《LEGACY OF THE FALLEN》 Descend of Asurendra Chapter 1 Five thousand years ago, a mystical being¡ªone never heard of before¡ªdescended upon the earth. Its body structure resembled that of a human, with two arms and two legs, but its features were anything but ordinary. It had eyes as purple as amethyst, long orchid-colored hair cascading down its back, and shark-like canines that gleamed menacingly. A mysterious purple aura surrounded it, radiating an otherworldly presence. According to ancient records, this being was first sighted in Trigarta, a once-peaceful city with a population of around 60,000. When it arrived, it let out a deafening scream that tore through the clouds, a sound so unnatural that the air itself trembled. A crushing force followed, a pressure so immense that it felt as if every bone in the body was about to shatter. And then, in a voice that shook the heavens, it declared: "The era of worthless, so-called gods is over. It is time to bow before your true god¡ª ALMIGHTY NIHIL, THE DIVINITY REAPER!" The city was paralyzed. Half the population was so stricken with terror that they couldn''t even move a muscle. Thirty percent collapsed instantly, fainting under the overwhelming pressure. The weakest among them¡ªthose without ''Tejas''¡ªdied on the spot. The remaining warriors, those blessed with Tejas, stood their ground. They refused to kneel. Twenty of them launched an immediate counterattack, their weapons flashing through the air. But the moment their blades struck the creature''s skin, their faces twisted in horror. Their Tejas¡ªgone. They could no longer summon their power. A slow, gleaming smirk spread across Nihil''s face¡ªa wicked grin stretched from ear to ear, dripping with malice. Six of the warriors who had rushed in first stumbled back in panic. But before they could even retreat¡ª The creature moved. With terrifying precision, its gaping maw engulfed a man''s head in a single, crunching gulp, bone and flesh vanishing into the abyss of its throat. With its left hand, it plunged into another''s chest, tearing out a still-beating heart as if it were plucking fruit from a tree. Then it turned. Its glowing violet eyes locked onto the four warriors ahead, their faces pale with dread. It raised its massive right arm, claws clenched into a tight fist. And in a voice like a dying whisper, it breathed: "Voidburst." The instant the word left its lips, its fist shot forward with devastating force, releasing a surging wave of crackling purple energy. The very air howled as the blast collided with the four in front, their bodies rupturing on impact¡ªflesh peeling away, bones shattering, screams dying mid-cry. But the carnage didn''t end there. Behind them, fourteen more warriors were caught in the shockwave, sent hurtling backward like broken dolls. Some were ripped in half, others had their chests caved in, their lifeless forms crashing into the blood-soaked ground. When the energy finally dissipated, silence fell¡ªa twisted, suffocating stillness. The once-grassy battlefield was now a wasteland drenched in blood, bodies scattered like discarded puppets. The air reeked of burning flesh and death, and the soil beneath was dark, soaked with the lifeblood of the fallen. The creature hovered motionless for a moment, its predatory eyes scanning the remains of the fallen warriors. Then, slowly, its feet began to rise, lifting off the blood-soaked ground. An eerie silence fell, as if the world itself held its breath. It floated upward, defying gravity, ascending like a cursed deity. With deliberate slowness, it drifted toward the heart of Trigarta, positioning itself directly above the center of the city. Panic surged through the remaining humans. Warriors, civilians, children¡ªall began to flee, a desperate stampede of souls trying to outrun death itself. Raising both arms high into the air, the creature let out a guttural, inhuman scream that echoed through the sky. "SILENCING TORCH!" Above its head, a titanic sphere of swirling purple energy began to form, crackling and pulsing like a newborn star of destruction. The energy swelled until it covered half the city, blotting out the sun, casting a sickly amethyst hue over the land. Then, in a voice so soft it barely escaped its lips, the creature whispered: "Befall." The Silencing Torch descended, slowly at first, then accelerating like a meteor of annihilation. The sound was deafening, like a thousand screams trapped within the energy itself. It collided with the earth, engulfing everything in a colossal explosion of smoke, fire, and purple lightning. For a moment, Trigarta disappeared. Then¡ªsilence. A breathless pause. And as the smoke began to clear... There it was. A brilliant red barrier¡ªdomelike, radiant¡ªencompassed the entire city. Every structure, every life, untouched. The monstrous blast had been halted entirely, held back as if by divine will. A stunned murmur rippled through the survivors. Then a voice cried out, trembling, half in disbelief: "Th¨CTh¨CThe Emperor of Sapta Sindhu is here! We''re saved now!" If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. All eyes turned upward. Standing above them, on a raised platform near the city''s temple gates, was a man who looked carved from legend itself. His long grey hair flowed like silver threads in the wind, a symbol of wisdom, age, and unmatched experience. He wore a decorated shawl embroidered with golden trefoil patterns, and a headband marked with the royal crest of Sapta Sindhu. But it was his eyes¡ªas red as cinnabar, burning with quiet intensity¡ªthat stilled the hearts of even the most shaken. They were not the eyes of mercy. They were the eyes of a man who had faced gods¡ªand prevailed. This was Agnivardhana, the Emperor of Sapta Sindhu¡ªthe first mortal to ever reach 9 Stars in Tejas, and one of the strongest men alive. The people''s fear shattered like glass, replaced by a wave of hope and awe. For where all else had failed, he had come. From behind the crowd, another voice rang out¡ªlaced with annoyance and playful frustration: "Hah! Always showing off and heading out first, leaving me behind." The crowd turned, stunned once again. As if by instinct, people parted to make way for the approaching man. He had a long grey beard, a mighty moustache, and shoulder-length hair that swayed with every step. His eyes were as blue as the ocean, deep and unreadable. He wore thick woolen fabric, humble yet dignified, and in one hand, he carried a sword. The sheath was engraved with a single word in bold letters: "VINASHAK." Before anyone could react, Agnivardhana spoke, his voice calm but edged with sarcasm: "I didn''t leave you behind, Divyajit. You''re just so slow¡ªyou''ve always lagged behind. Even when it came to reaching Nine Stars." The old man snorted, his voice rising with mock fury: "You damn bastard! If I had the resources you had as an emperor, I would''ve reached Nine Stars long before you. And don''t forget¡ªI still got there, just five years later!" A murmur spread through the crowd. Someone whispered in awe, "Isn''t he the Sword God... Divyajit? The second person to ever reach Nine Stars in Tejas?" Another voice, choked with emotion, added softly, "Two of the strongest beings alive... men we only knew through stories... they''re really here. No one can defeat them. We''re... we''re definitely saved." The creature''s amethyst eyes widened in disbelief, its aura flaring with pure rage. "IMPOSSIBLE! I¡ªAsurendra, second in command under the almighty NIHIL¡ªcould not even destroy the barrier of mere insects?!" Its long orchid hair whipped in the wind as its fury mounted. It clawed at the air, its voice reverberating like a storm. "And now, they even dare to speak so freely in my presence?! UNFORGIVABLE! I will erase you ALL from existence!" Asurendra''s muscles coiled, power crackling around its hands as it prepared to unleash devastation. But before it could attack¡ª Agnivardhana''s majestic voice rang out, deep and commanding. He lifted his hand toward the trembling crowd, toward the unconscious bodies lying on the ground. "Kalasanchara." A massive rectangular beam of red light erupted from his palm, cascading through the battlefield. As it passed over the people, they vanished, whisked away to safety in an instant. The battlefield was no longer a massacre. It was now a stage¡ªfor war. Thus began the battle between humanity''s strongest warriors and the mysterious being known as Asurendra. The clash shook the heavens and tore the earth asunder. For ten grueling days, their powers collided with such force that even distant lands felt the tremors. On the tenth day, the battlefield was soaked in blood and ruin. Agnivardhana knelt amidst the carnage, his legs lost, his once-grey hair now dyed crimson from the blood pouring down his face. His strength was fading fast. Divyajit stood beside him, breathing heavily, his only arm¡ªthe one that once wielded Vinashak¡ªnow gone, severed in battle. Across from them, Asurendra remained upright, but barely. One leg and one arm were all that remained of his body. Yet his twisted aura still pulsed strong, far from defeated. In a voice hoarse and weak, Agnivardhana muttered, "I don''t think we''re making it out of this one alive. I''ll use everything I have left to create a barrier. It''s your turn to end this... once and for all." Divyajit scoffed, trying to hide the pain in his voice. "As much as I hate your arrogant attitude, you''re right... I never thought I''d say that." He closed his eyes, and a radiant blue aura enveloped his body. His entire being began to glow, energy surging with frightening power. Agnivardhana, now trembling, turned toward the enemy. Sensing danger, Asurendra''s eyes widened. For the first time in the battle, he felt fear. "If you think I''ll let you finish that¡ª" he roared, "then you''re a fool!" He raised his hand to the sky and shouted: "SILENCING TORCH: DIVINITY DESTROYER!" A massive purple sphere¡ªthree times larger than before¡ªformed above. It radiated pure destruction, blotting out the sky. As it descended, Agnivardhana''s body erupted in red energy. Blood streamed from his eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. With a final shout, he invoked: "RAKSHA KAVACHA!" A red barrier¡ªformed of countless interlocking hexagons¡ªwrapped around himself and Divyajit, powered by the very essence of Agnivardhana''s Jeevashakti. Asurendra snarled, watching the sphere crash down on the barrier. The impact released a cataclysmic blast felt from thousands of kilometers away. The land trembled. Mountains cracked. The sky howled. When the smoke cleared, Agnivardhana remained¡ªbarely¡ªon one knee. The barrier still shimmered faintly, though cracked and faltering. Asurendra''s face twisted in disbelief. "You... you damn insect! Using your life force just to delay the inevitable? I''ll rip you apart!" He charged. But before his hand could reach Agnivardhana''s chest, the emperor vanished. Asurendra froze. Confusion turned to dread. A voice echoed from behind: "Die." A chill ran through his very soul. He turned¡ªonly to see Divyajit standing tall, Vinashak in hand, Agnivardhana barely conscious behind him. Asurendra''s instincts screamed, but it was too late. Vinashak had already sliced clean through his torso. A soft whisper escaped Divyajit''s lips. "Pralaya." At that moment, Asurendra understood. Divyajit had poured all his Tejas into enhancing his muscle speed¡ªto move beyond what any being could perceive¡ªand all his Jeevashakti into the sword itself. Explosions erupted from within Asurendra''s body¡ªflesh twisting, bones shattering, his insides torn apart by divine force. In desperation, he let out a scream and, just before the explosion reached his heart, severed his own torso below it. Asurendra was still barely alive¡ªbut maybe not for long. His once-mighty form was reduced to a crippled husk, his body mangled beyond recognition. The air reeked of burnt flesh and the metallic tang of blood. As Divyajit stepped forward, his every movement slow and deliberate, Asurendra, for the first time in his existence, felt true terror. He started crawling away, dragging his broken form with his single remaining hand. His breathing was ragged, his face twisted in desperation. "Stay away from me, you insect!" he shrieked, his voice breaking with a mixture of rage and terror. But then, everything changed. The temperature of the battlefield plummeted in an instant. The very air itself seemed to distort as if space was warping unnaturally. The ground cracked beneath them, not from force, but from something deeper¡ªas if existence itself was straining under an invisible weight. Then, a voice spoke. A voice not of a man, nor of a beast, but of something far greater. "How weak." The words alone carried such unfathomable authority that Divyajit¡ªwho had been prepared to end Asurendra¡ªfroze mid-step. It was as if his body had forgotten how to move, his instincts screaming that something far beyond his understanding had entered the battlefield. A darkness began spreading across the sky, not like nightfall, but something far worse¡ªa void that swallowed light itself. The crimson-stained battlefield, littered with corpses, seemed to shrink under the suffocating pressure of the presence. Asurendra, who moments ago had been crawling away in terror, suddenly stopped trembling. His single remaining eye widened, his cracked lips curling into something between a snarl and a twisted smile. "Y¨CYour Holiness..." he gasped, his voice barely a whisper. Was it fear? Or relief? A towering shadow emerged from the void, though no true form could be discerned. It was simply... presence. NIHIL THE DIVINITY REAPER had arrived. Descend of the eye Chapter 2 From the endless shadows of the Void, a voice thundered¡ªcold, regal, and absolute: "I ordered you to annihilate humanity''s strongest warriors¡­ and look at the state you''re in. Pathetic. Worthless." Asurendra dragged himself through the darkness, his ruined body leaving a trail of blood and ichor across the black stone floor. His only remaining arm trembled, barely able to pull his weight, yet he pressed forward¡ªbecause stopping meant death. With no legs to kneel, he collapsed into a trembling heap, his forehead scraping against the freezing obsidian. His voice came out shattered, like a dying wind. "Forgive me¡­ please¡­ Your Majesty¡­ I-I beg of you¡­" he coughed, black blood spilling from his mouth. "I''ve failed, I know¡ªI''m worthless¡ªI deserve to be erased, but¡­ but this shame¡­ let me wash it with their blood. Let me try one last time¡­ just once more¡­ and I''ll offer you their hearts myself." His body convulsed as the crushing pressure of the Void grew heavier. "Don''t cast me away¡­ not yet¡­ please¡­" The voice replied¡ªno longer thunderous, but colder. Dismissive. "I will deal with you later. But first... let me take care of these insects." The ground began to tremble. Far above, the sky darkened unnaturally. Clouds surged together like a wounded beast curling into itself. Lightning raged across the heavens, dancing like spears hurled by forgotten gods. And then¡ªfrom the yawning mouth of the Void itself¡ªa shape began to form. A hand. Vast beyond comprehension. Its fingers stretched like mountains. Its palm, wide as a castle, glowed with a sickly light as it tore through reality, reaching for the mortal realm. The very air screamed. Mountains wept molten stone. Rivers recoiled from their banks. The world itself seemed to shudder as if realizing what approached was not meant to exist. As the colossal hand began its descent, aiming to crush Divyajit and Agnivardhana, neither warrior moved. Their bodies were broken, their Jeevashakti spent. There was no strength left to dodge, no fear of death¡ªonly the calm, unshakable resolve of men who had given everything. They looked to the heavens and whispered their final prayer. "Om Namah Shivaya¡­" Though their voices were weak, devotion surged through every syllable. And in that moment, the prayer did not stay confined to the battlefield¡ª It echoed across realms. Across time. Across existence. "O Mahadeva, Lord of life and death, As I approach the end of this mortal journey, I surrender my soul at your sacred feet. Take away my fear, my pain, my regrets¡ª And let me dissolve into your infinite grace. Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. You, the Lord of Time ¡ª Mahakaal, Free me from the cycles of birth and death. Let my last breath chant your name: Shiva. Let my final thought be of your form¡ª Peaceful, powerful, beyond all. Burn my ego like the ash on your body, And let my soul rise like the Ganga from your matted hair, Flowing into eternity, into you. O Shambho, O Rudra, If I must return again, let it be in service to Dharma. But if liberation is your will, Then let me rest in your divine light forever. Har Har Mahadev." The sky, once blackened by chaos, began to shift. Lightning froze mid-strike. Clouds parted like curtains. The oceans, once howling, fell still. And the titanic hand¡ªthat monstrous hand of doom¡ªpaused in midair. For a single, timeless heartbeat¡­ the world held its breath. Then, from the Void, a voice spat in rage¡ªfurious and insulted: "Hahaha! So¡­ you finally noticed me, huh?" But even that mockery trembled¡­ as a radiance began to descend. From beyond the stars, from the divine silence that lies between creation and destruction¡ª An Eye opened. Vast as the moon. Burning with stillness. Neither hateful, nor merciful¡­ but eternal. And it gazed¡ªnot at the mortals¡ª But into the heart of the Void itself. The very shadows recoiled as a golden aura spiraled outward from the Eye, forming radiant Sanskrit symbols across the sky. "??? ???? ???? ¡ª ????? ???" "You do not belong here. Return." Each syllable etched into the air like divine thunder. Each glowing character pressing against the Void like the weight of cosmic law. The Void¡ªonce endless and absolute¡ª Began to crack. Hairline fractures of light laced through the darkness like divine veins, Each one hissing with a sound not meant for mortal ears. And then, from deep within the cracking void, the same regal voice¡ªnow distant, hollow, yet still defiant¡ªspoke: "Return." Asurendra''s broken body began to rise, levitating against his will. His single remaining arm reached out as if in protest, but there was no resistance left in him. Eyes wide, he floated upward¡­ back into the crumbling shadows that had once birthed him. The dark swallowed him whole. Then, as the Void began to collapse, that voice laughed again¡ªmadness laced with malice: "Hahaha¡­ You can stop me now¡ªbut tell me, O Divine One¡­" "¡­how will you stop what comes next?" "You cannot intervene¡­ and humanity''s warriors lie shattered beneath my hand." "Your time is over." The laughter faded. The Void vanished. Gone like a dream at dawn, leaving only silence¡­ and the two warriors who had dared to pray at the edge of annihilation. Slowly, the world returned to its natural rhythm. The cracks in the sky sealed like healing wounds. The darkness dispersed. And the divine Eye¡ªvast and eternal¡ªbegan to dim, its golden light softening like dusk after a storm. As it faded, sacred words, glowing in ethereal Sanskrit, appeared in the heavens above Divyajit and Agnivardhana: "??? ???????" ("Do you have any wish?") Their breath shallow, their bodies shattered, the two warriors turned their gazes to each other. In their eyes¡ªno regret, no sorrow¡ªonly the serenity of fulfilled duty. And they smiled. With the last of their voices, they whispered in unison: "?? ??????, ????? ?? ????? ?? ????? ???? ????? ?? ????? ???" ("O Mahadev, please protect the world from the power of Nihir.") The words were not a plea for survival, but a final act of surrender¡ªan offering of their souls to something greater than war, greater than themselves. The Sanskrit symbols pulsed once with golden radiance, then vanished into the heavens like a divine promise¡­ as the Eye finally closed. And in that moment, the universe knew: Their wish had been heard. The divine Sanskrit faded from the sky like a whisper carried by the wind. And as their final prayer echoed into silence, Divyajit and Agnivardhana¡ªheroes of humanity, legends of an age¡ª closed their eyes for the last time. Their chests rose¡­ then fell. And did not rise again. There was no agony. No fear. Only peace. As if the universe itself mourned, a gentle breeze swept across the scorched battlefield. The blood, the ashes, the scars of destruction¡ªall stood still. And above their broken bodies, the first light of dawn pierced the clouds. Two flames¡ªpure, luminous, and steady¡ªrose from their corpses. One crimson. One silver. They danced upward into the sky¡­ and vanished into the ether. They were gone. But the world would never forget their names. Ashes of Trigarta, Embers of Destiny Chapter 3: The place where the beautiful and peaceful city of Trigarta once stood had been reduced to nothing but ash and ruin. The skies still carried the scent of burnt stone and scorched dreams. At the very center of the city, amidst shattered temples and crumbling towers, lay the bodies of two legends¡ªDivyajit, the Sword God, and Agnivardhana, the Emperor of Sapta Sindhu. Even in death, their corpses radiated divine majesty. A crimson light pulsed gently from Agnivardhana''s still chest, while a silver glow shimmered around the severed form of Divyajit. The ground beneath them had become sacred¡ªuntouched by rot, flame, or decay. One by one, the survivors of Trigarta returned. They were the broken, the scarred, the grieving. Men with bandaged limbs. Women with soot-stained faces. Children whose eyes had seen too much. Yet, as they approached the resting place of their saviors, a silent understanding passed through them¡ªthis ground was hallowed. Every single survivor knelt. Some sobbed. Others bowed their heads in silent reverence. And then, from their lips, came a prayer¡ªnot just for peace, but for salvation, for gratitude, for liberation: "? ????????? ?????? ???????? ?????????????? ??????????? ???????? ??????????????? ?????????" "We worship the three-eyed One, Lord Shiva, who permeates and nourishes all like a sweet fragrance. May He liberate us from the bondage of death, like a ripe fruit falling from the stem¡ªbut not from immortality." "? ??? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ????, ?????? ????? ????? ???? ??? ??????? ???? ?? ??????, ??????? ??????? ?????????????" "Om Namah Shivaya. You alone are my father, You alone my mother¡ªYou are everything, O divine teacher of the universe. O Great Lord, grant your blessing¡ªand offer liberation to the soul of the departed." "??????? ??????? ???????" "Peace... peace... peace..." The wind stilled. The air shimmered faintly with a golden hue. Even the clouds above paused in their drifting, as if the heavens themselves bowed in silence. A hush fell over the land. Trigarta was gone. But in that sacred moment, with every soul kneeling before their fallen protectors, it became a place of rebirth¡ªwhere loss became legend, and grief became prayer. As the prayer faded into the wind and silence embraced the ruins of Trigarta once more, a few brave souls stepped forward. Their duty was sacred¡ªto collect the remains of the departed legends and ensure that their final rites were worthy of their sacrifice. But as they approached, they stopped. There, between the two fallen heroes... lay a stone. Unlike anything anyone had ever seen. It was deep black¡ªdarker than obsidian, darker than the night sky. Smooth, cold, and flawless. Yet it seemed alive, pulsing gently with breathless power. Its shape was unusual, roughly the size of a man''s upper torso, and it did not seem carved by any hand¡ªhuman or divine. It simply was¡ªas though it had fallen from beyond the stars. A faint radiance shimmered around it¡ªnot of heat, but of divinity. The kind of light that did not illuminate the world, but instead whispered to the soul. It was... sacred. Untouchable. Otherworldly. And on its surface... words were etched. A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. Glowing golden Sanskrit letters appeared¡ªnot carved, but woven into the stone''s very being, as if the universe had spoken them into existence: "??? ???????????? ?????, ??? ?????? ??? ??????? ????, ??? ?????? ??? ????????¡ª ??? ?????????? ?????? ???? ? ?????? ???????? ???????? ????????" "When day turns into eternal night, When annihilation walks upon the world, And when no hope remains within mankind¡ª Then shall rise the Divine Dragon Vyraant and the Demon God Raunaksh, To bring an end to the Great Calamity." 5,000 Years Later An old man, wrapped in nothing but a tattered shawl that barely covered his frail body, sat beneath a broken archway. His eyes were pale and clouded, but his voice¡ªthough cracked and worn¡ªcarried the weight of centuries. He began to speak, as he did every night: "It has been five millennia since the fall of the legendary heroes¡ªAgnivardhana and Divyajit¡ªand the echo of the divine prophecy still resounds across the remnants of the world. The war with the NIHIR army, the legion of god-slaying shadows, has not ceased. If anything, it has only grown more relentless. Eighty percent of the world now lies beneath the iron grip of NIHIR''s dominion¡ªlands once vibrant with life now reduced to barren wastelands, haunted by silence and despair. Cities have become tombs. Forests have turned to ash. Oceans no longer roar¡ªthey whisper warnings of the end. And yet... amidst the ruin, twenty percent of the world still stands. A final ember of hope. That sliver of survival is not a coincidence. Five hundred years ago, the slumbering Divine Dragon¡ªVyraant¡ªawakened. With his return came storms of fire and lightning. His roar shattered the thousand-year siege upon Sapta Sindhu. His wings carved sanctuaries out of death. His presence alone ignited resistance in the hearts of men who had forgotten how to hope. Sapta Sindhu¡ªthe land from which all things began¡ªremains humanity''s final stronghold. A beacon of light in a world drowning in shadow. A pillar of defiance. A living monument that mankind... still endures. It is whispered that the only reason the god-slaying army has not advanced further is because they fear Vyraant. Not even the beasts of Nihir dare speak his name. But the prophecy is only half fulfilled. The Demon God Raunaksh¡ªthe one destined to rise when all hope is lost¡ªhas not appeared. No signs. No omens. No whispers from the void. The world waits. It bleeds. It breaks. And it watches. Some say he will never come. That the darkness has already won. That the prophecy was never a promise¡ªonly a cruel myth to give false hope. Even the Divine Dragon Vyraant, who awakened 500 years ago and turned the tides of war, has not been seen in centuries. His absence casts a growing shadow of doubt¡ª If even he has vanished... What hope remains?"* "This is bullshit. How many times are you gonna tell us the same boring story, you old geezer?" The voice came from a boy no older than twelve. His clothes were torn and filthy, barely hanging onto his frail frame. His skin clung to his bones, and his hair¡ªlike his eyes¡ªburned crimson red, wild and unkempt. He walked away with a scowl, kicking up dust as he went. "You shouldn''t talk to elders like that, brother Aksh," a soft voice called after him. A little girl followed close behind. She had short brown hair tied into a small ponytail, bare feet scarred and dirt-caked. Her skirt was a patchwork of different fabrics, sewn and resewn too many times to count. Her brown eyes shimmered with quiet worry, and her cracked lips trembled slightly as she spoke. Aksh didn''t reply. He didn''t care whether the gods ruled the world or whether the Divinity Reaper turned it all to ash. To him, it was all the same. The little sliver of land left for humanity was already under the heel of the higher-ups¡ªthose blessed with power, bloodlines, or Tejas. Tejas was not merely energy. It was the divine essence that flowed through all living beings¡ªthe breath of creation itself. Latent in many, awakened in few, and mastered by even fewer. To wield Tejas was to command the laws of nature: to walk through fire unburnt, to tear mountains asunder, to stand against the armies of gods. But Tejas did not awaken through will alone. It stirred in the heart of man only in moments of extreme emotional upheaval¡ªgrief, rage, desperation, love. In that single, blinding instant, a spark could ignite within the soul. Yet that spark was both a blessing and a curse. If the body was not strong enough to contain the awakened power¡ªif the vessel was too weak¡ªthe Tejas Core within would collapse. A slow, excruciating death would follow, as the body turned against itself, cell by cell, scream by scream. Aksh didn''t have to worry about Tejas. He had no power. No bloodline. No spark. And yet, in his world... that was freedom. There were no grand destinies for boys like him. He walked silently behind a broken pillar, and as he turned the corner, he saw a sight that made his blood freeze. His mother was on her knees. Her hands covered her face. And above her stood a man with a belt in his hand, raising it high in fury. Aksh clenched his fists. He wasn''t thinking about gods. Or dragons. Or the end of the world. He was thinking¡ª How do I stop Father from beating Mother again tonight? Blood Does Not Make a Father Chapter 4: The boy shouted, "Stop it!" His voice rang through the crumbling walls like a desperate thunderclap. His father froze. Wearing ragged jeans and no shirt, his chest heaving with intoxicated rage, the man turned slowly. His long, unkempt hair and tangled beard gave him the look of something feral¡ªuntamed and forgotten by the world. In one hand, a leather belt still trembled with leftover violence. In the other, a half-empty bottle of cheap liquor sloshed with every step. He took a shaky step backward, eyes bloodshot and wild. "Reena, you fucking bitch... you were lucky this time," he slurred, spitting the words out like venom. Rajit had never cared about his family. From as far back as Aksh could remember, his father had always been a storm of violence¡ªa walking shadow that turned their home into a battlefield. There were no warm memories. No quiet evenings. No laughter around the dinner table. Only screams. Only bruises. Only silence after the pain. He beat Aksh so often and so brutally that survival became instinct. There were nights Aksh barely crawled back to consciousness, blood pooling around him, the world spinning like a drunken carousel. And worst of all... he didn''t even spare Tejasvi. His little sister¡ªsmall, delicate, barely seven¡ªhad tasted the cruelty of a man who should have protected her. But Rajit had never been able to hurt her directly. Every time he raised a hand toward her, Aksh stood in the way. Again. And again. And again. So then... why had Rajit stopped this time when Aksh told him to? He hadn''t always listened. In fact, up until six months ago, he never listened. No matter how loudly Aksh screamed or how fiercely he fought, the beatings continued like a storm that refused to pass. And back then, Aksh didn''t have red eyes or red hair. He had brown eyes and dark hair¡ªjust like his mother. So... what happened six months ago? It had started like any other day. Aksh was returning home after another exhausting round of work¡ªselling whatever scraps he could scavenge from the dump yards of the city''s rich. His arms ached, his stomach was empty, and his shirt clung to him with grime and sweat. He expected the usual: a drunken father, a crying mother, maybe silence if he was lucky. But that day... was different. When he pushed open the door to their broken little home, what he saw was something no twelve-year-old should ever have to witness. His father stood in the center of the room, a hot iron rod in his hand¡ªits tip glowing red with heat. The walls flickered with the reflection of molten metal. Reena stood in front of him, her arms spread wide, shielding little Tejasvi behind her trembling frame. Her voice was hoarse and shaking, but firm: "Don''t you dare touch her." Rajit''s eyes gleamed with madness. "Bring Tejasvi to me," he snarled. "Or I''ll shove this rod inside you." Then Aksh rushed into the room, breath caught in his throat. "Please, stop!" he pleaded, throwing himself between his father and the others. Rajit turned toward him with a twisted grin, the iron rod still glowing with searing heat. His eyes sparkled with cruel delight, feeding off the fear thick in the room. "This little bitch tried to steal my money," he growled, nodding toward Tejasvi, "to buy medicine for her whore of a mother. If I don''t discipline her today, how the hell will she learn?" He chuckled¡ªa sound more beast than man. This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. Aksh dropped to his knees, arms limp at his sides. Tears didn''t come. He had forgotten how to cry. There was no trembling lip, no wail clawing at his throat¡ªjust a hollow stillness, as if something inside him had already died long ago. His voice, when it came, was flat and empty. "Please, Father... forgive her. I''ll take the punishment. Hurt me instead. Just don''t harm her." Reena sobbed behind her hands, shielding Tejasvi with her body. The little girl shook like a leaf in a storm, unable to speak, her wide eyes frozen in sheer horror. Aksh stood there... still. His legs trembled. His fists clenched. But his voice, when it came, was steady¡ªfar too steady for a child. "If I put the rod on my back instead of Mother... will you forgive her then?" Rajit blinked. And then, slowly, the wicked grin returned to his face. "Hahahaha! Yes, of course," he said, spreading his arms mockingly. "That''s what a dutiful son should do for his dear mother, isn''t it?" "Stop it, Aksh!" Reena screamed, her voice hoarse and breaking. "You don''t have to do this! Please¡ªI''ll take it! I''ll put that rod on my back! Just stop it, please, Aksh!" But Aksh didn''t listen. Not because he didn''t hear her. But because her words felt distant... unreal... like echoes in a dream he couldn''t wake up from. He stepped forward, his trembling hands reached for the glowing rod, but not a single tear marked his face. Pain, fear, sadness¡ªthey were just shadows now. Blurred, meaningless. He had buried them so deep that even his soul didn''t know where to find them. Rajit barked, "Do it quickly, I don''t have all day." Aksh slowly brought the rod to his back. But just as it was about to touch skin¡ª Reena surged forward with a cry and ripped the rod from his hands. In one swift motion, she pressed it to her own back and collapsed into Aksh''s arms, teeth clenched, stifling every scream, holding him close as if her love could shield him from hell itself. Rajit let out a menacing laugh, his voice cracking with madness. "Now would you look at that? Hahahaha! What a show!" Reena, still holding Aksh tightly, her back blistered and smoking from the burn, looked up with tear-filled eyes. "Isn''t it enough?" she begged, her voice barely a whisper. "Please... let the kids go." But Rajit''s grin only widened. Drool trickled down from the corner of his mouth like a rabid dog in heat. "You whore," he spat. "You only took the punishment meant for Aksh... but what about Tejasvi?" He raised the rod again, its heat warping the air. "Now," he growled, voice heavy with sick delight, "put this rod on your ass if you want me to forgive them both." Reena''s body trembled, but she didn''t move. Her arms tightened protectively around Aksh. Aksh, still in her embrace, stared blankly at the floor. His lips were dry and cracked. Then, barely louder than a breath, he mumbled, "Wh... why... why do you have to go to such extremes... you asshole?" The room fell into chilling silence. Rajit''s grin vanished. His bloodshot eyes snapped to Aksh. "What the hell did you just say, you little shit?" His voice had dropped to a growl, the kind that always came before something terrible. Reena quickly moved in front of Aksh and cupped his mouth with trembling hands. "He''s just a child!" she cried, desperation in every word. "He doesn''t know what he''s saying! I''ll discipline him, please... just forgive him!" But Aksh gently took her hand and lowered it. His voice came out low¡ªcold and stripped of all fear. "This bastard doesn''t deserve to be called a father." Rajit''s face twisted into something monstrous. Rage¡ªraw and unfiltered¡ªpoured from his bloodshot eyes. "You little shit!" he roared. "I think I''ve been too damn lenient with you. That ends now!" With a snarl, he raised the red-hot rod and lunged forward, swinging it toward Aksh like a predator delivering the final blow. But Aksh... didn''t flinch. He looked up, his gaze steady¡ªunblinking. And then... his eyes began to change. From soft brown to a glowing, terrifying crimson. Not just red¡ªbut blood-red, as if forged in the fire of every wound he''d ever suffered. In that single second, the room shifted. Something ancient stirred in the air. Something dangerous. Rajit''s momentum faltered. His body locked up mid-strike. And then¡ªhe collapsed. His knees hit the ground with a dull thud, and the rod clattered beside him, rolling away. His breath came in short, panicked bursts. He stared up at Aksh, paralyzed¡ªnot by pain, but by pure, primal fear. His instincts screamed louder than reason: If I strike this boy... I will die. Aksh took a step forward. Then another. His crimson eyes blazed like dying stars, and with each step, the air around him shimmered¡ªdistorting like heat waves over a furnace. His hair began to shift, dark brown strands bleeding into a deep, radiant red. A faint glow¡ªsoft at first¡ªbegan to bloom from his skin. A red aura, light yet furious, surrounded him like a ghost of flame. Every footfall scorched the floor. Tiny embers crackled beneath him. The walls trembled as if the house itself could feel what was awakening. Rajit watched in horror, unable to move, unable to breathe. His drunken haze was gone¡ªreplaced by something worse. Dread. But just as Aksh reached within arm''s length... His body faltered. His knees buckled. And then¡ªhe collapsed. Like a puppet whose strings had been cut, he hit the floor with a dull thud. The aura flickered... then vanished. His small, frail body lay still. Unconscious. Spent. Rajit sat there, gasping for breath, sweat pouring down his face. "Hah... hah..." he panted, forcing himself to believe the nightmare had passed. He glanced down¡ª His pants were soaked. The bastard had pissed himself. "Hah... fuck..." he muttered, trying to stand. "Mood''s ruined. Need more liquor." He stumbled to his feet, casting one last look at Aksh¡ªthis time not with rage, but with something closer to fear. Then he turned and left the house, muttering under his breath. The door slammed shut behind him. And silence returned. Except this time... it wasn''t the silence of fear. It was the calm before a coming storm. THE BROKEN HOPE Chapter 5: Since that day six months ago ¡ª the day when Aksh''s hair turned red and his eyes began to glow with something terrifying ¡ª the household had changed. Rajit, once a tyrant who wielded his fists like divine law, now walked with caution. He still drank. He still muttered venom. But he hadn''t raised a hand to Aksh since that night. He didn''t dare. But Reena... she still bore the bruises. Only now, they were hidden deeper ¡ª given when Aksh wasn''t around, inflicted in the silence of Aksh''s absence. Rajit had learned to be a coward in timing, if not in spirit. In the dimly lit room, the smell of turmeric and old incense lingered. Reena sat on the woven mat, her back straight but eyes distant, like she was staring into a memory only she could see. Aksh, now taller and quieter than before, walked over. His presence didn''t feel like that of a child. It felt... heavier, as if gravity bowed slightly where he stood. He knelt down beside her. "Are you alright, mother?" he asked softly, his voice no longer carrying the na?ve tremble it once did. Reena blinked and turned to him. Her smile was gentle, warm, and tragically rehearsed ¡ª the kind only broken mothers knew how to perfect. "I am fine, son. You don''t have to worry, son," she said, reaching to brush a strand of hair from his forehead. Aksh was about to say something, but there was a knock on the door. A firm one. He stood up, his eyes narrowing instinctively. Reena, startled from her distant thoughts, turned to watch. Visitors were rare ¡ª especially unannounced ones. Aksh opened the wooden door with a creak. Three figures stood outside, illuminated by the dying orange hue of dusk. Two of them, standing slightly behind, were dressed in identical black coats and matching trousers. Their eyes were hidden behind polished black shades. Their expressions were blank, professional ¡ª too still to be natural. But the man in front was different. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and sun-kissed, with olive green hair that was tied lazily at the back. He wore a loose-fitting T-shirt, half pants, and¡­ slippers. Of all things, slippers. His skin glowed with health. His arms looked like they could bend steel. And his clothes ¡ª pristine, without a single wrinkle or speck of dust. No one in the village dressed like this. No one even looked like this. He smiled like they were old friends. "Aren''t you gonna invite me in?" he said, voice smooth, playful, like a lion humming a lullaby. Aksh didn''t respond immediately. His instincts prickled. The man''s aura wasn''t just strange ¡ª it felt¡­ unnatural. Controlled. Caged. But dangerous. "Who are you?" Aksh asked, his tone calm, but his fingers slightly twitching at his side. The green-haired man laughed. "You''re cautious. That''s good. But a little rude too. I came all this way, through mud and silence, just to see you, Aksh." Aksh blinked. He knew my name? The man tilted his head. "Still no invite?" Behind him, the two black-suited men didn''t flinch. Not even a breath. They might as well have been statues. "What do you want?" Aksh asked, voice firmer now Dhruva grinned, tilting his head slightly. Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. "You''re a straightforward guy, huh? I like that," he said, folding his arms casually. "So let me be straightforward too." He paused just enough to draw silence around him. The grin never left his face. "The name''s Dhruva. We came here to evaluate whether you''ve awakened your Tejas." There wasn''t a single person in Sapta Sindhu who hadn''t heard of Dhruva ¡ª the Killer Machine. A man in his mid-twenties. A prodigy. At just twenty-five, he had already achieved Five Stars in Tejas ¡ª a feat so rare that even seasoned warriors twice his age couldn''t dream of matching it. In every war waged against the Nihir Army, Dhruva wasn''t just present ¡ª he was the storm itself. A walking calamity, carving through battlefields like a blade of divine will. Soldiers sang of him. Children mimicked him. His name alone could rally armies¡­ or silence nations. And now he stood barefoot on the dusty threshold of Aksh''s broken home, wearing half-pants, slippers, and a lopsided grin. But Aksh wasn''t moved. His face remained blank ¡ª no awe, no excitement, no flicker of recognition beyond what was required. Like he was talking to just another man. "And what do I get," Aksh asked, his voice even, "by letting you evaluate me?" A hush fell over the gathered villagers. Eyes widened. Mouths parted. Who dared speak to Dhruva like that? But Dhruva¡­ laughed. A deep, unrestrained laugh that echoed off the rusted tin roofs and cracked walls. "Hahaha! This¡ªthis is the first time someone didn''t start kissing my ass the moment they heard my name!" he said, wiping a tear from his eye. "They usually drop to one knee, call me ''sir'', or ask for my autograph." He leaned in, still grinning. "I like you even more now." He straightened and stretched, cracking his neck. "You want to know what you get? Fine. If you''re really awakened¡­ I''ll take you and your family to Trigarta." Another wave of gasps. Trigarta. The legendary citadel. The capital of power. The place where gods once walked and heroes were forged. There was nothing to lose for Aksh. No future, no promises ¡ª only ashes behind and uncertainty ahead. So he nodded once. Wordlessly, he stepped aside and let them in. Inside the house, the air felt heavier. The scent of old incense clung to the walls like memories that refused to fade. Reena was already standing, her expression tense, and behind her, little Tejasvi peeked out from the folds of her mother''s saree, clutching them tightly with both hands. Her wide, curious eyes flicked between the strangers and her brother. Dhruva didn''t waste a moment. "Let''s begin," he said, his voice suddenly all business. He stepped forward, gripped the hem of Aksh''s ragged t-shirt, and lifted it just enough to reveal the lower part of his abdomen. Then, placing a hand flat against Aksh''s stomach, Dhruva closed his eyes. A soft green light began to radiate from his palm ¡ª warm, focused, alive. It spread across Aksh''s torso like a slow-moving flame, illuminating the boy''s thin frame with a surreal glow. Reena''s eyes widened. Alarmed, she instinctively took a step forward. "Wait¡ªwhat are you doing to him?!" But before she could reach them, the two men in black moved like shadows ¡ª silently, quickly. One gently stepped between her and Dhruva. The other held up a calming hand. "Don''t worry, ma''am," he said in a voice that was oddly gentle for someone who looked like a statue in a suit. "We''re not here to hurt your son. This is only an evaluation. Nothing more." Reena froze in place, torn between fear and trust, her trembling hand still halfway raised. Aksh, on the other hand, stood motionless ¡ª eyes staring straight ahead, expression unreadable, as if the glow washing over him wasn''t even real. For the first time in years, a fragile thought bloomed in Reena''s mind ¡ª one that felt almost sinful in its hope. What if¡­ what if he truly has awakened his Tejas? Maybe¡­ just maybe, they could finally leave this hell. Maybe Tejasvi would be able to laugh and play like the other children her age ¡ª to have toys instead of scars, lullabies instead of screams. Maybe Aksh, her broken boy who had forgotten how to cry, could find pieces of his childhood again. Maybe the weight in his eyes would lift if he was surrounded by something better ¡ª something that didn''t bleed suffering with every breath. And maybe ¡ª just maybe ¡ª she wouldn''t have to endure the pain of Rajit''s fists anymore. Maybe she could finally¡­ breathe. It was the first time Reena had ever allowed herself a selfish wish ¡ª one where she was included in the salvation, not just her children. Dhruva slowly pulled his hand away. The green aura flickered and vanished. His brows furrowed as he looked at Aksh, then turned his gaze toward Reena. "Did something happen on the day of Aksh''s transformation?" he asked, his tone no longer playful ¡ª just flat and clinical. Reena, hesitant, recalled the memory. "At first¡­ his eyes turned red. Then his hair. But after that, he suddenly collapsed. He was unconscious for hours." Dhruva clicked his tongue and shook his head slightly. Disappointment etched itself across his face. "Now I understand," he said quietly. "Aksh did awaken his Tejas. But¡­ his body wasn''t strong enough. The strain must have shattered his core during the awakening." He let out a sigh ¡ª not one of sorrow, but frustration. "Aksh will never be able to use Tejas again." The words hit like a silent explosion. Reena stood frozen. The hope she had dared to imagine ¡ª the soft, selfish wish she had let grow in her heart ¡ª cracked like glass under a hammer. Her eyes became teary, but she controlled herself, as she couldn''t make Aksh feel guilty. She thought that it might be the gods punishing her because of the selfish desire that had come to her mind. Dhruva stood up and stepped toward the door. "We just wasted our time here," he muttered, already halfway out. Price of Desperation Legacy of the fallen Chapter 6: "Hah! With the measly Tejas they possess, those fools will never sense my divine presence." "Tch. Just shut up, you ghost bastard. I don''t need some loud old geezer screaming inside my head," Aksh shot back, irritation clear in his voice. "Yo¡­ yo¡­ you rude brat! You should be honored that I''ve chosen you!" "Yeah, yeah, whatever," Aksh replied mockingly,. It hadn''t always been like this. The voice wasn''t always there. It started the day he transformed. When he lost consciousness, slipping into the abyss, a chilling voice had slithered into his mind from the darkness. "Hahaha! Brat, you should feel grateful. I have chosen you¡ªthe perfect vessel to wield the power of the Great Demon God!" Since that day, the voice had never truly left. But Aksh didn''t care. He wanted nothing to do with this strange presence. Power, divinity, destiny¡ªnone of it mattered. All he wanted was to feed his family and protect them from his father. It didn''t bother Aksh that no one could sense any Tejas in him. But he knew¡ªit hurt his mother. No matter how much Reena tried to hide her pain, masking it behind forced smiles and soft reassurances, Aksh could always see through her. He could feel the weight she carried, the silent sorrow she never spoke of. Reaching out to her, his expression unreadable, he said in a firm voice, "Don''t worry, Mother. I will always protect you." Reena''s breath hitched. She pulled him into a tight embrace, her body trembling as silent tears rolled down her cheeks. But she wasn''t crying because of his words. She cried because of the burden resting on the fragile shoulders of a child. She cried because of the emotionless look on his face¡ªthe look of someone who had already forgotten what it meant to weep. After a while, Aksh stepped out of the house for work, with Tejasvi¡ªas always¡ªfollowing close behind. But the moment he crossed the threshold, a strange unease settled in his chest. A cold, unshakable feeling. Something was wrong. His instincts screamed at him to don''t go, to turn back. Don''t leave. Maybe¡­ if he had listened. Maybe¡­ if he had stayed home that day. The horrible thing that was about to happen¡ª would have never come to pass. The next day, a grim whisper spread through the slums like wildfire¡ª Rajit, drunk and deranged, had tried to burn down his own house¡­ with his family still inside. But Reena, battered yet unyielding, had shielded her children. She had fought through the flames, pushing them to safety¡ª And in the process, she was left teetering on the brink of death. As for Rajit¡­ he never made it out. Trapped in his own madness, too drunk to escape, he perished in the inferno he had unleashed. Stolen story; please report. Tejasvi slowly drifted back to consciousness, her mind hazy, her body weak. Distant murmurs reached her ears¡ªlow voices gossiping. "I''m telling you, that kid is a monster." "He dragged a wooden cart all the way from the slums to here¡ªwhile carrying his sister in one arm! No normal child could do that." Another voice, sharper and filled with disbelief, cut in. "What?! From the slums? That''s at least ten kilometers away! You might be right¡­ just look at his eyes and hair. He might even be cursed. Why did you let him into the hospital anyway? He doesn''t look like someone who can pay." A pause. Then, a hesitant reply. "I just¡­ couldn''t bring myself to turn him away. Not after seeing the state he was in. And¡­ he said he''ll pay whatever it takes for his mother''s treatment." Tejasvi''s eyelids fluttered as she stirred, her vision blurred. A warmth cradled her head. As her sight cleared, she realized¡ªshe was resting on Aksh''s lap. But the place around her¡­ it was nothing like home. The walls¡ªso white. The air¡ªtoo clean. The people moving around them wore spotless white coats, their clothes unwrinkled, their hands free of dirt. It felt unreal¡ªso different from the grime and dust of the slums. A hospital. Aksh noticed her stirring. Without a word, he placed a hand on her head, patting it gently. His face was unreadable, his voice steady. "Don''t worry. We''re at the hospital." Before Tejasvi could respond, a voice called from the hallway. "Is Aksh here?" Aksh slowly got up. "Yes, I''m here," he replied, his voice firm despite the exhaustion he was feeling. He followed the nurse inside a small room where a doctor waited. The doctor had a serious expression and while holding a pen in his hand said "Your mother''s condition is very serious. She might not survive the night. And¡­ the treatment will cost quite a lot of money." Aksh remained expressionless and replied with a firm voice "How much?" The doctor hesitated. "Look, kid¡­ the bill isn''t something a child like you can pay. I''m telling you this now¡ªif you have any savings, use them for yourself and your sister instead." Aksh''s eyes darkened. The exhaustion, the hunger, the pain¡ªnone of it mattered. "I didn''t ask for your suggestion. I asked how much." The doctor sighed, rubbing his temple. "The full treatment will cost¡­ 8,000 mudras." Without a moment''s hesitation, Aksh responded. "I''ll pay it. Just begin the treatment." The doctor stared at him, waiting for doubt to creep in. But Aksh didn''t waver. His gaze was unwavering, cold¡ªalmost unnatural for a child. The doctor scoffed, shaking his head. "We''ll begin the treatment as soon as you pay the bills. But keep in mind¡ªyour mother has only about twelve hours without treatment." Aksh stood still for a moment, his fists clenching. Then, he turned to the doctor. "Take care of my sister." And then¡ªhe ran. Through the hospital halls, past the shocked nurses, and out into the cold night. His body screamed in exhaustion, but he didn''t care. His legs moved faster than any normal child''s should. The wind howled past his ears. His vision blurred, yet his eyes burned¡ªa faint red glow flickering within them. "You''re not in any condition¡ªneither mentally nor physically¡ªto use my power." The voice came with a little worry. "If you don''t want to die, stop now." Aksh didn''t answer. He just ran faster. By the time he reached the outskirts of the slums, the world around him was a blur. Instead of stopping, he moved left¡ªtoward the dense forest behind the slums. After running for a while he reached at front of a massive tree. Without hesitation, he grabbed onto the rough bark of a massive tree and began to climb. Halfway up, he paused. His fingers traced a specific patch of bark¡ªone that felt different from the rest. He pried it open. Inside, a hollow space. Hidden within it¡ªa small, dust-covered bag. Aksh pulled it out, his hands steady despite the exhaustion eating at his limbs. He untied the string and peered inside. Exactly 8,000 mudras. This was the money he had spent the last five years saving¡ªworking tirelessly, enduring back-breaking labor¡ªall for a dream. A dream to take his mother and sister out of the slums. It was nowhere near enough to buy them freedom. But it was a start. And now¡­ he had no choice but to use it. Without wasting another second, he turned and ran again. But as soon as he reached the slum''s outer edge¡ª "HALT RIGHT THERE!" The sharp voice cut through the night. Aksh skidded to a stop. Ahead of him stood three figures. Two men in official guards'' uniforms¡ªand in front of them, a man in his mid-20s. Short black hair. A casual white T-shirt and jeans. But what stood out the most¡ªwas the sword strapped to his belt. The man smirked. "Where do you think you''re going?" Aksh''s breath was ragged, but he forced himself to stand firm. "I need to go." The man clicked his tongue. "Tsk. You slum rats never learn, do you? The city ain''t for your kind. But¡­" he dragged the word out, his smirk widening, "if you really wanna go¡­ you gotta pay the toll." Aksh''s grip tightened around the bag. His voice was empty. Emotionless. "How much?" The man''s smirk grew sharper. "Eight thousand mudras." A Demon’s First Tears LEGACY OF THE FALLEN Chapter 7: Aksh tightened his grip on the worn-out bag. The weight of 8000 mudras¡ªeverything he had, every shred of hope¡ªpressed against his palm. "I can''t give you the money," he said, with the same dead eyes and no expression on his face. "I need it for my mother''s treatment. But I''ll do whatever you want¡­ just let me go." The sword-wielding man tilted his head. A cruel smirk came to his face. "I can''t do that," he said mockingly. "Rules are rules. We can''t bend them according to your wish." He took a step forward, reached Aksh''s face. The man''s grin widened. "But now my mood''s changed. Leave the bag here¡­ and scram back to the dirty slum you crawled from. Maybe then I''ll let you leave." Aksh slowly bent to put the bag down¡ªbut in a flash, he grabbed a fistful of dirt and threw it into the black-haired man''s eyes. The man screamed, rubbing his face, blinded. "You''re dead, you brat!" he roared. "Catch him and bring him to me!" The two officers behind him sprang into action, charging toward Aksh. As one of them nearly caught up, Aksh suddenly leapt, planted a foot on the man''s face, and used him as a springboard¡ªblasting forward with renewed speed. A sudden kick came from the side¡ªbut in a split second, Aksh ducked low, narrowly dodging the blow. Planting one hand on the ground, he spun his body upside down, using the momentum to land a sharp kick to the attacker''s side. The force sent the man flying nearly two feet through the air. The other officer caught his leg as he was spinning, but Aksh immediately grabbed the officer''s leg with his hand and bit into it. The officer screamed and lost his grip. Aksh seized the moment¡ªhe pulled one leg forward with his hands and pushed the other back with his feet, sending the man crashing down. Without wasting a single second, Aksh jumped and landed his knee on the officer''s face, breaking his nose and knocking out two of his teeth. The first officer, while holding his side where Aksh had kicked him, ran towards Aksh, attempting to catch him. Aksh turned and stared at the officer, his eyes started glowing crimson red and his hair started turning up, a red aura began to form around his body. His voice, now deep and chilling, sounded like that of a demon. "Stop it, or I will kill you." The officer froze in place, paralyzed with fear, sweat poured down across his face. Suddenly, a sword hilt slammed into the back of Aksh''s head, and he collapsed, unconscious. "Hah, we finally found him." A dull ache throbbed at the back of Aksh''s head. The scent of antiseptic filled his nose. White walls. A bed. He opened his eyes and jumped out of the bed and immediately scanned his surroundings. He was in a hospital room. The man with black hair was sitting in a chair beside him. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. "So, you''re finally awake," the man said, with a mockery in his voice. Aksh instinctively get into a fighting stance, his eyes narrowed as he demanded, "Where is the money?" The man grinned, clearly amused. "Oh, that? We used it for the treatment of the officers you injured. Don''t blame me¡ªit''s your fault, after all." "Give me the money! I need it to treat my mother before dawn!". Aksh replied loudly. The man rolled his eyes, his annoyance clear. "What are you talking about? It''s already noon. You fought us about 16 hours ago." Aksh stood frozen, his eyes wide in shock. A storm of thoughts raged inside his head. No¡­ no, no, no¡­ What about Mother? Is she¡ª? No, that''s not possible. It can''t be. After everything¡­ after all that struggle¡­ am I still powerless? What''s the point of it all? Maybe¡­ maybe I should just die. His breathing grew shallow. His vision blurred¡ªnot from injury, but from despair. Then there was the sound of a sudden hit. Aksh turned. A woman in her early twenties, with short brown hair of ear length, a piercing in one of her ears, wearing a loose jacket over a sports bra and shorts with long boots, had hit the black-haired man on the head. Aksh hadn''t noticed her before¡ªmaybe due to the chaos in his mind. "You shouldn''t joke about things like these, Arihant. Just look at the kid''s face¡ªhow terrified he is." "Ouch!! I was just messing around with him, Jasmine. Why do you have to be so cruel?" Arihant replied while rubbing his head. Jasmine, with an annoyed expression, said, "Because you deserved it, you jerk." Then, with a louder voice, she said, "Bring them inside." Then the door opened. A wheelchair rolled into the room. It was his mother. She looked weak, pale, but alive. Her eyes softened the moment they met his. And his little sister was peeping from behind the wheelchair. "Are you alright, son?" she asked gently. Aksh didn''t speak. His body moved on its own. He ran¡ªno, crashed¡ªtoward her and dropped to his knees, throwing his arms around her legs. And then¡­ he broke. A dam burst inside him. He started crying uncontrollably. Tears poured down from his face¡ªeverything he had bottled up, all of his trauma, spilled out. For the first time, there was an expression on his face¡ªan expression of overwhelming relief. His mother, with teary eyes, patted his head. "I am really sorry for making you worry, son," she whispered with a trembling voice. Aksh, still crying, held her knees tightly. "It was so scary, Mother. I was scared that I might lose you forever." Tejasvi slowly came and hugged Aksh from behind and started crying as well. Aksh finally felt relieved, and the exhaustion from the past two days came crashing down on him. Still crying, he drifted into sleep on his mother''s lap. Arihant sighed and gently picked him up, placing him on the bed. "He''s still just a kid after all... I think I went a little overboard." Then, turning to Reena, he said, "I think we need to talk. Let''s go to another room and let him rest." In the other room, with the previous officer standing guard outside and Jasmine taking care of Tejasvi, Arihant and Reena began their conversation. Reena eyed him suspiciously. "Who are you, and why are you helping us?" She knew there was no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Arihant scoffed. "I can''t tell you who we are, but the reason we''re helping you is¡­ that kid, Aksh. He''s special, isn''t he?" She paused for a moment, then spoke with a serious look on her face. "Why him? Isn''t he just a normal kid? He was already tested for Tejas¡ªhis core is broken. He''s useless to you people." Arihant smirked. "We''re not that stupid. We already know that he successfully awakened his Tejas. As for why Dhruva couldn''t sense it, there''s a reason behind that too. And don''t worry¡ªwe won''t just take advantage of him. We''ll provide you with a proper house in Trigarta and take care of all living expenses for the three of you." "We don''t need anything like that," Reena said firmly. "Rajit is dead, and for the first time, I''ve seen real emotion on Aksh''s face. I can''t throw him into a war now. We just want to live a normal life." Arihant''s expression darkened as he folded his arms. "Do you really think Aksh can live normally after everything that has happened to him? And do you really believe we wouldn''t find out the little secret you''re trying to hide?" Reena stiffened for a second. "What secret are you talking about?" Arihant leaned in, his voice turning dangerously soft. "So, you won''t admit it, huh? Then let me be clear¡ªwe know that Rajit''s death wasn''t an accident." A wide grin spread across his face as he stepped even closer, whispering, "He was murdered¡­ by Aksh." A Mother"s wrath Warning: This chapter contains themes of abuse and violence that some readers may find distressing. Reader discretion is advised. Legacy of the Fallen Chapter 8 Reena stood frozen, her eyes widening at Arihant''s sudden and brutal revelation. "D-Do¡­ do you have any proof?" she stammered. Arihant let out a short chuckle before replying, "It was quite obvious. The wounds you have aren''t from saving someone from a fire¡ªthey''re from violence and torture. And when we investigated your house, we found clear signs of a struggle. The floor was broken, like something massive had struck it. "But the biggest clue?" He leaned back in his chair, crossing one leg over the other and folding his arms. "Rajit''s body. His pelvis was completely shattered, and his skull was cracked open." He tilted his head, smirking. "So, here''s my hypothesis about what really happened that night. Rajit violated you¡­ and Aksh found out. He snapped. That rage awakened his Tejas. He struck Rajit with enough force to crush his lower body and then finished him off by smashing his skull. And to erase the evidence, you burned down the house. "So¡­ tell me, Reena. What do you think of my deduction?" Reena started sobbing heavily. "It wasn''t Aksh¡­ he didn''t kill him. I¡­ I was the one who killed Rajit." Arihant''s expression darkened, his previous amusement gone. "Look, denying it won''t help you." "I''m telling you the truth!" Reena shouted. "I killed Rajit!" She wiped her tears away, her voice trembling as guilt clouded her face. "I''ll tell you everything¡­ just promise me one thing¡ªdon''t do anything to my son. But let me be clear about one thing, I will never let him fight the war of you higher-ups. Th¡­ There is something inside of him that is slowly eating away his humanity." Reena started trembling, holding her head, her expression darkening. "The terror and murderous intent I felt from him that day wasn''t something a 12-year-old kid should possess. I¡­ I¡­ I''m afraid if he goes to war with you, he will completely lose his humanity." 3 days ago The day Dhruva came to check on Aksh, Rajit was also there¡ªhidden behind the house. He heard everything. And when he learned that Aksh''s core was broken, all his fear vanished. That night, after Aksh left for work, Rajit returned. Without a word, he struck Reena on the head with a rod. When she regained consciousness, she was tied to a chair. Blood trickled down her face from the wound. Rajit stood before her, his usual monstrous grin stretching across his face. "You whore¡­ now who''s going to protect you?" he sneered. "I know everything. Aksh''s core is shattered. He can''t do shit. I don''t need to be afraid of him anymore." He let out a low, menacing laugh. "Hahaha¡­ I''ve been holding back for six months. But now? It''s time you got what you deserve." He reached for a heated iron rod from the cooking fire. His eyes gleamed with twisted delight. Screams echoed through the night. When Aksh and Tejasvi returned home and opened the door, the sight before him could break any human His mother lay on the floor, her entire body covered in burns and bruises, the evidence of prolonged torment. Aksh immediately hit the back of Tejasvi knocking her unconscious so that she won''t have to witness what was about to come. Rajit stood over her, a rod in his hand, grinning. "Hahahah! Little shit, you finally returned! I was waiting for you. What are you gonna do now, huh? You''re powerless!" Aksh walked past him without a word. Each step carried a weight beyond human comprehension¡ªan authority no emperor or god could possess. He reached Reena, untied her from the ropes, and carefully leaned her against the wall. "So¡­ you finally decided to die," he murmured. Rajit felt a chill crawl down his spine. "D-Do¡­ do you think I''m afraid of you? I already know your core is broken! You¡­ you can''t do shit to me! Hahahaha!". "Shut up", Aksh spoke with absolute authority, his face expressionless. "Ho... how dare you try to threaten me!!" Rajit charged with the rod and swung it to hit Aksh. But there was no one in front of him. He had struck only empty air. As he slowly turned, Aksh was standing behind him, his eyes glowing crimson red, his hair beginning to flow upward. The look in Aksh''s eyes was as if he were gazing at an insignificant insect. His presence was so immense at that moment that Rajit felt as though he were standing before a demon. A red aura started accumulating around Aksh''s body, and an overwhelming pressure began to form. The land started shaking, and the floor beneath Aksh shattered into dust. Rajit tried to retreat, but before he could move, Aksh appeared right in front of him in a split second and delivered a crushing kick to his pelvis. Rajit screamed in pain, writhing on the floor. This wasn''t the first time Rajit had felt true terror. Twelve years ago, he was part of the rear military team. He was not an ordinary human¡ªhe had achieved Three Stars in Tejas. But even back then, he was a depraved man, preying on any woman who caught his eye. Reena was a nurse in the army at that time She was so beautiful that any man will fall in love with her at first sight. She has a mole on her upper lips, her eyes wer big, deep and luminous , and in that depth there was a warm and gentle look. Her brown hair, was gathered into an elegant tie, yet even the restraint could not diminish its beauty. Her skin was as smooth as a polished marble that bore a natural radiance and a warm smile on her face was like a cherry on top. The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. One day, during the war, Rajit was injured and visited the doctor''s tent for treatment. There, he met Reena, and the moment he laid eyes on her, he was bewitched by her elegant beauty¡ªa vision that left him utterly entranced. He spent a few days in the tent, but his perverse nature would not allow him to restrain himself. In his twisted desire, he crushed the beautiful and innocent flower. But this time, he couldn''t escape punishment. Arihant caught him in the act. Arihant arrested Rajit on the spot and presented him before the commander. But the most disheartening thing was the commander''s reaction. He scoffed, "Soldiers need pleasure in times of war. What more is there to it?" Arihant''s eyes burned with fury. "But he destroyed the life of an innocent! We can''t let him go like this, or he''ll do it again!" The commander''s expression darkened, annoyance creeping into his voice. "Don''t forget, Arihant, that I am your superior here. My word is law. If you dare raise your voice in my presence again, I will deal with you according to military law." Arihant clenched his fists. Taking a deep breath, he spoke again, with calmer tone and restrained anger. "So, you''re just going to let him go?" The commander let out an exasperated sigh. "Alright, alright, I''ll punish him. If you hadn''t contributed so much to the military, I would''ve already gotten rid of you, Arihant." Then, raising his voice, the commander declared, "I, the commander of the 12th Battalion, hereby decree that as punishment for indulging in pleasure without the consent of the other party, Rajit shall be married to the victim. Now return to your posts. Everyone dismissed!" Rajit turned back, a provocative smile curling on his lips as he passed by Arihant. But before he could take another step, Arihant''s voice thundered through the tent, infused with traces of Tejas¡ªan authority so absolute that every piece of furniture trembled. "According to Section 4 of the Sexual Harassment Act, if a woman is harassed in the workplace, and the guilty party is a normal human, he shall be executed on the spot. If the guilty possesses Tejas, his core shall be destroyed, and he shall be expelled from the city, never to return again!" In that very instant, before anyone could react, Arihant lunged forward. With one hand, he seized Rajit by the throat, lifting him effortlessly. With his other hand, he struck Rajit''s lower abdomen¡ªshattering his core. Rajit''s scream tore through the camp as his Tejas went out from his body, vanishing like a dying flame. The commander stood frozen, his jaw tightened as he thought to himself. "Even I, a Seven-Star warrior, can''t use my Tejas to command such absolute authority¡­ and yet, Arihant did it effortlessly." His fists clenched, veins bulging from his arms. "If that wasn''t enough¡­ he shattered the core of a Three-Star like it was nothing. That level of control, that sheer power¡­" A sharp chill ran down his spine. "Damn you, Arihant. You''ve already surpassed me, haven''t you? I can''t even fathom the depths of your strength anymore. Could it be¡­ you''ve already reached Eight Stars? Or even higher¡­?" The commander quickly pulled himself together, his face twisting with fury. "How dare you, Arihant?! Defying my orders, disregarding my authority¡ª" "You don''t need to say another word," Arihant cut him off, his voice laced with disdain. "I''m done with this military. So go fuck yourself, you idiot." Arihant turn and cast a disgusted look at Rajit. "Listen, you bastard. The commander has already given his order¡ªyou have no choice but to marry her." His voice dripped with contempt. "But if you ever dare to destroy another innocent life..." He scoffed. "Not that you''re even capable of that anymore." His eyes started glowing, and a white aura flared to life around him, crackling with restrained power. "If you so much as try¡­ I will find you." His voice dropped to an eerie calm. "And I will tear you apart in ways that will make death seem like mercy." "This was the first time Rajit had ever felt true terror. And now... he was drowning in that same terror again¡ªthis time, from his own son." Tears rolled down Rajit''s face, his expression twisting in agony. "H-How¡­ how is this possible?" he gasped, his voice shaking. "How can you have the same pressure as that bastard?!" Aksh took slow, deliberate steps toward him. Rajit''s terror grew with every step. He fell to his knees, his body trembling. "You can''t do this to me, Aksh! I-I''m your father!" he pleaded, his voice breaking. Aksh raised his hand, his crimson eyes burning with fury. "You are no father of mine. No husband to my mother." His voice was eerily calm, absolute. "You are just a pathetic bastard who doesn''t deserve to live." Before Aksh could strike, a deafening crack echoed through the room. Reena had swung the rod with all her strength, smashing it across Rajit''s face. He barely had time to scream before another blow came¡ªthen another. The house rang with the sickening sound of metal meeting flesh. Again. And again. For a full minute, Reena did not stop. She poured every ounce of her pain, her rage, her years of suffering into each strike. When she finally stopped, her hands trembled. The rod, slick with blood, slipped from her grasp and clattered to the floor. She turned to Aksh, her body shaking, tears streaming down her face. She threw herself into his arms, holding him tight. "You don''t have to stain your hands red for this bastard," she sobbed. With ragged breaths, Reena walk toward the kitchen. Her body trembled, but her resolve did not waver. She grabbed the oil lamp and smashed it onto the wooden floor. Flames roared, devouring the house that had been nothing but a prison of pain. But before she could take another step, her vision blurred. The weight of her injuries, the exhaustion, the torment¡ªeverything crashed down on her. She swayed. Her knees buckled. And as the inferno raged behind her, Reena collapsed into unconsciousness.