Chapter 1: The Summons

After protecting the last survivors of humanity for twenty-four years, I was summoned before the council:

My palms were slick, but I gripped my sword tighter, refusing to show even a flicker of doubt. The ancient fan rattled overhead, spreading a dry, hot breeze around the musty council chamber. My kurta clung to my back with sweat, but I stood tall—shoulders squared, chin up, like Ma always said when facing neighbours who came to complain. The smell of old incense sticks and dust hung in the air, as if the room itself was waiting for a verdict.

All because a little demon accidentally broke into the house of an internet celebrity.

Somewhere in the city, honking autos and the distant cry of a chaiwala filtered up through the cracked windows. I let out a tired sigh, remembering the chaos of the previous night.

The influencer was terrified.

Her scream rang out, louder than the aunty upstairs banging her rolling pin on the balcony railing.

Fans accused me of failing in my duty to protect them, demanding that I publicly apologise to the influencer.

I noticed my neighbours peeking through half-closed curtains, pretending to water their tulsi plants but clearly eavesdropping. I imagined the WhatsApp groups ablaze with forwards, neighbourhood aunties gasping, and young men debating my actions over their chai at the tapri on the corner. "Arrey, what is this Arjun doing?" "Kya yaar, Arjun bhi ab news bana diya! Sab drama hai, trust me."

Other ability users saw this and began to rally their contacts, openly criticising my actions over the past twenty-four years.

It was typical, I thought, for everyone to jump in when the wind changed. In India, everyone becomes a critic—especially when chai and a scandal are involved.

They believed that if I were removed, they would finally have their chance to rise to power.

But they had no idea:

With the fence gone,

It would be Diwali for the jackals, and doom for the lambs.

In our desh, when the watchman leaves, even the street dogs start wagging their tails, thinking the gali belongs to them.