The Tranquil Three

18. Strengthening themselves

It had been two weeks since the wedding of Vikram and Ahivati. During that time, Vikram had enjoyed a peaceful existence, but he knew it wouldn't last. Ahivati was determined to assist her husband in any way she could.

One morning, Vikram woke up and found Ahivati sleeping peacefully next to him. He felt guilty knowing that he would soon bring turmoil into her life. Suddenly, she woke up and saw Vikram standing in front of her. She hugged him and said, "Good morning, Adi. I hope you slept well." Ahivati had stopped calling him "her lord" at his request.

The two individuals hurriedly took a bath and dressed up in their finest attire, eager to attend the court meeting that had already commenced. The topic of discussion was the imminent threat of a surprise attack from the enemy, Tamaslok, and the need to strengthen their military for any such eventuality.

Vikram suggested that the soldiers should receive training from the wise Sages, who readily agreed to assist. Bhujgendra lauded Vikram's idea.

The Prime Minister, however, posed a question to Vikram, "Vikram ji, with a soldier strength of 30,00,000, how can the Three Sages possibly train each soldier individually? Each Sage would have to train 10,00,000 soldiers, which would take a significant amount of time, wouldn't it?"

Vikram calmly responded, "Mahamantri ji, please don't worry about that. We will divide the soldiers into various ranks and groups, with each group consisting of 1,00,000 soldiers. Under the guidance of each Sage, there will be 10 battalions of soldiers who will receive training."

Vikram went on to explain that there were ten battalions under each sage, with five battalions being trained under each elemental power. This meant that there would be a total of 99,990 Padasainik, with the remaining 100 individuals being the leaders of each battalion. Of these leaders, there would be 90 Rathis, 9 AtiRathis, and 1 Maharathi, who would hold the highest rank in the battalion.

The Maharathis would be fully trained by the sages, and they would then go on to train the AtiRathis. The AtiRathis, in turn, would train the 90 Rathis, and those 90 Rathis would then train the remaining 99,900 Padasainik. As there would be a total of 30 Battalions, the speaker requested the Maharshigan to select 30 Maharathis, who would then have the responsibility of choosing their military.

Vikram's ideas were met with admiration in the courtroom, impressing everyone present. The Sages were particularly intrigued by his insights and requested that Kartikeya and Pranay introduce them to the best soldiers. After the meeting concluded, Vikram and Ahivati took a stroll through the Garden, basking in the tranquillity of the surroundings.

Ahivati couldn't help but compliment Vikram on his intelligence, telling him that he was not just strong but also intelligent in his tactics. He expressed his pleasure at having her accompany him on the journey, emphasizing the importance of her being in top shape, both physically and mentally. He asked her to train as hard as possible to awaken her serpent powers to their peak potential.

Moved by his words, Ahivati promised to give her best effort in training, determined to be a valuable asset to Vikram on their upcoming journey.

As the sun began to set, Vikram and Ahivati made their way to the Royal training grounds. Upon arrival, Vikram removed his sandals and bowed in respect to the area. Ahivati followed suit and joined him in paying homage to the training grounds. They then turned to face each other, ready to begin their evening training session.

Vikram's voice was firm and encouraging as he instructed Ahivati to give her best effort without hesitation. With a nod of agreement, they began sparring, starting with some basic punches. Vikram watched as Ahivati's movements grew increasingly fluid and precise.

As the intensity of their training increased, Vikram instructed Ahivati to use her powers. With a deep breath, she activated her Serpent abilities and rushed towards him in a flash. Vikram's quick reflexes allowed him to dodge her Venom fangs, and he watched in awe as Ahivati quickly turned to attack him again.

This time, Vikram used his Water Palm to block her incoming fist, and they engaged in an intense and thrilling duel. The sound of their movements echoed throughout the training grounds as they battled with all their might. The determination in their eyes was a testament to their commitment to becoming better and better every day.

After their training session, they realized that they had run out of Ūrja, so they decided to call it a day. Vikram complimented Ahi on her agility and attack intensity, saying "You have improved a lot, Ahi! I am impressed." Ahi in turn complimented Vikram saying "You aren't any less, Adi. You possess great speed!" After taking a bath and finishing dinner, they both went to bed.

The next morning, both Vikram and his sister Kadambari got ready for the court meeting. When they arrived, they found Bhujgendra having a conversation with Mahamantri, Maharshigan, and the Commanders. Hriday, Mahadev Aajoba's grandson, and Mrinmayee were also present.

Hriday praised Vikram's strategy about the Military and said that he was impressed. Hriday and Mahadev Aajoba had recruited some civilians to be military doctors and provide first aid. Mrinmayee also complimented Vikram's tactics as being very diplomatic and tactful.

Bhujgendra informed Vikram that as he was going to embark on a journey to acquire The Orders, 3 battalions would accompany him, Pavitra, and Kadambari. Bhujgendra wished them good luck.

Vikram expressed his gratitude to Pitashri with a "Thank you." Then, both Vikram and Ahivati humbly touched the feet of Bhujgendra and the Sages. Everyone present was praising Vikram. He looked at Ahivati and noticed that she was admiring him with her eyes. On the night during Dinner, he asked her about it. She replied that she was just adoring him and that she could not express her love towards him. Her eyes were dilating as she talked to him. He smiled and gently stroked her cheeks. She blushed from within. He had planned his journey towards acquiring all the orders, and after a peaceful rest, he went to sleep.

While he was sleeping, Vikram had a dream about beautiful mountains, forests, and a stunning lake in the centre. The next morning, he shared his dream with Ahivati who was puzzled. They decided to ask Shashidhar about it. Shashidhar explained that what Vikram saw in his dream was Mayalok, the surroundings of Mayasarovar that held many secrets known only to Guruvar. Vikram was worried and said that the place seemed familiar to him, but he was not sure why. Shashidhar was confused by this.

What is it that makes Vikram feel a sense of familiarity with these places, apart from his Bloodline? Is there something more significant that connects him to Ramaraman? And what can we expect to find when Vikram and his team embark on their journey to Mayasarovar? The anticipation is palpable, and I can't wait to discover all the exciting events that will unfold on this thrilling adventure.

To be continued...