Mayank charged at Avir with a furious punch aimed straight for his head. Avir was talking to Anya, completely unaware of the incoming attack. Concern for Avir was evident on everyone's faces. Prithviraj grew furious at Mayank's reckless act, and the officials rushed forward to protect Avir and stop Mayank.
Before they could intervene, Avir quickly pushed Anya aside and moved at lightning speed toward Mayank. Catching Mayank's punch with his hand, Avir delivered a counter-punch to Mayank's chest. The moment Avir's fist connected, a shockwave of energy burst through Mayank's chest, instantly depleting all his power.
Avir let go of Mayank's hand, and Mayank collapsed to the ground. The area on Mayank's chest where Avir's punch had landed had burned away his clothing, leaving scorch marks on his skin. The burns were a result of the energy unleashed from the enhancement pill Mayank had consumed.
Witnessing this, Prithviraj was both amazed and overjoyed, while Ram Kirpali's face reflected anger and disappointment. None of the spectators could believe what they had just witnessed—that Avir had defeated Mayank, who was at Level 9 spiritual power and further enhanced by the energy-boosting pill, with just one punch.
Anya hurried to Avir, gently placing her hand on his shoulder, her sweet voice full of concern, "Avir, are you alright?" Avir smiled and nodded in response, reassuring her.
The officials arrived on the field to assess Mayank's condition. After a brief evaluation, one of them announced in a loud voice, "Mayank has used an energy-boosting pill, which is against the rules. Therefore, he is sentenced to five months of imprisonment. The winner of this match is the Maurya family!"
The match was over, and the crowd swarmed around Avir and Anya, eager to congratulate them. A young girl approached Avir with a loving tone, "Big brother, will you train with me tomorrow?"
Before Avir could respond, Anya quickly interjected, "Sorry, Mitali, but Avir will be busy with me tomorrow." Mitali forced a smile and replied, "Alright," before walking away.
Meanwhile, Prithviraj was surrounded by the heads of several prominent families from other cities, all engaging him in conversation. A satisfied smile played on Prithviraj's face.
That night...
The moon was exceptionally large, casting its reflection on the still waters of a serene pond. A boy stood balanced on one leg in the middle of the pond, eyes closed, as if deep in meditation or training. On the bank, a girl sat with her feet dipped in the water, watching him intently. It was none other than Anya.
Smiling softly as she gazed at him, she murmured, "Avir, you're so different from everyone else. You do things that others can't even imagine." Blushing slightly, she added, "That's why I like you. But you don't understand anything... or if you do, you just see me as a little girl." She pouted playfully, talking to herself as though someone was listening, even though no one was around.
Early morning...
The sun had not yet risen, but the sky was already bathed in light. Avir still stood in the middle of the pond, unmoving, while Anya had fallen asleep on the bank. Opening his eyes, Avir stood upright and turned to look at her. A smile spread across his face as he saw her sleeping peacefully.
With a single leap, he landed beside her, crouching down and gently brushing her cheek. His voice was tender as he said, "Anu, wake up. We need to return to the palace."
Anya stirred, rubbing her eyes with innocent sleepiness. "Is it morning already? Did you finish your training?" she asked.
Avir nodded with a warm smile, "Yes, I did."
As Anya stood up with a smile, a sudden sharp yelp escaped her lips. Sitting and sleeping for so long had caused her leg to go numb, and she fell back onto the ground. Hearing her cry out, Avir immediately asked with concern, "What happened, Anu? Are you alright?"
Anya nodded and replied with a faint smile, "It's nothing. My leg just fell asleep, but I'm fine."
Before she could finish her sentence, Avir scooped her up in his arms. Anya's face turned crimson with embarrassment as Avir carried her effortlessly. Flustered, she said, "Avir, what are you doing?"
Avir, with a calm and serious tone, responded, "I'm carrying you. Your leg is numb, and you can't walk. Just stay quiet like this." Without waiting for her response, Avir began sprinting through the dense forest, carrying Anya in his arms. Anya rested her head against Avir's chest, her eyes fixed on him with a shy smile, while Avir remained focused and determined, moving swiftly through the woods.
Elsewhere in the Maurya Palace...
Prithviraj held a letter in his hand, his face etched with worry. He stood in a room with the chief minister and his brother, both of whom shared his anxious expression. Avi's uncle appeared visibly tense.
At that moment, Avir entered the room and respectfully greeted his father. In a serious tone, he asked, "What's wrong? Why are you all gathered here looking so troubled?"
Prithviraj let out a deep sigh and sat down on a chair, taking a glass of wine from the table and drinking it silently. Avir's first uncle averted his gaze, while the second uncle, the chief minister, spoke in a somber voice, "Son, the Singh family has sent a letter. They want to break off your engagement with Nayra. If this alliance is broken, it will cause us great difficulties."
Hearing this, Avir fell into deep thought. After a moment, he knelt before his father, holding Prithviraj's hand gently in his own, and said in a serious tone, "Father, do you trust me?"
Prithviraj placed his hand on Avir's head and nodded, replying, "More than I trust myself."
Avir smiled faintly and said, "Then they've broken the rules and their promise. That gives us the right to challenge them to a duel. Let me face them in battle."
Everyone in the room was stunned. Avir's second uncle broke the silence, saying, "Are you out of your mind, Avir? We don't have the strength to stand against the Singh family!"
Avir calmly looked at his father and clarified, "I'm not suggesting a full-scale battle. Send them a letter challenging Nayra and me to a duel. Whoever wins will decide whether the engagement should be broken or not."
His second uncle began pondering over the idea, while the first uncle protested seriously, "Son, don't make rash decisions. Nayra is far stronger than you at the moment."
Avir's second uncle, still deep in thought, finally said, "I think we should consider Avir's proposal."
The first uncle turned to the second uncle, his tone grave, "He's just a boy! Are you insane too?"
Before the second uncle could respond, Prithviraj's stern and authoritative voice cut through the air: "Write the letter to the Singh family."
Both uncles were taken aback, standing in stunned silence. Meanwhile, a faint smile appeared on Avir's face. Prithviraj placed his hand on Avir's head and declared, "It will be as Avir has said. I have complete faith in my son."
Some time later...
Avir stood on the edge of a tall cliff, gazing out at the horizon. His face was somber, weighed down by the burden of his thoughts. He murmured to himself, "It feels like the troubles in my life never end."
Avir's expression changed as memories of Anya flooded his mind. He recalled the moment after his duel with Mayank when he was standing and talking with Anya. Just then, Prithviraj approached them, his demeanor serious.
"Anya! My child, I need to have a word with Avir alone," Prithviraj said gravely.
Hearing this, Anya looked at Avir with a tinge of sadness. Avir nodded, signaling her to leave. Reluctantly, Anya turned and walked away, her steps heavy with disappointment.
Once she was gone, Prithviraj spoke seriously, "Avir, my son, you shouldn't get too close to Anya. Her father entrusted her to us to keep her away from their family's conflicts. She's a good girl, but she has many secrets. As your father, I don't want to see you getting entangled in any trouble."
Standing on the cliff, Avir was lost in these memories when suddenly, a spear hurtled toward him from behind, aimed at his head. Sensing the danger, Avir tilted his head slightly to the left, and the spear narrowly missed, whizzing past his ear. He turned around just in time to see a fist flying toward him.
Reacting quickly, Avir summoned the cursed power within him, igniting his hand with crimson flames to block the punch. However, the blow was so powerful that it sent him sliding backward, right to the edge of the cliff. He stumbled and nearly fell when a massive hand grabbed him by the neck and lifted him into the air.
Choking and unable to use his cursed power, Avir gasped for breath. He looked at his attacker and managed to whisper, "Ram Kirpali… you!"
The figure, grinning wickedly, replied, "Yes, it's me. You've caused me enough trouble. Because of you, my son is in prison. Now, die!" As he spoke, green flames ignited in the hand gripping Avir's neck.
Avir's condition deteriorated rapidly, his breath faltering. Just as he was on the verge of losing consciousness, a flaming sword pierced through Ram Kirpali's torso. Staggering in pain, Ram Kirpali turned to see the source of the attack and muttered, "The Agniastra Technique… how?"
Before he could say more, his body dissolved into nothingness, as though he had never been there.
Standing behind him, holding the flaming sword, was none other than Anya. Her face bore a look of fierce determination. As the sword vanished from her hand, she turned to see Avir falling off the cliff, his neck finally free from Ram Kirpali's grip.
Without hesitation, Anya leaped off the cliff after him, reaching out and grabbing Avir's hand.
Avir, now alert, pulled Anya closer and wrapped her securely in his arms as they plummeted toward the ground. Anya, smiling softly despite their perilous fall, looked into Avir's eyes and said, "What a beautiful way to die, isn't it?"
What will happen to Avir and Anya? Will they survive this fall, or will their story end here? Stay tuned to find out!