Chapter 4: Devya’s Challenge
The calm before the storm was deceptive. The Amaravarti drifted in the Vyoma Expanse, its repaired hull gleaming faintly in the light of a distant star. Inside the ship, the crew moved with an uneasy tension, as though the silence of space was merely the universe drawing its breath before a scream.
Aarav stood in the hangar, staring up at Vedara. The golden astramech rested in its docking cradle, its Prana Sphere pulsing faintly, casting rippling patterns of light on the hangar walls. Aarav placed a hand on its cool surface, feeling the hum of energy that never seemed to stop.
“You’re awfully quiet today,” he muttered, his voice carrying only far enough for Maitreyi to hear.
Her shimmering form appeared beside him, her golden eyes calm but searching. “You are troubled,” she said, her tone matter-of-fact.
Aarav let out a bitter laugh. “Troubled doesn’t even begin to cover it. I can barely hold this thing together, and now I’m supposed to—what? Face down the Dominion’s best pilot?”
“Devya Varman is no ordinary adversary,” Maitreyi said. “He is cunning, disciplined, and ruthless. But he is also bound by the same forces that guide you. He, too, believes in his purpose.”
“His purpose is domination,” Aarav muttered, crossing his arms. “Not exactly noble.”
“Perhaps,” Maitreyi said. “But understanding your enemy is the first step to defeating them. Devya is not a mindless soldier. He is a man who believes he is fighting for what is right. That makes him dangerous.”
Aarav was about to respond when a sharp tone sounded over the hangar’s comm system. Tara’s voice followed, crisp and commanding.
“Aarav, report to the bridge immediately. We’ve received a direct challenge from the Dominion.”
When Aarav stepped onto the bridge, the tension in the air was palpable. Tactical maps flickered on the central console, displaying a single Asura Dominion battleship—a sleek, obsidian craft that loomed on the edge of Vaikuntha’s sensor range.
“Status?” Aarav asked, his voice strained.
Tara stood at the helm, her arms crossed tightly. “The Dominion sent us a message. Specifically for you.”
“For me?” Aarav frowned, stepping closer to the display.
“It’s from Devya Varman,” Tara said. “He’s issued a formal duel. One-on-one. Vedara against his astramech, Asura Vyala.”
Aarav stared at her, his stomach twisting. “You’ve got to be kidding.”
Tara shook her head. “He’s serious. The rest of their fleet is holding position, watching. If you accept, it’ll just be you and him.”
“And if I don’t?”
“Then they’ll open fire,” Tara said grimly. “Their fleet outnumbers us two-to-one. We wouldn’t survive a direct confrontation.”
Aarav clenched his fists, his pulse quickening. “This is insane. You’re asking me to throw myself into a fight I’m not ready for.”
“You don’t have a choice,” Tara said sharply. “If we don’t take this chance to neutralize Devya, the Dominion will only grow bolder. Vedara is our best weapon against him.”
“‘Weapon,’” Aarav muttered bitterly, shaking his head. “That’s all I am to you, isn’t it?”
Tara’s expression softened slightly, but her tone remained firm. “You’re more than that, Aarav. But right now, you’re also the only one who can stop him.”
A heavy silence hung between them. Aarav looked at the tactical display, the image of Devya’s battleship looming like a specter.
Finally, he exhaled. “Fine. Let’s get this over with.”
The duel was arranged quickly. The two astramechs would meet in the shadow of Astika 12, an uninhabited moon floating just beyond Vaikuntha’s borders. The Amaravarti and the Dominion’s fleet held back, their weapons powered down, observing the battle from a safe distance.
Vedara launched into the void, its golden frame glowing like a beacon. Aarav sat in the cockpit, his grip tight on the controls. Across from him, the Asura Vyala emerged—a massive, black-and-red astramech adorned with jagged spikes and glowing crimson glyphs. It moved like a predator, its limbs coiling and uncoiling with terrifying precision.
“Vedara,” came Devya’s voice over the comms, smooth and sharp like a blade being unsheathed. “I’ve been waiting for this moment.”
Aarav frowned, adjusting Vedara’s position. “You’re awfully eager for someone about to get their ass handed to them.”
Devya chuckled darkly. “Bold words for a scavenger playing hero. Do you even understand the power you’re wielding? Or are you just a child who found a loaded weapon?”
Aarav bristled. “I don’t need a lecture from you, pal.”
“Perhaps not,” Devya said. “But I’ll offer one anyway. Vedara is wasted on you. A machine of balance, piloted by someone with no understanding of what it represents. Tell me, Aarav Rishi—do you fight for Vaikuntha? Or just for yourself?”
Aarav hesitated, the question cutting deeper than he expected.
“I fight because I have to,” he said finally.
Devya laughed again, the sound hollow and mocking. “Then you’ve already lost.”
The Asura Vyala surged forward, its movements a blur. Aarav barely had time to react, raising Vedara’s shield as Devya’s energy blade crashed into it. The impact sent shockwaves through the cockpit, and Aarav gritted his teeth, struggling to hold the line.
“Focus, Aarav Rishi,” Maitreyi said, her voice steady. “Do not let his words distract you.”
Aarav pushed Vedara forward, countering with a quick strike. The golden blade grazed the Asura Vyala’s shoulder, but Devya twisted away with ease, his mech’s movements impossibly fluid.
“You’re slow,” Devya taunted. “Clumsy. This is the best Vaikuntha has to offer?”
“Shut up!” Aarav snapped, driving Vedara into a forward charge.
The two mechs clashed again, their blades sparking as they locked together. Aarav pushed harder, trying to overpower his opponent, but Devya was faster, slipping out of the grapple and landing a sharp blow to Vedara’s flank.
The cockpit flashed red with damage warnings, and Aarav winced as Vedara staggered.
“You’re holding back,” Devya said, his voice almost pitying. “Afraid of Vedara’s power? Or afraid of yourself?”
Aarav’s hands trembled on the controls. He felt the weight of Devya’s words pressing down on him, the doubts he had tried to bury resurfacing.
“Do not let him sway you,” Maitreyi said firmly. “His words are meant to divide your focus. Remember your purpose.”
“My purpose…” Aarav murmured, his grip tightening.
Devya struck again, but this time, Aarav was ready. He parried the blow and retaliated with a precise counterstrike, Vedara’s blade cutting through one of the Asura Vyala’s shoulder-mounted cannons.
The explosion sent Devya’s mech reeling, and Aarav seized the opening, driving Vedara forward with relentless strikes. The golden energy of the Prana Sphere flared brighter, fueling his movements, his resolve.
For a moment, it felt like he was in control. Like he could win.
But Devya recovered quickly, his movements sharper, more calculated. His mech’s blade ignited with crimson fire, and he lunged, the strike aimed directly at Vedara’s core. Aarav barely managed to block, the impact sending him reeling.
“You’re improving,” Devya said, his tone almost amused. “But you’re still holding back. That hesitation will be your undoing.”
The battle raged on, each blow heavier than the last. Aarav could feel the strain building, the weight of Vedara’s power pressing down on him.
But he couldn’t stop. Not now.
The clash of blades lit up the void, their energy fields crackling as Vedara and the Asura Vyala struck and parried with deadly precision. Each blow sent shockwaves rippling outward, the vibrations rattling Aarav’s cockpit. He gritted his teeth, forcing Vedara to keep up with Devya’s relentless assault.
“Not bad, scavenger,” Devya said, his voice smooth and mocking. “But you’re predictable. Reactionary. You fight like someone who doesn’t know why they’re fighting.”
Vedara twisted to avoid another strike, Aarav narrowly dodging a devastating arc of crimson energy. “I don’t need a lecture from you, Devya,” he shot back, sweat beading on his forehead as he recalibrated Vedara’s stance.
“Don’t you?” Devya countered, the Asura Vyala lunging forward again. Aarav blocked the strike, their energy blades grinding against each other in a fiery lock. “You’re being used, Aarav. A pawn in Vaikuntha’s endless war for control. Do you even understand what you’re fighting for? Or are you just doing what they tell you?”
Aarav shoved back, creating space between them. “I’m fighting because it’s the right thing to do,” he snapped, Vedara’s blade flaring as he surged forward.
Devya sidestepped the attack with ease, his movements impossibly fluid. “The ‘right thing,’” he said, his tone dripping with disdain. “Vaikuntha’s propaganda has worked well on you. But tell me, Aarav—how much do you actually know about this war? About what your precious Federation has done in the name of balance?”
Vedara pivoted, its blade arcing toward the Asura Vyala, but Devya deflected the blow with a quick parry, countering with a strike that scraped across Vedara’s shoulder. The cockpit flashed red with damage warnings, and Aarav cursed under his breath.
“You talk a lot for someone trying to kill me,” Aarav muttered, adjusting Vedara’s stance.
“I’m trying to wake you up,” Devya said sharply. “Look around you. This galaxy is falling apart—not because of us, but because of Vaikuntha’s arrogance. They claim to fight for balance, but their actions bring only chaos.”
Aarav hesitated, his grip tightening on the controls.
Devya noticed. “Ah,” he said, a faint chuckle escaping him. “You’ve seen it, haven’t you? The cracks in their pristine image. The hypocrisy. You know I’m right.”
“Shut up,” Aarav growled, forcing Vedara forward.
The golden mech moved with renewed aggression, its blade slashing in rapid arcs. Devya matched every strike, his movements precise and calculated. The Asura Vyala’s crimson blade clashed with Vedara’s golden one, the impact sending sparks flying.
“You’re not denying it,” Devya said, his voice calm despite the intensity of the battle. “That’s because you’ve already started to question them. Their so-called leaders. Their motives. Tell me, Aarav—when Vedara unleashed its power, did they celebrate you as a hero? Or did they fear you?”
The words hit harder than any strike. Aarav faltered for a split second, Vedara’s movements slowing as his mind raced.
The council’s voices echoed in his memory, their cold deliberations about Vedara’s potential as a weapon. The looks of unease from the crew, the whispers behind his back. Even Tara’s warnings, though well-meaning, had carried an undercurrent of fear.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Aarav said through gritted teeth, but his voice lacked conviction.
“Oh, I know exactly what I’m talking about,” Devya said, pressing the attack. The Asura Vyala’s blade lashed out, forcing Aarav onto the defensive. “Vaikuntha wants control, Aarav. That’s all they’ve ever wanted. Control over the galaxy. Control over you. Vedara may be powerful, but to them, it’s just a tool—a weapon to be pointed at their enemies. And when they’re done with you? They’ll discard you like all the others.”
“Enough!” Aarav shouted, driving Vedara forward. His blade struck hard, catching the Asura Vyala off-guard and forcing it back.
For a moment, Aarav thought he had the upper hand. But Devya recovered quickly, his mech spinning with unnatural speed. The crimson blade arced downward, crashing into Vedara’s shield and sending a burst of energy rippling through the cockpit. Aarav grunted, the force of the impact rattling his entire body.
“You’re strong,” Devya said, his voice softer now. “Stronger than most. But you’re wasting that strength on a cause that doesn’t deserve it.”
Vedara staggered, its systems straining under the assault. Aarav’s breath came in short, ragged gasps as he struggled to regain control.
“You don’t know anything about me,” he said, his voice low.
“I know more than you think,” Devya replied. “I’ve seen your kind before—idealists, dreamers, people who think they can make a difference. But in the end, they all realize the same thing: Vaikuntha doesn’t care about them. It cares about power. And once you’ve outlived your usefulness, they’ll cast you aside.”
Aarav gritted his teeth, his frustration boiling over. “You’re wrong.”
“Am I?” Devya said, his tone almost gentle. “Or are you just afraid I’m right?”
Aarav’s hands trembled on the controls. He wanted to shout, to argue, to tell Devya he was lying. But deep down, he couldn’t shake the feeling that there was truth in his words.
Vedara’s Prana Sphere pulsed faintly, its light dimming as Aarav’s focus wavered.
“You hesitate because you don’t believe in their cause,” Devya said. “And that hesitation will cost you everything.”
The Asura Vyala moved with deadly precision, its blade carving through Vedara’s defenses. Sparks erupted as the golden mech stumbled, its armor scorched and battered.
Aarav’s mind was a storm, Devya’s words echoing in the chaos.
“Aarav Rishi,” Maitreyi’s voice cut through the noise, calm and unwavering. “Focus. Remember your purpose.”
“My purpose,” Aarav muttered, his voice barely audible.
“Vedara chose you not for your strength, but for your heart,” Maitreyi said. “You must trust in yourself, not in the doubts planted by your enemy.”
Aarav closed his eyes for a brief moment, his breathing steadying. When he opened them, the storm in his mind had quieted.
“You’re wrong, Devya,” he said, his voice firm.
Vedara’s Prana Sphere flared, its golden light shining brighter. Aarav pushed the controls forward, and the mech surged ahead, its blade igniting with renewed energy.
“I don’t fight for Vaikuntha,” Aarav said. “I fight for the people they protect. For the ones who can’t fight for themselves. That’s what matters—not their politics, not their power. Just the lives I can save.”
Devya’s chuckle crackled over the comms. “We’ll see if that belief holds up, scavenger.”
The battle raged on, the clash of ideals fueling every strike.
The Amaravarti’s command center was chaos. The battle between Vedara and the Asura Vyala was being broadcast on every main tactical screen, with officers and analysts tracking the duel’s progress with bated breath. Tara Ishani stood at the helm, her hands gripping the edge of the console as she watched Aarav’s every movement, her face a mask of tension.
Vedara’s golden light flared brightly on the display, but the mech was visibly struggling. Aarav’s strikes were precise, his resolve sharpened by his exchange with Devya, but the toll on Vedara—and himself—was beginning to show.
“How much longer can he hold out?” Tara muttered, her voice low enough for only Commander Yuvaan to hear.
“Hard to say,” Yuvaan replied, his tone grim. “Vedara’s systems can take it, but the pilot… he’s a wildcard.”
Tara glanced at him sharply but said nothing.
Across the room, Lavanya Surya watched the battle unfold from a quieter corner of the command center. She stood poised and composed, her face betraying nothing of the storm brewing beneath her calm exterior. Her hand rested lightly on the console in front of her, where a discreet data port glowed faintly—a direct uplink to the Amaravarti’s critical systems.
The operation was already in motion.
Earlier, in her quarters, Lavanya had received a transmission from her Dominion handler. The image of the Dominion sigil had flickered briefly before being replaced by a shadowed figure.
“It’s time,” the handler had said, their voice cold and precise. “Devya is engaging Vedara. While Vaikuntha is distracted, you will disable the Amaravarti’s defenses and upload the tactical data we’ve requested. Their fleet will be exposed.”
“And Vedara?” Lavanya had asked, her tone neutral.
“If possible, extract its systems’ core data. If not, ensure the pilot does not leave the battlefield alive. Ravana does not tolerate loose ends.”
The channel had closed, leaving Lavanya staring at her terminal in silence.
Now, as the duel raged on, Lavanya worked quickly, her fingers moving deftly over the console. To any observer, she appeared to be monitoring the battle like everyone else, her demeanor calm and focused. But beneath the surface, she was planting the seeds of sabotage.
A faint alert sounded, and the officer next to her frowned. “Strange,” he muttered, glancing at his display. “The ship’s auxiliary power grid just… spiked.”
“Probably a minor fluctuation,” Lavanya said smoothly, her voice carrying just the right amount of disinterest. “The engineers will sort it out.”
The officer nodded, distracted by the battle on the main screen.
Lavanya suppressed a smile. The first phase was complete.
On the battlefield, Aarav pushed Vedara harder, each strike faster and more precise than the last. The Prana Sphere flared brightly, golden light erupting with each clash of blades.
“You’re improving,” Devya said, his tone almost begrudging. “But you’re still not ready.”
Vedara’s blade slashed downward, carving a molten gouge into the Asura Vyala’s left arm. Sparks flew as Devya twisted away, countering with a quick strike that grazed Vedara’s shoulder. Aarav grunted, his hands steady on the controls despite the strain.
“I’m still standing, aren’t I?” Aarav shot back, his voice strained but defiant.
“For now,” Devya replied.
The Asura Vyala’s systems shifted, its crimson energy flaring as it activated a secondary weapon. Twin plasma cannons emerged from its shoulders, glowing with deadly light.
“Aarav Rishi,” Maitreyi’s voice cut through the chaos. “This attack will be decisive. Prepare yourself.”
Aarav tightened his grip on the controls, his heart pounding. “No pressure, right?”
Back on the Amaravarti, alarms suddenly blared across the command center. Officers scrambled as systems flickered, the lights dimming before stabilizing.
“What’s happening?” Tara demanded, her voice cutting through the noise.
“Ma’am, we’re detecting multiple anomalies in the ship’s systems!” one officer reported. “Power fluctuations, data uplinks—someone’s tampering with our defenses!”
Tara’s eyes narrowed. “How? From where?”
“Source is… here,” the officer said, his face paling. “The tampering is coming from inside the ship.”
Tara’s gaze swept the room, her eyes scanning the consoles and crew. Her instincts kicked in immediately, honed by years of battle. Her eyes landed on Lavanya, who stood too calmly at her station, her fingers still resting lightly on the console.
“Surya,” Tara said sharply.
Lavanya turned, her expression composed. “Yes, Commander?”
“What are you doing?” Tara demanded, stepping closer.
“Monitoring the battle,” Lavanya replied smoothly. “Is something wrong?”
Tara’s eyes narrowed. She glanced at the console beside Lavanya, noting the faint glow of an active uplink. “Step away from the console. Now.”
Lavanya hesitated for the briefest moment—just long enough to confirm Tara’s suspicions.
“Guards!” Tara barked.
Before anyone could react, Lavanya moved. In one swift motion, she reached into her jacket, pulling out a small, concealed plasma blade. She activated it with a sharp hum, the blade glowing faintly as she turned to face Tara.
The guards rushed forward, their weapons raised, but Lavanya moved with lethal precision. She disarmed the nearest guard with a quick strike, sending his weapon clattering to the floor. The other guards hesitated, unsure of how to engage her without risking collateral damage.
“Treason,” Tara said coldly, her voice edged with fury. “You were with the Dominion all along.”
Lavanya smiled faintly, her expression calm even now. “I prefer to think of it as ensuring balance—just not the kind Vaikuntha claims to uphold.”
Tara stepped forward, her posture rigid. “Stand down, Lavanya. It’s over.”
Lavanya shook her head. “Not yet.”
Before Tara could react, Lavanya pressed a device on her wrist, triggering a hidden subroutine in the Amaravarti’s systems. The lights flickered again, and the tactical screens went dark as critical data streamed out of the ship’s network.
“There,” Lavanya said, stepping back. “That should even the odds.”
The guards moved in, tackling her to the ground before she could do any more damage. Tara watched as they restrained her, her mind racing.
“Cut the uplink!” Tara ordered. “Now!”
The officers scrambled to contain the sabotage, but the damage was done. The Dominion fleet had gained access to critical tactical data, leaving the Vaikuntha forces vulnerable.
Tara turned back to Lavanya, who sat restrained on the floor, her face calm despite the chaos she had unleashed.
“You’ve doomed us,” Tara said quietly.
Lavanya smiled faintly. “Not yet. But you’re getting close.”
The Amaravarti groaned as it listed slightly, its battered hull flickering with the faint glow of its weakened shields. Alarms blared across the command center as officers scrambled to recover control, their faces pale with urgency. The sabotage Lavanya had unleashed had crippled the ship’s defensive systems, leaving it exposed to the relentless assault of the Dominion fleet.
“Tactical network is down!” one officer called out. “Our targeting systems are compromised!”
“Shields at thirty-five percent!” another added, panic creeping into their voice.
Tara Ishani stood at the helm, her hands clenched tightly behind her back, her jaw rigid. “Redirect all remaining power to forward shields. Keep the engines hot—we may need to pull back.”
Yuvaan turned to her, his face grim. “If we retreat now, we’ll lose the sector.”
“If we stay, we’ll lose the entire fleet,” Tara snapped. She glanced at the restrained form of Lavanya, who sat slumped in the corner under heavy guard. The Asura spy had done more damage in an hour than an entire Dominion strike force could have accomplished.
“Send a distress signal,” Tara ordered. “Request reinforcements from the nearest Vaikuntha fleet.”
“It’ll take hours for them to respond,” Yuvaan said.
“Then we buy ourselves hours,” Tara said firmly.
Out in the void, the battle was a cacophony of chaos. The Dominion fleet, now armed with stolen tactical data, had reorganized into a devastatingly precise formation. Naraka Fighters swarmed like locusts, their plasma cannons tearing through Vaikuntha ships with ruthless efficiency.
Aarav was in the thick of it. Vedara moved like a golden comet, weaving through the chaos as it fought to shield the Amaravarti. But Aarav’s energy was waning, and the strain of the earlier duel with Devya was catching up to him.
“Another squadron incoming,” Maitreyi’s voice warned, her calm tone cutting through the din.
Aarav groaned, his hands trembling on the controls. “How many of these guys are there?”
“Too many for you to face alone,” Maitreyi said. “You must fall back.”
“Fall back?” Aarav shot back, his frustration boiling over. “If I pull back now, the Amaravarti’s finished!”
“Your survival is paramount,” Maitreyi said. “Vedara cannot protect others if its pilot is lost.”
Aarav gritted his teeth, Vedara’s blade slicing through another Naraka Fighter as it streaked past. The debris scattered like ash, but there were always more, swarming from every direction. He glanced toward the Amaravarti in the distance, its hull sparking with damage, its shield barely holding.
“I can’t let them die,” Aarav muttered, his voice barely audible.
Before Maitreyi could respond, a new presence entered the battlefield. The Asura Vyala streaked through the fray, its crimson frame cutting an imposing figure against the chaos. Devya Varman’s voice crackled through the comms, smooth and sharp as ever.
“Still standing, I see,” Devya said, his tone almost amused. “Impressive. But this ends now.”
Vedara’s sensors flared as the Asura Vyala charged, its plasma cannons blazing. Aarav barely had time to react, raising Vedara’s shield as the blasts struck with terrifying force. The impact sent the golden mech reeling, its systems flashing with warning signals.
“Aarav Rishi,” Maitreyi said urgently. “You must retreat.”
“No,” Aarav growled, forcing Vedara back into position. “I’m not running.”
The Asura Vyala lunged, its crimson blade igniting as it closed the distance. Aarav met the strike head-on, Vedara’s blade clashing against Devya’s in a blinding explosion of energy. The force of the collision sent shockwaves rippling through the battlefield, briefly scattering the nearby Naraka Fighters.
“You’re persistent, I’ll give you that,” Devya said, his voice calm despite the intensity of the fight. “But persistence without purpose is just desperation.”
Aarav gritted his teeth, Vedara’s blade locking with Devya’s. “You love hearing yourself talk, don’t you?”
Devya chuckled, his mech twisting with precision as he broke the lock. The Asura Vyala moved with unnerving speed, its strikes calculated and relentless. Aarav struggled to keep up, each blow pushing Vedara closer to its limits.
“Let me tell you what’s going to happen,” Devya said. “Your fleet will retreat. Your precious Amaravarti will burn. And you—” He punctuated the statement with a sharp strike that sent Vedara staggering. “—will fall.”
Aarav’s vision blurred as the strain of the fight took its toll. His hands ached from gripping the controls, his breath coming in ragged gasps. But he refused to back down.
“Not… today,” he muttered, pushing Vedara forward in a desperate counterattack.
The golden mech surged with energy, its blade slashing in wide arcs. Devya dodged each strike with ease, his movements impossibly smooth, as though he were toying with Aarav.
“You’re exhausted,” Devya said. “Stop fighting a losing battle.”
Aarav ignored him, focusing all his energy on the Prana Sphere. The golden light flared brighter, fueling Vedara’s strikes. For a brief moment, it seemed like he might break through Devya’s defenses.
But the Asura Vyala was faster. It ducked beneath Vedara’s blade, its crimson sword slicing upward in a precise counterstrike. The blow struck Vedara’s chest, sending a burst of sparks through the cockpit. Aarav cried out as the impact threw him back in his seat, the wind knocked from his lungs.
“Aarav!” Maitreyi’s voice rang out, sharp and urgent.
Vedara staggered, its systems flashing red as alarms blared. Aarav struggled to steady the mech, his vision swimming.
“Enough,” Devya said, his voice colder now. The Asura Vyala raised its blade, poised for a final strike. “It’s over.”
Aarav closed his eyes, his grip tightening on the controls. His mind raced, searching for a way out, but he felt the crushing weight of inevitability pressing down on him.
Before Devya could deliver the finishing blow, a blinding beam of golden energy streaked across the battlefield, forcing him to pull back. Aarav’s eyes snapped open as the Vajrastra Squadron, Vaikuntha’s elite mechs, entered the fray.
“Hold the line!” their commander shouted over the comms. “Protect Vedara at all costs!”
The tide of battle shifted as the Vajrastra Squadron engaged the Dominion forces, their precision strikes buying the Amaravarti enough time to retreat.
“Aarav Rishi,” Maitreyi said softly. “It is time to fall back.”
Aarav hesitated, his hands trembling. Then, reluctantly, he pulled Vedara back, the golden mech retreating toward the safety of the fleet.
Devya’s voice echoed one last time over the comms, quiet but cutting.
“Run while you can, Aarav. This war is far from over.”
The Amaravarti limped through the void, its engines sputtering faintly as the battered Vaikuntha fleet made its retreat. The ship was eerily quiet, the usual hum of activity muted by the weight of defeat. Crew members moved through the corridors with heavy steps, their faces marked by exhaustion and grim determination.
Aarav sat alone in his quarters, his head resting in his hands. His body still ached from the strain of the battle, and his mind was a storm of doubt and frustration. The duel with Devya had left him shaken—physically, yes, but more so mentally. Every move he’d made felt insufficient, every strike futile against the relentless precision of the Asura Vyala.
He replayed the battle in his mind, every missed opportunity, every moment of hesitation. No matter how hard he tried to shake the memory, Devya’s words lingered, cutting deeper than any physical wound.
“You fight like someone who doesn’t know why they’re fighting.”
Aarav gritted his teeth, his fists clenching. “What the hell does he know about me?” he muttered under his breath.
But the doubt was there, gnawing at the edges of his resolve.
A soft knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts. Aarav glanced up as the door slid open to reveal Aryan Das, his disheveled form framed by the dim light of the corridor.
“You look like you got run over by a freighter,” Aryan said, stepping inside without waiting for permission.
Aarav let out a weak laugh. “Feels like it, too.”
Aryan dropped into the chair opposite him, tossing a small data tablet onto the table. “Thought you could use some company. You’ve been hiding out here for hours.”
“I wasn’t hiding,” Aarav muttered, leaning back against the wall. “I just… needed space.”
“Space is overrated,” Aryan said with a grin. He leaned forward, his expression softening. “Look, I get it. That was rough out there. But you’re still here. That counts for something.”
“Does it?” Aarav asked, his voice hollow. “Because it doesn’t feel like it. All I did out there was barely survive while Devya ran circles around me. The fleet’s in shambles, people are dead, and I couldn’t stop it.”
Aryan sighed, leaning back in his chair. “You think this is the first time someone’s come out of a fight feeling like that? Every soldier, every pilot—hell, every leader I’ve ever worked with has had their moments of doubt. It’s part of the job.”
Aarav frowned. “That doesn’t make it easier.”
“No, it doesn’t,” Aryan admitted. “But it doesn’t mean you’re done. You’re still standing. That means you get to keep fighting.”
Aarav was silent, his gaze fixed on the floor.
Aryan reached for the tablet he’d brought, tapping a few buttons. The screen lit up with an image of Vedara, its golden frame glowing faintly in the hangar.
“You know what this is?” Aryan asked, holding up the tablet.
Aarav rolled his eyes. “Vedara. Obviously.”
“It’s more than that,” Aryan said. “This thing—this ancient, god-like machine—it chose you, Aarav. Do you have any idea what that means?”
Aarav shrugged. “It means I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“No,” Aryan said firmly. “It means you’ve got something inside you that Vedara recognized. Something no one else has. You keep thinking you’re not good enough, that you’re not ready for this. But Vedara doesn’t make mistakes. It picked you for a reason.”
Aarav looked at him, skeptical. “And what reason is that?”
Aryan smirked. “That’s for you to figure out. But if I had to guess? It’s because you care. Even when you’re pissed off and scared, you care about doing the right thing. And that’s what makes you dangerous to people like Devya.”
Aarav blinked, caught off guard by the sincerity in Aryan’s voice.
“Look,” Aryan continued, “I’m not saying you’re perfect. You’re going to screw up. You’re going to doubt yourself. But that doesn’t mean you stop trying. You’ve got a shot at something bigger than yourself, Aarav. Don’t waste it.”
Aarav was quiet for a long moment, his thoughts swirling. Finally, he exhaled, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
“You’re really good at these pep talks, you know that?”
Aryan grinned. “It’s a gift. Now come on. You’ve got people out there who believe in you—Tara, me, Maitreyi, the crew. Don’t let us down.”
Aarav nodded slowly, the weight in his chest lifting just a little.
Later, Aarav stood in the observation deck, staring out at the stars. Vedara’s faint silhouette was visible in the hangar below, its golden light steady and unyielding.
Maitreyi’s form appeared beside him, her presence calm and reassuring.
“You are beginning to see,” she said softly.
“Maybe,” Aarav said. “But it’s still a mess out there.”
“Life is often a mess,” Maitreyi said. “But it is in the chaos that we find our purpose. Vedara’s power is not yours to wield recklessly, Aarav Rishi. It is a responsibility—a chance to protect, to heal, to restore balance. That is why it chose you.”
Aarav stared out at the stars, her words sinking in.
“Balance, huh?” he said quietly. “Guess I’ve got a long way to go.”
Maitreyi smiled faintly. “The path is never easy. But you are not alone on it.”
Aarav nodded, his resolve beginning to solidify. The doubts were still there, lingering at the edges of his mind, but they no longer felt insurmountable. He had a long road ahead, but for the first time, he felt like he might be ready to walk it.