Chapter 11

  Am I Worthy?

  Part Three

  Krishna, I guess, it is true, that people with good heart die early. But I wanted to kill this Karulsh, And I didn’t even get to become an official ranker. Was those really the last servings of pizza? A cold sensation creeped through her limbs. Even the warmth of the sun streaming through the barrier failed to provide comfort. Even if the barrier wasn’t there, she doubted she had the strength to move the strands of hair obstructing her face.

  The remnants of celeriots and fire covered the entire battlefield. Several smaller versions of platforms flew under the injured and dead angels and lifted them away to care.

  Why does every mission end with me being brutally injured? At least this one is cooler than the last one.

  It seemed her time on this land was running out, with only a few breaths left. What she couldn’t stand was being alone with no family or friends in her last moments—again. The pain of those manipulated by angels burdened her heart and those she had to kill and those she couldn’t save from this hell of a land. So, it means goodness doesn’t always win over evil.

  She remembered Atharv’s words, over forgiving your enemy. “Remember, never stress your heart over those who don’t deserve your concern and care, and if someone does or says bad to you, forgive her/him and, if they do it again, destroy them.” The words that caused her to question Atharv’s character. How can he utter such words instead of teaching her principles and ethics? Unlike others, he was far from being an average mamu.

  Manya looked down at the angels she had defeated. “I… For… Forgive you all,” she whispered.

  Her heavy eyelids surrendered, too tired to stay open, and she couldn’t bear to use her last ounce of strength to gaze upon a land stained by evil.

  Aery was conveying the efforts of SL, on how it extended her life by a few seconds. The sharp pain in her heart intensified, as if millions of needles were piercing her heart. When does the memory of your life flashes? Does it happen right before dying, or a minute earlier? A smile spread across her face. Like I have many.

  ***

  A ray of irritating light pried open her eyes. At the edge of her sight, despair was clear in Karulsh’s gaze. Like another individual had received the recognition that the employee was about to receive. Within her limited vision were the entrance, several alluring patterns on the wall, a hole in the ceiling welcoming blinding sunlight. and… Ira; unconscious on the floor.

  Karulsh’s eyes were filled with rage. He sprinted forward and, moments later, he collided with the wall. Sooner hanged from the wall’s debris and wreckage. A wall tearing art.

  Manya glimpsed Karulsh, who was pressing something on his wrist. In an instant, the barrier surrounding Manya vanished, leading to her fall. That’s all what was missing. More pain. The blood that was enclosed within the barrier dispersed around her.

  “You are late.”

  Happiness coursed through her body as the calming voice soothed her storms. She looked at the source of the voice. Who was enjoying the ice cream?

  “Mamu, will Krishna always come to help me?” Manya said.

  “Always, but indirectly,” Atharv said.

  “Indirectly?”

  “He’ll send someone to help you.”

  “Who? And how would I recognize such a person?”

  “You’ll know.”

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  “Will that person be good?”

  “Not necessarily, remember good is an illusion, but bad is reality you should cherish.”

  “But won’t bad hurt me?”

  “Oh, it definitely will.”

  In the pool of golden blood, her insides were screaming while he was enjoying a bowl full of flavoured ice creams and teased her with every spoonful.

  Devil!

  “I must say, Trish, it was delicious,” Happy said.

  He gave the bowl to an angel standing beside him. Her eyes expanded. The angel was none other, Archangel Trishark herself. The strongest among all, a piece of art or beauty. And she was cleaning Happy’s hand with her cobalt and golden wings.

  An angel fell right next to Manya, scaring her last drop of life. Dozens more were hanging from the ceiling. Some of them had their wings wrapped around others.

  The alerts from Aery were still running in her ears endlessly. According to its calculation, Manya had only 1 minute remaining in her life. Her gaze met his. Next instance, Happy extended his right arm, palm up.

  Manya understood his intentions simply by looking into his determined and angry eyes. She hinted at the golden pool beneath her. With a puppy-like expression, she tried to evoke a feeling of concern from him. But her cute attempt did not affect him. “Heart… less.”

  With the remaining strength she had, Manya pushed her arm forward. Her limbs shook with exhaustion, every movement filled with agony. Yet, she remained unwavering in her determination to hold his hand. She believed his hand to be the last lifeline.

  With each painful crawl forward, she left a trail of golden blood on the ground. Her hands, raw and bloodied, strained as she fought to inch closer to her destination. Tears had enveloped her cheeks, mouth, and arms. And acted as a carpet of emotions fuelling the last remnants of her resolve. Her breath came in ragged gasps, her chest heaving with each laboured step, but she refused to give up. With a trembling hand, she made one final, desperate push and reached out, her fingertips just inches away from touching Happy’s feet. Her body had reached its limit. Each blink felt like a hesitant goodbye. The corner of her lips, usually curved in a gentle smile, now sank with the burden of sorrow.

  The flashback, which she was waiting for—happened. The day she met Atharv in the hospital, how happy he was seeing her. Their first hug made her realise the true meaning of family. Moments of innocent joy and boundless curiosity flooded her consciousness. Dhruv! The farewell, both spoken and unspoken, unfolded before her like a film.

  “Mamu, what if I die?” Manya said

  “What’s with sudden enlightenment?” Atharv said.

  “No, just answer. Imagine if I die.”

  “Nothing will happen to you until I am alive.”

  “What if it still happened?”

  “Just calm down this irritating and sick curiosity of yours.”

  “No! tell.”

  The last beat of Manya’s heart brought about a feeling of warmth.

  “Ok. You want to know, then listen. If you die, then I’ll be left alone in the entire universe, with no being to call my own.”

  The warmth inside her heart spread to her entire body, giving a relief to her pain and wounds. This feeling differed from the rapid and abrupt energy surges. He will end up being alone. “How can I?”

  A current coursed through her chest, but weak. “I have to find him! He. He needs me!” Adrenaline surged through her arm. “Argh!!” she clutched Happy’s hand tightly. The powerful gust of strength emerged, making the surrounding angels to flinch.

  When she gazed into his eyes, a wave of emotion washed over her. A sharp pain shot through her hand. And as she looked closer, a substance was flowing through her veins, bringing life to her entire body. Even if she was holding his hand, there was a faint gap in between. Is he wearing a transparent glove?

  “This trail of your blood is a testimony of the beginning of their end,” Happy said.

  The familiar sensation of the substance reminded her of the healing liquid Atharv had injected into her once, or into a soul cloner.

  “The entire universe will tremble with your return,” Happy continued. “The ones who loved you will rise again, and again the evil will die the worst death.”

  An attack destroyed the roof of Trishark’s chamber. It was such a beautiful ceiling.

  Happy pulled Manya into his arms, but she couldn’t feel the touch of his arms. All the warmth around her was her own. Wait—No touch, because my hands were dirty, and now… hate him!!

  An army of thousands of different coloured angels surrounded the land. Instead of letting concern and worry consume her, she remained calm in his grasp. “Stop,” Manya whispered. He came to a halt next to Ira, still unconscious. “She’s my best friend.”

  Happy nodded and carefully positioned her on a comfortable and plush surface of his shapeshifting thing, perfect for a restful sleep.

  “It was you. You called the boat back?” Manya said. Happy smiled. However, just as he was about to drift away, Manya caught hold of the edge of his shirt.

  “Am I worthy?” she said.

  He giggled. “Always.” His reply provided a sense of accomplishment, but her heart longed for different words. His gaze softened. “Yes. You are worthy.”

  Her lips curved upward, a gentle arc of gratitude. “Don’t hurt the innocent ones, ok?”

  He took a deep breath. “I’ll try.” What worried her was anger seething in his eyes. At a slow pace, a barrier formed around her. “Have a nice dream.”

  Manya soared into the sky. She placed her hand on the barrier wall. “Be safe.”

  He returned the gesture.

  With each breath, she sank deeper into the embrace of peace, her eyelids growing heavy as the comforting ambience enveloped her.

  ‘Congratulations on completing your second test mission,’ a female voice announced.

  “… Hmm.”