Om carried the box—heavy not just with objects, but with memories—and gently stepped out of the house, locking the door behind him as if sealing away a piece of his past once again. His grip tightened slightly around the box as he walked toward his car.
At the same time…
From the opposite direction, a man in a black cloak was slowly approaching the same house.
His steps were calm… measured.
And then, a sudden gust of wind swept through the silent street.
The cloth covering his face lifted.
For a brief moment—
His face was revealed.
It was Vipul.
Unaware… completely unaware… Om continued walking, moving toward his car with the box in his hands, not knowing that his own father was just a few steps away from him.
As Om opened the car door and carefully placed the box inside, Vipul walked past the car.
Father and son…
So close.
Yet worlds apart.
Neither recognized the other.
Vipul's face was no longer covered, but Om's entire focus was on placing his grandfather's box safely inside the car.
A moment passed.
Then suddenly—
Vipul felt something.
A strange pull.
A presence.
He paused… and slowly turned back, his eyes drifting toward the car.
But all he could see was Om's back as he leaned inside the car.
A faint smile appeared on Vipul's face.
Without another thought, he pulled his cloak back over his head, hiding his face once again, and continued walking forward.
At that exact same moment—
Om's heartbeat spiked.
A strange sensation ran through his body, like an unseen force brushing past his soul.
He immediately stepped out of the car and looked around, scanning his surroundings with confusion.
But there was nothing unusual.
Except…
A man in black walking away in the distance.
Om stared at him for a moment.
Slowly… his heartbeat calmed.
He frowned slightly, puzzled, then shook it off and got back into his car without wasting another second.
Meanwhile—
The moment Om sat inside his car…
Vipul vanished.
Using his powers, he slipped inside the house without being seen by anyone.
As Om drove away from the place, Vipul—now inside—briefly glanced outside and caught a glimpse of the boy driving away.
He couldn't see his face clearly.
But even then…
A soft, unconscious smile appeared on his lips.
Inside the house—
Vipul stood still.
His eyes slowly moved across the walls… the corners… every inch of the place.
Memories flooded in.
He had built this house with his own hands… with his own hard-earned money.
After marriage, he had lived here with Veena… and their son, Om.
A peaceful life.
A complete life.
Until…
Everything was taken away.
Years had passed since then.
But standing here again…
Vipul's eyes softened.
Emotion flickered through him.
And then—
In an instant—
His expression hardened.
His voice echoed through the silent hall.
"I think… it's time you come out."
For a moment, nothing moved.
Then, from a dark corner of the house…
A man stepped forward.
Dressed in black.
His face hidden behind a mask.
His eyes sharp… locked onto Vipul.
Vipul stood with his back toward him.
Without turning, he asked,
"How long have you been here?"
The masked man replied in a calm, emotionless tone,
"Before you… another boy came here. He took a box… and left."
For a second, Vipul froze.
Then, something clicked in his mind.
He remembered the boy near the car.
And suddenly—
A smile spread across his face.
"So… you've started understanding this world already," he said lightly. "Was it difficult finding this house?"
The man in black slowly removed his mask.
"I don't waste words," he said coldly. "And tell me… why are you smiling?"
Vipul turned around.
Standing before him was Adi.
The same Adi who had been brought into this world from another realm by Kakbhushundi and Vipul.
But now…
He looked completely different.
New clothes.
A sharp presence.
Like a hero… or something far more dangerous.
Vipul smiled at him.
"That was my son," he said.
Then his eyes narrowed slightly.
"But it's strange… he didn't sense you. And you didn't do anything to him either. That's… unexpected."
Adi shrugged slightly, a faint smirk forming.
"I'm in the world of the living now… I can't just go around killing people all the time," he said casually. "And honestly, I didn't feel anything bad from that guy… so why would I kill him? Though I will say this—your son is impressive. Handsome… strong. I didn't sense evil in him… but I did sense power. Still… he's raw. He couldn't even feel my presence."
Vipul turned toward the window, his expression growing serious.
"Yes… and that's exactly what worries me," he said quietly. "Om still doesn't know what's coming for him. The dangers standing in front of him… they're far greater than he can imagine."
His voice grew heavier.
"He needs to be ready… and fast. Because time… is running out."
Outside, the wind howled softly.
"…even the winds have started to change."
Vipul then turned back toward Adi, a faint smile returning to his face.
Adi looked at him, slightly confused, but remained expressionless.
"So… should we start what we came here for?" Adi asked.
Vipul's smile deepened.
"No," he said calmly.
"There's still one more person… who hasn't arrived yet."