Chapter 42: Into the Abyss

The portal shimmered, casting an ethereal glow across the old temple. Rihan, standing at its threshold, took a deep breath and looked back at his companions. Arjun, Gunakar, Rohit, Harsha, Jay, and Professor Kelly were all ready. Maya and Professor Kelly had worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the portal, but now it was time for the heroes to step into the unknown.

Maya caught Rihan's eye. Her gaze was steady, but there was a flicker of worry beneath her calm exterior. She gave him a small, encouraging smile, as if to mask the storm of emotions she kept hidden. Stepping toward him, she reached up, placed a soft kiss on his cheek, and whispered, "Come back safe, Rihan."

Rihan, caught off guard, felt heat rise in his face. He blushed deeply, his usual composure faltering for a moment. He nodded quickly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I will. I promise."

She stepped back, her expression filled with trust and confidence. "I know you will."

With that, Rihan turned back toward the portal, his resolve strengthening. The faint warmth of Maya's kiss lingered on his cheek, a reminder of what he was fighting for. The team needed to succeed, not just for themselves but for everyone back on Earth.

"Ready?" Arjun asked, his voice calm but intense, his bow Sarang slung over his shoulder.

Rihan nodded. "Let's go."

One by one, they stepped into the portal, the world around them dissolving into swirling, chaotic energy. Rihan felt a powerful tug, like he was being pulled through a vortex of ancient magic. He gripped the bow Vijayadanusu tighter, bracing for what lay ahead.

The sensation lasted only a moment, but when the team emerged on the other side, they found themselves standing on the jagged black rock of a different realm. The air was thick and oppressive, carrying the stench of sulfur and decay. In every direction, towering spires of dark stone rose toward a blood-red sky. Rivers of molten lava snaked across the landscape, casting a faint orange glow on the obsidian ground beneath their feet.

This was Asuraloka — the realm of demons.

"This place…" Gunakar muttered, his hand resting on the hilt of his mace. "It reeks of death."

"It's worse than I imagined," Rohit said, his eyes scanning the surroundings. His spear, Jayantha Vel, gleamed in his hand, ready for combat.

Harsha, who had been the most quiet on their journey, looked up toward the horizon. "Stay focused. We're not alone."

Rihan's eyes narrowed as he looked around. Harsha was right. Shadows moved in the distance, figures skulking in the dark crevices of the land. They were being watched.

Suddenly, the ground beneath them trembled. From the shadows emerged a group of Asura guards, their bodies massive and covered in thick armor. Their eyes glowed with a malevolent crimson light, and in their hands, they wielded brutal weapons — axes, spears, and maces, each one crafted to kill.

"They know we're here," Jay said, drawing his sword Asi, its blade blazing like flames.

Without hesitation, the Asura guards charged toward them with a thunderous roar, weapons raised to strike.

"Defensive positions!" Arjun commanded, drawing Sarang from his back. His fingers moved quickly, drawing an arrow and nocking it to the bowstring in one swift motion. The air hummed as he released the arrow, which soared through the sky and struck the first Asura, knocking it off its feet.

The battle erupted in a blur of motion. Rihan felt the surge of energy from the Kavacha and Kundala pulsing through his body. His armor shimmered with divine light, and the earrings crackled with power. As the Asuras charged toward him, Rihan didn't move — he simply stood his ground, allowing their weapons to strike against him.

But instead of feeling the impact, Rihan watched as their attacks were deflected by an invisible barrier. The power of the Kavacha — Karna's legendary armor — had awakened within him, shielding him from harm.

The Asuras were relentless, swinging their heavy axes and maces at him. But each time they struck, their weapons bounced harmlessly off the protective aura that surrounded Rihan.

"I'm not the same as I was before," Rihan muttered under his breath, his eyes glowing with determination.

With a swift motion, he raised Vijayadanusu, pulling back the string. A bright arrow of light formed at its tip, its energy surging with power. He aimed it at the nearest group of Asuras and released.

The arrow shot through the air like a bolt of lightning, and when it struck, it exploded in a radiant burst, obliterating several of the Asuras in one shot.

Gunakar roared as he swung his mace in wide arcs, sending Asuras flying with each brutal strike. The enhanced technology in his weapon hummed with energy, releasing shockwaves with every hit.

Harsha moved with precision and deadly grace, his axe Parashu slicing through the air, cutting down Asuras in close combat. Each swing was filled with the strength of a warrior who had spent lifetimes mastering his craft.

Arjun and Jay fought side by side, their weapons moving in perfect harmony. Arjun's arrows flew like streams of light, piercing through the Asuras with unerring accuracy. Jay's sword Asi danced in his hands, a blur of flame and steel as he cut down every demon that came near him.

Rohit stood at the back, his spear glowing with the power of Shiva. He channeled the energy of Jayantha Vel, sending blasts of divine light into the enemy ranks, scattering them with each strike.

But the Asuras kept coming.

"They just keep coming!" Harsha shouted as another wave of demons appeared over the ridge.

Rihan, standing in the center of the battlefield, took a deep breath. "Let them."

He raised Vijayadanusu again, channeling the divine energy of the bow into a single, concentrated shot. This time, the arrow that formed at its tip was different — it crackled with the raw power of the Sun itself.

He released the arrow, and it shot toward the incoming Asuras like a falling star. When it struck the ground, the earth shook violently, and a massive explosion of light engulfed the battlefield. The Asuras were incinerated in an instant, their bodies turning to ash in the radiant blast.

For a brief moment, there was silence.

Rihan lowered his bow, panting from the exertion. The remaining Asuras began to retreat, fear evident in their red eyes.

"They're retreating," Rohit said, gripping his spear tightly.

"They won't be gone for long," Arjun warned, scanning the horizon for more enemies.

Gunakar wiped sweat from his brow and grinned. "Let them come. We'll send every one of them back to the void."

As the team caught their breath, Rihan looked around at the others. "We need to keep moving. The portal brought us here for a reason. There's something we need to find in Asuraloka, and the longer we stay in one place, the more time we give them to regroup."

Harsha, ever vigilant, nodded in agreement. "We should stick together and move quickly. The deeper we go into Asuraloka, the more resistance we'll face."

Rihan glanced up at the dark sky. Asuraloka was a hostile place, every corner of it filled with danger. But they had no choice. The Asuras had to be stopped, and Andhaka, their leader, was somewhere in this twisted realm, plotting his next move.

"We need to push forward," Rihan said, his voice resolute. "No turning back now."

With that, the heroes gathered their weapons and began their march deeper into the heart of Asuraloka. The path ahead was uncertain, but they were prepared for whatever lay in wait. Rihan could feel the power of his past life awakening more with each passing moment, and with it came the realization that this was only the beginning of their journey in this dark and perilous realm.

The battle for Earth had just begun.