Chapter 26: The Road to Kailash

The morning sun rose over Dwarka, casting long shadows on the streets that were still recovering from the chaos of the night before. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of salt from the nearby ocean, but it was tinged with the urgency of the mission ahead. The city was quiet, but Rihan, Maya, Gunakar, and Arjun had no time to savor the calm.

They had to leave.

Mount Kailash awaited them, and with it, the next step in their quest. Rihan stood by the entrance of the hotel, his arms crossed as he looked out over the city. Beside him, Maya adjusted her backpack, checking her supplies for what felt like the hundredth time.

"Are you ready?" Rihan asked, his voice steady.

Maya nodded, though her eyes betrayed the worry she felt. "As ready as I'll ever be. But this journey… it feels different. Like everything is riding on it."

Gunakar, now fully recovered from the previous battle, approached with Arjun by his side. "Whatever comes, we face it together," Gunakar said, his deep voice filled with resolve.

Arjun, who had been silent for most of the morning, finally spoke. "Mount Kailash isn't just any mountain. It's sacred ground. Whatever we find there, we need to be prepared."

Rihan nodded. "We will be. Let's move."

Just as they were about to set off on foot, a distant hum filled the air. They all turned to see a sleek, futuristic vehicle descending from the sky, its rotors spinning silently as it hovered above the street. The vehicle was like nothing they had seen before—a cross between a car and an aircraft, its streamlined design gleaming in the sunlight.

The Terrafugia TF-X touched down gently in front of them, and the doors slid open with a quiet hiss. Professor Kelly stepped out, her white lab coat fluttering slightly in the breeze. She looked every bit the confident scientist, but there was an urgency in her eyes as she approached them.

"Good morning," she greeted them briskly. "I thought you might need a lift."

Rihan's eyes lit up with fascination as he looked over the vehicle. "Is this… what I think it is?"

"This," Kelly replied with a touch of pride, "is the Terrafugia TF-X. It's a new model we've been test driving, and it's fast—600 miles per hour, with a range of about 1000 miles. It can get us to Mount Kailash in just five minutes.

"Rihan whistled in admiration, running his hand along the vehicle's sleek surface. "This is incredible. How much does one of these cost?"Kelly chuckled.

"We're still test-driving it, so the price isn't set yet. But don't worry—I'll make sure you're the first to know once it's on the market.

"Maya raised an eyebrow, her tone light. "Let's just hope we don't crash during the test drive."

Kelly waved her off. "Relax. This baby's been through rigorous trials. We'll be there in no time."

Gunakar grinned, his usual confidence returning. "Well then, what are we waiting for? Let's get moving."

The group quickly loaded their gear into the TF-X, and within moments, they were strapped in and ready to go. The interior of the vehicle was sleek and modern, with touchscreens and holographic displays providing real-time information on their location and surroundings.

As the TF-X lifted off the ground, Rihan couldn't help but admire the technology. "This is the future," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else. "I could get used to this."

Kelly glanced back at him with a smirk. "Just don't forget to keep your eyes on the mission, Rihan."

He grinned, unbothered by the reminder. "I won't. But a little bit of appreciation for technology never hurt anyone."

As the TF-X soared over the landscape, the sprawling city of Dwarka quickly disappeared beneath them, replaced by the vast expanse of the countryside. The flight was smooth and almost eerily quiet, the hum of the engines barely noticeable as they sped toward Mount Kailash.

The mountain itself soon came into view, its snow-capped peaks gleaming in the distance. Even from this height, the majesty of the sacred mountain was undeniable. Rihan felt a sense of awe as they approached, realizing that this was more than just a physical journey. This was a test—a trial that would determine their fate.

"We're almost there," Kelly announced, her voice calm. "Get ready."

As they began their descent toward the base of the mountain, Rihan's thoughts turned inward. He knew that the challenges ahead would be unlike anything they had faced before. But with the bond they had forged, and the power they carried within them, he felt a renewed sense of determination.