Campus Newsroom TV – Early Morning
The dormitory's common lounge buzzed with whispered voices and a humming television. On screen, a news anchor's voice trembled, trying to maintain calm.
"In a shocking and tragic turn of events, the man entrusted with changing the sacred flag atop the Jagannath Temple in Odisha fell to his death late last night. Authorities are baffled, as this is the first such incident in centuries. Eyewitnesses claim a sudden wind knocked him off balance… but many speak of an unseen force."
Another student changed the channel.
"And in local news—tensions rise as demolition begins at the centuries-old Kshetrapal temple near Mahanadi for the proposed highway expansion. Local devotees protested all night. An elderly priest who warned the officials of dire consequences is now reportedly missing."
Whispers rippled through the common area.
"Do you think it's connected?" someone muttered.
"Two temples. Two omens. It's not normal."
---
Campus Grounds – Late Morning
Parth walked toward the canteen, deep in thought, when a hand tugged his sleeve.
"We need to go," Neel said, voice low.
Parth blinked. "Where? I was heading for—"
"Just come. You'll want to see this."
Before Parth could protest, Neel was already walking, and something about his tone made Parth follow.
They stopped outside the Girls' Hostel. Parth frowned.
"Neel, this is either a trap, a prank, or something illegal. All of which I'm too tired to deal with."
Neel didn't respond. Just pointed upstairs.
Room 307.
---
Room 307 – Noon
The first thing Parth noticed was the smell of coffee.
The second was Sia.
"Well, well, if it isn't the walking thundercloud. Lost your way, topper boy?"
Parth raised an eyebrow. "Do you always greet people like a sarcastic mosquito or is today special?"
"Wow. You came to the girls' dorm just to insult me. I'm flattered. Truly."
He turned to Neel. "You dragged me here. You deal with her."
Sia scoffed. "So polite. Bet your fan club would cry if they saw this side of you."
"Only if they survived your voice first."
A groggy voice cut in from the bed.
"Can you both not turn my recovery room into a battlefield?"
Parth turned to see Avni, pale but awake. Mira sat at her side, silent.
"You're awake," Parth said, stepping closer. "That's good."
"Depends on your definition of good," Mira murmured.
Parth blinked. "I don't think we've met."
Mira didn't smile. "You're Parth. Neel's dark academic bestie.Neel used to study at the same high school as me.I'm Mira. EMF enthusiast and chaos observer."
Parth turned to Neel, whispering, "She reads minds, doesn't she?"
Neel gave a ghost of a smile.
Sia rolled her eyes. "Mira just has better social skills than your brooding instincts."
"Coming from the woman who tried to exorcise a toaster last night?You thought that the whole college doesn't know about this already?"
"It was sparking!"
Parth ignored her and sat. Mira passed him a sketch. The same twisted figure. Elongated limbs. Red eyes.
"We found this on Avni's blanket," she said. "She didn't draw it."
Parth stared at it. "I've seen this. Or something like it."
Neel nodded. "It fell from the sky. Near the courtyard."
Sia's voice dropped. "You think someone… or something… is planting them?"
Mira pulled out her tarot cards. Shuffled once. Drew a single card.
The Tower. Upright this time.
Avni stared. "What does that mean?"
Mira's voice was steady. "Disaster. Revelation. Collapse of the old order."
Sia hugged her knees. "Weird things keep happening. Ghosts. Screams. Temples falling. The priest disappearing…"
Parth looked at her sharply. "You knew about that?"
She frowned. "Of course. It's on the news. Or are you too busy brooding to keep up with reality?"
Parth muttered, "Reality keeps shifting these days."
Neel spoke softly. "What if it's all connected? The drawings. The screams. The temples."
Silence fell. Even the fan paused for a moment.
Mira stood. Walked to the window. Rain had started again.
She murmured, "Something old is waking up. And it doesn't like what it sees."
Parth ran a hand through his hair. "We need answers."
Sia crossed her arms. "Well, Sherlock, maybe you should start by being less of a loner."
Parth looked at her.
And for a second—just a second—he saw something flicker in her eyes.
A flash of something ancient. A battlefield long lost. A chariot. A war cry.
Then it was gone.
He stood abruptly.
"Thanks for the warm welcome. I'm off to find ghosts that don't talk back."
"You're welcome," Sia said sweetly. "Send them my regards."
Mira spoke up. "He'll be back."
Neel nodded. "We all will. Room 307 isn't done with us yet."
---
Outside the Hostel – Rain Falling
Parth stepped into the downpour.
His phone buzzed.
A message. No name. No number.
Just a single sentence:
"He is coming. Prepare the soul."
Parth looked up at the sky.
The storm had only just begun.