Published on :- 1/1/25 [Wednesday]
...

Yuvraj strode into the battlefield as his face was set with determination and grief hidden behind his steely gaze.

His armor glinted under the fading sun and the emblem of the royal family shone bright on his chest. His hand gripped the hilt of his sword as he addressed his dead soldiers, dead army and lost kingdom

"Hum apni akhiri saans tak ladenge".

From the other side of the vast stretched battlefield, a sea of armor-clad soldiers were standing still as their swords and spears were gleaming under the dimming sun.

In the distance, a lone figure walked steadily forward and it was Yuvraj of RAJDHARA Kingdom.

Yuvraj was alone as his royal armor covered his body and his face was covered with a white scarf. But his deep amber eyes were staring at the army of the Kundarastra.

His sword hung by his side, and his eyes burned with a mixture of rage and sorrow.

The memories of his kingdom, his people, and his mother, all consumed by flames, propelled his every step.

The soldiers of Kundarastra were numbering in hundreds as they parted slightly as their captain stepped forward, flanked by his soldiers.

The captain raised his hand and signaled his troops to hold their positions.

Before the captain could speak, one of the soldiers scoffed, "Akele aaye ho, Yuvraj? Yeh yuddh hai jo ki tum har chuke ho. Ab ish natak hi koi awashkta nahi".

Yuvraj stopped a few feet away, his gaze fixed on the general. Yuvraj did not respond to the soldier.

"Koi aage nahi badega!".

Suddenly the masculine voice carried a tone of authority silenced the battlefield.

All eyes turned toward the opposing side as a tall masculine figure stepped forward.

It was the general of Kundarastra as his sharp features shadowed under his heavy title. His armor was adorned with intricate designs, and his sword gleamed ominously.

"Is Yuvraj se hum ladenge", The general declared while pointing his sword directly at Yuvraj.

The soldiers of Kundarastra exchanged wary glances and murmurs rippled through the ranks.

The soldiers stepped back and formed a wide circle around the two leaders.

The Yuvraj of RAJDHARA and the general of KUNDARASHTRA stood face-to-face as their swords were raised in the air.

Without another word, the two warriors lunged at each other as their swords were clashing with a force that rang across the battlefield and signaled the start of a battle that would decide the fate of two kingdoms.

The clash of swords echoed across the battlefield and pierced through the heavy silence.

Yuvraj's movements were swift and precise as his strikes were fueled by anger and an unshakable determination.

The general of Kundarastra was a seasoned warrior and parried each blow with skill as his smirk was fading as he realized the ferocity of the young prince.

"Talwar baji ki kala acchi hai, Yuvraj", The general's voice tingled in Yuvraj's ears as his sharp eyes glared at the general whose eyes were too deep, enchanting and his presence was mocking Yuvraj.

The soldiers surrounding them stood frozen as their eyes locked on the intense duel.

Both were too talented warriors of their kingdom.

Sparks flew as the blades collided and each strike was more powerful than the last.

With a sudden burst of energy, Yuvraj forced the general back and his sword sliced through the air with deadly precision.

The general staggered but regained his stance as his face was now serious.

The battle intensified and the ground beneath them marked with the scars of their fight.

Yuvraj's body ached from exhaustion, but the vision of his burning palace and his mother's voice gave him strength.

Suddenly, the general saw an opening. With a quick maneuver, he slashed toward Yuvraj's side.

The blade grazed his armor and drew a line of blood. Yuvraj winced but didn't falter.

Yuvraj spun swiftly and his sword found its target-a deep gash on the general's arm.

The general growled in pain and his grip on the sword faltered. The soldiers gasped in shock.

Yuvraj wanted to seize this moment but the next moment, the general returned with full force as he furiously attacked Yuvraj and his sword fell down and the general's sword lunged at Yuvraj's neck.

Yuvraj's chest was rising up and down fastly. The general's lips curved upward.

"Hamari jeet hui, Yuvraj".

The general said as his gaze was fixed on Yuvraj's amber eyes.

"Mrityu... Mrityu ... Mrityu"...

A hoot rang in the battlefield and Yuvraj closed his eyes to welcome his death.

"Bandi bana liya jaye ish Yuvraj ko. Ye Kundarastra chalenge hamare sath".

The general's voice rang and another round of silence engulfed the battlefield.

Yuvraj's eyes snapped as he looked at the general whose deep inked black eyes were staring back at him.

Yuvraj did not say a word but his tender heart trembled at the ruthlessness of general's words and gaze.

The next moment, iron chain rings were cladded around his neck, hands and legs as the captain dragged the Yuvraj from the battlefield to the Kundarastra kingdom, following by the soldiers and the General of Kundarastra Kingdom.

Yuvraj's eyes never left the figure of general who praising hoots and victory cheers were slashing his heart.

...

In the Kundarastra kingdom, the King was playing chess with his son. The boy's eyes were watching his father's every move, hoping he would make a mistake so he could win.

The King smiled, not realizing that his son wanted him to slip up. But the King wasn't like other fathers who let their children win. He believed in showing strength, not weakness.

"Ek galat kadam aur khel khatam", the King said as his tone was serious, knowing that this game was more than just a game.

It was a lesson.

"Pita ji! Kya aap hume jitne ka mauka nahi denge?" the young prince complained as his tone was filled with frustration and hope.

The King smiled faintly while his eyes were fixed on the chessboard.

"Jeevan aur mrityu har manushya ko ek baar hi milti hai, Shivam. Yaad rakhiyega. Sirf ek baar. Ek mauka aur khel khatam," he said in his calm but firm voice.

With his next move, the King's piece captured the prince's king, ending the game.

The boy stared at the board and his defeat was clear, but his father's words echoed louder than the loss.

Suddenly, a loud gong echoed through the kingdom and its deep sound spread far and wide.

A royal messenger's voice followed and the words were loud and clear:

~Rajdhara rajya par Kundarastra rajya ki jeet hui~

The King leaned back in his chair and a proud smile spread across his face. He was the King of Kundarashtra, and this victory was his.

The prince's eyes widened with realization as the gong's echo faded.

"Pita ji, hum jeet gaye" Shivam - The prince asked as his voice had a mixture of awe and confusion.

The King chuckled softly as his gaze was sharp and knowing.

"Ek raja khel jeetne ke liye nahi khelta, Shivam. Woh yudh jeetne ke liye khelta hai."

Outside, the sounds of celebration filled the air as Kundarashtra's flag was raised high over Rajdhara's fort. The King stood while placing a firm hand on his son's shoulder.

"Yaad rakho, mere putra - jeet sirf shakti se nahi milti, yeh rananiti ka khel hai. Dekho, seekho, aur ek din tum Kundarashtra ko aur bhi unchi unchayi par le jaoge."

Shivam nodded and grabbed his father's hand as they stepped out to witness the celebration parade.

The streets of Kundarashtra were filled with people, their cheers were loud and proud as they welcomed the returning soldiers.

The air was filled with pride and especially for the general of Kundarashtra, whose name echoed through the crowd.

But amidst the sea of faces, everyone's gaze shifted toward a small figure standing near the front. The figure's face was hidden beneath a veil of white cloth, standing in stark contrast to the celebration around them.

Whispers spread through the crowd and curious eyes were following the mysterious presence.

The general of Kundarashtra dismounted from his horse and his armor was glinting in the sunlight.

He stood tall and proud while his presence was commanding attention.

Without a word, he turned his gaze toward the Yuvraj. His eyes locked with Yuvraj's amber eyes and the stare was deep and intense, as if searching for something hidden within.

The crowd fell silent as they sensed the weight of the moment as the two figures stood facing each other.

"Ye Rajdhara rajya ke Yuvraj hain aur yuddh mein jeeta hua hamara tohfa" the general declared in a firm and proud voice.

...

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ShineeSunshine ❤️