-------------🙏"Namaste"🙏-------------
Aryan's grin turned into a look of satisfaction, as if he had planned this outcome from the beginning.
As Shiven and Aryan faced off, their auras clashed like two opposing forces. Shiven's agility was impressive, but it did not surprise Aryan. He exuded an air of confidence in his own strength, as if he knew he could take on any opponent like Shiven.
As they traded blows, Shiven's fists were countered by Aryan's quick reflexes. Shiven, on the other hand, was carefully assessing his opponent, looking for an opportunity to change his fighting style. He continued to search for a weakness, his blows calculated and precise. However, Aryan's swift reflexes intercepted each strike with ease, his grip firm and unyielding. Undeterred, Shiven leaped into the air, a sudden change in strategy as his legs aimed to catch Aryan off guard
Despite his impressive agility, Shiven was not immune to gravity. Aryan quickly assessed the situation and applied a small amount of force to throw Shiven off balance, sending him crashing to the ground.
Aryan's confidence only grew as he watched Shiven struggle to stand back up. "Do you really think you can beat me, a mere commoner?" Aryan taunted with a smirk. "We, the superior ones, are born to reign over the pathetic peasants like you."
Shiven's anger was building up as he witnessed Aryan's arrogance and cruelty towards the Commoners. It was a reminder of the unfortunate reality that humans were the only species that created inequalities among themselves for unnecessary reasons. This thought fueled Shiven's rage, and his mind became clouded with anger.
He didn't even realise what happened next as he was consumed by fury. His eyes bulged out of their sockets, and his body was trembling with anger.
Shiven rushed forward, his straight kick aimed directly at Aryan. Aryan blocked the kick, but the sheer force behind Shiven's attack pushed Aryan back a few feet. While in motion, Aryan threw some Shuriken towards Shiven, causing him to take a step back. Aryan had underestimated Shiven's strength based on his previous attacks. However, this was no more ordinary force for any boy like Shiven, his force was now overwhelming Aryan, and his kick made Aryan's blood rush faster. Aryan struggled to maintain his posture, interpreting his sense of inferiority as frustration. "What is this sensation?" Aryan wondered aloud, still trying to come to terms with Shiven's newfound power.
A feeling of apprehension crept over Aryan as he watched Shiven's movements. Without any warning, Aryan drew out a shining, expensive-looking weapon from his Khavyakta, readying himself for any possible attack.
"You're the devil yourself, and you want to protect the boy? People like you can never be good for others. You'll never become a king," Aryan spat at Shiven, his eyes flashing with anger.
Shiven's mind was out of senses, lost in his anger and emotions. As he noticed Aryan's weapon, joining his hands he closed his eyes and focused his mind on the Khavyakta on his wrist. He moved it from wrist to his left palm and it glowed between his hands. As he extended his hand, drawing out his sword. "Who cares about being king. I am strong, and as per your beliefs," he declared with conviction, "Strength rules!"
"Who cares about being king and your opinions?" he declared with conviction. "You are doing wrong, and right now that's all that matters to me."
Meanwhile the commoner boy was filled with fear at the sight of Shiven.Despite his injured state, He mustered all the strength he had left and stumbled away from the situation.
Aryan sneered, the two combatants locked eyes, the tension mounting as they prepared for battle.
Shiven charged towards Aryan with his sword in hand, determined to strike him. In an attempt to escape, Aryan threw a smoke bomb, creating a screen of smoke to obscure Shiven's vision. Aryan then retreated a few steps, trying to gain some distance from his opponent.
However, Shiven's reflexes were incredibly sharp. With an extraordinary display of agility, he emerged from the smoke and closed in on Aryan before he could react. Aryan's face turned pale as he realised that he had underestimated Shiven's skills. Now if he tried to dodge, he would surely receive a fatal blow. On the other hand, he was unable to withstand Shiven's overwhelming force. It was the same realisation that Aryan had come to.
Aryan could sense that Shiven's agility was surpassing his own reflexes. He didn't waste time overthinking, as he knew that every second counted and he needed to counter Shiven's attacks, but his reflexes were no match for Shiven's agility. Despite this, Aryan remained resolute and accepted the challenge before him.
Shiven swung his sword fiercely, aiming to strike Aryan, but before the blade could make contact, Nikhil was in between them and caught the sword with his bare hands. The act of intervention was risky, as Shiven was clearly out of control.
Shiven's anger intensified, demanding to be released, but Nikhil's intervention showcased his unwavering loyalty as a friend. The impact of the wooden sword caused Nikhil's hand to bleed profusely, staining the weapon.
"Run away...you don't know who he is. He's a devil," Aryan shouted, warning Nikhil.
However, Nikhil, despite the pain, maintained a calm demeanour and locked eyes with Shiven, urging him to find peace in the midst of chaos. As a drop of blood dripped from the sword, Shiven's senses abruptly returned, and he realised the severity of the situation, acknowledging how close he had come to causing irreversible harm.
Frustration consumed Shiven, his anger giving way to guilt and sorrow. The sight of Nikhil's bleeding hand intensified these emotions, reminding him of past instances when he had lost control. In a past friendly duel, Nikhil had discovered Shiven's tendency to be out of control.
Reflecting on the incident, Shiven had questioned Nikhil's choice of using his hands instead of a weapon. Nikhil, however, dismissed it as insignificant and redirected the focus to the reason behind the fight—an instance of mistreatment towards a boy who had accidentally broken a tool.
Attempting to resolve the conflict peacefully, Nikhil extended an apology and offered to compensate for the damage caused. Aryan, observing the unfolding scene, felt a mixture of inferiority, frustration and envy towards Nikhil's selflessness. He recognized the courage and strength it took to intervene, he couldn't even think of doing something like that.
"I don't need money, I got to beat him. That's enough for me," Aryan retorted before turning around and walking away, his mind still reeling from the events that had just unfolded.
As Nikhil and Shiven were walking back home, Shiven was still feeling shaken by the incident. Observing him Nikhil said, "I believe in you, Shiven. No matter how strong your emotions are, I know you won't succumb to the rage and kill anyone."
Shiven was silent for a moment, reflecting on Nikhil's words. He let out a deep sigh of satisfaction for the day, feeling good of himself for the progress he had made in controlling his anger. "It's alright," he thought to himself, "In just a few days, I've been able to make significant progress. It's less than half of what I used to do at the beginning." Shiven felt a sense of accomplishment. However, the answer that their journey to become knights would still take approximately nine more months left him disappointed. But shifting his focus to a more immediate concern. He pondered what he should prepare for dinner, momentarily distracting himself from his thoughts. Nikhil offered the option of eating at his place, but Shiven politely declined.
Curiosity got the better of Shiven as he questioned Nikhil's earlier apology to Aryan. Nikhil explained, "because we can't change people by force."
Shiven's admiration for his friend deepened, "You know what? You're a really nice guy."
"Where did that come from? It's embarrassing," Nikhil expressed while blushing.
They bid each other farewell, with Shiven feeling a tinge of sadness for his friend's injury.
As Shiven passed the base of the mountain, he encountered a six year's boy, glaring at him. He walked ahead, ignoring the child, as he usually did. However, the child persisted, calling out to him.
"Hey!" the boy said, raising his voice. "Hello! I am Talking to you"
"Me?" Shiven asked
"Who else can you see here?" the boy responded.
Confirming that the boy was indeed addressing him, Shiven listened attentively as the child expressed his gratitude.
"I want to thank you, thank you, Mr.,"
It turned out that Shiven had unknowingly saved the boy's brother, and the child wanted to express his thanks.
Shiven's surprise was evident as he processed the boy's words. Modestly, he dismissed the significance of his actions, downplaying the importance of the rescue.
Intrigued by Shiven's earlier altercation, the boy couldn't contain his curiosity and asked "Why did your friend stop you earlier? You weren't doing anything wrong."
Shiven's demeanour softened slightly as he explained "It's because we're not meant for that kind of thing," his gaze drifting up to the sky above.
"Wow, that's so cool," the boy exclaimed. "But for what exactly?"
Shiven's response was straightforward, "For fighting." The boy's disappointment was palpable,
As the boy marched away looking down, Shiven marched away as well, then he heard the boy call out to him once again. "Hey...I'm Ansh," the boy shouted. "And one day, I'll compete against you."
Shiven didn't look back and continued walking, thinking about his dinner plans, settling for Maggi.
----: End of the Chapter:----
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