"Where are they?" Pruthvi grunted, struggling to hold Hayden's and his own heavier bag, plus all the extra stuff he had received in the last minute before their escape. He shoved the envelope and the glossy paper Hayden had given him into his bag and zipped it tight.

He and Leena were standing at the entrance of the orphanage, close to the mermaid fountain. They were desperately waiting for their friend and his sister to come out safely. Pruthvi felt his insides squirm in a way he never felt before. This wait for them seemed to be for a lifetime and in this growing nervousness he was barely able formulate a thought about what could be taking them so long.

This menacing fire had created an impact even on the orphanage above their academy, dark gust of smoke pouring out of the windows, amidst the fiery flames. All the admins, the senior citizens and children had already rushed outside, their outraged wails signifying how extremely intimidated they were about their only habitat getting ruined. Majority of them were badly injured, the recently arrived ambulances taking care of them. Fire engines were called upon as well and the fighters were doing their best to put off the fire and save remaining of the survivors.  

"I am scared," said Leena, her eyes streaming looking at the commotion. "They should have come out already."

Pruthvi was striding here and there with a pace, scratching his head. Leena's worried expression heightened his own fear. He threw both the bags aside and went ahead to hold her hand. He was doing his best to calm himself and his girlfriend down. And before they could think of anything to do, they found Naomika running hurriedly towards them.

"Are you coming or not?" she demanded as she got closer.

The Breaking Samagraha were firm on their decision. They were indeed leaving. All of them had already aboard the bus and while escaping from the academy, Pruthvi and Leena were also asked to join them to which they hesitated to give a reply.

"You go," Leena shouted before Pruthvi could respond, "We are not coming with you."

"Thank you," snapped Naomika, glaring at her and ran back towards the bus.

"Tools," mumbled Pruthvi, grudgingly beneath his breath watching the bus reversing and speedily driven away by Blythe.

Watching them leave, an unimportant and undeserving thought crossed his mind. They were never going to see any of the Breaking Samagraha ever again. Friends or not, they still had been living together under the same roof for many years, maintaining peace among them. But now everything was over.

Academy was truly broken.

"Pruthvi, what do we do?" Leena asked, her voice more like a high-pitch whisper.

At first he wanted to suggest her to use the water from the lake and help the fighters. She needed an exceptional amount of water for this stubborn fire to put off. But he wasn't sure, his nervousness not allowing him to decide if this was the right thing to do in the open world where they weren't allowed to get exposed.

His heart sank, only with the thought that they were homeless.

He looked into her scared eyes and pulled her closer to wrap her in his embrace. His own eyes began to fill realizing how alone they were. They had no place to go, no place to live. Doctor and Ira weren't in the academy to help them travel to Dakshinpur, the place they truly originated from. It was his mistake-last evening when Doctor had suggested them to join him in helping King Aghasthya for the marriage preparations, Pruthvi had implored that it would be best for them to leave for Dakshinpur only the day before the wedding. He needed time to make a plan for this job he was given. He just couldn't be rash like Hayden was and on top of it, he had committed himself to take over Hayden's promise to bring Tyrell back.

"I'll contact Hayden," he said, looking down at her and wiping her tears, "Don't worry, alright?"

Letting her go, he irrevocably concentrated on his Emerald and it took several minutes to find the connection, and those few minutes were enough for his agitation to grow up with a palpable force.

"Where the hell are you?" he shouted, when finally Hayden answered. Leena let out a understated sigh and impatiently mouthed a millions question for him to ask.

"I am in Dakshinpur," said Hayden, tiredly, "Ira opened gates for us."

"You can't be serious!" Pruthvi blurted, harshly, "And you didn't find it important to inform me? You have no idea how worried we are!"

"It all happened so quickly," Hayden said trying to reassure him, "training room was all on fire, Nazira was lying down on the floor unconscious, I didn't know what to do..."

"Hold it, hold it," Pruthvi huffed, "Nazira is unconscious?"

Leena gasped loudly and held Pruthvi's hand as his eyes darkened.

"I had no other choice but to bring her here," Hayden replied, "Don't worry, Ira told me she is going to be fine."

"Well, that really helps!"

"I am sorry, alright?" Hayden said, his voice trailing, "Look, I just needed time to process."

"Process what?"

He then heard a low gulping sound before his friend could answer. "It was Tyrell."

"What?" Pruthvi asked, his heart rate accelerating.

"Tyrell blasted our academy," replied Hayden, "That was what I wanted to tell you..."

Pruthvi lost it for a second, too nonplussed to either hear more from his friend about it or to get words out of his mouth. His stomach heaved unhelpfully out of sudden increasing appetite but he just tried to not to show it on his face only for Leena's sake. He caught her blank stare and just fixed his gaze on her.

"Pruthvi, are you there?" Hayden asked.

"Yeah..." He wheezed, trying to digest the fact that his friend was so close to them and they had missed the chance that might never come again. "What were you saying?" he asked, "Say it again."

"Tyrell can open Gates now," Hayden replied, "I just don't want to imagine what else he can do... being an opal user. Doctor was right. He is learning stuff, probably all kinds of dark stuff."

"Hayden, you are making me feel worse now."

"What did Doctor tell you?" Hayden asked, "Is he coming back to take you to the wedding?"

"I don't know. I have no idea!"

"Dude, are you okay?"

"NO, I AM NOT OKAY," he shouted, startling Leena. "It took you forever and a day to connect. My super duper weak sister is unconscious and I don't know if I am ever going to see both of you again. My best friends' soul is a playing all sleeping beauty, and again, I have no idea how I am going to fulfill my job . Leena and I are stuck here, nowhere to go..."

"That is what I am trying to tell you. I ll talk to Ira if she can help you."

"No, thank you," he said, "I should wait for Doctor. I guess he will know about academy soon and come back looking for us."

After a few seconds gap, Hayden then said, "Listen, I'll talk to you later."

"No, wait," Pruthvi shouted, "Hayden!"

It was too late. Connection between them was already lost.

"Whom are you talking to kid?"

A raspy voice alarmed Pruthvi and Leena. It was one of the fire-fighters- tall, stout and strong, wearing all greasy orange uniform, with a helmet on his head. He was watching them too suspiciously one after the other.

"None," said Pruthvi and quickly thought of a lie, "I was just imitating someone."

"This is not the time for your mimicking acts," said the fighter, "This place is not safe anymore. Do you want me to call your family?"

Family? Pruthvi thought, blinking furiously. Please do if you can.

Leena grabbed his hand, understanding how deeply he was hurting inside. "No sir, thank you," she said, "We are fine."

She gave Pruthvi a 'let's get out of here' look and holding their bags together they walked out of the orphanage and made their way towards the lake.

Leena quickly selected a fine pebble free area. She flung her flowery bag and the flamingo colored purse aside and asked Pruthvi to put down his stuff as well. They settled down close enough to each other, autumn breeze being their only company.

Pruthvi was staring at the water, without really seeing it. His mind was racing thinking about everything Hayden had informed him, and trying his best to relax his tensed body. He was given this job to find Tyrell and since past two days he had spent struggling to think of a way to find him. Until Hayden had found out the reason behind his moniker, Pruthvi was under an impression that three of them were going to be together in this search for their lost friend, and may be include Celina in this. But now it was as if the whole responsibility was dumped upon him, just because he possessed the double kinetic power.

Keeping everything aside, he didn't know how they were going to reach Dakshinpur in the first place. How in the world was Doctor would come to know about this incident, unless Hayden find an opportunity to meet him before he left for his own job in next few hours.

He was then forced to snap out of his thoughts when Leena placed her hand upon his, squeezing them reassuringly.

"What is bothering you, Pruthvi?" she asked, her husky quality of voice bringing him back to the present.

"Nothing," he replied, "Why would you ask that?"

"It's been more than fifteen minutes, and you haven't said a word to me. And it's the longest we ever stayed so quiet with each other."

He sighed softly, pulling his legs up, closer to his chest. He couldn't burden her up with his own sorrowful thoughts. Hayden was right, it needed time to process. 

"It's nothing," he said, "nothing is really bothering me. I just don't know how long we have to stay here, that's all."

"Didn't you say Doctor might come back? I am sure he will help us out."

He nodded, giving her a fake smile.

"And besides, I think he has to come back," she continued, trying to cheer him up, "My sister is getting is married next week. He might be looking for a beautiful, look alike bridesmaid."

He looked at her and when he felt she successfully attempted to lighten his mood, they broke down sharing a laugh.

They gazed at each other and Pruthvi found her eyes were full of passion and desire.

They both knew it was coming. Watching her shy look, he pulled her closer and himself leaned down to kiss her softly, his hand resting below her ear caressing her cheeks as she returned his gesture. They were deeply involved in their bold act, that certainly helped them forget the disaster they had been through. But Pruthvi's heightened senses were loyal to him. It made him react on his impulse.

He unwantedly and forcefully pulled himself back from their blissful moment, his eyes instantly widening, his nose flaring.

"What's wrong?" Leena whispered, watching his stunned expression.

Pruthvi had no time to answer her. He heaved himself up and at once commanded his stone. "Earthly Bind!"

The muddy cage uprooted out from the ground, the sand at the strand of the lake creating a crunching sound, pouring down when the cell emerged. Leena gasped and hurriedly stood up on finding the one person they weren't expecting here, in Tampa, stand in front of their eyes.

"Shourya!" she said desperately, her voice full of shrill, and glanced at Pruthvi to gauge his reaction.

"What in the world are you doing here?" Pruthvi asked, staring at him with total bewilderment, trying to deflate the growing tension out of his lungs.

He shifted his eyes on hearing a wing flapping sound approaching towards them. Maruthi glided over the cage and settled over the shoulder of their sudden unexpected company.

"Shou..where Nazi!" It screeched.

Shourya Pradhan, the leader of the Clan of Pradhan's, an unofficial clan of Paramarashtra, was standing all relaxed with a broad smile on his face, covered in his usual black robes, his body beneath it looked bulkier than the last Pruthvi had seen in Rawat's palace. His eyeballs were right now all black, but Pruthvi knew it very well, that he was keeping himself to change into the dog, to get away from the cage.

"Visually dynamic," complemented Shourya leaning over to the cage and poking Maruthi's beak, "the way you reacted, even at the time you are so romantically involved."

"Thanks to you," Pruthvi said, slightly getting annoyed for someone like Shourya talking about his personal matter.

"Where is Nazira?" Shourya asked, looking back at the burning orphanage.

Pruthvi took a long breath. Wasn't he the one to ask questions?

"She is with Hayden," he still replied.

"With Hayden?" he said, slightly surprised, "That means she is safe."

"What are you doing here?" Pruthvi asked immediately without giving him anymore chance.

Shourya smiled noticing his impatience. "I am actually here to meet you. But then I found out you are in trouble so..."

"Why?" asked Pruthvi, "Did Shashi kick you out of his team? Are you seeking a place to live?"

Shourya smirked. "Why do you think so?"

"Isn't it obvious? Because you gave me a second life."

"Aah, right!" said Shourya, now holding the parrot at the tip of his finger, and running his other hand over its head, "And no. Shashi cannot let me go. He needs me, and my clan. And moreover he is rather grateful that I saved you."

Pruthvi and Leena glanced at each other.

"Do I have to ask you how did you make that possible?" Pruthvi asked, as Leena lifted her hand up and touched her chain holding the Aquamarine.

"He still needs to perform that ritual remember?" Shourya replied, "If you die, he cannot have what he wants. So I am a hero to his eyes again."

Pruthvi creased his brow, pondering. Shashi is still planning that stupid ritual to happen, in order to possess Samagraha power? Isn't having Tyrell on his side not enough? Didn't Jyran mention that he had already quit this idea to perform the ritual and also his search for Nazira, whom he thought someone to be like Zarina Khan?

"Jyran knew you had Nazira with you," said Pruthvi, "Didn't he blab that to Shashi?"

"Of course he did," said Shourya, "I simply told him Anmol lied about me. Didn't actually comprehend that Shashi would believe me so easily. And Anmol is in jail, so no proofs and I am safe again."

Leena cleared her throat, and it was just to succumb her laughter.

"Why are you here then?" Pruthvi asked, getting impressed with the way he kept manipulating everyone with his ingenuousness, "why did you want to meet us?"

"Pruthvi Krishna, I came here for two reasons," Shourya said, standing straight, his voice now turning serious, " One, to give a warning to each. Two, to request you to accept an offer."

"Let's go with the request first," said Pruthvi, quickly "It's easy to deny."

Leena dropped her hand, a fierce and determined expression crossing her face.

"In this past twenty years," said Shourya, "Shashi forced many people to possess Thereokinesis. My clan is growing. Even the youngsters with lot of future ahead of them are happily accepting to work under him, only so that they can live. I am not liking it anymore. This needs to be stopped and for it they need a diversion."

"What kind of diversion?"

"They need a leader, who is definitely not me since  I am bound to serve Shashi for rest of my life. I don't want that to happen to these innocent people. They need someone who is stronger than I am, who is legally accepted in Paramarashtra by the Panchayat, and who according to me has the capability to make my clan official."

"Oh my god!" exclaimed Leena stepping forward. "Don't tell me you want to..."

"Leena Savant, I need your friend here, Pruthvi Krishna to become the leader of my Clan of Pradhan's. It's a formal request I keep before you. I mentioned it to Hayden about it to ask you in return, but he didn't show interest at that time, probably too many things were going on with him already. So I decided to ask you directly. And it is understandable if you need time to think about it."

Leena completely turned around to look at Pruthvi, trying to read his expressions, which was absolutely neutral. He stared blankly, his lips pulled down and upper eyelids slightly raised. It was difficult to understand even for Pruthvi how he was feeling about sudden offer that came in his way.

"Pruthvi, say something," Leena urged, to which he thought she was unnecessarily over reacting.

"I don't need time," he said casually, "As I said before, it's easy to deny a request."

"I know you are going to say that," said Shourya, leaning back to rest his shoulder against the cage. The parrot flew and settled on his shoulder. "But speaking honestly," he continued, "you just need time to think about it. So take it as much as you want."

"It's unnecessary to even think," said Pruthvi bluntly, "I am not in a position to lead a clan. Let me save my friend first. So let's move on, what is the warning you were talking about."

"Leena," Shourya said, shifting his eyes and fixing on her, "Stop this wedding. Princess Lithika shouldn't marry the one she is marrying. August twentieth is the date. Don't let it happen."

"For me to do anything you need to tell me why," she demanded.

"She is marrying the Prince of Madhyakshetra. He is not worth it. Trust me, he is not. Your sister is making a horrible mistake."

"It's not up to me to do it," Leena said, "They don't think of me as a family...yet. It's none of my business."

"I heard Jyran speaking about him alright?" said Shourya, "Don't ask me what because I don't know exactly. I am still trying to find out myself. But what all I came to know, it has something to do with Queen Premila's death who was born in Madhyakshetra."

Leena opened her mouth but Shourya didn't let her speak. "I just wanted to warn you. The decision to do the right thing is up to you."

"What else?" Pruthvi asked, in a hope for him to say something about Tyrell. In reality, that was all he cared about, about his friend who needed help. He tried to discard everything else that Shourya was telling him. No clan interested him, no stoppage of a marriage interested him. He simply wanted to be an ignorant.

Shourya paused as if he trying the way to begin and then said, "It's funny sometimes how things turn out. Shashi is favorable in keeping you alive, Pruthvi. But there is something important he recently found out from Zarina Khan, and that is what making him go insane."

"How is that a news?" Leena asked, "Isn't he already insane?"

Shourya nodded but denied to reply her. Instead, he leisurely said to Pruthvi, "Shashi is scared of you."

Pruthvi blinked. "What?"

"You heard me. You are suddenly the talk of the town. He found out that you are actually able to sustain your alternate power besides the Samagraha power and that has never happened in the history of Paramarashtra, to any of the Samagraha ever. Your double kinetic power is eventually his weakness he never thought of before. He was under the impression that only Hayden as Fire of Vengeance is something in between him and what he craves to attain. But no. It's actually you and your double kinetic power."

"In doing what?" Pruthvi asked, his heart beginning to pound.

"That is to you find out. I am only passing on the information that I came to know. I am really proud that I chose someone like you to be the leader of my clan."

It was now the time for Pruthvi to go ghostly pale, in knowing that he was becoming Shashi's prominent target...again. He blanched feeling the rising heat in his chest. His eyes started to prick and he batted them furiously to calm his raging emotions that was automatically forcing him to change into the beast. Leena held him by his shoulder and moved closer to him, understanding the physical and mental pain he was growing through. He looked up at Shourya and frowned. It was Shourya, the master of manipulation. Can he really be trusted, just because he saved his life? Was he here to actually stop him to track Tyrell down?

"Why should I trust you about this?" Pruthvi asked openly. "Give me one good reason, why should I?"

Shourya scoffed and tilted his head. "I looked after your sister for four year and kept her safe from Shashi. Don't you think trust is something I deserve in return?"

"Okay listen," said Pruthvi, unable to answer him back, and feeling a slight guilt for suspecting him, "I am honestly thankful to you for saving my life. I really am. But I am not in a position to either think of becoming a leader nor interested in finding out why Shashi is scared of me. And if you really want to help me in anyway, help me find my friend. Please."

"I cannot promise you that."

"Why not?"

"Because it's not easy to find him. Tyrell Kissler alias Rahu Kerenza is powerful enough to keep himself out of your reach. Didn't he just casually enter and escape from your academy right under your nose and destroy it? He is so like his father, or may be more powerful for possessing the stone."

Leena gasped so loudly that it had power to send shivers down his spine. She spun around to face Pruthvi once again who still had the guilty expression lingering on his face.

"You knew about this?" she demanded, aghast.

"I..I was about to tell you..."

"Pruthvi Krishna listen to me," interrupted Shourya, "It's true that you don't even have to use your stone to knock people down, it's in your nature now. But I doubt if your punch will just literally bring Tyrell's senses back."

"You can atleast tell me where to find him, right?" asked Pruthvi, watching Leena walk aside, her face hung down in disappointment, "And I will find out if my punch would do its thing."

"I will see what I can do," said Shourya, finally agreeing somewhere in between, "But for now, you guys need to stop that wedding. Let's get to it first."

"I am not doing anything as such," Leena said firmly and angrily.

"Yes, you so will" said Shourya, "if you really need a happy family. And looking at your state right now, I think you need me to transport you to Madhyakshetra. Pruthvi, can you please release me now?"

"We are going to Madhyakshetra?" asked Leena when Pruthvi hit the ground with his leg and the cage immediately collapsed, "Why?"

"Because all the marriages are held in Madhyakshetra," replied Shourya in a friendly tone, removing a small bottle from insides of dress robes, "Don't you even know your own country's capital province? Both of you, you are actually born in Paramarashtra, have some respect."

"Even you can open Gates now?" asked Pruthvi surprised, watching him pour the powder in his hand, "What, now everyone in Paramarashtra travels through the Gates?"

"Who else can..." Leena tried to ask, but Shourya interrupted her again.

"It's not a hard nut to crack," he said shrugging, the parrot flying behind him, "Just a simple two day practice and even you can open Gates. Geez, why do you think Doctor is doing everything he can to hide the Silver Rock?"

Pruthvi and Leena didn't answer but kept looking at him with their astonished eyes as Shourya blew the powder high in the air shouting, "Gate of Chandrika, Open at Rang Mahal, Madhyakshetra!"

-x-