Chapter 33: “The Storm Begins”

📜 Previously on The Last Prince of Kaligarh:

Aryan made bold moves by winning over smugglers and blocking key trade routes. With Sena and Veer at his side, he rallied a growing army and won the trust of powerful allies. Varundev, watching from Kaligarh, starts to realize the prince is no ordinary boy.

SCENE 1 – MOUNTAIN RIDGE ABOVE NERUVA PASS – MORNING

A thick fog covers the valley. Aryan, Reva, and Viraj stand at a lookout post. Below, Kaligarh's troops control the pass.

ARYAN

(studying the map)

We split into three groups. Reva leads the left flank from the cliffs. Ranvi takes the forest path on the right. I'll go straight with the vanguard. We move at dawn.

VIRAJ

And if they spot us early?

ARYAN

Then we blind them with smoke and thunder. I've already planned for that.

SCENE 2 – THE FIRST STRIKE [NIGHT – NERUVA PASS]

Explosives hidden under carts go off. Smoke fills the pass. Aryan rides at the front with a small group, breaking through the center.

ARYAN

(loud and clear)

Push through! Hold the line!

Reva's archers rain arrows from above. Ranvi's unit hits from behind. The enemy panics. The pass is taken.

SCENE 3 – AFTER THE BATTLE [CAMP – NIGHT]

The army celebrates. Music and laughter fill the camp. Ranvi dances with villagers. Kaamaya shares drinks with Reva.

Aryan sits quietly, watching Sena and Veer wrestle near the fire. Suddenly, a voice breaks the calm.

STRANGER (O.S.)

You strike like a prince, but think like a king.

Aryan looks up. A tall woman stands cloaked in deep blue, a crescent blade at her hip. She moves with the grace of a warrior.

ARYAN

(quietly)

And you walk like someone used to command. Who are you?

WOMAN

You may call me Meena. I come from the Valley of Winds. My people once guarded Kaligarh's secret paths. I bring a warning… and a test.

Aryan narrows his eyes.

ARYAN

Then speak clearly. I don't like riddles.

MEENA

Then prove you deserve straight answers.

She vanishes into the dark.

SCENE 4 – SECRET MEETING [LATER THAT NIGHT – WOODEN HUT]

Aryan meets with Kaamaya, Viraj, and Reva. A map of the enemy's outer cities lies before them.

ARYAN

This was only the first step. Now we take the districts north of Kaligarh. Slowly. Quietly.

KAAMAYA

Our spies say Varundev is building walls inside the capital. He fears you.

REVA

Good. Let him fear. The real war hasn't even started.

📜 Preview for Chapter 34: "The Woman from the Winds"

Aryan meets Meena again—and must prove his worth through a deadly trial. At the same time, he launches a bold plan to take over two border cities without fighting a full battle. Secrets of Kaligarh's forgotten paths begin to surface…