Aditya's base camp, 1st march 1557.
As the first light of dawn settled on the open fields near the banks of the Sahibi river, the bodies of fallen soldiers, draped in stacks of wood, were consumed by the fire. Their sacrifice was honored in the ancient ritual of returning the body to the five elements through the purification of fire. Prince Aditya stood solemnly before the pyres, paying homage to his fallen soldiers.
Behind him, his musketeers, royal guards, and crossbowmen stood in rigid lines, their faces reflecting a mixture of pride and sorrow.
"Proud to serve under Prince Aditya. His respect for our fallen comrades shows his true leadership," one soldier murmured.
"We'll never see another leader like him. This much respect is worth dying for," another agreed.
