The Dark Of The Light ||| (ON HOLD)

Adhaata

"The father and daughter will travel together.
The one with my blood will defeat Eaval, but for the one to live the other shall perish.
The journey will take one life and save other.
The father alone in the journey shall perish, only the daughter can save him if sacrificed instead.
In Kanaan lies the key, to defeat Eaval, only the daughter can retrieve.
Eaval has found the vessel, he will enter it when the daughter breathes first. The daughter will battle death before birth and defeat it.
The daughter shall be have more power than any, as her naming will reveal her identity.
The Emperor and princess must travel together."

Satvik woke up covered in perspiration. The words came back to him. Three and half years back he had expected it was Ajinkya. Ajinkya's power and the second child's birth had given him a ray of hope. But the baby too was blessed and had defeated death."

"I cannot stop the inevitable." He told himself, "It was my sin that I caused the child to be born, to kill her at the right time. But fate has brought me back from where I started."

*******************
The trial had affected the lives of all individuals of Ethar. The truth had unsettled everyone. Curfews were placed in markets, ports, temples and squares. Not more than seven people were allowed to gather at a place till the Voyage of the Emperor. All celebrations and functions were private affairs. More youths were being trained to be Kshatriyas, to be inducted in the Royal Army or the Rajdhani or state guards.

The Royal Castle was once more preparing for a naming ceremony, but this time with limited guests. Only the royal family and few ministers like Dasonda and Sebastian were allowed. Jaya had denied to attend here younger niece's naming, inspite of repeated requests by Shakuntala.

Ajinkya and Aashika were playing in the Royal garden when a familiar face appeared.

"How have you been princess?" He asked. Ajinkya could not recognize Haron at first. He had cleaned up well.  His face still had small scar through is left eyebrow. His hair had been trimmed short, the stubble had disappeared. His face had tanned due to travel. Yet his eyes twinkled when he saw Ajinkya.

"Haroooooon," Ajinkya exclaimed and rushed up to him,"Have you seen the decorations she exclaimed." As Haron picked her up. Aashika walked slowly to the two.

"Stranger's are not allowed in the castle, and definitely not close to the princess." She spoke cautiously to the young man.

"But Haron isn't stranger, he is my friend." Ajinkya replied.

"Your friend here is not as smart as you Ajinkya." Haron smirked at Ashika.

"I am her cousin. The daughter of the emperor's sister."

"That is hardly an identity to be revered." Haron said teasingly to Aashika.

"And who are you, by the looks of it, some trasg Aboli picked up on the way?"

"Don't be so rude to him Aashi," Ajinkya said indignantly "Haron saved my life, from the Eavaling."

Realization dawned on Ashika's face. "So you are the looter." She smirked.

"At your service." Haron bowed jokingly.

"We have to get ready for the naming, Ajinkya come on."

Haron bent down and allowed Ajinkya to run to her cousin. The two girls started to walk towards the castle.

"My lady, where you are born doesn't define who you are," Haron called out, "what you do defines you. Hope the next time your list of achievement will be more than being the Emperor's niece."

He smiled teasingly as Ashika turned around and made a grudging face before disappearing inside the castle.

Haron went to complete his purpose of visit. Cabo was standing at the foot of the marble staircase that lead to the Emperor's courtroom. The two teenagers walked up and entered the courtroom.

"The emperor is expecting you." Said a Castle guard stationed at the entrance "Walk straight to the ante chamber behind the platform."

The two followed his instructions and walked down the empty courtroom.
The ante chamber was a big square room. It had one long mahogany table with one chair at the head and twelve on either sides. At the moment only five of them were occupied. The Emperor sat at the head, while the Prime Minister, Commander of the army and the Commander's of the Royal and Castle guards sat on his either side.

"I hope your stay has been pleasant Haron." The Emperor greeted the two boys in a kind tone. "I can never really thank you enough for what you have done."

"Your Highness, we are grateful for your hospitality, but we wanted to ask for a small favour."

"I have paid your leader Jorah 10000 Gulars. But that doesn't mean you shall be deprived from a little more." He said with a smile.

"Its not Gulars we ask for," Haron took a deep breath before continuing "you see I lost my family to that dark creature, and from that day all I ever wanted to do was hunt every one of them." Haron said. "It is an honour we ask for, which we donot deserve, after the years of looting," he paused "I and Cabo here wish to be Kshatriyas and join the fight against Eaval and his demons." He said and bowed.

"That is not what I expected when you wished to meet us." Vayu replied taken aback by the young boy's request,"I will leave that decision upon my Commander."

Jaiveera smiled at the boy "You don't need to request young Haron, the Army and the Guards will be blessed to have such brave men like you." 

"I shall forever be indebted for your kindness my lord," an exhilarated Haron replied.

"And the empire shall forever be indebted for your bravery." Jaiveera said, as the others nodded in agreement.

"Since you are here today, why don't you stay for the naming?" Asked the Prime Minister.

"Pardon my refusal my lady," Haron replied "but my brothers will be leaving today. I wish to bid them farewell on their departure."

"Anything else we can do for you?" The emperor asked.

"No my lord that is all we wanted."

"Haron, yours and Cabo's training will begin from tomorrow," Veerbhadra spoke "I will send you an Eagle with the location of the camps, don't share it with anyone." He warned.
The two boys nodded and left.

***************

The naming ceremony lacked the grandeur the previous one witnessed. Once the rituals were over Satvik went to the glass jar and drew a chit.

"Adhaata," he whispered to himself before looking at the baby, "The second born of the Emperor and Empress is Adhaata." He said loudly.

********
"The operator is not pleased with your  actions, High priest." The Oracle spoke "Your weakness for the woman has eroded your morality."

"Give me one chance to redeem myself. I vow to not be fazed ever. I have sinned and penance awaits me. I pledge my life to the Operator."

"Your life was never yours to pledge High priest. It forever belongs to the Operator." Said the Oracle "The soul is yours, and what you choose to do with it, depends on you."

" I pledge my soul to the Operator," Satvil spoke dejectedly "every act of mine shall be to fulfill the Operator's mission."

"You have learnt your lesson, High Priest. Remember everything that is meant to happen shall happen. Ethar will either loose a princess or the emperor. Time will show us who. But the one who survives shall end the dark days that are to consume, Ethar. Remember the darkness precedes and follows. What is in between is light. Dark has always been part of the light. Unless darkness falls, we won't be able to see light again. Eaval and Operator are like Dark and light. You cannot see one unless you have seen the other."

"I am not being able to fathom your words, thy holiness."

"You will, in time. Meanwhile make sure they are well prepared for the voyage. Nothing must go wrong before Kanaan. Both the princesses must visit Kanaan with the Emperor."

******************