Chapter 20: A Journey through Ashes

Ajitha stepped out of his grand palace, the intricate patterns of the marble floors echoing softly beneath his boots as he made his way to the courtyard. The air was crisp, carrying with it the faint scent of the exotic flora that adorned the palace gardens. He paused briefly, taking in the sight of the twin moons hanging low in the sky before calling out for one of his commanders.

His voice, though not raised, carried the weight of authority. Almost instantly, a group of commanders materialized before him, their armor gleaming under the pale light. They bowed in unison, their movements synchronized and disciplined. "Lord Ajitha, why did you call for us?" one of them asked, his voice respectful yet tinged with curiosity.

Ajitha surveyed the group with a faint smile. "I only called for one of you. There was no need for so many to come."

A tall, broad-shouldered commander stepped forward, his expression earnest. "Lord Ajitha, we came of our own accord. We thought you might need our assistance, so whoever was free decided to join. We wanted to ensure we could serve you to the best of our abilities."

Ajitha's smile deepened at their loyalty. "It's all right," he replied, his tone warm. "But I only need one ship and a few men. I wish to visit Earth."

The commanders exchanged uncertain glances, their brows furrowing with concern. The thought of their lord traveling with such a small retinue was unsettling. One of them finally voiced their collective worry. "Lord Ajitha, even if you wish to travel to a nearby location, we must prepare a fleet for your safety. Given the risks, especially with Chronos searching for us, it's advisable to take the mothership and a full battalion."

Ajitha shook his head, his decision firm. "No, there's no need for that. I want to keep a low profile. Remember, Chronos is hunting for us, and we cannot afford to draw attention. A single ship is more than enough for this journey. Besides," he added, his voice taking on a sharper edge, "our primary focus should be on patrolling the borders. The formation and the newly constructed planet must remain undiscovered."

The commanders hesitated, clearly torn between their duty to protect him and the need to follow his orders. They knew Ajitha's word was final, yet the idea of him venturing out with minimal protection gnawed at them. After a moment, they collectively bowed their heads in acquiescence. "As you command, Lord Ajitha," they said in unison.

The preparations were swift. A sleek, black ship, designed for speed and stealth, was brought out from the hangar. Its surface absorbed the light, giving it an almost ominous appearance. The commander who would accompany Ajitha stepped forward, his men following closely behind, each selected for their skills in both combat and navigation. They stood ready, waiting for their lord's final orders.

Ajitha cast one last glance at his palace, its towering spires piercing the night sky, before he nodded to the commander. "Let us depart."

The commander saluted sharply and led the way to the ship. As they boarded, Ajitha could feel the subtle hum of the ship's engines powering up, ready to take them across the vast expanse of space. Despite the simplicity of the mission, the weight of his decisions bore down on him. The journey ahead, though shrouded in uncertainty, was a necessary step toward the fulfillment of his grand plan.

As the ship lifted off, leaving the palace behind, Ajitha's thoughts drifted to Earth, a place both familiar and foreign to him. He had his reasons for visiting, reasons that would soon unfold as the stars streaked past, guiding him to the next chapter of his destiny.

As Ajitha gazed out the ship's window, a fleeting smile crossed his face as the solar system came into view. The familiar sight of the distant sun and orbiting planets stirred a deep sense of nostalgia within him. He was returning to Earth after what felt like an eternity. Even after its destruction, Earth had always held a special place in his heart, and he had visited it frequently—until the demands of his quest for strength had consumed him for the last few centuries.

But as Earth drew closer, the smile faded, replaced by a deep, sorrowful expression. The planet, once vibrant with life and beauty, now appeared as a barren, desolate wasteland. The lush greens and serene blues that had once characterized it were gone, replaced by a monotonous expanse of mud-colored terrain. The transformation was a painful reminder of all that had been lost.

Ajitha's fists clenched involuntarily as he recalled the events that had led to this tragic state. The Earth could have been saved, but humanity's own divisions and conflicts had sealed its fate. They had stood a chance against the invading monsters from space, but the lack of unity among the world's leaders and people had led to their downfall. And even in the face of such a dire threat, humans had continued to war amongst themselves, culminating in a catastrophic nuclear strike that had rendered the planet uninhabitable.

Ajitha's heart ached as he remembered those final days. As one of the strongest humans, he had been urged by his nation's leader to leave the planet, to survive and carry on the legacy of humanity elsewhere in the galaxy. He had tried to save as many as he could, gathering those willing to leave, but many had chosen to stay behind, unwilling or unable to abandon their dying home. And even those who fled with him didn't survive long in the harsh environments of other worlds, their mortal bodies too fragile to endure.

The memory of watching those people die, one by one, haunted him. He had already lost his loved ones before the war, but losing those who had placed their trust in him felt like losing them all over again. He had held onto a small hope that other superhumans, like himself, might have saved some of humanity in their escape. But that hope was shattered when he learned that they had left their people to perish, unwilling to carry what they saw as dead weight.

As Ajitha stared down at the lifeless planet below, his resolve hardened. When he traveled back in time, he would make things right. He would save Earth and its people—this time, there would be no mistakes, no failures. The future would be different, and he would ensure it.

Ajitha's ship hovered silently above the desolate planet. The commander, with a respectful tone, asked, "Should we prepare to land, my Lord?"

Ajitha shook his head slowly, his gaze fixed on the barren landscape below. "No, I'll go on my own," he replied. But then, his expression turned contemplative as he added, "I have another task for you. I've come to learn that Earth wasn't always here in the solar system. It was brought here, placed deliberately. I want you to search for any clues regarding its origins—any clue will be a big help."

The commander nodded, understanding the gravity of the request. Still, his concern for Ajitha's safety was evident. "My Lord, may I suggest that at least one man accompany you?"

After a moment of consideration, Ajitha nodded in agreement. "Very well," he said. He then extended his hand, channeling his celestial powers, and the two of them—Ajitha and the selected android soldier—began their descent to Earth, the ship remaining in orbit above.

As they descended, the reality of Earth's current state became more apparent. The planet's once-rich atmosphere had shattered, and what little was left was devoid of oxygen. Though it had begun a slow process of healing, it would take eons before it resembled anything like its former self. The question of whether life would ever return to Earth was one that lingered heavily in Ajitha's mind.

For Ajitha, the lack of oxygen was inconsequential. As a Divine Lord, he had long transcended the need for such mortal necessities. However, he glanced at the android accompanying him, noting the subtle hum of its energy core adjusting to the hostile environment. The android, designed to mimic human form and function, could survive for months in such conditions without external support. If it circulated its energy efficiently, it could last indefinitely—a testament to the technological marvels.

Landing on the cracked and dusty surface of the Earth, Ajitha surveyed the desolation around him. Once, this place had been teeming with life, the cradle of humanity. Now, it was a ghostly reminder of what had been lost. His purpose here was clear: to find answers. He began his journey across the planet, the android silently following in his wake, ready to assist if needed.

Ajitha visited sites that had once held great significance. Cities, monuments, sacred places—all reduced to rubble and ash. He sifted through the ruins, searching for any clue, any hint that might reveal the truth about Earth's mysterious relocation to the solar system. But the planet, now a tomb, offered him nothing. The answers he sought were elusive, hidden beneath layers of destruction and time.

As he walked among the ruins, memories flooded his mind. He recalled the vibrant life that once existed here—the bustling cities, the green forests, the endless oceans. All of it was gone, replaced by this wasteland. His heart ached with the weight of it, but he knew he couldn't let despair cloud his mission. There was something to be found here, and he would uncover it, no matter how long it took.

But as the hours passed and the sunless sky above remained unchanged, Ajitha's frustration grew. He had hoped for some sign, some evidence of who had moved the Earth and why, but the planet was silent. It was as if the very soul of the Earth had been stripped away, leaving behind only this hollow shell.

Finally, as the day drew to a close, Ajitha stood atop a barren hill, looking out over the endless expanse of dust and rock. The android beside him remained vigilant, its sensors scanning for any anomalies. But there was nothing. Just silence and emptiness.

Ajitha clenched his fists, not in anger, but in resolve. He would find the answers, even if it took him to the ends of the universe. The Earth might be dead, but its mysteries were still alive, waiting to be uncovered. And Ajitha was determined to bring them to light, no matter the cost.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the desolate landscape, Ajitha and the android stood silently on the barren hill. The once-familiar sight of Earth's sunset, now a cold and distant memory, made the planet seem even more forsaken. The absence of life, the quiet stillness of the world, weighed heavily on Ajitha's mind. This was not the Earth he had once known, but a tragic reminder of what had been lost.

The barren expanse that stretched before them seemed endless, a wasteland devoid of the vibrant life that once thrived here. Ajitha, feeling a deep sense of purpose, decided that it was time to leave this area and continue his search on the other side of the planet. There was more to discover, more secrets buried in the forgotten corners of this world.

"Let's move on," Ajitha said, his voice firm with determination. The android, ever vigilant, nodded in agreement.

As they traveled, Ajitha's thoughts wandered back to the task at hand. The Earth held many mysteries, some ancient and forgotten, others hidden in plain sight. He knew that finding these secrets would be key to understanding the Earth's current state—and perhaps, even to reversing it. Turning to the android beside him, he asked, "I need you to search for any historical references to places that are mentioned as 'not of this world' or that have been described as mysterious."

The android, with its advanced processing abilities, immediately complied. It produced a holographic screen from its internal systems, the blue light casting an eerie glow in the dimming light of the planet's surface. As it sifted through vast databases of historical records, its sensors processed the information at incredible speed, filtering out the mundane and focusing on the arcane.

Ajitha watched as lines of data scrolled across the screen, descriptions of ancient sites, unexplained phenomena, and forgotten legends appearing in rapid succession. The android's mechanical fingers danced over the interface, cross-referencing and analyzing the information with precision. After a few moments, it paused, its artificial eyes locking onto a particular entry.

"There are several locations that fit your criteria, Lord Ajitha," the android reported. "One of the most notable is a place known as the 'Rift of Worlds,' located deep within what was once the Amazon Rainforest. Historical accounts describe it as a site where the veil between dimensions was said to be thin, where strange and otherworldly occurrences were reported by those who ventured too close. There are also reports of a subterranean temple in the Himalayas, long rumored to hold ancient artifacts of unknown origin, believed to be from a civilization that predates recorded history."

Ajitha nodded, intrigued by the possibilities. "These are the places we need to visit. We must find out if there is any truth to these legends. If there is even a hint that Earth was relocated by some otherworldly force, these locations might hold the key."

The android confirmed the coordinates of their first destination, and together, they began their journey once more, cutting through the darkened landscape of the planet. The first stop was the Amazon, or what was left of it. The dense, lush rainforest that once covered the land was now a scorched and barren expanse, with only the faintest traces of its former glory remaining. The area where the 'Rift of Worlds' was said to exist was eerily quiet, with no signs of life or activity.

As they approached, Ajitha could feel the air grow heavier, almost charged with an unnatural energy. It was as if the place still remembered what it had once been—a gateway to something beyond comprehension. He could sense that whatever had been here was long gone, but traces of its presence lingered, hidden beneath layers of time and destruction.

They searched the area thoroughly, the android scanning for any residual energy signatures, any anomalies that could provide a clue. Though the landscape was barren, the readings were far from normal. The android detected faint traces of dimensional distortions, remnants of something that had once torn through the fabric of reality itself.

Ajitha knelt down, placing his hand on the ground. He could feel it, a faint pulse of energy, almost imperceptible, but there. The earth beneath his hand seemed to hum with a distant memory of what once was, a relic of a time when this place had been more than just a patch of wilderness.

"This place was touched by something," Ajitha murmured, his eyes narrowing as he tried to grasp the extent of what he was sensing. "But whatever it was, it's gone now. We need to keep moving."

They continued their exploration, visiting site after site—each one more mysterious than the last. In the Himalayas, they found the entrance to the rumored temple, half-buried beneath the rubble of a mountain that had long since collapsed. Inside, they discovered ancient carvings, symbols that defied interpretation, and artifacts that resonated with an energy not of this world.

Yet, despite all they uncovered, the answers Ajitha sought remained elusive. The Earth's relocation was still a mystery, shrouded in myth and obscured by the sands of time. But with each discovery, Ajitha felt he was getting closer, inching toward the truth that had been hidden for so long.

As the days passed, Ajitha's resolve only grew stronger. The Earth had not simply been abandoned to its fate—there was a reason behind its current state, a purpose that had yet to be revealed. And Ajitha was determined to uncover it, no matter where his search might lead.

The journey was far from over. With the android by his side, he would continue to explore every corner of this forgotten world, unearthing the secrets that had been buried for millennia. The answers were out there, somewhere among the ruins of a once-great civilization. And Ajitha would not rest until he found them.

The Android's suggestion to explore the deep oceans intrigued Ajitha. It was true that even in the age of advanced technology, the depths of Earth's oceans had remained largely unexplored, their mysteries hidden away beneath miles of water. The idea of venturing into the abyss where no one had gone before was tempting, but just as they were about to leave the Himalayas, something unexpected happened.

Ajitha suddenly felt a faint but distinct fluctuation of energy nearby. It was subtle, like a whisper on the wind, but it was enough to catch his attention. Closing his eyes, Ajitha focused his senses, trying to trace the source of the disturbance. But it was elusive, slipping away like a shadow before he could grasp it.

Dismissing it as a figment of his imagination, Ajitha turned to leave once more. But then it happened again—stronger this time, and unmistakable. A surge of energy, ancient and powerful, emanating from somewhere close by. His eyes snapped open, and his expression hardened. This was no mere trick of the mind; something was out there, calling to him.

With his senses heightened, Ajitha concentrated, pinpointing the exact location of the energy. He turned to the Android, his voice low and commanding. "What lies in that direction, a few kilometers from here?"

The Android immediately brought up a holographic map of the region, its mechanical eyes scanning the data with precision. After a moment, it looked up at Ajitha and said, "There is indeed a place in that direction that remains unexplored and shrouded in mystery."

Ajitha's brows furrowed in curiosity. "How could there be such a place on land that has remained unexplored? I can understand if it were in the depths of the ocean, but on land—where superhumans with the ability to fly and traverse vast distances should have easily reached?"

The Android continued, its tone methodical. "The records indicate that several individuals—both ordinary and superhuman—have attempted to reach this location, but every attempt has ended in failure. Those who tried were lost in powerful illusions, unable to discern reality from deception. Even the superhumans, with their enhanced mental faculties, were ensnared by these illusions and were forced to retreat."

Ajitha's curiosity deepened, his mind racing with possibilities. "What is this place?" he asked, his voice tinged with intrigue.

The Android's response was measured, but there was a hint of something almost reverent in its tone. "It is a mountain known as Mount Kailash."