Late August 2036 – the monsoon had finally retreated, leaving the merged plains around the Unity Spire glistening under a sky washed clean. The Eternal Bridge orchard stood heavy with the last of the mango harvest, golden fruit dropping lazily into soft grass. The air carried the sharp sweetness of overripe mangoes mixed with the clean, high-altitude crispness drifting from the Kohyari Peaks and the faint ozone tang of recent rift closures. The family had returned from Liyana's trial victorious but weary—small rifts sealed, but the prophecy's final warning lingered like monsoon thunder: "When two suns rise as one, the bridge will shine eternal—or shatter."
Ahmed Khan—Aelar Thorne, the Chaos High Human Unifier—stood alone in the spire's highest meditation chamber, a circular room open to the sky, its floor inlaid with leyline crystals arranged in a mandala pattern that blended Saraiki ajrak swirls with Elandrian rune spirals. His Chaos High Human evolution had deepened over weeks of dune rituals: mana surged like a Punjab storm, unpredictable but potent, capable of fusing opposites—fire and frost, shadow and light, legend and reality. The Folklore Quill (upgraded from the Veil Poet's Quill) rested in his hand, its feather now shimmering with threads of every poet's essence he had recited.
The system had pinged during his last chaos circle under the dunes:
Legendary Skill Unlocked: Summon Legends
Description: Call forth historical and mythological figures from both worlds as spectral allies. Strength, duration, and abilities scale with Chaos Affinity and poetic resonance. Cost: High mana + emotional focus. Risk: Legends may challenge summoner's heart if intent is impure.
Ahmed had spent nights studying the skill—meditating on Bulleh Shah's defiance, Farid's longing, Bhitai's journeys, Waris's rebellion, Shakir's resilience. Each recitation sharpened the spell, like forging a blade from storm iron.
Tonight, under twin moons and Punjab stars visible through the open roof, he would awaken it fully.
The family gathered below in the amphitheater—wives in a protective circle, children hushed with awe. Ammar (eleven) stood tallest, wolf-scales glinting; Zara (nine) tail twitching; Liyana (eight) frost mist curling; Elara (five) vines ready; Rami (five) claws flexed; Durin (four) hammer gripped; Ogra (two) tusks bared; Drakara (two) embers ready; Veil (one) humming portals; Bruno/Bruna (newborns) gurgling bear-hugs; Gallia (three months) kicking; Pan (four months) piping; Ssera (two months) coiling; Aero (five months) gusting; Mono (one month) gazing; Capro (three months) climbing; Luna (two months) calming; Naga/Nagi (newborns) chiming; Sassara (two) sand-whispering; Ranj (one) piping; Parina/Parik (six months) wish-dusting; Chura (five months) bloom-lighting; Mahi (four months) wave-gurgling.
Wives watched: Vixen sly, Kira fierce, Sylara wise, Lirael precise, Borina stout, Ogrima bold, Gobrina tinkering, Beastra roaring, Ursa hugging, Centara galloping, Satyra piping, Lamira coiling, Harpya gliding, Cylopa gazing, Capra climbing, Vampira veiling, Nagara scalesong humming, Sassi enduring, Heer passionate, Pari wishing, Churel blooming, Sohni flowing.
Ahmed raised the Quill. "Tonight, we summon legends. Not as stories—but as teachers and warriors. The Riftborn grow stronger. Our children need more than family—they need the wisdom of centuries."
He drew a massive circle in the air—sand and light swirling from the Quill. The mandala glowed, leyline threads weaving into a summoning gate.
He began reciting—voice steady, chaos mana surging like a monsoon river:
First, Bulleh Shah:
"Bulleh ki jaana main kaun?
Na main momin vich masjidan
Na main vich kufar dian ritan
Na main pakaan vich paleetan
Na main moosa na pharaun…"
The gate flared. A figure stepped through—tall, simple robes, eyes twinkling with defiant wit. Bulleh Shah's specter—alive with laughter—bowed slightly.
"Unifier calls? Good. Ego needs breaking again."
Next, Khawaja Ghulam Farid:
"Mera ishq vi tu, mera yaar vi tu
Mera deen vi tu, mera jahan vi tu…"
Farid appeared—desert-robed, eyes burning with longing. "Rohi's child calls. Thirst will guide."
Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai:
"Sassui di awaz—Kohyari te chadhdi ae
Punnu di talash vich dil jalda ae…"
Bhitai manifested—river-veiled, voice like Indus flow. "Sindh's songs answer. Journey begins."
Waris Shah:
"Heer di zidd—Ranjha di flute
Duniya di bandhan tod ke pyar jeet…"
Waris stepped forth—flute in hand, eyes fierce. "Love defies tyrants. Let us play."
Shakir Shujabadi:
"Zindagi da safar ae—girda rehta haan
Par giran ton baad vi khada ho janda haan…"
Shakir appeared—modern yet timeless, voice grounded. "Resilience answers. Stand again."
Dulla Bhatti:
"Oye Mughal—mera lohri gift ae!"
Dulla rode in—sword flashing, rebel grin. "The poor need champions."
Mirza Sahiban:
"Arrows fly—love defies."
Mirza appeared—archer's grace, arrow nocked. "Defiance in flight."
Sohni Mahiwal:
"River calls—love swims."
Sohni flowed in—water-veiled, ripple-scaled. "Endurance in flow."
Each legend stood radiant—spectral yet solid, eyes on Ahmed's family.
Ahmed spoke: "Legends of my world—train my children, fight with us. Riftborn threaten the bridge. Teach them your wisdom, your power."
Bulleh laughed: "Ego first—then sword. Children, question everything—even me!"
Farid: "Thirst is teacher. Longing fuels."
Bhitai: "Journey through pain to union."
Waris: "Defy chains with heart."
Shakir: "Fall, stand, laugh."
Dulla: "Protect the weak—sword and will."
Mirza: "Shoot true—love guides arrow."
Sohni: "Swim against current—love carries."
The legends dispersed among the children—training began.
Ammar with Dulla: sword drills + howl combos.
Zara with Bulleh: illusion-wit games—questioning tricks.
Liyana with Sohni: frost-flow balance.
Elara with Bhitai: vine-journey paths.
Rami with Mirza: claw-arrow precision.
Durin with Farid: forge-endurance.
Ogra with Waris: roar-defiance.
Drakara with Shakir: ember-resilience.
Younger ones watched, inspired.
Riftborn attacked—dozens, twisted legends: shadow-Bulleh mocking, dark-Sassi thirsting, vengeful-Heer.
Legends fought: Bulleh's wit shattered ego-shadows, Farid's longing sealed thirst, Bhitai's journey bound dark paths, Waris's defiance broke chains, Shakir's resilience stood firm, Dulla's sword cleaved tyrants, Mirza's arrows pierced, Sohni's flow washed.
Children joined—status-boosted: Ammar Level 8 (Howl + sword), Zara Level 7 (Illusion + wit), Liyana Level 6 (Frost + flow), etc.
Rift sealed—legends faded, promising return.
Ahmed: "They're with us always—in heart, in verse."