As the hot air balloon entered the premises of Hampura, the sun stood high above them, casting its intense midday heat upon the land. The journey had been arduous, leaving them severely dehydrated. Vijay, ever attentive to their well-being, continuously urged his father to drink more water. Despite their physical discomfort, there was a sense of relief and accomplishment as they safely entered the territory of Hampura.
Vijay's mind was already at work, contemplating measures to improve the connectivity between Hampura and the royal capital. He was determined to prevent such a tragic blockade from happening again in the future.
As the hot air balloon sailed through the sky towards Hampura, a sudden and ominous sight met their eyes. Massive plumes of smoke billowed up from the land below, casting a dark shroud over the landscape. Both Vaishakhnandan and Vijay were instantly alerted to the distressing scene.
Vaishakhnandan, with concern etched across his face, broke the uneasy silence. "Son, it appears that our land is facing adversity," he remarked gravely. "Let us hasten our journey and reach there swiftly."
Vijay, equally alarmed, nodded in agreement. He wasted no time in taking action, increasing the quantity of wood being burned in the balloon's fiery stash. The flames roared to life, propelling the balloon forward with newfound intensity. They were on a race against time, charging toward the heart of Hampura, where the source of the smoke awaited their arrival.
The hot air balloon descended gracefully, landing safely on the rooftop of Hampura's palace. As the vessel touched down, a sense of relief and anticipation filled the air. It seemed like the family had been eagerly awaiting their arrival, and Malini couldn't contain her emotions any longer.
Without hesitation, Malini rushed towards Vijay and embraced him tightly, leaving Vaishakhnandan momentarily baffled by the sudden affection. Inwardly, he couldn't help but think, "It should have been me, not him." Yet, he put aside his feelings, understanding the bond between the mother son duo.
The rest of the family, including the siblings, expressed their immense relief at seeing everyone safe and sound. With a shared sense of urgency, they hurriedly made their way into the palace, anxious to uncover the source of the smoke and address the adversity that had befallen Hampura.
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As Vijay and his family entered the palace of Hampura, they were met with a welcoming person none other than Parambadur, the newly appointed young and capable army general of Hampura. It was clear that news of their arrival had spread like wildfire, likely prompted by the sight of the hot air balloon high up in the sky.
He quickly stood to give his report and spoke directly to Vijay, acknowledging his role as the young master of Hampura.
"Young Master, Hampura has entered an emergency situation of defense," Parambadur began, his voice tinged with urgency. "Unknown enemies, believed to be an army from Draviraja, have launched an attack on our land. They've already occupied several villages and towns on their way here, ones sharing borders with Hampura, and those places have surrendered to their forces due to the severe disadvantage they currently face due to the blockade."
Parambadur continued his report, "due to Young Master's unimaginable contribution in the defense of Hampura, the inventions have played a crucial role in slowing down the enemy's advancement to a halt over the past half a day."
"Our estimations indicate that their forces consist of 5000 soldiers in total, with 1200 of them mounted on horses and the rest on foot," Parambadur explained. "However, we suspect that this is only a fraction of the larger army that entered the Kingdom of Vidya, and they may receive reinforcements soon."
Upon hearing this concerning news, Vijay's face didn't show fear or worry. Instead, he displayed a resolute determination. He urged Parambadur to take him to the scene, eager to confront the challenges that lay ahead and to devise a plan to protect Hampura from this unexpected threat.
Vijay turned to Parambadur with a sense of urgency in his voice and said, "Parambadur, take me to the scene. I need a clear picture of the situation to think of a solution." His determination was unwavering.
However, before they could depart, Malini, his mother, intervened. She stood in their path, determined to protect her son.
"Vijay, no," she declared firmly. "You will not leave. Have you forgotten about your poor constitution? The arduous journey must have taken a toll on you. Let your father go in your stead. You need to rest, and I will not take no for an answer."
He looked at his mother with, like, tears welling up in his eyes, thinking of persuading her like that, feeling all torn between his duty and her mom instincts. He was thinking, maybe he'd ask his father to help convince her or something.
However, before he could act on his thoughts, his body abruptly betrayed him. Overwhelmed by the strenuous journey and the intensity of the recent conflict, Vijay's mind and body finally succumbed to exhaustion as they couldn't bear the strain any longer. The intense journey and the battle had taken a toll on him. He suddenly collapsed to the ground, overwhelmed by pain and exhaustion. It was evident that he needed immediate rest and care after enduring such hardships.
His mother, despite her initial sternness, rushed to his side in alarm. Her maternal instincts kicked in, and she cradled her son in her arms, concern etched across her face. In that moment, her only priority was the well-being of her child. Malini, deeply concerned for her son, immediately took Vijay to his room. She knew he needed rest and care to recover from the physical and mental strain he had endured during the journey and the battle.