The first light of dawn crept cautiously over the shattered skyline of Delhi, casting long shadows over ruined buildings and the silent streets beneath. The world was a husk of its former self—buildings crumbled, vehicles abandoned, the once-bustling city now a graveyard for memories and lost hopes. Yet, within this apocalypse-torn city, there was a rare beacon of calm and inexplicable warmth: the Hanuman Mandir.
Arjun Rathore, Varun, and Dhani moved carefully through the empty streets, their footsteps muted by the dust that coated every surface. The air was heavy with silence and an undercurrent of unseen power, the kind that made Arjun's hairs stand on end. The trio approached the ancient temple, its structure still remarkably intact, its stone walls seeming to pulse softly with a life of their own.
They stepped inside through the towering arched doorway, the sound of their feet echoing faintly against the sacred stones. The temple's interior was bathed in the amber glow of oil lamps still flickering after countless nights, their flames protected by some unseen force. The idol of Bajrangbali, the mighty Hanuman himself, stood tall at the altar, his eyes gleaming with a fiery intensity that defied the dark that encroached on the world outside.
Arjun's pulse quickened as he stepped forward and reached out to touch the carved stone of Bajrangbali's chest. His fingers brushed the surface, and instantly a wave of heat surged through his arm — a warmth that spread down to his fingertips and raced into his veins. The temple seemed to hum softly, as if acknowledging his presence.
Without warning, the familiar system interface flickered to life in Arjun's vision. The translucent screen shimmered, an ethereal voice echoing softly in his mind.
System Message:Divine Witness Contact Initiated"You seek truth and justice, mortal. Prove your worth to the divine. Only then shall you bear the blessing to expose the wicked."
A quest prompt materialized before him, hovering like a sacred scroll:
Quest: Trial of Strength and Spirit
Objective: Retrieve the Sacred Ashes from the Forbidden Ruins, guarded by corrupted spirits.
Reward: Divine Favor – Tier 1 Blessing of Hanuman (Immense Strength & Endurance)
Status: Mandatory for Divine Witness Support
Arjun's mind raced. The system was placing a divine trial before him—a test that would not only prove his worth but grant him power beyond mortal limits. The Sacred Ashes were a relic said to hold the essence of Bajrangbali's own strength, scattered in a forsaken place now warped by the apocalypse's dark energy. Retrieving it would be no easy task, but Arjun had no doubts.
He nodded slowly, the determination in his eyes hardening like tempered steel.
"Done," he said aloud, voice steady.
Stat Overview – Arjun Rathore, Level 5
Strength: 14 – Power to subdue, break, and endure
Agility: 7 – Quick reflexes honed from street combat and police training
Endurance: 14 – The iron will to keep fighting, despite pain and exhaustion
Awareness: 10 – Sharp senses, alert to every subtle threat
Willpower: 8 – Mental fortitude to resist fear and despair
Instinct: 8 – The unexplainable gut feeling, honed by years of policing
Varun, standing a few steps behind, watched quietly. His eyes were sharp with understanding and concern. He knew Arjun faced a heavy burden, but he also sensed something new stirring in the air — a glimpse of hope among the ruins.
Turning to Dhani, Varun's voice softened. "You're powerful, but raw. Let's sharpen that edge."
Stat Overview – Varun, Level 3
Strength: 6 – Youthful, but building muscle and resolve
Agility: 14 – Quick, nimble, able to weave through danger
Endurance: 7 – Still growing, can push for short bursts
Awareness: 8 – Observant, learns quickly
Willpower: 10 – Strong mind, driven by a fierce desire to survive
Instinct: 11 – Keen senses, almost preternatural awareness
While Arjun's mind was fixed on the divine task ahead, Varun and Dhani set about preparations of their own. The abandoned market street nearby offered ample space and materials — broken glass, rusty metal pipes, scattered nails, and empty cans littered the ground. Using these scraps, Varun began crafting traps and makeshift weapons. His fingers were deft, quickly assembling rudimentary pipe bombs and spike traps designed to incapacitate or slow enemies.
"Don't underestimate these," Varun said, holding up a crude but deadly pipe bomb. "They're small, but packed with enough punch to buy you a few seconds in a fight."
Dhani watched with wide eyes, nodding eagerly. His powers were unlike anything Varun had seen—elemental control that shimmered faintly as the boy summoned gentle gusts or flickers of flame. But those abilities needed control, refinement, or they'd burn him out.
Varun wasted no time putting Dhani through a series of training exercises. They moved to an open area, far from the temple, where Dhani practiced channeling his powers.
"Focus on the air first," Varun instructed. "Control the currents, bend them. Not just blow things up."
Dhani's eyes glowed faintly as he summoned a whirling vortex of wind around a pile of rubble. With a sharp motion, he directed it toward a pile of metal scraps, sending them scattering.
"Good," Varun nodded. "Now try combining it with my traps."
He placed a pipe bomb behind a stack of crates, lighting the fuse just before stepping back. As the bomb exploded, Dhani summoned a wall of swirling air to direct the shockwave away from them.
Varun smiled. "Perfect. You're getting it."
The training session was interrupted by a distant, guttural growl — an unmistakable sound in this new world. The creatures of the apocalypse, the Ravagers, were never far.
Varun tightened his grip on a makeshift spear, signaling Dhani to ready his powers.
A dark, twisted figure lurched from the shadows — a Ravager, its mottled flesh crawling with boils, eyes glowing faintly red in the gloom. It moved erratically but charged forward with deadly intent.
Varun threw a pipe bomb at its feet. The explosion rocked the area, but the Ravager staggered only briefly before snarling and lunging forward.
Dhani summoned a gust of wind, aiming to slow the beast. The Ravager reeled, caught off guard, and Varun pressed the advantage — stabbing with his spear and knocking the creature off balance.
The fight was brutal but short. When the Ravager finally collapsed, Varun breathed heavily, his mind already tallying the experience gained and skills honed.
Level Up – Varun to Level 4
Skill Upgrades:
Trap Crafting – Improved (25% more efficiency)
Elemental Control (Air) – Precision +2
Agility +1
Awareness +1
Meanwhile, Arjun sat within the temple, meditating on the divine quest ahead. He knew the journey to the Forbidden Ruins would test him physically, mentally, and spiritually. The system's blessings, while powerful, required him to prove himself worthy.
The shadows of the false saint and his followers weighed heavily on his mind — the innocent lives lost and the corruption festering in a place meant to be sacred.
Retrieving the Sacred Ashes was more than a test — it was the first step in cleansing this broken world.
The system reminded him softly:
"Divine Favor will grant you blessings beyond mortal limits — strength of Hanuman, endurance like the mountains, and resistance to fear. But beware, power attracts attention. The higher the favor, the greater the cost."
Arjun clenched his fists. He would pay any price.
As dawn fully broke over the city, the trio prepared to depart. Varun checked his traps, Dhani focused his elemental senses, and Arjun stood tall, feeling the unyielding weight of duty settle firmly on his shoulders.
The apocalypse had stripped the world bare, but the flames of hope still burned within those willing to fight.