Where One Road Ends, Another Begins ( Part 4 )

As Kush watched, he fought mightily against the odds and rescued his brother from the evil clutches of the enemy at the last second. It was a struggle so desperate that even Kush's teacher who was like the water of a depthless lake was moved. That night after they temporarily repelled the enemy, his teacher personally went down and passed lifesaving medicine to Vajradhaara. Kush wasn't taken aback. He understood while his pitiful begging did not influence his teacher to produce the precious medicine, Vajradhaara's heroic valiance did. One has to know that it was a hopeless battle that he won that day. With a hundred Dhija elite attacking still following in the rear and the six hundred odd royal guards personally trained by Jeh-shaan in front, it was a miracle how he snatched the victory from their hands. His teacher was just impressed by Vajradandaka's persistence, but she was actually moved by Vajradhaara whose eyes shined with strength and resolve even after such a lengthy battle, even after knowing it was only the first of many. Originally, Vajradhaara was never meant to wake up from his coma, but after receiving the medicine from Kush's teacher, he woke up only three days later. If he didn't, both brothers would've sacrificed their lives for each other. Both with a solid reasoning that would've moved any heaven, yet both ending up losing in vain. Such a tragedy would've scarred the earth for as long as it stands. Even his teacher couldn't say she was true to her beliefs if she still remained unmoved after watching all this.

That night, walking into the camp of injured men, she mesmerized all the soldiers. The gentle beauty exuding from her revived their senses which have dulled from the violence, like water in a desert. Walking calmly among them, she had only Vajradhaara in her sight. Her otherworldly voice spread across the camp like a ripple of water calmly reaching the shore.

'I can help you or your brother, but I cannot help both. You may choose now.' Without any introduction, she simply said this one line. In the middle of wilderness, looking like a pure lotus under the white moon, perhaps she was a goddess come from heaven after seeing the plight of the brothers?

Vajradhaara looked strong outside, but was already heartbroken hugging his brother whose vitality was swiftly disappearing. He didn't ask any questions about who she is, instead voicing his wish as though he was in a temple. 'My brother!'

Even so, Ashangi frowned, looking mildly disappointed. 'Oh?'

One must know that while they were facing an army, her personal fighting strength and war tactics were extraordinary. If Vajradhaara asked her to help him, she could've helped them break out of this situation in less than three days. After that, who knows? If Vajradandaka still lives, the royal physicians who were known to bring people back from the brink of death could've still helped him! Even if he had to suffer repercussions for the rest of his life, he would at least be alive.

Ashangi didn't understand why the eldest prince must resolutely sacrifice himself when there was a chance they both could live! Isn't his life worth anything to him?

In the calmness of the night, an aloof smile lit the prince's face. He caressed his little brother's lifeless face, saying, 'Little brother was born with strong vitality. When he was a baby, he contracted the black fever during the epidemic which killed half the palace's populace, but still didn't die. I know his injury is serious, but it won't be easy for it to claim his life.'

'Then why?' Ashangi asked, 'If I help you break from the enemy's encirclement, you could go back to the palace in three days.'

'Little brother didn't wait for three days before he was safe in order to send me reinforcements. He gave me everything he got. How can I not do the same or even more than that when I'm the older brother?'

'You don't understand…' Ashangi tried to gently persuade.

'No, I do.' The tragically serene smile on Vajradhaara's face was heartbreaking. 'After this betrayal, I finally realise what I'm meant to do, what my role is in this life…A general at the frontline passed me false news that father was on his deathbed. I didn't get the news from little brother and normally, I wouldn't have acted. But I was actually swayed by that general when he said little brother might be eying the throne and that's why he didn't inform me. Of course, I didn't believe it, but I still set out without thinking or waiting for confirmation from the capital anyway. I easily fell to the enemy's ambush. I'm so stupid!' the handsome prince shook his head sadly, as he rested it against a tall tree. 'On the other hand, what did my brother do? He uncovered big uncle's grand plot and would've been able to inform me just in time had I not set off so quickly because I didn't trust him. Knowing I fell for the enemy's plot, he still didn't resent me for my actions. Instead, he sent his own personal guard as reinforcements, leaving only a handful of elites to cover his escape. Who would do that for a stupid person like me?!' the prince's throat clogged as his eyes welled up, turning red despite how strong he was mentally.

The prince did say real men don't cry. But that was because he wanted his brother to grow up strong. He didn't tell the child the other half of that statement. When strong men do cry, it meant they were absolutely heartbroken.

'Even if you did make a mistake, it doesn't mean you have to pay for it with your life…' the woman said evenly.

Ashangi was absolutely clear on what will happen if the prince persists on this path. Even if he can save his brother, he will certainly die.

Taking a noisy, deep breath, the prince jerked away a solitary tear from his eyes. It fell warmly on his little brother's face.

'This is not about whose mistake it was or who is responsible anymore…' the prince's tone lost its momentary weakness. It once again became sharp as a spear and resolute as iron. 'This is about who is more suitable for the throne.'

This was even more unexpected for Ashangi to hear. Her surprise showed in posture and even some of the surrounding men who were most loyal to the prince couldn't help but look.

But the prince spoke as though nobody was present, his voice melding into the silent forest, only nature herself the designated listener.

'My name is Vajradhaara…a diamond tipped spear. The sharpest, fastest and most effective weapon to break into the enemy's lines. If I can do just this…I can leave the rest to my brother. He is Vajradandaka. He is the cactus that can grow in the harshest weather, he can nourish you and feed your thirst when you are in the direst of situations. Even with the fewest of resources, he will do his duty and even greater, he will not become discouraged or despondent. Give him a tiny drop of your regard and affection. He will eternally stand guardian in the lonely deserts of betrayal and strife. He is more fit to be Martanda, the first mortal king, whose very reign is the foreshadowing of turmoil throughout the world…This is what the great Brahmins have predicted since the time of our ancestors.'

He wryly faced the truth in a bitter voice. 'I am actually not doing him any favors… This boy is only five years older than my twins, but I am letting him bear so much weight on my behalf. It's just…I truly don't believe anymore that a sharp tipped spear is suitable to rule as Martanda when the world enters a period of predetermined chaos. A lifesaving plant in the harsh desert is more enduring and tenacious. It's what is needed for humanity to tide through this period of time.'

Peacefully, the prince smiled at the beautiful fairy. "This is destiny. It's not that destiny doesn't want me to rule, it's just that it meant for me more to save my brother now in this particular forest against traitors from the kingdom. A long destiny is just as important as a short one that might finish in a single battle. This is why I've always been impetuous and rash, drawing so many criticisms from those long-winded ministers. If I wasn't an impetuous person, why would I enter this forest knowing that not only could I die, but also waste whatever my brother has done for me? If it was not destiny, why would a beautiful goddess like you appear out of nowhere offering strength or medicine, as if to test me? It is to let me fulfil my destiny…How can this be considered sacrifice? It's my greatest luck."