The First Empress

Antidote

The greatest use of a life is to spend it on something that will outlast it.

As Aditha lay utterly motionless on the ground, every eye on the battlefield remained fixed on him. Nearby, Rajendra struggled to breathe, each breath heavy and uneven.

However, as he forced his head to turn, he saw Aditha lying utterly still on the blood-stained earth. A cruel satisfaction spread through him at that sight.

Summoning every remaining ounce of strength within him, Rajendra forced himself to stand. His legs trembled beneath him, but rage and pride held him upright. Slowly, unsteadily, he walked toward Aditha's motionless form. He stopped beside him.

Then he lifted his gaze and looked at Sangamithra.

Rajendra: Avan enna nilaiyil kidakkiraan endru paar...

His voice was hoarse, but thick with cruel triumph.

Sangamithra did not turn. She did not blink. She did not give him the satisfaction of a reaction. Her eyes remained fixed on Aditha steady, unyielding. The indifference enraged him.

Grinding his teeth, Rajendra bent down and grabbed Aditha by his chains. With deliberate force, he dragged his unconscious brother across the ground. Dust rose around them as Aditha's body scraped against the earth. Gasps echoed across the battlefield.

Rajendra pulled him toward a stone stair nearby and roughly propped him up against it, forcing him into a sitting position as though displaying a defeated trophy.

Blood continued to run down Aditha's face.

Rajendra stepped back, breathing heavily, his chest heaving, waiting.

Waiting for Sangamithra to break.

She did not react. Not even a flicker. Her eyes remained fixed on Aditha, unwavering, as though the world around her no longer existed. The silence infuriated Rajendra.

Determined to force a reaction from her, he began striking Aditha with his bare hands. Blow after blow landed on the unmoving warrior's body. The sound of flesh meeting flesh echoed cruelly across the battlefield.

With one violent strike, Aditha's thalaipaagai, adorned with the crown jewel, was knocked loose. It flew across the ground and landed at Sangamithra's feet.

It touched her. Still, she did not move.

Aditha's tightly bound hair came undone, dark strands falling over his shoulders, framing his blood-streaked face. Rajendra continued beating him mercilessly, across his chest, his shoulders, his already wounded head as though trying to erase not just the man, but the legend he represented.

A murmur rippled through the soldiers.

Veera's hands tightened into fists. Every instinct within him screamed to intervene. He took half a step forward. Then stopped. He forced himself to think.

Rajendra was injured. Exhausted. Bleeding. He would not be able to continue this for even a single naazhigai.

And if Veera stepped in now, it would end the duel dishonorably. Clenching his jaw, Veera remained where he stood battling not an enemy, but his own restraint.

And through it all, Sangamithra remained unmoved. Watching. Waiting.

At the same time, on the other side of the temple courtyard, Rudhra turned to Rana and placed the knife in his hand. His young face bore no trace of fear.

Rudhra: En karatthai kizhiyungal mama...

He said steadily.

Rudhra: Naam kodukka pogum marundhu seyalpada vendumendraal, adhu en ratthatthil kalakka vendum allava?