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61. Anirudh is dead?

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Anirudh's POV

The sun was setting over the blood-soaked battlefield, painting the sky a furious crimson. It had been one month since the war began; one month of sleepless nights, endless bloodshed, and countless sacrifices. I had never imagined that I would have to raise my sword against my own blood, my cousin, Karanveer. But fate had left me with no choice.

He had been trying very hard for the past few months to kill me or my brother and destroy my family. But despite all his efforts, he had been unsuccessful in everything until now. I had been going easy on him, holding back, because somewhere deep inside, I had thought that, with time, he would come to understand the truth that it was his own father who had first betrayed my father and murdered him in cold blood.

But no. He was too blinded by his thirst for revenge to see reason. He wanted nothing but vengeance for his father's death. And while I could understand that sentiment after all, I too was in his position where I was seeking revenge for my father’s murder, but there was a crucial difference between us. I knew my father had been an innocent man, a victim of jealousy and greed. Whereas His father, on the other hand, had been a ruthless and greedy monster, driven by envy, who had murdered my father for power and pride.

His father before dying had already forged secret alliances with my enemy kingdoms, making it easier for Karanveer to seek their support in the war. I had anticipated it long ago, knowing in my heart that we were destined to clash one day, to face each other on the battlefield. Even then, I had resolved that when the time came, I would fight him but not kill him, because despite everything, he was my cousin brother, my blood.

But everything changed the moment he revealed the true depths of his hatred. It was not only his father's revenge that fueled his actions. No, it was something far darker and more unforgivable. He demanded something that was beyond all reason, something that shattered whatever little mercy I still had left for him.

He asked for my wife, Nayantara.

The audacity, the sheer disrespect was beyond anything I could have imagined. How could he even think such a thing? How could he dare to set his eyes on Nayantara, the woman who was my soul, my strength, my everything?

My blood boiled with a rage I had never known before. At that moment, I knew there would be no more holding back. No more mercy. No more second chances. His fate was sealed the moment he spoke those cursed words.

I might have spared him had he asked for anything else, lands, gold, even a throne, but my wife? She was sacred. She was mine, and mine alone. No one, not even my own blood, could dream of touching her without facing the full wrath of my sword.

He had allied himself with my sworn enemies kingdoms that had long sought to destroy everything I stood for. While Somgarh, Tara's kingdom, Indraprastha, ruled by my loyal friend, Shantanu and Surajyansh my new allied kingdom with three more kingdoms had stood beside me like unshakable pillars. Together, we had shattered enemy lines, crushed their spirit.

Now, more than half of their army lay lifeless across the scorched earth. Victory was almost in my grasp.

Almost.

I stood face-to-face with Karanveer amidst the chaos. His armor was dented, his crown smeared with dust and blood. His eyes, once familiar, now glinted with hatred.

"Anirudh!" he snarled, raising his sword high. "You killed my father, now it's time for you to meet yours."

I glared at him, only the next few moments would tell who was going to meet his father. And I was sure it would be him.