Aaravgarh wasn't like other cities. On the surface, it buzzed with modernity—skyscrapers glittering like constellations, street markets humming with life, rickshaws honking alongside luxury cars. But underneath that steel-and-neon mask, it breathed old secrets. Forgotten legends still pulsed through its underground tunnels, its abandoned temples, its shadows.
Vir Armaan was used to being invisible. Not literally, of course—not until tonight.
At twenty-one, he had mastered the art of blending in. An engineering student in his final year, he wasn't the class topper, nor the rebel, nor the extrovert with a million followers on social media. He was just… there. Like a piece of furniture in a room—noticed only when it moved out of place.
It was past midnight. The wind on the hostel rooftop carried the scent of rain-soaked concrete. Vir sat near the edge, legs dangling over the side, earphones in, music low, head tilted toward the stars.
Another sleepless night.
Another day coming where no one would remember his name.
Then—something strange.
A flicker of gold in the corner of his eye. Like a firefly—but too steady. He blinked, pulled off his earphones, and turned his head.
Near an old water tank at the far end of the rooftop, something shimmered.
He stood up. A mixture of curiosity and boredom drove his steps. Maybe it was just a wrapper catching the light—or maybe it was something else. Anything was better than another night lost in his own thoughts.
As he approached, he noticed it wasn't just light. It was… pulsating. Like a heartbeat.
Behind the tank, partially hidden under a slab of broken concrete, lay a small wooden box. No dust. No cobwebs. Just... there. Clean. Waiting.
Vir hesitated.
Then his hand moved.
The box was smooth, polished, as if untouched by time. On its lid were ancient markings—some kind of script he didn't recognize. He rubbed a finger across them. They glowed faintly under his touch.
"Okay… definitely not normal."
He unlatched the box.
Inside was a ring. Thick, metallic, and glowing softly with golden energy. Symbols wrapped around it, shifting like liquid, never the same when looked at twice.
The moment he touched it, the air around him thickened. The wind stopped. The city's noise faded.
He should've run. Called someone. Questioned it.
But something inside whispered, Put it on.
He did.
Instantly, a shockwave surged through his body. It wasn't pain—more like a rush of heat and light filling every vein. His vision blurred, ears rang, breath caught in his throat. The rooftop around him twisted, as if reality itself held its breath.
Then everything went silent.
He staggered back. Looked at his hand. The ring pulsed, once, then faded to dull gold.
Nothing happened.
For a moment.
Then he heard footsteps.
Behind him.
He turned.
No one.
Again—footsteps. This time to the side.
Still no one.
He looked at the rooftop door, its glass surface reflecting the moonlight. But the reflection was wrong.
He wasn't there.
His heart skipped. He blinked.
Still no reflection.
His hands shot up. He couldn't see them.
He looked down. No chest. No legs. Nothing.
"Holy—" he gasped, spinning in place. "I'm invisible?!"
Panic gripped him, but it was quickly overwhelmed by awe.
He waved a hand. Nothing. Moved a foot. Still nothing. Jumped.
"Okay," he said out loud, "either I'm hallucinating or I just unlocked a superhero cheat code."
Before he could experiment more, a high-pitched whirring sound filled the air.
He ducked instinctively.
A sleek black drone zipped overhead, scanning the area with a red laser beam. It wasn't a toy. Its matte surface, quiet propulsion, and glowing insignia gave it a military vibe.
Vir froze.
On the drone's side was a symbol: a serpent coiled around an eye.
Suddenly, the drone shot a dart. It hit the water tank behind him and exploded into blue flames.
"Yup. Definitely not friendly!"
He sprinted toward the rooftop stairs. The drone followed, releasing two more darts. One missed. One grazed his shoulder.
He didn't feel pain, but the area around the graze numbed instantly. Like ice under his skin.
He burst through the rooftop door and raced down the stairs, taking three steps at a time.
His heart pounded louder than his footsteps.
"Why me? What did I even activate?"
The ring glowed again.
As he reached the ground floor, he realized something—no one saw him. The hostel guard at the gate scratched his head, confused, as the door swung open by itself. Two students chatting near the tea stall didn't notice his sprint through their table.
He was completely invisible.
And completely alone.
Back in his room, Vir locked the door and stared at his reflection—or lack thereof. The invisibility faded slowly, his body flickering like static on an old TV screen.
When it returned fully, he collapsed into his chair.
His mind raced. This wasn't a prank. The drone. The attack. The sensation. The ring.
Everything was real.
He opened his laptop and searched:"Golden ring, invisibility, serpent eye symbol"
Dozens of results popped up, mostly myths and urban legends. But one link stood out:"The Ring of Nayan: The Hidden Warrior's Curse."
He clicked.
An old forum post from ten years ago, written by someone named "The Seer".
"A ring forged by ancient hands. Grants the wearer the gift of invisibility, but at a cost. Once awakened, the wearer becomes a target—not just of men, but of things far worse. If you find the ring… run."
Vir leaned back.
Run?
Where would he even go?
He looked at the ring again. It seemed quieter now. As if it had done its job and was waiting for the next command.
Suddenly, his phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
He answered.
A robotic voice spoke:"Vir Armaan. You have been chosen. Do not remove the ring. Do not trust anyone. We see you."
Click.
The call ended.
Vir stared at the screen. His breath came in short gasps.
"What the hell have I just gotten into…"
Outside, thunder rumbled. The city lights flickered for a second.
Somewhere far across town, another drone launched into the night.
And in the shadows, a figure watched a screen filled with Vir's image—his bio, his movements, his ring status.
"Subject #1087. Ring activated. Phase One complete."
End of Chapter 1