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Chapter 17 - The Land of Warriors: Rise of the Demon Duo

After the great sacrifice of Veer and Vijay, the iron gate finally shatters. A new surge of energy erupts within the Udaipur army. Chanting the names of Veer and Vijay like a war cry, they surge forward.

A short while later, the massive Udaipur army stands face-to-face with the forces of the Land of Warriors. The 17-year-old King of Warriors sits atop a massive elephant, wearing white clothes and a saffron turban (Safa). A sword hangs at his waist, and he grips a spear, a calm smile playing on his lips.

King:

"(Smiling) It seems your army has true warriors too...!"

Mahavir Mahendra:

"(Laughing) To become a King at such a young age and not tremble at the thought of war... you are quite brave!"

King:

"A warrior is not defined by age, nor by being a man or a woman. A true warrior is one who looks Death in the eye and accepts it with a smile...!"

Mahavir Mahendra:

"(Laughing) Such big words do not suit your small mouth. When the blood starts to flow, your bravery will vanish, and you will be seen running away!"

Hearing this, the King of the Land of Warriors is consumed by fury. His warrior pride wounded, he turns to his Minister.

King:

"(In anger) Minister, if I show fear even for a single moment in this war, sever my head from my body right then and there!"

Saying this, the King commands his army to attack. The two forces collide with thunderous force. The battlefield is choked with dust, and the soil turns crimson with blood.

The 15,000 warriors of the Land of Warriors begin to overpower the 50,000 soldiers of Udaipur. Watching them fight, a cold fear begins to grip the enemy. Two friends, Jay and Badal, are fighting as if possessed by demons.

Suddenly, an enemy soldier strikes Badal's legs from behind. Badal collapses in the middle of the carnage. Seeing his friend fall, Jay carves a path through the enemy to reach him.

Badal:

"Jay, focus on the war. I will wait for you on the other side (afterlife)..."

Jay:

"A true warrior never makes excuses. The war is fought as long as you can lift a weapon!"

Badal:

"But I can no longer stand on my feet..."

Jay:

"Then I shall become your legs!"

Jay lifts Badal onto his shoulders, ties Badal's legs to himself using his Safa, and hands him two swords while taking two for himself. Chanting "Jai Bhavani," they begin a fresh slaughter.

The Udaipur army panics. To them, the duo looks like a four-armed demon, mercilessly hacking through their ranks. Terrified, the Udaipur army begins to retreat. The warriors of the Land of Warriors laugh at their cowardice.

Mahavir Mahendra is captured. As the warriors prepare to chase the fleeing army, the King stops them.

King:

"There is no need to chase a fleeing army. The warrior inside them has already died, and we do not attack commoners."

The warriors fall silent and stop. Though they lost many of their own, their faces glow with joy. They believe that those who fall in battle merge with the God of Warriors.

Mahavir accepts his defeat. He throws down his weapons, knowing the Land of Warriors does not strike the unarmed, and begs for his life.

King:

"You may leave, but on one condition..."

Mahavir Mahendra:

"What is the condition?"

The King points toward the lifeless bodies of Veer and Vijay.

King:

"I simply want to know the names of these two great warriors, who even in death, carry the smile of a true yoddha."

Mahavir Mahendra:

"Their names are Veer and Vijay."

Learning their names, the King speaks of them with great respect and allows Mahavir Mahendra to leave.

Mahavir Mahendra:

"(As he leaves) Next time I come, your head will be at my feet, my brave little warrior!"

A 17-year-old warrior steps out from the crowd and shouts back.

Boy:

"Next time you come, bring a bigger army! I have to break my great father's record of 10,000 kills!"

Ajay walks up to his mother. His face is bruised, and blood is trickling down. He speaks in a dejected voice.

Ajay:

"Mamma... I could only kill 5."

Mamma:

"Beta, you can take your Dadaji's Bhavani now."

Ajay:

"No Mamma, I am not worthy of it yet. When I am ready, you will give it to me yourself."

Suddenly, the car jerks to a halt. Virat has reached home. They all step out of the car.

Virat:

"Mamma, tell me what happened next! Please!"

Swati:

"Not now, later. It's time for dinner... later."

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