The room fell into a deep, almost sacred silence. Prabhas and Ramakanth sat glued to the glowing screen, their eyes wide, their breaths shallow. What they saw wasn't just an ancient vision, it was their own reflections looking back at them from another time. The heavenly prince and the queen in the vision carried the same faces as theirs.
Ramakanth's fingers trembled slightly. "Prabhas… they look exactly like us," he whispered. Prabhas could only nod. A strange current passed through his veins, something between awe and dread. He could feel the echo of another life awakening within him. The vision shifted. A majestic hall shimmered into focus, tall columns carved from glowing celestial stones, flowing golden drapes, and a sky that was neither day nor night but something beautifully eternal. Upon the throne, the Heavenly King rose and slowly approached his son, the prince.
"My son," his voice carried the weight of ages, yet it was soft like a breeze brushing over a calm lake. "You must speak on my behalf to the King of Beasts, the Dragon Emperor. Convince him to accept the treaty. We must avoid war at any cost." The prince bowed low. "I will do as you command, Father."
The king placed a hand upon his son's shoulder. "If you succeed, I will give you one more task. This will shape the destiny of both realms." The next dawn was painted in streaks of crimson and gold as the heavenly prince descended toward the Dragon Realm, the world of beasts. The transition between the two worlds was like crossing through a river of stars. As he landed, the air turned warmer, heavier, infused with the scent of molten stone and ancient power.
The Beast Palace was different from the heavenly palace, less ethereal but no less breathtaking. Black stone spires rose into the sky, entwined with veins of glowing red magma. The throne room itself was a cavernous wonder, and at the far end sat the Dragon Emperor on a throne etched with the image of a griffin and a dragon.
The emperor was a tall, broad-shouldered figure draped in a robe of black and crimson. His silver hair was long, tied back, and his eyes burned like embers in the night. Though his age seemed between fifty and sixty, his presence was that of a timeless warrior. The heavenly prince stepped forward, bowing with grace. He held out a scroll with golden ribbons. "Your Majesty, I bring a message of peace from the Heavenly Throne."
The Dragon Emperor unfurled the scroll, his sharp gaze scanning the words. "Peace…" he murmured. "It is a noble word." He lifted his gaze to the prince. "But I am not the one who decides war or peace. That power lies with the Phoenix, the God of War. He is young like you, but his temper is sharp, his pride unyielding. If he approves, then the war shall be avoided."
The prince inclined his head. "Then I shall speak to him." The emperor signaled a soldier. "Take him to the Phoenix Palace."The Phoenix Palace was breathtaking, a fusion of elegance and fire. Its walls shimmered like molten gold, and the air vibrated with energy. As they approached the inner courtyard, the prince saw him, the Phoenix Prince, seated on a garden lawn of blood-red roses, sipping tea calmly.
He looked regal, his posture proud, his body built like that of a seasoned warrior. He wore a crimson robe threaded with gold, and beside him rested a sword wreathed in living flames. The phoenix bird, his symbol, was perched on a nearby stand. Legend said phoenixes were born of fire and reborn through their own ashes. They were creatures of war and rebirth, embodying both destruction and hope.
The soldier whispered, "Wait here," and entered the courtyard to announce the heavenly prince's arrival. The Phoenix Prince listened to the soldier, then gave a sharp smile. "Tell the heavenly prince… I will only accept the treaty if he proves himself in battle. A friendly duel. If he wins,or proves himself worthy, the peace shall be sealed." The soldier bowed and returned with the message. For a moment, the heavenly prince's pride stung. A duel before even speaking? How arrogant. But he held back his temper. Peace was more important than his ego. He nodded slowly. "Inform him I accept."
The soldier's lips twitched in a hint of surprise. Few dared to fight the Phoenix Prince. "As you wish." But the prince was not allowed to see his opponent until the day of the duel. Back in the heavens, the prince stood on the highest peak of the Celestial Valley, gazing down upon the Earth. The seasons below were in chaos, summer bleeding into winter within a day, storms raging across oceans, drought swallowing green lands.
His father's voice echoed in his mind, "Balance the world, my son. Until the duel is set, this is your duty." Raising his hands, the prince whispered an ancient chant. Stars shifted subtly in the heavens. Winds moved. Tides calmed. For two days, he worked tirelessly to fix the seasonal imbalance, but the storms wouldn't fully settle.
Then, out of nowhere, a powerful gust of wind swirled through the valley. Flames rose, devouring the toxic mists that clung to the skies. The storm eased. The balance returned. The prince turned, startled. A man stood a few paces away, tall, handsome, wrapped in a cloak of red and silver. His hair danced in the wind, and his eyes glimmered like wildfire.
"I thought you might need help," the stranger said lightly. "Who are you?" the prince asked. "I am Drone, God of Seasons," the man replied with a charming smile. "And you?" The prince paused. He didn't want to reveal his identity yet. "Troy," he lied smoothly. "God of Fire and Wind." The drone extended a hand. "Then let's make the Earth stable together, Troy."
The two gods worked side by side. They redirected hurricanes, settled landslides, balanced tides, and soothed erupting volcanoes. Day turned into night, night into day. Their bond grew in those quiet moments between storms. When the Earth finally calmed, Drone poured two cups of celestial wine. "To balance," he toasted. "To peace," Troy replied with a grin. They clinked their glasses. And for the first time in a long while, the prince felt something unfamiliar, friendship. Days passed swiftly. Then came the message.
The duel was set. The location: the same Celestial Valley where they had once stood side by side.The rules: no armies, no emperors, no outside interference. Masks were to be worn so neither prince knew who the other was. The Phoenix Prince's pride demanded it; the Heavenly Prince accepted without hesitation.
When the day arrived, the valley was sealed with a magical barrier strong enough to hold back the destruction of two gods. The skies darkened, winds howled, and the first crack of thunder echoed like a war drum. The two princes faced each other, masks concealing their faces. Troy, the Phoenix Prince, drew his flaming sword, and the world around him rippled with heat. Drone, the Heavenly Prince, spread his hands, and the stars themselves seemed to hum in response. The battle began. Flames roared toward the sky as winds twisted like serpents. The earth cracked beneath their feet. Fire and starlight collided in midair, sending shockwave across the barrier. Neither gave in.
Troy lunged forward with blistering speed, his blade trailing arcs of fire. Drone deflected with a shield of celestial light, then countered with a blast of starwind. Troy spun, leaping above the blast and sending down a storm of flames. Drone summoned the moonlight to shield himself, then launched a burst of meteoric energy. Hours passed, though it felt like moments.
Both gods were evenly matched. The valley quaked under their might. Even the stars dimmed as if watching in awe. Finally, both warriors fell to their knees, exhausted. Their breaths came ragged, sweat and ash staining their robes. Slowly, almost in unison, they reached for their masks and tore them away.
Their eyes widened. "Troy…" Drone whispered. "Drone…" Troy's grin softened. "Well, this is unexpected." A quiet laugh escaped Drone's lips. "I can't believe we were trying to destroy each other." "Guess fate has a sense of humor," Troy replied. They sat on the cracked earth, breathing heavily, both realizing what this meant. Their friendship wasn't forged by titles but by trust. And now their true identities stood revealed:
Drone, the God of Day and Night, Keeper of Balance, Prince of Heaven.Troy, the God of War, Guardian of Fire and Wind, Prince of the Demon World. Drone spoke first. "I am the guardian of time and balance. I weave day and night, guide stars and planets, and guard the fragile line between order and chaos."
Troy leaned back, staring at the sky. "And I command the art of war. I shape armies, forge warriors, and decide when blood must not be spilled. I thought heaven's people were weak. That you'd hide behind treaties and prayers." He turned to Drone, his voice lowering. "But you're no coward." Drone smiled faintly. "And you're not just a warmonger." Troy let out a low chuckle. "You proved me wrong. That's rare." "So…" Drone extended a hand. "Shall we end this war before it begins?"
Troy stared at the hand for a long moment, then grasped it firmly. "Yes. Let's give our fathers the peace they want." In the celestial palace, when the treaty was finally signed between heaven, beast, and demon realms, the three thrones stood side by side. The Dragon Emperor looked proud. The Heavenly King nodded in quiet relief. And the Phoenix Prince, Troy, stood beside Drone, not as a rival but as an equal. A new era of balance began that day.
Back in the present, the glowing screen dimmed. Prabhas and Ramakanth remained frozen, hearts pounding, eyes wide. Ramakanth whispered, "This isn't just a story… is it?" Prabhas shook his head slowly. "No. It's our past." The air in the room was heavy with revelation.
Somewhere, beyond time and memory, the bond between Drone and Troy still echoed, two souls destined to meet, clash, and build peace again and again across lifetimes. The vision faded completely, leaving behind only silence and the faint of destiny awakening.