Chapter 9: A Race for Freedom

"Bound by Destiny, Fueled by Hope"

Present day.

Nahusha, burdened by the weight of his past and consumed by sadness, couldn't shake the memory of Kark, who had yearned for a peaceful life. He blamed himself for dragging Kark into the conflicts that ultimately led to his demise. Now, trapped in Druva's body, Nahusha felt powerless to change the course of events.

In the early morning, a fellow slave approached Nahusha with distressing news. The leader of the Zak tribe had arrived, and they were planning to take a young girl named Anya as a slave for their entertainment. Memories of Dhruva flooded Nahusha's mind, and he made a silent promise to himself that he would save Anya from such atrocities. Determined, he created an opening for Anya to escape, knowing that his actions could be her only chance at freedom.

But as Druva lay dying, having eaten poisoned berries in a desperate plea for help, he whispered to God, "I cannot die here. I need to save Anya, please help me." Despite his plea, Nahusha succumbed to his fate. Now, everything rested in the hands of Nahusha. Would he fulfill Druva's dying wish and save Anya, or would he abandon her and seek a life of peace?

This time, Nahusha had a choice. He gathered a small knife from the kitchen, packed his bag, and made up his mind. At first, he considered leaving with Anya, but when the Zak tribe leader arrived, he set fire to one house after another, using the chaos as an opportunity to take Anya and flee from the clutches of the tribe. In the cover of night, they ventured deep into the forest, Anya trembling with fear, and Nahusha drawing upon his knowledge of the wilderness, a place he had called home for most of his life.

Nahusha skillfully hunted down a rabbit, and together they prepared a meal. However, the scent of fresh meat attracted a wild pack of wolves. Anya screamed in terror, alerting the Zak tribe members to their whereabouts. In a daring move, Nahusha distracted the wolves, allowing him to take Anya's hand and resume their desperate escape. But during their frantic run, Anya stumbled and injured her leg. Assessing the situation, Nahusha quickly hoisted her onto his back and continued their race for freedom, towards the Sela kingdom.

Their journey was arduous and filled with uncertainty. The forest's daunting obstacles tested Nahusha's resilience and Anya's determination to survive. They navigated treacherous terrains, crossed rivers, and overcame fatigue and hunger. Nahusha's unwavering spirit and Anya's unwavering trust in him became their guiding lights.

With each passing moment, Nahusha's connection with Anya deepened. He saw in her the innocence he had lost, and his determination to protect her grew stronger. The Sela kingdom, their beacon of hope, felt within reach, fueling their weary bodies to push forward.

Finally, after running relentlessly for an entire day, they broke through the dense forest and entered the safety of the Sela kingdom. Anya, her leg injured and frightened, found solace in being back in her homeland. Nahusha, driven by a newfound purpose, reflected on his journey.

In the face of adversity, he had chosen to embrace his power, to fight for justice and freedom. The sacrifices he had made were not in vain, for he had saved Anya from a life of torment. Their shared struggle had forged an unbreakable bond, and together they would embark on a new chapter, healing each other's wounds and rewriting their destinies