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Guys, there is a small story within this chapter just to enhance the situation. It won't significantly impact the plot. You'll understand where the main story picks up. So, don't worry, feel free to skip it if you prefer. Thank you, and enjoy!"
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As Surya entered the restaurant the next day, he found himself greeted by Aarav, the leader of "The Bears" group, with his usual warm demeanor. Despite the weight of the situation hanging over him, Surya managed a small smile in response to Aarav's question.
"Did you miss me yesterday?" Aarav inquired, his tone light and casual and continued, "Don't worry, I will tell you a great story today." Surya's smile widened slightly at the familiar banter, but inwardly, he grappled with the decision weighing heavily on his mind.
"No, today I will be the one who will tell you a story," Surya declared, his voice steady despite the nerves fluttering in his stomach.
As Surya's words hung in the air, Aarav, Kabir, and Yash exchanged surprised glances, intrigued by the unexpected turn of events. Surya's desire to share his own tale ignited a spark of curiosity within them, prompting them to eagerly await the story that was about to unfold.
"Can I say it?" Surya inquired tentatively, his voice tinged with anticipation. Kabir, ever supportive, offered his encouragement. "Ok, my boy," he replied with a smile, "tell the story that's cooking in your head. Today, we'll judge your story just as we judge Aarav's stories daily."
Yash couldn't resist a teasing remark, his sarcasm laced with amusement. "I hope your story won't be as boring as Aarav's usual tales," he quipped, his tone light-hearted yet playful.
With the assurance of his audience's approval, Surya took a deep breath and began to weave his narrative, his voice steady and confident as he transported them to a world of his own creation.
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Once upon a time, in a realm where kingdoms flourished like vibrant flowers in a vast garden, there existed two neighboring realms - Elysia and Valoria. Both were ruled by wise kings, and both kingdoms thrived in harmony, yet they remained unaware of each other's existence.
In Elysia, there lived Prince Adrian, a young man of noble stature and kind heart. He often wandered through the dense forests and lush meadows surrounding his palace, seeking solace in nature's embrace. In Valoria, there dwelled Prince Lucas, a spirited soul with a love for adventure and exploration. He spent his days traversing the rugged mountains and serene valleys of his homeland.
One fateful day, their paths crossed in the most unexpected manner. It was during a hunting expedition that Adrian and Lucas found themselves chasing the same elusive prey—a magnificent stag that had ventured deep into the woods. Their pursuits led them into a tangled thicket where their destinies intertwined.
Caught in the midst of vines and branches, Adrian and Lucas stumbled upon each other, their initial surprise quickly turning into laughter as they realized their shared predicament. With mutual effort, they freed themselves from nature's grasp and sat down to rest, sharing tales of their adventures and dreams.
As the sun began its descent beyond the horizon, the two newfound friends parted ways, unaware of the truth that lay hidden beneath their laughter and camaraderie—that they were princes of neighboring kingdoms, heirs to ancient thrones.
Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, as Adrian and Lucas continued their secret friendship, meeting in the quiet corners of the forest where their kingdoms' borders blurred into insignificance. They reveled in each other's company, finding solace and understanding in their shared experiences.
Yet, fate had a twist in store for them. One stormy night, as Adrian sought refuge from the downpour in a humble cottage nestled within the woods, he stumbled upon an old tapestry adorning the walls—a tapestry depicting the royal lineage of Valoria. His heart skipped a beat as he recognized the face of his friend, Lucas, among the noble figures woven into the fabric.
Realization dawned upon Adrian like a bolt of lightning, illuminating the truth that had eluded him for so long—his dear friend, Lucas, was none other than the prince of Valoria. Overwhelmed by a mix of emotions, Adrian resolved to reveal his own identity to Lucas during their next meeting, eager to share the burden of their royal heritage together.
Days passed in anticipation until the day of their rendezvous arrived. Underneath the canopy of swaying branches, Adrian found Lucas waiting for him, a smile lighting up his face as they embraced in greeting. But before Adrian could muster the courage to speak the words that weighed heavily upon his heart, Lucas spoke first.
"Adrian," Lucas began, his voice tinged with a hint of hesitance, "there is something I must confess to you. I am not merely a commoner as I've led you to believe. I am Lucas, Prince of Valoria."
Adrian's heart swelled with a mixture of joy and astonishment as Lucas revealed his own secret, lifting the weight of secrecy that had burdened them both. "I've longed to talk about this," Adrian admitted, his voice filled with emotion. "I too am not a commoner, but a prince just like you. And even though our true identities are now known, I hope our friendship will endure."
Lucas' eyes shimmered with unshed tears as he nodded in agreement. "I've felt the same way," he confessed, his voice trembling slightly. "Only with you do I feel truly understood and accepted. No matter how many people surround me, I still feel lonely without your companionship."
With tears of happiness glistening in their eyes, Adrian and Lucas embraced once more, their bond strengthened by the revelation of their shared heritage. In that moment, they were not only friends but brothers, united not only by friendship but also by the shared destiny that awaited them.
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As Surya finished his story, Yash couldn't resist a sarcastic jab, his tone laced with amusement. "It would have been better if we didn't let you tell the story," he quipped, his words dripping with sarcasm. "You tell stories worse than Aarav. By the way, where did you get this worst story?"
Surya's expression remained serious as he replied, "I got it from the internet. And the reason for telling you the story is to reveal something about myself that I've been hiding from you all."
Kabir's curiosity was piqued as he asked, "What is it?"
"I am 'Athene'," Surya declared, his voice solemn and unwavering.
The shock that rippled through Yash, Aarav, and Kabir was palpable, their expressions frozen in disbelief at the unexpected revelation. For a brief moment, silence descended upon the group as they grappled with the implications of Surya's confession.
Before they could react, Surya held up a hand, his voice firm yet resolute. "Before you raise your weapons, let me complete my sentence," he continued, his gaze unwavering. "I also discovered your true identities when your group offered me a deal recently. I came here yesterday to tell you, but the restaurant was closed, and I didn't have your contact details."
Aarav's words hung heavy in the tense atmosphere of the restaurant kitchen, his grip tightening on the knife as he spoke. "If I had been outside the kitchen, I might have truly killed you the moment you said you were 'Athene'," he declared, his tone laced with anger.
Surya's expression softened as he persisted, "I am sorry. I really didn't know this from the start."
Yash, ever the voice of reason, interjected with a pointed question. "So why did you choose to tell us now? You could have waited for the meeting scheduled for tomorrow."
Surya's response was sincere, his words weighted with regret. "You know, I thought it would be better to tell you now because I consider you three as my brothers. I didn't want to hurt your feelings by keeping such a significant secret from you. If I had revealed myself as 'Athene' during tomorrow's meeting, you might have mistaken my intentions, thinking that I had approached you to collect intel. But that's not the case. I wanted to be honest with you, even if it meant facing your anger and disappointment. I'm sorry if my actions seemed selfish."
As Surya revealed his reasoning, tears welled in Kabir's eyes, his voice choked with emotion. "I believe this must be fate that brought us together like this. Don't worry, brother. I trust you, and I'll protect you from them," he declared, his words filled with sincerity and determination.
Aarav, perhaps still grappling with his emotions, intervened abruptly. "Enough talk about it for now. We'll discuss it further tomorrow," he stated firmly, his actions speaking louder than words as he busied himself with cooking.
Surya, sensing the lingering tension, tentatively asked, "Does this mean you've forgiven me?" But before Aarav could respond, he reached for the largest and sharpest knife from the set, his movements deliberate and calculated, as he began to slice vegetables with exaggerated force in front of Surya.
The sight of the gleaming blade slicing through the air sent a shiver down Surya's spine, but he understood the unspoken message behind Aarav's actions. It was a warning, a reminder of the gravity of their situation, and the consequences of betraying their trust.
For a while, Aarav remained silent, his attention focused solely on the task of cooking. When the dish was finally prepared, he served it to Surya without a word. Surya, wary of Aarav's intentions, couldn't help but voice his suspicion. "Did you mix poison in it to kill me?" he asked cautiously.
In response, Aarav simply took a bite from the bowl he had served to Surya and ate it himself, demonstrating that the dish was safe to eat. Reluctantly, Surya followed suit and took a bite. Instantly, his taste buds were assaulted by an intense wave of spice that left his tongue ablaze.
"It's incredibly spicy! How much chili powder did you add?" Surya exclaimed, his voice rising in distress. He reached for a glass of water, desperate to quench the fiery heat that engulfed his mouth, but to no avail. The water provided no relief, leaving Surya to suffer in agony as he struggled to endure the searing sensation.
As Surya's cries of agony filled the kitchen, Aarav couldn't help but join in, shouting about the intense spiciness of the dish, tears welled in his eyes as he echoed Surya's sentiments, shouting, "It's really spicy!" Aarav even held it for a while, wanting to see Surya take a bite from it.
In a desperate bid for relief, Aarav rushed to the refrigerator and retrieved a packet of milk, tearing it open and drinking directly from it in a desperate attempt to soothe the burning sensation in his mouth. Seeing his plight, Surya pleaded with Aarav to share the milk, and Aarav obliged, handing him another packet.
Finally, as they both drank the cool milk, a semblance of relief washed over them, alleviating some of the pain inflicted by the mercilessly spicy dish. Despite the temporary respite, Aarav's anguish persisted. "You have to finish it, you bastard," he urged Surya through his tears.
Surya, still reeling from the intense spiciness, couldn't help but retort, "It would have been better if you stabbed me with that knife instead."
As Surya and Aarav continued to wail in pain, Kabir and Yash watched in amazement at their unexpected display of suffering. Amidst their agony, Surya's phone chimed with a new message, drawing his attention away from the burning sensation in his mouth. Curious, he glanced at the message before turning to Kabir and Yash with a serious expression.
"Do you have weapons with you now?" Surya asked, his question catching them off guard.