”

Tara’s gaze was fixed on the ‘Star Clones’ before her, and she posed another question. “How you intend to split me,” she pressed.

“The process is straightforward. I will give you a blank ‘Star Clone’ with one White Bead, from there, you can transfer certain memories related to the White and Black Souls for it to copy. Don’t forget to include memories of your own skills to ensure accurate mimicking.” Dhruv responded.

“And you will undertake a similar process, I presume?” she inquired.

“Obviously! I can’t risk my life. As I previously stated, I will devise a strategy that ensures our survival while dealing with the Soul Avatars.”

Tara regarded him with newfound respect, expressing her admiration. “I sometimes wonder what will happen to the upper world if you are allowed to operate freely.”

“What else, I will target Aster Organisation.”

Tara: -_- ‘Yeah! He will do that, good luck Aster’s.’