Chapter 2

Chapter 1: The Invitation

Mumbai’s sky was painted in strokes of grey as raindanced on the college’s rooftop. Rey leaned against the dance studio mirror,his gaze distant. He hadn’t been here since the last national championship.Since Kriya left.

That was four years ago.

“Dude,” Swayam’s voice pulled Rey out of his reverie.“You’re actually early for rehearsal. Miracles do happen.”

Rey gave a half-smile, but his eyes stayed on the foldedinvitation in his hand. It was thick, embossed, and unsigned — inviting St.Louis alumni to an underground dance competition titled "Inferno."No location. Just GPS coordinates. And a warning: "This stage burnsmore than just feet."

Meanwhile, across the hall, Sharon tightened herponytail, eyes narrowing as she scanned the invite. “This isn’t normal. Whosends anonymous invitations for elite dance battles? No names, no sponsors?”

Before Swayam could respond, the studio door creakedopen. A gust of wind followed — and with it, Kriya Ghai.

Rey froze.

She looked stronger, fiercer. Her hair was damp, her eyesunreadable.

“I got the same invite,” she said, lifting a matchingenvelope. “I didn’t come back for nostalgia. Something’s wrong.”

Sharon crossed her arms. “You think it’s a trap?”

Kriya nodded. “It’s not just about dance. Whoever sentthis... knows us.”

Thunder rolled as silence swallowed the room.

Then Kriya whispered, “They want us all in one place.Together. For a reason.”

Rey’s heart pounded — not just from her return — but fromthe feeling that this was just the beginning.