Humankind became so deeply trapped in the obsession with modernization that, driven mad in pursuit of science, it continued destroying nature. Believing itself to be the creator and rightful ruler of the Earth, humanity kept pushing everything toward destruction.
Today, even the most basic necessities of life—such as clean air, water, and food—have become difficult to obtain, forcing people to depend entirely on scientific research for survival. Humans, having become dependent on science, were gradually losing their natural abilities. Evolution itself was now leading them toward a life of complete dependency. The physical and mental capabilities humans once possessed thousands of years ago had been erased by this excessive scientific advancement.
This decline was accelerated further by an incident that occurred ten years earlier. That event gave humanity the final push toward total destruction of both nature and human values, drowning people completely in arrogance.
Even then, there were a few isolated regions that remained connected to nature.
One such region was the village of Ansh and Sapna, called Lilichhaya. True to its name, the village was blessed by nature, as though it were being raised in nature's own lap. Along with a few nearby villages, it was protected on all sides by natural boundaries. To the west lay a region not hostile to human life, beyond which stood the icy mountain range of Devgiri. To the north, from these frozen mountains, flowed the vast river Urmi, approximately two kilometers wide. To the east lay a dense forest ending in a deep valley, and to the south stood another mountain range known as Dharani-Mekhla.
The village was surrounded by greenery and waterfalls. Humans lived harmoniously alongside animals and birds. The nearby villages shared a similar way of life. Their homes were simple, with open courtyards and spaces beside them for domesticated animals such as cows, buffaloes, dogs, and horses—relationships that felt more like family bonds than ownership.
The village had a population of around 4,000–5,000 people, making it the most populated settlement in the surrounding region.
Just as nature bestows beauty, it also harbors destructive forces. Over the past ten years, dangerous creatures had begun appearing. One such creature was the Pakra—a four-legged beast that usually walked on all fours but could stand upright on two legs when needed. It had wings and could fly. Its size was roughly two to three times that of a human. It could not speak, but possessed a secret language made of sounds.
Its habitat lay to the west. During winter, it entered long hibernation, and with the onset of summer, it hunted mostly during the day, though sightings at night were also common. With the arrival of the rainy season, their hunting stopped again. These creatures hunted humans as well as animals and birds, often breaking into homes.
In the early years of this calamity, there was heavy loss of life. Eventually, humans adapted. They dug tunnels 10–15 feet underground and built home-like structures below the surface. Separate homes were connected by underground pathways. People stayed underground during the day and emerged at night to carry out essential tasks and gather supplies. Even domesticated animals were kept underground.
However, every year, more than half of these structures had to be rebuilt, as natural disasters caused ground tremors that collapsed tunnels or flooded them with water. Life continued in this way for three to four months at a time.
During the early attempts, Ansh once fell into a natural tunnel so deep it seemed endless, as if it led to the underworld. Many rescue plans failed, and eventually everyone gave up hope. But near the end of winter, a natural spring burst forth, and Ansh was found alive.
Such was the land and the life of this region. Ten years earlier, the collapse of a bridge had permanently cut off contact with the outside world. Although there were small, extremely dangerous paths, the modernized external world still could not access this region easily. Many attempts were made, often resulting in great losses. Occasionally, fragments from the outside world reached this side—ranging from advanced technology to living beings.
Despite creating many weapons, strategies, and defenses, humans were still not capable of fully confronting these threats. In the process, many warriors were lost.
Modern devices were used sparingly here, yet their scientific knowledge rivaled that of the outside world. One reason for this was Yug's close friend—also Vrusha's father—who had settled here during that incident. He was one of the key reasons people began living underground.
Examples of modernization included personal flying machines, protective armor against various attacks, and numerous advanced weapons. There were also machines and robots designed to train warriors to fight modern weapons and simulate battle experience.
All of this was part of the Gurukul system, which taught not only harmony with nature but also an understanding of science.
Thus stood the village—with a Gurukul at its heart, and to the south, Mount Asuri, which formed a natural boundary with the neighboring region.
In this environment, Ansh and Sapna grew up alongside their friends.