Chereads / Unfolding Journey / Chapter 12 - CHAPTER 12✨

Chapter 12 - CHAPTER 12✨

-------------🙏"Namaste"🙏-------------

With a subtle signal from Raju, Updesh understood that the time for words had ended; it was time to fight. In a swift motion, Updesh lunged toward Nikhil, his agility and speed remarkable. Nikhil, caught off guard, struggled to grasp the sudden escalation. However, just as Updesh's dagger swung sideways, Shiven intervened with impeccable timing, countering the attack and proclaiming, "Don't be so eager!"

Updesh took a few steps back in a swift motion, his gaze locked onto Shiven. Nikhil still surprised by the sudden escalation of fighting actions.

Meanwhile, Raju observed the situation and confidently declared, "I'll take care of those two," pointing towards Nikhil and Kamna. With defensive gauntlets attached to his arms, Raju approached Kamna, swiftly countering her blows with ease. Nikhil, realizing Kamna's struggle, instinctively decided to join the fight and lend his support.

Simultaneously, Updesh addressed Shiven, acknowledging his impressive speed but expressing concern about their mismatch in strength. In an instant, Updesh dashed towards Shiven, who remained alert, skillfully countering his attacks. Meanwhile, Nikhil and Kamna fought together against Raju, but despite their efforts, Raju's superior strength gave him the upper hand. He effortlessly defended against their attacks, leaving Nikhil clouded with questions and Kamna unfazed, attacking with relentless determination.

As Shiven and Updesh exchanged strikes, Updesh couldn't help but be impressed by Shiven's skills. "He's an impressive child," he thought to himself, marveling at Shiven's precise movements that matched his own speed. Creating some distance between them, Shiven took a moment to respond to Nikhil's deductions. "Nikhil is right, you have just started, your fighting style is simple and inexperienced. You're relying solely on your strength," Shiven explained.

Updesh, amazed and recognizing Shiven's attempt to decipher their motives, responded defiantly, "If you know that, then you should know you're just playing with death." Without hesitation, Shiven swiftly made a beeline towards Updesh, exclaiming as he struck, "Nah! You are just unable to deduce us." However, Updesh proved to be a formidable opponent.

They exchanged many swift blows, striking at each other, leaving behind sparkling glances and echoing sounds of collision. However, Updesh countered Shiven's strikes effortlessly, displaying his skill and agility.

After a few moments, Raju, who had been in defensive mode since the fight started, suddenly changed his fighting style, becoming aggressive and using his superior strength to strike at Kamna and Nikhil. Overwhelmed by the blows, Kamna and Nikhil struggled to counter his onslaught. Seizing the opportunity, Raju landed a powerful blow and sent Nikhil flying, and as Kamna rushed to protect him, Raju showed no hesitation, delivering a blow that sent Kamna crashing nearby to Nikhil. Despite the setbacks, Nikhil composed himself and, fueled by determination, launched himself towards Raju to land a fierce attack on him. However, Raju swiftly caught Nikhil's hand and effortlessly sent him back once again, landing a hit on his stomach.

Raju's every successful blow was building his confidence, watching himself overpowering the opposition made him think, "It's just as I said, it's a piece of cake." He said to himself.

However, seeing Nikhil's futile attempts, Raju taunted him, questioning why he continued to fight. "No matter how many times you try, you won't be able to defeat me. Just give up," Raju explained confidently. Nikhil acknowledged the truth in Raju's words "you're right, I can't defeat you even a hundred times" and looked at Kamna, who was ready to attack once more. "But we can!" Nikhil declared, instantly they coordinated their approach, attacking Raju from different sides, taking turns instead of simultaneously. Nikhil adjusted his fighting style to utilize mid-range attacks with his Chakrams. With a series of well-coordinated throws, Nikhil was able to land a hit on Raju's face, frustrating him. Supported by Kamna's close combat relentless assault, they pressed their advantage, overpowering Raju. Eventually, Raju found himself with no other option but to block their attacks.

Meanwhile, as the intense battle raged on, Shiven slowly increased his agility with each strike. At a point, he surpassed Updesh's agility, leaving him amazed by his skill and his mastery in combat allowed him to flawlessly counter every move Updesh attempted, even when he unleashed energy-activated attacks. Seizing an opportunity, with a swift and calculated strike, Shiven managed to land a blow that sent Updesh sprawling onto the ground, his plans thwarted. Looking towards Raju, who was visibly off-balance and desperately trying to defend against the relentless assault of Nikhil and Kamna, Updesh couldn't help but express his frustration.

"You children fail to grasp the gravity of this situation," Updesh exclaimed, his voice filled with a mix of anger and disappointment. "In the end, it will only lead to regret."

In that moment, the knights' attention was abruptly diverted by the sound of an explosion resonating from the vicinity of the Annagriha. Their gazes darted towards the source of the noise, and in that moment, they realized that amidst the fierce battle, they had gradually moved farther, farther away from their primary objective—Annagriha.

The sudden commotion caught the attention of the old man, who emerged from the living room, guided by his weak eyesight. He squinted, trying to make sense of the chaotic scene unfolding before him. As the knights noticed the old man's presence, Shiven's sharp senses immediately recognized the situation. "Kamna, protect the old man," he urgently called out, his tone conveying the gravity of the situation. Kamna swiftly heeded the command, immediately positioning herself between the old man and the ongoing skirmish. With unwavering determination, she became the shield and guardian of the elderly man, her focus shifting from the battle to safeguarding their charge.

It was during this time that Nikhil had a sudden realization, prompting him to launch an attack on Raju with his chakram. Raju, ever agile, managed to block the incoming chakram with his hands. In the blink of an eye, Nikhil's keen instincts sensed an opportunity; he changed his position, strategically placing himself between Updesh and Raju. In one seamless motion, he unleashed a straight chakram with pinpoint precision, hurtling it towards Raju. The moonlight danced upon the spinning weapon as it streaked through the air, seeking its mark. Simultaneously, Nikhil surged forward, charging head-on with unwavering determination. His fist crackled as he prepared to strike.

However, Raju displayed his remarkable prowess and countered the chakram with a squat, gracefully evading its deadly trajectory. His experience and combat skills shone through, as if he could predict Nikhil's every move. In a split second, Raju closed the distance with astounding speed, catching Nikhil's blow mid-air with his left hand, and landing a thunderous right punch. The impact sent Nikhil hurtling backward, his body reacting to the forceful blow.

Nikhil's unwavering determination surged within him, an unyielding motive that refused to be extinguished. Despite the thunderous impact of Raju's punch, he gritted his teeth and dug deep into his resolve. Swiftly rolling with the force of the blow, he regained his footing with remarkable agility.

Without a moment's hesitation, in a blur of motion, he dashed backward towards Shiven, who was about to be caught off guard by Updesh's deadly kunai. With fierce determination, he pushed Shiven out of harm's way, placing himself between his comrade and the incoming danger.

The sharp edge of Updesh's kunai found its mark, tearing into Nikhil's left thigh with searing pain. A moment of tension hung in the air as the battle momentarily shifted focus to Nikhil's sacrifice. The night seemed to hold its breath, as if acknowledging the valor that burned within this young knight.

In the midst of the chaos, Raju, observing Nikhil's actions, found himself vulnerable. Unexpectedly, he was struck by Nikhil's returning chakram, which had miraculously come back at zero degrees. The chakram found its mark, momentarily staggering Raju and disrupting his focus.

The injury sustained by Nikhil momentarily caught Updesh off guard, and Shiven seized the opportunity. He swiftly gripped Nikhil and murmured, "Idiot..." Pulling out the kunai with utmost care, Shiven aimed it even without changing his sight, targeting Updesh's foot. The kunai pierced through its intended mark, causing Updesh to cry out in pain as he clutched his injured foot tightly.

Meanwhile, Kamna's attention was drawn to the smoke billowing from the explosion. Through the haze, a figure emerged, running towards her with a staff in hand. Kamna engaged in a fierce exchange of strikes with this figure, identified as Tanuj. Determined not to falter, Kamna activated the Nama energy within her blades, heightening her strength and resolve. Tanuj overwhelmed Kamna, but only for a few moments. Undeterred, Kamna, with keen observation, strategy, and relentless effort, managed to pierce her opponent. However, her triumph was short-lived, as she soon realized that she had been battling nothing more than a clone.

As the smoke cleared, the real Tanuj emerged, replacing the defeated clone. With mastery over Nama energy, he redirected his focus towards Kamna, who felt a wave of insecurity wash over her. She couldn't help but doubt her own abilities as she watched Tanuj unleash a barrage of energy bullets from his staff. While she managed to counter some of them, her confidence wavered when a powerful bullet dislodged the blade from her one hand, leaving her defenseless.

Meanwhile, Nikhil, still in Shiven's grip, maintained his composure despite the tumultuous situation. Shiven was filled with questions, his mind racing to understand the unfolding events.

Unbeknownst to them, Tanuj seized the advantage of overwhelming power. Kamna found herself completely overwhelmed by his relentless assault. A few moments later, she lay imbalanced on the ground, unable to regain her footing. Tanuj, sensing victory within his grasp, advanced menacingly towards the fallen Kamna. However, his confidence turned to anger when he saw Raju lying incapacitated and Updesh wounded by the kunai. He summoned the elemental water type power through his staff. Sensing the impending danger, Nikhil urgently called out to Shiven, "Kamna! Save Kamna!" Startled by Nikhil's plea, Shiven swiftly turned, a surge of determination flooding through him, pushing aside the questions that had clouded his mind. With unwavering focus, he took heavy, resolute steps forward, his sole intention being to defeat Tanuj, no matter the cost.

With his summoned power, Tanuj could have easily won. However, his attention was caught by a distinct figure emanating focused frequencies that pierced his senses like sharp needles. Overwhelmed by the intense sensation, fear washed over him, leaving him crippled and unable to think or speak coherently.

In a desperate attempt to escape the relentless mental torture, Tanuj hastily employed a smoke bomb, shrouding himself in a cloud of obscurity. He fled the scene, his fear driving him to retreat from the formidable presence he had encountered.

The battleground fell silent, save for the lingering tension in the air. Kamna lay on the ground, saved from immediate danger, while Shiven stood firm, concerned about Nikhil.

Meanwhile, Raju regained consciousness and saw Tanuj fleeing. With a swift motion and the cover of the smoke, Raju vanished from sight, proclaiming "I'll be back," while carrying Updesh, becoming invisible in his escape.

----: End of the Chapter:----

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