"Backup is here," Velra said, eyes sharp with concern. Their small underground base was no longer safe. Blood still stained the ground, smoke lingered in the air — another attack, and everything they had would be gone.
Suraj was still in shock. But when Velra looked him in the eye and said,
"You're coming with us. But understand one thing — try anything stupid, and you won't survive."
He simply nodded.
Liri quietly picked up her small bag. The three of them moved swiftly into the underground tunnels that led toward a ruined mall.
---
Zyal Mall – Temporary Shelter
The mall looked like a haunted wreck, burned and broken. Velra chose a shattered section deep inside as a temporary base. Liri blocked the tunnel entrance using broken shelves and furniture.
Suraj tried to help, but Velra never stopped watching him with suspicion. Once the area was secure… Velra suddenly struck Suraj hard on the head.
Everything went black.
---
Ropes and Doubts
When Suraj opened his eyes, he found himself tied up. Velra stood in front of him, furious.
"You're not from Zyal region. So what are you doing here? Are you a spy? Part of a group?"
"I… I don't know how I got here… I swear, I'm just lost," Suraj stammered.
Blood was still oozing from Velra's shoulder — a wound from the earlier fight. Liri quietly took a cloth and tried to dress it.
Suraj, hesitant but genuine, pulled out a strip of painkillers from his pocket.
Velra's eyes narrowed.
"How do you have this?"
"I'm no doctor… but it might help," he said softly.
Velra took the pill, inspecting it carefully.
A part of her began to wonder… Is he from some elite group?
She didn't speak much after that.
But she warned,
"Stay away from Liri. You try anything, and I won't hesitate."
---
Gold and Survival
Together, they reinforced the mall's weak spots using scrap and furniture. While helping, Suraj's eyes caught a golden necklace buried under the debris.
"Gold!" he exclaimed, holding it up to Velra.
She glanced at it blankly.
"If it was food, maybe I'd care."
---
Night and Hunger
Velra returned later with a small hunt — a dead rat.
"This is all I could find."
Suraj was disgusted.
"You… eat this?"
"This is Nexaris. You eat what you get."
He hesitated.
"I have something better. But untie me first."
Velra reluctantly agreed.
Suraj reached into his bag and pulled out a chocolate bar.
Velra and Liri stared — shocked.
Chocolate — something they had only heard about in broken legends.
Liri took a bite. Her face lit up with wonder.
Velra followed, chewing slowly — her harsh expression softening for just a second.
---
Morning and the Memory
As morning arrived, hunger struck again.
Suraj offered them more — milk and rice.
Velra showed Liri how to cook the rice with some broken tools. She sniffed the milk curiously before tasting it — both items they had never seen in their lifetime.
Suraj moved to a quiet corner, sitting alone.
Suddenly, a pain shot through his head. Images flooded his mind — a glowing dimension crack, flickering stars, a flash of a portal… and Earth on the other side.
He focused.
And for just a fraction of a second — the portal opened.
Then it shut.
Velra appeared behind him.
"What are you doing here alone?"
"Just… clearing my head," he replied.
"Don't wander alone. This place doesn't forgive distractions."
---
The Return
Suraj went back to the quiet room, took a deep breath, and focused with all his will.
This time — the pulse was stronger.
A glowing crack tore open.
He stepped forward.
And just like that… he was back on Earth.
Falling to his knees, he touched the ground. Tears welled in his