The Sky Demon Sect's grand hall remained heavy with tension. Ravihiro stood still, his gaze unwavering as the elders exchanged anxious glances. Rumina's expression, though calm, carried a hint of unease. Arav, standing beside Ravihiro, was equally baffled. The mention of the Viroshis had clearly struck a nerve, and it was time to uncover the truth.
The Forbidden Archives
Lord Bhridvarta's voice broke the silence. "Ravihiro, if you insist on knowing the truth, you must follow me to the Forbidden Archives. What lies there may answer some of your questions… but it will also raise many more."
Without waiting for a response, he turned and gestured for Ravihiro, Rumina, and Arav to follow. The elders hesitated but ultimately nodded in agreement, signaling that this knowledge was long overdue. The group moved through the sect's winding corridors, descending into the depths of the mountain where the archives were hidden. The air grew colder with every step, and the faint hum of protective formations surrounded them.
They stopped before an enormous metal door etched with ancient runes. Lord Tianzu placed his palm on the surface, channeling his spiritual energy. The door groaned open, revealing a vast chamber lined with ancient scrolls, tablets, and tomes.
"This," Bhridvarta said, his voice echoing through the chamber, "is where the sect has stored knowledge deemed too dangerous for the world. The records of the Viroshis are among the oldest."
He walked to a pedestal in the center and retrieved a blackened scroll bound with chains. The very sight of it sent a chill through the room.
The Truth Revealed
Tianzu carefully unraveled the scroll, its ancient text glowing faintly. He began to read aloud:
"In the age before gods and mortals, the Viroshis ruled the void between worlds. Their ambition knew no bounds, and they sought to transcend creation itself. To prevent their dominion, the Primordials sealed them in a realm beyond time, scattering the keys to their prison across the multiverse. But the prophecy foretells their return, heralded by chaos and the fall of empires. The one who bears the mark of dual fates will determine their destiny—either their liberation or their final obliteration."
The room fell silent. Ravihiro's eyes narrowed. "The one who bears the mark of dual fates… what does that mean?"
Bhridvarta closed the scroll, his expression grim. "We do not know. But if the Viroshis have begun to stir, it means the seal is weakening. Their goal is clear: to find the scattered keys and reclaim their power."
Arav interjected, his voice trembling. "On Earth, they said someone needed to return and confront their past. Could this prophecy be tied to you, Ravihiro? Are you… connected to them?"
Ravihiro remained stoic, his mind racing. He thought of his Ryugan, the shadows that often surged within him, and the mysterious events surrounding his arrival in this world. Could he truly be the one the prophecy spoke of? And if so, what did it mean for his fate?
The Sect's Fear
The elders' reactions confirmed Ravihiro's suspicions. Their pale faces and hesitant gazes betrayed a deeper knowledge. Elder Mei finally spoke, her voice shaking. "We've seen this before… faint signs in ancient times. The Viroshis left traces in this realm—pockets of their influence that corrupted beasts and even cultivators. But none of us believed they would return in our lifetime."
Rumina's voice cut through the tension. "Why was this knowledge suppressed? If you knew the Viroshis were a threat, why didn't you prepare the sect?"
Elder Jian sighed. "Because we didn't know enough. The scrolls are incomplete, and no one alive has faced a Viroshi. All we had were myths… until now."
Ravihiro turned to Bhridvarta, his tone sharp. "What else are you hiding?"
Tianzu met his gaze with a somber expression. "There are rumors… whispers of an artifact hidden in this realm. A shard of the Viroshis' prison, left behind during their banishment. If they find it, it could accelerate their return."
The Decision
Ravihiro's fists clenched. "Then we can't wait for them to make the first move. We need to find this shard and destroy it."
Rumina stepped forward, her fiery determination matching his. "If this is true, the Sky Demon Sect will stand with you. We'll mobilize every resource at our disposal."
Arav, still processing the gravity of the situation, nodded. "I'll help too. If these things are connected to Earth's catastrophe, we have to stop them here."
The sect elders exchanged wary glances, their doubt evident. But Tianzu's voice rang with authority. "The Sky Demon Sect will act. This is no longer just our fight—it is a battle for all realms."
The Weight of Destiny
As the meeting concluded, Ravihiro stood apart from the group, gazing into the distance. The weight of the prophecy, the looming threat of the Viroshis, and the possibility of his own connection to their return weighed heavily on him. Rumina approached, her usual teasing demeanor replaced by a rare moment of sincerity.
"You don't have to bear this alone," she said softly. "Whatever happens, I'm with you."
Ravihiro's response was brief but firm. "This isn't about me. It's about stopping them."