In the endless depths of the os, tless stars—tiny and immense—flickered across the fabric of space. Ps, ds, and distaial bodies moved quietly, ed in the dark embrace of the universe, illuminated only by the light of faraway stars.

  A voice, eg with a power, resohrough the infinite expanse:

  "By the will of the Primordial Force, the Triumvirate fed the limitless os. They shaped worlds upon worlds and created innumerable dimensions, teeming with life. The gods, their creations, sowed life across the infinite universes."

  Se Shift:

  In a distant er of the vast os, a sor system harbored a fourth p, steadily orbiting its sun. This p, called Arthlok, was a water-world, with 80% of its surface covered in os, while the remaining 20% was divided among freat tis. Arthlok ce where both sd magic coexisted harmoniously, where teology had advao unimaginable heights—flying cars soared through the skies, and AI androids worked side by side with humans.

  On Arthlok, the four major cities ruled their respective tis. The rgest and most powerful of these cities was Uri, followed by the bustling cities of Ribsp;and Sign. The smallest and most unassuming of them all was Alok.

  Se Shift: Alok City

  In a quiet vilge oskirts of Alok, in a modest two-story house, stood a young boy of 18, staring at the door to a room on the first floor. He took a deep breath, as if gathering his thoughts. He slowly opehe door, stepped inside, and stood by the bed, pausing for a moment as if lost in thought. Then, with a sharp tug on the bedsheet, he excimed, "You better be downstairs in five minutes!" Without waiting for a response, he turned on his heel ahe room.

  On the bed, still half-asleep, a 16-year-old boy stretched zily. This was Pavan, and he rubbed his eyes as he stumbled towards the bathroom. A few mier, dressed in a bck T-shirt and grey shorts, Pavan sat on the edge of his bed, puzzled. "Is there something special today?" he muttered to himself.

  A soft, melodic voiswered, seemingly from nowhere:

  "You really don't remember, Pavan?"

  It was Chee, a mysterious and ever-present figure in Pavan's life. Pavan frowned, closing his eyes in tration. "What could it be? What am I fetting..." Suddenly, his face brightened with realization. "Oh, of course! It's my birthday!"

  The room fell silent for a moment, and then Chee's voice, tinged with disappoi, cut through the air.

  "You really fot your own birthday?"

  Pavan opened his eyes, sheepishly scratg his head. "Wait... No, no, it's not my birthday... right? Chee, just tell me what's going on!"

  Chee's voice grew firm. "e downstairs, and you'll find out for yourself."

  Frustrated, Pavan called out, "Chee... e on! Chee?" But no answer came. Realizing he wasn't going to get any more information, he decided not to waste time overthinking it. He got up and headed downstairs for breakfast, determio figure out the mystery.

  When he reached the dining hall, he saw his older brother, Govind, who had woken him up earlier, along with their father, Laxman Singh, and his younger sister, Pooja. All were seated around the table, eating breakfast. Pavan joihem quietly, his mind still rag with curiosity.

  As he finished his meal, the faint sound of jingling as drifted in from the kit. Pavan froze, his ears prig at the delicate, rhythmibsp;g of the as. He turo see Chee emerge, holding a gss of milk, walking gracefully towards him.

  Her preseook his breath away. Chee was radiant. Her golden hair cascaded down to her knees, her green eyes sparkled like emeralds, and a of teology sat atop her head, symbolizihereal nature. She wore a sleek bck blouse and a soft, golden lehenga, with a delicate ed dupatta draped over her shoulders.

  Pavan's eyes were transfixed on her slim waist, and he felt his heart qui. Chee, sensing his gaze, smirked and spoke directly into his mind:

  "Have you had your fill of staring? Now, drink this milk."

  Embarrassed, Pavan fumbled to take the gss from her. She smiled sweetly, her gaze softening, and Pavan, trying to pose himself, began sipping the milk slowly, his eyes never leaving hers.

  Just then, their mother walked in and sat down at the table. "Pavan," she said with a smile, "you've been accepted into Triveni!"

  At this, Pavan nearly choked on his milk, sputtering in surprise. "What?!"

  The whole family turo look at him, their faces a mix of amusement and fusion. Pavan's heart sank. He had beeain he didn't qualify for Triveni Uy, the most prestigious academy in all of Uri. He vividly remembered the entrance exam from two weeks ago—he hadn't written a sihing.

  As his family tio celebrate, Pavan cast a suspicious g Chee. Inside his mind, he asked her:

  "Did you have something to do with this?"

  Chee met his gaze, her expression unreadable. "Do you truly believe I could alter the results of your exam, Pavan?"

  Triveni, the legendary institution, was known for its teags of sce, teology, history, and martial arts. It ce for the best and the brightest, and Pavan erplexed at how he had mao gain admission.

  Trying to mask his iurmoil, Pavan finished his breakfast quickly and excused himself, heading back to his room. His mother and father tio gush about how proud they were of both their sons attending Triveni.

  Chee, meanwhile, picked up Pavan's pte, and as she turo leave, Pavan's mother asked, "Aren't you going to eat, Chee?"

  Chee smiled. "I'm fasting today, mother."

  She theuro the kit, where she quietly vanished, like a glit a puter program.

  Se Shift: Pavan's Room

  Ba his room, Pavan sat by the bed, lost in thought. Once again, a glitch-like shimmer appeared before him, and Chee materialized out of thin air.

  Pavan looked up at her, his face filled with fusion. "How is this even possible, Chee? I didn't write anything in the exam. How could I have passed?"

  Chee said nothing at first. Instead, she walked over to him, gently pg her hands on his head and pulling him close, holding him against her waist. The room fell into a deep silehe only sound being the rapid beating of Pavan's heart.

  After a long moment, Chee whispered, "Are you really so sad about going to Triveni? I saw hoy your parents were when they found out. Don't you want to make them proud?"

  Pavan held onto her a little tighter and replied, "I'm not sad about Triveni. I'm just... I don't want to leave them. I don't want to be alone."

  Chee lifted his face, looking into his eyes with a tender smile. "You won't be alone, Pavan. I'll be with you, always. No matter where you go—whether to Triveni or the farthest reaches of the universe—I'll stay by your side. That's a promise you hold in your heart, mind, and soul."

  Pavan smiled weakly, looking up at her. "Promise?"

  Chee smiled back, her voice soft and sure. "I promise. We're going together... forever."