The Forest's Fury and an Echo of Power
The Raj-Guru's words coiled in Devansh's mind like a venomous serpent, its whisper a constant, chilling refrain. "No one wants you two to be together… A powerful force…" He stood frozen in the sun-dappled garden, the vibrant colors seeming to mock the darkness gathering at the edges of his vision.
The sudden, warm presence beside him was like a splash of sunlight on ice.
"Prince Devansh?" Aaditya's voice, rich and concerned, cut through his spiraling thoughts. "You seem a world away. Is our kingdom not to your liking?"
Devansh started, turning to find the Yuvaraj standing close, his fiery eyes searching his face. The intensity of that gaze was unnerving, yet it held a warmth that pushed back the chill. He quickly folded his hands into a respectful anjali.
"No, Yuvaraj, not at all! Suryapuri is… magnificent. It feels more vibrant, more alive than any place I have known." The truth of his own words surprised him.
Aaditya's stern expression melted into a brilliant, teasing smile. "We were only jesting with you, Prince. But your worry is plain on your face. Perhaps you need a distraction from these heavy courtly matters." He clapped a hand on Devansh's shoulder, the touch sending another one of those inexplicable, electric jolts through him. "What say you to a hunt? The forests of Suryapuri are the best remedy for a troubled mind."
"A hunt?" Devansh repeated, the mundane normalcy of the suggestion clashing violently with the cosmic dread he felt.
Aaditya's smile faltered slightly. "Does the idea not appeal to you? We would not force—"
"No! It's not that," Devansh interrupted, a genuine smile finally touching his own lips. The simple, earnest offer was a lifeline. "A hunt sounds perfect. Let's go."
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The Royal Stables
The royal stables were a symphony of snorts and the scent of hay and leather. Aaditya commanded with an easy authority, and soon, two magnificent steeds were brought forth.
Aaditya's mount was a towering beast the color of blood and embers, muscles rippling under its glossy coat. "This is Agni," Aaditya said, patting the stallion's powerful neck with familiar affection.
The horse brought for Devansh was its perfect opposite—a creature of stunning, milky white, with a mane like spun moonlight and eyes that held a gentle intelligence.
"You know my steed's name," Aaditya said, turning to Devansh with a playful glint. "What shall we call yours?"
"The honor is yours, Yuvaraj," Devansh replied politely.
Aaditya studied the white horse, then his gaze flickered to Devansh, taking in his serene posture and the hidden power he knew lay within. "This steed carries a grace that belies a great strength. Much like its rider. Its name shall be… Shakti."
Devansh felt a strange thrill at the name—Power. It felt like another piece of a puzzle clicking into place. "It is a fitting name," he said, bowing his head slightly.
"Then let the hunt begin!" Aaditya declared, swinging onto Agni's back with practiced ease.
Devansh mounted Shakti, the horse standing steady and calm beneath him. As they rode out of the palace gates, the two princes—one astride a creature of fire, the other on a being of pure light—made a picture of such perfect contrast it seemed painted by destiny itself.
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The Suryapuri Forest
The Suryapuri forest was a different world. The air was thick, humid, and buzzing with unseen life. Giant sal trees formed a dense canopy, their leaves filtering the sunlight into a shifting, green-gold haze.
"So, Prince Devansh," Aaditya called out as they navigated a narrow trail, Agni snorting impatiently. "Are you a seasoned hunter? The forests of Chandrapuri are said to be dense and mysterious."
Devansh guided Shakti with a subtle pressure of his knees. "I have hunted there many times. But this forest… it's different."
"How so?" Aaditya asked, his curiosity piqued.
"The energy here," Devansh murmured, his blue eyes scanning the shadows between the trees. "It's ancient. It hums with a… a latent magic. It feels like the land itself is watching, waiting."
Aaditya reined in Agni, his red eyes widening. "You feel it too? I have always thought it was just my imagination, a prince's fancy for his homeland. But this vibration… you sense it as well?" The confirmation sent a thrill through him. This connection was not one-sided.
Before Devansh could answer, the forest fell silent.
The constant chirping of birds, the rustle of small creatures in the undergrowth—it all ceased in a single, heart-stopping moment. The only sound was the uneasy stamp of their horses' hooves.
Then, from behind a thicket of thorny bushes, it emerged.
It was a wild bull, but unlike any natural beast. Its size was monstrous, its hide a patchwork of scars and dirt. But its eyes—they glowed with a malevolent, unnatural crimson. It didn't simply charge; it moved with a chilling, calculated purpose, its powerful horns aimed directly at Devansh.
"DEVANSH!" Aaditya's warning shout was a raw, terrified scream.
Reacting on pure instinct, Devansh threw himself from Shakti's back. But as he leaped, his foot tangled in the stirrup for a critical second, wrenching his ankle with a sickening crunch before he slammed hard onto the forest floor.
"Ah!" A cry of pain was torn from his lips. He tried to scramble back, but a searing agony shot up his leg, immobilizing him.
The bull, its target now grounded and vulnerable, lowered its head, its hellish eyes fixed on Devansh. It pawed the earth, preparing for the final, killing lunge.
Aaditya nocked an arrow, his hands steady despite the terror gripping his heart. But the beast was too close, its movements a frenzied blur. A missed shot could gore Devansh instantly.
Time seemed to stretch. Devansh, trapped and in pain, could only watch death approach. Desperation clawed at his throat. He squeezed his eyes shut, his mind not on prayers, but on a single, desperate thought: No. Not like this. Not when I've just found him.
And as that thought crystallized, the veena strapped to his back, forgotten in the chaos, responded.
A soft, ethereal glow emanated from within its case, a pulse of pure, silvery light. The air around Devansh shimmered, not with enough force to stop the bull, but with a palpable energy of protection, a silent, defiant scream against the dying of the light.
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Chapter End Note:
A hunt for peace has become a fight for survival. A beast possessed by a malevolent will. A prince lies wounded, his hidden power flaring to life in his moment of utmost need. And another prince must now become a warrior, facing a darkness that is no longer a vague threat, but a monster with glowing red eyes. The forest has revealed its true nature, and the game has turned deadly.