[Eastern Skies – Battlefield of Surya-Dhara]
The sun dimmed as a shadow passed over the land. It was not night, but the coming of the first trial—the arrival of Brahmaraksha, the Flame Titan, forged from the breath of a dying star and the rage of forgotten gods.
A being once sealed by Ash himself… now released at his command.
Mountains cracked beneath his footsteps.
The rivers boiled.
And in the skies above, Ash watched in silence, his cloak of starlight flowing like smoke.
> "They must face fire," he said. "Or they will never reach the core of me."
---
[Ashraya – Council Tower]
The war horns sounded.
Akarshan, Shiv, Anuj, Shivam, and Monish stood together, their divine resonances pulsing in rhythm.
Goddess Vasundhara placed a glowing seed on Akarshan's palm.
> "This will bloom only in true sacrifice," she said. "And in that moment… you may see his heart."
They nodded.
A celestial gate opened.
The five stepped through, bathed in gold light.
---
[Surya-Dhara – The Battlefield]
The world trembled as they arrived.
Before them stood Brahmaraksha, towering and furious, his body a forge, his heart a living sun. In his hand, the Flame Cleaver, large enough to split cities.
He laughed when he saw them.
> "Children? These are the challengers of the Supreme One?"
Anuj raised his staff. "We may be children, but even children can bring down titans."
> "Then burn, little sparks."
And the first battle began.
---
[The Fight]
Shiv summoned a cyclone of ice and lightning, clashing against the Titan's heat.
Shivam slowed time briefly, weaving attacks through tiny openings in the Titan's armor.
Anuj rained divine fire, forming binding seals.
Monish warped reality around the Titan's feet, anchoring him.
And Akarshan—his sword now glowing with Ash's resonance—leapt for the heart.
But Brahmaraksha exploded in a wave of solar fire.
Shiv was nearly consumed. Monish's barrier cracked. Anuj dropped to one knee.
Only Akarshan stood tall.
> "Ash… if you want us to reach you, then lend me your truth."
The seed in his palm burst into light.
And behind him, a spectral figure appeared—Ash's younger self. Innocent. Gentle.
He whispered.
> "Use my first flame… not to destroy, but to purify."
Akarshan raised his sword.
> "For Ash."
And with one strike, channeled through all five of them—
They shattered the Titan's core.
Brahmaraksha collapsed.
Not in anger… but in peace.
> "So… he can be saved…"
---
[Aftermath]
The land healed. The sky cleared.
And in the winds, Ash's voice murmured:
> "One test passed. Many more remain."
He turned from the skies.
But a small crack had appeared in his armor.
And he whispered again—softer this time.
> "Akarshan… you really are my brother."
---