The market was lively when they arrived.
Vendors shouted. Children ran between stalls. The smell of spices and fresh vegetables filled the air.
Then—
Hello, mister! Are you looking for vegetables and fruit? Come here!
An old woman waved at them from a small wooden stall. Her smile was wrinkled but warm.
These vegetables and fruits are very fresh. Have a look.
Deva and Karan approached.
Karan leaned slightly toward Deva and whispered,
Why don't you ask her about the incident? But don't panic her.
Okay, Deva replied calmly.
He began examining the produce casually.
These look really good,he said, lifting a tomato. Oh… and these apples look delicious. Did you grow them yourself, old ma'am?
I did, she replied proudly. And they're very sweet. Have a bite.
Deva accepted the apple and took a bite.
A genuine reaction spread across his face.
Oh my… these are really tasty.
The old woman chuckled. So, do you want to buy some?
Deva glanced at Karan.
Alright. We will. But we don't have anything to carry them.
No problem, she said kindly. You can use my bucket.
It seems you boys aren't from this village, she added. I haven't seen you before. Are you visiting someone?
Deva nodded. You're right.
That answer made things easier — but also heavier.
Karan asked carefully,
How can you be sure we're not from here?
The woman smiled knowingly.
This village is small. Everyone knows everyone. And you came to the market without bringing anything to carry goods.
Sharp.
Deva exchanged a glance with Karan.
You guessed correctly,Deva admitted. We're guardians from the Seventh Temple.
The old woman's eyes widened.
Guardians? From the Seventh Temple? That explains the bow your partner carries.
Deva smiled slightly at Karan.
I haven't seen guardians here in months, she continued. If you're here… something must have happened.
We received reports, Deva said calmly, that people from this region are disappearing mysteriously. The temple sent us to investigate. But this village seems normal… which means the problem might be elsewhere.
Disappearing…she repeated softly.
If you know anything, please cooperate with us,Karan said.
She thought for a moment.
No. I don't know anything like that.
Then it must be another village, Deva muttered.
You won't find one,she interrupted.
Both boys looked at her.
In this direction, this is the last village. There is no other nearby.
Confusion flickered between them.
Then—
Hey! You thief! Return my fruit!
They turned.
A girl — maybe thirteen or fourteen — ran across the market. Her clothes were torn and filthy. Her body thin from hunger. An apple clutched tightly in her hand.
She slipped.
Fell hard.
The apple rolled to Karan's feet.
He picked it up.
The girl tried to stand — but a large man grabbed her wrist violently.
Where are you running, little rat? You thought you could steal from me and escape?
SLAP.
The sound echoed.
She hit the ground again.
I'll teach you a lesson!
He stepped closer.
Deva's jaw tightened.
The man sneered. She begged for food. I refused. That rotten apple was garbage anyway.
Karan looked at the apple in his hand.
It was rotten.
He crushed it.
You jerk.
The man grabbed the girl by the neck.
In a flash—
Karan appeared in front of him.
He seized the man's wrist.
Leave her.
Cold.
Deadly.
Who are you, kid? Get out of my way!
I said. Leave. Her.
Karan tightened his grip.
Bones creaked.
The man screamed and released the girl. She collapsed — but Deva caught her.
Fear filled the man's eyes.
Who is this boy…?
Karan took a step forward.
The man noticed the bow.
You're a guardian! You're supposed to kill Ashuras, not civilians like me!
Karan's eyes darkened.
Oh? Killing bad people like you is also our job.
Meanwhile, Deva tried to wake the girl.
She was unconscious.
He carried her back toward the old woman's stall.
Water. Please.
Suddenly—
Help! Someone save me from this guardian! He's trying to kill me!
The man screamed loudly.
Deva's eyes narrowed.
Please take care of her, he told the old woman — and ran back.
Karan had drawn a knife from the man's hand.
Stop! Deva shouted, jumping between them. We can't kill him. He's a civilian.
He may be a civilian, Karan growled, but he's filth. We have to—
No. It violates our code.
Karan's breathing grew heavy.
I'll kill him.
Rage consumed him.
Memories.
Humiliation.
Pain.
Something dark flickered in his eyes.
The man on the ground suddenly began to laugh.
Slow.
Twisted.
The laughter grew louder.
Both guardians froze.
His veins turned black.
Skin cracking.
Bones shifting.
...Ashura,Deva whispered.
Before the transformation completed—
Karan released an arrow.
BOOM.
Direct hit.
The body collapsed.
Silence.
Yes,Karan replied quietly. But… he was evolving.
They looked around.
The market was empty.
Everyone was gone.
Where did they go?Karan muttered.
He stepped closer to the corpse.
The blood.
It was black.
And it was moving.
Forming patterns.
Then—
Symbols.
Karan's eyes widened.
Deva! Run! It's a ritual circle!
Deva's heartbeat pounded.
This isn't recruitment…
His voice turned cold.
This is preparation.
Suddenly—
The ground trembled.
Chains burst from beneath the earth.
Karan sliced one mid-air.
But more followed.
From the center of the ritual circle—
Black smoke rose.
A voice echoed.
So… two young guardians.
A tall figure formed within the smoke.
Not fully human.
Not fully material.
Red eyes burned like dying embers.
Deva steadied his breath.
…The Ashura… and this whole scene… was an illusion?
The figure smiled.
No.
The ground cracked beneath it.
I am what your world fears.
Pressure exploded outward.
Kneel before the Master of Illusions.
Karan dropped to one knee.
His weapon trembled violently.
Deva remained standing.
Barely.
The Ashura's gaze shifted toward him.
…Interesting.
The chains moved.
Not toward Karan.
Toward Deva.
As if recognizing him.
As if waiting.
Karan forced himself up. Deva! Move!
The Ashura smiled wider.
Ah… so that is why you interest us.
Far beneath the mountains—
A sealed chamber began to glow.
Back at the Seventh Temple
Lord Seven suddenly opened his eyes.
The wind around him shifted violently.
…East.
A senior guardian stepped forward. What is it?
Lord Seven's face turned pale.
They didn't send recruits to the east.
Silence.
They sent a commander.
Cliffhanger
West — recruitment.
North — corrupted soldiers.
East — something far worse.
And somewhere in the darkness…
A throne of bone waited.
A deep voice echoed through the abyss.
Phase one… is complete
In the seventh temple lord seven thoughts we have to hurry gust survive until other guardians comes Hari call them it's an emergency.
Hari "yes master" it's seems the time is come