The Shadow Inside Rudra

The evening sky was slowly turning orange. Birds were flying back to their nests, and the wind moved softly through the trees. Everything looked calm, but Rudra’s heart was not calm at all. His body was still hurting from the battle, his mind was tired, and deep inside him… the shadow of Jinnah, the ancient monster, was still awake.

Rudra walked slowly toward his home. His legs felt heavy, and every step reminded him of the moment when he almost attacked Valmiki. He never wanted to harm his Guru. But when Jinnah took control, Rudra’s hands moved on their own, his mind became dark, and he couldn’t stop himself.

He failed to protect Valmiki.
He failed to control Jinnah.
He failed himself.

Those thoughts kept hurting him like invisible knives.

When he reached home, his mother was sitting in the kitchen, cutting vegetables. She looked up and smiled.

“Rudra, you came! Why are you looking so tired? Are you okay?”

Rudra quickly forced a smile.

“Yes Maa… I’m fine. Just a little tired from playing.”

His mother nodded happily and continued working. Rudra quietly walked to his room, closed the door, and sat on the floor.

He held his bracelet—the Saktra Bracelet—in his hands. There was a small crack in the crystal. The glow was very dim. Because of the crack, Jinnah’s energy flowed more freely, and Rudra couldn’t control him fully.

“What if… next time I hurt someone innocent?” Rudra whispered to himself.
“What if next time I can’t stop?”

His hands shook. He closed his eyes tightly, trying to calm himself.

Far away, under a giant Peepal tree, Valmiki sat cross-legged. His eyes were closed, his breath slow, and his mind focused. But his body was in pain. There were scratches on his arms, cuts on his back, and the place where Rudra—no, where Jinnah—hit him was still burning.

Valmiki knew Rudra didn’t attack him on purpose.
He knew the boy was fighting inside his own mind.
He knew Jinnah was too strong for Rudra right now.

“That boy needs guidance,” Valmiki whispered while meditating.
“He needs a master to show him balance… or else the darkness will swallow him.”

He pressed his palm to the ground. Light spread from his hand and formed a glowing circle. This circle would help him heal faster and regain energy. He had no other choice—Aghori was growing stronger, and the next war would come soon.

Valmiki took a deep breath.

“Rudra… before the final war, you must learn to control the monster inside you.”

Aghori stood before a large pit filled with dark smoke. His grin was wide and evil. Around him, dozens of small demons were bowing. Some were missing arms, some had horns, and some had bodies that looked like melted wax.

But Aghori wasn’t satisfied.

“No, no, no… these small creatures are useless,” he growled.
“We need an army. A real army. Rudra’s power is rising. Valmiki is healing. I must create something more powerful!”

He raised his hands.
A bolt of black lightning shot from his palms into the pit.

The ground began to shake.
The air became cold.
The smoke rose higher and higher, forming a giant face inside it.

“More monsters…” Aghori whispered.
“More soldiers…
More darkness…”

A monstrous roar echoed through the cave.

Aghori laughed loudly.

“Good… GOOD! These creatures will destroy everything. Even Jinnah will fall before them!”

Rudra lay on his bed staring at the ceiling. He couldn’t sleep. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw the moment when Jinnah attacked Valmiki. He saw the fear on people’s faces. He heard the monster’s voice whispering inside his mind.

“You need me, Rudra…”
“You are nothing without me…”
“I am your true strength…”

Rudra covered his ears.

“No! I’m not like you,” he whispered harshly.
“I don’t want to be a monster.”

Suddenly, a soft tapping noise came from his window.

Tap… tap… tap…

Rudra stood up carefully.
Was it Valmiki?
Was it a demon?
Was it Aghori’s spy?

He slowly opened the window.

“Hiroshi?” Rudra whispered in surprise.

Hiroshi smiled nervously from outside.

“Rudra… what happened to you today? You didn’t even talk to me after school. Are you okay?”

Rudra felt a warm feeling in his chest. Hiroshi was his friend—one of the few people he cared about deeply.

“Hiroshi… I’m okay. Just… tired,” Rudra said softly.

Hiroshi tilted his head.
“You’re hiding something.”

Rudra looked down. For a moment, he wanted to tell Hiroshi everything. But if Hiroshi knew about Jinnah… about monsters… about magic… he might get dragged into the war.

Rudra couldn’t risk his friend’s life.

“It’s nothing,” Rudra said.

Hiroshi stared at him, then slowly nodded.

“Alright… but if you ever need help, I’m here.”

Rudra smiled weakly.

“Thank you.”

Hiroshi waved and left.

Rudra shut the window and sat back down. His chest felt heavy.

“Why am I lying to my own friend?” he whispered.

Jinnah appeared again—tall, shadowy, with long claws and glowing red eyes.

“You are weak, Rudra…”
“You hide from everyone… even from yourself.”
“Let me take control. I can protect you.”

Rudra clenched his fists.

“No! You’re not protecting me. You’re destroying everything!”

Jinnah laughed—a deep, bone-shaking laugh.

“You cannot survive the coming battles without me.”
“Aghori is creating an army… monsters that even Valmiki cannot stop.”
“Only I can save you.”

Rudra’s breath trembled.

Was Jinnah telling the truth?
Was he right?
Was he the only one strong enough?

“No,” Rudra whispered.
“I will control you… not the other way.”

Jinnah’s eyes flashed.

“We shall see…”

And he disappeared into darkness.

Valmiki slowly opened his eyes. His meditation was complete. His wounds were not fully healed, but his energy had returned.

He stood up and looked toward the direction of the village.

“Rudra… be strong,” Valmiki whispered.
“The real storm is coming.”

Aghori stood on a cliff overlooking the forest. Behind him, hundreds of new monsters stood ready. They had huge bodies, glowing eyes, fangs, and claws sharp enough to cut stone.

Aghori raised his hands.

“Tomorrow… we march!” he shouted.

The monsters roared loudly.

“And when the sun rises,” Aghori continued, “Rudra… Valmiki… your world will burn.”