Read about Dhruv’s courage and survival here!
Dhruv was torn by guilt for leaving the man to die at the hands of the unknown, angry inhuman-looking figure, yet driven by his mission given by Ajaa to deliver the message to the chief Mathadhish. He fully understood that the message he carried was more important than his own life, and confronting his attacker could have jeopardized his resolve to reach the chief Mathadhish alive. He knew that if he died before reaching his destination, he would not only be the cause of the death of the stranger who emerged from nowhere to defend him in the snow, but also the countless lives following Dharma hopelessly waiting in the plains for their protectors to intervene. It was ironic that he had to escape for his life, not die in the snow, to save countless lives in the plains below. Walking tirelessly, Dhruv reached a point where he saw a massive structure atop the next mountain.
Maybe I am just a cliff away from my search and if I am right, it won’t take me more than three days to knock on the doors of that megalith structure, Dhruv thought. Just by the sight of the structure, hoping it was the abode of Mathadhish, he felt blessed and an aura of antiquity infused in him. Dhruv sought to reach it as quickly as possible. But before he could even take a step towards it, the ground beneath him quivered. He looked around for the source of the unexpected disturbance and found an enormous figure, larger than a lion in both strength and ferocity, greater than an elephant in sheer bulk. It rose before him and roared, trembling Dhruv’s soul. It was an enormous eight-legged being, that was half-bird, half-lion and seemed more powerful than any beast on Earth. Its long tail was strong enough to throw somebody like Dhruv off his stand. He had never imagined a creature so immense, larger than any animal, and as ferocious as a mad beast. With eyes that burn like coals, the creature charged at Dhruv with the intention to kill.
Despite Dhruv’s unwavering determination, it was difficult for him to overcome the being’s enormous strength. However, Dhruv’s fear was working as his strength. He knew that a single opportunity for the beast would mean his last moment on Earth. A vicious chase ensued, with Dhruv evading the attacker’s beast-like movements. The conflict of will and valour was palpable in the air. Dhruv was weak, worn out and hungry. He kept dodging, but how long could he keep it up? He tried to leap past the beast’s tail but failed to notice the claws closing in on him.
Free men fight wars, slaves only follow orders. We will do whatever best we can as the protectors of the Dharma. Your practices are prohibited and as the chief Mathadhish, I cannot endorse or support your war tactics. You may go now. Anger was the only visible emotion on Kaaldhwaj’s face as he looked at all our faces, including the chief, and then turned back to leave. Kaaldhwaj! called the chief again, and he turned with a glimmer of hope amidst the sea of hopelessness in his eyes. Do not ever come back. You are welcomed only when you set all your slave souls free, said the chief, this time turning back to order us. I am the last Naga in the world who possesses this knowledge and power to capture souls, and I will never let my army and knowledge go waste, replied Kaaldhwaj before leaving.
Dhruv climbed a tree close to him and saw hundreds of corpses slowly rising from the ground and aligning in rows behind Zoravar, Sarfaraz and Sardar Khan. Their chests brutally caved and insects crawling out from the open wounds. Their hands clutched weapons. Meanwhile, the princess got on her horse and rode forward to check and evaluate the danger. As she covered a little distance, she saw a group of soldiers standing at a distance, not far from the fire, giving them a ghostly glow. Few faces were eaten away entirely, fingers twitching and eyes sunken deep into the skull that looked at the princess for a moment before they vanished in the thick smoke.
