Morning came slowly.
The sky was pale blue, and thin clouds drifted quietly, as if the storm had never existed. But the land below told another story. Mud covered everything. Broken trees lay scattered like fallen soldiers. Pieces of homes, boats, and tools were half buried in wet earth.
Ganesh stood on a small rise and looked over what remained of the valley.
The flood was truly over.
But the world it had left behind was wounded.
Nearby, Aneet was already awake, helping people gather around the small fires they had kept alive through the night. Keral carried heavy pieces of wood to strengthen a weak shelter.
People moved slowly. Some were still in shock. Others looked around with quiet sadness. But all of them were alive.
That alone felt like a miracle.
Ganesh walked down to them.
Aneet saw him and said, "The water has gone down a lot during the night. By afternoon, the ground should be firm enough to walk on safely."
Ganesh nodded. "That's good. They'll need to start rebuilding soon."
A man stepped forward. His clothes were torn, his face tired. "What should we do first?" he asked. "We have nothing left."
Ganesh answered calmly, "First, stay together. Build simple shelters. Then look for food and tools in the debris. Don't rush. The ground is still dangerous."
Aneet added, "The injured should rest. The strong can search. And no one goes alone."
They listened.
After everything they had seen, these people trusted them.
They spent the morning working side by side with the survivors.
Ganesh lifted fallen beams, moving them out of paths and away from shelters. When the mud was too deep, he pressed his foot down firmly, making the ground just solid enough for others to pass.
Keral used his strength to drag heavy logs and stones. His hands were scratched and muddy, but he didn't stop.
"I used to break things for a living," he said with a grim smile. "Feels better to build instead."
Aneet organized everyone into small groups. She spoke clearly and simply, making sure each person knew what to do.
"You three search near the trees. You two stay here and help the injured. Bring anything useful you find — rope, cloth, tools, food."
People followed her without hesitation.
By midday, they had found some sacks of grain, a few cooking pots, and pieces of cloth that could be used as blankets or bandages.
It wasn't much.
But it was enough to begin again.
Later, Ganesh walked a little distance away and stood alone, looking across the wide, wet land.
Where villages once stood, there was now only open mud and scattered ruins.
Aneet came to stand beside him.
"You're thinking about how much was lost," she said.
"Yes," Ganesh replied. "So many homes. So many lives. It feels wrong to move forward when so much is gone."
Aneet answered simply, "If they don't move forward, then everything they survived will be wasted."
Ganesh looked at her and nodded. "You're right."
They stood in silence for a moment, listening to the distant sounds of people working.
In the afternoon, more survivors were found.
One group had taken shelter in the remains of a stone building that had not fully collapsed. Another family was stuck in thick mud, too weak to free themselves.
Ganesh and Keral pulled them out, while Aneet comforted the frightened children.
Each rescue brought quiet relief.
But there were also places where no one remained.
Ganesh bowed his head each time they found only silence.
"This is the price," he said softly to Aneet. "Even when we do everything we can."
She nodded. "Yes. But it's not a reason to stop trying."
As the sun began to lower, they gathered everyone again.
About fifty people now stood together — tired, muddy, but alive.
Ganesh spoke first.
"The flood is gone, but rebuilding will take time. You must help each other. Share what you find. Do not fight over land or things. Life is more important than anything you lost."
Aneet said, "If you stay united, you will survive. If you divide, you will only suffer more."
Keral added, "You already proved your strength on the mountain. Remember that."
An old man stepped forward. "Will you stay with us?"
Ganesh shook his head gently. "No. Our road is elsewhere. But you don't need us anymore. You know what to do."
Some looked disappointed. Others understood.
A woman said, "We will remember what you did for us."
Ganesh smiled softly. "You don't have to remember us. Just live well. That's enough."
As evening came, Ganesh, Aneet, and Keral prepared to leave.
People came to thank them. One man offered a small bundle of dried grain. Aneet accepted it so as not to offend him.
A little girl ran to Aneet and hugged her legs. "Please don't go," she said.
Aneet knelt and held her gently. "You are strong," she said. "And your people are strong too. You will be okay."
The girl nodded slowly, wiping her eyes.
Ganesh placed a hand on Keral's shoulder. "Ready?"
Keral looked back at the people once, then nodded. "Yes. Let's walk."
They walked away as the sky turned orange and gold.
Behind them, the survivors were already rebuilding small shelters and lighting new fires.
Ahead of them, the land stretched wide and empty.
Aneet broke the silence. "This world will grow again."
Ganesh replied, "And one day, no one will remember the flood."
Keral said, "But you will."
Ganesh shook his head. "We will."
They continued walking.
Not as saviors.
Not as heroes.
Just as travelers on a long road through Satya Yuga.
A road that was only beginning.