"So this is the place, huh? Where exactly does she work?" The elder Rivers asked, his voice low and steady.
"The third floor, Dad," Jack replied, his eyes darting around the mall. "There's a boutique and a cloth shop. She's at the reception there."
"Let's go and see if she has what you say," the old man said. He began walking toward the elevator, his face a mask of absolute indifference. He wasn't angry, nor was he excited; he moved with the cold, calculated efficiency of a man who had spent decades at the top of the food chain.
On the other side of the mall, Ayaan had just stepped through the main entrance. He looked up at the glittering glass ceilings and the endless rows of luxury brands. "Hmm. Is she working today? I guess I'll take a look," he thought.
Ayaan felt like a ghost in a palace. It had been a long time since he had set foot in such a place. As he walked, he noticed the stares. The people around him were neatly groomed—gentlemen with trimmed hair and clean-shaven faces. Ayaan, with his shoulder-length hair and dense, wild beard, looked like a thug who had wandered into the wrong neighborhood. But he didn't care. He was focused on the golden melody he felt pulling at his heart.
The Rivers family reached the boutique first. The elder Rivers emitted a faint, oppressive aura as he stepped inside. The shop was simple compared to the flashy storefronts nearby, with dim, elegant lighting and rows of vibrant female clothing on display.
"Jack, why were you even in this place?" the old man asked, his brow furrowing. "Were you planning to buy dresses?"
"N-no, Dad! What do you think of me?" Jack stammered, his face turning red. "The front is for women, but they store the male suits in the back."
"Fine. Let's see this lady."
They reached the reception desk. A woman stood there, her hair left loose, cascading almost to the floor. There was a distinct, healthy glow to her skin, and though her eyes weren't glowing gold at the moment, they held a depth that felt like a hidden world. When she saw Jack, a frown immediately touched her lips.
What is this guy doing here? Sunidhi thought. I hope he isn't here to cause more trouble.
Meanwhile, Ayaan had reached the third floor. Just as he was about to enter the shop, he felt a sudden, violent shift in the environment. Until now, the mall had felt chaotic—the Prana of thousands of people fluctuating like a stormy sea. But suddenly, the energy around the third floor became perfectly still. It was like a lake that had frozen over in an instant.
Ayaan closed his eyes, centering himself. This calmness... it shouldn't be here. Not in a place of commerce.
As if the universe were answering him, his gaze landed on a pair of striking blue eyes looking in his direction. A wave of familiarity washed over him.
Ishani? What is she doing here? Walking behind her, huffing and puffing, was the fat student with the gold watch: Ritesh.
"Hey! Wait for me! Why are you walking so fast?" Ritesh shouted, trying to keep up with Ishani's brisk pace.
Ayaan watched them for a split second, intrigued, but then a sudden spike of pressure erupted from the boutique. It felt like a physical weight dropping from the ceiling.
Inside the shop, the elder Rivers had begun to walk behind Sunidhi as she led them toward the suit section. To test her, he began to release his internal pressure, increasing the weight of the air around them. Jack, walking just a few feet behind, suddenly gasped. He felt as if an invisible hand were choking him, his lungs refusing to take in air.
"P-pant... Dad... I... can't breathe..." Jack wheezed, clutching his throat.
But the old man didn't even look back. His eyes were locked on Sunidhi. She was walking ahead of them, perfectly calm, showing them the way as if the pressure didn't exist.
Amusing, the old man thought. She didn't even flinch. I haven't even seen her eyes yet, but she is already more interesting than a thousand Jack Rivers.
Ayaan didn't wait any longer. Sensing the aggressive energy coming from the shop, he rushed inside. The moment he crossed the threshold, Sunidhi's heart skipped a beat. A sudden, intense heat flared in her forehead, making her wince.
This feeling again... what is happening? She wondered, her hand going to her brow.
Ayaan scanned the room, his eyes landing on the back of the old man's head. But before he could speak, a violent vibration shook his mind. Deep within his consciousness, in the place where the "Ocean of Knowledge" sat, the book began to thrum.