Chapter 6: The Earth’s Call
The desert stretched endlessly before them, golden dunes rippling under the morning sun. The harsh winds had softened for now, leaving an eerie stillness in their wake. For the first time in days, the sky was clear—almost peaceful. But peace was a fragile illusion, one Prithvi knew wouldn’t last.
He stood near the edge of the ridge where their camp had been hastily packed up, his visor scanning the horizon. The data from Riya’s equipment was conclusive: somewhere beneath the shifting sands lay their next destination.
“A hidden temple buried by centuries of storms,” Vikram said, scrolling through his tablet as he approached. “It’s like something out of a myth.”
“Most myths start with some truth,” Prithvi replied, lowering his visor. “This one ends with the Ring of Mangala. We can’t afford to let Varunasura get here first.”
“Easier said than done,” Riya called from the transport, her tone sharp as she adjusted the drone controls. “There’s a massive energy field under the surface, and it’s messing with my scans. Whatever’s down there doesn’t want to be found.”
“Sounds like a good place to hide a weapon of unimaginable power,” Arjun said, leaning casually against the side of the transport. His tone was light, but his grip on Vritra was firm.
Sona climbed out of the transport, her plasma baton clipped at her side. “So how do we get in?”
The answer came as a low rumble beneath their feet, a vibration that grew stronger with each passing second.
“That’s not us,” Riya said, her eyes narrowing as she checked the seismic scanner. “Something’s moving down there.”
Prithvi activated his suit, the Kavach VII flaring to life with a faint hum. “Chanakya, what are we dealing with?”
The AI’s voice was calm but urgent. “Localized seismic activity consistent with artificial triggers. It’s likely a defense mechanism.”
“Defense mechanism for what?” Sona asked, her eyes scanning the horizon.
The ground beneath them suddenly gave way, the sand collapsing in a swirling vortex. The team barely had time to react before they were pulled into the depths, the desert sky vanishing as they tumbled into darkness.
They landed in a massive underground chamber, the air thick with the scent of ancient stone and damp earth. Faint beams of sunlight filtered through cracks in the ceiling, illuminating the intricate carvings that adorned the walls.
“This… is incredible,” Vikram said, his voice filled with awe as he surveyed the chamber. “The architecture predates the Mauryan Empire by centuries. Maybe millennia.”
“Focus, professor,” Arjun said, brushing sand off his armor. “We’re not here for a history lesson.”
Prithvi’s visor scanned the carvings, highlighting depictions of ancient battles and elemental forces. At the center of the chamber stood a massive stone door, its surface engraved with the image of a flaming mace surrounded by swirling earth.
“The Ring of Mangala,” Sona said, stepping closer to the door. “It has to be behind this.”
“Not so fast,” Riya said, pointing to the faintly glowing symbols that lined the door. “These runes are active. It’s a locking mechanism, probably tied to the temple’s defenses.”
“Can you deactivate it?” Prithvi asked.
Riya frowned, studying the runes. “Not without triggering whatever nasty surprise it’s hiding.”
The rumble returned, louder and closer this time. The walls of the chamber trembled, and chunks of stone fell from the ceiling as something massive moved in the shadows beyond the door.
“We’re not alone,” Arjun said, his blade at the ready.
From the darkness emerged a towering figure of stone and earth, its glowing eyes fixed on the team. The Terrax Sentinel, a guardian of the temple, moved with slow, deliberate steps, its form radiating raw elemental power.
“Well, that’s just great,” Arjun muttered. “I was hoping for a warm welcome.”
The sentinel raised its massive arms, and the ground beneath the team shifted violently, throwing them off balance.
“Spread out!” Prithvi ordered, activating his thrusters to avoid a jagged spike of rock that erupted from the floor.
The battle erupted in chaos.
Prithvi darted around the chamber, firing bursts of wind and fire at the sentinel’s limbs. The attacks struck its stone body but did little more than chip its surface.
“It’s too strong,” Riya called out, ducking behind a crumbling pillar. “You need to hit it where the energy’s concentrated—look for weak points!”
Sona moved with precision, her plasma baton crackling as she aimed for the glowing runes embedded in the sentinel’s chest. Each strike sent small cracks rippling across its surface, but the sentinel retaliated with a massive swipe of its arm, forcing her to retreat.
Arjun charged head-on, Vritra slicing through one of the sentinel’s legs. The blade’s temporal energy slowed its movements, giving him a brief opening to strike again.
“Over here, you oversized rock pile!” he shouted, drawing its attention.
The sentinel turned, its glowing eyes narrowing as it raised a massive fist.
Vikram stepped forward, his gauntlet glowing with arcane energy. “Let’s see how you handle this,” he muttered, unleashing a blast of concentrated magic at the sentinel’s chest.
The energy struck one of the runes, shattering it in a burst of light. The sentinel let out a deep, rumbling roar, its movements faltering as its core destabilized.
“It’s working!” Riya shouted. “Hit the rest of the runes!”
Prithvi soared into the air, his suit’s systems focusing on the sentinel’s weakened chest. He fired a concentrated burst of fire and lightning, the energy striking the remaining runes and sending cracks spiderwebbing across its body.
“Now!” he shouted.
Sona and Arjun moved in unison, their combined attacks shattering the sentinel’s core in a final explosion of light and sound.
The chamber fell silent as the sentinel crumbled, its massive form collapsing into a heap of inert stone.
“Is it… dead?” Arjun asked, lowering his blade.
“It’s a construct,” Vikram said, examining the remains. “But yes, it’s no longer active.”
Prithvi approached the stone door, the runes now dim and lifeless. He placed his hand on its surface, and the door slowly began to grind open, revealing a narrow passageway beyond.
“Whatever’s down there,” he said, his voice steady, “it’s ours to claim.”
Sona stepped beside him, her expression firm. “Let’s make it count.”
The narrow passageway beyond the stone door was dimly lit by an otherworldly glow emanating from the walls. The air was heavy, charged with ancient power. Each step the team took seemed to echo endlessly in the quiet, amplifying the tension that had settled over them.
“This place feels… alive,” Sona said, her voice low.
“It probably is,” Vikram replied, running a hand over the glowing carvings. “The energy here is older than any artifact we’ve seen before. It’s not just a temple—it’s a conduit.”
“A conduit for what?” Arjun asked, gripping Vritra tightly.
“For the Ring of Mangala,” Riya answered, her gaze locked on her scanner. “The energy signature is getting stronger the deeper we go. Whatever’s powering this place, it’s tied directly to the ring.”
Prithvi moved ahead, his suit’s glow illuminating the dark path. “Stay alert. If the Naga cult isn’t here yet, they won’t be far behind.”
The passage opened into a vast subterranean cavern, its floor covered in jagged rock formations and pools of molten lava that bubbled and hissed. In the center of the cavern stood an ornate pedestal, its surface glowing with runes similar to those on the door above. Floating above it was the Ring of Mangala, its fiery orange light casting shifting shadows across the walls.
“There it is,” Riya said, her voice filled with awe.
The team stepped cautiously into the cavern, their eyes scanning the space for any signs of danger.
“Too quiet,” Arjun muttered, his instincts on edge. “Where’s the trap?”
“Right here,” a voice rumbled, deep and resonant, echoing through the cavern like the grinding of stone.
The ground trembled violently, and from the shadows emerged Terrax, his massive form hewn from jagged rock and glowing magma. His eyes burned with an unnatural light, and his spiked armor seemed to shift and grow with each movement.
“You think you can take what belongs to Varunasura?” Terrax growled, his voice reverberating through the chamber. “The Ring of Mangala answers only to the one who commands the earth—and that is not you.”
“Well, you’ve got the theatrics down,” Arjun said, raising his blade. “But let’s see how well you fight.”
Terrax moved with terrifying speed for someone his size, his massive fists slamming into the ground and sending shockwaves rippling through the cavern. The team scattered as jagged spires of rock erupted from the floor, narrowly missing them.
“Sona, Vikram, flank him!” Prithvi shouted, launching himself into the air with his thrusters.
Sona darted to the left, her plasma baton crackling as she struck at Terrax’s side. The weapon connected, sending a jolt of energy through his rocky armor, but he barely flinched.
Vikram unleashed a blast of arcane energy from his gauntlet, aiming for the glowing runes on Terrax’s chest. The attack struck true, causing Terrax to stagger slightly, but he quickly recovered, his glowing eyes locking onto Vikram.
“You’ll regret that,” Terrax snarled, slamming his hands together. A massive wave of rock surged toward Vikram, forcing him to dive out of the way.
Prithvi fired a concentrated burst of fire and wind at Terrax, aiming for the weak points in his armor. The attack struck the commander’s shoulder, cracking the stone slightly, but Terrax retaliated with a swing of his massive arm, sending Prithvi crashing into a nearby pillar.
“Prithvi!” Sona shouted, her movements becoming more aggressive as she pressed the attack.
“I’m fine,” Prithvi said, groaning as he got back to his feet. “Keep him distracted!”
Arjun leaped into the fray, Vritra slicing through Terrax’s arm. The temporal energy slowed the commander’s movements slightly, but it wasn’t enough to stop him.
“You think you can break me?” Terrax roared, his voice filled with fury. “I am the earth. I am unyielding!”
The ground beneath them rumbled again, and massive boulders began to rise into the air, orbiting around Terrax like deadly projectiles.
“Riya,” Prithvi said over the comms, his tone urgent. “We need a plan.”
“I’m working on it,” Riya replied, her fingers flying across her console. “The runes on his chest—they’re channeling energy from the ring. If you disrupt them, it’ll weaken his connection.”
“Easier said than done,” Arjun muttered, dodging a flying boulder.
Prithvi activated his suit’s enhanced targeting systems, locking onto the runes. “Vikram, Sona—cover me. Arjun, keep him distracted.”
“On it,” Arjun said, lunging toward Terrax. His blade slashed at the commander’s legs, forcing him to focus his attacks on Arjun.
Sona moved in tandem with Vikram, their combined strikes chipping away at Terrax’s armor and drawing his attention away from Prithvi.
Prithvi launched himself into the air, his suit’s thrusters propelling him toward Terrax’s chest. The runes glowed brighter as he closed in, their energy lashing out in arcs of fiery light.
“Hold him steady!” Prithvi shouted.
Arjun gritted his teeth, Vritra slicing through another of Terrax’s legs. “Working on it!”
Prithvi unleashed a concentrated blast of energy at the runes, the fire and wind merging into a spiraling inferno. The attack struck the center of Terrax’s chest, shattering the runes in a burst of light and sound.
Terrax let out a deafening roar, his movements growing erratic as the energy sustaining him began to fade.
“You… cannot win,” he growled, his voice faltering. “Varunasura will rise. And you… will fall.”
With one final, ear-splitting roar, Terrax collapsed, his massive form crumbling into a heap of inert stone.
The cavern fell silent, the only sound the faint bubbling of the molten pools.
“Is he… dead?” Sona asked, breathing heavily.
“Not dead,” Vikram said, examining the remains. “Just defeated. The energy sustaining him is gone.”
Prithvi stepped toward the pedestal, his gaze locking onto the glowing Ring of Mangala.
“Let’s make sure it stays that way,” he said, reaching for the ring.
The glow of the Ring of Mangala was mesmerizing, its fiery light casting long, flickering shadows across the cavern walls. Prithvi stood at the edge of the pedestal, his hand outstretched toward the ring. The air was thick with heat and tension, the remnants of Terrax’s power still radiating faintly through the chamber.
“Careful,” Riya’s voice crackled over the comms. “That much raw energy could fry your systems if you’re not prepared.”
“Noted,” Prithvi muttered.
Sona and Vikram stood on alert, scanning the cavern for any remaining threats. Arjun kept his blade drawn, his gaze shifting warily between the pedestal and the tunnels leading into the chamber.
“Let’s grab it and go,” Arjun said, his tone tense. “This place gives me the creeps.”
Prithvi took a deep breath, activating the containment system in his Kavach VII. The suit’s gauntlets began to glow faintly, channeling energy into a stabilizing field around the ring. Slowly, he reached out and clasped the artifact.
The moment his fingers touched the ring, the entire chamber shuddered violently.
“Uh, was that supposed to happen?” Arjun asked, steadying himself against a nearby rock.
“No,” Riya replied urgently. “The ring must have been holding the temple’s structure together. You need to get out of there—now!”
The ground beneath them began to crack, fiery fissures spreading outward from the pedestal. Chunks of stone rained down from the ceiling as the molten pools bubbled and surged, threatening to overflow.
“Great,” Arjun muttered. “Another collapsing death trap. Just once, I’d like a straightforward mission.”
“Move!” Prithvi shouted, activating his thrusters to propel himself toward the nearest tunnel.
The others followed, their movements quick and precise as they navigated the crumbling terrain. The heat grew more intense with every step, the air thick with ash and smoke.
“This way!” Sona called, leading them toward a narrow passage that seemed to slope upward.
They had barely made it halfway through the passage when the rumbling intensified. Massive boulders crashed down, blocking their path and forcing them to backtrack.
“We’re running out of options!” Vikram said, his voice tight with urgency.
Prithvi scanned the area, his visor highlighting a secondary route that led back toward the central chamber. “We go up,” he said, pointing to a jagged ledge that overlooked the collapsing cavern.
“You’re kidding,” Arjun said, eyeing the precarious climb.
“Do you have a better idea?” Prithvi asked, already activating his thrusters to ascend.
With a reluctant sigh, Arjun followed, using Vritra to carve footholds into the crumbling rock as he climbed. Sona and Vikram brought up the rear, their movements quick but careful.
As they reached the upper ledge, the sound of rushing water filled the air. A torrent of molten lava surged into the chamber below, consuming the pedestal where the Ring of Mangala had rested.
“We need to keep moving!” Prithvi shouted, leading the way toward an opening in the far wall.
But before they could reach it, the ground erupted in a burst of fire and stone. From the chaos emerged a smaller version of Terrax—a final construct, its form crackling with unstable energy.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Arjun muttered, raising his blade.
The construct let out a guttural roar, its molten body radiating heat as it charged toward them.
“Keep it distracted!” Prithvi ordered, clutching the ring tightly. “I’ll clear the path!”
Arjun lunged forward, Vritra slicing through the construct’s arm. The blade’s temporal energy slowed its movements, giving Sona and Vikram a chance to flank it.
Sona’s plasma baton crackled as she struck the construct’s glowing core, sending sparks flying. “It’s not as strong as the last one,” she said, dodging a retaliatory swing. “We can take it down!”
“Tell that to the lava,” Vikram replied, his gauntlet unleashing a burst of arcane energy that staggered the construct.
Meanwhile, Prithvi focused on the blocked exit, using his suit’s enhanced strength to clear the debris. “Riya, how much time do we have?”
“Not enough,” Riya replied. “The entire temple is destabilizing. If you’re not out in three minutes, you’re not getting out at all.”
The construct let out a final, guttural roar, its body crumbling into molten fragments under the team’s combined assault.
“It’s down,” Arjun said, breathing heavily. “Now let’s get out of here before this place takes us with it.”
Prithvi nodded, activating his thrusters to lead the way through the now-cleared passage. The tunnel sloped upward, the air growing marginally cooler as they ascended.
“We’re close,” Sona said, her voice tinged with relief.
But as they neared the surface, another tremor shook the tunnel, sending massive chunks of rock crashing down behind them.
“Run!” Prithvi shouted, the urgency in his voice spurring the team forward.
They burst out into the open desert just as the temple collapsed entirely, a plume of smoke and fire erupting into the sky. The ground shuddered violently, then fell still as the last remnants of the ancient structure were consumed by the earth.
The team stood in silence, catching their breath as the dust settled around them.
“That was too close,” Vikram said, his voice laced with exhaustion.
“Another minute in there, and we’d be part of the rubble,” Arjun added.
Prithvi looked down at the Ring of Mangala, its fiery light still glowing faintly in his hand. Despite the chaos, the artifact felt steady, its energy pulsing rhythmically.
“We got it,” he said quietly, his grip tightening.
Sona stepped beside him, her gaze shifting between the ring and the smoldering ruins. “Now we need to make sure it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.”
Prithvi nodded, determination hardening in his expression. “This is just the beginning. Varunasura won’t stop until he has them all. Neither can we.”
The desert wind was hot and abrasive, cutting across the team as they paused to regroup outside the collapsed ruins of the temple. The cavern’s collapse had sent shockwaves through the earth, leaving the landscape fractured and scarred. The sound of distant thunder rolled across the sky, an ominous reminder of the larger storm that loomed on the horizon.
Prithvi tightened his grip on the Ring of Mangala, its fiery orange light pulsing faintly in his hand. The artifact was heavier than it looked, its energy thrumming against his gauntlet like a living thing. He glanced at the team, each of them bruised and battered but alive—for now.
“We need to keep moving,” he said, his voice steady despite the exhaustion etched into his features. “Varunasura’s forces won’t be far behind.”
“Because of course they won’t,” Arjun muttered, wiping the sweat from his brow. He leaned against Vritra, the blade humming faintly as it rested against the cracked earth. “Do these guys ever take a day off?”
“No rest for the wicked,” Sona replied, her tone clipped as she surveyed the surrounding dunes. “Or the righteous, apparently.”
Riya approached Prithvi, her scanner flickering faintly in her hands. “The ring’s energy levels are stable—for now,” she said, her brow furrowed in concentration. “But it’s emitting a constant signal. Anyone with the right tech or elemental sensitivity will know exactly where we are.”
Prithvi’s jaw tightened. “How long until the signal fades?”
Riya shook her head. “It won’t. Not unless we find a way to shield it.”
“We can’t keep it exposed like this,” Vikram added, his voice tinged with concern. “The ring’s energy is volatile. If Varunasura tracks it down and takes it, he’ll be one step closer to controlling the entire elemental network.”
“Then we need to move faster,” Prithvi said, his gaze sweeping over the team. “No more delays. Let’s—”
A distant roar cut him off, the sound reverberating through the desert like a low growl.
The team froze, their instincts sharpening.
“Tell me that was the wind,” Arjun said, already raising his blade.
“It wasn’t,” Sona replied grimly, activating her plasma baton.
The roar grew louder, closer. From the crest of a nearby dune, a shadow appeared—large and serpentine, its body coiling with unnatural speed. The Naga construct, larger and more menacing than the one they had faced before, surged forward with glowing red eyes fixed on the team.
“Of course they have another one,” Arjun muttered, shifting into a defensive stance.
The construct lunged, its massive body slicing through the sand as it closed the distance with terrifying speed.
“Scatter!” Prithvi shouted, activating his thrusters to dodge its attack.
The team moved in unison, each finding cover behind the shattered remains of the temple’s exterior. The construct’s tail smashed into the ground, sending a plume of sand and debris into the air.
“This thing’s bigger than the last one,” Sona called, striking out with her plasma baton. The weapon connected, but the energy only seemed to aggravate the creature, its roar shaking the ground beneath them.
“Riya!” Prithvi shouted over the comms. “Options?”
“I’m working on it!” Riya replied, her fingers flying over the console. “The core’s in the head—same as before. But this one’s got extra armor. You’ll need to weaken it first.”
“Leave that to me,” Arjun said, leaping forward with Vritra blazing in his hands.
Arjun moved like a whirlwind, his blade carving through the construct’s coiling body. Temporal distortions rippled through the air with each strike, slowing the creature’s movements just enough for the others to press the attack.
Sona darted in from the side, her plasma baton delivering precise strikes to the construct’s underbelly. Vikram followed close behind, his gauntlet unleashing bursts of arcane energy that chipped away at its armor.
The construct retaliated with a sweep of its tail, sending Sona and Vikram sprawling.
“Keep it distracted!” Prithvi shouted, launching himself toward the construct’s head. The Kavach VII glowed brightly as he fired a concentrated burst of fire and wind, the attack striking the creature’s core and momentarily staggering it.
Riya’s voice came through the comms again. “Prithvi, the ring’s energy is reacting to the construct! It’s amplifying the creature’s defenses. You’ll need to use the ring to counteract it.”
Prithvi hesitated, glancing down at the Ring of Mangala in his hand. Its fiery glow seemed to pulse in time with the construct’s movements, as if the two were linked.
“Prithvi, now!” Riya shouted.
Taking a deep breath, Prithvi activated the ring. A surge of fiery energy coursed through his suit, merging with the Kavach VII’s systems. His gauntlets glowed brighter, and the air around him shimmered with heat.
“Let’s see how you like this,” he muttered, aiming directly at the construct’s head.
The resulting blast of fire and wind struck the creature with incredible force, shattering its outer armor and exposing the glowing core in its skull.
“Arjun, now!” Prithvi shouted.
Arjun didn’t hesitate. He charged forward, Vritra slicing through the air with precision. The blade struck the core, and the construct let out a deafening roar as its body convulsed violently.
“Get clear!” Vikram shouted, pulling Sona to her feet as the creature began to collapse.
The team scattered as the construct’s massive form crashed to the ground, its energy dissipating in a burst of light.
The silence that followed was almost deafening.
Arjun leaned on his blade, his chest heaving as he caught his breath. “That… was too close.”
Prithvi deactivated the ring’s energy, the glow fading from his suit. He looked down at the artifact in his hand, its power still palpable despite the battle’s end.
“We’ve got what we came for,” he said, his voice steady. “Let’s get out of here before they send reinforcements.”
As the team began their trek across the desert, the weight of their mission hung heavily over them. The Ring of Mangala was safe—for now—but the battle ahead was only growing more dangerous.
And in the shadows, Varunasura’s forces were already closing in.
The glowing ruins of the shattered temple loomed behind the team as they descended into a network of crumbling underground tunnels. The air was thick with dust and heat, and the faint tremors beneath their feet signaled that the structure’s collapse was far from over.
Riya’s voice crackled over the comms. “I’m detecting movement. The temple’s seismic activity is increasing, and the tunnels ahead are unstable. You need to move quickly.”
“Define ‘quickly,’” Arjun muttered, gripping Vritra tightly as he scanned the shadowy passage ahead.
“Quickly, as in: don’t stop to admire the scenery,” Riya replied, her tone sharp.
Prithvi led the way, the faint glow of the Ring of Mangala lighting the path. “Stay close. If these tunnels collapse, we’ll need to work together to dig out.”
“Assuming there’s anything left to dig,” Sona muttered, her plasma baton humming faintly at her side.
The tunnels twisted and turned, the walls narrowing and expanding unpredictably. Every few steps, debris fell from the ceiling, sending echoes through the passage and making the team flinch.
“Riya, how much further?” Prithvi asked, his voice steady but tense.
“About a kilometer, give or take,” she replied. “The exit should lead to the surface, but you’re going to hit some resistance first.”
“Resistance?” Vikram asked, raising an eyebrow.
“The tunnel system’s defenses weren’t designed to let intruders leave alive,” Riya explained. “I’m detecting active energy signatures up ahead—likely traps or sentinels.”
“Great,” Arjun said, rolling his shoulders. “It’s not a proper mission without more death traps.”
The first trap activated suddenly, a series of glowing runes along the walls flaring to life as the team passed. Spikes of rock shot out from the ground, forcing them to leap and dodge to avoid being impaled.
“Watch your step!” Prithvi shouted, his thrusters flaring as he launched himself over the deadly obstacle.
Sona moved with precision, her plasma baton slicing through the smaller spikes as she cleared the trap. “These defenses are ancient, but they’re still effective,” she said, glancing back at Vikram, who barely avoided a falling boulder.
“Tell that to my boots,” Vikram muttered, stumbling as he landed.
Arjun leaped over the final spike, twisting in midair to deflect a falling chunk of stone with Vritra. “If this is just the warm-up, I’m not looking forward to the finale.”
The passage opened into a larger chamber, its walls lined with more glowing runes. In the center stood another sentinel, smaller than Terrax but no less menacing. Its glowing eyes locked onto the team as it let out a low, mechanical growl.
“Keep moving,” Prithvi said, stepping forward.
The sentinel lunged, its stone limbs striking the ground with enough force to send cracks racing through the floor. The team scattered, each taking a position around the chamber.
“Go for the joints!” Riya called over the comms. “Its mobility is its weakness!”
Prithvi fired a concentrated blast of wind and fire at the sentinel’s legs, causing it to stagger. Sona darted in, her baton crackling as she struck at its knees, sending shards of rock flying.
Arjun moved in from the side, Vritra slicing through the sentinel’s arm. The temporal energy slowed its movements, giving Vikram an opening to unleash a burst of arcane energy that struck its chest.
The sentinel roared, its core glowing brighter as it unleashed a shockwave of energy that sent the team flying.
“Stay on it!” Prithvi shouted, pushing himself to his feet.
The battle was chaotic, the chamber filling with dust and debris as the sentinel fought to defend the tunnels. But the team worked in unison, their attacks coordinated and relentless.
Finally, Prithvi landed a powerful strike with the ring’s fiery energy, shattering the sentinel’s core. The construct collapsed in a heap of rubble, the glowing runes on the walls dimming.
“Let’s hope that’s the last of them,” Arjun said, breathing heavily as he leaned on his blade.
“Don’t jinx it,” Sona replied, already moving toward the next passage.
The final stretch of the tunnels was a race against time. The walls shuddered violently, chunks of stone falling from the ceiling as the collapse accelerated.
“Almost there!” Riya’s voice urged them on. “You’re just a few meters from the surface!”
Prithvi pushed forward, his thrusters propelling him ahead of the group. The exit was visible now—a faint shaft of light piercing through the darkness.
“Move!” he shouted, turning back to cover the others as they closed the distance.
The team burst out of the tunnels just as the ground behind them gave way, the entrance collapsing into a massive sinkhole. They scrambled to safety, the deafening roar of the collapse echoing across the desert.
For a long moment, they stood in silence, their breaths coming in ragged gasps.
“That was… unpleasant,” Vikram said, sinking to the ground.
“Unpleasant?” Arjun echoed, his tone incredulous. “We just barely outran a collapsing temple and fought off two sentinels. ‘Unpleasant’ doesn’t even begin to cover it.”
“We survived,” Prithvi said, his voice steady. He held up the Ring of Mangala, its fiery light a stark contrast to the devastation around them. “And we’ve got what we came for.”
Sona approached him, her expression unreadable. “Let’s just hope it’s enough.”
Prithvi nodded, his grip tightening on the ring. In the distance, the horizon shimmered with heat waves, a reminder that their journey was far from over.
“Varunasura’s not going to stop,” he said, his gaze hardening. “And neither will we.”