The morning was filled with an electric tension as everyone gathered at the central courtyard of the Sky Demon Sect. The air buzzed with anticipation, warriors and disciples standing in disciplined rows as the great departure was about to take place.
Ravihiro stood with his arms crossed, watching the preparations. His eyes shifted to Arav, who was discussing something with Rumina's father—the Sect Leader of the Sky Demon Sect.
Arav's voice was firm as he handed over a slip. "These are the exact coordinates of Earth. We must move quickly."
The Sect Leader examined the jade slip before nodding. "Then let us begin."
He stepped forward, raising his hands.
Suddenly, the entire sect began to tremble.
Formation runes lit up across the mountain, golden patterns spreading like a web. The very foundation of the Sky Demon Sect shifted, the massive structures folding and reshaping. Walls collapsed inwards, stone pillars retracted, and the towering mountain transformed—until what remained was something entirely different.
A massive floating fortress, shaped like an ancient warship, covered in powerful defensive formations.
The ship hummed with energy as a space crack tore open in the sky, revealing an endless cosmic expanse.
The Sect Leader's voice boomed across the ship. "Our journey begins. It will take time to reach our destination—use this period to prepare. For the war ahead will test us all."
With that, the ship entered the space crack, vanishing into the void.
A Moment of Rest – Ravihiro's Room
Inside his private chamber, Ravihiro sat cross-legged, his mind deep in meditation.
But no matter how much he tried to clear his thoughts…
He couldn't.
The weight of returning to Earth. The battle ahead. The unknown dangers.
For the first time in a long while—he felt nervous.
Click.
His sharp senses picked up the faintest movement. His instincts screamed at him, but before he could react—
A pair of arms wrapped around him from behind.
Warm. Familiar.
Rumina.
Her voice was soft against his ear. "You're so tense. What's wrong, my dear husband?"
Ravihiro sighed. "...Can't you have your own room?"
Rumina chuckled. "Can't I come to my husband's room?"
Ravihiro rolled his eyes. "What do you want?"
She loosened her hug but remained close, resting her chin on his shoulder. "Tell me stories of your world."
Ravihiro frowned. "...Are you a child? Go back to your room."
Rumina smirked. "I'm not leaving until you tell me a story."
Ravihiro clicked his tongue. He turned and suddenly grabbed her by the waist, lifting her. Rumina yelped in surprise as he laid her on the bed.
Her golden eyes flickered with amusement. "Oh? Taking the initiative, are we?"
Ravihiro ignored her teasing. "Fine. Would you like to hear the story of Abhimanyu—the son of the strongest archer in history?"
Rumina tilted her head. "Strongest archer? Why was he called that?"
Ravihiro's expression darkened slightly, his voice calm yet filled with respect.
"Because his arrows never missed. Because he could shoot targets blindfolded, through obstacles, across battlefields. Because he wielded divine weapons( Brahmastra )that could burn armies to ashes and could even destroy the universe. And because… his name was Arjuna."
Rumina's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Tell me more."
And so, Ravihiro began.
He spoke of Mahabharata. Of Abhimanyu, the young warrior who entered the deadly Chakravyuha formation but could not escape. Of his unwavering courage. Of his tragic fate.
As he spoke, Rumina's eyes grew heavy. Her breathing slowed.
By the time he finished the tale—she was asleep.
Ravihiro smirked. "...And she calls me a kid."
He stood up, ready to leave—
But before he could move, her hand grasped his wrist.
Even in sleep, she held onto him.
Ravihiro sighed. He could've broken free easily… but instead, he sat back down.
The soft glow of the ship's energy hummed in the background as he, too, closed his eyes.
One Week Later
And so, the days passed.
Each night, Rumina would sneak into his room, demanding another story.
Each night, Ravihiro would tell her tales of Earth's warriors, legends, and myths.
Each night, she would fall asleep holding onto him.
And slowly… just slowly…
Ravihiro stopped minding.
But deep in his heart, he knew—
The closer they got to Earth, the closer they got to war.
And once they arrived—
There would be no time for stories.