Chapter 28: Unveiling the Pattern

The journey back to Varanasi was a quiet one. After the chaos at Mount Kailash, the group needed some time to rest and gather their thoughts. The cold winds and perilous battles had taken their toll, and the familiar sights of Varanasi provided a much-needed sense of calm.

Rihan led the group to his house, a modest but comfortable home nestled in a quiet corner of the city. The ancient city, with its sacred rivers and bustling streets, felt like a world away from the snow-covered peaks and the battles they had just fought. As they entered the house, the weariness began to lift, replaced by a sense of warmth and safety.

"Make yourselves at home," Rihan said, gesturing to the living room where cushions and a low table awaited them. "We've earned this rest."

Arjun, still getting used to the new surroundings, glanced around curiously. The home was simple but filled with personal touches—photos on the walls, bookshelves lined with ancient texts and modern novels, and a small altar to the Sun God in the corner. He took a seat, the tension in his muscles slowly easing.

Arjun after seeing photos on the walls asks "Rihan, where's your family photo? I don't see any pictures around."

Rihan hesitated, the question hitting a nerve he hadn't expected. "I… I don't know who my real parents are," he said quietly, looking down. "I was abandoned when I was very young. Maya's grandmother took care of me from the time I was three until last year when she passed away. She was the only family I had."The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of Rihan's words settling in. Arjun nodded solemnly.

"I'm sorry to hear that.But family isn't just about blood. It's about the bonds we create, and you have us now."Rihan managed a small smile at that, appreciating the sentiment. "Thanks, Arjun."

Rohit, formerly Yudhishthira, was quiet for a moment as he too took in the surroundings. He hadn't expected to find himself back in such a familiar place so soon. Rihan's house felt like a sanctuary after the battles they had faced.

As they settled in, Arjun turned to Rohit with a curious expression. "Rohit, what were you doing near Mount Kailash? It's not exactly a place people visit casually."

Rohit chuckled softly, leaning back against the cushions. "I live in a village nearby. It's quiet, away from all the noise and chaos of the city. But every now and then, I come to Mount Kailash to pray. To ask the heavens for guidance… and to hope that I would meet all of you again."

The words hung in the air, heavy with emotion. The past lives they had shared, the bonds that had once united them, were not easily forgotten. Fate had brought them together once more, and Rohit's simple wish had come true.

Arjun nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Seems like your prayers were answered. We're all here now."

Meanwhile, Maya and Professor Kelly were seated at a small table in the corner of the room, their focus on the holographic screen projected in front of them. The gamma rays had been a mystery since the beginning, and they couldn't afford to ignore any clues that might help them understand the situation better.

Maya frowned as she scrolled through the data. "The gamma rays seem to spike every time a monster wave occurs… but there's something else."

Kelly tapped a few keys, bringing up a detailed map of the region. Red markers appeared at various points on the map—each one representing a location where they had detected gamma rays.

"Look at this," Kelly said, her voice tinged with concern. "Every time there's a spike in gamma rays, it coincides with a holy place. Dwarka, Mount Kailash… they're all sites of immense spiritual significance."

Maya's eyes widened as she realized what Kelly was getting at. "So you're saying the Asuras aren't just randomly attacking—they're targeting these holy places on purpose?"

Kelly nodded grimly. "I think they're trying to destroy these sacred sites. If they succeed, they could sever the bridges between the upper realms and Earth, cutting off our connection to the divine. That would leave us vulnerable—completely defenseless against their attacks."

The weight of Kelly's words settled over the room like a heavy fog. Destroying the holy places wasn't just about wreaking havoc—it was about destroying the very foundation of their world.

"We need to stop them," Maya said, determination hardening her voice. "If they destroy the bridges between the realms, we'll be cut off from any divine assistance. We can't let that happen."

Kelly nodded and zoomed in on the map. "I've already started scanning for any signs of monster waves at other holy sites. If we can predict where they'll strike next, we might be able to stop them before they do any more damage."

Rihan, Arjun, and Rohit gathered around the table, their expressions turning serious as they absorbed the new information. The calm that had filled the room moments ago was replaced by a renewed sense of urgency.

"We'll need to be ready to move at a moment's notice," Rihan said, his voice steady. "If they're targeting holy places, they won't stop until they've hit every single one."

Kelly brought up a list of potential targets on the holographic screen. "There are dozens of sites they could go after next. We'll have to prioritize the most vulnerable ones and be ready to defend them."

As they studied the map, identifying potential threats and strategizing their next moves, the weight of their mission settled heavily on their shoulders. The battles they had fought so far were just the beginning. The real war was still ahead of them.

But for now, they had a plan. And with the bond they shared and the knowledge they had gained, they were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.