Startled, everyone looked up to the direction of the sound. The overgrowth and the bushes were torn, and the twigs were broken as a chariot appeared in the clearing, with Kalki on top of it, holding a bow and arrow, with Lakshmi wielding the reins beside him.

And with them, came an entire band of people, more than the awkward eight party band of Keshav. Keshav immediately stood up with his dagger, while Arjan leapt on to him before he could attack anyone. Kalki meanwhile had leapt from the chariot and was aiming arrows with deftness and precision.

But Arjan couldn’t care less of what was happening around him as Arjan had grabbed hold of Keshav’s arm and was not letting the dagger go in any direction. Keshav pushed and pummelled in the air but nothing worked until Arjan did the unthinkable. He bit his arm. Keshav yelled in pain as he left the blade, tossing it on the ground. Keshav pushed Arjan, and with his legs, locked him and pushed him down. Keshav continued to punch him hard till Arjan could feel his nose lose sensation. Arjan kicked him between the legs, leading Keshav to collapse back, groaning. Arjan wiped the blood from his nose. He went to grab Keshav, but he rolled over and began to get away.

Arjan saw Kalki was shooting arrows while Bala was using his mace. Lakshmi was using a spear and the others were pitching as and how they could, not used to any sort of warfare techniques. Many were injured, as they staggered, relentlessly in pursuit of a triumph, but clearly failing. He was unable to find Kripa and his father. His eyes scanned around as he called out to his father. Just then, he saw Kalki.

“You came early,” Arjan grunted.

“You are no one to complain. I never thought you would be captured. You really are my brother.” And his eyes narrowed. “Are you okay?”

Arjan couldn’t help but smile. “We can talk about my miseries and injuries later.”

“Take this.” Kalki gave him a dagger. “Use it now,” he panted, “and don’t spare anyone. Fight like it’s your last day.”

“You don’t even know how to fight and you are giving me life lessons?”

“Want to gamble on that?”

Arjan rolled his eyes. “I’ve gambled enough for today, brother.”

And that was when Arjan’s eyes met Vishnuyath’s. Amidst the battle, he was the lonely old man, weak and fragile, unlike others. Arjan signalled Kalki to protect Vishnuyath as they moved forward.

Vishnuyath’s face brightened on seeing both his sons, but just then, an arrow pierced his back. Arjan was the first to see as Kalki was shooting arrows at the enemies. At the sight of his father, Arjan yelled, even as he could feel numbness take hold of his body. Arjan knelt next to Vishnuyath. Kalki saw what had happened and shouted in agony.

Arjan grabbed Vishnuyath and put his head on his lap; Vishnuyath was giving him the same tolerant and patient look as the one he had given Arjan before he left for his educational tryst at the Gurukul. That look which asked him to bear difficult moments in life with positivity and equanimity.

Arjan held him tightly. Kalki came the other side as Arjan slowly massaged Vishnu’s head. Kalki instantly pulled out the arrows.

“You two…are…the greatest…gifts to this world,” he said. “Arjan, don’t forget you are part of the Hari family, not anyone else’s…”

Arjan beamed.

“And Kalki?”

“Yes, father?” Kalki lowered his head down.

Vishnuyath’s arm went towards the other side and it signalled at Kripa, who was sitting away from the scene of violence.

“What about him?” Kalki asked.

“Kripa?” Arjan inquired.

Vishnuyath nodded. “Kripa…Kripa…cha…”

Arjan looked up, and at that moment, Kripa shared a distinct look of contact with him and Kalki. And that was when there was a sudden shift of weight and Vishnuyath’s eyes glassed over.

Arjan dug his head against his dead father’s chest while Kalki patted him on the shoulder. Arjan looked at him. “I can’t believe…I can’t…I can’t…he wasn’t supposed to…he wasn’t supposed to die.”

There was another arrow flung really close to Arjan when Kalki caught it. Arjan’s eyes widened, shocked at what Kalki had just done. Kalki clenched the arrow and it broke in two.

Kalki stood up, as he began to walk further, heading straight towards the danger as the Mleccha shot another arrow. Arjan saw the arrow pierce Kalki’s skin, but unlike Arjan, Kalki didn’t yell. He withstood the pain. There was another arrow and another until there were five arrows sticking through Kalki’s chest, tearing at his clothes. Kalki broke the arrows, pulling them out as he grabbed the Mleccha by the throat.

Arjan continued to watch spellbound, while Vishnuyath remained in his lap. Kalki grabbed the weak Mleccha by the throat and pulled him up with ease. Arjan could not believe his own eyes, seeing this virile display of strength in front of him. Kalki continued to squeeze the neck, holding it as tightly as possible until it snapped. Arjan turned away, though he could hear the body collapse.

The war was over. The village had won. But Kalki and he, they had lost.

Kalki stood over the dead Mleccha, before walking away as if none of it mattered to him. It was all maya, an illusion.

Arjan walked over to see the Mleccha. There was a gentle smile that played on his lips. It was of a mocking look of sadistic pleasure, for the corpse were none other than Keshav Nand.