"Dad… are you a Wizard or an Epic?"
Harsha's voice broke the still silence of the night.
"No, brother," came the calm reply. "my uncle… is a Commander."
"is, not was," he added with a sigh. "And don't ask me who the current Commander is—I don't know anymore."
Harsha's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Then… do I have Elemental powers too? Am I a Wizard? Or an Epic? Please, Dad, tell me! Please!"
But Mr. Jais placed a gentle hand on his son's shoulder. "Harsha, it's late. You should sleep now. I have to leave for the city early in the morning."
Harsha reluctantly nodded. "Okay, Dad," he whispered, walking slowly to his room.
From the shadows, Avi—Harsha's elder brother—stepped forward.
"So… Uncle you finally told him," he said softly. "But I still think you're hiding something from me too."
Mr. Jais turned, not surprised. "What makes you say that, Avi?"
"You told Harsha just as much as you told me when I was his age. You promised him the truth, but gave him only pieces."
Mr. Jais sighed deeply. "If you believe I'm hiding something… then perhaps time will reveal it. I must leave now."
"I'll catch up," Avi replied. "Let me check on Harsha first. I know how he must be feeling. I was there once—six years ago."
Mr. Jais nodded, understanding. Without another word, he disappeared into the night.
---
Scene: Harsha's Room
Inside, Harsha stood a meter away from a punching bag, shouting at it with all his might.
"Fire! Burn this punching bag!"
"Water! Drench it!"
"Lightning rock—come on, do something!"
Avi leaned on the doorframe and burst into laughter. Harsha turned red, quickly jumping onto his bed.
"Why aren't you at training, bhaiya?" he asked, trying to sound casual. "Aren't you late?"
"Didn't feel like it today," Avi said with a shrug, walking in. "Wanted to be with you."
Harsha smiled. "Then sit, na! Why are you standing like a stranger?"
Avi sat beside him. Silence hung for a while before he finally said, "I know what you're feeling tonight. You have so many questions. I had them too. So here's the deal—ask me three questions. Only three. Choose wisely."
"Okay, okay!" Harsha grinned.
"First question: Do I have powers? And if I do, what are they?"
"That depends on your fate," Avi replied seriously. "If you're destined, your powers will awaken before your 12th birthday. If not… you'll forget all of this. Your memories will change, and even your parents won't be the same anymore. You'll live an ordinary life."
Harsha gulped.
"Second question," he said. "Do you have powers? And what category are you?"
"Yes, I do. But I can't tell you my category—it's against the Elemental Code."
"But you can show me, right?" Harsha grinned mischievously.
"Nope," Avi said, smirking. "Even showing powers is forbidden in front of humans."
"Fine! Then here's my third question—who's your girlfriend?"
Avi laughed out loud. "You're unbelievable."
"You promised!" Harsha protested between giggles.
"Her name is Aradhya," Avi confessed, chuckling.
"Whoa! How'd you meet—"
"That's four questions," Avi cut in. "Nice try!"
Harsha pouted as Avi stood up to leave.
"Bhaiya… can you stay here tonight? I promise I won't bother you."
Avi paused. He couldn't say no. He nodded and stayed.
As they lay in the quiet, Harsha whispered, "Can I tell my friends about all this?"
"No," Avi replied firmly. "It's our secret."
"Okay… good night, bhaiya."
"Good night, Harsha."
Avi closed his eyes but used telepathy to speak to someone far away:
> "I won't make it tonight. I'm staying with my brother."
---
The Next Morning
"Rise and shine!" Avi called out, shaking Harsha awake. "You'll be late for your trip!"
Harsha sat up groggily. "Yeah… I remember. But honestly, I don't feel like going. I'd rather spend time with you and Dad. What if I don't get my powers? I'll be twelve next month…"
Avi smiled. "Then you live your life to the fullest while you still can. Be positive. And if you don't awaken… you may forget us, but we'll never forget you. We'll find ways to see you."
"But if you do awaken… this might be the last time you see your friends. So enjoy this trip like it's your last."
Harsha nodded and got ready.
Soon, his friends arrived:
Sahil, the mischief-maker
Jaideep, the quiet thinker
Khwaish, ever curious and bold
With them was Joel, Avi's best friend and their trip supervisor.
They were headed to Auli, a snow-laden paradise in the heart of Uttarakhand. The trip was for kids aged 10 to 11, offering a chance to explore, bond, and experience adventure.
Little did Harsha know—this wasn't just a trip.
It was the beginning of his journey… toward destiny.
Next chapter:-2( The journey to Auli)