《Destiny Reckoning》


 The Broken Soul

    Author¡¯s Note: First of all, thank you for taking the time to read this chapter. I am new to writing novels and want to create something that introduces Indian mythology into the cultivation genre of web novels. Please feel free to comment with your suggestions and tips to make this experience more wonderful for everyone. Thanks!


    The world was dark, as there had never been any light to begin with. Thunder rumbled as if it wanted to shake the very foundation of the world itself. The atmosphere was filled with an ominous feeling of uncertainty, as if whatever was happening would decide the fate of all¡ªeverything that is, and everything that will be.


    A ray of light cut through the sky, leaving a scar in the air. In that ray of light, one could see a man, short of breath and holding something close to his chest. He was covered in wounds all over his body, indicating his involvement in a bitter fight. One particular wound, which stretched from his upper back to his lower back, was especially eye-catching. It had been constantly dripping blood and would have resulted in instant death, were it not for the unyielding will of the man.


    The man looked at the object in his hand and glanced over his shoulder. His eyes seemed to pierce the dark of night, and a few faint dots could be seen on the distant horizon. The man sighed and once again looked down at the object clenched tightly to his chest. He murmured to himself, ¡°Even after all the sacrifices we made, it seems we won¡¯t be able to leave unscathed. No matter where we hide, it''s not possible to completely erase the signs, and they can always track us down. I must come up with something, or I won¡¯t be able to fulfill my mission.¡±


    Having come to this conclusion, the man¡¯s eyes, now shining with determination, waved his hand, and a black dagger appeared out of thin air. The dagger was adorned with a beautiful pattern of a tiger-like creature, whose claw perfectly aligned with the tip of the weapon. It radiated an aura of nobility and ferocity.


    The man was fully focused, drawing on every bit of power left in his body. He glanced at the thing clutched to his chest. At that moment, the heavens sent a massive thunder, and the entire world seemed to be illuminated by a hundred suns. In that brief moment, one could see that it was a child, stained by the blood dripping from the man¡¯s wounds, that the man was carrying.


    Having made his decision, he glanced to see his pursuers closing in. Sighing in his heart and making his final preparations, he whispered to the child, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but this is the only way. I was supposed to take care of you, preventing any harm from coming your way. But the heavens have left me no choice but to be the one to hurt you.¡±


    Without wasting any more time, he motioned with his hand toward the dagger and made a slight slashing motion with his hand. The dagger came slashing down but didn¡¯t actually touch the baby. It made a slicing motion in the air, inches away from the child, but at that very moment, a thunderous sound rang out from the child¡¯s body, hidden among the thunder above. The man coughed up a handful of blood, his aura growing sluggish, but he didn¡¯t stop. Drawing on everything he had, he made seals with one hand and sent a huge ball of light toward his pursuers.


    There were over twenty people chasing him. When they saw him attack, they sneered and attacked simultaneously. The ball of light instantly collapsed, and the attacks continued toward the man. He stopped and turned around in a swift motion, summoning a shield to block the attacks. After a brief moment of protection, the shield crumbled, and the man was hit with a barrage of attacks. Having lost the protection of his shield and spent all his energy completing his plan, the man was sent flying like a meteor, crashing into a mountain, where he lay, barely conscious, amidst the rubble.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Seeing the man¡¯s severe injuries, a hint of surprise appeared in the eyes of one of the pursuers. He motioned for the others to surround the mountaintop and flew toward the man himself, moving cautiously.


    The man on the mountain top, struggling to get to his feet, showed unwavering determination and maddening ferocity in his eyes. Seeing this, the other pursuer laughed and made a grasping motion with his hand, causing the man to stop as if an invisible hand had gripped him.


    ¡°If only you had agreed to my suggestion, we could have avoided this whole situation, and you wouldn¡¯t be in this pathetic state. I pity you, elder brother, but there is still a way to put all this behind us. Just hand over the boy and follow the commands of His Majesty, and everything will be as it was.¡±


    Hearing this, the man started to laugh loudly, as if trying to bury all the madness in his laughter. After spitting some more blood, he looked at his pursuer with venomous hatred in his eyes. ¡°Even an animal knows to repay kindness with loyalty. But you, my little brother, are worse than them. That family gave us everything we have, and yet you betrayed them. If I could, I would tear you apart myself.¡±


    The man¡¯s face turned grim, and he took a step forward. ¡°I¡¯m unable to sense the child anymore. Have you found a way to hide him, brother?¡±


    Closing his eyes, the man replied, ¡°The elders say that a person¡¯s karma is affected by every interaction they make in this world, from how they were born to how they die. I would never let him fall into your hands, not if he lives a life filled with grief and evil, nor from the death of a traitor like you. Hence, I relieved him of the world¡¯s ties myself.¡± Saying this, the man¡¯s voice trembled as tears started to flow from his eyes, as if he had lost something that was a part of him.


    The surrounding pursuers were shocked to hear this. One of them flew toward Kundan, holding an instrument in his hand. Bowing, he transmitted his voice to Kundan. ¡°Elder Kundan, there seem to be no fluctuations from the soul power of that child, as if he never existed in the first place. Is it possible that Elder Sampoorn really killed the child?¡±


    Kundan thought for a moment, then transmitted his voice to all his subordinates. ¡°Spread out in a 500 km radius and search for the child. I don¡¯t believe my righteous brother is capable of doing what he¡­¡±


    Before his sentence could be completed, a sense of danger surrounded him. Sensing the intense chaotic energy, he blurred into motion, preparing to counterattack. But when he looked at Sampoorn, he saw a mix of disappointment, anxiety, and determination on his face, and a blinding light surrounded him.


    After sensing the energy more carefully, Kundan rushed toward Sampoorn, shouting at the top of his lungs, ¡°Stop him! He¡¯s not self-exploding¡ªhe¡¯s using it to mask the teleportation!¡± All the surrounding men were shocked and rushed at the same time, but before they could reach him, the blinding light disappeared, taking Sampoorn with it.


    ¡°NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO¡­¡­¡± Kundan shouted, his eyes bloodshot. He barked at his followers, ¡°Move out and search the whole area. I need to see both of them, dead or alive.¡± Having said this, he rushed in the direction where the energy fluctuations had been strongest. The rest of the members exchanged glances and spread out to conduct the search.


    As the chaos subsided, silence prevailed once again, lasting for some time. Then, a figure appeared high in the sky. He looked toward the mountaintop and murmured to himself, ¡°Something is not right. The child was destined to die, but I never expected things to turn out this way.¡± After observing for a while, he was about to leave when something caught his eye. With a wave of his hand, something flew from the rubble and landed in his palm.


    ¡°A soul? A child¡¯s soul¡­ Did he really kill the child himself?¡± The man narrowed his eyes. ¡°The soul seems to have lost consciousness and is also incomplete. Was it the result of previous attacks, or was it done intentionally?¡±


    After thinking for a moment, the man put away the soul and vanished, leaving behind a voice: ¡°Whatever the cause... I have a very good idea of how to use this broken soul. I will be the biggest winner of this whole war.¡±


    After enough time had passed and it was close to sunrise, the air distorted again, and Sampoorna appeared, looking very weak. He darted toward the rubble, anxiously scanning his surroundings. After searching for a while, his heart trembled when he failed to find what he was looking for.


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me they found the fragmented soul. Dammit, there was no other way for me to save the child. With such a level of soul power, no one could hide it completely. That¡¯s why I split the soul, leaving the consciousness in one part and sending it away, hiding the teleportation within my earlier attack. I hid the remaining fragment well enough. It shouldn¡¯t be possible for Kundan to find it. Then who took it? Were there others hiding in the shadows? I need to find both parts of the soul¡­ only then can the child fulfil its destiny.¡±


    He clenched his fists and disappeared, leaving behind the aftermath of the night.

 The Smiling Orphan

    In the great world of Yugantar, there exists a spiritual energy between heaven and earth, commonly known as "Urrja." Urrja, the spiritual energy that connected the heavens and earth, had always been a part of  this world, though its mysteries were not understood by most. The cultivators, those few gifted with the ability to harness and channel Urrja, reaping its benefits in both longevity and strength. Mortals, on the other hand, could only look on with envy at the cultivators¡¯ way of life. A life that seemed untouched by age, sickness, or suffering.


    The village of Kamalpuri lay nestled at the base of a towering mountain on the Eastern continent of Yugantar, a quiet little settlement known for its serene beauty and simplicity. Despite the lush forests that surrounded it and the vast mountain ranges that bordered it, the village remained a world apart. Here, life moved at a steady pace¡ªquiet, mundane, and uneventful.


    Kamalpuri, named after the lotus-filled lake formed by the waterfall from the mountain¡¯s peak, was a place where nothing ever seemed to change. The houses were small and modest, some crudely built with mud and wood, while others were sturdier, made of brick and stone, a testament to the families¡¯ wealth or influence. It wasn¡¯t a large village, but in a way, it didn¡¯t need to be. Its population of around five hundred lived simple lives, relying on the mountain for their survival¡ªgathering herbs from the forests, fishing in the lake, and hunting wild beasts that roamed the slopes.


    But despite its charm, Kamalpuri was not without its divisions. To the north, the more affluent residents lived in two- or three-story homes, enjoying the luxuries of more comfortable lives. To the south, the poorer families lived in small, crumbling houses, barely keeping their homes from falling apart. It was a subtle yet stark reminder that wealth, like the Urrja that flowed through the land, was both a blessing and a curse.


    Among the villagers, there was one family whose influence reached far and wide¡ªthe Vata family. The Vatas owned most of the businesses in the village, controlling nearly seventy percent of its trade. Kamal Vata, the current head of the family, was also the village chief. His power and influence were unmatched, and few dared challenge him, for doing so would mean risking their livelihoods, or worse.


    Yet, despite this world of power and wealth, there was one boy who stood apart, a figure of purity and quiet resilience in the midst of it all. His name was Aaryan.


    At first glance, Aaryan appeared just like any other orphan¡ªragged, barefoot, and dressed in worn-out clothes. His garments, patched together in places with different colors, spoke of poverty, and his hair, unkempt and wild, gave him an air of disarray. His eyes, however, were a different story. They shone bright sapphire blue, clear and radiant, almost glowing in contrast to the earthiness of his appearance. They were eyes that seemed untouched by hardship, as though they held a secret wisdom and innocence that the rest of the world could not see.


    Aaryan¡¯s smile was what set him apart, though. It was always there¡ªa simple, unwavering smile that never seemed to falter, no matter what hardship life threw his way. It was a smile that radiated hope, and despite his circumstances, it was the one thing about him that made everyone notice.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    It wasn¡¯t that Aaryan was immune to the hardships that life threw at him. He had none of the luxuries most children took for granted. His clothes were too old, his shoes nonexistent, and food was a constant struggle. His story was well-known in Kamalpuri, and it was one of tragedy. A few years ago, he had been found in the mountains, lying alone and abandoned. No one knew where he had come from, or who his family had been. The only clue was the man who had taken him in¡ªa guard in the village who had raised Aaryan as his own before dying in a failed attempt to save the village chief from an assassination plot.


    Since that day, Aaryan had been left to fend for himself. The villagers, though compassionate in their own ways, had done little to help. Some gave him food when they could, others simply ignored him, and a few, like the Vata family, used him to their advantage. Yet through it all, Aaryan never lost his smile. It was his shield against the harshness of his world, a reminder that hope, no matter how fleeting, could always be found.


    As the sun rose over the village that morning, Aaryan made his way down the single road that stretched from the western entrance to the foot of the mountain. He had work to do, as usual. He wasn¡¯t old enough to be a full member of the workforce, but he was often hired by the local shopkeepers to help with errands or deliveries. His tiny frame and quick feet made him perfect for the job, and in return, the shopkeepers gave him enough food to get by.


    He walked past the fields and houses, offering cheerful greetings to those he passed. Some returned his greeting with a smile, others with pity, and a few simply ignored him. Yet, no matter the response, Aaryan¡¯s smile remained unchanged.


    The other children often mocked him, calling him "The Clown," a nickname that had stuck ever since he had first begun working for the shops. They found it amusing that despite his apparent misfortune, he always seemed to be smiling. What they didn¡¯t know was that Aaryan¡¯s smile was his way of holding onto something¡ªa shred of hope, a belief that tomorrow would be better.


    As he walked toward the shop, he passed a group of villagers who were talking among themselves. One of them, an older man with a rough face, shook his head and muttered, ¡°Poor boy. Such rotten luck. No parents, no family, barely able to make ends meet¡­ and still, that smile. That damned smile of his.¡±


    His companion, a younger man, responded with a sigh. ¡°You¡¯re right. I heard he was found in the mountains all alone. No one knows where he came from. But the villagers seem to tolerate him. They even say he saved a few lives by using his wits during some of the forest expeditions.¡±


    ¡°But what¡¯s the point?¡± the older man replied, a frown on his face. ¡°What can he do? He can¡¯t even carry a decent weapon. He¡¯s nothing more than a burden.¡±


    Aaryan overheard their conversation but didn¡¯t react. He had heard it all before¡ªthe mockery, the pity, the dismissive attitudes. It wasn¡¯t new to him. Still, the words stung.


    When he reached the shop, he greeted the shopkeeper with a smile, ready for another day of work. But just as he was about to start, a figure appeared at the door¡ªone that would change the course of Aaryan¡¯s life.


    The boy in the doorway was older, his face confident, and his stance unbending. He was dressed in a fine, blue robe, the same shade as the sky on a clear day. Aaryan could feel the weight of his presence, even though they had never met.


    ¡°This mission is very important,¡± the boy said with a voice that cut through the chatter, and Aaryan¡¯s heart skipped a beat. The boy was talking to the villagers about a mission into the mountains¡ªan expedition that would change course of life for Aaryan, the orphan with the impossible smile.

 Into the Unknown

    The early morning light glinted off the road as the group gathered outside the shop, anticipation in the air. Aaryan stood quietly at the back, observing his fellow villagers, who were all gathered for the expedition. His thoughts wandered, but they kept returning to the mission ahead¡ªthe potential rewards were great, but so were the risks. Aaryan had seen how high the stakes were before; this time, it was no different.


    Then, a voice cut through the murmurs of the group.


    "Everyone, gather up," the voice commanded.


    Everyone turned, their eyes shifting toward the shop doorway. A young man had appeared there, tall and striking, wearing a deep blue robe that contrasted against the earthy hues of the village. He looked no older than seventeen, but there was an undeniable authority about him. His posture was rigid, straight as an arrow, and his eyes were sharp¡ªcold, even. His presence caused a ripple of respect through the crowd.


    Flanking him were two bodyguards, their imposing figures and stern expressions making it clear that no one would dare cross them. One of the bodyguards was bald with a deep scar cutting across his left eye, his presence exuding an air of violence. The other was more silent, yet his muscular frame and hardened stare were enough to make even the boldest hesitate.


    Aaryan could feel the change in atmosphere. The group was tense now, a shift from the casual chatter to the stark reality of what was to come.


    The young man in blue robes stepped forward, scanning the group with an air of superiority. His gaze lingered on each face, making them all fidget uncomfortably.


    "Enough with the pleasantries," he said, his voice firm but not unkind. "This mission is important. No mistakes will be tolerated. If we succeed, the rewards will be great¡ªenough to make every one of you feel like a king. But if we fail, the consequences will be severe. So, focus and follow the orders without question."


    Aaryan¡¯s heart skipped a beat. The mention of rewards had caught everyone¡¯s attention, but the weight of failure hung heavy in the air. They all knew what was at stake.


    The young man turned his gaze toward the group¡¯s leader, a man with a broad chest and a fake grin plastered on his face. "Junior Chief Nayan," the leader began, his tone dripping with flattery, "what an honour it is to have you with us today. Will you be joining us on this mission?"


    Nayan waved a hand dismissively, though a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "No, I have other matters to attend to. But I will be overseeing everything. My father entrusted me with this, so I¡¯ll ensure the mission proceeds smoothly."


    He paused, allowing his words to settle into the group. "You will be split into teams. Some will accompany my father¡¯s team to the deeper parts of the mountain. The rest will handle the peripheral areas, keeping watch and gathering what we need."


    The group shifted, murmurs running through them as the weight of the task began to sink in. Aaryan¡¯s heart thudded faster. This wasn¡¯t just a standard expedition into the woods¡ªit was a high-priority mission. The kind that could change everything for those who succeeded.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    But then, the group leader spoke again, a wicked grin tugging at his lips. "And since this mission is so important, we can¡¯t afford to carry anyone who could be a liability. Aaryan," he called out, his voice dripping with disdain.


    The entire group turned to look at Aaryan. His heart sank, but his face remained neutral, the ever-present smile still gracing his lips. He had long since learned not to let their barbs get to him. Still, the situation stung. He had worked just as hard as anyone else, but to them, he was always the burden.


    "You¡¯ve made mistakes before," the leader continued, a thinly veiled insult in his tone. "This mission is too important. If you can¡¯t prove yourself, we¡¯ll have to leave you behind. No one wants to be responsible for a failure because of you."


    Aaryan¡¯s thoughts spun, but he kept his composure. He wasn¡¯t about to let them see how much their words hurt.


    Nayan, who had been watching this exchange with a mixture of interest and disdain, stepped forward. "Aaryan," he said, his voice cold. "If not for that man¡ªyour adoptive father¡ªsaving my own father all those years ago, you wouldn¡¯t even be here. Don¡¯t make me regret keeping you on this team. This mission is no joke, so either don¡¯t get in the way or sit this one out."


    Aaryan¡¯s expression faltered for a fraction of a second, but he quickly masked it with a calm smile. His heart clenched, but he knew this was his chance. The mission, dangerous as it might be, was his ticket out of Kamalpuri. The rewards were too great to pass up.


    "Junior Chief, I won¡¯t make any mistakes," Aaryan said, his voice steady despite the storm brewing inside. "Please allow me to stay on the team."


    Nayan didn¡¯t reply immediately. His eyes studied Aaryan, a glint of amusement in his gaze, before he nodded curtly. "Fine. Don¡¯t make me regret this."


    Aaryan sighed quietly in relief, but the tension in his chest remained. He had passed this test, but the real challenge awaited in the mountains.


    Just then, a noise broke through the group¡¯s murmurs¡ªa commotion coming from down the road. A group of around seventy people appeared, marching with purpose. At the front of the group were five figures: three clad in silver Armor, two wearing blue robes identical to Nayan¡¯s. They approached the shop swiftly, and Nayan strode forward to meet them.


    Aaryan watched closely, noting the unfamiliar faces and the heavy presence of the armoured men. These weren¡¯t regular villagers. These were outsiders, likely from a neighbouring town, and their arrival only deepened the mystery of the mission. What was so important that they needed reinforcements?


    As the two groups exchanged words in low voices, Aaryan tried to listen, but the conversations were too quiet. He caught a few words about the mission''s importance, and the mention of teams and their assignments. The seriousness of the situation pressed down on him again, making his mind race.


    The group was eventually divided into teams, each with a leader. Aaryan found himself placed in one of the weaker teams, surrounded by men who barely looked at him. His team would be handling the outer perimeter, acting as scouts.


    Nayan¡¯s elder brother, Sharan, called for attention as the teams were finalized. His voice was strong and confident, and he commanded respect without needing to ask for it.


    "Everyone, get ready. We march now," Sharan announced, his eyes gleaming with purpose.


    Aaryan tightened his grip on the satchel of supplies in his hand. His heartbeat faster as he followed the others toward the mountains. No one spoke to him, but he could feel their eyes on him, filled with silent judgment. He knew they would never see him as anything more than the "clown," the one who smiled despite his hardships. But this mission, this opportunity¡ªit was his chance to prove them wrong.


    The mountains loomed ahead, dark and mysterious. As Aaryan took his first steps toward the unknown, he felt the weight of everything that was at stake. He didn¡¯t know what lay ahead, but one thing was certain: this mission would change everything.

 The Stolen Bloom

    The group moved steadily forward, the sound of their footsteps echoing against the rugged mountain path. Aaryan¡¯s team trailed behind by two groups, the leader of their team at the forefront, his eyes sharp and calculating. Aaryan, despite his youth, kept pace with the older men, his keen senses alert to every change in the air.


    As he walked, Aaryan couldn¡¯t help but reflect on the power dynamics within the group. He¡¯d long realized that despite their outward disdain for sycophants, most people secretly craved flattery and the validation it brought. The leader of his team was no exception. He was the same man who had singled Aaryan out in front of Nayan earlier¡ªcalculating and manipulative. Aaryan¡¯s lips curled into a faint smile as he observed the subtle manoeuvres, each one as manipulative as cultivation itself.


    The path wound upward, hugging the side of the mountain. Dense jungles thickened as they ascended, the air growing heavier with the scent of damp earth. The trail was narrow and treacherous, with the mountain towering on one side and a steep valley dropping away on the other. About a third of the way up, the main trail forked, splitting into smaller paths leading to other peaks. Some teams, including Aaryan¡¯s, were assigned to continue toward the central peak, while others took the diverging trails.


    After several hours of trekking, the group finally halted, setting up camp to rest. The three silver-armoured leaders had already split off¡ªone heading toward a smaller mountain, while two remained behind, continuing toward the main peak. With them were three junior chiefs. Aaryan¡¯s group, now reduced to seven teams, prepared to rest and resupply.


    As the group settled in, the leader of Aaryan¡¯s team motioned for the men to scatter. He ordered them to search for herbs, valuable resources, or anything that might aid in their mission. As the others began to disperse, the leader¡¯s cold gaze fixed on Aaryan and his companion.


    ¡°Aaryan,¡± he called with a cruel, calculating smile. ¡°Time is of the essence. We¡¯ll split up into smaller groups to make the most of this opportunity. You, go that way,¡± he pointed toward a small valley some distance off the main path, ¡°and see if you can find anything useful.¡±


    Aaryan immediately understood the implication¡ªhis leader wanted to isolate him. But Aaryan wasn¡¯t fazed. Instead of resentment, he offered a polite smile and nodded. ¡°Of course, elder brother.¡±


    The leader''s smile faltered as Aaryan walked away without protest. He had expected the child to resist, to feel dejected at being sent away alone, but Aaryan remained unfazed. This response, this composure, grated at the leader''s pride. His eyes narrowed, and he turned to lead the rest of the group to a safer, more controlled area.


    Aaryan, meanwhile, made his way toward the valley. As he approached, he realized it wasn¡¯t a valley at all, but rather a shallow cave hidden among the rocks. The entrance was small, but the daylight allowed him to see the inner walls clearly. He cautiously entered, the damp soil beneath his feet leaving faint footprints behind.


    Inside the cave, there was little of interest¡ªjust scattered rocks and an eerie quiet. Aaryan moved through it, examining every inch for anything useful. But it was only when he reached the back of the cave that something caught his eye¡ªa small plant growing out of the damp earth. It was a delicate flower, swaying gently in the breeze that passed through a crack in the wall. Aaryan crouched down, studying it carefully.


    Feeling excited, he studies the flower for sometime. He murmured "this really looks like 12 Petal Earthly Lilly. if I sell it...no I can''t. I will have to present it to junior chief , maybe he will reward me handsomely and I will have enough to roam the world on ¡­" , before hi could finish his chain of thoughts, He looked at a particular petal for quite some time, examining it carefully. His brow furrowed and all of the earlier excitement vanished as he recognized the flower. While in first glance, it resembled an earthly treasure known as 12 Petal Earthly Lilly, it wasn''t. the 12 Petal Earthly Lilly was a flower known for its immense value in the cultivation world. After a few moments of careful consideration, he sighed in his heart stood up and decided that the flower was not of much value to him or the group. There was nothing special here. He turned and began to head back toward the group.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    However, unbeknownst to Aaryan, the leader of his team was growing increasingly agitated. He had sent Aaryan off in the hopes that the boy would fail, that he would come back empty-handed, or better yet, find something dangerous. If Aaryan did find something valuable, it could boost his standing in the group¡ªsomething the leader wasn¡¯t willing to tolerate. So, he sent one of his most trusted men to keep an eye on the boy, just in case.


    The man crept toward the valley, moving cautiously as he observed Aaryan from a distance. As he drew closer, he saw Aaryan bent over something, his head down, engrossed in whatever he was looking at. Suspicion flared in the man¡¯s chest. He was about to turn away when he saw the flower¡ªAaryan had been examining it just moments ago, and now the man was certain. This was no ordinary flower. It looked unmistakably like the rare 12 Petal Earthly Lilly, a treasure worth a fortune.


    His pulse quickened. Without a second thought, the man rushed forward, plucking the flower from its place. He tucked it carefully into his robes and made his way back toward the camp, eager to present his find. As he passed Aaryan, now walking back toward the group, the man couldn''t resist a smug, triumphant look.


    Aaryan frowned, sensing something wasn¡¯t right. Before he could make sense of the situation, the man raised his voice toward the group. ¡°Look what I¡¯ve found!¡± He held the flower high for all to see.


    The entire group froze. The leader¡¯s eyes widened with shock, and he immediately gestured for the others to gather around. ¡°It¡¯s a 12 Petal Earthly Lilly,¡± he exclaimed, awe lacing his voice. ¡°A treasure of immeasurable worth!¡±


    Aaryan¡¯s heart sank. His initial disbelief gave way to panic. He knew that the flower wasn¡¯t the 12 Petal Earthly Lilly, but now it was too late to explain. The situation was spiralling out of control, and there was no way to stop it.


    Nayan, the junior chief, arrived at the scene, his eyes gleaming with desire. The two silver-armoured leaders glanced at each other with envy, but they knew they couldn¡¯t take the flower from the chief¡¯s hands now. They turned their attention elsewhere, continuing preparations for the journey ahead, though their eyes lingered on the flower with clear interest.


    The leader of Aaryan¡¯s group, looking almost sick with regret, bowed deeply as Nayan approached. ¡°Junior Chief,¡± he said, his voice tinged with complaint, ¡°this treasure was found by Aaryan. He was returning empty-handed, no doubt hoping that no one else would find it and that he could take it for himself later. Thankfully, we had someone watching him, or he would have stolen this treasure.¡±


    Nayan¡¯s eyes narrowed, his anger simmering beneath the surface. The three junior chiefs exchanged dark looks, their minds calculating the potential benefits of such a rare flower. This flower could tip the scales in their favor, possibly even change the course of their entire mission.


    Fury burned in Nayan¡¯s chest. ¡°Take him away. Bind him to the tree. We¡¯ll decide his punishment later,¡± he ordered coldly.


    As the men began to drag Aaryan toward the tree, he felt his chest tighten with dread. His heart raced as he knew that no explanation would save him. He took a deep breath and, in a calm but loud voice, called out, ¡°Junior Chief, please listen to me! If you¡¯re not satisfied with my explanation, then fine. But if I¡¯m right, and this is not the 12 Petal Earthly Lilly, it will affect your health.¡±


    The men stopped, stunned by his words. Nayan hesitated, his fury warring with curiosity. His elder brother Sharan, always more methodical, turned to Aaryan. ¡°What do you mean?¡± he asked, his voice tinged with suspicion.


    Aaryan seized the opportunity, bowing deeply. ¡°I didn¡¯t pick the flower because I knew it wasn¡¯t the 12 Petal Earthly Lilly,¡± he said, speaking quickly. ¡°It¡¯s dangerous to use without proper knowledge. If you¡¯re not careful, it could harm you.¡±


    The tension in the air was palpable. Sharan exchanged a glance with his younger brother, Aman. After a long pause, Sharan nodded subtly. ¡°Release him,¡± he ordered, his tone unreadable.


    Aaryan felt a brief flicker of hope. He had only moments to prove himself, to convince them that the flower was not what they thought. ¡°You have twenty breaths of time,¡± Aman said coldly, his voice sharp. ¡°Prove to us that this is not the 12 Petal Earthly Lilly.¡±


    Aaryan¡¯s pulse quickened. This was his last chance. Failure would bring worse consequences than he could imagine. He stepped forward, his mind racing, ready to defend his claim.

 A Dangerous Bloom

    Everyone in the group was watching Aaryan closely¡ªsome with scorn, others with pity, and many were simply entertained by his misfortune. To them, it was no more than a spectacle. Aaryan, however, wasn¡¯t one to care about others'' judgments, but today was different. The situation was dire. Any wrong move could lead to a beating¡ªor worse, death.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have to handle this carefully,¡± Aaryan thought. His heart was heavy with nervousness, but on the outside, he remained calm, a faint smile on his lips. To anyone observing, it seemed as though he was simply being led to a tree to be tied up. No sign of distress.


    He clasped his hands, bowed again, and spoke in a voice that was as steady as water, "This flower may indeed look similar to the 12 Petal Earthly Lilly, but it''s actually a Blue Vein Ground Flora. It bears no medicinal value and could cause harm if consumed."


    The group was silent, no one responding immediately. Most of them had no knowledge of the 12 Petal Earthly Lilly or the Blue Vein Ground Flora. The people in the group came from a small village and had little to no understanding of immortal plants or herbs. They could only rely on what they''d heard from rumours and traders. Aaryan, however, had some knowledge from his time working in different shops, where he¡¯d gotten his hands on a few rudimentary books about herbs and beasts. It was from these books that he recognized the flower.


    One of the men in the crowd spoke up uncertainly, "It really does look like the 12 Petal Earthly Lilly."


    Another chimed in, "But what if it isn''t? I¡¯ve heard that the Blue Vein Ground Flora is poisonous."


    One of Aaryan¡¯s team leader¡¯s subordinates sneered, "What do you know? This is clearly the 12 Petal Earthly Lilly. You think Junior Chief Nayan, with his vast knowledge, would make such a mistake? Aaryan was planning to take the treasure for himself, and now he¡¯s trying to talk his way out of it."


    The murmurs of agreement rippled through the group. Most of them had no idea what they were talking about, but that didn¡¯t stop them from voicing opinions. The only certainty was that they all seemed to share one thing: they didn¡¯t like Aaryan.


    Nayan had never liked Aaryan. From the moment they''d met, there was an instant animosity. Aaryan, being a lowly orphan, had no place in Nayan¡¯s world, and his existence only reminded Nayan of his own superiority. Today, though, Nayan saw an opportunity to further degrade the young boy. When he heard the murmurs of doubt, especially from Aaryan''s team leader¡¯s minion, a fire sparked in Nayan''s chest.


    "Do you think we¡¯re children, Aaryan?" Nayan spat, his voice dripping with disdain. "You think you can fool us so easily? I¡¯ve seen the 12 Petal Earthly Lilly with my own eyes. All the characteristics match. Men, take him away!"


    Aaryan¡¯s heart sank as he realized there was no chance of convincing Nayan now. His only hope was to stall, buy time. He was about to be dragged off and tied to a tree, likely to be punished later, and there was nothing he could do to change that. Or was there?


    Desperation gnawed at him. He took a deep breath and then called out in a steady voice, "Junior Chief, please examine the last two petals from the bottom side of the flower. You¡¯ll see the unique blue vein structure that¡¯s only found in the Blue Vein Ground Flora."


    Sharan, Nayan''s older brother, was hesitant. He¡¯d heard of such plants but hadn¡¯t personally encountered one. His suspicion wavered for just a moment. He nodded to Aman, who ordered a few men to inspect the petals. The three brothers moved a short distance away, whispering among themselves, leaving Aaryan alone with the rest of the group.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Aaryan watched them carefully, his heart pounding in his chest. What if they don¡¯t believe me? he thought. If they decide this is the 12 Petal Earthly Lilly... there¡¯s nothing I can do. I won¡¯t make it out of this alive.


    Minutes dragged by, each one stretching longer than the last. He could barely read the expressions on the brothers'' faces as they inspected the flower. It felt like an eternity before they returned.


    "What you said is true," Aman finally spoke, his voice measured.


    Aaryan¡¯s breath hitched with relief, but before he could speak, Sharan cut in with a cool, calculated tone. "But the veins on the petals aren''t exactly like the Blue Vein Ground Flora. In fact, only one petal has the full vein structure. The others are incomplete. If I recall correctly, all petals should have the same vein structure."


    Aaryan¡¯s eyes widened with surprise. He hadn¡¯t expected Sharan to notice that. It was true that the veins only developed fully once the flower matured, but it wasn¡¯t something a casual observer would catch.


    With a forced smile, Aaryan bowed deeply. "What Junior Chief says is absolutely right. Your profound knowledge surpasses even my understanding. I merely wanted to seize this opportunity to show a little of the knowledge I¡¯ve acquired."


    The crowd¡¯s eyes widened, as Aaryan¡¯s words were clearly designed to flatter. The leader of Aaryan¡¯s group clenched his fists in frustration, cursing Aaryan inwardly for stealing his own tactic.


    Aaryan¡¯s desperation led him to speak quickly, trying to maintain control over the situation. "Both plants are very similar in appearance, and it''s hard to tell them apart at a glance. Both thrive in cold, damp environments, absorbing cold energy as they mature their flowers. The Blue Vein Ground Flora, when it matures, develops blue veins on the petals. But since this flower was plucked early, only two petals have veins. If you let it mature, all the petals would show the characteristic vein structure."


    His explanation piqued the interest of those around him, even the two silver-armoured men. They had grown silent, watching with keen interest. Even the villagers, who had no real knowledge of these plants, began murmuring among themselves. Some were convinced, others were still skeptical.


    "I didn¡¯t know Aaryan had such knowledge," one of the men said, his eyes widened in surprise.


    "Seems like he¡¯s telling the truth," another murmured. "Otherwise, Junior Chief wouldn¡¯t have let him continue."


    The tension in the air was palpable. But still, Sharan remained silent. His expression gave nothing away, though his eyes were sharp and calculating. Aaryan could feel the weight of his gaze, but he couldn¡¯t predict what would happen next.


    As silence hung heavy, Aaryan felt his stomach churn. He couldn¡¯t wait any longer. He had to push his luck. "I didn¡¯t pluck the flower because it wasn¡¯t fully matured and hadn¡¯t borne fruit. The fruit is what¡¯s truly valuable¡ªit can be used to create deadly poisons. The flower itself is almost worthless in comparison. I was hurrying back to report to you, Junior Chief, when one of these men destroyed the treasure. It¡¯s a great loss, and now we¡¯re in this mess."


    Gasps echoed through the group. Some had seen Aaryan strolling back calmly, and they never imagined him to be so quick-witted with his words. The man who had plucked the flower was shaking with fury. He had no idea how to respond to Aaryan¡¯s accusation, and he felt his mind going numb.


    "You¡­" the man began to yell, but his words faltered as he trembled.


    Just then, the two silver-armoured men stepped forward, silencing the commotion with a glance. Their presence alone caused everyone to hush.


    One of the men, his nose sharp and eagle-like, grinned. "You¡¯re all wasting our time. This could be settled easily. Have one of you eat a petal, and we¡¯ll know if it¡¯s poisonous."


    The suggestion was simple, but it wasn¡¯t lost on anyone that the silver-armoured men were taking amusement from the situation. Aaryan¡¯s stomach twisted again, but he steeled himself. He couldn¡¯t predict how this would turn out.


    Sharan, though, was calculating. He hesitated, his gaze flickering over the group. He knew they couldn¡¯t make Aaryan eat the petal after the warning. Nayan looked frustrated, but he didn¡¯t challenge the decision.


    The man who had picked the flower hesitated, his face pale. He was visibly shaking with fear. Then, as if compelled by a force greater than his will, he took the petal and brought it to his mouth. Tears welled up in his eyes as he clenched his teeth and chewed.


    The group watched in tense silence, counting the breaths. Five... ten... fifteen... Then, a loud rumble echoed from the man¡¯s stomach. Before anyone could react, a loud voice rang out in the surroundings¡­...


    Pfffffffffffffffffffffffftttttttttttttt¡­.

 The Wolves Within

    Everyone stood in stunned silence, the air heavy with disbelief. What had started as a simple fiasco with a flower had escalated into something far more complicated. The tension, once a simmering undercurrent, now shifted awkwardly as the man responsible for the foul Odour shrank under the weight of embarrassment. His cheeks burned, feeling the mocking gazes of the group pressing into him. Desperately, he wished the earth would swallow him whole.


    Before anyone could speak, a pungent stench filled the air, overwhelming the senses. It was like something rotten had been unearthed after days of decay¡ªan odour so vile it seemed to reach into your very soul. Aaryan, his sharp instincts already on high alert, reacted immediately. He backed away, his voice slicing through the rising tension.


    "Move quickly! Don¡¯t breathe it in!" Aaryan shouted, pointing toward the man whose lapse in judgment had released the foulness. "It¡¯s mildly poisonous. If you inhale it, you¡¯ll feel your stomach churn, just like him."


    The group scrambled to retreat, each person desperate to avoid becoming the next victim of the disgusting stench. The leader of Aaryan¡¯s group, however, glared at him, frustration seething in his eyes. His fists clenched, a mixture of anger and embarrassment flooding him. He couldn¡¯t hide the accusation in his voice.


    ¡°So you knew this would happen after eating the petal, and you didn¡¯t warn us?¡± he snapped, his words harsh.


    Before Aaryan could respond, a man with a sharp, eagle-like nose raised a hand, his voice cutting through the tension with quiet authority.


    ¡°Enough,¡± he said, dismissing the Junior Chief¡¯s frustration. "We''ve wasted enough time here. Let¡¯s move toward the mountaintop before nightfall.¡±


    Sharan, the Junior Chief, nodded stiffly, visibly irritated but unwilling to argue further. With no time to lose, the group quickly packed their things and began their journey once again.


    As they trekked up the mountainside, Aaryan could feel the villagers¡¯ eyes on him. Pity, disdain, and contempt still lingered in their gazes, but something else was creeping in¡ªadmiration. It was subtle, but it was there. Aaryan wasn¡¯t sure how to feel about it. Knowledge, after all, was power¡ªbut it didn¡¯t always command respect.


    He let out a small sigh, walking ahead of the group. He couldn¡¯t help but feel a flicker of satisfaction. Despite the disdain he had suffered, in that moment, his quick thinking had earned him something far more valuable than respect: survival.


    Though the leader¡¯s glare still burned at his back, he knew the man had no choice but to ignore him for now. There was no time for grudges¡ªat least, not until they were safely out of the mountains.


    The day passed quickly. By evening, they reached the mountaintop. The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows from the dense canopy above. The scouts had already selected a clearing for their camp, and tents were quickly set up around a central fire.


    As night fell, the leaders gathered around the fire to discuss their mission. The crackling flames filled the silence before Sharan raised his hand, signalling the group to quiet down. His voice, calm but firm, echoed in the stillness of the night.


    ¡°Everyone knows how important this mission is,¡± he began, sweeping his gaze over the group. ¡°But not all of you may know the full details. I¡¯ll explain now so we¡¯re all prepared.¡±


    He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in before continuing.


    ¡°We are here to capture three wild beasts known as scorpion-tail wolves,¡± Sharan said. ¡°These creatures are dangerous and capturing them will not be easy.¡±


    A murmur rippled through the group, unease spreading like wildfire. Aaryan could see it in their eyes¡ªfear, confusion, and the helplessness that always accompanied the unknown. Though most of them didn¡¯t understand the intricacies of cultivation, they all knew the stories about scorpion-tail wolves. The tales alone were enough to make anyone¡¯s blood run cold. A full-grown wolf could take on twenty men and emerge victorious. Even one could easily wipe out the entire group.


    Aaryan¡¯s heart skipped a beat. He had read about the wolves, but hearing the stories in such blunt terms made his spine crawl. The wolves were like no other predator. Their bodies resembled ordinary wolves, but their tails were scorpion-like, venomous and capable of striking with deadly precision. Their skin was as tough as rock, and their black fur gave them perfect camouflage in the night. And their claws? Capable of crushing boulders. A fully grown one could match a cultivator at the peak of the 3rd stage of Anima. For a group of villagers, this was more than a challenge¡ªit was a suicide mission.


    Sharan seemed to sense the rising panic. His voice grew sharper, more commanding. ¡°There is no need to panic. . They fled from the city generals who had been hunting them. All we need to do is help capture them, and we¡¯ll share in the rewards. This mission will help the village chief¡¯s plans for the future.¡±This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Aaryan¡¯s thoughts flickered. He couldn¡¯t believe things to be this simple. He voiced his concern stating ¡°junior chief, forgive me for my impoliteness, but these creatures are very dangerous and mor so there are 3 of them. we are not sure if we have enough men to face them.¡±


    Many villagers looked towards him, with gratitude in their eyes. Aaryan had voiced what they were thinking but were two afraid to ask. Some of them started to look towards him amiably and with gentle look.


    Nayan glared at Aaryan and was about to reprimand him when eagle nosed man replied ¡°the beasts are not fully matured and have sustain heavy injuries in our previous confrontation, so there¡¯s nothing for you to worry about.¡±


    Having explained the situation, the leaders dispersed the group and went to their respective camps.


    Aaryan muttered to himself, ¡°If the village chief gets a beast core, he¡¯ll be able to buy pills for his sons. The selection process will be a formality. I will have to be extra careful, its like a suicidal mission for people like us and I have no intention of sacrificing myself for gains of others.¡±


    The leaders broke up, and the group returned to their tents for rest. But the following days brought nothing but frustration. The wolves remained elusive. The group expanded their search area, scouring the dense forest for any sign of them, but after a week, there was still no trace. The pressure was mounting.


    By the ninth day, Aaryan was on patrol when a scream shattered the stillness of the camp. Rushing back, he found the group in chaos¡ªtwo members were missing, and the rest were visibly shaken. Aaryan knew immediately what had happened.


    The wolves weren¡¯t just hunting them¡ªthey were playing with them. They were too intelligent to attack openly; instead, they selected their targets carefully, striking in the dark and vanishing before anyone could react.


    The silver-armoured leaders quickly gathered a group to search for the missing men. They returned late that night, empty-handed. As they entered the camp, the sounds of angry voices filled the air. Tensions between the leaders were boiling over.


    Sharan was frustrated. The group was on the brink of collapse, and though he wanted the beast core as much as anyone, he knew their situation was dire. He wanted to head down the mountain and request reinforcements, Aman didn¡¯t oppose him but Nayan and the silver-armoured leaders were furious. They insisted they press on. It wasn¡¯t that Sharan cared much about the villagers, but he was afraid that they might rebel and hence was trying to show them that he cared for them. he stormed off the camp and silence fell over the night.


    The next two days were no better. Four more members disappeared. The fear was palpable, and morale crumbled. No one cared about rewards anymore¡ªthey just wanted to survive. They wanted to return home.


    The group started to piece things together, Fear gripped the group, and morale shattered. The thought of returning to the village seemed more dangerous than the wolves themselves, for the wrath of the village chief would be far worse.


    Aaryan could see it in their eyes¡ªhelplessness. The realization that they were mere pawns in a larger scheme had taken root. Some whispers spread among the group, murmurs of betrayal and exploitation.


    Nayan was already frustrated with continuous setbacks and wasted no time in quelling the unrest as well as venting his anger, punishing two men who dared to spread rumours. The sound of their beatings echoed through the camp, a grim reminder of their vulnerability.


    ¡°Anyone who dares to spread rumours will face the same fate,¡± Nayan roared, his voice cracking with anger.


    The group fell silent, their spirits broken. They all knew the truth¡ªsurviving here was no longer about the mission. It was about returning home or simply staying alive long enough to see another day.


    Aaryan clenched his teeth, watching the villagers'' dejection. "Without power, one can¡¯t even decide his own fate," he thought, a sense of resolve hardening within him. ¡°I will hold my fate in my hands. No one else will control it.¡± Aaryan was walking towards his when he heard two minions of Nayan talking


    ¡°I have heard that village chief will be taking junior chiefs for disciple selection of the cultivation sect. he is even planning to buy some rare pills to make sure they get selected.¡± Chimed the first minion.


    ¡°yeah, I have heard it too. Once our boss becomes a cultivator, who would dare to stand in front us in all the surrounding villages.¡± Said second man.


    When Aaryan heard this, he came to a sudden realisation.


    ¡°No wonder, they are willing to pay any price for capturing the beasts. Village chief must have asked for heavy prices in exchange for all the men, and with those resources, The selection process will be a formality. I will have to be extra careful, its like a suicidal mission for people like us and I have no intention of sacrificing myself for gains of others.¡±


    He wasn¡¯t wrong in his assumption; village chief was willing to stake everything for his sone to become a disciples in a cultivation sect. That¡¯s when the city generals had offered a deal. Hence the city lord had ordered the to hunt for the beasts. They suffered many losses and were about to capture them when they fled towards mountains near Kamplapuri. The city generals had suffered great losses in their pursuit, and now, they turned to the village chief for help. If the scorpion-tail wolves had cores, which was a very highly sought after item in the world of cultivation, it would be a fortune. Even without them, their bodies would be used to create valuable pills and elixirs.


    Village chief was more than happy to provide them with manpower in hopes of getting one of the beasts. He couldn¡¯t care less for the villagers and for him it was a win-win situation even if there was no core.


    Aaryan shook his head. He saw towards the nearby villagers and could see that they have almost resigned themselves to fate, their fate which was in hands of others.


    ¡°is human life worth so less? Ambitions of few people were worth more than the lives of hundreds of people.¡± Felling very heavy in his heart, he proceeded towards on of the groups sitting near a lit fire and sat down quietly.


    In normal times, people would have looked him with contempt or even mocked him but now no one had the desire to do so. their future was uncertain, and the threat loomed over their heads. They just sat there quietly, hoping to survive at return to their loved ones.


    Aaryan sighed thinking about who was the real hunter in this scenario? The Wolves or The village chief? He sat there for some time before returning to his camp to rest for the night.

 Tides of Change

    As the days wore on, the situation grew more perilous. Though there were few deaths, the frequency of attacks was increasing, and the villagers could feel the tension in the air. As a result, many began to engage with others more than before, trying to find solace in community. And as the days passed, they began to notice a change in Aaryan.


    ¡°Have you noticed? Aaryan''s been a lot more talkative lately,¡± one villager remarked, watching him from a distance.


    ¡°Yeah, he thinks his constant chatter and goofy smile will make us like him more,¡± another scoffed.


    Despite the harshness of their words, there was a flicker of something else in their eyes¡ªan unspoken softness that betrayed the underlying guilt they felt.


    ¡°It''s strange, isn''t it? How we used to treat him...¡± one said, his voice trailing off.


    Most villagers were having similar thoughts. It seemed that in their discomfort, they were starting to rethink their past treatment of Aaryan. As time passed, they saw the change in him. He was no longer just the village fool¡ªhe had become something more, someone they couldn¡¯t ignore.


    One evening, as the sun began to set, Aaryan and his group were returning to the safety of their camp after another exhausting day spent hunting in the wild. The air was thick with frustration.


    "I want to beat those bastards to a pulp! It''s been over twenty days, and we haven''t even come close to catching those beasts. And yet, they''re happy to return empty-handed," Nayan grumbled, his voice full of anger.


    "They¡¯re just happy to survive,. You know that," Sharan replied calmly. "For them, it''s a victory if they come back alive, not if they kill the wolves."


    The group was passing through a path which have been cleared out earlier, large trees on one side and mountain wall on the other.


    As they neared the camp, a chilling sound split the evening air¡ªa deep, guttural growl. It echoed from the trees nearby, sending an icy chill through the group. Then came the sound of a blood-curdling scream.


    "AAAAHHHH!" the cry rang out, and before anyone could react, a shadow darted through the underbrush and tore through the back of the group. A villager screamed in pain before he fell silent.


    Aaryan''s heart pounded as he looked around, trying to make sense of what had just happened. His eyes snapped to the direction of the scream.


    ¡°The beast is fast... even with its injury,¡± Aaryan murmured under his breath. He could see the wolf¡ªa dark shape, about four feet tall¡ªwith a visible gash running down its back and hind legs.


    The group froze. The wolf''s bloodshot eyes fixed on them, and its movements were calculated, ready to strike.


    Without thinking, Aaryan dove to the side, narrowly avoiding a shadow that lunged toward him. He scrambled to his feet, heart racing, and saw the wolf¡¯s eyes staring at him with hunger.


    ¡°Looks like they¡¯re good at fleeing, at least,¡± Aaryan thought bitterly, noticing three of the junior chiefs hiding behind rocks. His eyes scanned the area and found a bag lying nearby. Without a second thought, he snatched it up, ignoring the angry shout from Sharan.


    "That''s mine!" Sharan barked, but Aaryan was already emptying the contents onto the ground. A dagger fell from the bag, along with various other items.


    Ignoring Sharan¡¯s protests, Aaryan picked up the dagger and drew his own, holding one in each hand. He turned to face the oncoming wolf, sweat pouring down his face. His heart pounded in his chest, and his hands gripped the daggers tightly.


    The wolf advanced, its eyes glinting with malice. Just then, Aaryan heard voices behind him. His gaze snapped to the group of villagers¡ªthree men, including a boy no older than sixteen, huddled behind him.


    "Junior chief, please help us," one of them called out, fear evident in his voice.


    "Get behind me," ordered one of the men, holding his hand out protectively.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Aaryan sighed, grateful for their support but knowing he couldn¡¯t afford to be distracted. The danger was still very real. He quickly assessed his options. The area was too tight, and they were surrounded. No easy escape.


    ¡°I can¡¯t run. There¡¯s nowhere to go,¡± Aaryan thought, panic creeping into his chest. The wolf was drawing closer. He couldn¡¯t afford to freeze. His only chance was to act quickly.


    He was trying to come up with a plan to handle the situation  when suddenly an idea hit him. He hesitated for a while as the idea was too dangerous for his liking and failure would mean certain then. Seeing no other way he gritted his teeth and decided to throw kitchen sink at it.


    ¡°We have to work together,¡± Aaryan said in a low voice, his words firm. "I have a plan. Follow my lead."


    The villagers looked at him uncertainly, but seeing no better option, they nodded. Aaryan turned back to face the wolf. The beast was getting closer now, and Aaryan could feel the weight of every breath he took.


    In a flash, Aaryan sprinted toward the wolf, his eyes locked on its gleaming fangs. The villagers gasped.


    ¡°What¡¯s he doing? Is he trying to get himself killed?¡± one of them whispered, hiding behind a boulder, fear creeping into his voice.


    Aaryan didn¡¯t have time to care about their doubts. He ran straight at the wolf, pushing himself to the limit. Desperation was in his eyes as he fought to keep his fear at bay. The wolf hesitated, surprised by his bravery, and slowed its advance.


    Then, as the distance between them closed, the wolf lunged with terrifying speed. But Aaryan was ready. He dove to the side, narrowly escaping the attack, and rolled to his feet.


    With a quick gesture, he signalled the others to shout. They obeyed without hesitation, using their voices to distract the wolf.


    The wolf hesitated for just a moment¡ªjust long enough for Aaryan to seize the opportunity. He bolted toward it, leaping into the air. With both daggers raised, he aimed for the wolf''s head.


    But the wolf was quick. As Aaryan came closer, the beast whipped its tail around with lightning speed, smashing it into Aaryan¡¯s chest. The force of the blow sent him crashing into a tree, the impact nearly knocking the breath out of him.


    Pain exploded through his body. Blood filled his mouth as he coughed violently, but his vision cleared just enough for him to see the wolf¡ªstaggering and enraged. One of the daggers had hit its mark, embedding itself deep in the wolf¡¯s left eye. The beast howled in agony, a high-pitched wail that sent a shiver through the group.


    The villagers stood frozen, their eyes wide with disbelief. Aaryan had actually managed to injure the beast.


    ¡°I did it...¡± Aaryan thought, relief flooding his body despite the pain.


    The wolf, now blinded, staggered back, shaking its head violently as blood poured from the wound. It growled, sensing the danger of the situation.


    Suddenly, the sound of another wolf approaching filled the air. Another wolf, who was keeping watch arrived. The injured wolf, still in pain, turned its gaze toward the new companion.


    ¡°They¡¯re retreating,¡± one of the leaders shouted. ¡°We can¡¯t let them escape!¡±


    But despite their efforts, the wolves fled into the thick underbrush, disappearing into the jungle. Sharan and Nayan cursed under their breath.


    Aaryan, barely conscious and still lying on the ground, heard their shouting. His vision blurred, and he could only hope that, somehow, the attack had bought them enough time for a retreat.


    "These damn beasts... we were so close!" Nayan snarled, Then he turned towards Aaryan fuming he asked ¡°how dare you touch are things?¡±


    Just then, a voice rang out. "Don¡¯t lay a hand on him!" Three of the villagers stepped forward, standing between Aaryan and Nayan¡¯s advancing fury.


    ¡°You may be leaders, but you will not treat Aaryan like this. He saved us," one of the men declared. His voice was firm, and there was a new sense of resolve in his eyes.


    Nayan¡¯s face twisted with anger, but before he could respond, Aman¡¯s voice cut through the tension. ¡°Enough, Nayan. We¡¯re done here. Let¡¯s head back to camp and tend to the wounded.¡±


    With a snarl, Nayan turned away, signalling the others to follow. Sharan lingered for a moment, his eyes flickering between Aaryan and the retreating villagers. Aaryan, still fighting to stay conscious, wondered what Sharan was thinking.


    The villagers carefully carried Aaryan back to camp, their hands gentle but their faces grim. They cleaned his wounds as best as they could before leaving him to rest. Aaryan lay still, his chest aching with each breath.


    ¡°Looks like I was lucky. No broken ribs, just bruising,¡± he thought, closing his eyes to rest.


    Back in the leaders'' camp, the mood was anything but calm. The six leaders sat in a tense circle, each one seething with frustration.


    ¡°I¡¯ll kill him,¡± Nayan hissed, his eyes flashing with anger. ¡°He¡¯s made a mockery of us. If we don¡¯t deal with him, there¡¯ll be more trouble ahead.¡±


    Sharan¡¯s voice was low and measured. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Nayan. I already have a plan. We¡¯ll either kill the wolves soon, or we¡¯ll abandon the mission and head back to the village.¡±


    The room fell silent as one of the leaders, eyes narrowed, asked, ¡°What¡¯s your plan?¡±


    Sharan grinned maliciously. ¡°We¡¯ll use the violet mist spheres to incapacitate them. If we can lure the wolves into a confined area, we can take them down.¡±


    ¡°But we only have three spheres,¡± Nayan pointed out, his voice filled with concern. ¡°And one is damaged. They won¡¯t be enough to knock out all three wolves.¡±


    Sharan¡¯s smile widened. ¡°True. But if someone can lure them into the right spot...¡±


    Nayan¡¯s eyes widened in realization. ¡°You mean...¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Sharan said, his voice dripping with malice. ¡°And if he fails, I am sure we can get at least one of the wolves and meanwhile if he dies, well he can only blame his bad luck¡­¡­.¡±


    The others laughed, their amusement dark and twisted. The tension in the air grew heavier.


    Bottom of Form

 The Bait Of Destiny

    The sounds of hushed voices and bustling activity woke Aaryan from his deep sleep. His mind, foggy from the heavy rest, quickly noticed how little pain he felt from his injuries. It felt as if he¡¯d slept through the afternoon, and he couldn¡¯t help but think it was strange that his body had healed so quickly.


    He pushed aside the tent¡¯s curtains, stepping into the cool morning air. Immediately, a sea of eyes turned toward him, and Aaryan felt the weight of their gazes. He wasn¡¯t just a child anymore. After the events of yesterday, he had somehow become the focal point of the village¡¯s hope, the one they looked to for guidance.


    One of the older men whom Aaryan had helped was the first to speak, his voice warm with gratitude. ¡°You¡¯re looking much better. How¡¯s the pain?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be fine in a day or two,¡± Aaryan answered with a smile. His injuries had indeed been minor compared to what they had first seemed. ¡°But what about the others?¡±


    ¡°Thanks to you, most of us are doing well. Not many injuries to speak of.¡± The man nodded, smiling back at Aaryan.


    There was a shift in the crowd then. A voice behind Aaryan spoke with a tone of disbelief, ¡°That smile... it¡¯s different somehow. It doesn¡¯t seem so annoying now.¡±


    Another boy, who had once shared that sentiment, added, ¡°I never thought I¡¯d say this, but... it looks good on him, doesn¡¯t it?¡±


    For the first time in a while, the air around the group felt lighter, as if the heavy weight of fear had lifted. Laughter, albeit soft, rippled through the crowd. Aaryan was about to head toward his camp when he saw Sharan looking at him from a distance.


    Their gazes met, and Sharan¡¯s smile sent a chill down Aaryan¡¯s spine. It was the kind of smile a predator gives when its prey is just within reach.


    That doesn¡¯t look good, Aaryan chuckled inwardly but quickly turned his attention back to the crowd, making his way toward his tent.


    Could it be? he thought. Did that dagger really mean that much to him? Is he still holding a grudge?


    He picked up the pace, his thoughts swirling.


    ¡°Enjoy the glory while it lasts, Aaryan. You may be a hero today, but everyone loves a tale of sacrifice. Heroes who shine and save the day are memorable, but those who sacrifice themselves for the greater good... that¡¯s the story the village will tell for years to come.¡± Smiling, Sharan turned and entered his tent.


    ¡°Seems like things won¡¯t be easy for me from here on,¡± Aaryan thought. They¡¯re surely trying to cause trouble for me, but what can I do? In his tent, Aaryan was thinking about how to avoid the coming disaster, but no matter how he racked his brains, he couldn¡¯t come up with anything.


    ¡°Forget it, I¡¯ll deal with it when the time comes. There¡¯s no sense in overthinking this now.¡± Having made up his mind, he closed his eyes and laid down to rest.


    The days that followed were deceptively quiet. No one went out to hunt the wolves. The villagers were content, some almost starting to believe that perhaps they were free of the threat. But for Aaryan, an unsettling feeling crept over him.


    Something isn¡¯t right. They wouldn¡¯t just give up... not without a reason.


    A few days later, the sharp sound of a horn broke the silence. It was a signal to gather at the main tent.


    Aaryan¡¯s stomach tightened. The villagers murmured in confusion, speculating about what was to come.


    ¡°They must be sending another party to search for the wolves,¡± one man grumbled.


    ¡°No, I think they¡¯re planning to head back to the village,¡± another suggested.


    Everyone walked toward the main camp, their footsteps heavy with uncertainty. Among them, Sharan stood with his usual calm expression, hands clasped behind his back. As Aaryan approached, Sharan¡¯s eyes met his again, and a smile played at the corners of his lips. He muttered something to one of his men, but Aaryan couldn¡¯t hear the words.


    The crowd gathered, their focus solely on Sharan and the leaders surrounding him.


    ¡°All of you have worked very hard for this mission, and hence everyone here will receive one sack of rice as a reward.¡± Unexpectedly, the one speaking was not Sharan, but the eagle-nosed man.


    A cheer went up from the crowd. It wasn¡¯t much, but it was enough to last a month for most families. The mood lightened.


    ¡°And the families of those who lost their lives... they will receive five sacks,¡± the eagle-nosed man continued.


    Aaryan was taken aback. Five sacks? For the dead?


    A wave of gasps passed through the villagers, who looked both surprised and relieved.


    Have they really given up? he thought. But then his eyes drifted toward the other leaders and paused at Sharan, who was still looking at him.


    ¡°No, they are definitely up to something,¡± Aaryan thought and kept listening carefully.


    The eagle-nosed man was very pleased. This was, more or less, what he had expected.


    ¡°We are planning on returning to the village to come back with more reinforcements and tools...¡± Now it was the short silver-armoured leader who spoke.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    A cheer, much louder than before, rang out. Aaryan was stunned, but before he could process what was happening, the next sentence confirmed what he had been thinking all along.


    ¡°We want to give it one more try. We have come up with a plan to capture those beasts with the help of these.¡± The silver-armoured leader continued, gesturing toward a tray held by a nearby man. On it rested three dark spheres.


    ¡°These are Violet Mist Spheres. The mist contained in them is made by extracting the poison of 20 Three-Ringed Black Spiders, known for their hallucination-inducing poison, along with many other herbs that can knock out those beasts unconscious. Once they are unconscious, we can easily deal with them,¡± said the eagle-nosed man.


    Aaryan listened to every word very carefully. He knew whatever the leaders had planned would surely involve him, so he wanted to be ready for all possible situations.


    ¡°If these spheres can take down the wolves, why didn¡¯t we use them before? Why wait until now?¡± he asked the leaders.


    Another man added, ¡°We could¡¯ve avoided so much loss if we had them earlier.¡±


    Nayan couldn¡¯t contain himself and was about to jump out when Aman stopped him.


    Before the eagle-nosed man could respond, Sharan stood, his voice calm but authoritative. ¡°The problem wasn¡¯t that we didn¡¯t want to use them. The issue was that the spheres need to be used all at once. The area they affect isn¡¯t very large, so we needed to ensure the wolves were close enough together for the mist to work.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that we didn¡¯t want to use them earlier, but the thing is, we couldn¡¯t. All three spheres needed to be exploded simultaneously to be effective enough, and the area in which the mist will be effective is not very large. Hence, all the wolves needed to be lured in to close proximity to each other for it to work. We were hoping for the right opportunity to present itself.¡±


    ¡°Junior Chief, what sort of opportunity?¡± Aaryan looked over his shoulder as the man who spoke was directly behind him. It was the same man he had seen talking to Sharan earlier.


    So, they want me to be the bait and have surrounded me in case I decide to make a run for it. Aaryan was very nervous in his heart but kept a calm face on the outside.


    ¡°Little Brother Aaryan,¡± Sharan continued, his gaze landing on Aaryan with an unsettling smile. ¡°This plan would only work if one can manage to get close enough to those wolves. As we saw a couple of days ago, Little Brother Aaryan is very capable of doing so and hence is the ideal candidate for our plan.¡±


    Aaryan¡¯s stomach churned as the pressure of the situation closed in on him. Everything was silent, everyone looking toward Aaryan.


    The silver-armoured leader¡¯s voice broke the silence. ¡°We understand it¡¯s a dangerous mission, but you¡¯ve shown courage. Please, think of the village. Success would bring great benefits to the whole village.¡±


    ¡°They handed out rewards to win over the villagers. If I agree, I¡¯ll be the bait, and if I don¡¯t, then these minions surrounding me will surely incite the villagers and turn them against me.¡±


    Aaryan¡¯s thoughts raced, but he knew it was a decision he couldn¡¯t escape. Refusing would doom him. Accepting might doom him as well, but at least he could take control of his fate.


    ¡°So, Aaryan, what¡¯s your decision?¡± asked Nayan, smirking, not willing to give any time for Aaryan to escape.


    Aaryan was helpless. He couldn¡¯t agree, as it would put him in a dangerous position, and if he didn¡¯t, he would face the wrath of the masses. Struggling in his heart, his eyes filled with determination.


    ¡°Fine, you want to push me to a dead end? I¡¯ll make sure you regret it. You think my fate is in your hands, that I¡¯ll die just because you want me to? I don¡¯t think so. And even if my fate is in your hands for now, I will carve out my own destiny.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll do it,¡± he said, his voice steady despite the storm raging inside him.


    The shock that rippled through the leaders was palpable. Sharan¡¯s smile faltered slightly. ¡°Are you sure?¡± he asked, his voice dripping with amusement.


    Aaryan didn¡¯t respond, only nodded. His face was set, his resolve hardening with each passing second.


    Seeing him agree so easily surprised everyone, especially the leaders.


    ¡°He seems confident. Does he have something that can help him escape the wolves?¡± asked the eagle-nosed man in a low voice.


    ¡°If he had something like that, then he wouldn¡¯t have gambled his life last time,¡± the short man replied.


    ¡°He is just a fool and will die for sure,¡± Nayan grinned.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter what tricks he has; he is just a child. He was lucky last time, but thunder doesn¡¯t strike the same tree twice,¡± Sharan smiled


    viciously.


    ¡°So, it¡¯s decided. We¡¯ve already made all the necessary preparations. We will be moving out in an hour. Everyone, get ready.¡± As the leaders turned to leave, Aaryan felt the weight of their eyes on him. Nayan gave him a mocking look, and Sharan¡¯s grin was full of malice, as if they had already won.


    The villagers, while still grateful for his actions in the past, now saw him as nothing more than the bait for their final attempt. But Aaryan wasn¡¯t concerned about them anymore. He was focused on one thing: survival.


    Aaryan stood there for a while, clenching his hands. In his village, he had always worked hard for his meals and never complained, always satisfied with what he had. But life had taught him a lesson, a lesson which he engraved in his heart. He turned and left for his tent, determination filling his eyes. And for once, that smile of his was nowhere to be found.


    Soon, the whole group left the area. It was their final attempt, so there was no way to leave anyone behind. They made their way toward the depths of the forest, and after a few hours of walking, they came near a clearing.


    Aaryan saw the area¡ªit was a valley he had seen earlier. The rest had stopped a bit back, only Aaryan and the three men who had stood against Nayan to save him were left to proceed into the valley.


    Clearly, they had been targeted for speaking out, but there was no other way. As far as the villagers were concerned, four lives were nothing if they could get back to the village.


    ¡°I¡¯ve dragged all of you into this,¡± Aaryan said, remorse in his eyes.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. We would have died already if not for you saving us,¡± replied the old man with a slight smile.


    Sharan was hiding some distance away along with his men, ready to take action at any moment.


    Aaryan and his group made their way into the depths of the valley, carefully surveying the area. The valley itself was empty except for a few boulders of different sizes.


    ¡°This is a trap, not just for them but for us as well. We¡¯re flanked by towering cliffs on both sides, and the only way out is the sheer drop of a waterfall behind. They really don¡¯t want us to survive.¡± Aaryan shook his head.


    They found a suitable place near a huge boulder, lit a fire, and set up a tent nearby. There wasn¡¯t much for them to do, except for Aaryan. His mind never stopped turning, his eyes scanning the surroundings constantly, looking for a way to turn the situation in his favour.


    The whole group waited patiently, and the days passed without incident. On the fourth day, as the sun began to set, Aaryan was lying near the fire, eyes closed. The atmosphere was cold and oppressive, with a deep sense of foreboding filling the air. His eyes snapped open, and he looked toward the trees on the right. The tree had a trunk thick enough that three people would have to join hands to cover it, with leaves as big as two inches. He narrowed his eyes, trying to look into the darkness. Suddenly, he yelled with everything he had.


    ¡°WATCH OUT!¡±


    The group quickly reacted and got behind the boulder. A boom rang out, and a huge black claw slammed into the boulder, sending chunks of rock flying.


    The people in the distance went on alert, and the leaders looked toward the valley with anticipation. They knew¡ªthe hunt had begun.