Ram folded the note carefully and slid it under his bed, as if the paper might
listen if left out too long. His stomach growled, loud enough to betray his
thoughts. Rahul's voice echoed down the corridor, calling him to breakfast,
with Arun following close behind.
The eating area looked unreal, like a reward zone after survival. Plates of
lasagna steamed on long tables, bowls of fresh salad glistening under warm
lights.
Rahul loaded his plate generously. "Finally, food that doesn't try to kill us."
Arun, however, took two servings of salad and skipped the lasagna entirely.
Rahul squinted at him. "What's wrong with you? On a survival island,
you're dieting?"
Arun replied flatly, "My physique will be affected."
Rahul smirked. "As if that matters. You already look like a fake natty on
steroids."
Arun didn't react. His eyes drifted somewhere far away, stuck on a memory
he didn't like. Rocky. The copied move. The way his own strength had been
reflected back at him. He ate in silence.
They finished quickly and left together. Or at least, that's what Ram and
Rahul thought.
Halfway down the corridor, Ram noticed something off. "Where's Arun?"
Rahul turned. "He was just behind us. They retraced a few steps, then stopped. Ahead, Arun stood alone in a side
passage, his body tense. At the far end, Rocky walked calmly, hands in his
pockets.
Arun followed him.
As he stepped closer, the snake tattoo on his neck pulsed, glowing blue for a
split second.
Too late.
Rocky spun around and slashed Arun across the chest with his wooden
sword. The impact sent Arun crashing to his knees, blood soaking into his
shirt.
Rocky leaned closer, voice cold. "What were you trying to do, stalker?"
Arun's eyes hardened. He surged forward, launching a kick straight at
Rocky's chest. Rocky raised his arm to block, confident.
Midair, the kick twisted.
The angle changed unnaturally.
Rocky slammed into the ground, skidding across the floor. Blood spilled
from his nose as he groaned.
Arun stood over him, breathing hard. "You should stop copying people
better than you and stop licking the ground kid."
Before Rocky could respond, Arun turned and walked away.
Minutes later, Ram and Rahul were searching frantically when Arun
appeared in front of them, his chest bleeding but his posture relaxed.
"I saw a weak kid," Arun said calmly. "So I started playing with him. He
damaged my chest a little, but I defeated him."
Rahul blinked. "A little?"
Arun smirked, already walking past them.
He headed toward the gym as if nothing had happened. Ram and Rahul stood frozen.
"That was… disturbing," Rahul muttered.
Ram remembered the note. His hand clenched. "The scroll."
They returned to their room, took out the sealed scroll, and exchanged a
look.
The kitchen.
They sneaked in, hiding behind counters and ducking under tables while
chefs moved around them. Rahul almost laughed when Ram knocked over a
spoon and froze mid-step like a statue.
They reached the stove.
Ram held the scroll over the flame.
Nothing happened.
Then the surface darkened, crumbled, and dissolved into purple ash that
scattered into the air. The ash hovered, forming glowing letters above it.
A riddle appeared, burning softly in the air:
"I grow when you run,
I vanish when faced.
I bind the strong,
Yet free the brave.
Name me."
They stared at it, hearts pounding.
Rahul whispered, "I think I know…"
Ram swallowed.
The word hung between them like a shadow.
Fear.
The letters flickered violently.
And the room went dark.