"Aditya… we need to talk."
The voice came from behind.
Aditya—his body drenched in the green blood of the zombies—froze for a split second. Exhausted, irritated, and still catching his breath, he turned around in frustration and snapped,
"How many times have I told you, Charlie? It's Adi, not Aditya! What the hell is 'Aditya'—"
But the moment his eyes landed on what stood behind him… his words died.
His pupils widened. His breath hitched.
"Impossible!"
Standing there were two men.
Two living men.
One had a deep, dark complexion, his presence calm yet strangely powerful. The other was fair, composed, and carried an air of quiet intelligence. Both of them stood still, watching Adi with an unusual sense of familiarity.
Seeing the shock on Adi's face, the dark-skinned man stepped forward slightly and spoke with a polite smile,
"Namaste, Aditya… sorry—Adi. I am Kakbhushundi, and this is Mr. Vipul."
For a moment, Adi just stared at them.
Then suddenly—
He burst out laughing… half in disbelief, half in overwhelming relief. His eyes turned toward the sky as if searching for answers beyond it.
"This is real… this is actually real… living humans… Oh God, thank you, thank you so much… I finally found people… real people…"
His voice trembled with a strange mix of joy and madness.
"Would've been even better if one of you was a girl," he added casually, grinning, "life would've been a lot more fun… but hey, I'll manage with you two old guys."
Kakbhushundi and Vipul exchanged a glance, both slightly stunned by his reaction. They didn't fully understand whether to be amused… or concerned.
But Adi's happiness wasn't unreasonable.
In a world crawling with the dead, finding even a single living human felt like discovering treasure.
Leaning casually against his armored bus, Adi spoke rapidly, barely pausing to breathe,
"So, gentlemen… tell me, how can I help you? I've got food, I've got weapons—everything you need to survive is right here in my ride. Just say the word, I'll help you out! Damn, it feels good seeing humans again… I mean—living humans! Go on, don't hesitate. What do you need?"
Vipul and Kakbhushundi smiled faintly.
Then Kakbhushundi spoke, his tone calm… almost unsettlingly calm.
"We are here to help you."
Adi blinked.
For a second, he just stared at them… and then he started laughing again.
"Help me?" he said, shaking his head. "I don't get how exactly you're planning to do that, old man… but that's a good joke."
Kakbhushundi didn't laugh.
Instead, he looked straight into Adi's eyes and said quietly,
"By taking you back… to the world of humans."
The words hit like a shockwave.
Adi's smile vanished instantly.
His expression hardened.
"Oh, come on, Grandpa," he snapped, anger rising in his voice. "Don't joke about something like that. It's not funny to play with someone's feelings. Taking me back to the human world? Seriously? If I wasn't respecting your age, I would've punched you by now."
The tension in the air thickened.
Kakbhushundi glanced at Vipul, signaling him to step in.
Understanding immediately, Vipul moved closer to Adi, his voice calm and respectful.
"Adi, I know this is sudden… and I know it sounds impossible. But we truly are here to take you with us."
Adi let out a sharp, irritated laugh.
"Oh really?" he said sarcastically. "And how exactly are you planning to do that, Uncle? Taking me to the human world… where? Heaven? Hell? Or do you guys have your own little world somewhere else?"
Vipul didn't react to the sarcasm. He continued patiently,
"Look, Adi… it's complicated. But try to understand it this way—we come from another universe. Another Earth. A version of this world… where humans are still alive. Living normal lives."
For a second, silence hung in the air.
Then—
Adi's irritation boiled over.
"Oh wow… so now the two old men are from another universe," he mocked, clapping slowly. "Tell me, how did you get here? Flying through the air? Floating down from the sky? Or wait—did you just walk here?"
Before Vipul could respond, Kakbhushundi's expression turned serious.
"Through a divine time gateway," he said firmly. "In your terms… a time and space portal. It allows travel across any corner of the universe."
That was it.
Adi snapped.
"Enough!" he shouted. "This 'gateway', this 'other world', this 'portal'—do I look like an idiot to you? You think I'm some fool who'll believe all this nonsense?!"
But before he could say anything more—
Something happened.
Right there… in Kakbhushundi's palm…
A small, swirling portal appeared.
It was tiny—barely the size of his hand—floating just above his skin, spinning gently in the air. Despite its size, it pulsed with an eerie energy, like a window into something far beyond comprehension.
Kakbhushundi, in his human form, held it effortlessly.
And yet… for Adi—
It was nothing short of impossible.
His anger faded.
Replaced by pure, stunned silence.
The world around him seemed to stop.
Because for the first time…
He was looking at something that should not exist.
And yet—it did.
Who is Adi… or Aditya?
What is his story?
How is he the only one alive on this dead planet?
And what exactly happened to his Earth…?The moment that tiny, swirling, multicolored portal appeared out of nowhere, both Adi and Vipul's eyes locked onto Kakbhushundi's palm. The air itself seemed to freeze.
Adi stepped closer, his voice trembling with disbelief.
"So… this is real? You actually came from another planet—I mean… another Earth? This is actually possible?"
Drawn in like a magnet, he moved slowly toward the portal, his eyes reflecting its strange glow. Seeing him calm down, Vipul spoke gently,
"Yes… let me introduce us properly once again. I am Vipul… and this is the great Kakbhushundi."
The name hit Adi like lightning.
"Kakbhushundi…?" he whispered, his mind racing. "But that's the name of the legendary crow sage… the one blessed to travel through time and space… Are you… are you really that Kakbhushundi?"
Kakbhushundi simply smiled… and nodded.
That was enough.
Adi's eyes filled with tears. Without hesitation, he folded his hands and bowed deeply before him.
"Oh great Kakbhushundi… I apologize for my behavior… for my ignorance… Please forgive me. Aditya offers you his deepest respect."
Kakbhushundi raised his hand in blessing, his expression kind.
Beside him, Vipul looked at Adi with growing curiosity and asked,
"So that means… in your world too, events like the Mahabharata and Ramayana happened? The gods… they took birth here as well?"
Adi straightened slightly, still respectful, and replied,
"Yes, Mr. Vipul… of course. The gods have taken birth in this world too. As you probably know… as many universes exist, there are just as many Brahmas. As many Earths… there are that many Vishnus and Mahesh. The gods never abandon their beloved creations. And I believe… one day, even this world will receive their blessings again… it will become what it once was."
Despite standing in a world of advanced weapons and ruined modern cities, Adi's words carried the depth of ancient wisdom. Hearing him speak of history and sacred texts with such faith… Kakbhushundi felt a quiet joy.
"Amazing, Aditya," he said warmly. "Even in such a fallen world, you have not forgotten your roots. Truly remarkable."
Adi bowed again, humbled by the praise.
But then—
Kakbhushundi's expression changed.
He looked up at the dark, restless sky, his voice turning grave.
"But Aditya… we do not have much time. As you said, one day this world will return to normal… and you are absolutely right. But good things demand sacrifice. And we both know… to restore this world… a sacrifice must be made."
His voice grew heavier.
"A sacrifice so great… that it will bring color back to this lifeless land… that will once again fill it with the sweet voices of living beings."
Adi frowned, confusion creeping into his expression.
"Divine Kakbhushundi… I don't understand. What kind of sacrifice are you talking about? Will the gods simply wipe everything from this Earth?"
Before Kakbhushundi could respond—
Vipul spoke, his voice sharp with realization.
"A meteor impact."
The words landed like a thunderclap.
Adi's eyes widened.
"What…?"
Vipul nodded, his tone now filled with a strange excitement and awe.
"Yes. Just like the age of the dinosaurs ended when a meteor struck the Earth… and the planet transitioned into a completely new era… eventually leading to the age of humans. In the same way, another meteor is going to strike this world."
He looked toward Kakbhushundi.
"Isn't that right? A reset… like pressing a reboot button. Incredible… now it makes sense. The end of the dinosaur age—it was all part of a divine plan."
Kakbhushundi's face remained serious as he replied,
"You are correct, Devdoot. This is called change… and change is the law of nature."
His voice carried the weight of ages.
"Just as every living being that is born must one day die… every creation must eventually face destruction. And this balance… has been maintained by the Trimurti for countless ages."
His eyes seemed to see far beyond the present.
"I have witnessed it myself. Great Brahma creates the universe with love and care. Vishnu preserves it, maintaining balance—taking avatars, guiding life, destroying evil when necessary. And then… comes the most difficult task—destruction. A task only Mahadev can fulfill. He destroys even the worlds created by those he loves… so that new creation can begin."
A heavy silence followed.
"In this way," Kakbhushundi continued, "the universe moves forward. Millions of universes are born every day… and just as many are destroyed. And now… it seems… this planet's turn has come."
Adi stood still, his heart heavy.
"So… in a short time… destruction will fall upon this world too," he said softly.
His voice carried pain… memories.
"I've spent so long here… met so many people… shared moments with them. For years, I've wandered this world… killing thousands—millions of zombies… just trying to survive."
He paused, his gaze drifting across the ruined land.
"But I never thought… this world itself would one day come to an end."
He took a deep breath.
"But… I understand. Maybe this really is the only way to purify it. I just hope… that after me… this world gives birth to beautiful… peaceful life again."
Before he could say more—
Kakbhushundi interrupted him.
"And who told you… that you will end with this world?"
Adi froze.
Slowly, he looked at him.
"What do you mean…? You're really here to take me with you?"
Kakbhushundi took a moment before answering.
"That is not entirely the truth," he said calmly. "The choice… will be yours."
Adi's brows furrowed.
"I have come to give you two options."
The air grew tense.
"The first… you may stay here. End your life peacefully along with this world."
A pause.
"The second… where we come from… you are needed. A great war awaits you. A war that will decide the fate of life itself."
His eyes locked onto Adi's.
"Will you choose to save those lives… to prevent that world from becoming like this one?"
Silence.
"Or… will you choose to remain here?"
The wind howled softly through the ruins.
"You are completely free to choose."
Adi stood there… unmoving.
For the first time in a long time—
He didn't know what to do.