Veer: A Legendary tale of Revenge and Redemption
Author - Rajeev Ranjan
Chapter 4: The Imminent Danger- A Call to Arms
The three Yodhas were filled with determination as they began their training under the watchful eye of Samrat. He assigned each of them a task and warned them that they would not receive any food until they mastered it. Anika's task was to cut bamboo pieces in half with symmetrical precision. Daksh was challenged with cutting the leaves from a tree stem without causing harm to any of them. And Veer was tasked with cutting tree trunks in two equal halves. At first, the tasks sounded deceptively easy, but the reality proved to be quite the opposite. Anika struggled with finding the perfect angle to make the cuts symmetrical. Daksh was finding it difficult to cut the leaves without tearing them, and Veer had trouble cutting through the thick trunks. Days turned into weeks, and the three were becoming increasingly frustrated as they went without food.
Samrat observed their determination and perseverance as they struggled with their tasks, but they never gave up. They trained tirelessly, even at night. As days and weeks went by, they slowly but surely began to improve their skills with their weapons. One day, an eagle appeared and began to soar above their heads in the sky. The three trainees couldn't understand what was happening. However, when Samrat came out, the eagle immediately flew down to him. As Samrat clarified that the eagle was a messenger, the three individuals speculated that the message could be from the village. Samrat began to untie the letter attached to the eagle's feet and started reading it. The trio noticed a stunned expression on his face as he perused the contents of the message.
The three could clearly see the shock and fear in Samrat's expression, and couldn't help but ask, "What happened, Guru Samrat?" Samrat took a few seconds to collect himself, trying to process the message he had just read. Finally, he said, "We need to hurry. The village is under attack." Upon hearing this news, the three trainees were shocked and immediately asked for more information. Samrat took a few seconds to absorb the message before responding, "I don't have much information, but one thing is clear - the village wouldn't have sent an eagle messenger unless it was an emergency. We need to act quickly." Samrat instructed the three to quickly pack their bags and drink plenty of water, informing them that they would not rest until they reached the village. He promised to explain the situation on the way.
As they made their way to the village, Samrat began to explain the situation to them. He told them that there were two types of messenger birds, owls and eagles. Owls were used for normal messages, but in emergencies, eagles were dispatched because they were faster than most birds. Unlike owls, eagles could easily locate the recipient of the message using their extraordinary vision, without having to search the entire village. Also, Samrat instructed them that while he fights the danger that has occurred in the village, the three of them should focus on rescuing the villagers and taking them to safety. However, Veer expressed his desire to fight the monsters who attacked the village. Samrat explained to him that showing off his skills is not as important as saving the lives of the villagers. Besides, since this is an emergency, the monsters are likely to be strong, and they may end up losing their lives if they choose to fight them.
As they conversed, they hastened their pace, leaping from tree to tree, scaling mountains until they caught sight of the village. As they arrived, they surveyed the situation and saw two Asur standing on the outskirts of the village, with about ten more of their minions standing behind them. The first Asur towered over them at a height of about 6 feet. He had two black horns on his head, large canine teeth, and four hands, each wielding a sword. His body was incredibly strong, and he bore a distinctive mark on his hand - a red triangle inside a circle. The second Asur was a little smaller, about 5.10 feet in height, and had three white horns on his forehead. He had two arms, and wielding a spear, and his eyes were completely red from end to end. The second Asur also had the same mark on his hand as the first one. They noticed the villagers running in fear, with some houses already burning in flames. In the middle of the village stood the village leader, while the two Asurs were positioned on the opposite side at the edge of the village. The leader appeared to be shouting something, but the noise from the chaos made it difficult for the three to hear.
As they were processing the situation, the other five Atirathi with their teams had also arrived at the location. All the Atirathis exchanged a determined look before nodding at each other in unison. They then quickly instructed their team Yodhas to focus on rescuing the villagers and putting out the fires. As soon as they finished relaying the instructions, all six Atirathis rushed towards the two Asuras with determination in their eyes. As the Yodhas worked on rescuing the villagers to safety and extinguishing the fires, they also kept a watchful eye on the battle between the Atirathis and the two Asurs.
The battle was epic, with the two Asurs surrounded by the six Atirathis. It appears the Atirathis had the advantage in numbers, but as they all attacked the Asurs simultaneously, the tide turned. The Asurs easily held their ground and fought off all six Atirathis. The battle was so fast paced that it was difficult to follow with the naked eye. The Atirathis and Asurs clashed their swords and spears relentlessly, causing sparks to fly with each impact. Anika reported to Mahaguru Atharv that the villagers had been successfully rescued and he nodded in acknowledgement while remaining focused on the ongoing battle between the Asurs and Atirathis. The other Yodhas watched the intense battle, some of them itching to join in the fight. Veer, however, was seething with anger that was evident in his eyes. He was so frustrated and consumed with rage that he wanted to tear out the Asurs' hearts from their bodies.
However, the intensity of the battle was clear to Veer, and he knew that he would only get in the way of the Atirathis if he tried to join them. It seemed like they were on a completely different level. The Atirathis and Asurs engaged in a fierce battle, each strike filled with rage and the desire to kill. Suddenly, they all stopped and jumped back to their initial positions, preparing for the next round of combat. As the smaller Asur, Armasur, jumped out of the battle zone, all eyes were on him. The Atirathis and the bigger Asur, Azasur, watched with confusion and suspicion as Armasur made his way towards the edge of the village. Azasur called out to him, asking what he was planning to do. Armasur turned towards Azasur with a mischievous grin on his face. "Something very interesting, Azasur," he replied, his voice low and ominous. "Handle those Atirathis yourself. I have an epic idea in mind." The smile on Armasur's face was chilling. The Atirathis sensed that something bad was about to happen, and their grip on their weapons tightened. Azasur, on the other hand, seemed to be unfazed by Armasur's words. "What are you planning, Armasur?" he asked, his voice low and menacing. Armasur merely chuckled in response. He continued to make his way towards the edge of the village, his eyes fixed on a large boulder that was situated on a nearby hill.
The Atirathis watched in horror as Armasur raised his hands and began to channel his energy towards the boulder. The ground shook as Armasur's power surged through the air, and the boulder began to glow with an otherworldly light. The Atirathis watched in amazement as the boulder lifted from its resting place and began to hurtle towards the village. The Atirathis scrambled to get out of the way as the boulder crashed down in the centre of the village, creating a massive explosion. The force of the impact was so great that it sent the Atirathis flying, and they crashed down to the ground in a cloud of dust and debris. As the dust began to settle, the Atirathis struggled to their feet, their bodies bruised and battered. They looked around in horror at the destruction that Armasur had wrought. The village was in ruins, and many of the houses were damaged. Azasur approached the Atirathis, a smug grin on his face. "You should have known better than to mess with us," he taunted. "This is only the beginning. We will continue to destroy everything that you hold dear until you submit to our will." The Atirathis gritted their teeth in anger and determination. They knew that they could not let the Asurs win. They would continue to fight, no matter the cost.
As Azasur continued his attack on the Atirathis, they struggled to keep up with his incredible strength and speed. The Yodhas who had rescued the villagers were filled with fear as they watched the destruction before them. Suddenly, Armasur's voice boomed out ominously, addressing the Yodhas. "Why are you small fries standing around watching the show?" he taunted, pointing a menacing finger at them. As he did so, 10 of his minions rushed towards the Yodhas, who were completely unprepared for this sudden attack. The Atirathis, who were still engaged in a fierce battle with Azasur, desperately wanted to help their team Yodhas but were unable to do so as they were occupied with the powerful Asur. The Yodhas were greatly outnumbered and outmatched, and it seemed like all hope was lost.
The Yodhas fought with all their might, but they were no match for the strength and skill of the Asur minions. They were outnumbered and outmatched, and one by one, they began to fall. The Atirathis could only watch helplessly as their team Yodhas were taken down by the minions. Armasur watched the scene with amusement, his wicked smile growing wider with each passing moment. He had always enjoyed causing chaos and destruction, and this was no exception. As he watched the Yodhas being defeated, he couldn't help but let out a sinister laugh. The Atirathis were getting restless and wanted to help their team Yodhas, but they knew they couldn't leave Azasur unattended. They continued to fight with all their might, but they were struggling to keep up with the powerful Asur. The battle was intense, with sparks flying and weapons clashing, but it seemed like the Asurs were winning.
The Yodhas lay on the ground, their bodies wracked with pain from the brutal attacks they had endured. They had fought fiercely against the Asurs, but their strength and numbers were no match for the enemy. The Atirathis were barely holding on, their weapons barely raised as they struggled to defend themselves. Even as they fought, they knew that their efforts might be in vain. Armasur surveyed the scene with a cruel grin on his face. He saw that his foes were weakened and vulnerable, and he knew that he could end this conflict in a matter of moments. He spoke with a deep, ominous voice, warning that he would soon erase the village from the pages of history. The villagers had no hope, and it seemed that their fate was sealed. His eyes were filled with hatred, and he was determined to destroy the village no matter the cost. Armasur's right hand shot up towards the sky, and with a sudden burst of power, a bright blue orb began to form in his palm. The energy grew larger and larger, until it was the size of an elephant, crackling with an ominous energy that made everyone in the vicinity shudder. Armasur let out a menacing laugh and declared that the end was near. He began to chant, the words of the spell tumbling from his lips like the roll of thunder. "Mrityu Chakra," he cried, "the end is here!" With a fierce motion, he hurled the massive orb of energy towards the village, its momentum carrying it swiftly through the air. As the Mrityu Chakra approached the village, time seemed to slow to a crawl.
Fear gripped the hearts of all who were watching, for they knew that this was the end. They watched in terror as the massive energy orb loomed closer, growing larger and larger until it blotted out the sun itself. The shadow of the energy mass fell over the entire village, plunging it into a dark, ominous stillness. The villagers could only stand and watch as the Mrityu Chakra bore down upon them, its destructive force seeming all but unstoppable. They felt as though they were facing their doom, and their minds were filled with despair. All they could do was wait and pray for a miracle, even as the energy mass drew ever nearer, casting its ominous shadow over everything in its path.
As everyone watched in terror, the old man Atharv stood with his arms outstretched, chanting the ancient spell of Agni Baan in a voice that sounded like the rumble of thunder. Suddenly, a brilliant light began to form around him, taking the shape of a bow and arrow. In mere moments, Atharv was holding a bow with a golden hue, the arrow on fire and glowing with a fierce energy. Everyone could hardly believe their eyes as Atharv took aim and let loose the flaming arrow towards the oncoming Mrityu Chakra. The two powers collided with an explosive force, each one fighting for dominance with a ferocity that shook the very earth. The villagers could feel the shockwaves of the impact in their bones, and some fell to the ground, unable to withstand the power of the battle raging before them. Atharv stood firm; his eyes fixed on the swirling maelstrom of energy before him. His arms trembled with the effort of keeping the bow steady, but he refused to falter.
He was the only one standing between the village and certain annihilation, and he would do whatever it took to protect his people. As the two powers clashed, the sky grew darker and darker, until it seemed as if the very heavens were on the brink of collapse. Lightning crackled across the sky, and the ground shook beneath their feet. Everyone huddled together, praying that Atharv's magic would be enough to save them. And then, with a final burst of energy, the Mrityu Chakra was destroyed. The energy dissipated into the air, leaving only a faint glow behind. Atharv lowered his bow, his body shaking with exhaustion, but a triumphant smile on his face.
The collision of the two ominous energies in the sky left everyone watching in a state of shock and fear. The Yodhas knew that they had just avoided certain destruction, and they felt a deep sense of gratitude towards Atharv, their savior. Their renewed hope and sense of determination empowered them to rise to their feet, ready to fight alongside their new ally. Veer, filled with courage and determination, shouted out that they would not let Armasur do as he pleased. Without hesitation, he charged towards one of the minions, pulling his axe backward. With a mighty swing of power, Veer sliced off the minion's head, which fell to the ground with a sickening thud. The Yodhas cheered in response, encouraged by Veer's bravery and the knowledge that they had a chance at defeating Armasur and his minions.
As the Yodhas watched Veer's brave act, they were filled with a renewed sense of purpose and determination. They charged forward with their weapons drawn, ready to fight the minions and protect their village. With a fierce battle cry, they launched into the fray, wielding swords, axes, and other weapons with precision and skill. The minions fought back with their own weapons and dark magic, but the Yodhas were relentless, striking blow after blow with unrelenting force. Though the minions were powerful and formidable opponents, the Yodhas fought with great courage and determination. Despite facing tremendous obstacles, they managed to slowly whittle down the enemy's numbers and gain the upper hand. With each defeated minion, the Yodhas gained confidence and strength. They fought with everything they had, their hearts filled with a fierce determination to protect their homes and loved ones. Finally, after a long and gruelling battle, the last minion fell, defeated. Breathless and wounded, the Yodhas looked around at the aftermath of the battle, their faces a mixture of exhaustion and triumph. They had stood up to an unimaginable threat and emerged victorious, thanks to their bravery, skill, and unity.
Filled with renewed determination and hope after defeating the minions, Veer wasted no time in charging towards Azasur. With a powerful swing of his sword, he plunged it deep into Azasur's stomach. Daksh, seeing this, drove his spear straight into Azasur's heart. But to their shock, Azasur just stood there, smiling as if nothing had happened. In a mocking tone, he taunted them, asking if that was all they had. Veer and Daksh were baffled as they couldn't comprehend what was going on - both of their weapons had clearly pierced through Azasur's body, but he showed no signs of pain or injury.
With a mighty grip, Azasur seized Veer and Daksh by their heads and hurled them with incredible force. The two warriors careened through the air, smashing through stones and trees before finally crashing to the ground. As they lay dazed and wounded, Azasur pulled out the weapons that had been lodged in his body and cast them aside. In a shocking display of power, Azasur's wounds began to heal, and his body was restored to its former state, completely undamaged. The Yodhas looked on in horror as they realized that their enemy was truly invincible.
As Azasur charged towards Veer with blinding speed and a deadly intent, fear filled Veer's eyes, knowing that his end was near. But just as Azasur was about to strike, Samrat suddenly appeared and intervened, clashing his sword with Azasur's and saving Veer's life in the process. Azasur responded with a casual "nice" and delivered a powerful kick to Samrat, sending him crashing to the ground. Despite the blow, Samrat's determination to protect Veer remained strong, and he quickly rose to his feet, shouting "Atirathis Matasya Chakrayiuh formation!" All six Atirathi warriors immediately understood his command. Four of them quickly surrounded Azasur while the other two vanished from sight.
However, Azasur didn't see this as a threat and stood firmly with a smile on his face. Samrat then shouted, "Prahar!" Azasur knew that they were going to charge at him and took his stance. All four Atirathi charged at Azasur simultaneously, but Azasur stopped all four of them using his four hands, each gripping a sword. Azasur sneered, "Is this your best formation attack? Don't mock me." As Azasur continued to laugh at his opponents, Samrat declared that the battle was over. Just then, one of the Atirathi warriors emerged from the ground and swiftly grabbed onto Azasur's legs with a firm grip.
As Azasur was held in place by the Atirathi, his eyes widened with shock and disbelief. He had been so confident in his invincibility, but now he realized that he had underestimated his opponents. His mind raced as he tried to come up with a way out of the situation, but he could find no escape. The Atirathi held him tightly, their grip unyielding, and Azasur struggled to break free, but to no avail. He tried to use his powers to blast them away, but they were too strong, too determined. Samrat stepped forward, his eyes locked on Azasur's. "Your time is up," he declared, his voice firm and unwavering. "You will pay for your crimes." Azasur sneered, his lips twisting into a mocking grin. "You think you have won?" he spat. "You are nothing. I am invincible. I am immortal." But even as he spoke, he knew it was a lie.
The last Atirathi who was hidden emerged from the earth, startling Azasur who was still laughing at their attempts to defeat him. With a swift jump and a fierce battle cry, the Atirathi charged towards Azasur, brandishing his sword and aiming straight for Azasur's head. Azasur saw him coming and his face twisted with confusion and fear as he realized that this could be the end for him. Sweat dripped down his face as he braced himself for the impact, knowing that a single hit from the Atirathi's sword could mean certain death.
As the Atirathi charged towards him, Azasur quickly assessed the situation and closed his eyes, seemingly gathering some sort of power. When he opened them again, his irises glowed a bright red color. Just before the Atirathi's sword was about to strike him, Azasur disassembled his arms and legs, breaking free from the grasp of the other Atirathis. The Atirathi's sword missed its mark as Azasur's body dispersed into several parts, only to reform into a completely different shape. His face was now contorted in anger as he faced the Atirathi once again. In a matter of seconds, Azasur's body regenerated his lost limbs, and he stood up with a smirk on his face, ready to face his opponents once again.
The Atirathis ground their teeth in fury, poised to launch another attack on Azasur. But just as they were about to strike, a booming voice interrupted them, calling out Atharv as an "old man." The Atirathis halted, startled by the sudden interruption, and searched for the source of the voice. Their gazes fell upon Armasur, who had spoken the insult. Armasur continued to speak, "You have become old, Mahaguru. It's time for the young ones to take over. I've just received a message from the crow messenger that our mission is already accomplished," he said. "However, before we depart, I would like to offer you a parting gift." He then lifted both of his hands above his head and began to gather energy, the same blue energy that had been seen before. As he focused his energy, the aura above his palms began to grow, slowly expanding until it was as large as a mountain, its blinding glow illuminating the surrounding area.
As Atharv struggled to rise to his feet, his old age hindering him, he wasn't sure if he could stop the impending attack. Fear once again gripped everyone as they looked upon the massive energy Armasur had summoned, feeling powerless in the face of such immense power. Despite this, Armasur continued to smile wickedly, savoring the terror he had inspired in his enemies. Then, with a furious shout, he hurled the "maha mrityu chakra" energy mass towards the helpless village. The air around the chakra crackled with its deadly power, striking terror into the hearts of all who beheld it. Atharv could feel the immense power of the chakra bearing down on him, threatening to obliterate him and everything around him. Even as he struggled to stand, his mind raced, searching for a way to save the village from certain destruction. The other Atirathis looked on in horror, their faces etched with a mixture of fear and determination. They knew they had to act fast if they wanted to save their home and their people. Meanwhile, Armasur continued to grin malevolently, relishing in the terror he had wrought. The ground shook as the massive chakra drew closer and closer to the village, its terrible power growing with every passing second.
Struggling to stand on his feet, Atharv managed to rise once again and assumed the same posture as before, his lips moving in silent incantation. "Agni Baan," he whispered, and a dim light began to take shape, coalescing into the form of a bow and arrow. But the light soon began to flicker and fade, a testament to the little energy that remained in Atharv's frail body. The onlookers watched helplessly, their hearts heavy with despair, as the light vanished completely. Atharv didn't know what to do next. He could only watch in despair as the dark energy hurtled towards him and the village. The entire village fell into a deep silence, watching in horror as the massive energy mass began to burn with an intense flame, illuminating the sky with an eerie red glow. Armasur continued to watch as the mass of fiery energy hurtled towards the village. He laughed loudly, savoring the destruction that was about to unfold. He was certain that nothing would be left standing once his attack made contact.
As the Maha mrityu chakra drew closer to Atharv, he was filled with despair, as were all those watching him. He bowed his head in resignation, but then suddenly raised it with a small smile on his face. In a low voice that everyone could hear, he said, "He is here." Suddenly, an ominous white glow emanated from behind and collided with the Maha mrityu chakra, causing a deafening boom. The resulting explosion was massive, and black smoke filled the entire sky. Those who thought they were already dead realized that they were still alive and witnessed something saved them by destroying the Maha mrityu chakra in an instant.
When the smoke finally cleared, the villagers saw a towering figure standing near Atharv. He was a man of immense stature, with a huge, muscular build that seemed to ripple with power. His long hair cascaded down to his shoulders, and he was dressed in an orange tunic with a matching scarf around his waist, that fluttered in the breeze. In his hand, he held a Bow, and his arms were adorned with golden Gauntlets and Greaves. He looked like a god, and everyone in the village stood in awe and silence, staring at him in wonder. Atharv, on the other hand, looked up at the man and smiled, his expression one of profound relief. It was clear that he recognized the towering figure and knew that he was here to save them. The man stood calmly, his gaze moving over the stunned villagers, and then he turned his attention to Armasur.
Azasur turned to face the new arrival and smiled. "Armasur, look who is here," he said, gesturing towards the godly figure. Armasur replied with a taunt, "Yeah yeah I know, the legendary Ashok." Despite his tone, Armasur knew better than to underestimate Ashok's power, and so he turned to Azasur and suggested they leave. "Our mission is completed, let's get going," he said. In an instant, the two villains vanished as if by magic, leaving behind a trail of black smoke. Ashok approached Atharv and extended his hand to help him up. "Are you all, right?" he asked with concern. Atharv smiled and took Ashok's hand, feeling a sudden surge of energy flow through him. "Yes, I am fine now. Thank you for saving us," he replied. However, I can't shake the feeling that something is off. Armasur claimed that he completed his mission, but I can't help wondering what he was after. The rest of the Yodhas slowly began to recover from the shock of what had just happened, and soon they were all gathered around Ashok, gazing in wonder at his godly presence.
Chapter 5: Forging the Blade- The Art of Combat
After the Asurs left, the village was left in complete chaos. The destruction caused by the Maha mrityu chakra was immense and the villagers were left to pick up the pieces of their broken homes and lives. Despite the enormity of the task before them, there was a palpable sense of relief among the people as they had been saved from certain death at the last moment by Ashok's intervention. The villagers worked tirelessly the next day to repair the damage caused by the attack. Despite the difficulty of the task, they were not overcome by grief and instead were filled with a sense of gratitude that they were still alive. Everywhere, people were singing praises of the legendary Ashok who had come to their rescue in their darkest hour. As the days went by, life slowly started to return to normal in the village. Although the memory of the attack lingered in everyone's mind, they were slowly healing and moving forward with their lives. Meanwhile, Atharv was still pondering over the motives of Armasur and Azasur. He could not shake off the feeling that something else was going on and that there was more to their mission than just the destruction of the village.
After a week, Atharv summoned a meeting for all Atirathis to gather in the central meeting hall. The hall was a grand and majestic space, with high ceilings, intricate carvings, and marble floors. As the Atirathis arrived, they were struck by the solemnity of the atmosphere. They knew that this meeting was important and that they would need to be attentive and focused. In the centre of the hall was a large, round table made of polished oak, surrounded by high-backed chairs. The table was covered with a pristine white tablecloth, and at each place setting, there was a small, intricately designed card with the name of the Atirathi assigned to that seat.
As the Atirathis gathered in the grand meeting hall, their leader Atharv sat at the head of a massive table, flanked by the legendary warrior Ashok. The Atirathis took their seats around the table, eager to hear what their leader had to say. Atharv began speaking with a grave expression on his face. "My fellow Atirathis, we have gathered here today for a very important reason. As you all know, our village was recently attacked by two powerful Asurs, Armasur and Azasur. While we were fortunate to have the legendary Ashok on our side, we cannot forget the danger we faced and the destruction that was caused." Atharv paused, his eyes scanning the room as he gathered his thoughts. "I have been thinking about the words that Armasur spoke to us, that their mission was completed. However, today we have received messages from messenger owls that have shaken me to my core. It seems that while we were focused on the two Asurs attacking our village, three other Asurs were able to sneak into nearby small villages and cause destruction. We thought we had won the fight, but in reality, we have lost."
As Atharv finished speaking, Ashok took charge and began addressing the Atirathis gathered in the meeting hall. "My fellow Atirathis, I have decided to stay in this village for some time to ensure that we are prepared for any future attacks from the Asurs. We have seen that new Yodhas struggled in the previous battle, and we know that these Asurs are incredibly powerful. Therefore, I order you to intensify your training regimen for our new recruits and prepare them for the upcoming battles. We need to be ready to face any challenge that comes our way."
Ashok then mentioned a brave boy named Veer, who he had decided to take under his wing and train. "Veer is a courageous young man who has shown great potential as a Yodha. I have decided to take him into my custody and train him personally. He will become a great asset to our village in the future battles." Ashok also informed the Atirathis about some intel he had received on the whereabouts of one of the Asurs. "I have received information about one of the Asurs hiding somewhere nearby. I am going to find him and take him down. In the meantime, I want you all to take care of the nearby villages that were damaged in the previous attacks. We need to help them rebuild and regain their strength. This is our duty as Atirathis, and we cannot shirk from it." Finally, Atharv gave his approval and dismissed the meeting. "That is all for now, Yodhas. Let us give everything we have and prepare ourselves for the next battle. Dismissed." The Atirathis left the meeting hall with a renewed sense of purpose and determination, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
After the meeting ended, the Atirathis dispersed and began discussing the urgent matter amongst themselves. The next day, the Yodhas wasted no time and started training with great intensity to prepare themselves for battle. A few Yodhas even ventured out to assist other villages in need of aid. Meanwhile, Veer was fast asleep in his room when a sudden splash of water jolted him awake. As he struggled to catch his breath, he was surprised to see Ashok standing before him. Initially, Veer was bewildered and struggled to comprehend what was happening. Slowly rising from his bed, he faced Ashok. Ashoka's words were clear and direct as he spoke, "I am giving you one hour to prepare yourself. We are going on a mission" and suddenly he disappeared.
Veer was taken aback by the suddenness of the mission, but he didn't waste any time getting ready. He quickly sprang out of bed and began preparing himself for the task ahead. Though he was excited, he couldn't help but feel a little nervous as he had never been on a mission before. Within an hour, Veer had packed his bags and was ready to go. He stepped out of his room and saw Ashok waiting for him outside. Without wasting any time, they started to walk towards the village exit. Veer could see the determination in Ashok's eyes, and it gave him the motivation to put his best foot forward. He was eager to learn from Ashok and to prove his worth as a Yodha.
As they walked, both Veer and Ashok were silent, stealing glances at each other from time to time. Abruptly, Ashok broke the silence, "Boy, did you see how powerful the Asurs were?" Veer nodded his head in agreement. "Then why do you want to fight them and die?" Ashok inquired; his voice filled with concern. Veer responded firmly, "One of the Asurs killed my parents. They have taken many lives and destroyed everything in their path. My father was an Atirathi, and I want to surpass him by becoming a Maharathi. I want to fight for justice and protect the innocent people of our village from these monsters." Ashok nodded in understanding and said, "I can see that you have a strong spirit and determination. But keep in mind that the path of a Yodha is full of danger and sacrifices. Are you ready to face that?" Veer replied confidently, "Yes, I am ready to face any challenge that comes my way. I will not back down from my duty as a Yodha." Ashok smiled and said, "Good. Your courage and determination will serve you well in the mission we are about to undertake. Now, let's focus on the task at hand and stay alert."
After a while of walking, Ashoka and Veer arrived at the foothills of a mountain. Ashoka gestured for them to rest for a while before continuing. They both sat down and caught their breath. Ashoka then asked Veer, "So, what do you plan on doing now?" Veer's stomach growled, prompting him to smile as he unpacked some food, he had brought with him. Ashoka and Veer enjoyed their meal together, lying down and gazing up at the sky. Veer eventually asked, "Sir, what is our mission?" Ashoka replied sternly, "Don't call me 'sir.' I am your master now, and I will train you to fight. Our mission is to capture one of the Asurs who recently attacked a nearby village."
Upon hearing this, Veer felt a surge of determination to impress Ashoka, knowing that he was a formidable warrior. Ashoka inquired, "What weapon do you wield, Veer?" Veer produced his axe and responded, "A Parsu." Ashoka retorted, "That's just an ordinary weapon you carry with you. Summon your original weapon." Veer was shocked by the request and stared at Ashoka with wide eyes. "But that's impossible," Veer exclaimed. Ashoka let out a deep sigh and shook his head. "Fool," he muttered under his breath. Ashoka then hurled Veer's axe into the river and asked, "Now that your weapon is gone, how will you fight?" Veer cried out, "What? You threw my weapon in the first place." Ashoka chuckled and stated, "You must learn how to summon your weapon, Veer. It's crucial for any warrior." Veer was perplexed. "What do you mean by summoning a weapon, Ashoka?" Ashoka lifted his right hand towards the sky, closed his eyes, and concentrated his energy. Suddenly, a luminous light materialized, taking the form of a bow and arrow.
Veer's eyes widened in amazement as he watched the weapon form right in front of him. "This is how you summon your weapon," Ashoka said, opening his eyes and gesturing towards the bow. "You can't always carry your weapon with you, and if you lose it, you're in trouble. So, it's crucial to learn how to summon it at will." Veer nodded, understanding the importance of the skill. "Okay, I see. But how do I learn to do it?" Ashoka walked over to Veer and placed his hand on the younger warrior's shoulder. "It takes practice and focus. I can teach you the technique, but it's up to you to master it. With enough dedication, you'll be able to summon your weapon effortlessly." Veer nodded, determined to learn the skill. "I'll do my best to learn it, Guru." Ashoka smiled. "I have faith in you, Veer. Now, let's start practicing."
As Veer stood in the middle of the river, the water flowed fiercely around him, splashing against his body and causing him to stumble. He struggled to keep his balance, his feet slipping on the rocky riverbed as he fought to remain upright. The current was strong, tugging at him like an invisible force, threatening to pull him under at any moment. Veer gritted his teeth and clenched his fists, determined not to be defeated by the raging river. He tried to plant his feet firmly on the ground, but the water was too powerful, pushing against him relentlessly. He felt his heart racing with fear and adrenaline, his body shaking with the effort of standing against the current.
Veer looked at Ashok with a mixture of disbelief and annoyance. "You want me to balance in this raging river? Are you out of your mind?" he asked, his face contorted in sarcasm. Ashok simply smiled and said, "This is one of the three crucial steps in learning to summon your weapon. You need to learn to balance yourself in any situation, no matter how challenging it may seem." Veer reluctantly stepped into the water, his heart racing with fear. The current was strong, and he struggled to stand upright, losing his balance several times. Each time he fell, he hit the rocks in the riverbed and felt his body bruise and ache from the impact. Despite the pain, Veer was determined to succeed. He got up each time he fell and pushed himself harder, refusing to give up. The water pushed against him, the rocks scraping his skin, but he persisted. Hours passed, and Veer's body was battered and bruised. His clothes were torn, and his skin was red and raw from the constant battering of the water and rocks. But he had finally succeeded in balancing himself in the river, and he felt a sense of pride and accomplishment wash over him. Ashok woke up from his nap and saw Veer standing in the river, battered but victorious. He smiled and said, "Well done, Veer. You have passed the first step. Now, onto the next one."
Ashok instructed Veer to stand on one leg and balance himself in the river, which was the second part of his training. Veer was taken aback and looked at Ashok incredulously, but he tried to play it off as if it were no big deal. He joined his hands in a praying gesture and lifted one leg, but he immediately lost his balance and fell into the water. Despite this setback, Veer persisted in his efforts and continued to try to balance himself on one leg. The task was much more difficult than he had anticipated, and he struggled with each attempt. Meanwhile, Ashok watched on with a sarcastic smile on his face and told Veer to keep practicing while he went to gather some food, if available in the area. Veer was determined to master this skill and refused to give up, even though he was bruised and battered from falling repeatedly into the rushing water.
In the evening, Ashoka returned to Veer's training spot with some food in his hands. As he approached, he saw Veer still struggling to master the second stage, barely able to stand due to his numerous wounds and exhaustion. Despite his physical limitations, Veer was refusing to give up, his determination to grow stronger unwavering. Ashoka called out to him, "Veer, come here and fill your stomach. That's all for today." However, Veer looked at Ashoka with a fierce determination in his eyes and said, "No, I won't give up until I master it." With those words, he continued with his training, but as the night wore on, he became more and more exhausted. Finally, Veer fainted from the physical strain, and Ashoka quickly picked him up and laid him down near their tent. After some time, Veer regained consciousness, but he was clearly in pain and discomfort. He gestured towards his head, indicating that it was hurting. Ashoka smiled reassuringly at him and said, "You're awake now, let's fill our stomachs." Together, they sat down to eat their food, with Ashoka carefully watching over Veer as he ate.
After they had finished eating, they both lay down to rest. Ashoka closed his eyes and soon fell asleep, but Veer couldn't stop thinking about the painful memories of his parents' death. He felt restless and uncomfortable, as he kept imagining the tragic incident over and over again. Despite his exhaustion, sleep seemed impossible to attain. He tried to distract himself by looking up at the stars and listening to the sound of the river flowing, but his thoughts kept returning to the painful memories. Eventually, Veer drifted off into an uneasy sleep, his mind still consumed by the events of the past.
Meanwhile, in the village, the other Yodhas were also making progress in their training. Daksh and Anika had already mastered the art of summoning their weapons and were now working on improving their fighting skills. As the days passed, they became stronger and more skilled. Back at the river, Veer continued to train tirelessly. Despite the setbacks and the pain, he refused to give up. He was determined to become a great warrior like his parents. He spent hours each day practicing and honing his skills, pushing himself to the limits of his endurance. One day, Ashok noticed a change in Veer. He was more focused and determined than ever before. Ashok knew that Veer was close to mastering the second stage of his training. He decided to leave Veer alone for a while, to allow him to fully concentrate on his training. As Ashok went to explore the nearby village, Veer continued his training. He tried to empty his mind and focus on the task at hand. He fell many times, but he always got back up and continued. He didn't let the pain and frustration get to him this time. Instead, he smiled through the difficulties, knowing that each fall brought him closer to his goal.
When Ashok returned in the evening, he was surprised to see Veer standing perfectly still in the stream of water. Veer's hands were clasped in prayer, his eyes closed, and his breathing steady. He had achieved the second stage of his training - the ability to balance on one leg in the river. Ashok smiled in admiration and approached Veer. "Congratulations, Veer," Ashok said. "You have passed the second stage of your training." Veer opened his eyes and smiled back. "Thank you, Guru Ashok. I couldn't have done it without your guidance." Ashok patted Veer on the back. "You have the heart of a true warrior, Veer. Keep up the hard work, and you will become a great Yodha like your parents." Veer felt a sense of pride and accomplishment wash over him. He knew that there was still much work to be done, but he was ready for the challenge.
The next morning, Ashoka and Veer met near the tent. Ashoka looked at Veer and said, "Now it's time for the final step. I will explain to you how you can obtain the power of summoning weapons, but be warned, this is the most dangerous step of all. Many have failed in this process." Veer looked at him with determination and nodded, eager to learn the next step. Ashoka continued, "You will be submerged underwater till your neck. You will need to raise your right hand above your head and chant a Mantra 'Shastrashaktim Dehi Meh Dev.' You will need to chant this mantra until you get the weapon. However, once you start the process, you cannot open your eyes in between, move, eat or drink water." Veer listened to Ashoka with rapt attention, absorbing every word. The final step was daunting, but he was ready to face any challenge to gain the power of summoning weapons.
Ashoka handed him a piece of paper with the mantra written on it and said, "Take this paper with you and memorize the mantra. You must have it completely memorized before attempting the final step." Veer took the paper and studied the mantra. He practiced reciting it until he knew it by heart. Finally, the time had come to attempt the final step. Ashoka led Veer to the river and asked him to stand in it. "Now, take a deep breath and submerge yourself in the water until your neck. Keep your right hand raised above your head and begin chanting the mantra. Remember, you cannot open your eyes, move or eat or drink water until you get the weapon." Veer nodded and took a deep breath. He lowered himself into the water until it reached his neck and began chanting the mantra with his right hand raised above his head. The water was cold, and his body shivered with every passing moment, but Veer remained focused on the mantra. As time passed, Veer felt his body becoming numb, and his mind began to wander. He could feel the weight of the water on his body, and he struggled to maintain his concentration. But he refused to give up.
Weeks had gone by and every day, Veer went through the same gruelling process, struggling to get through the final step. Ashoka kept a watchful eye on him from a distance, observing as Veer's concentration grew deeper with each passing day. Finally, Ashoka decided it was time to reveal the secret to the final step. As they sat together for dinner, Ashoka spoke to Veer, commending him on his determination and perseverance. "Most people do not make it on the first try, and many give up before completing the process," he said. "But you have shown that you are a true warrior, determined to wield a weapon." Veer was surprised to hear this, and listened intently as Ashoka explained the final step. "You must bond a connection between your weapon and your heart," Ashoka said. "While chanting the mantra tomorrow, focus your concentration on your weapon until you reach the depth of it. This is the toughest part, and you may even lose your life in the process. I am giving you another chance, and if you wish, you can stop here." But Veer was resolute in his determination. "No way am I going to back down now," he shouted with anger. "I will do it no matter the cost!" Ashoka smiled and nodded. "Very well," he said. "If you have already decided, then tomorrow will be a great day. Good night!"
Excitement surged through Veer's veins as he prepared for the final step. He made his way to the river, and waded into the water until he was submerged up to his neck. Veer raised his right hand above his head, clutching his weapon tightly, and began to chant the mantra Ashoka had taught him. He focused all his energy on the weapon, repeating the mantra repeatedly, determined to succeed. Hours passed, and Veer continued to chant, his face slick with sweat from the exertion. He refused to give up, continuing his mantra throughout the day and deep into the night. As the sun rose again the following day, Veer was still standing in the water, his voice hoarse from chanting but his resolve unshaken. Suddenly, Veer felt an overwhelming weight pressing down on him, and he realized he was unable to move his body or open his eyes. Panic surged through him, but he forced himself to remain calm and focused on his weapon.
Then, to his horror, he saw the weapon slip from his grasp and sink into the river. In an instant, he too began to sink. Veer held his breath as he descended deeper and deeper into the river, until he reached the ocean floor. Gasping for air, he stood up, looking around in confusion. His weapon lay there, and he picked it up, feeling a sense of relief flood over him. As he turned to look towards the surface of the water, Veer realized he couldn't see anything. It was pitch black, and he felt a creeping fear begin to overtake him. Suddenly, his body was paralyzed, and he felt a presence behind him that sent chills down his spine. Veer struggled to turn around, but his body refused to move.
The sight of Lord Parshuram was nothing short of breath-taking. Veer couldn't believe what he was seeing, for the God had a body that was massive and imposing, standing at eight and a half feet tall with muscles that were so well-defined they looked like they were carved out of marble. His long white hair flowed down his back, and his beard and moustache were thick and imposing. He was bare-chested, revealing his perfectly chiseled torso, and he wore a dark, green-colored dhoti that hung from his waist to his ankles. Lord Parshuram's eyes were deep and shadowed, and beside him, there was a giant axe that was as tall as a man. The blade was about five feet long and gleamed in the sunlight, made of pure silver, while the handle was long and thick, crafted from pure gold. As he opened his eyes, flowers began to bloom on the bedrocks around him, and Veer felt his heart skip a beat.
Parshuram put one foot on the ground, and the water around him began to agitate, as if a tsunami was about to come crashing down on them. Every creature in the water began to run away in terror, as if they were running for their lives. Suddenly, Parshuram drew his Parsu from his back, and it looked like he could divide the universe into two pieces with just one swing. He then gently swung his axe around, and the water around them disappeared, leaving a hole in the middle of the ocean, as if the ocean was a mere servant of Parshuram. Veer was struggling to breathe, but he managed to take a deep breath and fell to his knees. He looked up at Lord Parshuram, who was looking down at him with an intense gaze. Parshuram asked him in a booming voice, "Tell me, little one, what have you come here for? Why have you disturbed my meditation?"
Veer's mind was in turmoil as he stood in the river, submerged up to his neck. Ashok watched from the bank, his eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of danger. Suddenly, Veer met Lord Parshuram and saw the god's wrath unleashed upon the ocean. The river began to churn and create waves as tall as buildings, and the sky was suddenly covered in dark, ominous clouds. Thunder roared continuously, shaking the ground beneath their feet, and the wind picked up, tearing trees from the ground and hurling them through the air. It was as if the entire world was on the verge of destruction.
Amidst the chaos, a massive tree came hurtling towards Veer, carried by the strong winds. In an instant, Ashok sprang into action, leaping into the river and kicking the tree out of the way with all his might. He knew that Veer had come to this place to retrieve his weapon, but he had not anticipated the wrath of Lord Parshuram. Nevertheless, Ashok remained steadfast by Veer's side, protecting him from all obstacles while he was with the god. As the winds and storms raged on, Ashok could feel his own fear rising within him. He had never witnessed anything like this before, and he knew that they were truly in the presence of a god. But he refused to let his fear overcome him, not while Veer's safety was at stake. He steeled himself and kept a watchful eye on the river, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.
As Parshuram, the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu, stood before him, Veer felt a deep sense of fear and awe. The warrior guru was known to be one of the most powerful beings in the universe, feared even by the mightiest of demons and asuras. And yet, Veer had come to him, hoping to gain the power to summon his Parsu anytime, anywhere. "I came here to gain the power to summon my Parsu anytime anywhere," Veer said in a low voice, his eyes downcast. Parshuram burst out laughing, his voice echoing across the ocean. "You call this little toy in your hand, 'Parsu'?" he mocked. "This is just a toy for a kid like you. The real Parsu is a fruit gained by harsh mediation for Lord Shiva." Veer felt a sinking feeling in his stomach. He had been foolish to think that his simple axe could compare to the legendary weapon wielded by Parshuram himself. But the warrior guru wasn't finished yet. "Still, if you want to achieve it, you need to prove yourself," he said, his voice deadly serious. "Fight me, and if you defeat me, I will give you the power to summon Parsu. But you will have to prove that you are worthy to wield this weapon." Veer looked up at him, surprised. Could he really defeat Parshuram, the most powerful warrior in the universe?
The thought seemed impossible, but then something in him shifted. He thought of his parents, killed by a demon when he was just a boy. He thought of the village that had been destroyed by two powerful asuras. The memory filled him with a deep rage, and he felt his grip on his axe tighten. Without thinking, Veer hurled his axe at Parshuram with all his might. The weapon flew and struck the centre of Parshuram's body, but to Veer's shock, it didn't even scratch the surface. The axe fell to the ground with a clatter, as if it had hit a solid wall of iron. Parshuram gave a demonic smile and picked up Veer's weapon from the side of the blade. He crushed the blade with one hand, the immense power of his grip shattering the axe into a thousand pieces. Veer felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead as he stared at the broken remains of his weapon.
"The real Parsu is indestructible and never ever breaks. However, it's my turn, little one," Parshuram said, swinging his Parsu with one hand. But to Veer's surprise, the warrior guru didn't swing it at him with the intention of killing him. Instead, he sent a wave of energy towards Veer, pushing him sideways with incredible force. Veer crashed into a nearby bedrock with a bone-shattering impact, his world going dark for a moment. When he opened his eyes again, Veer saw the devastating scene of Parshuram's Parsu splitting the ocean in half. The sheer power of the weapon was terrifying, and Veer felt a wave of fear wash over him. But Parshuram wasn't done yet. "Are you going to just sit there or fight?" he demanded, his eyes blazing with an intensity that made Veer tremble. Veer gritted his teeth and stood up, his mind racing. He knew he couldn't defeat Parshuram in a head-on fight, but perhaps there was another way.
He began to circle around the warrior guru, looking for an opening, a weakness, anything that could give him an advantage. For hours, he battled, Parshuram with his quick reflexes and cunning tactics. Veer's eyes were filled with rage and determination as he launched a barrage of attacks at Parshuram. He threw everything he knew at the mighty warrior, punching, kicking, elbowing, and headbutting him with all his might. However, to Veer's surprise, Parshuram stood there completely unfazed by his blows. It was as if he was hitting an iron statue. Veer's attacks had no effect on him, and he soon found himself exhausted and covered in blood from the effort.
He took a deep breath, trying to regain some of his energy, but it was already too late. Parshuram had had enough of Veer's futile attempts to defeat him. With a single flick of his index finger, Parshuram hit Veer on his forehead with incredible force. It was like being hit by a gigantic elephant, and Veer was sent flying several meters away, crashing through the ground and breaking several bedrocks in the process. As Veer lay there, his body broken and battered, he realized that he was no match for Parshuram. All of his training and all of his strength had been useless against the might of this legendary warrior. Veer collapsed, his consciousness slipping away as he fainted from the pain and exhaustion. It was a humbling experience for Veer, but one that would shape him into a better warrior in the future.
After some time, Veer slowly regained consciousness. He felt excruciating pain throughout his body. His bones were broken, his ribs shattered, and his hands and legs were severely damaged. It felt as if he had been crushed by a boulder. As he tried to get up, he realized that his injuries were so severe that he could barely move. He saw Lord Parshuram sitting on the same bedrock as before, in deep meditation. Veer summoned all his strength to stand, but his body was covered in blood, and he could barely move. Slowly, he started to make his way towards Lord Parshuram. Parshuram's voice echoed as Veer approached, "You got up, I see." Veer was unable to speak, but he assumed a stance, ready to fight. Parshuram opened his eyes and walked towards Veer. As Veer looked up at him, he felt as if he were an ant about to fight an elephant.
Parshuram raised his hand above his head, ready to crush Veer with a single blow. As Parshuram moved his hand towards Veer, he closed his eyes and thought, "This is as far as I go." He remembered his parents and thanked them for everything they had done for him. He said his final words as Parshuram's hand reached for his head, "Goodbye, everyone." Several minutes passed, and Veer waited for the final blow, but it never came. He opened his eyes to see Parshuram looking at him with a sense of admiration. "You have proven yourself, Veer," Parshuram said. "You have shown that you have the courage and determination to wield the power of the Parsu." Veer was confused. He had been defeated so easily, yet Parshuram seemed to be praising him. "What do you mean?" Veer asked. "You fought with all your might, even though you knew you couldn't win," Parshuram replied. "That shows true courage. And it is that courage that I seek in someone who can wield the power of the Parsu." Parshuram reached out his hand and placed it on Veer's head.
Veer felt a surge of energy flow through his body. His broken bones and shattered ribs started to heal, and the pain began to fade. Parshuram continued, "I give you the power to summon the Parsu anytime, anywhere. Use it wisely, for it is a powerful weapon that can bring both good and evil." Following his statement, Lord Parshuram entered a meditative state. Veer humbly lowered his head to show his respect to the great warrior, and then everything around him began to blur. Gradually, Veer regained consciousness and opened his eyes, only to see Ashok standing in front of him. Suddenly, a bright light radiated from Veer's palm, forming into the weapon he had always longed for - Parsu, a 3-feet-long silver blade with a golden handle. Overwhelmed with joy and disbelief, Veer jumped and laughed, exclaiming, "I did it, guru Ashok!"
Chapter 6: The Reckoning - Crusade of Heroes
Veer and Ashok had been traveling together for weeks, journeying from village to village in search of the Asur. Despite the gravity of their mission, Veer could not help but feel a sense of joy and purpose every time he set out with his guru by his side. Their journey had taken them to a small village, which they approached with caution. As they surveyed the village from a vantage point, they could see that it appeared to be deserted, as though no one had lived there for centuries. But the aura that hung over the village was unmistakably dark and ominous, and both Veer and Ashok could sense that something was amiss. Ashok was the first to voice his concern. "Veer, be careful from here on. Something is not right," he said, his tone serious. Veer nodded in agreement. "Yes, guru. I can feel the malevolent energy here too." Together, they entered the village with utmost care, moving slowly and quietly so as not to attract any unwanted attention.
As they walked, they kept their senses sharp, scanning the surroundings for any signs of life or danger. After a while, Ashok suddenly froze, his eyes narrowing as he honed in on a particular building. He could sense someone hiding inside. Veer could feel his own heart rate rising as they approached the building, unsure of what they might find. As they entered the building, they heard a faint sound coming from one of the corners. It was the sound of someone weeping. They followed the sound to a huddled figure, a woman wrapped in a blanket, who had clearly been crying for a long time. "Ma'am, please don't be afraid. We're here to help," Ashok said, speaking in a soothing tone. The woman looked up at them, her eyes swollen from tears. "The Asur took my children," she said, her voice choked with emotion. "They took them away from me, and I don't know where they are." Veer and Ashok exchanged a worried look. This was the kind of situation they had been preparing for, but they knew that it would not be an easy task to rescue the woman's children and put an end to the Asur's reign of terror.
Ashoka approached the woman with a mix of concern and curiosity. "What is your name?" he asked gently, hoping to establish a rapport with her. The woman, who had been visibly shaken, was biting her lips in fear, her eyes wide and shivering. Ashoka's heart went out to her; he knew that something terrible must have happened to make her react this way. "D-d-don't know," the woman stuttered, her voice barely above a whisper. Ashoka could see that she was struggling to form coherent sentences, and he wondered if it was fear or some other underlying trauma that was making her freeze up. He decided to take a more direct approach. "Can you tell us more about what happened here?" he asked, hoping that his tone would encourage her to open. The woman shook her head vigorously, her eyes darting around the room.
Ashoka could see that she was pointing her fingers towards the window, as if there was something there that was frightening her. He and Veer followed her gaze, peering out of the window to see if there was anything unusual outside. As they did so, the woman suddenly lunged forward, a hypodermic needle clutched in her hand. She jabbed it into Ashoka's hand before he had a chance to react, injecting a venom that burned like fire. Ashoka yelped in pain, looking down at his hand in horror as he realized what had happened. He felt a surge of anger towards the woman, who had seemingly betrayed his trust, and turned to confront her. But the woman was nowhere to be seen. In her place, there was only a black mist that seemed to hover in the air like a malevolent presence. Ashoka felt a shiver run down his spine as he heard an evil laugh echoing through the room, the sound of pure malice and hatred. He knew that they were dealing with something far beyond his comprehension, something that could not be explained by rational thought or scientific inquiry.
As Ashok collapsed to the ground, Veer's heart rate spiked with panic. He could see Ashok's skin turning an alarming shade of yellow, with veins bulging out of his hand like twisted vines. "Guru Ashok, wake up, wake up Ashok guru," Veer shouted, shaking his mentor's limp body. But Ashok remained unconscious, his breathing shallow and irregular. Veer knew that time was of the essence; they needed to find a way to help Ashok, and fast. He scanned the room for any clues, any sign of what could have caused his guru's collapse. His eyes fell on a discarded syringe, lying on the ground near Ashok's hand. The syringe was empty, but Veer could see a faint residue of venom inside it. He realized with horror that the woman they had found must have been an agent of the Asur, sent to poison Ashok and sabotage their mission.
As Veer rushed out of the building, he was met with a chilling sight. The sky was shrouded in dark clouds, casting an ominous atmosphere over the deserted streets. Suddenly, the Asur appeared before him, a terrifying creature with four horns on his head, pointed ears, long canines, and thorns covering his body. Beside him was the woman, who transformed into her true form - a creature with big white horns, red eyes, and dressed in black suit type armor. She even had bat-like wings made of the white ashes. Veer was overcome with horror at the sight of these otherworldly beings. Despite feeling overwhelmed with fear, Veer refused to back down. He glared at the woman and demanded, "What have you done to Guru Ashok?" To his horror, the woman responded with a laugh and revealed that she had poisoned the Guru with her own body.
He gritted his teeth and, without a moment's hesitation, charged towards the woman with his weapon, Parsu, held firmly in his hand. But the woman was quick, too quick. Before Veer could even blink, she had flown up into the sky, leaving him stranded on the ground below. Veer's eyes followed her, filled with frustration and desperation. He knew he had to act fast if he wanted to stand any chance of defeating her. As the woman swooped down towards him with her two curved blades, Veer braced himself for impact. He held Parsu tightly in his hand, using it to block the woman's attack.
But she was stronger than he had anticipated. With a swift kick to his stomach, she sent Veer flying backwards, crashing into the hard pavement beneath him. Pain exploded throughout Veer's body as he struggled to catch his breath. But he knew he couldn't give up, not now. The woman was already coming back for another attack, her weapon held high above her head as she charged towards him once more. Veer quickly crouched down, preparing to evade the woman's attack. As she flew past him, he swung Parsu with all his might, slicing through the air and connecting with the woman's back. She let out a small cry of pain but didn't falter in her attack. Instead, she turned to face Veer with a look of pure malice in her eyes. Without warning, the woman opened her mouth and spat out a stream of poison towards Veer. He barely had time to dodge, his body twisting and turning as he tried to avoid the deadly spray. But even as he managed to avoid the worst of it, he could feel a sickening burn spreading across his skin. Veer knew that he couldn't keep this up for much longer. He had to find a way to defeat the woman and save Guru Ashok before it was too late.
As the two combatants charged towards each other, the sound of clashing weapons filled the air. The fight was intense, each exchange of blows leaving marks of damage on both sides - cuts, bruises, punches, and kicks. The Asur watched with pleasure as the fighters battled it out. Despite being exhausted after several minutes of non-stop fighting, neither of them wanted to give up. They continued to attack each other, their movements becoming slower and weaker with each passing moment. Suddenly, the Asur interrupted the fight, calling out to Dirtha, "You're weak! You can't even defeat a mere child. How shameful!" Both combatants turned their attention towards the Asur, and in that moment, Veer seized the opportunity to strike. While Dirtha was distracted, Veer quickly cut off her leg, causing her to scream in pain. In desperation, Dirtha cried out to Lord Gannasur for help. As the Asur moved towards her, Veer took a defensive stance. Dirtha pleaded with Gannasur to help her finish off Veer, but the Asur only laughed in response. "I don't need weaklings like you," he sneered, and with one swift motion, crushed Dirtha's head under his foot. Veer was left in shock at the sight of Dirtha's gruesome death, the realization of the danger he was in setting in.
Veer's heart was filled with an intense rage as he witnessed Gannasur's brutal killing of his comrade, Dirtha. His scream echoed throughout the battlefield, "How could you do this to your own comrade?" However, Gannasur seemed unaffected and responded coldly, "Comrade, you say? She was just a mere toy. I will get more like her," and laughed sinisterly. Without a second thought, Veer charged towards Gannasur, his anger fueling his movements. As Veer approached Gannasur, he suddenly disappeared, leaving Veer confused and disoriented. But before he could even register what was happening, he realized Gannasur was now standing behind him. Veer quickly turned around, but it was too late. Gannasur delivered a powerful punch to Veer's stomach that felt like a boulder hitting him.
Blood gushed out of his mouth, and he fell to his knees, paralyzed with pain. He couldn't move, he couldn't speak, he could barely even breathe. Veer's body was trembling with agony, but Gannasur seemed unfazed by his opponent's suffering. "Huh! You are still alive, how impressive. Hmm, time to die," he sneered and landed another brutal punch on Veer's face, sending him crashing down a few feet away. Veer's body was broken, and he knew he was about to die. Gannasur approached Veer, a sadistic grin on his face. But to his surprise, Veer somehow managed to open his eyes and look at him. This only fueled Gannasur's rage, and he pulled back his fist with all his might, ready to strike the final blow.
Veer's heart was pounding as he lay on the ground, his body battered and bruised. He could barely move, and his vision was blurry. As he looked up, he saw Gannasur charging towards him with a look of murderous intent. Veer's life flashed before his eyes, and he knew that he was about to die. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a kick appeared and hit Gannasur's face, sending him crashing to the ground. Veer could barely see through his pain, but he could make out Ashok standing nearby, having come to his aid. Ashok quickly assessed the situation and took a fighting stance, anger burning in his eyes as he faced off against Gannasur. Gannasur retaliated by creating black energy balls and throwing them at Ashok, but Ashok deftly deflected each one with his hands. Then, with a solemn expression, Ashok joined his hands in prayer and uttered the words "Takshak Aahvaan". Suddenly, a blinding light enveloped Gannasur, and a giant cobra of immense size coiled around him, hissing fiercely. Ashok warned Gannasur not to move, lest he be swallowed whole by the serpent. Ashok then turned his attention to Veer, who was barely conscious and in dire need of help. Ashok placed his hand on Veer's head and uttered the healing chant "Arogya". A blue light emanated from his hand, and after a few moments, Veer was able to stand up and move once again.
As they both approached Gannasur, who was still struggling to break free from Takshak's grip, Ashok spoke up, "There's no point! You cannot possibly break free from Takshak's hold. Now, tell me, how are you connected to Armasur, and what is your goal? Why are you and your group attacking innocent villages?" Gannasur, who had been grinding his teeth until now, suddenly calmed down and responded in a sly tone, "We are the five sons of Kandikasur. Your elder brother killed our father, and we won't let his sacrifice go to waste. We will destroy Suryavatika Village and all other villages to avenge our father's death." Veer was confused by his words, but Gannasur continued, "You may think you've won, but no, I will take all of you with me." Suddenly, Gannasur began to emit an intense black light, and Veer didn't understand what was happening. However, Ashok immediately recognized that Gannasur was planning to detonate himself along with everyone else. He quickly prayed and chanted, "Takshak Nigaran." Just as Gannasur was about to explode, Takshak opened his wide mouth and swallowed him whole. The impact of the explosion was visible on Takshak's stomach, but nobody was harmed. After escaping the blast unscathed, Takshak vanished into thin air.
The battle had ended and the Asur had disappeared. The sky began to clear, and the sun gradually emerged from behind the clouds. The once-dark village was now filled with light. Suddenly, from the foothold of the village, all the villagers rushed happily towards them. As Ashoka and Veer looked on in confusion, the villagers surrounded them, thanking them for their heroism. Ashoka asked the villagers, "Who are you people?" The villagers replied, "We are the people who live in this village. When the Asur attacked and started killing people, we didn't know what to do, so we all ran away to the outskirts and left the village. Thanks to you, we can now return home and live happily once again." The villagers then lifted Veer up and tossed him with joy. Ashoka and Veer both smiled, grateful for the villagers' gratitude.
After that, Ashoka and Veer left the village and began their journey back to Suryavatika. Along the way, Veer asked, "Guru Ashok, what was that giant snake you called?" Ashok replied with a smile, "He was Takshak, protector and king of all snakes." Veer asked excitedly, "Can I also call him?" Ashoka replied, "Yes, but you're not yet strong enough to summon a Vahan. The power to summon a Vahan depends on your will. The stronger your will, the greater Vahan you can summon." Veer was filled with joy and determination. He said, "I will summon a greater Vahan one day." Veer then asked, "Guru, who is the older brother that Gannasur talked about?" Ashoka paused for a second and said, "His name is Virat. He is my older brother, and he usually goes on long missions but occasionally comes to the village." Veer asked, "Is he strong like you?" Ashoka laughed and said, "Well, he is currently the strongest person in all five villages." Veer was filled with excitement and asked, "Can I meet him?" Ashoka said, "Yes, if he comes to the village during your lifetime." They both laughed and continued their journey back to the village, eager to see what other adventures awaited them.
After their long journey, Veer and Ashoka finally arrived in their village. Veer was overjoyed to be back home and surrounded by familiar faces. As soon as they entered the village, Ashoka made his way to the council to report all the information he had gathered during their mission. Meanwhile, Veer met up with his friends Anika and Daksh. They decided to go to a local restaurant and enjoy a meal together. After they had eaten, they went to the training ground to relax and unwind. Veer regaled his friends with the story of his journey and how he had bravely fought alongside Ashoka. As the sun began to set, the group started to make their way back home. On their way, they encountered Guru Samrat. Veer was thrilled to see him again and greeted him warmly. Guru Samrat congratulated Veer on his bravery during the mission and praised him for his skills. Furthermore, Guru Samrat announced that he had heard from Ashoka about Veer's improved abilities and that they would start training the next day. He reminded them that the Atirathi exam was only three days away and that they needed to be well-prepared. He advised them to get a good night's sleep and they all parted ways. Excited for the upcoming training and Atirathi exam, Veer, Anika, and Daksh headed back to their homes to rest.