Rudran turned toward Parthiban, his voice steady but laced with unease.
"You already knew about the King of Shadows, didn't you? Tell me… what are we going to do now? Why has their gaze suddenly fallen upon us?"
Parthiban fell silent for a moment, his brows tightening.
"That… is what I do not understand," he admitted. "Everything feels like a blur. I don't even know what I should do next. But one thing is certain—we cannot even touch them. If we stand against them, our army will surely face destruction."
Rudran's expression hardened. "I need to speak with you. Alone."
Moments later, the two stood apart from the others.
"Listen carefully, Rudran," Parthiban said in a low voice. "Facing them is not easy. They are after me. That is why they have set their sights on this land. I must leave."
Rudran's eyes widened. "Leave? Why should you go?"
"If I remain," Parthiban continued, "our warriors, our people—everyone will suffer. You must listen to me. For now, I will leave this land. When things settle… I will return."
Though his heart resisted, Rudran finally nodded. He understood the weight of the decision, even if it tore at him from within.
At that moment, a mystical bird from Zimbatra arrived, carrying a message. It was a warning from the Shadow Kingdom—they had set their sights on Paarivendhan.
With Parthiban already deciding to leave, the two chose the same path. Without delay, they abandoned their positions and journeyed far away.
After days of travel, they found refuge at the foot of a massive mountain, hidden within a secret cave.
Inside the cave, unease lingered between them.
"How did they find us?" one of them asked. "Even if we're gone… what if, in their anger, they harm our people?"
Silence followed.
Finally, one voice broke through. "There is only one path left. We must go to him."
"Yes," the other agreed. "Only he can help us in this situation."
Days passed swiftly.
From the cave, they first traveled to Zimbatra, where they found everyone safe. Then they journeyed to Gandharva—peace still remained there as well.
After that, they decided to move again.
"Where are you going?" Rudran asked.
"You will know in time," came the reply. "Do not worry. Protect the kingdom well."
Without revealing their destination or purpose, the two departed.
Yet Rudran couldn't shake a troubling thought—they were hiding something. Something significant had happened, something they chose not to reveal.
Confused and restless, Rudran wandered through the forest on horseback. Suddenly, a mysterious sage appeared before him.
The sage spoke calmly, as if he had been waiting.
"All the confusion in your heart… time will answer it," he said. "Do not worry. But listen carefully—your duty now is to protect your land."
Rudran listened intently.
"To do so, you must create a mystical fortress," the sage continued. "For that, you need a weapon—Dhanura. The power within it will become an iron barrier around your kingdom. No one will be able to breach it easily."
"Where is this weapon?" Rudran asked urgently.
"If you seek Dhanura," the sage replied, "you must offer one of your fingers as a sacrifice to Lord Shiva. Only then will it be granted to you."
Rudran did not hesitate.
For the sake of his people… and knowing the terrifying power of the King of Shadows… he made his choice.
He performed intense penance, praying to Shiva. Days passed in unwavering devotion. At last, without flinching, he cut off his finger and offered it, his blood flowing like a sacred stream.
Closing his eyes, he prayed.
When he opened them… the weapon stood before him.
Dhanura.
It was unlike anything he had imagined. Though it resembled a bow, it bore no arrows. Its ends were sharp like blades, and it radiated immense, otherworldly power.
His prayer had not gone in vain.
Without delay, Rudran tested its strength. Using its power, he created a mystical fortress around his kingdom—a barrier so strong it stood like an unbreakable wall.
He strengthened it further, pouring all the weapon's power into it.
Once complete, the kingdom stood protected.
The weapon itself, he hid away in deep secrecy.
Yet, even after all this… one question refused to leave his mind.
The King of Shadows.
Their past.
And the words of the sage…
It felt as though an unseen enemy had followed them across lifetimes. Whatever was happening now… had already begun elsewhere, in another life.
If they were to face the danger ahead… then the answer lay in their past.
Only by uncovering what had happened in their previous life… could they understand what must be done now.