The image in the book shimmered. Ritika—young, radiant, hopeful—stood in Kaladarshi robes, smiling beside what looked like… Arjun's father?
Arjun's fingers trembled as he touched the page. The book hissed and dissolved into golden dust, scattering across the floating floor of the Library of Shadows.
"What is this…? Ritika was a Kaladarshi? My father knew her?"
The faceless librarian turned back and whispered again.
"In the first war, she was called Rivya. She was the first Kaladarshi and the last to fall…"
Arjun stepped backward.
"No, she's just a villain… she can't be a founder!"
The librarian held out a single black feather with glowing red veins pulsing inside it.
"This is her memory. You must see it. But beware—memory is not truth… only the path to it."
He inserted the feather into the Echo Drive, and the space around him shattered into memory.
---
Inside Ritika's Past (Rivya's Thread)
The world reformed—this time in a luminous timeline filled with gods and glowing constellations. The Kaladarshi, dressed in white and gold, stood in a circle. At the center stood Rivya, giving a speech to a young council.
"Time is not a weapon. It is a garden. We must never prune it for power."
The crowd applauded. Among them stood a younger version of Arjun's father—Sage Kayan, the most brilliant of the original five founders.
Later, Rivya walked into a sealed chamber, her face conflicted. She placed her hand over a sphere of glowing feathers—the Crown Core.
"They plan to rewrite fate… even kill the gods. I won't allow it."
Suddenly, the other Kaladarshi stormed in—led by Kayan.
"You're hesitating again, Rivya! Time must be sculpted or it will collapse."
"And who decides what collapses?" she snapped.
A battle erupted.
Rivya fought brilliantly but was overwhelmed. As she was struck down, she looked at Kayan one last time.
"I thought you were my friend…"
The memory froze.
---
Return to Present
Arjun collapsed, breathless. He gripped his chest—his heart pounding like a clock gone mad.
"Ritika… she's not evil. She was betrayed."
Suddenly, the library began shaking. Black vines of corrupted time pierced the floor.
"She's found you!" the librarian shouted.
Ritika's voice echoed across the hall like thunder:
"You opened the memory, didn't you? Good. Now you know why this war must never end."
Arjun pulled out his feather-blade, eyes steeled.
"Then I'll fight to finish it… for what you used to believe in."
---
Just before Arjun leapt through the next portal, the librarian called out.
"The father you remember is not the one who raised you."
Arjun froze.
"What do you mean…?"
The librarian removed its mask—revealing a scarred, older version of Arjun's father.
"Because I am Sage Kayan. And I didn't raise you… he did."
A shadowy silhouette formed behind Arjun—wearing his father's face… but with crimson eyes glowing with corrupted time.