The battlefield was a storm of chaos and destruction. The eerie silence that had lingered moments ago had been replaced by the deafening clash of steel, the roar of battle cries, and the crackling energy that surged through the air. Shivansh's breath was heavy, his body battered, but his spirit burned fiercer than ever. Across from him, the Commander stood tall, unyielding, a monstrous grin on his face.
"You're strong," the Commander sneered, wiping a trickle of dark blood from his lips. "But strength alone won't be enough to defeat me."
Shivansh clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white as he gritted his teeth. This demon—this wretched abomination—was refusing to fall no matter how many times he struck. Every attack, every calculated move had only served to push the battle forward, but not towards victory. The realization gnawed at him.
Lucky, panting heavily, took a step back. "Shivansh, we need to regroup. This thing… it's not normal."
"I know," Shivansh muttered, his voice a low growl. His gaze didn't waver from the Commander. He could feel the raw energy coursing through his veins, demanding release. He wouldn't hold back any longer.
The air around him began to shift, a golden glow emanating from his very core. His grip tightened around Vajranand, his bow, which seemed to respond to his call. Ancient symbols ignited across its frame, pulsing with divine energy. The sky rumbled, dark clouds parting slightly as if the heavens themselves were taking notice of what was about to happen.
The Commander tilted his head, intrigued. "Oh? What now, little warrior?"
Shivansh raised Vajranand and whispered a silent prayer, summoning a power that had remained dormant until now. The bow vibrated violently in his hands as an arrow of pure energy began to form. This was no ordinary arrow. It crackled with an immense force, the very air around it distorting from the sheer power it radiated. The battlefield trembled, as if the world itself feared what was about to be unleashed.
The Commander's smirk faltered for the first time. His instincts screamed at him—this was no mere attack. This was destruction incarnate.
Shivansh drew the bowstring back, his eyes blazing with unwavering resolve. "This ends now."
And then, he was released.
The arrow tore through the air like a divine comet, a streak of blinding light that roared with unfathomable energy. The moment it collided with the Commander, an explosion erupted that shook the entire battlefield. A shockwave of golden energy surged outward, knocking back debris, rattling the earth, and forcing even the distant Rakshasas to shield their eyes from the sheer brilliance of it.
The impact sent the Commander flying backward, his body crashing through layers of stone and rubble. A deep, guttural roar of agony escaped his lips as his armor cracked, his dark energy flickering wildly. The sheer force of the attack had left him broken, his monstrous form struggling to hold itself together.
Lucky, who had barely managed to shield himself from the shockwave, stared in disbelief. "Holy—Shivansh, what the hell was that?!"
Shivansh stood still, his body heaving with exhaustion, yet his gaze remained locked onto the crater where the Commander had fallen. Dust and smoke swirled around the battlefield, obscuring the view.
Then, from within the rubble, a figure slowly emerged.
The Commander staggered to his feet, his once imposing form now tattered and weak. Blood dripped from his mouth, his breathing ragged. Yet, even in his weakened state, his eyes still burned with malice.
He coughed, spitting dark ichor onto the ground. "Impressive," he admitted, his voice hoarse. "I underestimated you."
Shivansh didn't lower his guard. His hands remained firm on Vajranand, ready to fire another shot if necessary.
The Commander chuckled darkly. "But this war is far from over."
A low humming sound filled the air. A portal, swirling with an ominous black energy, began to materialize behind him. The remaining Rakshasa forces, those who had managed to survive the chaos, retreated toward it, disappearing into its abyss.
The Commander took one last lingering glance at Shivansh. "You've earned my respect, warrior. But this was merely a test. Next time, you won't be so lucky."
Shivansh's grip on his bow tightened, his muscles still tense from battle. "Then next time, you'd better come prepared." His voice carried an unshakable resolve, a promise of the war yet to come.
The Commander smirked, his fading form barely holding together. "Oh, I will. And next time, you won't be the only one bringing surprises."
With that, he stepped into the portal, his form vanishing into the void. The portal collapsed in on itself, leaving only silence in its wake.
Shivansh clenched his jaw. His knuckles turned white as he gripped his bow tighter. He had won—no, survived this battle. But the war had only just begun.
Lucky let out a long breath, his adrenaline finally settling. "You think he's serious? About coming back stronger?"
Yogi, who had been observing quietly, finally spoke, his voice heavy with wisdom. "He wasn't lying. The next time he comes, he won't be alone. We must prepare."
Shivansh exhaled sharply, his exhaustion catching up to him. But his determination burned brighter than ever. He stared at the empty battlefield, his voice firm as he muttered, "Let him come. I'll be waiting."
The wind howled through the battlefield, carrying the echoes of a battle that had only just begun. Somewhere in the shadows, forces of darkness were already plotting their next move, setting the stage for an even greater war.
The battlefield lay in eerie silence, the dust settling over the remnants of destruction. The air still crackled with residual energy from the fierce clash that had just taken place. Shivansh stood amidst the ruins, his chest rising and falling with heavy breaths, his hands still gripping Vajranand tightly. The divine glow that had enveloped him moments ago was beginning to fade, leaving behind only the raw exhaustion of battle.
His gaze shifted toward Lucky and Yogi, who were slowly making their way toward him. Their faces bore the marks of battle—cuts, bruises, and a layer of dust—but their spirits remained unbroken.
Shivansh stepped forward, concern flashing across his face. "Are you both alright?"
Lucky, wiping sweat from his brow, forced a grin. "Yeah, yeah, we're alive. But seriously," he chuckled, shaking his head, "you couldn't have used that arrow earlier? You had me running around like a headless chicken for nothing!"
Shivansh exhaled a small laugh, but his expression turned thoughtful. "I don't know how it happened," he admitted, glancing down at Vajranand. "Something awakened inside me… I could feel it. That arrow—it wasn't just my doing. It felt like… something greater."
Yogi, ever the wise observer, nodded knowingly. "There are powers within you, Shivansh. Abilities you have yet to understand. What you did back there—it was only the beginning." He stepped closer, his gaze intense. "This was no ordinary battle. This was a test, a glimpse of what's to come."
Shivansh clenched his fists, his mind replaying the battle, the sheer force that had surged through him, the way the Commander had acknowledged him—not as prey, but as a true warrior. The war was far from over, and he knew it.
Lucky sighed, rolling his shoulders. "Well, as thrilling as this was, I'd rather not have another near-death experience anytime soon." He shot a playful glance at Shivansh. "Next time, let's try figuring out those hidden powers before we're all half-dead, yeah?"
Shivansh smirked, but there was a determined fire in his eyes. He looked toward the sky, where the dark storm had begun to dissipate, revealing a sliver of light. The battlefield may have quieted, but the war had only just begun.
Yogi placed a hand on Shivansh's shoulder. "For now, we prepare. Because whatever just happened… was merely the first wave."
Shivansh nodded. His body was tired, his mind heavy, but his resolve had never been stronger. As long as he stood, as long as he breathed, he would be ready.
Let them come. He would be waiting