Rudhran believed that if he could learn what happened next in his past life, he could overcome every problem he faced in the present.
But what he didn't realize was this—
it was precisely because he had uncovered fragments of that past life that these strange and dangerous events had begun to unfold around him.
With urgency in his steps, Rudhran rushed back to his palace. From there, he immediately set out to meet the sage.
Standing before the old seer, he spoke with determination.
"I must know what happened after my past life. I need to understand everything."
The sage looked at him calmly and asked,
"Why do you wish to know this now? Tell me your reason."
After hearing Rudhran's answer, the sage let out a faint smile.
"All these troubles you face," he said slowly, "are the result of learning about your past life. You asked me for a boon, and it was my duty to grant it. That is dharma. I fulfilled my part… but I did not foresee this outcome."
He paused, his expression turning grave.
"If you continue seeking the rest of that life, it will lead both you and this kingdom toward destruction."
Rudhran's heart sank.
"What should I do then?" he asked.
"Protect your land," the sage replied. "Time itself will give you the answers. Do not let worry consume you."
Rudhran returned, burdened with sorrow.
Seeing his troubled face, Ponni approached him.
"What happened? You're hiding something from me. Tell me."
"It's nothing," he replied softly. "Don't worry unnecessarily. I'm fine. Go take care of the child."
Left alone, Rudhran found no peace in his mind.
At last, he made a decision.
Whatever happens, I will face it.
Breaking through his fear, he forged an unshakable resolve. From that moment, he acted without hesitation.
He began training relentlessly, strengthening his body and mastering deadly combat techniques. He explored every power he possessed—and even awakened new ones.
One night, he descended into the underground chamber beneath the palace. There, he used a mysterious elixir connected to his inner force.
The moment he activated it—
A terrifying resonance shook not just the palace, but the entire city.
Days passed as Rudhran focused on protecting the kingdom.
Then, one day, an urgent message arrived—
not by messenger, but through a mystical bird from Zimbara.
The message revealed a horrifying truth.
Bermiya had gone with Parivendhan. Pandu had been left behind, safeguarding the people and the city.
Then it happened.
A swarm of crows covered the sky, blotting out the moon. Suddenly, flaming arrows rained down upon the city.
"I didn't know what to do…" the message said.
Warriors dressed in black, their faces completely concealed, descended upon them. Their strength was overwhelming. In mere moments, countless soldiers were slaughtered.
The city was engulfed in flames.
Everyone… was captured.
"I couldn't even fight back," the message ended. "We've all been imprisoned. I'm sending this secretly through the mystic bird. Do not reply."
Rudhran didn't hesitate for a second.
Gathering his warriors, he marched straight toward Zimbara.
As they entered the city, shadow warriors attacked them without warning.
A fierce battle erupted.
Steel clashed against steel. The air trembled with the force of their combat.
Meanwhile, one lone warrior slipped away, searching for the place where Pandu and the captured people were held.
Back on the battlefield, Rudhran fought like a storm incarnate.
Then suddenly—
A soldier came running.
"My king! We've rescued everyone!"
At that exact moment, a shadow warrior rushed toward Rudhran, swinging his blade toward his neck.
But before the strike could land—
A sword fell to the ground.
A head rolled beside it.
It was the shadow warrior's.
Rudhran stood there, eyes blazing.
What followed was nothing short of a massacre.
Driven by uncontrollable fury, he slaughtered every remaining enemy—cutting them down mercilessly.
Blood flowed like rivers. His blades dripped crimson.
Those who witnessed it—both citizens and soldiers—stood frozen in awe and fear.
Pandu ran toward him.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Rudhran replied. "Brother… you're safe, aren't you?"
After ensuring everyone's safety, Rudhran gave a cold आदेश:
"Take all the enemy corpses… and throw them at Zimbara's borders."
The order was carried out.
Yet victory brought him no joy.
Too many lives had been lost—soldiers, innocent people… the cost was unbearable.
Rudhran stood in silence, grief weighing heavily on his heart.
The people and Pandu folded their hands in gratitude before him.
Rudhran frowned.
"What is this? Why are you treating me like a stranger?"
His voice softened.
"This is my home. You are all my people—my family. Do not ever see me as someone distant."
After ensuring Zimbara's safety, he stationed guards under Pandu's command and departed two days later.
His destination—
The Gandharva Kingdom.
He moved swiftly, driven by another mysterious message he had received.
But before reaching his destination, he saw something that made him stop in his tracks.
A place… burning fiercely.
As he approached, dread filled his heart.
It wasn't just any place.
It was the border of the Gandharva Kingdom.
And what burned before him…
were the bodies of its fallen warriors.
For a moment—
everyone stood frozen.