On a rooftop, beneath a gloomy night sky...

  Adir and Vani lay side by side, staring up at the overcast heavens. The cool air brushed their skin, and a quiet calm settled between their breaths.

  Adir: "I had a lot of questions about you..."

  Vani: "Hmm."

  Adir: "Who are you, really?"

  Vani: "I am Vani. As you saw... I’m the White Tigress. I was born with this power."

  Adir (frowning): "Born with it? How?"

  Vani: "My family belongs to the Divine Tigre. For generations, the firstborn has inherited the Tigress’s power. Our duty is simple—protect Earth from demons. The kind humanity has never seen... nor imagined. We eliminate them in the shadows so the world can live in the light."

  Adir (quietly): "Then why did you help me?"

  Vani didn’t respond immediately. Her eyes drifted, distant, her mind returning to a memory that felt like it belonged to another lifetime. The weight of her past seemed to settle on her chest.

  FLASHBACK – Deep Jungle, Divine Tigre Tribe (Few Years Ago)

  A raging forest fire blazed in a wide circle. Tribal members stood around it, chanting with urgency. A scream pierced the night.

  A young Vani clutched her father’s hand, her wide eyes reflecting the fire’s glow.

  Suddenly, lightning split the sky. Thunder boomed, and the stone statue of the Tiger Goddess began to glow. The chanting stopped.

  A beam of golden light shot from the statue’s eyes, bathing the tribe in warmth. The goddess’s voice echoed through the wind, though her lips did not move.

  Goddess: "The balance of Earth has been disturbed. A man named Murunda has opened the forbidden Sharbha pot, staining it with his own blood. He has awakened a great darkness—one that could consume this world."

  Gasps filled the air. Fear etched the faces of the tribe.

  Goddess: "Divine Tigre, you must prepare. The demon’s shadow will rise again. A boy—Phanin born—will rise to stop it. But he is not yet ready. If left alone, he will fall before his destiny begins. Protect him."

  The light faded just as suddenly as it had come.

  Tribe (in unison): "We will obey, O Devi!"

  Vani’s father knelt before her.

  Father: "Vani, you must train. Learn to master your strength. When the time comes, you must find the Phanin boy. Protect him. That is your calling."

  Back on the Rooftop...

  Adir snapped his fingers, bringing Vani’s attention back to the present.

  Adir: "Hey! You zoned out again. What happened?"

  Vani (softly): "Nothing... Just a memory."

  She took a long breath, her mind still drifting back to that moment in the jungle. The fire, the goddess’s warning. How far had she come since then?

  Adir: "So? Why did you help me?"

  Vani: "Because my purpose is to fight evil and protect the innocent. You were in danger."

  Adir: "So meeting me in the library—was that just a coincidence? Or was it part of your plan?"

  Vani (with a faint smile): "It was a coincidence. I sensed demon blood nearby… in that crocodile hybrid. That’s why I came. I didn’t expect to see you fighting it."

  Adir: "You said I’m the Phanin boy. What does that mean? Why am I like this?"

  Vani: "That’s something you must discover for yourself. I can’t tell you why you were born… only that you must find your origin, your power. I’m here to guide and protect you until then."

  Adir stood up slowly, brushing dust from his back, though his thoughts still churned with the unanswered questions. He looked down at Vani for a moment, a soft smile tugging at his lips.

  Adir: "Okay… I need to go home. But let’s meet again soon, White Tigress."

  Vani: "You’ll always find me... when you need me most."

  Adir vanished into thin air, leaving only the lingering echo of his presence in the air. Vani remained on the rooftop, staring at the empty space where he had stood just moments before. Her mind drifted, her thoughts returning to the days of her training. How fate had brought her to Adir… but what would she do with him now?

  Vani’s Thoughts – Training Flashback

  Divine Tigre Jungle – Rain-soaked clearing

  Vani stood in the rain, her white fur damp and her breath heavy. Muscles tensed, she faced her father, who paced around her with calm authority.

  Master Varun: "The Sharbha’s shadow is no ordinary threat. It twists minds... corrupts hearts. If the Phanin boy falters, he’ll be consumed."

  Vani (firmly): "Then I won’t let him falter."

  She pressed her hand against the glowing locket on her chest.

  Master Varun: "This will glow in his presence. But more than that—it responds to his intent. If he’s ready, it will pulse. If he’s lost, it will dim."

  Vani: "How will I know what to say to him?"

  Master Varun: "Speak from the part of you that still believes in hope. That’s what he’ll need most—not just protection… but belief."

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  The City, One Month Ago (The Attack of Eagle)

  The sky swarmed with shadows and flapping wings. Garu, fully transformed into his eagle form, led a flight of fierce hybrids, diving between towers and unleashing havoc below.

  Amid the chaos stood Adir—alone, blades in hand, eyes glowing with raw power.

  Adir: "Garu! This ends today!"

  Garu (hovering): "You stand alone, adir. We are the sky."

  They clashed mid-air—blade against talon. Shockwaves cracked buildings. Blood was spilled.

  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.

  Vani, watching from afar, felt relief wash over her. She hadn’t realized how deeply the outcome of the battle affected her, nor how much Adir had come to mean in her journey.

  On the Rooftop Present

  Vani in his mind: "That’s how I found you—the Phanin boy. Now it’s my duty to guide you… and make you stronger than ever."

  Nearby – Garu Observes from Afar

  Garu watched the fight from a distance, eyes narrowed. Thoughts drifted to the man who saved his life. What had it meant, that moment of mercy? It was strange to feel grateful for a human’s kindness after all that had happened. Was he truly a monster? Or just someone trying to help me?

  FLASHBACK – Shadowy Valley Guest House

  Garu lay bandaged on a bed. Sunlight slipped through dusty curtains. A middle-aged man adjusted a tray of medical tools nearby.

  Garu: "Where am I? Who are you?"

  Man: "Easy. I’m Dr. Kiran. You collapsed near my car on the cliff road. You were bleeding. I brought you here and treated you."

  Garu (gritting his teeth): "I didn’t ask for your help. Humans are selfish."

  Dr. Kiran (firmly): "That may be true for some… but not all."

  He moved to assist, but Garu lashed out in panic, claw grazing the doctor’s arm.

  Blood dripped.

  Garu (shocked): "I—I didn’t mean to—"

  Dr. Kiran (calmly): "It’s alright. Just rest, kid. You need to heal. You don’t owe me anything."

  Garu turned away, breathing hard, but didn’t protest further.

  Next Morning

  Dr. Kiran stirred porridge on the stove. Garu sat at the table, arms crossed, staring out the window.

  Dr. Kiran: "Porridge again. Not exactly eagle food, huh?"

  Garu (dryly): "I eat what keeps me alive. Taste doesn’t matter."

  Dr. Kiran (smirking): "Explains the scowl."

  Garu glanced sideways, then looked at his clawed hand.

  Garu: "A month ago, I led an attack. Me and others like me—eagles. I thought I was doing the right thing. I believed humanity was the enemy. But after I lost… I started questioning everything."

  He paused.

  Garu: "Why did you still help me?"

  Dr. Kiran: "Because I saw a broken, bleeding kid. Not a monster."

  Shame flickered in Garu’s eyes.

  That Evening – On the Roof

  Garu sat under the stars, a rare moment of peace. Dr. Kiran joined him, handing over a warm mug of tea.

  Dr. Kiran: "You’re healing fast. Eagle genes, huh?"

  Garu: "I need to go soon. I can’t hide forever."

  Dr. Kiran: "Then don’t hide. But don’t return to who you were either."

  Garu: "I don’t know who I am anymore."

  Dr. Kiran: "Then maybe... it’s time to find out. And maybe—just maybe—use those wings to protect, not destroy."

  Garu looked at him. Then slowly, he nodded.

  Garu: "If you’re ever in danger, Doctor… I’ll come back."

  Dr. Kiran (smiling): "I’ll hold you to that, featherhead."

  A Few Days Later – At the Gate

  Dr. Kiran stood at the guest house gate as Garu prepared to leave.

  Dr. Kiran: "Leaving already?"

  Garu: "I owe you my life. That’s not easy for me to say. But... thank you."

  He paused.

  Garu: "If you're ever in danger... call my name."

  Dr. Kiran smiled. "I’ll remember that."

  Garu looked back one last time before disappearing into the woods—his eyes no longer burning with hatred, but with something warmer… trust.

  Back in the Present – On the Rooftop

  Garu sat alone, staring into the night sky, the city below glimmering with distant lights. His mind was made up—he would protect humans now. And he would take revenge on Murunda for the death of his parents.

  Elsewhere – In a Dark Lab Underground

  Murunda leaned over a fluid chamber where a hybrid creature floated, connected to pulsing red tubes.

  Murunda: "My child… You must become stronger. Stronger than Krakash ever was. Together, we will rule this world."

  The hybrid’s eyes snapped open—glowing red.

  Aniuman: "Yes… my lord."

  Murunda’s smile twisted with menace.

  Murunda: "Let’s begin the next phase."