Chapter 3: The Shadow That Watches

The alley was silent now.

Rishi’s heart still thundered in his chest as he stared at the golden locket in his trembling hands. Just moments ago, it had unleashed a blinding light, driving away the street thugs as if it had a will of its own.

"This… this isn't normal."

He traced his fingers over the intricate carvings on the locket’s surface. The patterns felt warm, almost alive.

"What are you?" he wondered, half expecting an answer.

But the locket remained silent.

The knife that had been aimed at his chest now lay forgotten on the ground, its dull blade gleaming under the faint glow of a distant streetlamp.

Rishi took a deep breath. He knew he couldn't stay here. The city had already shown him its cruelty. If he wanted to survive, he needed a plan.

But before he could take another step, a voice echoed from the darkness.

"You handled yourself well."

Rishi froze.

The voice was deep, calm, and laced with amusement. It came from the mouth of the alley, where the shadows were thickest.

Slowly, a figure emerged.

A man, wrapped in a long, dark cloak, stood at the edge of the light. His face was partially hidden beneath a hood, but Rishi could make out the sharp glint of his piercing eyes—watchful, calculating.

Rishi took a step back. "Who are you?"

The man didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he glanced at the locket in Rishi’s hand.

"That doesn’t belong to you."

Rishi’s grip tightened instinctively. "I found it," he said, defensive.

A ghost of a smile flickered on the man's lips. "No," he said. "It found you."

The Hidden Truth

The man took a slow step forward, his presence strangely imposing despite his calm demeanor.

“That locket… it has been lost for a long time,” he said, voice low. “Many have searched for it, but none have been able to wield its power.”

Rishi’s mind raced.

"Many have searched for it?"

“What do you mean?” Rishi asked. “What’s so special about this locket?”

The man studied him for a moment before answering.

"That locket holds the key to a forgotten past. A past that belongs to you."

Rishi’s breath hitched.

He had spent his whole life not knowing who he was. No family, no past—just an orphan with nothing but a name.

And now this stranger was telling him that this locket—this strange, glowing object—was connected to him?

His mind screamed at him to be cautious, to not trust this man so easily. But his heart…

His heart whispered that this was the first real clue he had ever received.

A Dangerous Offer

The man’s eyes never left Rishi’s.

“You have two choices,” he said, his voice steady. “You can continue wandering the streets, lost and alone, never knowing the truth…”

He stepped closer, and Rishi felt the weight of his words.

“Or you can come with me. I can show you what that locket truly is.”

Rishi swallowed hard. His instincts screamed at him to be careful. But a part of him—a deep, buried part—was desperate for answers.

Could he trust this man?

Could he risk not knowing?

His fingers tightened around the locket.

And then, in a steady voice, he made his decision.

"Take me with you."

The man gave a small nod, as if he had expected this answer.

"Good," he said. "Then let's begin."

As Rishi followed him into the night, the locket pulsed once more.

And somewhere in the depths of his soul, something stirred.

Something that had been waiting for this moment for a very long time.

The Journey Had Truly Begun.

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