Vihan
The stars above the stronghold burned bright, scattered across the sky like embers from an unseen fire. Yet, despite the crisp night air, the heat in Vihan's chest refused to fade.
The celebrations had lasted well into the evening, the great hall filled with the sounds of victory—clashing cups, roaring laughter, songs of triumph. His people needed this. They needed to see their leader strong, untouchable, the warrior who had led them to victory once more.
So, he had played the part.
Now, away from the noise, he stood at the edge of the stronghold, gazing toward the horizon.
Toward something unseen.
"Find me."
Her voice, though only a whisper in his dreams, still echoed in his waking moments.
Vihan exhaled sharply.
He had spent his entire life trusting only what was real—the sharpness of his blade, the loyalty of his warriors, the land beneath his feet. He had never chased ghosts.
And yet, the thought of Aaravi was no longer something he could ignore.
She was real.
He knew it as surely as he knew his own heartbeat.
"You're quiet tonight," Varun's voice broke through the silence.
Vihan turned slightly, finding his friend leaning against the wooden railing beside him, arms crossed.
"You should be inside," Varun continued. "Drinking. Celebrating. Not standing out here like a man waiting for something that will never come."
Vihan didn't respond right away.
Because deep down, he wasn't sure Varun was right.
"I need to leave soon," he said instead.
Varun's brows lifted. "You just returned."
"I have business."
Varun studied him for a long moment. "This is about the dream, isn't it?"
Vihan's jaw tightened, but he didn't deny it.
Varun sighed, shaking his head. "You don't even know who she is."
"But I will," Vihan murmured.
Varun exhaled, running a hand through his dark hair. "Then tell me this, Vihan—are you chasing her? Or is she pulling you toward something you don't understand?"
Vihan's fingers curled at his sides.
That was the problem, wasn't it? He wasn't the one leading.
For the first time in his life, he was the one being led.
Aaravi
The temple courtyard was bathed in golden light, the sun dipping toward the horizon as Aaravi sat beside the sacred pool. The air smelled of sandalwood and jasmine, the sounds of chanted prayers drifting softly in the distance.
Yet, despite the peaceful surroundings, her thoughts were anything but calm.
She had spent the day tending to the sick, guiding the wounded, speaking words of comfort to those who sought her wisdom. It should have been enough.
But it wasn't.
Because even as she focused on her work, her mind was elsewhere—with the fire, with the man she had seen in her dreams.
With Vihan.
The moment she had woken from the dream, she had known deep in her bones that her life would never be the same. She had felt him, even though they had never met.
He was out there.
And he was looking for her.
A gentle voice pulled her from her thoughts.
"You are troubled, child."
Aaravi turned to find Mira standing behind her, the elder's wise eyes watching her closely.
Aaravi sighed, shifting slightly. "I am… unsettled."
Mira sat beside her, folding her hands in her lap. "Because of him?"
Aaravi nodded slowly.
Mira smiled softly. "Fate does not make mistakes, Aaravi. If you are meant to cross paths, the threads will pull you together in ways neither of you can resist."
Aaravi swallowed. "And if we are not meant to?"
Mira's eyes glowed with something deeper than knowledge—certainty.
"You already know the answer to that."
Aaravi inhaled deeply, her gaze drifting toward the fading sun.
Mira was right.
It had already begun.
And she was ready.
Vihan
The next morning, Vihan prepared to leave.
The decision had been made the moment he had woken. He had fought enough battles in the name of duty, led enough men into war. But this?
This was a battle for himself.
Varun met him at the gates of the stronghold, his expression unreadable.
"You still don't know where you're going," Varun said simply.
Vihan mounted his horse, gripping the reins. "No."
Varun exhaled, shaking his head before a smirk tugged at his lips. "Then I suppose I'll see you when you find her."
Vihan didn't reply.
He didn't need to.
Because this time, he wasn't riding into battle.
He was riding toward her.
Aaravi
That same morning, as the first light of dawn broke over the temple, Aaravi stepped outside.
She didn't know why, but something inside her knew—
Today was the day everything would change.