Chapter 8 Around the world
"Finally," Nitya said, her eyes already scanning the rows of food stalls "Now this is important training."
Rudra sighed quietly "For you, everything becomes about food."
Karn only smiled.
They walked past smaller stalls and crowded eateries until they reached one of the most well-known establishments in the district—a grand building, its entrance adorned with intricate carvings and soft glowing lights.
A place reserved for those of status or those who could afford it. As soon as they stepped inside, the atmosphere shifted again.
Elegant.
Refined.
A waitress approached them immediately, her posture respectful, her expression bright with recognition.
"Welcome, young masters… young lady," she said with a polite bow.
It was clear she already knew who they were.
In Aryavarta, names like Rudra and Karn—especially as sons of prominent figures—did not go unnoticed. And Nitya's reputation… spoke for itself.
Rudra nodded calmly and said "We'll take a private room."
"Of course," she replied without hesitation.
Moments later, they were led through a quiet corridor into a secluded dining chamber. The noise of the outside world faded behind closed doors, replaced by a calm, warm silence.
A low table awaited them, already prepared.
Nitya sat first.
"Order everything," she said immediately.
Karn closed his eyes briefly. "This is going to hurt."
Rudra chuckled softly as he took his seat.
Amidst this, Deep within the capital of the Aryavarta Federation—Pataliputra—stood a structure unlike any other.
It rose above the surrounding city like a silent guardian, its vast walls carved with ancient inscriptions that pulsed faintly with prana. These were not mere decorations. Each symbol held purpose—layers of defensive formations interwoven with dormant offensive arrays, capable of responding to threats before they even reached the gates.
This was not just a building. It was the heart of Aryavarta's power.
At its core lay a grand chamber. A circular hall of immense scale, where the air itself felt heavier—charged with authority, experience, and the weight of countless battles fought. At the center stood a massive round table, forged from a rare alloy that shimmered faintly under the chamber's dim light.
Seated around it were the pillars of humanity's resistance.
Dhruv—the Unyielding Guardian.
Meera—the life-bearing healer.
Neelkantha—the Tide Bringer.
Shikhanda—the Inferno Lance.
Atmika—the Soul Weaver.
Each sat upon a throne crafted from the same mysterious material as the table—dark, unbreakable, and etched with faint glowing runes. They sat like warriors who had survived everything the world had thrown at them… and were ready for more.
Silence lingered in the chamber… until Neelkantha spoke.
"The latest reports have come in."
At his gesture, the surface of the circular table shimmered. Lines of light spread outward, forming a vast projection—maps, shifting markers, and streams of data layered across the world.
The Earth… as it now existed.
"Eastern Europe remains unstable," Neelkantha continued, his voice calm but heavy.
"The cities have turned into labyrinth zones. Dense mist formations. Visibility drops to near zero, and the creatures… adapt to it."
Shikhanda leaned forward, his fingers tapping lightly against the table.
"And resistance?"
"Fragmented," Neelkantha replied. "They survive… but barely."
Atmika's gaze shifted as another region lit up.
"Japan has begun containment," she said. "Their forces have adapted to the yokai-type entities. Their techniques are… specialized. Spiritual in nature."
A faint pause. "But the casualties remain high."
Meera spoke next, her voice softer—but no less serious.
"North America is still in collapse. The twilight zones are expanding. The creatures there are… unstable. Physical attacks don't hold them for long."
Her eyes dimmed slightly.
"They are losing ground.
Another section of the projection pulsed.
"South America," Neelkantha added, "has shown progress. Their breath-based techniques are allowing them to control terrain. Limited success… but promising."
The map shifted again.
Africa.
"The western regions have stabilized small zones," Atmika said.
"They're using resonance-based methods… drawing energy from rhythmic patterns. It's effective."
Shikhanda smirked slightly. "Different paths. Same goal."
The projection dimmed slightly. All eyes turned toward a single region.
Aryavarta.
Dhruv finally spoke. "Our outer defenses troops are holding."
The Defense troops of Aryavarta consist of Rakshak sena – formed from the warriors who stood at frontlines, holding back the endless tide of monsters. Trained in both combat and prana control, they were the shield that protected humanity's last strongholds and Vanguard units - the elite among the Rakshaks. Small in number but unmatched in strength, they were deployed where danger was greatest—deep within monster territory, ancient ruins, and high-risk battle zones. To be chosen as a Vanguard was to stand at the edge of death… and not step back.
The map zoomed inward—showing the seven bases, interconnected by glowing pathways.
"Base Three and Base Six reported heavy assaults this past month," he continued.
"New variants. Faster. Stronger."
Shikhanda's eyes lit faintly. "Good. That means progress."
Meera frowned. "It also means more lives lost."
Atmika raised her hand slightly.
"The training academies are producing better results," she said.
"The next generation is adapting faster than we expected."
Her gaze flickered briefly—subtle, but noticeable.
"As if… they were meant for this."
Neelkantha added, "Resource production has stabilized. Weapons, potions, cultivation tools—we are ahead of all other regions."
A faint pause.
"But that also makes us a target."
The chamber fell quiet again.
The glowing map reflected in their eyes. A broken world, still fighting, still surviving.
Dhruv's voice cut through the silence. "We are not just defending anymore."
All eyes turned to him.
"We are becoming the center."
Shikhanda leaned back slightly, a faint grin forming. "Then it's only a matter of time."
Neelkantha finished the thought. "Before everything starts converging… here."
A subtle tension filled the room, not fear, anticipation.
Among all the country only Aryavarta have five people at Dhruv level, other countries either have one or two.
Meera spoke softly, but firmly.
"Then we must be ready—not just as warriors… but as a world."
Dhruv's gaze hardened. "Prepare the next phase," he said.
"No more reactive defense. We move forward."
"We will organize a team of Rakshak sena and Vanguard units and start exploring the outer area around the six small base and start consolidating the regions" Shikhanda said.