In a world where ancient truths are fading. Divinity whispers through firewalls, and justice isn’t always black and white, Kaliya Mardan begins.
Inspired by Hindu mythology but grounded in modern India, this short story in English blends action and a romantic thriller story that feels both timeless and urgent. As doors close and secrets surface, what unfolds is not just a bedtime story for adults, but a myth reborn in the digital age.
Step into the first chapter of The Anant – Romantic Thriller Story Series, where faith collides with tech, fear and legends live on through the minds of men.
Action-packed Romantic Thriller Story begins here
“Rudra, go catch him. We can’t lose him now.”
An injured man in his mid-40s ordered Rudra to follow a fading shadow. His uniform was soaked in blood.
“But sir-”
“I said go. That’s an order.”
Rudra Pratap Singh hesitated—stay or obey? With no choice and a heavy heart, he pursued the shadow.
He radioed his team to send medical support for his mentor, Senior Officer Mehra.
In the maze of alleys and slums, the suspect vanished.
His earphone buzzed with a glitch.
“Left. Past the red shutter. Then a sharp right.” Followed by the direction.
“Who is this?”
“No time. Just follow my directions. He fleeing.” The voice wasn’t commanding but sounded omniscient.
In dark alleys, this voice was the star Rudra needed. He followed.
The ground shook under his boots as he jumped over rooftops,
He saw him.
The suspect.
They fought. Rudra blocked the suspect’s sloppy punch with ease.
A kick to the knees caught him off guard, but he recovered swiftly. One clean punch to the jaw and the suspect dropped. Out cold.
Gasping, Rudra cuffed him.
“Your team’s ETA is fifteen minutes. I’ve cleared their route by manipulating traffic signals.”
Rudra blinked. “What are you?”
Silence.
Then, from nowhere, a flash. A shot.
“Down!” it yelled.
Rudra dropped instinctively. The bullet sliced through his shoulder, narrowly missing his heart. He staggered, clutching his wound, and collapsed as his vision dimmed.
“Rudra! Rudra! Stay Awake!” The voice pleaded in his ear.
The man’s sapphire-like eyes glowed under the screen’s light as he removed his headset.
He leaned back, troubled, closing his eyes to steady himself.
Two desktops and a sleek nameplate adorned his desk:
Anant Sen
Founder & Chief Architect – Naganet
The golden symbol of Naganet—the world’s top cybersecurity provider- glowed on the wall behind him, amplifying Anant’s divine presence.
“Guruji! Rudra is in danger. Shouldn’t we-”
A young woman, roughly Rudra’s age, asked. Her thick, wavy hair was tied back like a flowing river.
“No, he won’t die,” Anant said calmly, his eyes certain. “Get ready. You’ll meet him soon.”
Anika, Inspector at Cyber Police Mumbai, nodded silently. Her unmatched cyber skills came from her mentor.
“I need to meditate. Anika, remember—balance must be established. Prepare yourself. ”
A hidden chamber behind the wall split open as Anant stood.
Anika bowed, her eyes lingering on the ripple of mystic power behind him.
Rudra woke up in the hospital, bandaged but safe.
After confirming his stable condition, the doctors left. His junior informed him that the suspect was dead and Senior Officer Mehra had succumbed to his injuries.
Grief and anger surged in Rudra, but he had no time to mourn. Shortly after, he received news of his promotion to ACP, tasked with leading a new task force to catch the mastermind behind the chaos.
The next morning, soft sunlight fills the ward as Rudra wakes slowly. He notices an eloquent bouquet on the side table, with a folded note hidden among the flowers.
“Apurvam karyam asti te, tvam chayanah na sanshayah.
Bheetah maa bhoova, yatah tvam dharmasya pathikah saha devena.”
Frowning, he grabs his phone and browses the web for the quote.
No results.
“A purpose awaits you—unfinished, but destined for you.
Do not fear, for you walk the path of dharma, with the divine by your side.”
An unknown voice knocked him from behind. It was Anika.
“Who are you?” Rudra asked.
“Inspector Anika, Cyber Police—Mumbai. I’m assigned to your task force for cyber intel support.” She introduced herself.
He held up the note and asked. “And how do you know what this says?”
“Because I studied at school— Sanskrit.” She gave a witty remark.
“Right you did.” He whispered.
“ACP Rudra, you’ll be discharged this afternoon. Rest today and report tomorrow. I was asked to relay the message.” She said and vanished like lightning.
At the task force office, ACP Rudra and Inspector Anika led the team’s first briefing, sharing all their clues.
Target:
Kaliya—a criminal mastermind operating on the dark web, involved in online gambling, narcotics, human trafficking, and not limited to financial fraud. His extensive activities have earned him the title of “e-underworld don” across the globe, often symbolized as a black, five-headed snake.
For three relentless months, the task force chased shadows. Operations were launched, and operations failed. Each time, Kaliya slipped through, leaving behind only traces.
Amidst the hunt, Rudra didn’t forget the mysterious voice that had once saved him. He searched for clues—the Sanskrit quote, the unknown savior—but found only riddles.
Anika, knowing everything, silently watched his struggle, passing quiet reports to Anant.
Outside official missions, Anika worked independently. When Rudra uncovered her unofficial operations, trust was forged between them.
They joined forces—onscreen and off—to bring Kaliya down.
“We got intel.” Anika rushed with the news.
Sources reported that Kaliya was organizing an illegal auction. Given his perverse nature, the team was confident he would attend.
Rudra personally led the planning. “This is our best chance. Let’s show them, we’re Mumbai Police.” he said, motivating the team.
“We’re ready, Guruji. Everything will be fine.” Anika assured Anant on the call. He provided the intel.
While gearing up, Rudra overheard her reassuring someone and couldn’t help but ask who she was talking to.
“My guardian.” she replied.
“You mean your parents?” he asked.
“No. I’m an orphan. My guardian sponsored us at the orphanage and has taken care of me. Whatever I am today is because of him.” She replied proudly.
Rudra discovered a new side of Anika—despite her talent, she remained a mystery. She rarely discussed her personal life, and he hadn’t known she was an orphan.
The team was ready in their civil avatars.
Anika’s cyber team hacked a few invites to ensure their safe entry. Each member slipped into the auction venue unnoticed.
Rudra entered with an officer, blending amongst global criminals. Their mission: catch Kaliya and safe return of every team member.
As the leader, Rudra wouldn’t risk another fallen comrade.
Audience put on their mask as the event was being livestreamed on the dark web. As the auction began, Anant monitored from afar. He stayed far, unwilling to expose his identity.
The host introduced a hooded figure amongst the VIPs as “Our Organiser.”
Kaliya.
Rudra got a physical identity to the shadow his team had been tracking for months.
With Anant and Anika’s help, Rudra acquired a VIP pass. He followed Kaliya to his private lounge. He updated his team. Once he entered, their connection broke.
He tried connecting back.
Static followed by a familiar voice.
“Stay silent. Adjust your brooch.”
Rudra didn’t ask how the stranger knew about the camera. He just whispered, “Will you help me again?”
“Turn left. He’s in there.”
Rudra followed the voice and knocked on the door, which a guard opened.
He presented the forged ID, calmly, claiming he had a tempting offer for Kaliya.
The air inside was lavish and cruel.
“Who are you?” Masked Kaliya asked.
Rudra smirked, presenting his cards. “A man who doesn’t like criminals.”
On Kaliya’s gesture, four guards attacked him.
Rudra fought hard, swift as ever—but he was outnumbered. A blow to the ribs. A fist to the jaw. Another pinned him down.
Right when he lost hope of catching the guy responsible for his superior’s death.
The door burst open.
A man stepped in, calm and lethal. With one blow, he sent a goon crashing into the wall. Another was flung across the room like paper.
Anant.
His eyes shimmered unnaturally under the dim lights. His movements—flawless, calculated, and of herculean strength. Just like Lord Balaram from Mahabtarata.
In a swift he handled all the guards. Soon, more entered.
Anant pulled Rudra up.
Side by side, they fought. First, elbow, kick. One by one, Kaliya’s men dropped. Rudra handled the last with a clean takedown while Anant blocked Kaliya’s escape.
Cornered, Kaliya threw a dagger.
Anant caught it mid-air, crushed it in his palm, and stepped forward.
“No more running.” he said quietly.
The voice seemed familiar to Rudra. He cuffed him. “Kaliya, you’re under arrest—for trafficking, murder, and a lifetime of crimes.”
The team stormed in right after and secured the venue.
Rudra turned to thank the stranger. But he was gone.
“I wanted to ask, who are you?” Rudra said to himself.
While leaving, his eyes fell on a book. An unknown object at a totally unrelated spot.
He understood the mysteriously powerful guy left it.
He picked the book. The title said:
A guardian: Balance needs to be maintained. Author – Sahasravakya
ACP Rudra and his task force were honoured with Chief Minister’s Gallantry Award for their extraordinary services.
“Kaliya’s in jail. Under life-time imprisonment, he is paying for his crimes. What’s bothering you?” A colleague approached him, noticing the tension on Rudra’s face.
“His words at the interrogation.” Rudra exhaled slowly.
“This is a very small victory, Rudra Pratap Singh. Serpents powerful than Kaliya are still out there.”
