After defeating the Kroors, the journey back to the ashram began.
Lioran, Sharin, and Aishwarya now stood inside Lengpui Airport, the quiet terminal glowing under white fluorescent lights. Outside the large glass windows, mountains stretched across the horizon, their dark silhouettes fading into the night sky.
The airport was calm—almost too calm.
Passengers moved quietly through the terminal. Luggage wheels rolled across polished floors. Occasional announcements echoed through the hall.
The three of them sat together in the waiting area, boarding passes in their hands.
Lioran leaned back in his seat and stretched.
"I still can't believe our mission was in Mizoram," he said. "For some reason I thought we were somewhere near Kashmir."
Sharin chuckled.
"Same here. When we were fighting that giant Kroor, I thought we were in the north somewhere."
Aishwarya crossed her arms.
"Well, we are going to Kashmir now. We just have to wait for the next flight."
Sharin sighed.
"It would've been way easier if Senior Skanda just teleported us using Dimension Break."
"Yeah," Lioran said. "But he suddenly got that call and had to leave urgently."
"Still," Aishwarya added, holding up the tickets, "at least he gave us money for the flight."
Lioran smiled slightly.
"Next time I'm definitely learning Dimension Break from him. Traveling would become so much easier."
Sharin nodded.
"For now, we travel like normal humans."
They all laughed lightly.
For a moment, everything felt peaceful.
But several meters away—
A group of cloaked figures sat quietly in another section of the waiting area.
Their dark cloaks hid their bodies completely.
Their faces remained buried in shadow beneath their hoods.
Yet faint smiles could be seen.
And their eyes—
Their eyes were fixed directly on Lioran's group.
Watching.
Waiting.
Two Hours Later
"Attention passengers. Flight AI-472 to Srinagar is now boarding."
The announcement echoed across the airport.
Lioran stood up.
"That's us."
They walked through the boarding gate and entered the plane.
Inside, the cabin lights glowed warmly.
A flight attendant guided them toward their seats.
"Business class is this way."
Sharin looked stunned.
"Wait… business class?"
Lioran grinned.
"All thanks to Skanda."
They settled into the large leather seats.
The space was luxurious compared to normal seats.
Wide armrests.
Extra legroom.
Adjustable reclining seats.
Sharin looked around in amazement.
"I never thought I'd sit in business class in my life."
Aishwarya smirked.
"Enjoy it while it lasts."
Lioran looked around the cabin.
"Looks like there aren't many passengers here."
Aishwarya nodded.
"Well, these seats are expensive."
Sharin glanced around casually—
Then blinked.
"…Wait."
Every other passenger in business class wore a cloak.
Dark cloaks.
Just like the ones in the airport.
Lioran laughed lightly.
"What a coincidence."
"Everyone here is wearing cloaks."
Sharin shrugged.
"Maybe it's some kind of weird fashion trend."
Aishwarya frowned slightly.
"…Maybe."
But she couldn't shake the strange feeling crawling up her spine.
Still—
They were exhausted.
After everything they had gone through, their bodies demanded rest.
Sharin leaned back in his seat.
"Wake me up when we reach Kashmir."
He closed his eyes almost instantly.
Lioran yawned.
"Yeah… five hours of sleep sounds perfect."
Aishwarya nodded.
"…Same."
Soon, the quiet hum of the airplane engines filled the cabin.
The flight took off.
And the three warriors slowly drifted into sleep.
One Hour Later
Suddenly—
THUD!
The plane shook violently.
Lioran's eyes snapped open.
"What the—?!"
The cabin trembled again.
The overhead lights flickered.
Sharin sat upright immediately.
"What's going on?!"
Aishwarya looked out the window.
Her expression changed instantly.
Outside—
Black storm clouds surrounded the plane.
Lightning flashed across the sky.
Wind battered the aircraft violently.
"Oh no… We're inside a storm." Aishwarya said.
"What?!" Lioran and Sharin shouted together.
The plane shook harder.
BOOOM—
Thunder roared outside.
"What is the pilot doing?" Lioran said. "Why would he fly into a storm like this?"
Sharin frowned.
"This doesn't feel normal."
The turbulence intensified.
Lioran stood up.
"I'm going to check the cockpit."
But as he took a step—
SHHHK!
A knife flew through the air.
Lioran barely dodged it.
The blade buried itself into the seat behind him.
Everyone froze.
Aishwarya's eyes narrowed.
"…Who threw that?"
They looked forward.
One of the cloaked passengers had stood up.
He lowered his arm slowly.
"Sit down."
His voice was cold.
Dangerous.
Aishwarya stepped forward.
"Why did you throw that knife?"
The man didn't answer.
Instead—
More cloaked passengers began standing up.
One by one.
Until they surrounded the three of them completely.
Sharin's eyes sharpened.
"…Looks like this flight isn't normal after all."
Lioran stepped forward slowly.
"What do you want from us?"
Footsteps echoed through the cabin.
One cloaked figure stepped forward from the crowd.
He stood directly in front of them.
Lioran stared at him.
"Who are you?"
The cloaked man tilted his head slightly.
"Who am I?"
He laughed softly.
"You know me very well."
Aishwarya's eyes widened slightly.
"…That voice."
"I've heard it before."
Lioran frowned deeply.
"No…"
"It can't be."
The cloaked man slowly raised his hands.
And pulled back his hood.
The moment his face appeared—
All three of them froze.
Shock flooded their eyes.
"…You?"
Lioran whispered.
Sharin clenched his fists.
Aishwarya stared in disbelief.
The man smiled.
"Long time no see."
The storm outside roared louder.
Lightning illuminated the cabin.
And the true battle—
Was about to begin.
TO BE CONTINUED…