The Invincible

Zeus could not believe his ears. He had never imagined that Seol could betray Ethar. Seol's spite against the Emperor was not unknown yet, just like every living being on Ethar Seol had hated Eaval. But here he was ready to enter into a pact with Eaval. Zeus had all along felt that Barrister had a different energy. He always radiated an environment of gloom and despair, whenever he was around, but Zeus never understood what it meant till last night.

Zeus used to live in Zokran, the island to the north of Nazaan, just like the rest of his fellow Brahmin Administrators. He had been chosen by Vayuvijay from the the other three thousand aspirants. He, Cecile, Jon and Ivy were chosen by Vayuvijay himself, whereas Barrister who had been in the council before was retained by Seol on the permission of the Royal Adviser. 

"You had called for me, my lord." It was Rameres, the head of finance of South Nazaan.

"Rameres, where we donated any Aur by the Commander?" asked Zeus.

"No my lord, Lord Seol had not assigned us any additional help. We only have as revenue 3 million aurs, which were collected as duty from the people in South Nazaan, of which as is the rule, I had deposited 1 million Aurs to Lord Seol."

"Please find out from the Revenue head of the State, how much has been received by the state treasury."

"Has something happened my lord?"

"Well yes, and more is about to happen." said Zeus. " You may leave Rameses."

As the revenue head of South Nazan left, Zeus whistled his hawk, and tied the small scroll on his claws, before letting him leave his chamber.

"The Emperor has a lot on his place," he thought "but the man with ears everywhere doesn't."

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Aboli's saw her mother howl before leaving her cubs and running deeper into the woods. She followed her mother. Her small body galloping furiously. Suddenly to scents hit her. One was the familiar one, which belonged to her Ajeenkya, and the other, it smelt like rotten meat and yet had a pungently sweet smell. Ajeenkya was standing still, as if she was being held by invisible ropes. Her little face was contorted in pain. Aboli saw a dark hooded figure standing in front of Ajeenkya. Ajeenkya's Angavastram and Choli were starting to tear. It seemed like the figure infront of her with outstretched hands were trying to tear her. The brave little girl was still fighting. As the storm summoned by her started to rise and gather pace. The cloaked figure was getting angry as it applied the last of its effort to tear the little girl.

Aboli saw her mother spring at the cloaked figure disrupting him for once, which gave Ajeenkya the break she needed.

As soon as Ajeenkya released herself she darted towards the cloaked figure and pushed it with both her arms. She didn't let the cloaked figure get control as she continued her relentless punches.

Aboli saw her mother. She had been hit as she was bleeding profusely from her mouth. She knew Ajeenkya would not be able to keep the monster at bay for long. She needed to get help. Aboli's mother with her teeth picked up the now torn clothes of Ajeenkya which had fallen off and ran towards the temple. She could feel life ebbing away from her yet she ran.

She ran up the stairs and straight to the lady wearing the royal angavastram. Aboli's mother dropped Ajeenkya's clothes which were now drenched in her blood, before she fell and closed her eyes forever.

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Vayuvijay could not speak. It seemed pain had taken away his voice. Few moments back, he was the happiest man on Ethar. And now he felt robbed.  He turned around and looked  out of the window. The same one he had stood, when Ajeenkya was born. A year and half back. The memories came rushing back to him. His little daughter. All he wanted to do was hold her, one last time.

"Your highness, Our men have searched the wood thoroughly, but the princess was no were to be found. We did come across the bodies of the wolf's cub." Said Vrijeswar, "Are you sure the wolf did not attack her your highness." He cautiously addressed his mother in law.

"I am quite certain, it was not the wolf." Replied Shakuntala. "I want my granddaughter's death avenged." Shakuntala shouted. "She was a child. What kind of a monster would kill a child?" "I want you to do whatever you can and find out who did it. We will then have a public execution."

"Please mother. Please let me grieve the loss of my children."

"Children..?" "What..Vayu NO..What happened to Manyata."

"The baby didn't make it. Manyata doesn't know anything," said Vayu.

Silence creeped into the waiting room only to be broken by the sudden cry of a baby from the Labour room, which was followed by the howl from outside.

"Congratulations..my friend..you are the proud father of two daughters.." Parikshit's voice boomed into the room.

He faultered seeing the look on the faces of the crowd in the Visitors room.

"She is alive. Oh my holy Operator. You shaved her." Vayu was overwhelmed to see the baby crying loudly. He rushed and looked at the child. Unlike Ajeenkya this baby looked like Manyata. But had his eyes. Light brown eyes, and heavy round cheeks. She stopped crying at once when she saw her father. Vayuvijay touched the baby's cheek with his finger. She was reminding him of Ajeenkya. He didn't realise that tears were running down his cheeks.

"Ajeenkya is no more." Vrijeswar, told a confused Parikshit." She had disappeared from the Temple of Oracle, and only her blood stained clothes were brought back by a wolf to Mother Shakuntala."

"Is she having fever? Why is her body so hot?" Asked Vayuvijay.

"No..her..vitals" Parikshit was unable to keep away the pain from his voice "are normal..she is..not having fever..may be..like..Ajeenkya.." Parikshit stopped. Shakuntala was crying silently as she looked at the little baby. She felt a lump deep in her throat. The pain was unbearable. Yet the baby infront of them was still there. They needed to be strong for her.

Inside the labour room, Shivani leaned against the door. Her fist inside her mouth to prevent her from making noise as she cried. Ajeenkya was gone. She had been punished for her selfishness. Her goddaughter was gone.

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