Pre war preparations

The Udra kingdom's messenger reached Kalinga the same day and delivered the declaration letter of war. 

It immediately caused a new wave of panic. But under King Chitrangad's leadership, Kalinga also started it's war preparations. 

The night before the war. 

As Aryan looked out of the window of his room, lost in his thoughts, his eyes landed on a figure practicing archery in the training ground. Since it was a little far from his room, Aryan couldn't clearly identify who it was, but judging from the body shape it was definitely a woman. 

Curious, Aryan summoned Moksha from behind him and jumped out of the window. But before he could fall down, Moksha appeared below his feet and took him to flight. 

* swish * 

As he got closer, Aryan was surprised to see that it was Bhanumati who was practicing archery.

Surprised at her skills, he couldn't help but exclaim out loud. 

"Bhanumati? "

Hearing the familiar voice coming from the sky, Bhanumati felt odd but she still looked up anyway and what she saw left her stunned. 

"Prince Mahendra? You can fly? "

"Uhhh? "

It was only now that Aryan remembered, he had never shown this ability in front of Bhanumati. So it's natural that she was stunned. 

"Well, since there wasn't any need for it previously, I never used it. But yes, I've had the ability to fly all along. "

Aryan answered awkwardly.

Bhanumati's eyes remained fixed on Aryan as he descended gracefully from the sky with the help of Moksha. Her surprise quickly turned into amazement at the revelation of his hidden ability.

"You truly are full of surprises, Prince Mahendra," she said with a warm smile. "I had no idea you possessed such a remarkable skill."

Aryan landed beside her, his expression filled with a mix of pride and awkwardness. 

"Well, it's one of Moksha's ability. "

As if getting a cue, Moksha turned into a plush bear and flexed it's muscles, making both of them laugh out loud. 

As they stood together on the training ground, the moonlight casting a serene glow around them, Aryan couldn't help but feel a deep sense of camaraderie with Bhanumati. They had come a long way from their initial encounters, and some strange feelings have arisen. 

Knowing that he wouldn't be able to control himself if this eye contact continued any longer, Aryan shifted the conversation back to her archery practice. 

"You're quite skilled with the bow, princess Bhanumati. I didn't know. "

Bhanumati lowered her bow, a touch of pride evident in her eyes.

"I've been practicing whenever I could find the time. But since I don't have a teacher to guide me, my progress is not very good. Aside from good marksmanship, the possession of Astras is what makes an archer powerful. "

By the end, Bhanumati 's expression dimmed slightly. 

Aryan could sense the underlying sadness in Bhanumati's words. Her determination to learn archery and contribute to the kingdom's defense was commendable, but she longed for proper guidance and the knowledge of Astras, the mystical and powerful arrows used by skilled archers.

"Princess Bhanumati," Aryan began, "I may not be an expert in archery, but I know a lot gurus out there who will be willing to teach you the mantras and knowledge of Astras. "

"Really? But how do you know that they will agree? What if they refuse?"

Bhanumati asked dejected. 

"Then I'll force them to teach you. "

Aryan declared while staring in her ocean like eyes. 

"Hmmm."

Bhanumati was also attracted by his charm and both of them moved closer towards each other, almost hugging. 

Their closeness beneath the moonlit sky created an atmosphere charged with a mixture of emotions. Bhanumati and Aryan found themselves drawn to each other, their unspoken feelings intensifying with every passing moment. The impending war had cast a shadow over their kingdom, but in this moment, they found solace and connection in each other's presence.

Aryan couldn't deny the attraction he felt for Bhanumati, and her enchanting eyes seemed to hold the secrets of a world he was eager to explore. As they stood together, the world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only their shared moment in the moonlight.

With a gentle and almost irresistible pull, Aryan leaned in, his lips drawing closer to Bhanumati's. Time seemed to slow as their breaths quickened, and for an instant, it felt like nothing else in the world mattered.

But just before their lips could touch, a distant horn sounded, breaking the spell. It was the call to prepare for the upcoming battle, a stark reminder of the challenges they faced.

Bhanumati pulled away slightly, her eyes filled with a mixture of shame and regret. "We should get ready for the war," she whispered, her voice trembling.

"Yes, we must."

Aryan nodded, as he also regained his composure.

Their shared moment remained unspoken but profoundly felt. They knew that their feelings would have to wait, as the kingdom's survival depended on their courage and unity in the impending conflict. 

But just before leaving, Aryan stopped momentarily . 

"How about we continue from where we left after the war? "

Then without waiting for any response, Aryan left the training ground and headed towards the palace with a smile on his face. 

"Yes."

Some time after Aryan left, a soft voice resounded in the empty training ground. 

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

The night before the war continued to envelop Kalinga in tension and anticipation. In their own ways, Aryan and Bhanumati prepared themselves mentally and physically for the upcoming battle. The moon hung in the sky, a silent witness to their unspoken connection.

As Aryan made his way back to the palace, his heart felt strangely lighter. The promise he and Bhanumati had shared in that moonlit moment was a glimmer of hope amid the uncertainty of war. He couldn't help but look forward to a future where their feelings could be explored without the shadows of conflict looming over them.

Inside the palace, King Chitrangad and his advisors were deep in discussions about battle strategies, and the atmosphere was charged with the gravity of their situation. The fate of Kalinga hung in the balance, and the impending war would be a test of their strength and unity.

As dawn approached, the soldiers of Kalinga began their final preparations. Armor was donned, weapons were sharpened, and prayers were whispered for protection and victory. The city was shrouded in an eerie calm, as if it held its breath in anticipation of what the day would bring.

The morning sun painted the horizon with shades of orange and gold, heralding the day of reckoning. The allied amies of Pundra and Udra kingdom would soon arrive at Kalinga's doorstep, and the fate of their kingdom would be decided on the battlefield.

Aryan and Bhanumati, separated by their duties and responsibilities, couldn't help but think of each other as they prepared to face the challenges ahead. The promise of their shared moment beneath the moonlight fueled their determination to protect their kingdom and, perhaps, find a way to nurture the budding feelings that had begun to take root in their hearts.

With the rising sun came the call to arms, and Kalinga's warriors gathered, ready to defend their homeland. The echoes of war drums and the sight of determined faces filled the air as they awaited the arrival of their formidable adversary.

 🥰🥰🥰🥰

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