Chapter 15: Ashes and Awakening

Aryan drifted in **darkness**.

There was no pain.

No light.

No sound.

Just an **endless void**—cold and silent.

But somewhere, faintly, he heard **a voice**.

Soft. Familiar. **Calling his name.**

"**Aryan…**"

The voice was **desperate**, trembling with emotion.

A faint touch grazed his **cheek**—warm and trembling.

"**Please wake up…**"

And then—**everything flooded back.**

---

### **The Return to Light**

His eyes snapped open.

He was **blinded by golden light**, the world a blur of **vivid colors and radiant sky**.

His lungs **burned faintly**, his chest tight with every shallow breath.

His **limbs ached**, heavy as stone.

He blinked **slowly**, his vision swimming as it tried to **focus**.

And then—he saw her.

**Shanaya.**

She was **kneeling beside him**, her eyes wide and glistening with unshed tears.

Her hair was **disheveled**, a few loose strands clinging to her damp cheeks.

Her hands were **shaking**, gripping his wrist tightly.

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"**You're awake…**"

Her lips **parted slightly**, trembling faintly as if she were **afraid to believe it**.

Her eyes were **red-rimmed**, brimming with relief and disbelief.

Aryan's throat was **dry and raw**, but his lips **curved faintly**.

"Hey…" he rasped softly, his voice barely more than a whisper.

"**Miss me?**"

For a brief moment, Shanaya's eyes **widened slightly**.

Her lips parted—as if to speak—

And then she **punched him in the shoulder.**

"**Idiot!**" she half-sobbed, half-laughed, her voice trembling.

"Don't you **ever** do that again!"

Her fists **hit his chest weakly**, but she was already **crying**, tears slipping freely down her cheeks.

Without thinking, Aryan **lifted his hand**, his fingers **brushing softly against her face**, wiping away a tear.

His touch was **gentle**, trembling faintly.

"**I'm here, Shanaya,**" he whispered.

"**I made it back.**"

She **stared at him**, her eyes wide and disbelieving.

And then—without hesitation—she **threw her arms around him**, holding him so tightly it almost hurt.

Her body **shook against his**, her tears **dampening his skin**.

"**You almost died, you idiot…**" she whispered hoarsely.

Her voice cracked faintly.

"**You almost didn't come back…**"

Aryan's **arms slowly wrapped around her**, pulling her closer, feeling the faint warmth of her body against his.

His voice was weak, but steady.

"**But I did.**"

For a long moment, neither of them spoke.

They just **held onto each other**, clinging to the fragile, fleeting moment of stillness.

---

### **The Wounds of Battle**

After a long while, Shanaya slowly **pulled back**, her hands still gripping his shoulders as if she were **afraid he might disappear**.

Her **eyes swept over him**, taking in the jagged cuts along his arms, the faint burn marks on his skin, and the pale, drawn look of his face.

She **frowned faintly**, her fingers brushing along his **jawline**, noting the faint bruise along his cheek.

"You're… hurt," she whispered softly.

Aryan chuckled hoarsely, his lips **quirking faintly**.

"**You should see the other guy.**"

She stared at him **flatly**, unamused.

And then, without warning, she **smacked him lightly** on the arm.

"**Stop joking. You almost died.**"

Her voice was **low and shaking**, a faint tremor in her words.

Her **fingers traced the edge of a deep gash** on his arm, her touch feather-light.

Her eyes were filled with **worry**, her voice barely a whisper.

"**I thought you were gone…**"

Aryan slowly **placed his hand over hers**, his fingers trembling faintly.

"**I'm here, Shanaya.**"

For a moment, she **stared at him**—her breath shallow, her lips trembling faintly.

And then—slowly—she **nodded**, squeezing his hand tightly.

---

### **The Arrival of the Devas**

The **golden sky shimmered faintly**, and suddenly **divine light** flooded the meadow.

A faint, ethereal hum filled the air as **two figures descended** from the sky—their forms radiant and majestic.

**Indra and Yama.**

The **king of the Devas** and the **god of death** stood before Aryan, their divine armor glimmering with celestial light.

Indra's eyes **narrowed slightly**, his sharp gaze sweeping over Aryan.

"**You're alive.**"

His voice was **calm and measured**, but Aryan detected a faint edge of **relief** beneath it.

Yama, on the other hand, simply **stared** at him.

His eyes—cold and unreadable—locked onto Aryan's.

For a brief moment, **neither spoke**.

And then—Yama slowly inclined his head.

A rare sign of **respect**.

"**You did well.**"

Aryan's lips **quirked faintly**, his voice hoarse but teasing.

"**You almost sound impressed.**"

Yama's eyes **narrowed faintly**, but his lips curved slightly at the edge.

"**Don't let it go to your head.**"

Indra's voice was low and steady.

"**You sealed Vritra… but the chains will not hold him forever.**"

Aryan's **eyes narrowed sharply**, his voice low.

"I know."

Indra's gaze **hardened**, his eyes faintly troubled.

"**The void still echoes with his fury.**"

His eyes narrowed faintly.

"**He will return.**"

Aryan slowly sat up, **wincing faintly** as his body protested.

He slowly **stood**, his legs trembling slightly—but he stood.

And when he spoke, his voice was **clear and steady**.

"**Then I'll be ready.**"

For a brief moment, **the Devas were silent**, watching him.

And then—Indra's eyes **softened faintly**.

He slowly **stepped forward**, placing his hand on Aryan's shoulder.

"**You have earned the respect of the Devas, Aryan,**" he said softly.

"**And our trust.**"

Yama's voice was **low and solemn**, but firm.

"**You are no longer a mortal bound by fate.**"

His eyes narrowed faintly.

"**You are bound by something greater.**"

Aryan's **gaze hardened**, his eyes steady.

He **clenched his fists**, feeling the faint warmth of divine fire **lingering in his veins**.

And then—**he smiled faintly**.

A slow, confident smile.

"**Good.**"

His eyes burned faintly with **divine light**.

"**Because I'm not done yet.**"

---

### **The Mortal Flame**

As the **Devas slowly departed**, Aryan **stood beneath the golden sky**, the faint warmth of the sun **on his face**.

Shanaya slowly stepped beside him, her arms **wrapped around his**, leaning against him.

Her voice was **soft and teasing**, a faint smile on her lips.

"**You're impossible, you know that?**"

Aryan's eyes **glimmered faintly**, mischief in his voice.

"**That's why you like me.**"

She **rolled her eyes**—but her smile was **warm and relieved**.

And as they stood there—battered, broken, but **alive**—Aryan slowly **closed his eyes**, breathing in the scent of the meadow.

The void was behind him.

The chains were sealed.

And he was **home.**