The corridor fell silent after Aishwarya's slap, the sound still echoing faintly against the stone walls. Lioran stared up at her, stunned, tears still clinging to the corners of his eyes. His remaining hand trembled against the floor.
Aishwarya didn't look angry—
She looked heartbroken.
"What are you saying…?" she whispered, voice cracking. "How can you say something like that? "
Her fists shook. She took a step closer, grabbed Lioran by the collar, pulling him up slightly despite his weakened state.
"It was our choice to stand with you," she said, crying openly now. "Because you are our friend. How dare you think of pushing us away without even considering how we feel!"
"Aishwarya…" Shourya began.
She didn't look at him.
"Gramps, please don't interfere," she said, her voice sharp with emotion.
Shourya fell silent immediately.
Aishwarya focused back on Lioran, her tears falling onto his shoulder.
"I never had any friends," she said softly. "Not because I didn't want any… but because I believed friendship was useless. That no one could ever matter to me."
Lioran's eyes widened faintly.
"But I was wrong," she continued. "Having friends means trusting someone with your heart. It means standing with them. Their happiness becomes your happiness… their pain becomes your pain."
Lioran lowered his head.
"So don't you dare say we should stay away," she whispered. "We chose to fight by your side. And it hurts us more than anything that we couldn't help you."
Sharin stepped closer, placing a hand on Aishwarya's shoulder.
"We're not weak because of you," he said gently. "If anyone is to blame for our weakness… it's ourselves. Not you. Never you."
Lioran's lips trembled.
"I'm… I'm sorry," he whispered.
Aishwarya released his collar and wiped her cheeks. "Just don't say something so stupid again."
Lioran nodded weakly.
Then he struggled to his feet, swaying slightly.
"Master," he said hoarsely, turning to Shourya. "Can I… go home for a while? I think I need some rest."
Shourya studied him quietly, then nodded.
"Yes. Go. Spend time with your family. Your spirit needs healing as much as your body."
"Thank you," Lioran murmured.
Before he could take another step—
FWOOOOSH—
A soft ripple cut through the hallway.
Skanda appeared behind them, stepping out from a swirl of distorted space. His cloak flickered, his mask glinting.
"Before you go anywhere," Skanda said, "we need to address something important—your missing arm."
Lioran blinked. "You… saved us. Who exactly are you?"
Skanda tilted his head. "Ah. I never introduced myself properly."
He placed a hand on his chest.
"My name is Skanda. And yes, I am your senior."
"Senior?!" Lioran repeated.
Aishwarya nodded. "He trained under Gramps before us. And he's almost as strong as gramps himself."
Lioran managed a faint smile. "Yeah… I saw the fight. You're incredible."
Skanda waved casually. "Flattery later. First—your arm."
"What are you going to do?" Lioran asked, confused.
Skanda smirked as he placed a hand on Lioran's shoulder.
"Come with me."
He took him to the operation room.
A few minutes later, the door opened.
Lioran stepped out slowly.
Everyone gasped.
Shourya's eyes widened. "Skanda… what did you do?"
His missing arm…
had been replaced.
A perfectly crafted artificial arm, gleaming faintly, shaped with sleek contours and subtle Prāṇa lines.
"I used Pranil material to forge a new one for him," Skanda said calmly.
Sharin blinked. "Pranil?"
Aishwarya answered instantly. "It's the hardest material in the world. Only those who can control Prāṇa can shape it."
Shourya added, "And Pranil contains enormous Prāṇa reserves."
Lioran stared at the new limb, slowly flexing the fingers. They moved smoothly—almost naturally.
"It feels… unreal," he whispered.
Shourya turned sharply toward Skanda. "Are you sure you should use Pranil? That material is—"
"Worth millions per gram," Aishwarya finished.
Sharin's jaw dropped. "WHAT?! Millions?! For one gram?!"
Skanda shrugged. "Relax. He's the hope of this world. I think it's worth the investment."
Before anyone could respond, Skanda placed his hand on the artificial limb. A soft glow spread across it.
The metal faded—
and transformed.
Turning into the exact shade and texture of Lioran's skin.
Lioran's eyes widened. "It… looks real."
"Now no one will notice unless you tell them," Skanda said with a satisfied nod.
Lioran bowed deeply. "Thank you… Skanda. Truly."
"No problem," Skanda said lightly. "Just don't lose this one too."
Lioran coughed awkwardly. "I'll… try not to."
Shourya stepped forward. "You three have suffered deeply. You all get a week's holiday. Go home. Rest."
Lioran, Sharin, and Aishwarya bowed.
"Thank you, Master," they said together.
Meanwhile in the Narvan world.
The sky was black.
The ground was dead.
Toxic mist rose from cracks in the earth, swirling beneath the towering silhouette of a fortress forged from bone and shadow.
Inside, the air trembled with fear.
A group of Narvans knelt before their king, waiting to deliver their report. Their bodies shook violently, knowing that even a misstep could cost them their lives.
The throne room was silent—
until massive footsteps echoed.
THOOM… THOOM…
The Narvan King entered.
A towering figure of twisted flesh and glowing crimson veins.
Its presence alone made the weaker Narvans collapse.
"Report," the king's voice rumbled, deep as thunder.
One Narvan stepped forward, shaking uncontrollably.
"F-Forgive us, My Lord… Preparations for the ritual are proceeding well. W-We have completed 15 percent…"
"Hm."
The king gave a slow, rumbling nod.
"And…?" he prompted.
The Narvan swallowed hard.
"M-Michdi is dead, My Lord."
The king's eyes narrowed.
The soldier fell to his knees instantly.
"B-But—" it stammered, "before dying… Michdi inflicted heavy injuries upon Vaelion's heir. He… even cut off his arm…"
Silence.
Then—
The king smiled.
A horrific, jagged smile that stretched far too wide.
A deep, booming laugh erupted from him.
GYAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
The entire fortress shook with the sound.
"It has begun…" the king said, voice dripping with venomous delight. "The heir of Vaelion will suffer many losses before this war ends."
His eyes gleamed with murderous hunger.
Back in the real world.
Lioran stood outside his home, staring at the familiar wooden door.
His heart pounded.
He raised his new artificial hand to knock—but hesitated.
His breath trembled.
Before he could knock it.
CREAK—
The door opened.
A girl stepped out.
His sister.
She froze when she saw him.
Lioran froze too.
For a moment, neither spoke—
just stared at each other.
Two siblings, reunited after a nightmare…
standing face to face at last.
TO BE CONTINUED…