Late July 2036 – the monsoon clouds had finally broken over the merged plains, turning the Eternal Bridge's orchard into a glistening emerald sea. Rain pattered softly on broad mango leaves, drumming a rhythm that echoed both Punjab's thundering dhol and Elandria's gentle leyline hum. The air smelled of wet earth, ripe fruit, and the clean ozone of fresh magic. Rifts had become more frequent—small tears that leaked shadows or swapped objects—but the family had learned to treat them like sudden Punjab dust storms: annoying, but manageable with preparation.
Today, however, the air felt charged differently. Elder Rukh's prophecy had been clear: "When two suns rise as one, the bridge will shine eternal—or shatter." The "chaos unifier's legacy" pointed to Ahmed and his children. The council—parents, grandparents, wives—had decided: the three eldest would lead the first true quest to seal a major rift cluster in the Whispering Dunes, guided by family.
Ammar Thorne-Khan, eleven and already the tallest of the children, stood at the orchard's edge, staring into the open portal arch. His silver-streaked hair was damp from rain; wolf-scales along his shoulders and arms gleamed wetly. He wore a simple kurta-pajama embroidered with Saraiki ajrak patterns and Elandrian runes—his "quest armor," as Zara called it.
From Ammar's perspective: "This is it. Real pack leader stuff. No more practice howls. If I mess up, the bridge cracks. But Abba says heart first—then power. Like Dulla Bhatti facing Mughal armies with just a sword and courage."
Ahmed knelt beside him, hand on his scaled shoulder.
"Beta, this rift cluster is old—born from the bridge's first tear. Riftborn there are stronger, whispering old divides. Your trial: seal them with endurance and heart. Remember Sassi—crossing mountains for love. Your howl isn't just wind—it's a call to unity."
Ammar nodded, throat tight. "I'll make you proud, Abba."
Zara bounced up, tail swishing. "My turn's next—illusion tricks on shadows! Easy!"
Liyana fluttered down, frost mist trailing. "Then me—frost to cool their anger."
Ahmed hugged them all. "One at a time. Ammar first. The rest of us follow as backup."
The wives gathered—Vixen with sly grin, Kira fierce, Sylara wise, Lirael precise, Borina stout, Ogrima bold, Gobrina tinkering, Beastra roaring softly, Ursa hugging, Centara galloping lightly, Satyra piping encouragement, Lamira coiling, Harpya gliding, Cylopa gazing, Capra climbing nearby, Vampira veiling shadows, Nagara scalesong humming, Sassi enduring gaze, Heer flute in hand, Pari dusting wishes, Churel blooming light, Sohni flowing grace.
Newer wives from folklore: Parina (Pari-hybrid mother) sprinkling dust, Chura (Churel-hybrid) blooming calm, Mahi (Sohni-hybrid) gurgling waves.
The younger children watched wide-eyed: Elara vining support roots, Rami clawing air, Durin hammering tiny shields, Ogra roaring encouragement, Gorak smashing imaginary foes, Nixie tinkering a "rift-stopper" toy, Bruno/Bruna bear-hugging, Gallia kicking, Pan piping, Ssera coiling, Aero gusting, Mono gazing, Capro climbing, Luna calming, Naga/Nagi chiming, Sassara wandering sands, Ranj piping, Parina/Parik fluttering, Chura blooming, Mahi flowing.
Ahmed's mother pressed a small ajrak-wrapped bundle into Ammar's hands. "Beta, this is from your nani—Pathanay Khan's old cassette. Play it when fear comes. His voice calms storms."
Ahmed's father added a small mango. "For strength. Our orchard's heart."
The family stepped through the portal—into the Whispering Dunes.
The rift cluster loomed: a massive tear in the sky, dark tendrils lashing like monsoon lightning. Riftborn swarmed—dozens, twisted echoes: shadow-elves with thorn-blades, void-orcs with hammer-arms of nothingness, fractured hybrids screaming division.
Ammar stepped forward, heart pounding.
From Ammar's view: "They're ugly—like nightmares from Abba's stories. But I have pack. And poetry."
He howled—controlled, reciting Bulleh Shah:
"Bulleh ki jaana main kaun?
Na main momin vich masjidan…"
The howl grew—wind gusting, pushing back shadows. Riftborn staggered.
Zara illusioned decoys—fake family members drawing them away.
Liyana frosted tendrils—slowing attacks.
Family supported: Vixen illusions confusing, Kira howls amplifying Ammar's, Sylara frost-fire blasting, etc.
Riftborn lore deepened: born from Veil's "rejected threads"—ancient Elandrian wars (elf-dwarf bloodfeuds, orc-dragon sieges), forgotten races (shadow-fey, void-giants), failed pre-bridge fusions (botched hybrids). Each a warped reflection of unintegrated pain—seeking severance to "heal" by destroying unity.
Ammar faced the core rift—largest, whispering old grudges.
He recited Sassi Punnu: "Kohyari te chadhdi ae—dil jalda ae…" Endurance fueled his howl—wind turning to light, sealing the tear.
Riftborn dissolved—pain released.
From Ammar's view: "I did it. Not alone—family. Pack. Bridge."
Family cheered.
Chapter closed on pride—quest success, Ammar's growth, hint of larger rift storm.