Note : It's a series in which you need a long time to get the pay off(in short slowburn story )if you like stories which have immediate action I suggest you to wait or binge the Ch -1 to Ch -18 it's a bit slow part and mostly explain power system,lore and as well show emotional bonding and etc
And yes please comment a small message that will help me grow and make this series better [you can criticise the mistake]
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Now the story:
Crystal City....
Siya walked toward the old man, her steps light but curious."Uncle… I have a question," she said softly.
The old man looked up from arranging some tools."Yes, kid? What is it?" he replied, his voice gentle but a little tired.
Yami came over too, carrying a box, curious.
Siya hesitated for a second, then asked softly,"Can I… call you something else? Like how I call Yami?"
The old man smiled gently."And what would you call me?"
Siya's voice was small but sincere."Baba."
Both the old man and Yami froze for a moment—surprised.
Siya continued, her eyes warm,"You said you're like our father… so can I call you that?"
For a moment, the world around the old man went still.
A memory flashed behind his eyes—a small boy years ago, tugging on his sleeve, smiling the same innocent smile,"Baba… can I stay here today?"
A single tear slipped from the old man's eye.
He took a shaky breath, placed a warm hand on Siya's head, and whispered,
"…Yes.Yes, kid. You can."
Yami set the box on the table, dusting off his hands.
He looked at Siya, a little shy but trying to look confident.He raised his hand slightly toward her and asked,
"So… would you like to be my friend?"
Siya blinked once—then a small playful smile formed on her lips.
She tilted her head and teased lightly,
"I don't make friends that easily… Mr. Yami."
Yami froze for a second.
Yami froze. Siya's teasing smile hit him harder than any punch.
She said lightly,"I don't make friends that easily, Mr. Yami."
Yami blinked—shocked, stiff, almost offended—but also oddly hopeful.
"But… how can I be your friend then, ma'am…?"His voice cracked just a little.
Siya tilted her head, thinking.(He's a good person… I can feel it… but I should take my time.)
She smiled softly.
"Uhh… then you have to be my bodyguard for one week."
Yami went pale.
"B-Bodyguard!?"A cold wind brushed past him, ruffling his hair.
He stood still for a moment, then nodded.
"…Okay. Miss Siya."
But inside—
"I'm ready to be her bodyguard for my whole life… just don't be like—her…"
The thought stabbed him.
A flash of memory exploded in his mind:
A girl with messy red hair, eyes sharp with anger, shouting at him on a cold street:
"Yami… you're a fucking bastard! I hate you!"She shoved him hard, tears in her eyes."You don't deserve to love someone!! You'll always be alone… I wish I never loved you…"
Her voice echoed…The echo turned into silence…And Yami's smile faded for a second—just a second.
Then he straightened up, forcing a grin.
"Then… I'll do my best, Miss Siya."
Baba placed a hand on Yami's shoulder and pulled Siya gently closer."Yami," he said in a low, warning voice, "take care of my child. If you don't… I'll make your nights feel like death."
Yami forced a smile."I know how to do my work, old man," he replied.But inside, his chest tightened.
As he looked at Siya.
Yami's vision blurred.
As Baba pulled Siya closer in that father-like hug, Yami looked at her face…and for a split second—
she wasn't Siya anymore.
Her gentle green eyes shifted into sharp red ones, her soft smile twisted into that familiar, painful smirk…
The red-haired girl.
The girl who once stood under the rain, hair messy, eyes trembling, whispering:
"Yami… I wish we had been together."
The memory hit him like a blade.
Siya blinked, confused.Baba frowned slightly.
But Yami didn't say a word—he just lowered his head, a tear slipping down before he could stop it.
He swallowed hard and forced himself to look away.
Then suddenly—
He turned and rushed away, almost choking on the air.
"I—I'll be back in a second!" he called out, voice shaking as he disappeared into the bathroom.
Siya and Baba stood frozen in surprise, staring after him.
Inside the bathroom, the door clicked shut.Yami gripped the sink with trembling hands, staring at his reflection.
His hands trembled as he opened the small cabinet, grabbed a strip of tablets, and swallowed one with trembling gulps of tap water.
"Don't remember… don't remember…" he muttered, voice cracking."Not again…"
His hands trembled uncontrollably.
A sudden surge of rage burst through him.His fist flew forward—
CRASH!
The mirror shattered instantly, splitting into a thousand shards scattered across the sink and floor.
For a moment, everything was silent.
Then—
One shard rolled lightly, stopping upright.The room fell into a trembling silence.Even the air felt bruised, as if it had taken Yami's pain into itself.No one dared speak; the moment was too fragile.
The wind outside slowed, as if the whole world was holding its breath with him. Yami's shoulders trembled, his fingers felt like digging into the dirt. For a moment, nothing moved—only the sound of his uneven breathing filled the empty air.
Its surface shimmered…and inside it, another mirror appeared—forming itself in front of Chhaya, miles away.(just a trasition)--------------------------------
Chhaya stood on the edge of the rooftop, the night wind brushing through her dark hair as she watched Ansh from above.Her sapphire eyes narrowed.
"Huh… complexity," she exhaled, irritated."I came here to surpass that bastard… but now I have to be a teacher for this newcomer?Tch… this is just damn bad."
A soft mechanical hum rose behind her.
A small sapphire-blue bot floated up beside her, lights flickering gently.
"Hey, Chhaya," it said in its light metallic voice, "remember… Daksha always thinks before giving a mission."
Chhaya clicked her tongue and looked away.
"Yeah, yeah… Master doesn't do anything without ten hidden reasons…"Her fingers tightened around the edge of the roof."But making me guide someone? That's still nonsense."
The bot rotated slowly in the air.
"Maybe this time the mission isn't about you surpassing anyone…Maybe it's about someone surpassing you."
Chhaya's eye twitched.
"Try saying that again," she growled.
The bot immediately floated a few inches back.
"—Never mind."
The surface of the water inside Chhaya's cup trembled, reflecting a distant scene…--------------------------------
City Market — 4 PM
Ansh stood outside a small tea shop.He glanced at his watch — 4:00 PM.
"I still have time… but is Siya okay?" he wondered, jaw tightening.
Rudra appeared beside him, holding two paper cups."Hey Ansh, take this. Best tea here."
Ansh nodded. "Thanks."
Rudra smirked suddenly, his eyes narrowing with mischief.He looked past Ansh and said in a teasing voice,
"Hello… Chhaya."
A sudden wind rushed through the street.A presence drew closer, soft but unmistakable.
Ansh froze.Something shifted in the air—soft, like a curtain brushing against his skin.A faint warmth gathered at the back of his neck, not dangerous… but aware.
Snowflakes slowed around him, drifting in strange, lazy circles.
For a moment, he thought he was just tired.Then the silence broke—only a single footstep behind him, light as a falling leaf.
He turned.
Chhaya stood there, her eyes half-hidden under her hood, watching him like she already knew the answer to every question he hadn't asked yet.
Only then did she speak.
Chhaya said softly, "Hello, Rudra."Her voice was calm, but Rudra's eyes twitched in irritation — a reaction he couldn't hide.
Ansh stood there, unable to look away from the girl.Rudra sighed, nudging him lightly. "Ansh, she is Chhaya… my classmate."
Ansh blinked, forcing a polite smile."Hello, Chhaya… nice to meet you."
But the moment he said it, something else happened —the blue trident mark on his arm shimmered, faint but unmistakable, like it was responding to her presence.
A tiny spark of sapphire light crawled under his skin.
Ansh's thoughts rushed wildly.
Who is she? Why is my mark reacting? Do I… have some connection with her?His fingers moved slowly, almost unconsciously, touching the glowing trident mark.
Chhaya's eyes briefly flicked to the glow —and for a split second, her expression cracked.Something like surprise… or recognition… or maybe fear.
Ansh hesitated.
Should I just ask her directly?Or… should I stay calm and first befriend her?
Chhaya stepped forward, her eyes half-lidded with sharp confidence."Nice to meet you, Ansh…" she said softly.
Then she leaned in, so close Ansh could feel her breath brush his ear.
"I know exactly what you're thinking, Ansh."Her voice dropped—calm, teasing, certain.
Rudra blinked."Huh? Chhaya, stop whispering like that! Speak normally like— like A men !"
Chhaya flicked her hair back."You idiot… I am a woman."
"I know that!" Rudra protested, flustered.
Before the annoyance could escalate, a sapphire-coloured bot suddenly hovered down between them.
"HEY, coward! Daksha is calling you. Immediately!"The bot turned to Rudra with a mechanical snicker."And I absolutely love it when Chhaya insults you."
Rudra groaned, pushed the bot away in irritation, then exhaled sharply."Tch… whatever. Hey Ansh, I'll be back soon. You two can talk till then."
He jogged off, leaving Ansh and Chhaya standing alone, the air charged, her earlier whisper still echoing in Ansh's mind.
Chhaya stepped closer, her shadow brushing against Ansh."Hey Ansh… just ask me what you want to ask," she said softly, eyes locked on him.
Ansh hesitated, lips parting but no words coming out."W-What are you talking about? I don't… know."
Chhaya clicked her tongue."Huh… stop pretending. I know you want to ask something."
Ansh's eyes narrowed.His fingers instinctively slid toward the glowing blue trident mark on his skin.
"So… it's about this mark?" she said, gaze dropping to his arm.
Ansh exhaled slowly."If that's the deal… then yeah. I should know what this mark is. And… why I even have it."
The world around him faded.
and with that un answered question
Chapter 5 ends.
Chapter 6 coming soon…