Chapter 35: The Secrets Within the Crates
The battlefield was eerily silent after the retreat of the British forces and the mysterious Asura warrior. The resistance fighters, though victorious, were exhausted and wary. Arjun wiped the sweat and dirt from his face, still gripping his sword tightly.
Jai Pratap and Amrita Bai approached, their expressions a mix of relief and concern.
"We won," Ramesh said, breathing heavily. "But that… thing. That was no ordinary enemy."
Arjun nodded. "An Asura. And he wasn't here just to protect the weapons. There's something else going on."
Jai gestured to the captured convoy, where the rebels were prying open the wooden crates. "Then let's find out what was so important."
Unveiling the Truth
One by one, the crates were forced open. Inside, stacks of rifles, muskets, gunpowder, and ammunition filled the cargo space. It was a massive haul—more than enough to supply the rebels for months.
But something felt off.
Arjun activated his system scan, his vision flashing as he analyzed the contents.
[Scanning…]
Firearms: 84% of total cargo
Explosives: 10%
Unknown Items Detected: 6%
"Unknown items?" Arjun muttered.
He turned to a crate that looked different from the rest—reinforced with iron locks, covered in strange markings. A cold feeling settled in his chest.
"This one," he said, pointing. "Open it."
Two rebels forced it open with crowbars, the wood creaking loudly.
Inside—
A black stone tablet, covered in glowing ancient inscriptions, lay within. The moment the air touched it, a dark mist leaked from its surface, twisting like living shadows.
Everyone stepped back instinctively.
Arjun's system flared with warnings.
[Alert: High-Level Relic Detected]
Name: Shard of Andhaka
Type: Asura Artifact
Effect: Unknown (Dark Energy Signature Detected)
Amrita gasped. "This… This is not a weapon. This is something far more dangerous."
Jai stepped forward, studying the markings. "I've seen similar symbols before—on ruins left behind by ancient Asura cults."
Arjun's mind raced. The Asura warrior wasn't just protecting British weapons. He was guarding this.
"What is the Shard of Andhaka?" he asked.
Amrita's face was grim. "Andhaka was an ancient Asura king, said to possess the power of absolute darkness. According to legend, he was slain by Lord Shiva himself. But parts of his power—his essence—were sealed away in relics like this."
Arjun's grip tightened on his sword. "And the British were transporting it?"
Jai exhaled. "If they were moving something this dangerous, it means they're working with the Asuras. Or worse… they don't even realize what they're carrying."
A Dangerous Decision
Arjun stared at the Shard of Andhaka. The dark energy pulsed, as if it were alive, whispering at the edges of his mind.
The logical choice was to destroy it immediately. But a part of him hesitated.
This is a power beyond human understanding.
Could it be useful?
His system flashed a new prompt.
[Decision Point: What Will You Do?]
Destroy the Shard Immediately (Eliminate the Threat).
Seal It Away (Prevent It from Falling Into the Wrong Hands).
Attempt to Absorb Its Power (Risky, But Could Unlock New Abilities).
Arjun's heart pounded. This wasn't just about the rebellion anymore.
This was about forces greater than he had ever imagined.
And whatever choice he made—it would change his fate forever.