I know something of what Kshatriya may have felt. My own father was murdered in front of my eyes…
…struck down by an assassin’s dagger, slain at the orders of Darius himself. That was why I invaded Persia, to seek revenge for his death.
And now that you have your revenge, O King? Now that Persia is vanquished and Darius dead? How do you feel?
Empty.
I feel empty, as though I have no reason to live.
The need for revenge is like a madness, O King. it consumes a man, until there is nothing left of him but the desire for retribution. And when that too is gone, all that remains is a shadow of what a man should be.
That is what Kshatriya would soon learn, that fury is a double-edged sword...
“...can consume and destroy him, as surely as any weapon.�
Ha ha ha!
...and if a man is not wary, the very thing which gives him strength, which gives him purpose...
AAAAGH!
At lasssst, time for you to die!
Stop!
Why dont you pick on someone your own size?
Away with you, old man, or you ssssshall die asssss well!
We shall see.
You are nothing but children playing at war.
Are you all right, boy? They didn’t hurt you, did they?
Why am I so weak, Lord Skanda?
You are brave-hearted, boy, and that is the one quality a warrior must have that cannot be learnt. Everything can be taught except courage.
Then teach me. Teach me to fight. Teach me the way of the warrior, so I can defeat Mayadeva and take back what is mine.
I am needed elsewhere, I cannot teach you. But I know one who can, the greatest of all warriors.
Where are we going? To visit an old friend.
Why have you come here?
Hail, O Vishvamitra, mightiest of all the Sages. What an old man you have become! Each time I see you, War God, you bring me nothing but trouble. I need to beg a favor of you, old friend. Take this child into your protection, and teach him the arts of war. I am a Guru no longer, war god. My days of teaching war-craft are far behind me. Now I am but a humble monk who spends his day in pursuit of eternal truth.
Shaitan has returned, Vishvamitra, and this boy is all that stands between chaos and order. He is the last hope of the if you Satyuga. cannot turn him into a champion, the war against darkness will be lost even before it has begun.
Nevertheless, you must take up your sword once more, and instruct this child. it is imperative. The fate of the world depends on it.
I must leave you for a time, but I will return soon.
Please... don’t go. Take me with you.
I want you to stay here with Vishvamitra. He will teach you how to fight. Treat him with respect, for he is your guru now.
I must tread a path no mortal could survive. You must remain here, boy. When it is time, we shall meet again, but for now, let Vishvamitra teach you all that he knows.
Take care of him, old friend.
He will be safe here.
I hope so. I truly hope so.
Stop your caterwauling, boy. Warriors do not weep. Wipe your face...
“...and we shall begin your education.�
Close your eyes, boy, and tell me what you see. How can I see if my eyes are closed?
I see the world, the mountains and the seas and the sky, so full of clouds. I see people and animals and birds. I see life, in all its infinity.
I do not want to know what your eyes see, boy. I want to know what you see with your spirit.
You are wrong. Look again, and tell me what you see.
I see the leaves whispering in the trees and the ants scrabbling in the mud. I see the inconsequential, the insignificant, all that is born and dies in the blink of an eye. Look closer, boy, look closer still.
I see nothing. Behind it all, I see nothing.
Good! Now you are ready to learn.
“Any man can brawl, like a drunken fool in a tavern. But a true warrior, he realizes that combat is an art.
“Each movement, every motion, has a devastating purpose. Every strike, every blow, must be perfect, a symphony composed not of violence, but of skill.
“To surrender to emotion is to lose even before the fight has begun. Remember that well.
“A true warrior does not let his rage enslave him. No, he takes his wrath and shapes it into a weapon, honing it until it is keener than the keenest blade. That is why a true warrior needs no weapon, for he is the weapon himself.
“A fight is like a dance with your own death, but you must learn, boy, not to dance the dance. instead, let the dance dance you. “Let each motion flow from inside you, until it is as natural as breath. Let each gesture come not from your heart, but from your spirit. Do not hit with your fist, hit with your soul.
“It is ego that defeats a man, the sense of pride and exultation in one’s strength. To be a perfect warrior, you must dismiss your Self. “Become nothing, for there is nothing that can surmount nothingness. Forget your name and your beliefs, your hopes and your desires, your dreams and your secrets. Let your body become all eyes.”
The Kingdom of Ahimsa,
Raya, Meghar, my brother Kings, we have fought and bled against each other for years, but now is the time for us to put aside petty rivalries, and join together as one. That is the only way that we can face the threat of the dark hordes of Akasha. Even as we speak, Mayadeva’s demon legions gather strength at the borders of Ahimsa. We are all that remain, and if we do not stand and fight now, we too shall fall, one by one.
Why should we fight, King Jana? I propose we send an emissary to speak to Mayadeva and offer him terms. We can make peace with him, and become his vassals. Surely he will spare us if we pay tribute.
You speak where it is not your place to speak, Princess Arya. Forgive me, Lord Meghar, but I would rather speak now than remain silent and watch you all commit folly from which there is no return. You know as well as I do, Lord Raya, that there will be no peace as long as any of us stand in his way. Mayadeva fights not for victory, but for blood itself. it is hell that he serves, and he shall not rest until hell is loosed upon this earth.
How dare you speak to me with such insolence? You are just a callow child. What do you know of statecraft?
it would serve you well to listen to the girl, Meghar. Callow she might be, but she speaks the truth.
You all know me. From time to time, you have come to my temple, crawling on your knees and begging for my help. I’ve come to tell you that you have no choice. You must face Mayadeva together, united as one.
if you do not, then this is the only fate you can expect.
Since you fancy yourself a warrior, O King of peacocks, let me ask you a simple question, one which even a novice can answer. What is a warrior’s most valuable weapon? is it blade or spear or bow?
You seek to trick me, old man, but I am no fool.
Good! Very good! Perhaps you are not as silly as you look, Careful, old clad in such shiny man! You forget golden armor. your place. I could easily have your head lopped off, if I Perhaps you so wished. could, but then who would finish this story, O Get on with King? While I am a man of it, old man, and tell many parts, even I would me what happened to find it very difficult to the boy after Skanda speak with no head. delivered him to Vishvamitra’s ashram.
A warrior’s most valuable weapon is neither sword nor bow, but rather his mind.
“As a blade must be tempered in a crucible, O King, so a warrior is made, not born.
“It was in Vishvamitra’s care that Kshatriya became a man.
“Slowly, he became a weapon, a living blade, as strong and resilient as the finest steel.
At last, Master, I am ready to face Shaitan.
Not yet, my boy. You have mastered the physical plane. But there is one more test you must pass yet...
“...the test of mental resilience
“This is the abode of the three sisters.
“They are ancient beings of great power, remnants from an age before the time of gods and men began. Only they can test you, boy, and tell you if you are ready to face Shaitan.
You must enter the temple, Kshatriya, and pass whatever challenges the sisters set you. I cannot come with you. You must go on alone.
Closer... come closer.
We are the sisters of infinity. Some call us fate, some the weavers of time and space and destiny. What is it you want from us, mortal? Why have you dared to enter our domain?
HA HA HA! I am Kshatriya, and I was told that you would test me to see if I am worthy to face Shaitan.
I believe I do.
Three trials you must endure, of spirit, soul and heart. Only then you can face our brother Shaitan in battle. Do you think you are brave enough to pass, mortal? Do you think you have the strength?
I am Aran, of the dawn, and I am the voice of possibility.
I shall show you all that could have been been, the fate you could have had.
if you want, mortal, you can stay here and live this dream for the rest of your days. What almost was can yet be, if you so wish it.
No, I cannot. None of this is real.
I am Anar, of the Noon, and I am the voice of temptation.
I shall show you all that could be, the destiny that could be yours if you desire it.
Stay with me, and you could be a God. I can give you power the likes of which no mortal has ever encountered.
No, this is not real either.
I am Nara, of the Dusk, and I am the voice of fear.
I shall show you what you dread most, those truths which you insistently deny.
Why? Why did you not save me? Why did you try to steal my birthright? This is your fault. This is all your fault.
Why? Why have you not avenged me? Why are you so weak? Why are you so afraid? You let me die. it was your fault.
You are nothing, boy. Nothing but an insignificant insect.
You will never defeat Shaitan. Everyone you love will always die.
No‌ Please, God, No‌.
What...what is happening to me?
No!
No‌
You are not worthy. You cannot face Shaitan.
Begone, man-beast. You are imperfect. imperfect! imperfect!
RAAAWR!
What are you doing, boy?
No, I cannot‌ Forgive me, Master.
You cannot stay here, boy. Before your fury destroys us both, you must leave.
Help me, Please, I beg you. Help me control the beast.
What of the Ten Kingdoms? Did the Kings of the North band together to fight Mayadeva?
“indeed, they did. Together, the kings marched against Mayadeva, and met his horde at a battleground called Dasarajna.�
With such an army, how can we not be victorious?
Let us hope you are right, Father. The fate of the ages hangs in the balance, the very destiny of mankind itself.
Any commander knows that the fate of a war is not determined by who has the largest army. A twist looms, does it not old man?
Indeed the history of man is a twisted tale, my dear king. You are right than an infinite legion of soldiers perhaps is not match to a single warrior if his mind his right...
TO BE CONTINUED!