He pauses for a brief moment, his eyes narrowing slightly as thoughts swirl within him. Although the truth about his real identity still remains hidden, there's trust in the decision that kept it secret. He chooses to respect that choice—for now
In the next scene, Kartik begins to explore the hidden place. It's full of new sights and sounds—buzzing lights, faint echoes, and the distant hum of something unfamiliar. He looks around with curiosity, noticing every corner and detail. For him, this place isn't just new; it's exciting and mysterious, like stepping into a world he's never imagined before.
He's still looking around when he suddenly notices that several people have been there for quite some time. Some sit quietly in corners, their faces tired yet calm, while others whisper small prayers under their breath. The faint murmur of hope fills the air. Kartik watches them silently, realizing that everyone here is waiting—for the storm to end, for the darkness to lift, and for peace to return.
Kartik couldn't stop thinking. "I don't understand what's happening in this world," he thought to himself. "Why are the people here in such a state? What could have caused so much suffering?" His mind kept circling the same questions, trying to make sense of the chaos around him.
Just then, something soft brushed against his ear. Before he could react, a small creature—something like a cat, but not quite—gently nipped his ear and climbed onto his shoulder. Startled at first, Kartik froze. But the little creature didn't seem threatening at all; instead, it sat comfortably, its tail curling around his neck as if it had found its favorite spot.
A voice came from nearby. "Wow," a girl said in surprise, walking closer. "I'm honestly shocked to see her sit on your shoulder like that. She never does that with anyone!"
The girl's name was Lyra—her tone calm yet filled with genuine amazement as she looked at Kartik and the creature on his shoulder
Lyra smiled softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Hello," she said warmly. "My name is Lyra, and this little one here is Novi." The small creature twitched its ears as if responding to its name, letting out a gentle purr-like sound.
Novi then rubbed its tiny head against Kartik's cheek, making him chuckle despite himself. Its fur felt warm and oddly comforting, almost as if it carried a strange kind of energy. Lyra noticed the way Kartik reacted and smiled even wider, clearly amused by how quickly Novi had taken a liking to him.
Then Lyra tilted her head slightly, curiosity flashing in her eyes. "And you? Who are you? I've never seen you around here before."
Kartik smiled lightly, scratching the back of his neck. "Me? My name's Kartik," he said with a small laugh. "And yeah, of course you wouldn't have seen me before. It's… well, a long story," he added, glancing away for a moment. "Maybe I'll tell you someday."
He paused for a second, his eyes drifting around as if recalling the path that brought him there. "As for how I ended up here—I came this far with Ira."
Lyra's eyes widened a little as she heard the name. "Ohh…" she said slowly, surprise flashing across her face. "So you're with Ira di! She's my elder sister. I always knew she had someone close to her, but she never really talked about you."
She smiled softly, a mix of curiosity and excitement showing in her expression as she looked at Kartik.
Kartik looked at her in surprise. "Wait—what? You're Ira's younger sister?" he said, almost in shock. "I didn't even know she had one." He paused for a moment, then added quickly, "And for the record, I'm not her boyfriend."
Lyra blinked a few times, clearly caught off guard by his reaction. "Oh—really?" she asked, a little embarrassed. "I just assumed… the way you said her name, it sounded kind of close."
Kartik let out a small sigh, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, I get that a lot," he said with a faint smile. "But no, it's not like that. We've just… been through a lot together."
Lyra nodded slowly, her curiosity only growing stronger. "Hmm," she murmured, glancing at him thoughtfully, "that sounds like a story I'd like to hear someday."
Kartik shrugged lightly. "We've only known each other for a short time," he said, his tone calm but thoughtful.
Before Lyra could respond, a cheerful voice called out from behind. "Hey, what's going on here, Lyra?"
They both turned around to see a tall guy walking toward them with an easy smile on his face. "Looks like you've made a new friend," he teased lightly.
Lyra rolled her eyes with a small laugh. "Oh, come on, Rayan. You always show up at the most random times."
Lyra sighed lightly, then gestured toward Kartik. "Anyway, Rayan, this is Kartik," she said. "He just got here not long ago."
Rayan gave a short nod, his curious eyes scanning Kartik as if trying to figure him out. "Kartik, huh? Nice to meet you," he said casually, his voice carrying a hint of friendly confidence.
Kartik returned the nod. "Nice to meet you too," he replied politely.
For a moment, none of them spoke. Novi let out a small sound, breaking the silence as it hopped down from Kartik's shoulder and circled around Rayan's feet. Lyra smiled at the sight, the atmosphere instantly turning a little lighter.
Just then, Rayan chuckled, watching Novi circle around. "Wait a second," he said, pointing at the little Sera. "This can't be the same Novi, right? She scratches me every single time I go near her! And now look at this—first meeting with Kartik and she's already sitting on his shoulder like they're best friends."
Lyra laughed softly, shaking her head. "I know, right? Honestly, I was shocked too. Novi never sits on anyone's shoulder except my sister's. Seeing her this comfortable with Kartik is… kind of unbelievable."
The laughter between them hadn't even settled when a familiar voice echoed from behind—deep, calm, and just a little intimidating.
"Lyra. Rayan."
They froze instantly. Ira stood a few steps away, arms crossed, her expression unreadable. "Have you two submitted your reports yet," she said slowly, "or are you both just too busy chatting here so freely?"
Her tone wasn't harsh, but it carried that subtle weight that made both Lyra and Rayan's smiles vanish in a split second. Inside their heads, the same thought flashed—
"We're doomed."
And the next second, both of them started running toward the HQ office in a cartoonish hurry, arms flailing as they spoke at the same time, "We'll get it done right now!"
Kartik stood frozen for a moment, completely thrown off by the sudden chaos. He watched them sprint off like characters from a comedy sketch and then glanced back at Ira. She was still standing there, her lips pressed together—clearly trying not to laugh.
Finally, a faint smile broke through her stern expression as she muttered under her breath, "Some things never change."
Kartik couldn't help but smile too, realizing he was definitely surrounded by quite an interesting bunch.
Kartik turned toward Ira, still half-smiling from what just happened. "I didn't know you had a younger sister," he said, sounding genuinely surprised. "And that guy—Rayan, was it? I couldn't really figure out who he is."
He spoke casually, but there was clear curiosity in his tone, as if he wanted to understand a little more about the people around her.
Ira let out a small sigh, her tone softening a little. "She's my younger sister—Lyra," she said. "And Rayan… well, you could probably call him her bodyguard. His father once served as the Senapati of our kingdom."
For a moment, her voice carried a trace of pride—but it quickly faded. "But after everything that happened… things fell apart," she continued quietly. "And that's why we're standing here now."
Kartik's eyes widened in shock, his voice rising before he could stop himself. "Whaaat…?! A kingdom? A Senapati? Wait—does that mean she's a princess?"
He stared at Ira in disbelief, trying to process what he'd just heard. The pieces suddenly began to fit together—the way people looked at Ira with respect, her calm authority, even Lyra's confidence.
Kartik somehow managed to steady himself, though his surprise was still clear on his face. "So… you're really the princess here?" he said, almost half to himself. "I never thought kingdoms and royalty could actually exist. I mean, even if this isn't the same world I came from—still, I didn't expect things like this to be real here either."
He gave a small, awkward laugh, scratching his head as he tried to wrap his mind around the reality in front of him.
Before Kartik could say anything, Ira spoke in a calm, steady voice.
"Yes," she said, "I'm the princess of this kingdom…"
She paused for a moment, her gaze turning distant. "But maybe… I'm not truly worthy of that title."
The words hung in the air—soft yet heavy. There was no pride in her tone, only a quiet ache that revealed how much she had endured. Even Kartik could sense the weight behind her calmness.
Kartik paused for a moment, looking at Ira's face. There was a mix of sadness and exhaustion in her eyes.
After a brief silence, he smiled faintly and said,
"I can understand… what it must have been like. Everything you went through — I probably can't even imagine."
Ira took a slow breath and gave a small, weary smile, as if a tiny part of her burden had just lifted.
Ira smiled lightly and said, "Anyway, Grandpa told me about you earlier, so I've already arranged a place for you to stay."
Kartik blinked, looking a bit surprised. "Wait a second… that master— hold on— you mean Master Naval is your grandfather?"
Ira laughed softly. "Ohh… oops, I totally forgot to mention that! Yes, he is my grandfather."
Both of them chuckled, and with that light-hearted mood, Kartik and Ira continued walking toward Kartik's room, teasing and joking along the way.
As they walked down the long corridor, Kartik glanced around and said jokingly,
"Wow, even the walls here look richer than me."
Ira laughed. "Of course they do. These walls are older than both of us combined — and definitely have more stories to tell."
Kartik smirked. "Yeah, well, I just hope they don't start talking at night."
Ira burst out laughing. "If they do, I'll make sure they only talk to you!"
Their laughter echoed through the hallway as they finally reached Kartik's room. Even though everything still felt strange and new to him, Kartik couldn't help but feel… oddly comfortable.
They walked into the area where only the basic facilities were set up. Kartik looked around quietly; nothing about the room felt strange to him. It looked simple, a little old maybe, but perfectly normal — nothing that hinted at the mysteries this place actually held.
Kartik had to spend his days there — or maybe just until he found a way out of this strange world.
Everything around him was new and unfamiliar, as if he had stepped into a completely different reality. He didn't know how long he would have to stay, but deep down, he knew one thing — until he found his way back, this world was all he had.
Kartik stood there for a moment, staring at the closed door. He let out a quiet sigh, his hand still halfway raised.
"Silver Moon, huh…" he murmured softly, the words lingering in the silence of the room.
He looked around again — the dim lights, the soft hum of the machines, and the faint warmth left in the air after Ira had gone. Somehow, it all felt a little less strange now.
With a small smile, he whispered to himself,
"Guess… this world isn't that bad after all."
And with that thought, he finally sat down to rest.
When Kartik was finally alone in the room, he lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
"Whatever it is," he murmured to himself, "my arrival here wasn't exactly… pleasant. But still, this world is incredible."
He smiled faintly, his voice softer now.
"I never imagined I'd end up sitting in a room like this — in an entirely different world."
With a small sigh, Kartik sat up on the bed, running a hand through his hair as the reality of his situation slowly sank in.
As Kartik sat there thinking, another thought crossed his mind.
"Who were those people?" he muttered to himself. "Their energy felt so intense that I could barely even move. Even Ira went completely silent… like she wasn't even there."
He frowned slightly, pacing slowly around the room with his hand resting on his chin.
"There's something going on in this world — something I still don't understand. I need to find out what it is… and soon."
With that thought still spinning in his head, Kartik finally lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling as his mind drifted deeper into questions he couldn't yet answer.
Before he knew it, his eyes began to grow heavy. The soft light in the room flickered gently, and his thoughts started to fade away one by one. It wasn't even seven yet, but the exhaustion of the day finally caught up to him. Within moments, Kartik drifted into a quiet, unplanned sleep.
Kartik heard a distant voice calling his name.
"Kartik… hey, Kartik! Wake up already!"
His eyes blinked open — and the first thing he saw was Lyra's face way too close to his.
Startled, he flinched back instantly.
"Whoa! What are you doing this close? You scared me!"
Lyra crossed her arms and huffed. "Oh, please! I've been trying to wake you up for five minutes. It's already seven — you're going to miss the Silver Moon!"
Kartik rubbed his eyes, half-embarrassed, half-amused. "Yeah, yeah… next time, maybe use words, not a jump scare."
Lyra rolled her eyes dramatically. "Oh, come on! I barely touched you, and you act like I attacked you in your sleep."
Kartik sat up, yawning. "Yeah, well, when I wake up and see someone's face two inches away, it's kind of alarming."
She smirked. "Relax, drama king. I was just making sure you were alive. You sleep like a rock!"
Kartik chuckled. "Maybe because I didn't expect a morning inspection team."
Lyra laughed, shaking her head. "You're impossible. Now get up — everyone's already in the hallway. Don't tell me the mighty traveler from another world is scared of being late!"
Kartik stretched his arms with a tired grin. "I'm not scared… just trying to survive your wake-up methods."
"Come on, hurry up already!" Lyra said, walking ahead with her usual energy.
Kartik followed beside her, still half lost in thought. After a moment, he asked curiously,
"Hey Lyra, tell me something… what's so special about this 'Silver Moon' anyway?"
Lyra turned to him with a faint smile. "Ah, I forgot — you wouldn't know. Let me explain."
"The Silver Moon," she began, her voice softer now, "is what we consider our divine spirit — our goddess, Chaaya. Some even call this night Chaaya's Night."
Kartik listened quietly as Lyra continued, her tone carrying a hint of reverence.
"They say that on this night, whatever you wish for under the Silver Moon's light… Chaaya will grant it. And if you call upon her during your hardest times, she will come to you — or send one of her chosen apprentices in her place."
Lyra's eyes shimmered faintly under the soft glow of the corridor lights as she spoke, and for a moment, Kartik could feel that this night truly meant something beyond just stories.
And talking about all these things, the two of them finally reached the hall.
The air there felt a little different — calm yet filled with a quiet excitement, as if the place itself was waiting for something extraordinary to begin.
As they reached the hall, Lyra waved her hand excitedly and called out,
"Didi! We're here — and I even brought this sleepyhead along!"
Kartik frowned playfully. "Hey! I'm not some sleepyhead, alright? Get that straight!"
Lyra just grinned, placing her hand behind her head with a teasing smile 😜 and walked ahead, pretending not to hear him.
Just then, Rayan walked up to Kartik with a grin.
"So, how are you, man? I hope you're not tired anymore," he said cheerfully.
Kartik smiled back. "Yeah, I'm feeling much better now."
The hallway was crowded — everyone was chatting, laughing, and moving around, the air buzzing with energy. But the moment Master Naval entered, the entire crowd suddenly fell silent.
The cheerful noise faded instantly, replaced by a calm, respectful stillness that filled the hall.
Master Naval stepped forward, his calm yet commanding voice echoing through the silent hall.
"My people," he began, "tonight is not just another night — it is the Night of the Silver Moon. A night of balance, of light and shadow, when Chaaya watches over every soul in this world."
He paused for a moment, his eyes scanning the crowd. "Each of you carries a story — a purpose. And though our paths may differ, the Silver Moon unites us under one light. Remember, faith is not in waiting for miracles, but in standing strong until they come."
A faint, warm smile appeared on his face. "So, as the Silver Moon rises tonight… let your hearts be steady, and your spirits unshaken."
The hall remained silent for a few seconds before soft murmurs of respect and admiration filled the air again.
After finishing his short speech, Master Naval took a gentle breath and looked around once more.
"Alright, everyone," he said calmly, his voice steady but kind. "It's almost time. Let's head out before the Silver Moon rises completely. We shouldn't keep Chaaya waiting."
With that, he turned and began walking toward the grand exit of the hall. The others quietly followed — their footsteps echoing softly against the stone floor, a mix of excitement and quiet reverence in the air.
Lyra glanced at Kartik with a grin. "Come on, sleepyhead, it's time for the fun part."
Kartik rolled his eyes but smiled, falling into step beside her as the group moved toward the open ground.
Master Naval's words hung in the air for a moment before he finally said,
"Alright, everyone… it's time. Prepare yourselves — we move as the Silver Moon rises. Chaaya doesn't wait for anyone."
A faint stir passed through the crowd. The great doors ahead creaked slightly, silver light seeping through the narrow gap.
Lyra turned to Kartik with her usual grin. "Ready for the fun part?" she whispered.
Kartik looked toward the half-opened doors, the strange silver glow reflecting in his eyes. "I don't know about fun," he muttered, "but… something tells me it's going to be big."
The soft hum of wind swept through the hallway.
Master Naval raised his hand — a silent signal.
And just as the doors began to open wider, the light spilling further in—
the scene faded.
The night of Chaaya was only a step away. 🌙