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  However, luck did not favour Taraksh alone.

  A second after Neel’s death, Maharam’s projectile killed Taraksh’s charioteer. Moments later, Vedhas’ arrow smashed the wheel of Taraksh’s chariot.

  As a result, the chariot buckled down and Taraksh fell to the ground thus losing his bow from his grip, leaving him defenceless. The Princes did not relent and kept firing at the ruthless King because of which three arrows struck his body, but his heavy armour restricted them from penetrating deep into the chest.

  In order to protect himself from the continuing shower of arrows, Taraksh took cover behind the broken chariot. The princes tried to steer to the other side of the chariot, to get a better shot at the cornered Taraksh. This gave the King enough time to run and pick up his bow.

  But the moment he picked it up, Vedhas arrow broke it into two.

  In desperation, the King picked up a shield and a spear from his arsenal kept in the broken chariot. As soon as Vedhas and Zekrar saw this, they ordered their charioteer to halt their chariots. The two princes picked up their maces (gadas) and jumped off their chariots for a face to face challenge.

  Meanwhile, Maharam continued to fire arrows at Taraksh, but the Great King defended the incoming aerial assaults well with his shield. Now, with only one prince firing arrows, the attack was not as forceful and Taraksh used this opportunity to take advantage of the situation.

  As soon as he saw a significant break in the volley of arrows, he aimed and threw his spear at Maharam. The throw was precise and had tremendous power. The spear penetrated the armour of the prince and pierced through his shoulder. Maharam flew back in the air and fell on to the other side and slipped into unconsciousness.

  The Emperor then quickly prepared to counter Zekrar and Vedhas and lifted his favourite weapon, ‘The Gada’ (Mace).

  Taraksh excelled in mace combat; he had killed many lions and wild elephants with a single blow of his weapon. The mace he used was the heaviest in the world. Only the twins, and Taraksh himself, had the power to lift it.

  The princes and the king were ready for the ultimate face- off.

  Taraksh struck first and began fighting aggressively.

  He was continuously charging forward while fighting, leaving the twins to defend his strikes. The first five minutes saw Taraksh dominating, but then, things started to change.

  Suddenly, the twins seemed to grow in size and power. They began attacking and Taraksh, turned defensive. This sudden turn of events confused Taraksh, and a powerful blow by Vedhas made him drop his weapon.

  The twins wasted no time and started showering him with blows after blows. Taraksh’s body armour and helmet were badly ruptured but he still stood on his feet.

  The twins then together positioned their maces upside down and from below, defying gravity swung their maces at Taraksh’s chin. This hit made the King’s helmet fly in the air as if his very head was decapitated. This impact was too much for Taraksh to bear; he was unable to stand on his feet and fell backwards crumpling down to the ground. He was helpless now, injured and unable to move, the twins now took their time and stood over Taraksh.

  While standing over the wounded king, Zekrar looked at him and mockingly commented.

  “Who is the man now, Taraksh?”

  He was followed by Vedhas, who laughed looking at the wounded and helpless King.

  “Look at the mighty son of Indra!”

  Both of them then lifted their weapons to finish off the legendary King by smashing his face, but the mighty warrior was not destined to die on this day as his generals, Apykarych and Nirmay came to his rescue at the right time along with their regiment. Apykarych from a distance of five hundred meters fired two lightning speed arrows at the twins; the projectiles penetrated the palms of the twins making them drop their maces. The twins, now outnumbered, injured and without their weapons thought of retreating to their chariot. But as they approached their chariot, and were about to climb into it; Apykarych’s arrow killed their charioteer as well. This was followed by a heavy frontal assault by Nirmay’s regiment. The twins had the ability to absorb the energy of their opponents. However, their power had no effect in front of so many adversaries attacking together from every side.

  Vedhas knew this, and without wasting time, immediately jumped on to the charioteer’s seat, pushed aside the lifeless body of the charioteer and started riding away from the enemy. Concurrently, Zekrar jumped on the warrior’s podium of the chariot, picked up his bow and started firing at the incoming arrows and spears of the enemy, protecting himself and his brother. Soon the chariot disappeared in the fighting crowd and the twins lived to fight another day.

  Taraksh was severely injured and was taken by his men to another chariot. He spewed blood from his mouth as he tried to speak. The great Taraksh for the first time in history yearned to retreat, unable to speak; he looked at Apykarych and signalled a withdrawal by gesturing. This was their ninth failure.

  Chapter II

  Armour Of Surya

  Xanubi, Capital of the Coalition.

  Xanubi was the headquarters of the coalition, where all the war strategies and planning were done. Xanubi was a state north of Verxanda kingdom and was a state specially designated to train an army against Taraksh.

  The state was well protected by walls and housed almost the entire army of the coalition. It was the gateway to the seven remaining kingdoms, and the only way into the territories of the coalition was to break through the state of Xanubi.

  After their ninth victory, a meeting was in progress in the conference hall. The meeting was attended by many Kings, princes and diplomats from different kingdoms of the coalition.

  From Verxanda Kingdom From Urvayu Kingdom From Parshetra Kingdom From Tanins Kingdom

  King Nasahud King Palash King Atharv Queen Samira

  Prince Zekrar Queen Zara Senate Janamejay Prince Abhustana

  Prince Vedhas Diplomat Zigneg Senate Lepdicus Princess Namada

  Priest Trud General Vikarna General Kening

  From Mijah Kingdom From Segnag Kingdom From Luping Kingdom

  Prince Habud Senate Zafat General Kinnosh

  Prince Samund Senate Arjun Diplomat Aynos

  Prince Salem Senate Krikasa Diplomat Ketu

  Prince Lakha Minister Han Chi

  Princess Mahak

  The delegates from the seven kingdoms were discussing the aftermath of the battle. Queen Samira was extremely pleased by their victory and expressed a desire to attack the city of Mahaverna itself.

  “Why wait? We have defeated them nine times. Mahaverna is no match against our combined forces. I think we should finish off this threat, attack Mahaverna and kill Taraksh.”

  “She is right! We should attack Mahaverna!” supported Ketu.

  “Yes! We have the best warriors with us. Zekrar and Vedhas are indestructible. The soldiers of Mahaverna are demoralized. This is the right time. What do you think, Zekrar?” asked King Nasahud, the proud father of the twins.

  Zekrar looked at his father and shook his head in disagreement.

  “No! We will not attack!” answered Zekrar.

  King Nasahud raised his eyebrow and asked, “And why is that?”

  The twin brothers often spoke alternately and henceforth, this time, it
was Vedhas who responded. “There are many reasons, father! Let me start with Mahaverna first. It is a huge empire surrounded by walls which are made of a special concrete developed in their furnaces, these walls are impregnable and cannot be easily broken down. The only entry to the city is through the three gates, and entering the gates with Mahaverna’s skilful archers on the walls would be extremely difficult.... almost impossible. Not to forget, that the empire can function well for many years even with the gates shut down, they have abundant food storages and most of their farms are within the wall. They also have plenty of water reservoirs in the empire. And most importantly, they have a huge army with ferocious warriors. We all are aware of the legend of Apykarych; he is the greatest archer in the world and cannot be defeated by anyone in a fair fight. Agastya is an unstoppable war machine - one of the fastest and most skilful warriors. Atikaya Oniata is the best swordsmen in the world and Nirmay is one of the best when it comes to devising war strategies. Shreshtaha - though he usually does not fight, but when the situation demands, he cannot be stopped by any ordinary mortal. And then they have their fiercest, their strongest warrior in the form of their King, Taraksh.”

  “But then, how have we been winning?” interrupted Prince Habud.

  “This is because we have been fighting on our terms. Earlier, Taraksh had been sending his lesser known generals, thinking that we are easy pickings. But lately, he has started leading expeditions himself. Last time, we didn’t let their best fighters fight freely; we blocked their movements…creating panic. We choked them, not giving them enough space to fight freely. This time, we did the same thing again but we deliberately let Taraksh move and fight freely, and then trapped him. Here, in our home turf we can manipulate the situation to our advantage. In every battle that we have won, we have chosen the battlefields and built our strategies accordingly. But the fact is that, their soldiers are more skilled than ours. Attacking them on their soil would be a foolish move.

  We were able to overpower Taraksh, but we cannot face the assault of all their best warriors together. Do not go into the lion’s den to hunt him, let him come in to your trap,” replied Zekrar.

  “Then what should we do? Wait and watch?” muttered General Samund sarcastically.

  “Yes! We will wait. We will let him attack us again, but this time, we will not let him escape! This time we will make sure he dies!” replied Vedhas.

  “But what if he does not attack?” asked King Palash.

  “Then that is what we want, don’t we?” replied Zekrar.

  “But how can we live peacefully with these wolves at our doors?” enquired Palash.

  “We cannot! Taraksh is severely injured; he will not attack us soon. This recovery time is enough for us. The people of Mahaverna hate Taraksh and will help us. We will assassinate Taraksh!” elucidated Vedhas.

  But Palash was still not satisfied and voiced his doubts again.

  “What if he survives?”

  “Then we will try again until he is dead! If he still survives then he will attack us, and we will trap him and kill him.”

  Once Vedhas finished speaking, Zekrar gazed at everyone in the room and said.

  “You have chosen us as the leaders of this coalition; it is our responsibility to make sure that the coalition is safe. If either of you think that he can lead us better, please be my guest, and take our position. But let me tell you one thing clearly. If not for me and my brother, Taraksh would have defeated us ages ago. If anyone of you thinks that they are more accomplished, then please pick up your weapon and face Taraksh.”

  After finishing his rhetoric, Zekrar again gazed at everyone. There was a hushed silence as everyone knew that it was only because of the twins that the coalition has been surviving so far.

  Vedhas, who stood next to his brother smiled at their muteness, he knew that no one here actually had the courage to face Taraksh. They were the people who could only talk big and actually do little; typical pompous aristocrats who played politics from behind, sending innocents to die. Vedhas waited for a response but when no one responded, he declared.

  “No one can defeat Taraksh but us! No one in this world! Therefore, let us decide the battle strategies. Once Taraksh is finished, go back to your kingdoms and feel important, if you wish. But never question our intentions. Help us, give us your suggestions, but don’t ever doubt us. Don’t forget we had casualties today; one man killed two of our best warriors, and seriously injured the other. There would be many more, if we’ll strike them on their turf. Whosoever agrees with us raise your hands in our favour.”

  King Atharv had lost a son in the battle but he was a sensible man and respected the twins as his sons, he was the first one to raise his hand in agreement and was soon followed by the others.

  Yanecrim, the War Capital of Mahaverna

  Meanwhile, King Taraksh sat alone in his room looking pensively at himself in a polished metallic mirror, talking to his reflection.

  “How could you do this? You are the son of the mightiest god – The Great Indra! You are the strongest warrior in the world!” said Taraksh looking at himself. Then suddenly he stopped, widened his eyes and started punching the mirror aggressively causing dents, “You have humiliated me Taraksh! How will I face my people now? What will they think of me? You have been beaten! You were defeated so easily by the twins! I am so disappointed.”

  As Taraksh spoke to his reflection, there was a knock on the door. His aide requested permission to enter, which Taraksh granted. The soldier requested the presence of the mighty emperor in the senate room.

  Taraksh ordered him to call his stylists. Taraksh was known as a legendary King and he made sure that his appearance looked godly in front of his people. Soon, the stylists arrived and groomed him, transforming him from a man to a god. He slipped into a beautiful purple coloured robe. His wounds were concealed behind makeup. He had serious injuries on his neck and leg and the physicians had plastered both. Taraksh wanted those removed, and he instructed his physicians to do so. They hesitated, but when Taraksh insisted, they relented.

  Once ready, the King royally walked outside and advanced towards the senate room. He looked godly as he marched in his trademark fashion; visually and physically as strong and virile as before. He looked as though the injuries he had received only a few days ago were no more than mere scratches. He was an inspiration to his soldiers and no one could ever imagine a leader better than Taraksh.

  The moment he entered the room, all the priests, the senators and generals bowed to him. The senate room was like a King’s court; with the King’s throne in one corner, at an elevated spot. The courtiers’ seats were arranged in a semi-circle in front of the throne. The senate room had eight representatives; six senators - Shreshtaha, Apykarych, Agastya, Dharmeshtwa, Yashodev and Sahmaah and two generals -Nirmay and his brother Daksh.

  Nirmay was the Chief General of the Army of Mahaverna and a cousin to Taraksh.

  Taraksh walked like a wounded lion. He did not sit on his throne but moved amongst the courtiers. He limped a little but tried his best to cover it up. He looked troubled and anxious. He kept on pacing for few minutes mulling over thoughts and then finally approached Shreshtaha.

  “I am tired of this coalition, and of those two brothers. I am supposed to be the strongest in the world. If they are blessed by the gods, then I am the son of the mightiest god - Indra. I am half god, and yet they overpowered me. How can this be possible? How can they be more powerful than me? The cowards don’t attack us and defeating them on their soil is not possible. Shreshtaha, tell me what can we do? We have tried everything. Do we attack again, or is there another way?”

  Shreshtaha was a learned man and had a fine network of spies all across the world. He consoled Taraksh by patting his shoulders and then answered.

  “The strength of the coalition lies with the twins, Zekrar and Vedhas. But they cannot be killed easily. Taraksh, you alone cannot defeat them. Not because you are weaker than them, but because they are blessed wit
h a special power. I received this information two days back. A priest of their kingdom turned out to be one of my former students; he gave me a detailed report on the twins. When they were younger, they were a shame for Verxanda Kingdom. They were the most disgraceful warriors of the state. In fact, they had no knowledge of weaponry and warfare at all. But they were dedicated devotees of Lord Surya, the Sun God. Every day, they worshipped Surya for nineteen hours relentlessly, and one day their dedication bore fruits. Surya appeared, and blessed the two with a special power; when both of them fight together side by side, they would absorb the energy of their enemy, thus, becoming stronger than their adversary. That is why killing them in one on one combat is not possible. You are special, therefore you survived. No other being has ever survived a duel with the twins. The god also gifted them with two bows made of gold. These bows have special powers. The moment they are held by the twins, the two brothers are transformed into expert archers and so defeating them from a distance is again no easy task. Not to forget, the twins are excellent strategists; all their moves are highly calculative. Till the time they are alive! I would say it is impossible to defeat the coalition.”

  “There must be a way, Shreshtaha! There has to be a way!” growled Taraksh.

  Shreshtaha smiled at Taraksh’s desperation.

  “There is always a way! The answer to the twin’s power is the mystical Armour of Yogishm.”

  “Yogishm? Who is Yogishm?” asked Taraksh.

  “Yogishm is one of the Avatars of Surya! He descended to earth millions of years ago to eradicate the barbaric race of the Karkars. In the form of a man, he formed an army of peasants, and destroyed the enemies. He fought with his golden sword and wore a special impregnable gold armour. After finishing the Karkars, the god ascended back to heaven. His peasant army got divided into two. One was led by ‘Samvedhan’, and the other one was led by his rival ‘Mayasur’. The two later formed their own kingdoms on two islands. Samvedhan founded Rabocin, while his rival formed Agnidweep. The two also divided the armour and the sword of Yogishm between themselves. The sword was taken by Mayasur, and the armour was taken by Samvedhan.