[Mortal Realm – Ashraya, the Hidden Sanctuary]
Underneath the crumbling sky, a city once forgotten now awakened.
Ashraya, the last stronghold of harmony between gods and mortals, revealed itself. Its white towers shimmered with protection magic, untouched by the growing darkness spreading across the realm.
Akarshan and the others arrived through the celestial gate, guided by the Goddess of Nature, Vasundhara, who had secretly defied the divine council to assist them.
The city's people—mages, warriors, seers—stared in awe.
Not at the goddess.
But at the boys.
At Ash's chosen, now carrying echoes of divine power.
---
[Training Ground – Inner Courtyard]
Akarshan stood under falling sakura leaves, sparring with General Dhruv, an old warrior once blessed by the Goddess of War. His blade burned blue with celestial flame.
Shiv practiced elemental control with Vasundhara, weaving vines, flame, wind, and water in harmony.
Shivam meditated near the Pillar of Memory, searching for the moment when Ash's past overlapped with his present.
Anuj and Monish trained with the Guardians of Knowledge, learning how to resist mental attacks and divine illusions.
Each was preparing.
Because the first battle was near.
---
[Divine Realm – Chamber of Fire]
Meanwhile, Goddess Jwala prepared her troops in secret.
The Blazing Legion, once the vanguard of creation, had been summoned again.
> "We cannot kill him," she told her generals, "but we can slow him down."
> "If we fall, the others may still reach him."
They knew they marched to likely death.
Still, they moved forward.
---
[The War Council – Night Before the First Battle]
The goddess Vasundhara stood before the five boys.
> "You are not warriors by fate, but by choice."
> "Tomorrow, the Divine War begins. You will face Ash's first guardians—beings older than the stars. If you fail, the world ends in one year."
She paused, then smiled faintly.
> "But I believe he wants you to reach him. To stop him. Why else give you his power?"
Akarshan looked up at the sky, where falling stars marked Ash's countdown.
> "We're not here to kill Ash."
> "We're here to remind him who he is."
---
[Elsewhere – Throne of the End]
Ash sat in silence.
He had felt their growth.
He had heard Vasundhara's words.
But his heart did not waver.
He whispered to himself:
> "If they fail… I will burn this world. For its own good."
The first guardian stepped forward—Brahmaraksha, the Flame Titan.
> "Shall I wait for your command?"
Ash looked at the stars.
> "No. Begin."
---