2. Rudranath.

Note: All the following is happening only inside the book after the end written by Aditi. The book is officially finished. Hence all this is not included in the book. 

General Rudra was bound and gagged, his eyes reflecting a blend of defiance and rage. He stood before his fellow soldiers in the moonlit clearing. 

Accused of treason for betraying Prince Dhrupad, his punishment was swift and severe- a grim reminder of the cost of disloyalty.

The men, once his comrades, now encircled him with cold, resolute faces, their hearts hardened by the betrayal.

Rudra was stripped of his achievements, his uniform torn from back, a symbol of erasure of his rank and honor. He was then marched to the edge of the forest, where the silent trees bore witness to his final moments. 

Rudra's POV:

I stood at the edge of the forest, glaring at my comrades who shot me looks filled with nothing but fury.

Not a single one of them dared to ask why I had raised my sword against Prince Dhrupad. Not even King Vanraj himself.

Once, the royal Court had the audacity to invite my family, pretending they wanted to arrange a marriage for my elder sister with one of their precious princes.

We were betrayed. They trapped us in a cave and set it ablaze. The reason? Who the hell knows!

I was just six years old. My family made the ultimate sacrifice to shield me from the flames. They surrounded me, protecting me from every angle. That day, I swore I would wield an 'Inferno blade'.

By the end, only my father was left. He was too weak to even stand. He died holding me, shielding me from the fire that raged on through the night. My body was scorched, but my spirit burned brighter. That day, I vowed to avenge my family, standing over the lifeless bodies of my sister, my mother, my father.

I dedicated my life to uncovering the truth behind that horrific night. I rose to become a loyal General in King Vanraj's court. I stumbled upon letters from Prince Dhrupad's office on the day of his coronation, revealing an execution order issued years ago. My family's execution. He was the one who signed off on it. He was also responsible for the injury that disqualified the first prince from the throne.

What a bastard. Yet, my revenge crumbled. All my efforts were for nothing. In the end, he still ascended to the throne.

"Why the hell was my life filled with so much suffering? Why couldn't I even avenge my family in the end? That wicked Prince Dhrupad got exactly what he wanted."

I did everything in my power to seek vengeance, but I failed. They even took my blade from me.

I demand to know why my life turned out this way. Why was my creator so merciless? What had I done to deserve such a tragic fate? The Prince I swore my loyalty to become the greatest traitor of my life. I wanted answers from God, my creator.

 I saw one of the soldiers lift his sword towards me.

Out of nowhere, the sword slipped from his grip and clattered to the ground. One by one, the other soldiers fell too. I was completely lost about what was happening. Suddenly, my handcuffs clicked open on their own. A door with a shimmering silver edge appeared right in front of me. It felt like time had frozen. I thought it might be a passage to the afterlife. I pushed the door open and stepped through...

----- Meanwhile, in the modern world,

"No, no, no! You're not going anywhere, brother! I won't let you leave," Aditi cried, clutching Atharva's suitcase as he packed his clothes. She shot a glance at Yash, who was watching her with a smirk, ready to back her up in stopping her brother from leaving.

"Please, Atharva Bhaiya, don't go. How will we manage without you? We'll be so bored! Who will we annoy without you around?"

"Aditi, Yash, stop being stubborn. I have to go. This research article is really important. I need to be there."

"But why all of a sudden? Why do you have to leave me?" Aditi sobbed.

"Aditi, it's for my research. It's crucial. Only a few doctors from India get this opportunity, and I'm one of the lucky ones this time," Atharva explained, trying to reason with her.

Just then, Shikha Di walked into the room.

"Aditi, you're so lucky! Your brother is going to the US for you."

"For me? How is that possible, Di?" Aditi asked, confused.

"Yes, Aditi! The research he's going for is directly related to your condition. If it works out, you could be permanently cured."

Aditi's face lit up at Shikha Di's words.

"Brother, are you really going to the US for me??" Atharva glanced at Shikha Di, not wanting to spill the beans to Aditi.

"Yes, it's true. I didn't want to tell you, but now that you know, please don't try to stop me, Aditi."

"Atharva bhaiya, you're the best!" Yash exclaimed, pulling Atharva into a hug.

Aditi joined in too. Atharva waved goodbye to everyone and set off for the US.