The battleground was a canvas of carnage. Blood soaked the earth, and the air was thick with the stench of death. Above, vultures circled ominously, waiting for the battle to end and the grand feast to begin. Two civilizations clashed with relentless fury: the Indian Rajput King Pratap and the Greek Emperor waged war, each determined to assert dominance. It was a time of swords and shields, of valor and treachery, where survival was bought with blood and kingdoms fell from power.
Among the Greeks, two prominent kings had arrived in India—not as conquerors, but as seekers of knowledge and wealth. One was a renowned weapons manufacturer, intrigued by the craftsmanship of Indian ironsmiths, who forged weapons unparalleled in their beauty and precision. The other, King Thor, was captivated by India's intricate jewelry-making art. Thor had two daughters, Stella and Tracy, who were considered the most beautiful princesses of their time, rivaled only by Cleopatra herself.
Stella, the elder at eighteen, was ambitious, jealous, and cunning, her beauty marred by her greed. Tracy, just sixteen, was not only more beautiful but also kind-hearted and full of curiosity. Thor, deeply protective of his daughters, often brought them exquisite jewelry from his travels. Yet, no matter how identical the gifts were, Stella always believed that Tracy's jewels were more beautiful. Consumed by envy, Stella frequently exchanged her gifts with Tracy's, believing she deserved better, though in truth, her jewels were often more exquisite.
Thor's fascination with Indian jewelry stemmed from the unparalleled skill of the Sunar goldsmiths, renowned artisans who worked with gold, diamonds, nine gemstones, and pearls to create masterpieces. On one of his travels to India, Stella and Tracy implored him to let them accompany him. Initially hesitant, Thor relented after persistent pleading. With Greece embroiled in internal strife, he thought it safer to have his daughters by his side. Their journey across seas and lands opened their eyes to a world beyond the grandeur of Greek palaces. The vibrant colors of Indian markets, the fragrant spices, and the intricate artistry left them spellbound.
The Sunar goldsmiths were a prosperous community, wielding wealth and influence that rivaled modern billionaires. Their craft was revered, their artistry passed down through generations. Tracy, captivated by their techniques, dreamed of learning the secrets of their craft. Stella, however, saw only an opportunity to amass wealth and power. This divergence in their motives would shape their destinies in ways neither could foresee.
Far removed from the opulence of royal palaces and bustling markets, a young man named Rudra sat in the dimly lit study of his ancestral home. He carefully turned the pages of his late grandfather's diary, its faded ink a portal to a past he had never known. His grandfather had chronicled tales of courage and despair, of a time when Hindus migrated from Pakistan during the 1947 Partition. Rudra's family had been among the countless refugees who endured unspeakable hardships in the camps. Insults and rejection were commonplace, and survival often meant confronting prejudice from both Hindus and Muslims.Rudra's parents were Sikhs, members of a community born out of the Partition's chaos. They carved a new identity for themselves, blending their heritage with the teachings of Guru Nanak. Skilled artisans, they turned adversity into opportunity, establishing businesses in jewelry-making, textiles, and other crafts. Refugee camps eventually transformed into thriving towns, with communities like the Marwaris joining forces to create a legacy of resilience and prosperity.
Now, the legacy was in Rudra's hands. At thirty, he was the adopted son of Rohit Sharma, a wealthy entrepreneur, and his wife, Aakansha. Rudra managed Talent Source Company Pvt. Ltd., a business that trained models, action artists, choreographers, and other professionals in the entertainment industry. Despite his success, Rudra carried a heavy burden: a childhood accident had left him paralyzed from the waist down, confining him to a wheelchair. He wore a mask to conceal scars that ran deeper than his skin.
His younger brothers, Prakash and Akash, harbored resentment toward him. Prakash, a gifted artisan in carpentry, jewelry-making, and sculpture, felt overshadowed by their father's unwavering support for Rudra. Akash, who managed the Gujarat branch of their family business, Prima Antiques Ltd., shared similar sentiments. Yet, the brothers' rivalry paled in comparison to the mysterious curse that loomed over their family: no newly wedded woman survived for long. Both Rohit and Arun, Rudra's uncles, had lost their wives shortly after marriage. This curse had cast a shadow over the entire Sharma lineage, leaving the men hesitant to marry.
Rudra found solace in the stories of his grandfather's diary, tales of survival and craftsmanship that connected him to a past rich with tradition and struggle. The diary also hinted at secrets, cryptic mentions of a palace hidden deep within the jungles of Maharashtra, and strange radio signals emanating from its ruins. One such signal had recently been intercepted by Smitha, a radio operator with a penchant for the arcane. Intrigued, Smitha believed the signal was a call for help, a cry from someone—or something—trapped in time.
The Sharma family's legacy was vast, encompassing not just their jewelry and antiques business but also their ancestral connection to the refugees who had shaped modern India. Their headquarters in Punjab, along with branches in Delhi, Mumbai, and Gujarat, stood as a testament to their enduring spirit. Yet, beneath this veneer of success lay deep-seated tensions. Rudra's relationship with his brothers remained strained, and his position as an adopted son only fueled their animosity.Meanwhile, Rudra's cousin, Akash, managed the Gujarat branch with a ruthlessness that matched his ambition. Prakash, on the other hand, immersed himself in his craft, creating masterpieces that honored their family's heritage. Their sister, Rishitha, was the glue that held the family together. Widowed at a young age, she devoted her life to raising her son, Ankush, while supporting her brothers in their endeavors.
As Rudra's thoughts lingered on his family's legacy, a sense of foreboding settled over him. The signals intercepted by Smitha hinted at a mystery that could unravel everything he thought he knew. What secrets lay hidden in the palace in Maharashtra? Who was sending the signals, and why? Rudra knew he had to find out. The answers might hold the key to his family's future—and his own.
The stage is set, dear readers, for an epic tale that intertwines history, mystery, and destiny. Stay tuned as the journey unfolds, revealing the secrets of the past and the battles yet to come. Don't forget to like and share—your support fuels this adventure!