The gentle hum of evening breeze whispered through the open windows of the ashram infirmary. The fragrance of sandalwood and herbs floated in the air, mingling with the soft crackle of the oil lamps. A faint orange glow painted the room, casting long shadows across the walls.
Aishwarya lay motionless on her bed. Her body was wrapped in clean white bandages; faint burns still marked her arms. Her eyelids fluttered open, and her gaze slowly adjusted to the dim light.
Sitting beside her, Shourya watched silently — his aged face calm yet heavy with concern. The wrinkles around his eyes deepened as he exhaled in relief.
"Are you feeling any better?" Shourya asked softly.
Aishwarya turned her head toward him and tried to smile. "Yeah… much better," she replied, her voice faint. "What time is it?"
"It's already evening," Shourya said, glancing toward the window where the last rays of sunlight filtered through.
"What?" She blinked in surprise. "You mean… I slept for twelve hours?"
Shourya nodded with a half-smile. "Yes. Your body was completely exhausted after overusing your Prāṇa."
Aishwarya slowly lifted her right hand, opening and closing her fist. The faint tremble in her fingers reminded her of the battle — the moment she had unleashed Flame Impact with every last ounce of her energy. The image of roaring crimson flames flashed in her mind, followed by the echo of her own scream.
Shourya noticed her expression. "It's good that it didn't harm your Core," he said. "Most who push beyond their limit end up paying a terrible price."
She nodded quietly. "I'll… keep that in mind."
For a moment, silence filled the room. The faint tick-tick of a hanging clock was the only sound. Shourya's gaze softened as he looked at her — the same girl who had arrived at the ashram years ago, shy and full of doubts, now lying there after risking her life to save others.
"I'm glad you're safe," he murmured, his voice breaking. "If anything had happened to you, I… I couldn't…"
His words trailed off. His hand trembled slightly as he adjusted his spectacles, but a tear had already escaped his eye and fallen onto her blanket.
"Gramps…" Aishwarya whispered. She reached out weakly and pulled him into an embrace. "Please don't cry. I can't bear to see you like this. Not anymore… please."
For a brief moment, Shourya froze — then wrapped his arms around her gently, the warmth of that human connection melting the burden in his chest.
Time seemed to stop.
After a few seconds, Aishwarya pulled back slightly and smiled. "What happened to Lioran?" she asked.
Shourya sighed. "He's resting. But…"
"But what?" Her eyes widened. "Is he alright?"
"He sustained deeper injuries than you," Shourya said gravely. "Especially his hands — they were burnt and cracked."
Aishwarya's heart tightened. "Please tell me he'll recover," she pleaded.
"Don't worry," Shourya reassured her. "His treatment's nearly done. He'll heal fastly"
She finally let out a deep sigh of relief. "Where is he?"
"In the next room," Shourya said with a faint smile. "Right beyond that door."
Aishwarya looked toward the wooden door at the end of the corridor. For a moment, she hesitated. Her fingers brushed the bandages on her arm, and she felt her heartbeat quicken. Taking a steady breath, she swung her legs down, ignoring the slight sting of pain as she stood.
Step… step… step…
Each step toward that door echoed faintly across the quiet room. She reached the handle, paused, and exhaled.
Click.
The door creaked open.
Inside, the air felt lighter — filled with the scent of fruit and healing incense. Lioran was lying on the bed, half-covered by a blanket, arguing with someone beside him.
"Hey! Give me one grape. I'm hungry!" Lioran grumbled, his voice hoarse yet lively.
"Sorry, but I want to eat them," Sharin replied smugly, popping another grape into his mouth.
"You traitor!" Lioran shouted, glaring at him.
Aishwarya froze in the doorway. Her eyes widened — both relief and disbelief washing over her. He's… fine? He's shouting again?
Sharin noticed her and waved. "Oh, Aishwarya! You're awake! How are you feeling now?"
"Much better," she replied softly.
"That's good," Lioran said, smiling faintly. "You really scared us when you collapsed. I thought you wouldn't wake up for days."
A faint blush crept onto Aishwarya's cheeks. "I didn't expect to be out that long either."
Sharin grinned. "Well, at least you both made it out alive. I can finally breathe again."
Lioran chuckled and leaned back against his pillow. "Honestly, I'm surprised I'm healing this fast. My hands were in pretty bad shape."
"That's because these medicines are special," Shourya's voice came from behind them. The old master entered the room, holding a clay bowl filled with warm herbal paste. "They're used only for Prāṇa warriors. Normal medicine takes months, but these… only a few days."
"So that's why we're recovering so quickly," Sharin said in amazement.
Shourya placed the bowl on a side table and sat down. "Your bodies are strong, but don't underestimate recovery. Rest is also training."
Lioran nodded slowly, then looked up. "By the way, Master… did you get any information about that guy?"
Shourya's expression hardened. "You mean the one you fought?"
Lioran nodded. "Yeah. His name's Bheem Mangal. He was incredibly strong."
Shourya folded his arms and looked thoughtful. "Yes… the name you mentioned. I searched the records, but there's no trace of him. Still…" His eyes narrowed. "I sensed something in his Prāṇa. Something… deeply wrong."
"Wrong?" Aishwarya asked.
"It was filled with pain and corruption," Shourya said, his tone darkening. "Almost as if his Prāṇa Core was being forced to burn itself alive. That's not natural."
Lioran clenched his fists. "He really was a monster. I barely stood a chance."
"But not more powerful than you," Sharin said with a grin. "You fought him head-on, even after being crushed. You're insane, man."
Lioran laughed weakly. "Insane, maybe. But he was on another level."
"You forget one thing," Sharin teased. "Master literally stopped his final attack with one finger. You should've seen your face!"
Lioran pouted. "Don't remind me. That was humiliating."
Shourya chuckled quietly. "What did you expect? I'm the man who's trained Prāṇa warriors for forty years. You still have a long way to go."
"Yeah, yeah," Lioran said, smiling. "So… what's next?"
Shourya's tone shifted — firm yet calm. "From the day after tomorrow, your training resumes. But this time, it won't be the same. We're stepping into the next stage."
Aishwarya blinked. "Next stage?"
"Yes," Shourya said. "You've all reached a point where physical training isn't enough. The next step is learning to synchronize your Core — to let your Prāṇa flow with rhythm instead of force."
Lioran tilted his head. "Synchronize?"
Shourya stood, clasping his hands behind his back. "Your Core is not just a vessel. It's alive. It beats in harmony with your heart. If you learn to listen… it will respond."
A deep silence filled the room. The soft crackle of the oil lamp sounded louder in the stillness.
Shourya's eyes turned toward Aishwarya. "You'll join the training too."
"Me?" she asked, startled.
"Yes," he said firmly. "Your potential is far greater than you realize. I saw it when you unleashed Flame Impact. That wasn't luck — it was instinct. I'll make sure that instinct becomes control."
Her eyes widened. "I… I'll do my best, Master!"
Shourya smiled gently. "That's all I ask."
Lioran turned toward her and smirked. "Looks like we're training partners now."
Aishwarya crossed her arms with a faint grin. "Just don't cry when I surpass you."
Sharin laughed loudly. "I'm going to enjoy watching that."
"Enough jokes," Shourya said, chuckling. "All of you, rest well. Tomorrow, your bodies will ache again — but for a different reason."
He began to leave. As he stepped into the hallway, Mukhi — his loyal aide — appeared from the shadows, bowing slightly.
"Master," Mukhi said. "The scouts returned. There's still no trace of the attacker's origin."
Shourya's face grew serious. "Hmm… so even the valley patrols found nothing."
Mukhi nodded grimly. "It's as if he vanished into thin air."
Shourya looked out the window, where the first stars were beginning to pierce the twilight sky. "No. He didn't vanish. He was sent."
Mukhi frowned. "Sent… by whom?"
Shourya's voice lowered, almost a whisper. "I don't know yet. But whoever it is — their intent is clear. Someone seeks the world's destruction."
Mukhi's eyes widened. "Destruction… of the world?"
Shourya's gaze hardened, reflecting the fading light of the setting sun. "Yes. And I will never let that happen."
—CRACKLE—
A gust of wind rushed through the corridor, flickering the lamps.
Back in the room, laughter echoed softly as Lioran tried to steal another grape from Sharin's bowl. Aishwarya watched them, her smile faint but warm.
TO BE CONTINUED…