Sura was on the ground looking at Indra . He was lost in the memories of his little sister Madhura. Though she was small merely of twelve years old in age she was a brave and bold girl just like Indra.Sura himself was fourteen in age at that time. Madhura loved hearing to Sura's flute and wanted to be a great craftsman like her brother. Sura had a talent in craftsmanship. He used his soft melody to cut marbles and stones to draw patterns and build instruments. Madhura loved the beautiful flowery designs his brother used to engrave on the castle's walls. In fact her brother gave her a beautiful small pinkish flute. She loved it and always kept it with herself. Those were the days Sura loved ..the time spent with his sister was comforting and refreshing.
She loved the view of the river from the castle . One day she was praising the view with his brother when she noticed a mysterious long bulky man in a black samurai like outfit with a long sword in his hand. He was standing on the bank of river facing towards them, he pulled his sword and pointed it in their direction and in a second Sura found himself covered in blood. Their castle was gone, it was in pieces spread on ground. In a panic state he shouted 'Madhura'..'Madhura'.. but no response. The mysterious man was in front of him. His presence was so strong that Sura's body froze, not a single word came from his mouth again. The man bent and picked up something with his bulky hand...it was ....it was..Madhura's flute which Sura had given to her. Beside that man was Madhura, covered in blood. She shouted, " Give it back , my brother made it for me."
Madhura had lost a lot of blood , she could barely stand , she was doing her best not to loose her consciousness. The poor girl want to buy some time..some time..for his brother to run away. Sura knew this but he couldn't and how could he? ...How could he run away leaving her sister in that situation? And even he try to run, he couldn't move a single muscle of his body in fear.
She finally fell on the ground taking her last breath.
Sura was completely broken at that time. It felt as if he had lost his 'Everything'. He has lost his will to live but he was afraid of death at the same time.
The man was surprised to see Sura was alive. He understood he was not normal, he must belong to an elite family. He slowly moved towards him.
" Be one of us and prove your loyalty, then I will allow you to live" said the Man loudly.
Sura was afraid , the man's presence was powerful, he couldn't refuse the offer. Sura regretted that decision. He wasn't brave enough to go against him. He couldn't be like her sister.
He accepted the offer and soon he became one of the Chapters in King's book and got King's energy which increased his ability of melody by a thousand times.
Sura begin to cry like a child remembering about her sister in front of Indra whose eyes still glowed with hope and resolve.
"Kill..me, I lost. You are strong ....but...my..broken...flute..bury it next to my sister's grave. You..will find it near the river bank" said Sura in a low, soft and calm tone.
Indra looked Sura with sad eyes and with a light hearted smile he said in a low and calm tone " You are strong ..very strong... I could have died. I have no reason to kill you..I just need answers. But... it is hard for me to believe that such a beautiful and kind hearted person is working for a demon. Your sister...you must..have..loved her a lot..."
Sura was speechless, Indra's words hit deep within him...his words were like a perfect melody...a melody he had longed for since a long time. Sura saw her sister in Indra.
But Sura was still confused, the same question came in his mind again and again, who is this gentleman?..will he really change everything?....Will this pain ever end ?..
" Where..have..you come ..from? How did you ...survive ...the attack.?" asked Sura in hesitation.
" It is complex. I cannot tell you..where I came from..But..as for your attack...I knew about the power of ॐ " said Indra still struggling to see from his eyes.
"It is not possible. Just knowing about it you cannot do anything. " said Sura.
After a little pause Sura asked with curious eyes, " What kind of speciality did you use?"
" I don't have any speciality, it was Martial Arts my brother forcefully tried to teach me and chanting ॐ for meditation was a basic practice. I was able to understand the vibrations and prevented the maximum damage. I didn't liked it since it was painful and tiring.. but ironically this Boring Martial Arts saved me." said Indra with a joyful laugh.
" A Boring.. Martial Art?" said Sura and started laughing with tears in his eyes.
They both laughed together as if they were long lost brothers.
While they were having a good laugh a dark black smoke started to come out from Sura's body.
"So the news of my defeat reached them" sighed Sura.
" I don't have much time so listen carefully. I will tell you everything I know "said Sura
"There is a Village lost in the forest therefore we call it 'The Hidden Village' ..it is the only place that the King has not captured yet . The village is mysterious. Find that place and you will get your answers" said Sura taking a long breath.
" I know you will keep moving forward but I will warn you... I was the first and the weakest chapter but the chapters you will encounter from now on are cruel...I sympathised with the weaks so they refused to recognise me as one of them..but as I was one of the chapters ..and ..since you have defeated me..you are no more an ordinary person...from here on you will be hunted..." said Sura in a concerning tone.
" Chapters are not the only one you need to fear...you will soon know about them ...they live in the shadows..they weep in the shadows....they kill from the shadows.." Sura said with fear in his eyes.
" End this...I know you can..save the innocents...from them..." Sura said optimistically looking towards Indra with hope while his body breaking apart and turning into the black vapours.
"I will ...I will protectect everyone..I couldn't save my loved ones..I will not allow them to take them anything anymore from us" said Indra assuring Sura who took his last breath while his body crumbles and disappeared in the smoke..only his broken flute remained on the ground.
After a week Sura was ready to continue his journey. He prayed near Sura's grave where Indra had burried Sura's flute besides his sister's grave.
He then begin walking towards his destination to find the hidden village.....but How will he find a place which even the King has not found yet?....