Last lord of the 3rd eye

[The Next Day – Exam Season Begins]

The sound of the school bell echoed through the halls, signaling the start of the first term exams. The atmosphere was tense, and students rushed to their respective classrooms, clutching last-minute notes and muttering formulas under their breath.

In the middle of this chaos stood Rivaan and Jilpa, both wearing identical expressions of impending doom.

Rivaan: "Bro, we're cooked. Straight-up roasted."

Jilpa (groaning): "Tell me about it. Between training, fighting demons, and not dying, I completely forgot we even had exams."

They walked side by side, books clutched to their chests like lifelines.

Rivaan (sighing): "What's the first subject again?"

Jilpa: "Math."

Rivaan froze mid-step, his face paling.

Rivaan: "Math? As in numbers? As in that thing I avoided studying all week because I thought history was first?"

Jilpa (grimacing): "Yep. Math. We're dead, bro."

They reached their classroom door and peered inside. Their classmates were already seated, scribbling furiously on scrap paper in last-minute attempts to cram.

Jilpa (muttering): "Why does it feel like everyone else studied except us?"

Rivaan (grinning weakly): "Because they probably did. Unlike us, they didn't spend their weekend throwing light beams and chains at demons."

[The Exam Begins]

The teacher, Ms. Ài Li, entered the room holding a stack of exam papers. Her gaze swept over the students, landing momentarily on Rivaan and Jilpa.

Ms. Ài Li: "Alright, settle down. No talking, no cheating. You have two hours to complete the test. Good luck."

As she began handing out the papers, Jilpa shot Rivaan a nervous glance.

Jilpa (whispering): "Good luck, he says. Like that's going to help."

The exam paper landed on his desk. He flipped it over and immediately regretted every life decision that had led him to this moment.

Jilpa (thinking): "Why does the first question look like it was written in ancient Greek?"

Beside him, Rivaan was staring at his paper with a blank expression.

Rivaan (thinking): "Is it too late to fake a stomach ache and leave?"

[Midway Through the Exam]

Jilpa's chains twitched faintly beneath his skin, a side effect of his growing connection to them. He clenched his fists, trying to focus on the paper in front of him.

Jilpa (thinking): "No chains, no powers. Just math. Come on, think!"

Rivaan, meanwhile, was furiously tapping his pencil against the desk, his Light Heat barely contained as frustration built.

Rivaan (thinking): "If I accidentally burn this paper, does that count as divine intervention?"

[The Aftermath]

Two grueling hours later, the bell rang. The students groaned in unison as they handed in their papers.

Rivaan (slumping in his seat): "That was... the worst thing I've ever experienced. And I've faced demons."

Jilpa (nodding solemnly): "Agreed. If I see another equation, I might actually lose it."

As they left the classroom, Rivaan turned to Jilpa with a tired grin.

Rivaan: "You think we're gonna pass?"

Jilpa (grinning back): "With flying colors, bro. Flying colors of red for failure."

They both laughed, their stress momentarily forgotten.

[Rivaan's Journey Home]

The streets were quiet, the gentle rustling of leaves and the distant hum of traffic the only sounds accompanying Rivaan as he trudged home. His bag felt heavier than usual, though it wasn't the weight of his books. It was the invisible burden of exhaustion, stress, and memories he couldn't shake.

Rivaan (thinking): "First demons, now exams. What's next? Fighting angels for extra credit?"

He chuckled dryly at his own joke, though his heart wasn't in it. The image of Jilpa struggling beside him during the test flashed in his mind, and he sighed.

Rivaan (thinking): "At least I'm not the only one drowning in this mess."

The familiar sight of his house came into view. It was small, old, and worn but still standing—a testament to resilience, much like him. He unlocked the door, pushed it open, and stepped inside, his feet dragging across the wooden floor.

[Collapsing on the Doormat]

Without bothering to turn on the lights, Rivaan let his bag slide off his shoulder and sank to the floor, lying back against the cool tiles of the entryway.

Rivaan (thinking): "So much for being strong. I can fight demons, but I can't handle my own life."

His gaze drifted to the ceiling, his thoughts pulling him back to a time long past—a time when his house had been full of life.

[Memories of His Family]

The faint laughter of his younger siblings echoed in his mind. He could almost hear the soft voice of his mother calling him to dinner, her apron dusted with flour. His father's stern but kind words as he helped Rivaan with his homework replayed like a distant melody.

Rivaan (thinking): "I miss them. Every single one of them."

He closed his eyes, his chest tightening. Images of their faces surfaced—his sister's bright smile, his brother's mischievous grin, his mother's warm eyes, his father's steady presence.

Rivaan (thinking): "They'd be so proud if they saw me now. Or would they? What would they say if they knew their son was out there fighting demons instead of... just being normal?"

His fists clenched at the thought.

Rivaan (thinking): "Maybe if I had these powers back then, I could've saved them."

The guilt that always lingered at the edges of his mind crept in, wrapping around him like a cold shroud.

[Jilpa's Visit to Rivaan's Home]

The evening sun cast a warm glow over the streets as Jilpa made his way to Rivaan's house, a bag of chicken and noodles in hand. He had a spring in his step, a rare brightness in his usually laid-back demeanor. He wasn't sure if Rivaan would be up for company, but he couldn't handle the sight of his friends tears cause jilpa saw him on the door mat as he thought to surprise him with some ice cream.

When he reached the small, worn house, he knocked lightly on the door. It took a moment, but eventually, Rivaan opened it, his face tired and pale. He blinked at Jilpa in confusion.

Rivaan: "What are you doing here?"

Jilpa: "Bringing dinner, duh. You look like you haven't eaten in days."

He lifted the bag and waved it, the smell of freshly cooked food wafting out. Rivaan's stomach growled audibly, and Jilpa smirked.

Jilpa: "See? Your stomach agrees with me. Let me in."

Without waiting for an invitation, Jilpa stepped inside, heading straight for the small kitchen. Rivaan hesitated, then closed the door and followed him.

[Dinner and Laughter]

They sat at the cramped kitchen table, the bag of chicken and noodles unpacked and spread between them. Jilpa handed Rivaan a pair of chopsticks.

Jilpa: "Eat up, man. You need your strength if we're going to keep crushing demons."

Rivaan raised an eyebrow but picked up a piece of chicken, chewing slowly. The first bite seemed to wake him up; his posture relaxed, and the faintest hint of a smile appeared on his face.

Rivaan: "This is good."

Jilpa: "Of course it is. I only bring the best for my bro."

Jilpa's exaggerated tone earned a snort from Rivaan. They ate in silence for a while, the tension in the room gradually dissolving.

[Lighthearted Banter]

Jilpa: "So, you're really living the monk life now, huh? Meditating, training, fighting demons. What's next? Shaving your head and wearing robes?"

Rivaan rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress a chuckle.

Rivaan: "You're one to talk. You're literally enslaving spirits. What's next for you? Starting a ghost labor union?"

Jilpa burst out laughing, nearly choking on his noodles.

Jilpa: "Touché."

Their laughter filled the small kitchen, a rare moment of levity in the storm that had become their lives.

[Parting Ways]

When they finished eating, Jilpa stood and stretched.

Jilpa: "Alright, I'd better head out. Can't have your neighbors thinking I'm moving in."

Rivaan walked him to the door, the tiredness in his face replaced by something softer, something lighter.

Rivaan: "Thanks, Jilpa. I mean it."

Jilpa shrugged, but the smile on his face was genuine.

Jilpa: "What are friends for? Get some rest, yeah? Tomorrow's a new day."

With that, he left, the door closing softly behind him.

[Jilpa's Walk Home]

As Jilpa walked back home, he felt an unfamiliar warmth in his chest. It wasn't just the satisfaction of a good meal or the cool night air—it was knowing he'd made Rivaan smile.

Jilpa (thinking): "We've been through so much, so i couldn't handle the sight of his tears ."

He couldn't help but grin, the day's weight lifting just a little. For once, everything felt right Afterall he couldn't bare to see the sight of his brother in arms cry.