Beyond {UNDER EDIT}

S1-12- Divulgence

Photo by Prabfateh Singh.
Instagram - prabfatehsingh
-----

The boys sat contentedly on the wooden stools. They acknowledged the presence of the King of Praveg by nodding their heads. What else could they say?
The realization of the hard fact that the Pravegians weren't harsh and ruthless was drumming them tough already. The force commanders and Chief Commander of Praveg sat gracefully around the table.

"Do you Surya citizens recite the poems of Queen Ahalya's glory?"
Asked an inquisitive Sahay, the commander of the second force of Surya.

Abhay looked at Panav for an answer.

Panav cleared his throat. "No. Her name isn't widely known in Surya. Though I do remember reading a short excerpt about her fantastic military strategies. We would love to know more about her."

"Yes we would." Added Rohak, supporting.

Garud was shaken, and he didn't mind showing it clearly on his face.

"Queen Ahalya! Queen Ahalya was the greatest queen this land has ever seen! Her..."

The King raised his hand. "Enough about Ahalya. She is dead. Gone."

There was an unforeseen and creepy silence. Outside the leaves rattled in the cold breeze.

Daylight had already swept the land. The night before was when the boys were brought to the stronghold. Entirely made from stone, an attack would be immensely hard-hitting for the invader. Plus the locational benefit of the escalating peak and forest would further add to the woes. Panav was amazed by such military accomplishment. It indeed was spectacular.

The boys were given comfortable rooms, much to their amazement. One for each, though they decided to stay in one.

"Do you know why we have summoned you all here?" The King's voice was authoritative yet calm. Fitting for such a figure.

"To ask our last wishes." Ojas blabbered whatever came to his mind and the entire room burst out laughing, except the boys.

"Oh boy, Aarush was right, Ojas...You indeed are a humorous figure!"

Abhay stood up. "What did you say?"

"What?"

"How do YOU know Aarush? Where is he!? "

The laughter faded away like a swift waft on an early summer morning.

The King stood up.

Silence.

"The reason why we have called you here is because it's time you'll know the truth. ''

Abhay was about to say something but Rohak cut him off.

"What truth?"

"Alright. Listen to me carefully. You don't have any reason to trust us, but THIS is the actuality -Surya town has brainwashed you. As you'll must have realized by now, that Praveg is a complete antithesis of what you'll have been told. Isn't it?"

The boys nodded in response.

"There exists another clan in this forest- the Danava clan."

He took a breath, and in a moment analysed the face of the boys.

"And supposedly two of their members already encountered you'll yesterday evening."

Rohak was unable to bear the suspense any longer. He had been sleep deprived.

"How did those two did not feel pain!? They weren't even screaming or...."

"That's because they rediscovered the secret." Interfered Pradhyot, the commander of first force.

"What secret?"

The atmosphere was becoming tense. Outside a bird sang beautifully to attract its mate.

"Eons ago, Vashwanth the Great found many secrets that Nature was hiding. This was in regard to every sphere. Being afraid of their misuse, he penned them all in different accounts. All scattered in the forest and the mountains. One of the manuscripts revealed the technique of deactivating the Nervous System. Danava Clan found it."

The boys were too dazed to understand. Panav, though, was excited, Vashwanth was his favorite legend and finally he would get to know more about him. Finally.

Garud added, "So that is why they weren't affected by pain. Because they didn't feel any pain."

"What?!"

The reply was unanimous.

Ojas was regretting now, he wished that he would now wake up in his straw bed back in Surya and all of this was a mere bad dream. But Panav wasn't quenched. Not yet.

"What more do you know about Danava clan, and haven't you found any scroll by Vashwanth?"

The King approved his questions by nodding his head. "Men of Danava clan are evil, they are the ones who define your Surya definition of Praveg. For years, Praveg has been protecting Surya from Danava. They are monsters in human form! They eat raw flesh of the victims they kill!"

The boys shuddered.

"And about your second question, we have found three scrolls of Vashwanth. The first talks about the medicinal use of various berries and plants. The second talks about building a perfect military stronghold. Which, as you have seen, has been implemented."

"And the third?"

The King sat down. Agreeably, he looked miserable. The other force commanders had the same response. Then Chief Commander Garud cleared his throat.

"The third scroll is a prophecy. It states that in the year after four quadrapled centuries,, which means next year, a huge war will wipe out all the kingdoms and the new ruler will rule them all together."

Abhay was a little muddled. "What's gloomy in that?"

"It states that the new ruler will be a Danava."

----------

King Hriju popped grapes in his mouth while enjoying the show of naked dancers in front of him.

Devarishi, who sat beside, thoughfully looked at him. "Why did you let them go?"

"If I didn't, our reputation would be spoiled. If that happened, our plan would fail."

"They might have figured out that it was all a lie. Once they figure out that Chand indeed is a real place, that's when it will all begin."

Hriju turned. "What will begin?"

"The great war Vashwanth predicted."

--------End Of Season 1-----------