Liars, Deaths, Scales & The Sword Of Lanka

6 • New Found Interests

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The morning sun glinted off the polished surface of Arjun's armor as he leaned slightly against his bow, still watching Apsara with that infuriating smirk. Her heart was racing-not just from the rush of hitting every target but also from the inexplicable magnetism of his presence.

"You seem to enjoy staring," she quipped, brushing a stray strand of hair away from her face. "Is that a skill they teach in royal training?"

Arjun straightened, his smirk widening into a grin. "Observation is key to strategy. Besides, you're full of surprises. I'm just trying to figure out if you're hiding anything else up your sleeve."

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Apsara shot back, her tone edged with mock sweetness.

Before he could reply, the sound of footsteps interrupted them. Bhishma and Vidura approached, their imposing figures commanding respect even in the casual setting of the training grounds.

"Arjun," Bhishma's voice boomed, his gaze shifting briefly to Apsara before settling on his grandnephew, "I trust you've been putting them to the test?"

"I have," Arjun replied, his tone suddenly more formal. "And I have to admit, she's not entirely hopeless."

Apsara raised an eyebrow at his choice of words but bit back a retort as Bhishma stepped closer, inspecting her with a keen eye.

"Great, " Bhishma said, his deep voice rumbling. "But skill with a bow is only one aspect of what's required. You and your companions will face more tests in the coming days-tests that will determine whether you're allies or liabilities."

Apsara exchanged a glance with her friends, their earlier confidence tempered by Bhishma's gravitas.

"What kind of tests?" she ventured, her voice steady despite the growing weight of his words.

Bhishma didn't answer directly. Instead, he turned to Arjun. "Ensure they're ready. If they fail, their fates rest in Vidura's hands."

With that ominous statement, Bhishma and Vidura left, their footsteps echoing against the stone floors of the arena.

Apsara exhaled sharply, turning back to Arjun. "Ready for what, exactly? He could at least give us a hint."

Arjun shrugged, slinging his bow over his shoulder. "You'll find out soon enough. But if you're worried, you might want to practice a little more. I doubt hitting stationary targets will be enough."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "You enjoy this, don't you? Lording your experience over us like you're untouchable."

Apsara stood still for a moment, her mind racing with the events that had just unfolded. She clenched her fists, reminding herself that she wasn't going to back down.

"What's next?" she asked, her voice steady, though the excitement from the challenge still lingered in her chest.

Arjun, standing just a few feet away, glanced at her with a calculating look in his eyes. He seemed to take his time before answering, as though he were trying to decide something.

"The next step?" He stepped forward, his eyes flicking over her carefully. "You prove that you're worth more than what you've shown so far."

Apsara raised an eyebrow. "I'm sure I can handle that."

For a moment, there was an unspoken tension between them, something that felt like more than just the heat of competition. A silent understanding passed between them, one of respect and rivalry.

"Show me then," Arjun challenged, his tone softer now, almost teasing. "Let's see what else you've got."

Apsara's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly masked it with a smirk. "Oh, I'm just getting started."

Without another word, she reached for another arrow from her quiver, nocking it with precision. Her fingers brushed lightly against the wood, and she felt an electric pulse through her. The arrow seemed to hum with power in her hands. She aimed at a different target this time, a large wooden pillar at the far end of the arena.

"I think I'll aim higher," she said, her voice cool and steady.

Arjun watched her closely, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. There was something about her confidence that drew him in. He didn't know why, but something in the way she moved made the air feel heavier, charged.

She released the arrow with a swift motion, her focus unwavering. The arrow flew through the air with unmatched speed and precision, hitting its target dead center, the pillar splitting in half.

Apsara exhaled slowly, lowering her bow with a sense of satisfaction. "Well, that's one way to make a statement."

Arjun was quiet for a moment, his eyes not leaving her. "Guess I could condone that as good," he muttered under his breath. Then, with a mock-serious tone, he added, "But I hope you're not planning to show me up too much. I wouldn't want to be forced to put you in your place."

Apsara laughed lightly, shaking her head. "I'm not trying to show anyone up. Just proving I'm capable of handling myself. Besides, you're not the only one with tricks up their sleeve, Arjun."

He raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Is that so?"

Without another word, Arjun stepped back, gesturing to the training ground. "You've impressed me enough for now. But don't think you're off the hook. Bhishma will want to see more tomorrow."

Apsara smirked and nodded, her heart still racing from their brief but intense exchange. "I'll be ready."

As Arjun turned to leave, he glanced over his shoulder one last time. "You're not so bad, Apsara," he said, his tone almost warmer than it had been before. "But next time, don't think I'll go easy on you."

Arjun's smirk returned, but there was a glimmer of something softer in his gaze. "And Apsara, about what you said before...It's not about being untouchable, Apsara. It's about surviving. And if you can't keep up, you're the one who'll have to face Bhishma's wrath."

With that, he turned and began walking away, leaving Apsara simmering with a mix of frustration and intrigue.

"Keep up," she muttered under her breath, watching him disappear into the palace corridors. "I'll do more than that."

Her friends approached her then, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and concern.

"What's the deal with him?" Vasuda asked, glancing in the direction Arjun had gone.

Apsara shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "I'm not sure. But one thing's for certain-he's not going to make this easy for us."

Little did she know, Arjun's thoughts weren't entirely on the tests ahead. As he walked through the grand halls of the palace, his mind lingered on Apsara's smirk, her sharp retorts, and the fire in her eyes. She was unlike anyone he'd ever encountered, and for reasons he couldn't quite explain, he found himself wanting to see just how far that fire would take her.

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to be continued

sorry for delay, I had Exams.....
So I published two new chapters, hope you guys like it, also I am thinking of shipping Maya and Nakul in a fun way. What's your opinion on it🤔