Chapter 1 : Embers of Despair.

The city of Bangalore hummed with its usual activity, a vibrant tapestry of bustling streets and soaring skyscrapers. Amidst this urban symphony, Ashur Malik lived a life that had grown monotonous and routine. As a software engineer, his days were consumed by lines of code and deadlines, his true passion for literature and manga overshadowed by the demands of his career. But deep within him, a spark of yearning flickered—a desire for something more, something extraordinary.

On a sweltering evening, after yet another grueling day at work, Ashur returned to his small apartment, longing for solace and escape. He discarded his bag and slumped onto his bed, his weary body sinking into the soft mattress. As the sun dipped below the horizon, he sought refuge in the pages of a fantasy novel, immersing himself in a world where heroes waged epic battles and triumphed against insurmountable odds.

The night wore on, the minutes blending into hours, as Ashur's imagination wove a tapestry of wonder and adventure. But just as the clock struck the darkest hours before dawn, his reverie was shattered by a thunderous tremor that reverberated through the air. He jolted upright, heart pounding, his senses alert with a primal instinct. It was as if the very fabric of reality had been torn asunder.

A deafening cacophony filled the air, a symphony of dissonant frequencies that pierced his eardrums. Ashur rushed to the window, his breath caught in his throat. His eyes widened with disbelief as he witnessed a sight that defied all logic—a colossal spaceship, its metallic hull gleaming under the moonlight, dominated the horizon, casting an ominous shadow over the city.

Fear coiled around Ashur's heart, its icy tendrils snaking through his veins. This was beyond the realms of comprehension, an encounter with the otherworldly. Questions tumbled through his mind, demanding answers that seemed elusive in the face of such a surreal spectacle. What did this intrusion mean? What fate awaited him, his loved ones, and the world itself?

Amidst the chaos, a voice, alien and authoritative, resounded within Ashur's consciousness, drowning out the clamor of the world around him. "Welcome, inhabitants of Planet #7239MW," it boomed, its words resonating deep within his soul. "We come from a distant galaxy, bearing both the burden of a dire warning and the promise of unparalleled power."

The voice spoke of an impending threat, a malevolence that sought to consume their world. But it also offered a glimmer of hope—a chance for ordinary individuals to rise as champions, armed with extraordinary abilities. Ashur's heart raced, a mix of trepidation and excitement coursing through his veins. This was the moment he had yearned for, an opportunity to become the hero he had so often dreamed of in the pages of his beloved novels.

Driven by an inexplicable force, Ashur tore through his shattered home, frantically searching for his family. The living room, once a cozy sanctuary, now lay in ruins, the debris a haunting reminder of their shattered lives. Panic surged through him as he called out their names, his voice trembling against the backdrop of devastation.

"Mom! Dad!" he cried, his voice cracking with anguish. "Where are you?"

His heart sank as he found his parents amidst the wreckage. The room was filled with a thick cloud of dust, making it difficult to see clearly.

Ashur's father lay trapped under a pile of debris, blood staining his body, and a gash on his forehead. His mother, unconscious and injured, lay a few feet away, her head bleeding profusely.

"No!" Ashur cried, rushing to his father's side. With desperate strength, he moved the rubble, his muscles straining against the weight. Finally, he managed to free his father, pulling him out from under the debris. The sight was agonizing—his father's body bloodied and broken, gasping for air.

Tears streamed down Ashur's face as he cradled his father in his arms, his voice choked with emotion. "Stay with me, Dad," he pleaded. "Don't leave us." But his father's eyes grew dim, his labored breaths slowing. With a final, feeble whisper, he uttered his last words. "Take care... of your... mother... sisters."

Ashur's heart shattered into a million pieces as he watched the life fade from his father's eyes. The weight of grief threatened to consume him, but he knew he had to be strong for his family.

With a heavy heart, he turned to his mother, who lay unconscious and bleeding. He frantically searched for anything to wrap her head, trying to stanch the flow of blood. A sense of urgency filled him, knowing that time was of the essence. He tore a piece of cloth from a nearby curtain, his hands trembling as he gently applied it to his mother's wound.

"I'm here, Mom," he whispered, his voice filled with desperation. "Please, wake up."

Meanwhile, his elder sister, Riya, lay in her room, her once graceful form marred by the cruelty of fate. Her legs were twisted in unnatural angles, her fingers broken and bloodstained. Ashur's heart constricted with anguish as he entered the room, the sight before him a harrowing testament to the horrors they had endured.

He knelt beside Riya, tears streaming down his face as he gathered her broken body into his arms. His hands trembled with a mix of anguish and determination. Blood stained her legs, a vivid reminder of the torment she had endured. His heart cried out in despair, overwhelmed by the suffering that had befallen his family.

"I'm so sorry, Riya," he whispered, his voice choked with emotion. "I'll find a way to heal you. I promise."

The weight of their shattered lives hung heavy in the air as Ashur cradled his injured sister, his hands holding onto hope amidst the encroaching darkness. Tears stained his cheeks, a testament to the anguish that enveloped them all.

In the midst of the devastation, Ashur's thoughts turned to his younger sister, Aisha. She was only ten years old, innocent, and full of life. He couldn't bear the thought of her being left alone in this chaotic world.

With a heavy heart, Ashur made his way to Aisha's room. The door creaked open, revealing a scene of both tragedy and relief. Aisha lay on her bed, her small frame trembling, but miraculously unharmed.

"Aisha," Ashur called out, his voice quivering with a mix of relief and sorrow. "Are you okay?"

Aisha looked up, her eyes wide with fear. She sat up, wrapping her arms around herself as if seeking comfort. "Ashur," she whimpered, tears streaming down her face. "What's happening? Where are Mom and Dad?"

Ashur's heart ached at the innocence in her voice. He sat down on the edge of the bed and pulled her into a tight embrace. "I'm so sorry, Aisha," he whispered, his voice choked with emotion. "Something terrible has happened. Mom and Dad... They're gone."

Aisha's body convulsed with sobs as the weight of their loss settled upon her young shoulders. Ashur held her close, his own tears mingling with hers. At that moment, their bond as siblings grew stronger, a fragile lifeline amidst the ruins of their shattered lives.

Ashur took a deep breath, his mind racing with thoughts of the alien voice and the promise it had made. He knew that their lives had been irrevocably changed, that they were now part of a much larger conflict. But at that moment, he also realized that their newfound abilities might hold the key to saving what was left of their world.