Keet Shakti Academy

The mock battle arena was set up just beyond the academy grounds, nestled in a large, open field surrounded by tall, thick trees. Armaan stood at the entrance, his heart pounding in his chest. His fingers curled around the cigarette pouch still tucked in his pocket, the promise of power echoing in his mind. The feeling was both exhilarating and terrifying. He had unlocked his smoke power, but it was still wild, unpredictable. Could he control it during a real fight?

His classmates lined the edges of the arena, whispering among themselves. They all had their hybrid abilities, powers honed from years of training and bloodshed. But Armaan, for all his effort and martial arts training, still felt like an outsider. He was about to step into the ring with them—and he couldn't rely on anything but his instincts.

"You ready, kid?" Dhruv's voice broke through the tension in the air. He stood just off to the side, a lazy smirk playing on his lips, as usual. His gourd swung from his hand, and the familiar smell of alcohol lingered.

Armaan glanced at Dhruv, then down at the ground. The weight of the situation began to sink in. This wasn't just another training session. It was a test. A chance to prove to everyone, including himself, that he was more than just an unremarkable student. That he was more than the mockery they had made him out to be.

He took a deep breath, feeling the cool night air fill his lungs. "I'm ready."

With that, the gong rang, signaling the start of the battle. Armaan stepped into the ring, his eyes scanning the area. His opponents stood in front of him—Tanmay and Raghav, both confident, their hybrid powers glowing brightly. Raghav, with his Deadly Viper Spider hybrid, was agile, fast, and venomous. Tanmay, with his explosive fire-based abilities, had the advantage in raw power. Both were far stronger than him, at least in Armaan's eyes. He was the underdog. But he couldn't let that show.

The crowd around the arena murmured, eyes fixed on Armaan. "He's going to get crushed," someone muttered. Armaan's fists clenched. He had no time for doubts. He was here to prove himself.

"Let's get this over with," Tanmay sneered, his fire-powered fists igniting with explosive flames. He charged forward, a blur of speed.

Armaan's instincts kicked in. He sidestepped quickly, his body moving with a fluid grace honed from weeks of martial arts training. His mind focused, blocking out the voices, the thoughts, the fears. The smoke within him stirred, responding to his growing frustration. He inhaled sharply, his body tensing, and the smoke began to rise—no longer uncontrolled, but guided by his will.

Tanmay lunged at him, a fiery fist aimed directly for Armaan's chest. The flames flickered, fast, but Armaan had learned to read his opponent's movements. He stepped to the side again, narrowly avoiding the attack.

Then, with a quick exhale, Armaan unleashed his power. The smoke billowed from his body, swirling around him like a thick fog. He could feel it this time—the smoke was more controlled, more responsive to his will. He exhaled again, sending the cloud of smoke extending outward, like a veil of darkness surrounding him.

Tanmay lunged again, this time aiming for his face, but Armaan moved with a fluidity that left him almost invisible, the smoke cloaking him, distorting his position. Tanmay struck the air, his fiery fist igniting nothing but smoke. Armaan, now invisible in his cloud, used the momentary distraction to his advantage.

Raghav, quick to notice, moved in from the side. His venomous fangs flashed, and he attempted to strike from an unexpected angle. But Armaan wasn't done. He felt the power coursing through his body, pushing him forward. A high-speed burst of smoke shot from his hands and legs, propelling him forward with a boost that left Raghav barely able to react.

Armaan twisted mid-air, moving with a precision that surprised even him. His feet landed lightly on the ground behind Raghav, and before the spider hybrid could turn, Armaan's hands struck him in a rapid series of well-executed martial arts maneuvers—grapples, strikes, and counterattacks. The smoke around him seemed to pulse, speeding up his movements, and the clarity of his focus sharpened.

"What…?" Raghav gasped, stunned at Armaan's sudden display of speed.

Tanmay, still recovering from the failed strike, growled in frustration. His flames roared higher, and he sent a blast of fire toward Armaan's last known position. But the smoke reacted in time, billowing outward, displacing the flames with a gust of thick, dense mist.

Armaan grinned, the taste of power rising inside him. He was finally using the smoke, not just for defense but for offense. His heart raced, his senses sharp. But he knew this wouldn't last long. His hybrid powers were still new, and without the cigarettes to enhance his abilities, he was running on pure adrenaline.

He pushed forward, this time taking the initiative. He released another wave of smoke, this time more controlled—faster and with greater volume. The smoke rushed like a tidal wave, disorienting Tanmay and Raghav alike, pushing them back.

Armaan breathed heavily, the air thick around him, and saw his opportunity. Raghav tried to regain his footing, but the smoke cloud made it nearly impossible for him to focus. Tanmay, seeing his opening, lunged in once more—but this time, Armaan was prepared.

With a burst of smoke, Armaan darted to the side, his speed amplified. The moment Tanmay was off-balance, Armaan took his chance. He threw his body into Tanmay's path, using his shoulder to shove him off course and send him sprawling to the ground.

"You think this is a joke?" Tanmay spat, clearly enraged, but Armaan wasn't listening. He moved fast—too fast for Tanmay to respond. His speed, amplified by the smoke, left him untouchable.

As Armaan stood, his breath steadying, Dhruv's voice echoed across the arena, the only sound that mattered now.

"Well, kid… looks like you're finally catching up. I didn't think it'd be this fast."

Armaan, still panting, looked down at his hands. The smoke had calmed, and the weight of the battle settled in. He had done it. For the first time, he had tapped into the power within him, controlling the smoke with precision and skill.

But this was just the beginning. The real test was yet to come.