It is evening. Clouds are attempting to obscure the light of the setting sun. Yet, the sun's rays pierce through the clouds, creating a rainbow that showcases the diverse colors of life. With thunder and lightning, the rain and wind are gradually intensifying, as if a major storm is coming.
Ahead lies a bridge, beneath which a river flows. The river's current is increasing to such an extent that the waves crash against the banks, leaping high, seemingly trying to escape the river's furious flow.
At one end of the bridge stands a crowd. Among them, a 60-year-old man stands beneath a sturdy tree. In one arm, he holds a one-year-old boy, and clinging to his leg is a two-year-old girl. All eyes are fixed on the opposite end of the bridge, minds immersed in thoughts.
Thoughts engaged in a battle...
What make to fight /battle ? Why a human or and any living creature engag in fight?
A battle that arises when individuals with opposing viewpoints meet. Gradually, disagreements lead to clashes. When such individuals gain power, strength, and authority. they try to suppress others' ideas and impose their own dominance.
The old tree standing beneath which the elderly man is positioned is so sturdy that even in such heavy rain and strong winds, it continues to shelter those beneath it from the downpour.
This is nature's special quality: against one form of its rage, it presents another form to extend help. But over time, humans began to view themselves as greater than nature. They increasingly destroyed more of nature and came to consider their man-made resources as superior. Eventually, a point comes when nature, in its fury, reveals its fierce form—as a storm. And humans are reduced to mere spectators.
Even amidst such thunder and heavy rain, intermittent sounds of roaring thunder, the clash of weapons, and explosions can be heard—evoking the intensity of the battle.
After about an hours or so, the rain begins to subside, and the river's waters start receding. Sounds from the field fade away. As the rain slows, people begin heading toward their homes. Now only few peoples remain standing.
The clouds part, but the sun has already set. The raindrops fall from the tree's leaves and gently make their way down toward the ground. When a gust of wind blows, the drops' path becomes easier—they leave the tree and reach the earth. When those droplets land on the old man's body, they calm his mind—once caught up in agitated thoughts—and bring him back to reality.
In the night, nothing is visible across the bridge. The lights on the bridge have gone out in the stormy rain. Only one or two lights remain on, flickering. In that dim light, someone seems to approach from the opposite side of the bridge. As the person gets closer, their bodily frame and its contours become more distinct.
The wounds on their body and the bleeding still seem to cry out, as though they'll yet put on a fierce display. But the person has thrust someone else aside with both hands. And by looking at that companion and conveying through his expression, it's evident that the time for judgment has arrived. There are a few more individuals behind him, left standing on the opposite end of the bridge.
As the person reaches the near side of the bridge, a sudden flash of lightning strikes. In the light, the drenched face of the individual is illuminated—and it is recognized: it is that elderly man's son, Karna, with his daughter‑in‑law Vrusha in his arms. Her state looks so frail that with every breath she seems at death's door.
The old man's eyes grow wide and steady. The little girl standing beside him doesn't yet recognize Karna, and she moves behind her grandfather in agitation. Meanwhile the boy continues playing with the drops of rain falling from the tree.
Karna, looking at Vrusha, says: "Instead of sacrificing many lives and enslaving one life, I've brought time for you. The future is in your hands." He adds: "Protect it, and make them ready to bring light again into this darkness."
The old man and others remain in astonishment and wonder at what is unfolding. Karna says this, glances at both children, and then begins walking toward the bridge.
"Son…!" the elderly man finally breaks his silence.
Karna stood looking toward the bridge and said, "This is only a pause, not the end."
Then he began walking again. The old man remained speechless.
Next, the little girl—recognizing Karna's voice—called out, "Papa…!"
But Karna neither heard her nor stopped to look back; he continued forward on his path.
On the far side of the bridge, his companions stood trying to block the advancing threat. Yet gradually even their footing gave way—they reached the middle of the bridge and began to falter.
In the flickering light, the old man's gaze fell on the warriors standing ahead—and their ghostly, menacing forms imprinted forever on his mind: 40-50 feet tall, with piercing red eyes, and a thunderous roar as if ancient demons from myth had descended to Earth.
In that moment, Karna placed Vrusha on his left shoulder and, with the hilt of his sword, delivered a mighty strike on the bridge—accompanied by a roar. The bridge began to splinter. Gradually the entire structure collapsed. In moments, every one on the bridge plunged into the river and was carried off by the current.
Startled, the old man jolted awake from a deep sleep. It had been a dream—but saying "dream" felt less accurate than recalling memories of the past.
His name is Yug. The boy and girl in his vision were his grandson Ansh, and granddaughter Sapna. Meanwhile, his wife Meena—sleeping beside him—also woke up.
"Those same memories again..!?" she said, observing the old man's expressions.
"Yes..." he replied, still coming out of those memories.
"It's been 10 years since then...!" said by Meena as she filled a glass of water from the jug beside the bed and give it to him.
"Yes... today marks exactly 10 years since that incident," Yogendra said while getting up. He added, "That's why we don't have much time left now."
"Yes... but why did you get up and start moving around? Weren't you thinking of going back to sleep?"
"No. Today, I will spend the day at Mount Asuri with Lord Mahadev."
"But it's only 4 in the morning. Going that early, and to a mystical place like that...!!" said Meena, now fully awake.
"Grandpa..! Grandpa..! Are you up or not?" shouted Ansh, running in from outside. He was only 11years old, but his appearance made him look no less than adolescent. Five feet tall, curly hong hair with brown skin and dusky complexion, muscular body—a testament to his training since childhood. Yet, his face and voice still carried the innocence of youth.
"Yes... I'm up," said the old man, taking the brush.
"Why did you get up? Why do you need to go?" Meena asked as she quickly stood up from the bed.
"Going with Grandpa." Ansh replied.
"What!!? Why are you going ?" Meena said, her voice filled with surprise and fear.
"Yes. Both me and Sapu are going."
"Why go there so early? Like always, go after sunrise."
"To conduct a test," replied Sapna, entering while wiping her face.
She was 12, though she looked adolescent, similarly to Ansh. Beautiful, with long and soft hair, strong arms though slightly less muscular than Ansh. She looked almost celestial, but her face and voice reflected deep responsibility.
"What test at this hour?" Meena asked, worried.
Everyone stepped out of the room as the conversation continued.
"The time has come for both of them to move ahead toward their goals. But before they begin, it's important to know whether they are truly ready to walk this path," Yogendra answered while washing his face.
Still concerned, Meena asked again, "You know about that mountain, right!? Do you know what Asuri is known for?"
"Yes, Grandma. According to historical stories, it was once home to demons. Even now, people often report experiencing dark energies there," said Ansh.
"And no one who's gone there after dark and before sunrise has returned safely. In fact, history say that even animals there hide in caves during the night. So I won't let you go—especially not at this hour!" Meena said, holding onto Sapna and Ansh's hands.
Sapna gently continued, "That's exactly why... this is the perfect time to test the results of our long training."
"Grandma, why are you so worried? Our entire team is going. And as for Sapu, I'm with her. I won't let anything happen,"Ansh said confidently.
"Don't worry, Grandma. The five of us will stay together, and both of us will look after each other. The future demands that we be fully prepared for this. So we must move forward with time, right?" Sapna said, hugging Meena reassuringly.
"Have faith in them, in their training and their parents. They will overcome what their father couldn't," Grandpa said as he wiped his face.
"Yes, Grandma. When the two of us are together, what is there to fear?" said Ansh, wiping his face and embracing both Sapna and Grandma. A moment later, the three stepped apart.
"Alright... but stay together. Don't let go of each other's hands. And if you ever feel lost or unsure, follow the path shown by your inner voice," said Grandma softly as she wiped her tears.
"Yes, Grandma," both replied in unison.
"Alright then, get ready. I'll pack some snacks—it'll be useful on the way," said Meena, and everyone got busy with their tasks.
A little while later, the three of them set out toward the mountain.