The morning sun painted pale golden streaks through the cracked window as Shaurya sat up on his straw mattress, blinking against the light. The weight of yesterday's awakening still pressed on his chest like an invisible hand.
"Three spirits… a hidden legacy… and a father who says nothing."
He rubbed his eyes and stood, his bare feet cool against the packed earth floor. The small cottage was quiet — almost too quiet.
He stepped into the next room and found his father, Shiva, already awake, sipping from a cup that smelled faintly of herbs and bitterness.
"Dad," Shaurya began, his voice careful. "Can I ask something?"
Shiva raised an eyebrow but didn't turn. "If it's about breakfast, there's some leftover lentils."
"No. It's about Mom."
The cup paused mid-air.
Shiva didn't answer. Instead, he took a slow sip and stared at the floor.
Just then, the front door creaked open. The village head, Rishi Anand, stepped in with excitement written across his sun-wrinkled face.
"Shiva!" he said. "Did you hear what your son awakened yesterday? A twin martial soul… and full innate stage! It's unheard of!"
Shaurya lowered his head respectfully.
Shiva stood frozen for a moment. "You're sure?"
"I saw it with my own eyes," Anand chuckled. "A vine spirit in the right hand. A rare eye spirit on his brow. The boy's a miracle."
The elder left after a few more words, humming as he went. Shiva closed the door behind him slowly.
He turned to Shaurya.
"Show me," he said softly.
Shaurya nodded and raised his right hand. The glowing silver-blue vine coiled upward, gentle yet powerful, emitting a faint floral hum. Then, the mark on his forehead shimmered into the form of an iris-shaped eye.
When Shiva saw the vine, he stiffened.
"Your… mother had the same spirit," he whispered.
He turned quickly, grabbing his shawl.
Shaurya stepped forward. "Wait, Dad."
"What is it?"
"There's one more."
Shiva froze.
Shaurya slowly raised his left hand.
From his palm, black light pulsed. A massive hammer shimmered into form — dark as obsidian, etched with radiant gold lines. Not clumsy or untamed, but perfectly still under Shaurya's control.
"What…?" Shiva whispered, backing away. "The hammer… you can control it?"
Shaurya nodded.
"I thought I should tell you before you leave to get drunk again."
Shiva turned sharply, eyes wide.
But Shaurya wasn't done.
"There's more. I know… Mom isn't fully human. She's the Divine Vine Empress, isn't she?"
Shiva's mouth opened — but no words came out.
"It's a lie," he muttered, eyes darting. "You've been reading stories—"
"No, Dad. I saw her," Shaurya interrupted, voice firm. "During the ritual. A glowing vine appeared before me. She whispered one word — 'Sacrifice.' And then… I saw you. Holding a hammer… surrounded by nine glowing orbs."
Shiva staggered back, nearly tripping over a stool.
Shaurya stepped closer. "There's more. I saw a dream last night. A golden trident shattered before me, and after that… visions."
"Visions?" Shiva's voice was hoarse.
"I saw a massive moonlit forest, strange tribes, a glowing gate… and a girl named Priya. She was standing beside a mountain-sized snake and a beast like a stone deer."
Shiva dropped his cup.
"…You saw the Crimson Leo Python? And the Terrastag Sentinel?"
Shaurya nodded.
"How… how do you know these names?" Shiva asked, voice trembling.
Shaurya hesitated. He wanted to tell the full truth. About Earth. About dying. About three souls meeting in the void.
Instead, he said, "I don't know. Maybe the spirits showed me. Or maybe... Mom did."
For the first time in years, Shiva looked his son in the eyes — really looked. There was no denial left in him.
He walked to the corner of the house, picked up a travel bag, and tightened his belt.
"Get ready," he said quietly.
"Where are we going?"
Shiva turned, his voice almost a whisper.
"To meet your mother."