The cave was dimly lit by the flickering flames of a small fire, shadows dancing across the walls. Ravihiro sat by the unconscious man, sharpening his sword, his expression calm yet vigilant. The hum of the spaceship in the distance lingered in his mind like an unanswered question.
Suddenly, the stranger stirred. His breathing quickened, and his fingers twitched. With a gasp, he bolted upright, his eyes darting wildly around the cave.
"Where am I?" the man demanded, his voice cold and commanding.
Ravihiro stood, his grip tightening on his sword. "You're safe. I brought you here after—"
Before he could finish, the man activated a device on his wrist. A sleek, advanced suit enveloped his body with a metallic sheen, and his helmet snapped into place, concealing his face. The suit emitted a low hum, and panels lit up with intricate designs.
"You're a threat," the man declared, his voice distorted through the helmet. He raised his arm, and a glowing energy weapon materialized.
A Sudden Attack
Without hesitation, the man fired. A beam of searing energy shot toward Ravihiro, who narrowly dodged it, the heat singeing the wall behind him.
"Calm down!" Ravihiro shouted, his voice reverberating through the cave. But the man was relentless.
Another blast followed, and Ravihiro countered by releasing a surge of spiritual energy. The wave of force slammed into the man, sending him crashing into the cave wall.
The stranger groaned but quickly regained his footing. His suit adjusted, glowing brighter as he prepared another attack.
A Moment of Wisdom
Ravihiro's patience snapped. His eyes burned with a fierce light as he channeled his spiritual energy into his voice.
"Yada Yada Hi Dharmasya, Glanir Bhavati Bharata, Abhyutthanam Adharmasya, Tadatmanam Srijamyaham."
The words echoed through the cave, their weight and power unmistakable. The man froze mid-attack, his weapon dimming. His helmet retracted, revealing a face etched with shock and disbelief.
His voice trembled as he asked, "Who are you? How do you know that phrase?"
Suspenseful Revelation
Ravihiro sheathed his sword but remained guarded. "That's not important right now. The real question is, who are you, and why are you here?"
The man took a step forward, his eyes narrowing. "That phrase… it's from the Bhagavad Gita. Only someone from Earth would know it."
The atmosphere in the cave grew tense. Ravihiro's mind raced, but his expression remained unreadable. He had suspected the man was connected to Earth, but hearing it confirmed sent a chill down his spine.
"You… you're from Earth too," the man said, his voice softer now, filled with a mix of wonder and suspicion.
Ravihiro's gaze darkened. "I was. A long time ago. But that life is behind me now."
Unanswered Questions
The man's stance relaxed slightly, but his eyes were still searching, probing. "This can't be a coincidence. You knowing that phrase, me crashing here… it's all connected."
Ravihiro crossed his arms, his voice firm. "Perhaps. But answers will have to wait. Your reckless attack could've cost you your life. Start explaining yourself before I lose my patience."
The man hesitated, his eyes darting to the cave's entrance as if considering escape. Finally, he sighed and deactivated his suit, the panels dimming and the hum fading.
"My name is Lieutenant Aarav Patel," he said, extending a hand. "And I think we have a lot to talk about."
A Tense Alliance
Ravihiro didn't take the offered hand, his expression stoic. "We'll talk. But not here. The forest is dangerous, and your ship's crash has likely drawn unwanted attention."
As the two prepared to leave, the hum of the spaceship grew louder, almost as if responding to their conversation. Deep within its broken hull, something stirred—a presence, ancient and watchful, waiting for the right moment to reveal itself.