Adir suspected that Garu was behind the eagle attacks. But why hadn't his powers worked during the attack? Too many questions swirled in his mind, each one heavier than the last.

  The school bell rang, pulling him from his thoughts.

  Rushing toward school, Adir arrived just as the principal stepped forward. "Let us take a moment to remember the students we lost in recent tragedies."

  Adir's thoughts raced. People died... but I saw them—every one of them.

  The principal continued, "One student who passed away was Garu, from the 10th standard class."

  Adir stiffened. His breath caught in his throat. What? He whispered under his breath, "How? I saw him… that day… on the building."

  Confusion gnawed at him. If Garu was dead, then who had he seen? Who was behind the attacks?

  Lost in thought, Adir walked through the school corridors when he suddenly collided with someone. He looked up—it was Murunda.

  Murunda studied his face. "What’s wrong, Adir? You look troubled."

  Adir hesitated before forcing a smile. "It’s nothing, sir."

  Murunda gave him a knowing look but didn’t press further. "Alright. But if you ever need help, you can come to me."

  As they walked away in opposite directions, Murunda's eyes darkened. So… you don’t remember yet. Interesting.

  A Glimpse of the Past

  In the dimly lit lab, Murunda stood before a group of sinister-looking scientists. One held up a vial of murky liquid. "This drug can destroy Adir’s cells, rendering his powers useless."

  Murunda smirked, taking the vial and later mixing it into Adir’s lunch.

  Present Time

  Murunda clenched his fists. We succeeded in destroying the city… but how did Adir regain his powers?

  Doubt crept in. Was the chemical ineffective? He stormed toward his lab, a furious storm raging in his mind.

  Meanwhile, Adir walked home, lost in thought. If Garu is dead… then who is behind these attacks? The pieces weren’t fitting together.

  Back in the lab, Murunda burst through the doors. "Where is Garu? I told him not to attack now!"

  A scientist hesitated. "He—he’s attacking the city."

  Murunda’s blood ran cold. "That fool… We drugged him before, putting him into a forced sleep. That’s why he was unable to fight. But this time… his power has returned. And we don’t know how much stronger he’s become."

  Garu sat on the edge of a towering building, watching his eagles descend upon the helpless city. The night air carried their piercing cries as they rained destruction below. His golden eyes gleamed in the darkness.

  But this time, Adir was awake.

  The sound of flapping wings echoed through the distance. Adir shot up in bed. His senses tingled. They’re back.

  Without hesitation, he grabbed his mask, placing pillows under his blanket to fake his presence before vanishing into the night.

  Standing atop a rooftop, he surveyed the chaos below. A sea of eagles tore through the sky, their razor-sharp talons slicing through buildings and vehicles alike.

  If I don’t stop them, the city will be completely destroyed… but their numbers… it’s too many.

  He clenched his fists, frustration boiling over. "Help me!" he roared into the sky.

  "Somebody—anybody—help me!"

  In the blink of an eye, the ground around him began to shift. A slithering sound filled the air.

  Adir turned, eyes wide. Snakes—dozens, hundreds, thousands—emerged from the shadows, their scales glistening under the moonlight.

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  And then, something even stranger happened.

  He could hear them. Understand them.

  We are here to help you, they whispered in unison.

  Adir took a deep breath, realization dawning upon him. He wasn’t alone.

  The war had truly begun.

  The wings of the eagles flickered in the sky, their powerful strokes sending fierce gusts of wind that rattled the buildings. As the eagles swooped down for an attack, coiling serpents sprang from the shadows, their scales glistening in the moonlight. Some wrapped tightly around the eagles’ feet, dragging them down, while others launched themselves skyward, intercepting the assault midair.

  A group of eagles broke free, diving toward the terrified citizens below. Adir sprang into action, his fist colliding with the nearest eagle, sending it tumbling backward with a sharp screech. Another lunged at him, talons outstretched, but he pivoted, driving his elbow into its chest with bone-crushing force. Feathers and blood sprayed into the air as the creature crumpled to the ground.

  From atop a towering building, Garu’s voice echoed through the night. “Attack together!” he commanded.

  In perfect synchronization, a dozen eagles swarmed Adir, their talons gleaming like knives.

  One claw raked across his arm, drawing blood. He hissed in pain but retaliated instantly, his fists striking like a storm. With a deep breath, Adir’s arms morphed into serpentine coils, whipping around in a deadly spiral. The snakes lashed out, sinking their fangs into the attackers. Some eagles screeched in agony as venom coursed through their veins, while others were flung violently against walls, their bones shattering on impact.

  Adir’s sharp gaze locked onto the figure standing on the rooftop—the mastermind behind this attack. He advanced, ready to unmask the villain. But as he approached, waves of eagles descended upon him, forcing him to halt. Their talons tore into his skin, leaving gashes along his chest and back. He gritted his teeth, the pain fueling his fury.

  Without hesitation, Adir released a thick, green sleeping poison into the air. The gas spread rapidly, engulfing the rooftop. Eagles plummeted from the sky, unconscious before they hit the ground.

  Slithering up the building with his snake-like agility, Adir maneuvered through the mist and landed on the rooftop. His heart pounded as the haze cleared, revealing the figure standing before him.

  His breath caught. “Garu… you?”

  Garu’s golden eyes gleamed. “Yes. It’s me.”

  Adir clenched his fists. “I had my doubts when we met, but why? Why are you doing this?

  We could use our powers to save people, not destroy them!”

  Garu’s expression remained cold. “Save?” he scoffed. “Why should I save people? My only purpose is to make them suffer—just as they made my father suffer.”

  Adir took a step forward. “Your father wouldn’t want this, Garu. You can’t punish an entire city for the actions of a few.”

  “Enough with your nonsense!” Garu snarled before vanishing in a blur. A split second later, his fist collided with Adir’s ribs, sending him skidding backward. The force of the impact rattled his bones, and he coughed up blood.

  Adir groaned, holding his side. “I don’t want to fight you. We can talk—”

  “I don’t want to talk!” Garu roared, launching another attack.

  Adir barely had time to react. He ducked just in time, Garu’s clawed fist slicing the air inches from his face. He countered with a vicious uppercut, catching Garu in the jaw. The impact sent him staggering, but only for a moment. With a furious screech, Garu lashed out, his talons carving into Adir’s shoulder, sending waves of pain searing through his body.

  Adir’s instincts flared. His eyes turned an icy blue, his perception sharpening. He dodged, twisting his body effortlessly, avoiding Garu’s relentless strikes. But Garu was unyielding, his fists moving faster, each blow packed with murderous intent. One punch caught Adir in the gut, knocking the wind from his lungs. He gasped but retaliated, wrapping his snake-like limbs around Garu and slamming him into the rooftop.

  “You can’t win! I’m faster, stronger!” Adir growled.

  Garu’s lips curled into a dark grin. “Haa… haaa…” he chuckled. “You think you’re special?

  That you’re the only one who’s evolved?”

  His body convulsed, morphing before Adir’s eyes. His fingers extended into razor-sharp talons, wings burst from his back, his face contorted—his mouth replaced by a powerful beak.

  Adir’s eyes widened. “You… You’re a hybrid too?”

  “Of course,” Garu sneered before lunging forward. He sank his beak deep into Adir’s tail, forcing him to release his grip. Pain shot through Adir’s body as Garu’s powerful jaws tightened. Then, with a powerful flap of his wings, he lifted Adir high into the sky.

  Adir struggled, twisting to free himself, but Garu’s talons dug deep into his flesh. With a wicked grin, Garu hurled Adir off the rooftop.

  Wind roared past Adir’s ears as he plummeted. He reached out, grabbing the edge of a nearby window, stopping his fall just in time. His fingers burned from the friction, but he gritted his teeth and pulled himself up.

  But Garu wasn’t finished.

  With the speed of a lightning strike, he dove, seizing Adir’s tail in his beak. He soared upward, then flung Adir once more, slamming him into the rooftop.

  Garu’s attacks were relentless. He gave Adir no time to recover, no time to breathe. Each strike landed with crushing force. Adir’s body ached, his vision blurred. His wounds struggled to heal fast enough. Blood pooled beneath him, his strength waning.

  Summoning every ounce of strength left, Adir sent out a silent command.

  From the shadows, hundreds of snakes slithered forth, their glowing eyes locked onto their target.

  “Attack,” Adir whispered, his voice barely above a hiss.

  The snakes surged forward in waves, surrounding Garu from every direction. He clawed and slashed, his talons rending their flesh, but there were too many. Their fangs sank into his skin, venom pumping through his veins. Garu screeched, his body convulsing from the toxins.

  Both warriors were wounded, their movements slowing. Blood dripped from their bodies, staining the rooftop.

  Adir wavered, his strength faltering. With a final burst of energy, Garu lunged—his talon aimed at Adir’s heart.

  Adir braced for impact—but before the strike could land, a massive serpent erupted from the mist, coiling around Garu with monstrous force. With a single, powerful strike, it hurled Garu away, sending him crashing through the ruins of a nearby building.

  Adir’s vision darkened as exhaustion overtook him. His limbs trembled, his breath ragged.

  The battle had ended, but the war had only just begun.