T.O.L.D : A Tale Of Light and Darkness

Ep. 18 The Fall of Indrapur

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The night outside the palace was a suffocating blanket of black, pressing down on Indrapur like a vice.

Inside, the atmosphere mirrored the darkness, thick with the weight of impending doom, heavy and unrelenting.

As the portal opened within Abhinandan's chambers, it was as though a tear had formed in the fabric of reality itself.

The room was suddenly filled with an oppressive energy that crackled in the air, making the hairs on the back of one's neck stand.

Abhinandan's heart pounded in his chest as he stepped through the swirling vortex of the portal. The sight that greeted him on the other side made his blood run cold.

The chamber, usually a place of refuge and warmth, was now a battleground of emotions and fear.

In the center of the chamber, Zaheer loomed over Anushka, his blade poised at her throat. The dim light danced across the cold steel of the weapon, reflecting in Anushka's wide, terrified eyes.

Her body trembled uncontrollably, every muscle tense with fear, but she remained still, her breath shallow and rapid as she noticed Abhinandan's arrival.

"Don't, Zaheer! Stop," Mahir commanded, his voice slicing through the tension like a knife.

The authority in his tone made Zaheer immediately stop, and slightly move his blade away from Anushka's throat.

Zaheer released Anushka, and she immediately curled into herself, pulling her knees to her chest in a desperate, protective gesture. Her body trembled, defenseless and small, as if trying to shrink away from the terror surrounding her.

Yet, as her eyes met Abhinandan's, she froze. There he stood, the man she loved, held at swordpoint by Mahir. His expression was a tortured mix of anger, helplessness, and desperation.

"Maharaj!" she cried out, her voice barely above a whisper, thick with fear. "Who are these people? What do they want?"

Mahir's lips curled into a sinister smile, his eyes gleaming with malice.

"Maharani Anushka," he began, his tone mockingly courteous. "I apologize for greeting you under such dire circumstances. You see, I've been trying to explain to your husband what I want, but he seems rather... stubborn." Mahir tightened his grip on the sword at Abhinandan's throat, shaking him slightly as if to emphasize his words.

"Run away, Anushka! Save yourself!" Abhinandan shouted, his voice cracking with urgency.

Mahir chuckled, the sound devoid of any humor. "Ah, Maharaj, What makes you think we'll simply allow that?" he sneered, his tone dripping with mockery. "It's time to end this charade. Now, tell me, where is the Crown of Dorath?"

Abhinandan hesitated, his mind racing.

The Crown of Dorath was not just a symbol of power; it was a relic of immense significance, something he had sworn to protect at all costs.

But now, with Anushka's life hanging by a thread, the weight of his duty felt like a crushing burden. He couldn't allow Mahir to get his hands on the crown, but what choice did he have?

Mahir, sensing his hesitation, signaled to Zaheer.

The ruthless commander stepped forward, his movements predatory. He grabbed Anushka once more, this time with brutal force.

She struggled against his grip as his arm quickly snaked around her waist, pulling her roughly against him.

She let out a cry that was quickly silenced as his other hand pressed the blade more firmly against her throat, forcing her to silence.