Pranith replayed everything that had just happened.
So this Cain person somehow knew Rudra… and in his final moments, he even called Rudra a friend. If he really was Rudra's friend, then why did he choose an evil path? How did they know each other? Why did he betray him?
Questions piled up in Pranith's mind, but answers did not. As he struggled with his thoughts, a familiar voice echoed in his ears. "Pranith, are you listening?"
Pranith sighed. "Hey, Tarkshya. I was actually about to call you. Did you hear my thoughts?"
"I did not hear your thoughts," Tarkshya replied, "but I know exactly what you were about to do next. And I want you not to do it."
Pranith frowned. "So you realized I was going to enter Rudra's mind, huh? Why shouldn't I? I already did it earlier. And I entered Dhruva's mind too. What's the problem now?"
Tarkshya's tone became serious.
"Pranith, listen carefully. Your ability to enter people's minds is not normal. One wrong move, and you could get trapped inside someone's mind for eternity. Your power allows you only to see their current emotions—not their full past. That part cannot be accessed unless the person willingly shows it."
Pranith exhaled. "So you're saying my power has drawbacks. I can only see what someone is feeling, not their memories. Fine… but then how do I learn Rudra's past?"
"The time will give you all answers," Tarkshya said gently. "Be patient."
"You always say the same thing," Pranith muttered. "It's
frustrating when the writer himself doesn't know his protagonist's backstory… but fine. I'll wait."
"Good. And remember—do not use your mind power without my permission."
"Got it."
Tarkshya's presence faded, leaving Pranith to refocus on Rudra's next move.
Dhruva's Grief
Rudra arrived at the battlefield where Dhruva had been fighting. Blood trailed across the ground, leading to the bodies of fallen soldiers—each one lying peacefully, a faint smile on their faces.
Pranith and Rudra noticed it at the same moment.
Dhruva stood at the center of the bodies. His hands hung loosely. His head tilted toward the sky, and tears streamed down his face.
Then, in a trembling voice, he whispered toward the heavens: "I could not do better than this… please rest in peace."
A warm light shimmered briefly above the soldiers, and their souls seemed to gaze at Dhruva with gratitude.
"Thank you."
The souls vanished gently into the air.
Dhruva exhaled deeply, relief and grief mixing in his heart. His legs weakened, and he began to fall—until Rudra stepped forward and caught him.
"Are you okay, Dhruva?" Rudra asked.
Dhruva steadied himself. "Yes… I'm fine. It's just… this is the first time I've ever killed someone. My mind couldn't handle that I
ended so many lives."
Rudra frowned. "Then why did you kill them if you never have before?"
Dhruva swallowed hard. "They asked me to."
Rudra froze. "What…? Tell me everything."
Dhruva retold the entire truth—the cursed eyes, the soldiers begging for death, the curse from childhood, and his helplessness in breaking the spell.
Rudra listened silently.
When Dhruva finished, Rudra looked at the bodies again.
Suddenly, a sharp pulse struck his mind. Images flashed—children screaming, being dragged away by kidnappers. His past—fractured pieces of it—rushed back all at once.
Rudra's head throbbed. His body shivered uncontrollably.
"Rudra!" Dhruva shouted, grabbing his shoulders. "Come to your senses!"
After a few moments, Rudra snapped back, gasping for breath. Sweat covered his skin.
"Are you okay?" Dhruva asked.
Rudra wiped his forehead. "Yes… I'm fine now. Thank you."
He stood straight again. "Let's finish this. We need to take down their leader and then rest. Can you still fight, Dhruva?"
Dhruva smirked weakly. "I can. But I'm worried about you."
Rudra punched the air a few times. "Don't worry about me. I can fight all day."
Dhruva nodded. "Alright, then let's end this."
The Leader of the Force
The leader of the invading force sat casually on a chair in the middle of the battlefield, eating his meal with no care in the world.
Rudra and Dhruva approached him, standing opposite him. Rudra said, "If you're done filling your belly, we'll start hunting."The leader wiped his mouth, smiling.
"So, you two took out my entire army. Impressive." His eyes shifted to Dhruva.
"I know about Rudra—the one recognized as 'A Calamity With a Sword.' But I never expected the calamity to have a friend who could defeat a hundred soldiers with pure magic. I'm curious… what kind of magic will you use on me?"
He grinned with cruelty.
"After I kill you two, I'll slaughter every person in this town."
Dhruva gritted his teeth. "Rudra, he's annoying me. Let me take him down. I have to avenge the soldiers."
Rudra said, "Do as you please. But don't kill him. I need information from him. Go—he's all yours."
Dhruva smirked. "Thank you. I'm going to enjoy this." He stepped forward. "Do you have a name?"
The man smiled. "Yes. People call me Silas Bloodworth."
Dhruva lowered his stance. "If you have any last wishes… forget them. Because you're going to die today, Silas Bloodworth."