The Eternal Bond.

In the endless expanse of the cosmos, stars both ancient and young shimmered against the inky darkness like diamonds scattered across a velvet canvas. Some burned bright and fierce, while others flickered with a cold, distant light, their glow reaching across eons of time. Planets, cradled by these stars, orbited in silence, following the eternal dance of gravity. Nebulas stretched like cosmic brushstrokes, painting the galaxies in hues of red, violet, and blue.

A voice, deep and ancient, resonated through the very fabric of the universe. It was a voice that had existed since the dawn of creation, a voice that carried the weight of millennia:

"By the will of the Primordial Force, the Triumvirate forged the limitless cosmos. They shaped worlds from the dust of nothingness, giving birth to innumerable dimensions. The gods, their creations, became the architects of life, scattering seeds of existence across the infinite expanse of universes."

Scene Shift: Arthlok - The Fourth Planet
In a forgotten corner of this vast cosmos, a golden sun illuminated a small solar system, where the planet Arthlok orbited its star. Seen from the heavens, Arthlok was a brilliant blue orb, its surface glittering with oceans that spanned eighty percent of the world. Towering waves crashed against the shores of four great continents, each one brimming with life—both human and beyond.

On Arthlok, magic and science coexisted like two halves of a whole. Sprawling cities rose from the continents, where towering skyscrapers, shimmering with technological marvels, stood side by side with ancient temples carved from stone. Flying vehicles zipped through the air, leaving trails of light as they soared above streets bustling with AI androids and humans, working in harmony to further their civilization. It was a world where technological progress touched the skies, yet the primal forces of magic flowed deep beneath the earth, whispering secrets of the past.

Among the planet's four great cities—Uri, the most powerful; Rice, a hub of innovation; Sign, a city of scholars; and Alok, the smallest and most peaceful—it was in the quiet streets of Alok that a young boy's journey was about to begin.

Scene Shift: The Quiet Outskirts of Alok
In a modest village on the outskirts of Alok, the morning light bathed the landscape in gold. Tall trees swayed in the gentle breeze, their leaves rustling like whispers in the air. The village was peaceful, a place where life moved slowly and calmly, far from the bustling energy of the larger cities.

Inside a simple two-story house, a soft hum of technology blended with the sounds of a family beginning their day. In one of the small rooms on the first floor, a young man stood at the doorway, his hand resting on the doorknob. Govind, 18 years old, with sharp features and a determined expression, took a deep breath, as though preparing himself for an inevitable argument.

With a swift motion, he opened the door and barked out, "You better be downstairs in five minutes!"

His voice, though sharp, carried an undercurrent of care. Without waiting for a response, Govind turned on his heel and left, the sound of his footsteps echoing through the hall.

On the bed, tangled in a mess of blankets, Pavan stirred. The 16-year-old boy slowly opened his eyes, his black hair falling over his face as he blinked against the bright morning light streaming through the window. Still half-asleep, Pavan stretched lazily, his mind drifting between the dream world and reality.

"Is there something special today?" he muttered to himself, rubbing his eyes.

From the stillness of the room, a voice answered him. It was soft and melodic, filled with both warmth and mystery:

"You really don’t remember, Pavan?"

Chee. The voice was unmistakable—gentle, ever-present, and filled with an affection that Pavan had come to depend on. He furrowed his brow, trying to recall what he could have forgotten. Silence hung in the air for a moment as his thoughts slowly stirred.

Suddenly, realization struck, and he mumbled, "Oh... right. It's my birthday!"

But the moment of certainty was fleeting. His face twisted into confusion, and he shook his head. "Wait, no... it's not my birthday... is it?"

A soft laugh echoed through the room, light and amused, as Chee responded. "Even your own birthday escapes you?"

Pavan groaned, pushing himself up from the bed. "Chee, just tell me what's going on!"

But the voice had gone silent, leaving him with nothing but his own questions. Realizing he wouldn't get an answer, Pavan sighed in frustration and swung his legs out of bed, standing up. He grabbed a black shirt and grey shorts from the floor and pulled them on as he made his way downstairs.

Scene Shift: The Dining Hall
The smell of breakfast greeted Pavan as he entered the dining hall. The room was warm and filled with the familiar sounds of family life. His father, Laxman Singh, sat at the head of the table, quietly reading the news from a holographic display that hovered in front of him. Pooja, Pavan’s 14-year-old sister, was focused intently on her tablet, barely glancing up as her older brother entered the room.

At the far end of the table sat Govind, already halfway through his breakfast, his sharp eyes following Pavan as he took his seat.

Pavan began eating quietly, though his thoughts were still swirling with the mystery of the day. As he absentmindedly chewed his food, a faint sound drifted through the air—the soft, rhythmic jingling of anklets.

He froze, his ears pricking at the sound. Slowly, he turned toward the kitchen, his heart skipping a beat.

Chee appeared from the doorway, moving with an elegance that seemed almost otherworldly. Her long golden hair cascaded down her back, shimmering in the morning light like threads of sunlight. Her green eyes, bright and piercing, met Pavan's gaze as she walked toward him, a glass of milk held in her delicate hands.

Her attire was a blend of the ancient and the futuristic—a sleek black blouse that clung to her slim frame, paired with a golden lehenga that flowed around her feet like liquid silk. Atop her head sat a crown of advanced technology, its circuits glowing faintly, a symbol of her unique nature.

Pavan’s breath caught in his throat as he watched her approach, mesmerized by her presence. She stopped in front of him, a playful smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

"Have you had your fill of staring?" Chee’s voice was teasing, her emerald eyes sparkling with amusement. "Now, drink this milk."

Flustered, Pavan quickly took the glass from her, his face flushed with embarrassment. He could feel his heart racing in his chest as he brought the glass to his lips, his eyes never leaving hers.

Just as he began to sip, his mother, Maya Singh, walked into the room, her face alight with excitement.

"Pavan!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with pride. "You’ve been accepted into Triveni!"

The words hit him like a thunderbolt. Pavan choked on his milk, sputtering in shock. "What?!"

The entire family turned to look at him, their expressions ranging from amusement to confusion. Pavan’s heart pounded in his chest, a mixture of disbelief and dread swelling within him. He hadn’t written a single word on the entrance exam. How could he have possibly been accepted into Triveni University, the most prestigious academy in all of Uri?

As the family celebrated, Pavan cast a suspicious glance toward Chee, who stood by his side, her expression unreadable.

"Did you have something to do with this?" he asked her silently, his thoughts reaching out to her through their bond.

Chee’s gaze met his, and for a moment, she said nothing. Then, with a faint smile, she responded, "Do you truly believe I could alter the results of your exam, Pavan?"

Her voice was soft, yet the question hung in the air like a challenge. Pavan’s mind raced. Triveni was a place of legends, where the brightest minds of the world came to study the intersections of science, magic, history, and combat. It was a place for the elite. How could he have passed?

Scene Shift: Pavan’s Room
Back in the solitude of his room, Pavan sat on the edge of his bed, staring out the window at the village beyond. His mind churned with questions, but none more pressing than the one that lingered in the air between him and Chee.

A shimmer of light danced in the corner of his vision, and Chee materialized before him, her form as ethereal as ever. She moved silently, her golden hair catching the soft light of the room, her eyes filled with understanding.

Without a word, she crossed the room and placed her hands gently on his head, pulling him close to her. Pavan’s heart raced as she held him against her waist, the warmth of her touch soothing the turmoil in his mind.

"Are you really so sad about going to Triveni?" Chee whispered, her voice tender. "I saw how happy your parents were when they found out. Don’t you want to make them proud?"

Pavan closed his eyes, his thoughts unraveling in the quiet embrace. "It’s not Triveni that I’m worried about," he murmured. "It’s leaving them behind... leaving you behind. I don’t want to be alone."

Chee knelt down, lifting his face so their eyes met. Her gaze was filled with warmth, her smile gentle. "You won’t be alone, Pavan. I’ll be with you—always. No matter where you go, whether it’s Triveni or the farthest reaches of the universe, I’ll be by your side."

Her words wrapped around him like a blanket, soothing his fears. He looked into her eyes, searching for certainty. "Promise?"

Chee smiled, her voice soft but unyielding. "I promise. We’ll go together, forever."

Chapter end