In a dimly lit cottage, the cold breeze from outside seeps in, cooling the interior and causing the flame in the lantern to flicker, making it difficult to see the room.
You can hear the voice of an elderly woman as she narrates a tale of how a god saved the people from Rakshasas. By her side, a 5-year-old boy listens intently, captivated by the story as if he were witnessing it unfold right before his eyes. His gaze is filled with admiration for the god.
After the narration concluded, the boy asked with excitement, "Grandma, why is it always the god who has to save the people? Why can't they fight for their lives?"
The grandma was impressed by her grandson's intelligence, as most children his age simply enjoyed the story without questioning it. She took a deep breath and gazed at the ceiling, lost in thought for a moment before responding, "The Rakshasas are incredibly powerful. Even if hundreds of people were to attack, we wouldn't be able to harm them. That's why the gods step in to fight on our behalf. They are stronger and possess greater power. They take on human forms to protect mankind from evil."
The boy's curiosity sparked, and he immediately asked his grandma, "Why aren't humans powerful? Why can't we fight like the gods?"
The grandma smiled warmly and replied, "While humans do possess strength and the ability to fight against Rakshasas and other evils, the gods intervene only when we face extreme danger and have exhausted all other options. Humans are blessed with intelligence but can also be driven by greed. Sometimes, we succumb to the allure of power and become consumed by evil. My dear child, never let your heart be swayed to the dark side, and always remember that the gods come to our aid when we have faith in them and sincerely seek their help."
The boy replied proudly, holding his head high, "I understand, Grandma. I will always believe in God."
Grandma smiled with pride and gently said, "Alright, it's time to sleep now. We have a lot of work to do on the farm tomorrow."
The lantern's light faded away, plunging the room into darkness and silence as they prepared to rest for the night.
...............
"Mohan!... Mohan!!.."
A 22-year-old boy slowly opened his eyes upon hearing his name, gently removing the wet cloth that had shielded him from the sun. His eyes were deep black, showing traces of weariness as if he hadn't slept well for a long time.
Mohan had messy black hair, appearing as though he hadn't given it much attention, complemented by a golden fair skin tone and a muscular build.
As Mohan looked over, he saw the person calling him was another boy of the same age named Nanda. They had met near a riverside and quickly became close friends due to their shared ambition and interests. Ever since that day, they had been supporting and encouraging each other to pursue their dreams and achieve their goals.
Mohan asked Nanda, a hint of irritation in his tired voice, "What happened? Why are you calling me right now? I already told you not to disturb me for at least 2 hours."
Nanda stared at Mohan with a hint of annoyance before breaking into a smile and said, "We received an order! The customer wants us to deliver some goods to the town, and guess what? The fair is 2 gold coins!!"
Mohan replied, his expression serious, "Don't you find it suspicious? Delivering goods to the town usually costs 50 silver coins, but he's offering 2 gold coins. I have a feeling there might be some issues with the goods. We should be cautious."
Nanda reassured Mohan, saying, "There's no problem with this. They've asked us to deliver beast materials they hunted down in the forest to the guild, using their name. That's why the payment is higher."
Mohan nodded in understanding and said, "Ah, I see! If the customer is a warrior, then there's nothing to worry about. We can proceed with the delivery without any concerns."
Both Mohan and Nanda shared the same dream of becoming warriors and had come to this village to pursue their goals. However, becoming a warrior required a hefty fee of 1000 gold coins per person, which was a significant amount they couldn't afford upfront. Over the past 5 years, they worked tirelessly, managing to save around 950+ coins. For context, a normal family of four could survive for a whole month with just 10 gold coins. Earning this much money was a tremendous feat for them as ordinary individuals.
Absolutely, becoming a warrior opens up new opportunities and a higher flow of currency, making it easier to earn money. While there are risks associated with being a warrior, the potential for a prosperous life is what drives them to pursue this path. They are willing to face challenges and dangers because they believe that achieving their dream of becoming warriors will lead them to a better life and brighter future.
Mohan accepted the delivery task and set off towards the town, carrying the goods. The road leading to the town was well-guarded by warriors, ensuring safety from beasts along the way. Nanda, on the other hand, went about his own business.
Adyagrama, the town that Mohan was headed to, was situated near the western border of the Kingdom. Upon arrival, every person entering the town was carefully checked by the vigilant warriors who guarded the town's entry points. This security measure ensured the safety and well-being of the town's inhabitants and visitors alike.
With a clear sense of direction, Mohan proceeded to the guild directly after the necessary checks were completed at the town's entry point. Having been to the town before, he knew the location of the guild and wasted no time in delivering the goods as per the customer's request.
A guild is a gathering place where individuals aspiring to become warriors can gather together and take on various tasks or quests to earn money and reputation. It serves as a hub for freelance or loose warriors who are not associated with any warrior families, sects or the royal family. These warriors work independently, accepting assignments from the guild to showcase their skills, gain experience, and earn a living.
People hailing from warrior families, sects, or gurukuls (academies) don't need to visit the guild to become warriors.
Mohan walked up to the task hall of the guild and handed over the goods, submitting them under the customer's name by providing the attendant with the task-assigned parchment.
As Mohan waited for the verification of the goods, he overheard a conversation among the people in the guild's task hall:
"Hey, did you hear the news about the increased number of silver-horned wolves in forest Nayabievanam?"
"Really? Then most of the guards will be sent to the forest to eliminate them before it becomes a problem for nearby villages."
"Well, the guards have already been dispatched to deal with them as soon as possible. Hehe... Even I'm heading to the forest to earn some cash from the silver-horned wolves' materials."
"You should have called me! I could get some money too."
Listening to the discussion, Mohan realized that the forest Nayabievanam was facing a potential threat from the silver-horned wolves, and many were taking advantage of the situation to make money by selling the materials obtained from these creatures.
With Nayabievanam being close to the village where Mohan was staying, he felt relieved knowing that the warriors were actively involved in subjugating the silver-horned wolves. The presence of the warriors in the forest provided a sense of security for the nearby villages, including his own.
However, Mohan couldn't help but feel nervous about the road's safety while the subjugation was ongoing. The guards might be fully focused on dealing with the silver-horned wolves, leaving the road vulnerable to potential threats from other creatures or bandits. He hoped that the warriors would swiftly resolve the situation in the forest so that the road's protection could be maintained, ensuring the safety of travellers and villagers alike.
As Mohan began his journey back to the village, he remained vigilant, keeping an eye out for both wild beasts and bandits. While carefully scanning the road ahead, his attention was drawn to a wooden box situated at the side of the road. He quickly glanced around to check for any signs of people nearby, but to his surprise, the road seemed completely empty, and an eerie silence filled the air.
The palm-sized box held an allure that Mohan couldn't resist, especially due to the captivating golden patterns adorning its surface. Though he initially decided not to take it, his curiosity got the better of him, and he couldn't help but approach to see what lay inside.
As he got closer, he noticed a cloth pouch placed a foot away from the box. The presence of the pouch only heightened his curiosity, leaving him wondering about the connection between the two items. His heart raced with anticipation, and he hesitated for a moment before deciding to investigate further. Carefully, he reached for the pouch, his mind brimming with questions about the contents of both the box and the pouch.
As Mohan opened the box, he discovered a lemon-sized, jade-coloured pill resting inside. Instantly, he recognized its significance - it was a legendary pill used to awaken ordinary individuals to warriors. This pill had the extraordinary ability to open all the acupuncture points in the body, allowing the person to receive and channel spiritual energy without any hindrance.
His heart pounded with astonishment and excitement. Mohan couldn't believe his luck when he found a rare and highly sought-after pill that could transform an ordinary person into a skilled warrior. The implications of this discovery were profound. He knew that possessing this pill could potentially change the course of his life and accelerate his dream of becoming a warrior.
However, he also understood the weight of this discovery and the responsibility it entailed. Taking the pill would be a life-altering decision, and he needed to weigh the risks and consequences carefully. The road ahead was uncertain, but the allure of becoming a true warrior beckoned him.
Mohan's mind was filled with a mix of wonder and confusion. He couldn't comprehend why such a valuable pill, which should have been available at the guild, was found in this secluded place. However, he knew that this was an extraordinary discovery that could change his life forever.
Yet, as he explored the contents of the cloth pouch, he was met with another incredible surprise. Inside the pouch were numerous gold coins, counting up to an impressive 5000 in number. This revelation left him astounded and even more perplexed. The combination of the rare awakening pill and the substantial amount of gold coins was beyond anything he could have imagined.
With his heart pounding, Mohan understood that such an extraordinary opportunity might not come around again. He weighed the risks and rewards in his mind, realizing that this could be a pivotal moment in his life.
Determined to seize the chance before him, he made the bold decision to take both the awakening pill and the pouch of gold coins. Grasping them tightly, he recommitted himself to his dream of becoming a warrior and forging a better future for himself and his friend Nanda.
With newfound resolve, he continued his journey back to the village, his mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead. He understood that this path was filled with uncertainties and challenges, but he was ready to embrace them, for he knew that the allure of becoming a warrior and the promise of a brighter future was too compelling to pass up.
After reaching the village, Mohan went straight to meet Nanda, who was busy cooking dinner. Mohan informed Nanda about the silver-horned wolves and how the guards had gone to the forest to deal with the situation.
Nanda didn't seem too concerned and casually replied, "Ohh! That's good then. It's all settled, and we don't have to worry. Come and have some meat. Look how beautiful the dish turned out!"
Mohan narrowed his eyes and thought, 'This guy never worries as long as there's food in front of him.'
They savoured their meal, temporarily putting aside their concerns about the silver-horned wolves. After a contented dinner, they engaged in discussions about what to do with the money and the awakening pill that Mohan had found. With their plans and dreams in mind, they eventually retired for the night, hopeful for the future that lay ahead.