In the northern continent of Vaikarthan, nestled within the mightiest of all kingdoms—Visharad, the land of a thousand banners—lived a boy named Rudra.
At sixteen, Rudra looked like any other student. Average in most ways—wheat-colored skin, a slightly large nose, tousled black hair, and warm, quiet eyes. But those who spent time with him knew there was something different about the way he saw the world: not as a battlefield or a ladder to climb, but as something to be understood, questioned, even enjoyed.
He lived with his uncle Ishaan, an aging man with tired eyes and a limp that never quite went away. Their house, tucked on the quieter edge of the city, smelled of incense, old books, and memories. Their bond ran deeper than most saw—built over years of quiet dinners, long silences, and a gentle, unspoken love.
Every morning began the same way. Rudra would rise early, wash in the backyard cistern, and prepare breakfast with more care than he showed in his studies. This day, the sky had barely begun to blush with dawn when he brought two steaming bowls of spiced lentils to the low table.
"Too much cumin," Ishaan muttered.
"Your taste buds are old," Rudra replied, smiling as he sat across from him.
"And your ambitions are even older. You dream like a grandfather."
Rudra laughed, poking at his food. "At least I dream."
Ishaan gave him a look. "Dreams are meant to move you forward, not put you to sleep. You've got a gift, Rudra. You should use it."
"I'm not wasting it," Rudra said, resting his chin in his hand. "I just don't want what everyone else wants. I don't need to become some glowing champion of the empire. I just want a quiet life."
"There's nothing quiet about this world," Ishaan said gently. "And sometimes the world comes to your doorstep even if you don't invite it."
They sat in silence for a while, the tension never sharp, but present—like a ripple beneath calm water.
"I just don't want to see you regret anything," Ishaan added quietly.
Rudra's smile faded for a second. "Then maybe I should regret less... and live more."
The gates of Adraksha Academy loomed ahead, stone and bronze glowing in the morning light. Rudra strolled with a lazy gait, hands behind his head, enjoying the way the wind tugged at his robes.
Waiting for him were his closest friends.
Amber, radiant and sharp-eyed, stood in the light like she belonged there. Her amber-colored eyes earned her name, but it was her kindness that earned loyalty. From a minor noble house, she never acted above anyone, always the first to laugh, to help, to challenge injustice.
Beside her stood Jade, tall and composed, every inch the future soldier. He had trained since childhood, and his sword was almost an extension of his arm. But when Amber was near, a certain stiffness crept into his perfect posture.
"You're late," Jade said, pretending to scowl.
"I had a crisis of meaning this morning," Rudra replied. "Ended in philosophical defeat and cumin poisoning."
Amber chuckled. "Let me guess—your uncle lectured you about your destiny again?"
"He did," Rudra said. "Apparently, the universe is very disappointed in my career plans."
The three of them laughed, falling into step like old gears sliding into place.
They'd known each other since childhood—Rudra the wanderer, Amber the light, and Jade the shield. They'd once built forts in the woods and declared themselves rulers of the Hidden Kingdom. Now, older but not too old, they clung to the ritual of their friendship like it was armor.
The day unfolded in typical Adraksha rhythm.
First came history. Professor Bhatt, kind but senile, droned about founding legends—the great unification of Visharad by Samrat Karunesh dev Visharad and his brother Raj dev Vishara . The story was one of blood, loss, and endless war. Rudra, halfway asleep, doodled flying fish with swords in the margins of his notebook.
Then came current affairs: the Empire's ruling structure.
Samrat – the divine emperor, seen as the voice of the heavens
The Five Noble Houses – each ruling vast provinces with their own armies and traditions
The Ten Divine Generals – enforcers of law and warriors of unmatched might, protectors of the empire's balance
The lecture droned on, but Rudra stared out the window, watching clouds move slowly across a blue sky.
The final class of the day was Divine Path Training.
Here, students trained to touch the first realm of power—Prāṇa Initiation, the awakening of the life force. Breathing exercises, meditation, body alignment, intense physical training ,ritual movements designed to align one's internal energy with the energy of the world.
Rudra was naturally gifted. His Prāṇa stirred when others still struggled to feel it. His movements were fluid, effortless, but always done with a smirk, a joke, a yawn.
He never truly pushed.
After classes, the trio escaped toward the woods.
Their secret glade was not so secret anymore—overgrown, yes, but still filled with echoes. Stones from old forts still half-stood. Their initials, carved into bark, still lingered.
They collapsed onto the grass, exhausted. Rudra tossed a stick at Jade, who rolled away and retaliated with a pinecone. Amber picked flowers and hummed a tune.
Amber plucked a flower and wove it into a crown. "For the King of the Careless," she said, placing it on Rudra's head.
"Long may he nap," Jade muttered, rolling his eyes.
Rudra stretched. "Peace is a throne. Only fools chase war."
And then the birds stopped.
"Do you ever think we'll grow apart?" she asked suddenly.
Rudra looked at her. "No. You two are my anchors. Without you, I'd probably drift into a ditch somewhere and die happy."
Jade smirked. "philosophical as always."
Then… the air changed.
It was subtle. A weight. A silence. Even the birds stopped.
Then came the people cloaked in dark .
Five of them. Hooded. Silent. They moved like they belonged to the forest, as if the shadows bent to their will. Not a word spoken. Not a foot misplaced.
Rudra stood slowly. "Stay close," he whispered.
Amber stood quickly, sensing danger. Jade drew his sword.
Rudra stepped forward. "Stay behind me."
Rudra's heart cracked.
Too late.
They struck with the elegance of nightmares. One moment, Amber stood beside them. The next, she was on the ground, blood leaking from her ribs. Jade roared and charged, his sword arm was broken by a silent blow. He fought on with one arm, staggering but refusing to fall. only to be flung into a tree, cracking bark with his body.
Rudra moved without thinking. His fists glowed faintly, body remembering lessons he never took seriously. He landed a strike—but it felt like hitting ironwood. Pain lanced up his arm. His body, half-trained, failed him. Another blow crushed his ribs. He gasped—and was kicked down.
At that moment.
Amber's hidden guard burst from the underbrush. Green fire. Blinding speed. She intercepted the assassin mid-strike and turned the tide with a roar. Twin blades sang through the air as she danced between shadows, leaving arcs of flame with each step.
She didn't falter.
One attacker fell, their throat torn by flame. Another vanished into smoke as the guard's blade severed their shoulder. The remaining assassins, realizing the tide had turned, retreated soundlessly into the forest like wraiths.
This happen way to quick.
Amber dragged herself upright, bruised and bleeding but alive. Jade collapsed beside her, breathing hard, his broken arm cradled across his chest.
Rudra tried to crawl, body shattered, breath rasping. Blood filled his mouth.
He reached her.
"Are you okay?" he choked.
Amber nodded weakly, her hand reaching out to touch his face.
"You're an idiot," she said, crying.
Rudra laughed, coughing blood. "Takes one to be friend with one."
Jade groaned nearby, voice hoarse. "Still spouting nonsense... nearly dead. Impressive."
Rudra turned his head, just enough to see both of them. "We... survived, huh?"
He winced. Pain flooded every nerve. His heartbeat slowed.
Uncle was Right "I should've trained more seriously. I should've been ready. , Amber, Jade... this is my fault—"
"No," Amber whispered. "Assassin's were after me not you ."
She tried to speak—her voice trembling, blood at her lips.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "This is my fault i dragged you in this mess ."
But Rudra still blamed himself . He cursed himself silently. For wasting days. For not listening. For thinking the world would wait. He didn't even dare to imagine if Amber body guard was not here what could have happen.
He tried to move. His legs didn't work. His arms trembled. Blood ran from his mouth.
He had never felt this helpless.
He had never known this kind of fear—not of death, but of loss.
They were hair breath away from death.
His fault.
If only he had trained harder. If only he had listened. If only—
Something inside him broke—not with fury, but with silence. A stillness deeper than death. A question unanswered.
What if I couldn't protect them?
Blood poured from his mouth. He coughed, body wracked with agony. His limbs would not move. His chest burned like fire.
He winced. Pain flooded every nerve. His chest was completely caved in—each breath a battlefield, ribs groaning with every shudder of life. Blood soaked his clothes, pooling beneath him. His heartbeat slowed.
The sky above blurred. Light flickered. His heartbeat slowed.
His fingers tightened . His vision blurred. The light flickered.
He heard Jade whisper something he couldn't make out.
Rudra tried to stay awake.
Not yet.
He blinked once more.
The sky above blurred. Light flickered. His heartbeat slowed.
The world tilted. Darkness pulled him down.