At dawn, the team stood at the edge of Ayodhya—the saffron domes, crumbling temples, and vibrant ghats glowing like embers of hope. A thin veil of mist hovered over the Sarayu River, turning sunrise into a hymn.
New Sanctuary Hub: Ayodhya Forward BaseCapacity: 120 survivorsResources: Water filtration, temporary lodgings, first-aid tent, shrine calibration zone
They were greeted by local guardians—men and women in community vests, armed with traditional swords and renovated muskets, ready to supplement the incoming convoy.
Arjun stepped into makeshift tents erected around the base. A local elder, Pandit Vikram, offered him tea.
"Your arrival… it stirs hope," breaths the man. "We heard of your link network, your fight through Delhi. We need both victory and truth."
Arjun explained his mission: sanctuary network expansion, north-bound journey, the search for family. Vikram gently nodded.
"There are rumors—your father, a postman, may have made it this far after the collapse. He was last seen near Jhansi Road."
Arjun's jaw tensed. He leaned over the table.
"Take me there," he said. "Tonight."
Across the courtyard, Arjun leveled with his team:
Varun would handle demolitions & route clearing.
Dhani stood ready for elemental support and local camouflage.
Ravi & Meher provided overwatch from rooftops with restored muskets and sniper rifles.
Tapan set drone patrols, plus one searching for survivors near Jhansi Road.
Suraj liaised with local networks for safe passage and housing info.
Dawn shifted to afternoon and departure was set for the golden hour.
They mounted the SUV again—its turret silent but present. Ravi took the hatch spot as they rolled out beneath temple arches.
They passed drifting boats on the Sarayu, pilgrims waving from rooftops, smoke from temple fires blending with dust lines.
By dusk they reached a cluster of fallen billboards reading "Jhansi →" overhead, bullet-pocked and sagging.
Here, survivors had marked safe spots—flashing lights mounted on power-dead poles. Evident prayer flags marked makeshift shelters.
Tapan hovered the drone low.
Drone: Found layered tents, journal pages, old postal receipts.Vital Clue: Parcel addressed to "Rathore, UP" dated June 10.
Arjun's breath went dry.
They exited. Varun swept the nearest ruined dhaba for demons; Dhani cleansed two acid-pitted walls with frost. Ravi and Meher perched on upper rubble to watch for Ravagers.
Arjun found scraps of a letter—filled with one line typed in Hindi:
"…reach our home before the 15th. Wait by the mango grove."
Eyes closing, Arjun held back tears.
As night settled, they camped within a half-collapsed police station beside the highway. The SUV turret tracked shadows, candles lit against walls. Crickets and distant chanting echoed.
A warning snapped in: Ravager rustle nearby.
They moved to defensive positions:
Varun set micro-charges at perimeters
Dhani assigned elemental traps among debris
Ravi, Meher lined rooftops
Tapan flew recon drones
At midnight, three Ravagers slipped through rusted fences.
Battle erupted: Dhani froze one mid-pounce, Varun ignited microbombs; Tapan's drones dropped grenade tracers; Meher fired blast rounds; Arjun closed in with spear while Ravi suppressed.
Silence followed ash and smoke.
As the sun rose, Arjun sat in the silent police station courtyard—notes spread on the hood of the SUV. The mango grove, Jhansi Road… closer than ever to his past.
He looked at the team:
"You fought through Delhi, bonded villages, reclaimed cities. Now…" his gaze drifted north, "we find home."