The streets of India glowed with the brilliance of countless diyas, their golden light dancing like fireflies in the cool autumn breeze. Children's laughter echoed as they raced around bursting crackers, and the air was thick with the scent of sweets and the joyful energy of Diwali.
Amidst the crowd, Aryan, a young man of 18, stood with his friends, watching the vibrant display of fireworks explode in the night sky. His eyes sparkled with excitement as he reminisced about the stories of Diwali.
"This is the day Lord Ram returned to Ayodhya after defeating the Demon King Ravan," Aryan explained enthusiastically to his friends. "It's not just a festival; it's a reminder that good always triumphs over evil."
His friends chuckled. "We know the story, Aryan! You've been telling it every year!"
Aryan laughed, brushing it off. He loved the spirit of Diwali—the lights, the togetherness, and the hope it brought. But tonight felt different, though he couldn't put his finger on why.
As the group gathered to light more sparklers, the wind shifted, carrying with it a sudden stillness. The laughter and chatter around them faded, replaced by an eerie hum that seemed to resonate in Aryan's chest.
"Do you hear that?" Aryan asked, looking around. His friends shook their heads, puzzled.
Before he could say more, a blinding light erupted before him. The intensity was overwhelming, engulfing Aryan completely. His friends screamed, their voices barely audible over the deafening hum. Aryan tried to shield his eyes, but the light consumed him entirely.
When the brilliance subsided, Aryan found himself lying on unfamiliar ground. The festive noise of Diwali was replaced by the soft rustling of leaves and the distant call of strange creatures.
As he sat up, his heart raced. The sky above him was unlike anything he had ever seen—a swirl of colors that defied nature, with twin moons casting a pale glow over the land. The air was crisp, and the forest around him seemed alive, not just with movement but with an otherworldly energy.
"Where… am I?" Aryan whispered, his voice trembling. The realization struck him like a lightning bolt: this was not Earth.
He had been transported to another world.
And with that, the Festival of Lights took on a new meaning—one that Aryan could never have imagined.