Pandora's Box!

Forged in Battle

Hey guys ! Here's the 14th chapter. I hope you guys like it !

(Kartike's point of view)

She looked very different, her eyes, her expression as if she had experienced epiphany. She looked carefully at us before giving us a group hug. "Uttara, Kartike, Mohit, all of you are my progeny." She said with conviction.

Each of us looked perturbed because as per her Uttara & I were relatives! "This can't be happening!" I said under my breath but loud enough for Uttara to nudge me. "I am the reincarnation of Savitri and I recall everything now." She spoke with a sense of purpose. I looked at Mohit who seemed disturbed, he expected to have Latika back but this was entirely unexpected. She narrated the story in fulsome and more so about our current situation. We weren't actually in the real world but trapped in a place created by illusionists Aaran (the man in black) and Aahana who were Satyagni's progeny. All the pieces of the puzzle began to assemble.

They had found the forbidden urn and only we could stop them from opening the Pandora's Box because only we could open it! It was so ironic.

"Kartike, you are my horse, your ability to surprise your opponents makes you one." She looked at me with assurance. Then she focused on Uttara, "you are my wazir (rook), your ability to anticipate your enemy's moves makes you one. Both of you will keep Aahana occupied." She said in an instructive tone. We nodded obediently. I glanced at Uttara, she looked nervous; I couldn't maintain my cool either. Both of us knew what Aahana was capable of!

"Mohit, you are my knight, you shall stay by my side as we confront the black queen and her knight Aaran", she said while placing her hands in his. "We have to get ready, they can come any moment." Her voice echoed in the entire room. At that moment my adrenaline began to gush through my veins, I gulped nervously but the very thought of losing them kept me from giving in.

She got up to move outside the Motel and we followed suit. The sky was covered with grey clouds implying an approaching thunderstorm, the winds blew ferociously while we stood absolutely still in anticipation of our enemies.

In the midst of dust storm, appeared 3 figurines; Aaran with his grey eyes and ruffled hair, Aahana with her pretentious smile and devilish beauty, and finally the black queen with her twilight complexion and hazel eyes, all were dressed in black. The queen set her eyes on Latika and roared," It's time my progeny. Let's take them down!"

(Mohit's point of view)

As soon as, we heard the battle cry from the other end, Latika spread her arms like an albatross with her eyes closed. Something very weird happened, a sword fell on my feet, Kartike was mounted on a white horse with a javelin in his hand while Uttara sat behind him with quiver of arrows and a bow hung across her torso. I wasn't expecting a fair play but then I realised Savitri wasn't our ordinary Latika.

The battle had begun. Everyone seemed to tighten their grip on their respective weapons but I was too conflicted; My mind went back to Latika, her doe shaped eyes, her clumsiness, her innocence, now the lass who stood in front of me had glowing deep brown eyes, a warrior like demeanour, mastery in battle manoeuvres and her softness had vanished, she looked determined as she lifted her sword in preparation. Here I was thinking about talking to her about my feelings, my guilt ridden heart, and now I stood beside Savitri or Latika, I didn't know... Oh gosh, I was a mess! I didn't like this new version of her as if she needed no one... I wanted her back and normal. I sounded so selfish when she showed not a hint of fear. She called out to me, and on seeing her grit, all the thoughts vanished from my head. I had to be with her, fight for her as destined.

Was I not disturbed? Sure as hell! But I had to wait as time would tell...Latika and I stood facing Satyagni and that jerk Aaran whose guitar had transformed into a sword. Uttara and Kartike had their eyes set on Aahana who had mounted a black horse and laughed like a maniac.

"Aaran..." I gave a snort of disgust. He had his eyes on Latika while she looked at Satyagni, but the way his grey eyes gazed at her, I just couldn't stand it. They seemed conflicted as they looked at her with tenderness; this burnt a hole in my heart. We ran towards each other and our swords clashed; the sound was so thunderous that it shook me. I tried to swing the sword at him in an attempt to wound his arm but he was too swift, he moved aside and smirked, "So, you are the one, she cares about so much, her weakest link! So unworthy!"

I tried again but this time I didn't miss, "You devil. You changed her!" I panted. As soon as I painted a nasty cut on his arm, a sudden downpour blinded my vision. "She was normal and now she could die and God forbid if that happens, I will make you beg for your life before I kill you in cold blood." I spat.

Aaran caught me unaware and left me with a deep gash on my back. I felt the blood soaking my shirt; I staggered and fell on my knees. "I changed her? You moron! I was shell-shocked when she told me that she was Savitri!" His voice echoed in the thunderstorm. "I wanted to save her but she turned out to be the one I had to kill..."He spoke in disdain. "How do you think I felt? I am duty bound to kill her when I..." He stopped in midway. He pulled his sword for another attack but I lifted mine in time to stop his, another clash sent a deafening sound in the skies. "Let go...and I might spare you." He spoke slyly. I couldn't say a word; a stinging pain ran through my muscles as I tried to push him away. I got up with all my strength; we were face to face with our swords tangled between us. "I won't let go Aaran...I won't! I am gonna help Latika and take her with me when all this is over." I spoke determinedly.

We were eye to eye...He looked bewildered. "You love her", he spoke under his breath. "Yes I do and I know that you do too!" I spoke with conviction. "Help me Aaran, we need to protect her..." Before I could complete, he hit me in my gut with the butt of his sword that left me in pain. "There can't be two lovers." He spoke sardonically with a devilish grin spreading on his face. He moved and I screamed.......................

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SOOOOOOOO.....I just realized that I love cliffhangers!

So Team Aaran or Team Mohit ....? :D

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Until next time ! XO