For the first time in the Aatmans' history, their auditorium was filled to the brim, with all the soldiers and royals filling up the usually empty spots on the stone steps and spilling into the space around the stage. It made Roan happy to see that such a grand event had occurred in the span of his leadership, but the dire circumstances saddened his heart as he looked around and wondered how many would survive the battle tomorrow. But for now, for now they would plan and hope for the future.

"Ahem," Shyra called, raising her hand and waving it to catch everyone's attention. Once the chattering died down, she cleared her throat and smiled. "It's... it's so overwhelming to see all of you gathered here," she began, gesturing to the reclaimed royals. "After all our effort, this feels almost surreal. I would love it with all my heart to take you all back to your planets on our ships, but I'm afraid our fight is far from over."

Her last few words were met by the somber gazes of people who were used to taking difficult decisions and knew exactly what to do next. It hurt her to ask this of them, but she plowed on with her speech. "Arawn's threat does not end with this. Even if we manage to escape today, we'll live the rest of our lives in fear, having to watch our backs at every turn. Is that really the lives we're looking for? The ones we need to lead to inspire our people?"

Meaningful sighs and glances flitted across the auditorium as everybody agreed with her. This was the only real choice they had, and it seemed like everyone was willing to take it. "There will be war tomorrow, as soon as the first light touches this place. We need as many people as possible from our side to win this war. I understand, all of you have been through a lot. And if you still do not wish to fight tomorrow, our ships are ready to take you back home at the earliest."

Now was the tempting part. She could see the indecision scrawled on worn faces as they mulled over her offer. They were unbelievably exhausted, and they wanted to go home. Shyra could only hope that enough people would stay to turn the tides in their favor.

A few royals stood up then, five six of them, shaking their heads sorrowfully as they made their way to the waiting baan. Shyra winced inwardly as she watched the baan incline their head in acknowledgement and lead the men away, to be returned to their home. It was a blow for sure, but to her mounting relief, nobody else stood up to be taken back.

This new development left around twenty royal men remaining, including Mahi and Arina's and Hira's men. A pretty solid number, especially since their armies were also stationed in Arawn's military and could be turned against Arawn.

Shyra met Mahi's eyes with a smile, and something akin to wonder and respect crossed his face, filling her with a sense of warmth. I'm so proud of you, his dark eyes seemed to tell her, and I'm so darn grateful that you've done all this for me.

With a slight nod of acknowledgement, she turned to the others and clapped her hands once with a sense of finality. "Those of you who've remained, I thank you with all my heart, and soon your people will thank you too. We've got a war to wage tomorrow, and I have a good feeling we'll win this."

Her words were met with boisterous calls from everyone, as they raised their fists and cheered for their victory. Shyra let the sight pour courage into her veins, for she needed every ounce of willpower for what was to come tomorrow.

Soon after her speech, everyone was assigned to as much space as was possible onboard the ships, and the remaining people were offered beds by Aatmans. Their generosity touched Shyra's heart, and she promised herself to take care of them well after they won the battle.

Shyra and Mahi were allotted the Chief's house, along with Arina and her father, in spite of their protests. "Don't worry," the Chief had smiled at their anguish at discomforting them. "I'm ready to give up my house to you, and much more if needed, if it gets my people the freedom they deserve."

Those words resonated deeply with Shyra, and reminded her of everything she'd gone through to help her people, so she accepted his home with a respectful bow.

"Looks like we'll have to share a bed," Mahi said, breaking Shyra out of her reverie with a smirk. "Who'd have known that our journey would lead us here, spending the night in an Aatman's house, just a few hours away from fighting a war with Arawn Adair."

Shyra smiled and intertwined her hand with Mahi's. "I knew you were trouble the moment you snuck upon me with that charm of yours. And though my journey with you has taken me even further than I ever thought it would, I would do it all over again if it meant I end up with you in the end."

Mahi's grin widened and he opened his mouth, probably to make another witty remark about her speech, when the battle gong sounded loudly. Shyra drew a sharp breath and turned to the Chief, who had gone pale in a kshana.

Could those scums really be planning a night attack? She thought furiously, running to the watchtower with Mahi, Arina and her father at her heels. She was well aware every moment she spent scrambling up the ladder was a moment she could have spent directing her soldiers, and the thought made her scream with frustration as she grabbed the nearest binoculars she could find and surveyed the situation.

'For the love of the Cosmos and beyond,' she cursed, surveying the horrific scene unfold before her. The red, rocky terrain was ablaze with flaming torches as the front lines of Arawn's army descended on the Aatmans' village and began setting the nearest trees on fire. She could see the Baan beginning to rouse their own army and fight back, but the shock at being attack so dishonourably was clearly getting to them.

"Arawn's army seems to be closing in from all sides around the village," Shyra reported through clenched teeth. "They're trapping the army in an unknown and cluttered space with innocent civilians at risk. The burning of the trees must be a way to prevent anyone from escaping. We're already at a huge disadvantage here."

"Then let's bring this situation to more even ground, shall we?" Arina said, borrowing the binoculars and witnessing the battle herself. "I suggest we form the chakrayhuh military formation as a defence. It'll keep the armies from entering the village, and we can slowly expand the circle to push them out onto the battlefield."

"Chakrayhuh?" Hira exclaimed. "The legendary formation from the Mahabharata war? It is extremely difficult to form and maintain, especially in a terrain that hasn't been mapped out in advance."

"But it's effective," Arina countered. "Breaking it was an art that only Shri Krishna, and subsequently the warrior Arjuna and his son Abhimanyu knew. It hasn't been passed down through the generations, so it's safe to say that formation is impenetrable."

Hira sighed and pressed her fingers to the bridge of her nose. "I still think we should look for a more practical solution. If this fails..."

"I say we go for it," a voice quietly said, and everyone turned in surprise to find that Mahi had sidled up to his wife and clasped her hand. "I know I haven't been through the hardships you guys have, and am probably not qualified to give this opinion, but we have to do what it takes to win. We can't afford to waste more time arguing while our men face battle down there. This is the best solution in the circumstances."

"Hira, I hate to say this, but they're right," Shyra said softly. "We need to do the Chakrayhuh. However, keeping your views in mind, our goal will be to push the army into the battlefield as soon as possible. We'll maintain the formation for as little time as possible, and adopt a more sustainable strategy the moment we're in the clear. But for now, there's no other way out."

Hira wrung her hands together and looked distraught, but one glance at the trees rapidly setting on fire seemed to firm her resolve, and she gave a firm nod. "Let's do it then."

They exchanged somber glances with each other, knowing that they were descending into the very battle that they'd dreaded would come to pass, and that all of them may not make it out alive.

Arina, ever eager for violence, was the first to move as she began scrambling down the ladder. Before the others could follow, a flash of blinding white light exploded from the ongoing battle, making everyone freeze in their tracks.

"Son of a maya," Shyra muttered, rushing back to the ledge once the light cleared, only to find the soldiers reeling from the shock of the light explosion. And in their midst stood Naor, fury blazing in his stance as he gripped an urumi in each hand with a legion of baan with similar, ancient weapons in their hands.

With a roar that must have reached the Rajmahal and its occupants, Naor whipped his weapons in a deadly arc and sprang into battle with his army screaming murder.

"Now that's what I'm talking about!" Arina yelled, scrambling down the ladder at a rapid pace. "Let's go get this party started!"