The messenger's news was still instilling fear in everyone's hearts. The terror of the Magadha army and Kartikeya was well known to all.
Arjun immediately gave orders to send his army into battle, and the commander, along with his troops, set out for war without delay.
Outside the palace, the horses and military units were instilling terror in everyone.
On one side, the army was leaving the fort, while on the other, the echoes of priests' chants could still be heard within the palaces.
The palace priests were continuously performing their rituals and praying for the new queen's long life.
At that moment, as soon as a large portion of the princess's army departed from the fort, Arushi began moving towards her next step.
The sorceress started reciting her magical incantations, and before long, the large iron gates of Siri Fort, which required the help of ten people to open, began to close.
The sound of the fort's massive doors closing echoed far and wide. The thousands who had been cheering for the queen suddenly fell silent and began to whisper among themselves.
Now, these thousands were trapped inside the fort, their heartbeats growing faster. People began shouting, questioning why the gates were closed and demanding an explanation.
However, even the fort's soldiers were bewildered, unable to understand how the gates had closed or why they wouldn't reopen.
As the eerie silence hung over Siri Fort, the tension within its walls grew thicker. The crowd, once joyous, now buzzed with fear and confusion. The soldiers scrambled to the gates, pulling and pushing, but the iron doors remained firmly shut. No matter how hard they tried, the massive doors wouldn't budge.
Inside the palace, Radha stood near the grand windows, watching the distant figures of her army marching away into battle. Her heart, already heavy with the weight of the crown, sank further. The sight of the closing gates sent a chill through her veins. Something was terribly wrong.
Suddenly, the court advisors, ministers, and priests came rushing into the main hall. "Your Majesty, the gates… they have sealed themselves. We fear treachery!" one of the ministers exclaimed, out of breath.
Radha's eyes widened. "Treachery? But from whom? The enemy is outside the fort. Who would trap us inside?"
The palace priest, who had been overseeing the rituals, stepped forward. "There is a dark force at work here. I can feel it. This is no ordinary event. Magic has been used—powerful, ancient magic."
Radha turned to Arjun, who had just entered the room, his face pale from the news. "Arjun, we must act swiftly. If this is sorcery, then we need to confront it before it's too late. Find Devavarman—he is the only one who knows the arcane arts well enough to counter this."
Arjun nodded, but before he could move, a sharp voice echoed through the hall. "You won't find Devavarman, Your Majesty."
Everyone turned to see a shadowy figure standing near the entrance. It was Arushi, the sorceress. Her eyes gleamed with a dark intensity, and a sly smile played on her lips.
"The gates will not open," Arushi said, her voice cold and steady. "And your beloved Devavarman will not be able to save you. I have ensured that."
Radha felt her breath catch. "Who are you? Why are you doing this?"
Arushi stepped closer, her robes trailing like shadows across the marble floor. "Why, you ask? You should know better, Radha. I have always been in the shadows, waiting. You are not fit to rule Kaushal. You never were."
Arjun drew his sword, stepping between Radha and Arushi. "If you think we will let you harm the queen, you are mistaken."
Arushi laughed softly. "Harm her? No, Arjun. I don't need to. The fort's gates are sealed, and soon, something far more dangerous than I will rise within these walls."
With a wave of her hand, Arushi vanished into thin air, leaving behind an unsettling silence.
Radha's mind raced. "We have to find a way out. We cannot let panic spread among the people. If they sense that we are trapped, chaos will erupt."
Arjun sheathed his sword, his face grim. "I will gather the best soldiers to search for Devavarman. If anyone can break this enchantment, it's him."
As Arjun rushed out, Radha turned to the priest. "Prepare the temple. We must start a protective ritual. Whatever Arushi has planned, we need to counter it with everything we have."
The priest nodded, hurrying away with the other scholars and priests. Radha stood alone for a moment, staring out at the locked gates, her heart pounding.
The fort, once her sanctuary, now felt like a cage. And somewhere within its walls, an ancient evil was awakening.
This battle, Radha realized, would not only be fought with swords and armies—but with magic, cunning, and courage.