The sun cast its first rays over the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, but inside Rihan's home, the atmosphere was heavy with urgency. The events of the past few days had shaken everyone to their core. Though they had defeated Andhaka, Goddess Kali's ominous words echoed in their minds. This was just the beginning. They had only triumphed over one of many looming threats. Their enemies weren't merely terrestrial—they were galactic.
Rihan paced the room restlessly, his thoughts racing like a torrent. "We need answers," he said, his voice strained with the weight of the situation. "We can't wait around and let them take the first move. Whatever's out there could be preparing to strike, and we have no idea how to stop it."
Maya, seated on the couch with her phone in hand, broke the silence. "I've just heard back from Professor Kelly," she said. "She can meet us at her lab in about an hour."
Rihan paused mid-step, his gaze sharp. "Good. We don't have time to waste." He turned to the others, who were equally on edge. Arjun stood by the window, arms crossed and eyes distant, while Bhima and Rohit sat quietly, deep in thought. "Everyone ready?" Rihan asked, though the question felt more like a command.
There was no need for discussion. They all knew how high the stakes were. They had faced Asuras and defeated ancient evils, but this new challenge was something entirely different. They were up against forces from the depths of the cosmos. With that thought in mind, they left Rihan's house and headed toward Professor Kelly's laboratory.
The journey to Kelly's lab took them through the busy streets of New Varanasi. The city was vibrant and alive, unaware of the looming threats from beyond. People went about their lives, shopping, chatting, and enjoying the warmth of the morning. Rihan couldn't help but feel a pang of discomfort. Would these people even know when the danger came? Would they have any time to prepare?
Maya glanced at him as if sensing his thoughts. "We'll protect them, Rihan," she said softly. "That's what we've always done, and that's what we'll continue to do."
He nodded, appreciating her unwavering faith. But still, something about this new challenge gnawed at him. This wasn't like fighting Asuras on Earth. They were heading into the unknown.
Within half an hour, they arrived at the high-tech facility that housed Professor Kelly's lab. It was located on the outskirts of the city, surrounded by a landscape that contrasted with the urban sprawl—hills and fields that stretched far into the distance. The lab itself was a sleek, metallic structure with an ultramodern design, reflecting the cutting-edge research conducted within.
As they entered, they were greeted by a flurry of activity. Scientists, engineers, and technicians moved around busily, working on various projects and experiments. The place was buzzing with energy, with holographic screens lighting up the space and robotic assistants gliding smoothly between workstations.
Professor Kelly met them at the entrance. She was a sharp, determined woman, her blue eyes sharp with curiosity and focus. Her dark hair was tied back in a neat ponytail, and her crisp white lab coat gave her an air of authority. She greeted them with a smile, but the concern was clear on her face.
"Rihan, Maya," she said, shaking their hands warmly. "It's good to see you again, though I wish it were under better circumstances. You mentioned something urgent in your message."
Rihan wasted no time in getting to the point. "There's a new threat, Professor. One we weren't prepared for." He explained everything, from Goddess Kali's warning about extraterrestrial civilizations to the potential invasion from beings far beyond Earth. As he spoke, Kelly's expression shifted from curiosity to deep concern.
When Rihan finished, she crossed her arms and leaned against a nearby console, her brow furrowed in thought. "This is… unprecedented," she said slowly. "I've been monitoring space activity for years, and there's been no sign of any imminent threat from beyond our solar system. If extraterrestrial civilizations were approaching Earth, we'd have picked up some kind of signal by now—an anomaly, a disturbance, anything."
"Could you have missed something?" Arjun asked from where he stood, his voice level but tinged with frustration. "With all due respect, Professor, we don't have time for guesswork. Kali wouldn't warn us if the threat weren't real."
Kelly shook her head, her lips pressing into a thin line. "I understand your urgency, but our monitoring systems are incredibly advanced. I've got access to the best space observation technology available. If there was something heading our way, it would've shown up on my radar."
Rihan sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Then what do we do? If we can't detect them, how can we stop them?"
Kelly was silent for a moment, tapping her fingers thoughtfully on her arm. "I don't have all the answers," she admitted, "but I know someone who might. My father."
"Your father?" Maya asked, her eyebrows raised.
"Edard Kelly," Professor Kelly replied. "He's one of the most senior researchers at Luna Station, the world's most advanced space research hub. It's in orbit around the Moon, and they've been studying deep space anomalies for decades. If anyone knows about disturbances in distant galaxies, it's him."
"Luna Station…" Bhima muttered, glancing at Rihan. "That's not exactly next door."
"No," Kelly said with a slight smile. "But if you want answers, it's the best place to get them. My father's been studying the outer reaches of space for as long as I can remember. If there's even the slightest sign of an approaching threat, he would know."
Rihan exchanged glances with his companions, weighing the options. They were venturing into new territory—literally. But they couldn't afford to ignore this lead. They had to act, and fast.
"Alright," he said finally. "We'll go. If Luna Station has the answers we need, then that's where we're heading."
Professor Kelly nodded, her expression determined. "Good. I'll make the necessary arrangements for transport. We'll be leaving as soon as possible."
The next few hours passed in a blur of preparations. Kelly worked quickly, organizing the transport and clearing the security protocols needed to enter Luna Station. Meanwhile, the group took the time to gather their thoughts and prepare for what was to come.
As Rihan packed his belongings, he couldn't help but feel a sense of nervous excitement. They had faced gods, demons, and ancient forces on Earth, but this was different. This was space—vast, uncharted, and full of unknown dangers.
Maya stood beside him, her eyes distant as she packed her own bag. "Do you think we'll find what we're looking for out there?" she asked softly.
Rihan paused, glancing at her. "I hope so. If not, we'll figure it out. We always do."
She smiled faintly, though her worry was still evident. "Let's just hope we're not too late."
Several hours later, Rihan, Maya, and the rest of the group boarded a sleek spacecraft that Professor Kelly had arranged for their journey to Luna Station. It was a state-of-the-art vehicle, equipped with the latest in space travel technology. As they ascended from Earth's surface, leaving behind the familiar landscape, a mix of awe and trepidation filled the cabin.
The blue-green orb of Earth gradually shrank behind them, replaced by the dark, infinite expanse of space. Stars glittered in the distance, and ahead of them, the Moon loomed large, its surface cratered and mysterious. But their destination wasn't the Moon itself—it was Luna Station, a massive space station that orbited it.
As they approached, the station came into view, its enormous rotating arms designed to simulate gravity. The station was a marvel of human engineering, housing hundreds of researchers, scientists, and space enthusiasts dedicated to exploring the unknown.
"This is it," Professor Kelly said from the cockpit, her voice filled with pride. "Luna Station. Let's hope my father has some answers for us."
The spacecraft docked smoothly at one of the station's many ports, and they disembarked into the sterile, futuristic environment of Luna Station. The walls gleamed with polished metal, and the air was filled with the hum of advanced machinery. It felt both alien and familiar at the same time.
Kelly led them through the winding corridors, her pace quick and determined. After several minutes, they arrived at a large observation deck, where a figure stood gazing out at the stars.
"Father," Kelly called out, and the man turned to greet them.
Edard Kelly was a tall, silver-haired man with sharp eyes and a commanding presence. He smiled warmly at his daughter but quickly turned serious when he saw the group behind her.
"Kelly," he said, embracing her briefly. "I wasn't expecting you so soon. What's going on?"
Without hesitation, Professor Kelly explained everything—the warning from Kali, the looming threat from beyond the galaxy, and the need for answers about what was coming.
Edard's expression darkened as he listened. When she finished, he turned toward the holographic map of the galaxy projected before him.
"Draco Capella," he muttered, tapping a few commands into the console. The map zoomed in, revealing a distant galaxy, faint and surrounded by nebulae. "We've been observing signals from this galaxy for years. Strange disturbances, almost like a heartbeat pulsing from the stars.
As the data unfolded, the looming threat from Draco Capella became undeniable. Time was running out.