44. Prison of Blooming Shadows

He sighed deeply before continuing, "When they found no way for survival in the universe, it all ended in total destruction and extinction. In our darkest hour, time travel became our only hope."

He paused, his eyes distant as he recounted the tale. "The entire human civilization banded together to create a time machine—a vessel that would allow us to travel back and give humanity a fighting chance against oblivion."

Ruchi interjected softly, "So, they built a machine powerful enough to change the past?"

"Yes," he replied, nodding slowly. He was quite confident with his word. Sambh believed easily as it looked so real without any doubt. However, he never knew about anything such before.

"They sent the very first human back to Earth. But there was a terrible twist—the one they sent existed only as a soul. Trapped in a spectral form, he was unable to return to the world of the living."

He continued, "In desperation, scientists attempted to create entirely new beings in their labs—creatures designed to sustain life in that ancient environment. But time and again, those experiments failed. After countless setbacks, your father managed to send forth an ancient, bodyless entity from the lab—one that could easily take on a new form upon arrival. It was a success, but its arrival cast a dark aura over the entire human environment. Those beings, like parasitic invaders, threatened the very survival of mankind."

Sambh's eyes narrowed in concern. "So, what did they do next?" he asked.

"With no other option," the elder replied, "they dispatched a vast number of different species to the primordial mists of early Earth. In that alien landscape, wild creatures forged a new environment. New ecological systems sprang forth amidst poisonous fog and scorching hot rocks. These beings created a warm atmosphere—an environment that managed to support life long before Earth as we know it even existed."

He glanced at Ruchi before continuing, "Do you see those giant forests that seem to touch the sky, and the creatures that roam among them? That evolution began when the Earth was just a burning infant—a red-hot ball of chaos. The evolution that took place in those early times laid the foundation for everything that followed."

Ruchi's voice trembled with awe, "So the divine land we now know was born out of that ancient technology—the divine technology that grew and flourished even in those hostile times?"

The elder nodded slowly. "Exactly. But even then, the main problem persisted. Despite their efforts, human beings continued to suffer amidst the devastation. Your father managed to subdue the remnants of humanity and was able to send their souls to survive in a new form.

Many perished, and in their grief, they built immense technology-robots and machines designed to sustain life. In that tumultuous era, even dinosaurs and dragons roared as symbols of the wild, untamed forces of nature."

Sambh leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. "So, all these technologies… were they created to help rebuild civilization?"

The elder's gaze grew intense. "Indeed. Each piece of technology was endowed with specialized knowledge and was programmed to work in unison to civilize and advance our species. They were experts in their fields—tasked with creating new technology and ensuring our survival in the face of disaster."

A heavy silence fell over the group as the gravity of the past weighed on them. Then Sambh asked quietly, "Were these measures enough to save us from that cataclysm?"

The elder's voice dropped to a near whisper, "They knew that only through survival could we be saved from that apocalypse. Every invention, every experiment, was designed to stave off the total destruction that loomed over us."

Ruchi's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she questioned, "But at what cost? It sounds as if we became living remnants of a desperate gamble—trapped between life and extinction."

The elder exhaled slowly, his tone somber yet resolute. "We did what we had to do. When the universe offered no other path, we turned to time travel. We built a machine to send our hope back through the ages, even if it meant sacrificing a part of ourselves. In doing so, we altered the very fabric of existence.

New species emerged, ecosystems transformed, and technology advanced beyond what anyone could have imagined. Yet, a dark aura lingered—a reminder that survival sometimes comes at a terrible price."

Sambh's voice was filled with equal parts wonder and dread. "And that dark aura—those parasitic beings—how did they affect our future?"

The elder's eyes seemed to darken with the weight of memory. "They spread across the land like a poison. Their influence disrupted the natural order, endangering human survival at every turn. It was a constant struggle—a battle against forces that threatened to undo all our progress."

At that moment, a chill wind swept through the room, and Ruchi spoke, "It seems that even as we evolved, our past continued to haunt us. The legacy of that ancient catastrophe, the desperate measures we took… they're all part of our story now."

"Indeed," the elder agreed.

"And remember, this is not just a tale of survival—it is a lesson. Our actions in the face of extinction forged the world we live in today. The time machine, the creation of new beings, the dark aura that plagued us—all of these were desperate measures taken to defy the inevitable end.

And yet, they remind us that even in the bleakest moments, there is a spark of hope."

A heavy pause followed, filled only by the distant murmur of wind and the soft hum of ancient technology. Ruchi looked at Sambh, her eyes questioning, "Do you believe we can overcome these shadows once more?"

Sambh's reply was resolute, "We must try. For our future, for every life that hangs in the balance."

The elder concluded with a final, echoing remark, "The universe may have nearly destroyed us, but in our darkest hour, we found a way to endure. And as long as we remember the sacrifices made, we can forge a new path forward—even when the specter of extinction looms over us once again."