Ansh was puzzled seeing the locket glowing and pointing in a particular direction.
"What's there… and should I really go that way?"
He asked himself these questions, and eventually decided to move forward.
Ansh slowly began to walk ahead.
As he moved through the dungeon, he saw various murals—of ancient warriors, demons, and one large image showing a figure with weapons standing behind a seven-headed serpent. The walls were covered in ancient script that Ansh couldn't understand.
He kept walking until he reached a vast chamber—structured like a temple hall, its ceiling embedded with crystals that glowed with a blue light. At the center of the hall, on a stone pedestal, something was pulsing—like a heartbeat.
"This place is so big… all the kids from the orphanage could easily live here," Ansh thought in amazement.
The orphanage where Ansh lived was extremely small—so cramped that everyone barely managed to adjust. Daytime was bearable, but nighttime was a struggle. Everyone had to squeeze together to sleep. Lost in those memories, Ansh's gaze suddenly fell on something.
There lay a medium-sized, gleaming dagger—Anilkiran. It was a single-edged blade, with wind constantly swirling along its edge. Its design was simple, but the energy it emitted was intense and alive.
"A glowing dagger in such a ruined place?"
Ansh was stunned. How could such a radiant, new-looking dagger exist in a crumbling ruin?
He was so drawn to it that he began walking toward it... but then, a terrifying echo filled the air behind him.
Three to four shadowy figures entered the dungeon. They weren't human—tall, hunched, their bodies covered in black spikes. One of them hissed:
"What is this human doing here?"
Another growled, "That weapon is ours! Belongs to Devdansh!"
Then, a larger shadow appeared. A fearsome demon—with an upper body like a human, crooked goat-like legs, a twisted horn on its forehead, a thick spiked tail, and in his hand, a massive spiked hammer. His eyes locked onto Ansh.
He was the leader of the demons—larger than the rest.
After locking eyes with Ansh, he spoke in a heavy voice:
"A human... here?"
"Kill him," he ordered.
One of the demons roared and charged at Ansh. Panicked, Ansh stumbled backward and fell. The demon lunged. Ansh shut his eyes tightly.
But then—
"O Wind's Vow, protect this soul."
A voice echoed from within him. The locket on his neck lit up, releasing a radiant glow.
A violet, transparent energy shield appeared around Ansh. The demon's attack struck the shield and shattered upon contact. Ansh watched in astonishment.
From within the shield, he felt a line—a thread—pulling from the locket toward the dagger, as if an invisible force was guiding him.
Trembling, Ansh began to move toward the dagger.
Seeing this, the demon leader growled, "Stop him, you fools! If he touches that dagger, our mission will fail!"
But it was already too late—Ansh had reached the dagger.
The moment his fingers touched Anilkiran, a surge like lightning shot through his body. The wind spiraled around him, lifting his hair and clothes. The dagger's energy, through the locket, began bonding with his soul.
Wind lifted from beneath his feet, swirling like a cyclone. As the wind merged with his spirit and calmed, a new light shone in Ansh's eyes.
He firmly gripped the dagger.
The demon leader, enraged, gave another command. A large demon rushed at Ansh. Ansh turned the dagger and slashed through the air. A fierce gust of wind burst forth, hurling the demon away.
The remaining demons began to surround Ansh. He continued attacking, but his breaths became heavier. His body was growing tired. A moment came when he paused—his strength felt like it was vanishing.
He was frozen.
The demon leader noticed this and smiled cruelly. He swung his spiked tail at Ansh. Ansh couldn't move. The tail slashed deep into his right arm. Blood poured, and Ansh screamed.
"AAAHHHH...!"
His arm went numb—as if it would fall off.
But then, the locket shone again. It glowed intensely, and a fresh wave of energy spread through Ansh's body. Violet light enveloped his wounded arm, and bones, muscles, and veins began to regenerate.
Ansh's eyes widened in shock as he watched his arm fully heal—like nothing had happened.
The demon leader now understood—Ansh had bonded with Anilkiran.
Ansh stood up—no longer the same.
Then... a mysterious voice whispered in his ears—
"Call to it… speak its name—Anilkiran."
Ansh took a breath, and as if a string within his soul was tugged, he closed his eyes and said, "Anilkiran!"
The wind responded.
A whirlwind rose at his feet, encircling him. Light returned to his eyes. As the wind calmed, Ansh stood transformed—his soul now fused with Anilkiran.
The wind still danced around him, but he was no longer helpless—he now held Anilkiran.
He gripped the dagger, and as his fingers fully closed around it, sharp blades of wind shot out from it—each strike like a storm.
The demon, who had thought him weak, stepped back. "This... this power!" he growled.
Ansh didn't step forward—he vanished.
One moment he was there, the next he was behind the demon.
"What!?" The demon turned, but it was too late.
"Whirlwind Slash!" Ansh's voice rang out as he delivered a sharp slash through the air. A gust of wind slashed deep into the demon's shoulder.
The demon screamed—fear now replacing arrogance.
"You're not human… you're something else!" the demon began to retreat.
Ansh's eyes still held pain—but now that pain had become strength.
"I am human... but I'm not alone anymore."
His voice brimmed with confidence, and Anilkiran thrummed like a living ally in his hand.
The demon leader was badly wounded, but not yet defeated. He began dragging himself away from the pedestal. Ansh pointed his dagger at him.
"Who are you? Why did you come for this weapon?"
The demon chuckled, no longer afraid—but speaking with a mysterious certainty.
"We… are envoys of the Vinashmandal. We were sent… by our master."
"Master?" Ansh frowned.
"Daitya Raj Vish. He seeks to awaken the seven swords of Devdansh… and plunge this world into the shadows of chaos!"
Ansh froze. "Seven swords...? Is Anilkiran… one of them?"
The demon's grin widened. "Yes, human... you are now part of this war, whether you like it or not. Destruction will now follow you wherever you go."
With that, the demon's eyes faded. He collapsed on the ground, lifeless.
Ansh took a deep breath—but new questions were rising within him.
Who was Devdansh?
What are these seven swords?
And Kiara… is she also part of this Vinashmandal...?
His words trailed off—but one thing was certain:
His life would never be the same again.
Writer – 🕉️