The waves rolled gently against the golden sand, their rhythm echoing the clash of wooden swords. Karna stumbled backward, nearly tripping over his own feet as his brother pressed forward.
"Careful, Karna!" Ashwa grinned, his strikes quick and powerful. "If you lose balance like that in a real fight, you'll be on the ground before you even blink."
Karna puffed out his cheeks, gripping his sword tightly. "I–I know! But this time, I won't fall so easily." He swung with all his strength, though his brother blocked it with ease.
On the edge of the beach, sitting on a smooth rock, a girl's voice rose above the sound of the waves.
"Come on, Karna! Don't let him push you around!" Ishika cupped her hands around her mouth, cheering with bright enthusiasm.
Her laughter filled the air as the brothers continued their duel, each strike sending up small sprays of sand. It wasn't a battle of hatred, but of brotherhood—two rivals sharpening each other with every swing.
Up in the shade of a wide old tree, Indra lay sprawled across a thick branch, half-asleep. His arm dangled lazily, a faint snore escaping his lips.
"When will Manav come? He's always late…""
Wake me when they actually get serious," he muttered, not bothering to open his eyes.
The clash of wooden blades went on, but even Karna's determination couldn't hide the truth—Ashwa was stronger, faster, and more disciplined. Yet, Karna's spirit never faltered.
"Just wait," Karna huffed, stepping back to catch his breath. "One day, I'll surprise you, Ashwa."
Ashwa smirked, lowering his sword. "I'll look forward to it".
The scene shifted to a small house nearby. Inside, Manav was still sprawled on his bed, fast asleep. Suddenly, the door creaked open, and Aditya—his elder brother and their mentor—called out sharply:
"Manav! Wake up. We're already late for training!"
Manav's eyes snapped open. He turned toward the window, saw the bright morning outside, and gasped.
"Oh no… I'm already late!"
Without wasting a second, he leapt from his bed and rushed out of the house, sprinting straight toward the beach.
When he finally arrived, panting and exhausted, he froze in shock. Aditya was already standing there, calm and composed as if he had been waiting for a while.
Breathless, Manav exclaimed,
"Brother?! How did you get here before me? I was running at full speed!"
Aditya only gave him a faint smile .
The morning sun gleamed brightly as Aditya gathered everyone on the beach. His calm yet firm voice carried over the sound of the waves.
"Today's training will take place in the ocean," he announced.
Manav's eyes lit up with excitement. He threw his arms in the air and shouted,
"The ocean! We're training in the ocean today!"
Karna, however, frowned in confusion.
"But… how are we supposed to go there? Where's our ship?"
Aditya simply chuckled. From behind him, he pulled out a small wooden box. Without a word, he placed it gently on the water. The box glowed faintly—and before their stunned eyes, it unfolded and expanded into a massive ship, steady on the waves.
Karna's jaw dropped.
"What… what kind of magic is this…?" he whispered in disbelief.
One by one, everyone climbed aboard the ship. As the sails unfurled, Aditya turned to them and declared,
"Your training today will be about survival. You must learn how to endure the ocean."
From morning till evening, their training continued. The sun blazed, the salty winds lashed at their faces, and the waves tested their balance and strength. They practiced together, sometimes laughing, sometimes struggling, but never giving up.
By nightfall, exhaustion had set in. On the deck, Ishika prepared food over a small stove, her hands quick yet gentle. Meanwhile, Manav, Indra, Ashwa, and Karna worked together, tidying up the supplies and securing ropes. Aditya stood at the helm, guiding the ship through the darkening waters.
Just when peace seemed to settle over the crew…
A strange sound echoed across the ocean. It was low at first, then grew louder, rumbling like a beast beneath the waves.
Everyone froze.
They rushed to the edge of the ship, eyes wide.
What they saw left them utterly speechless.
They suddenly realized that their ship was surrounded by the army of Raktbeej. Darkness spread across the sea, the wind roared violently, and with the crashing waves came the echo of terrifying screams.
Everyone was shocked. Manav's breath grew heavy, his fists clenched in fear and anger.
Aditya spoke in a deep, commanding voice:
"Everyone, get into the hidden chamber! Quickly!"
Manav shouted back:
"No, brother! I will not leave you behind!"
Ashwa, Karna, Ishika, and Indra joined in, their voices trembling:
"We won't leave you alone either!"
Aditya's face burned with both fury and pain. He roared:
"It's my order! Go inside—NOW!"
Helpless, the others rushed into the hidden chamber. Outside, strange sounds echoed—clashes of metal, monstrous cries, the ocean's furious roar. Then, suddenly… silence.
Terrified, they slowly stepped out of the chamber and moved toward the deck.
And what they saw broke their hearts.
Two Asuras were holding Aditya by his arms. His face looked weary, yet his eyes still shone with the fierce fire of a warrior.
Manav tried to rush to him, but then—
The sky flashed with lightning. From the depths of the ocean,
It was none other than Raktbeej, the King of Asuras.
His wicked laughter shook the very air. Without wasting a moment, he struck Aditya with a single, deadly blow.
Aditya collapsed instantly, his blood spilling into the ocean waves.
"Noooooo!" Manav screamed, running forward, but it was already too late.
At that moment, another strange being appeared—a creature with half the body of a man and half the body of a black crow. With sharp talons, he seized Manav and asked Raktbeej:
"King, shall I kill him now?"
Raktbeej's blood-red eyes glared at Manav.
"No. They are just children. Leave them."
With that, Raktbeej and his army vanished into the shadows, leaving behind nothing but sorrow.
On the deck, silence ruled.
Manav, Ashwa, Ishika, Karna, and Indra fell to their knees, holding Aditya's blood-stained body. Tears streamed down their faces, their cries echoing with the sound of the restless sea.
That day, even the ocean was silent—
as if it too was mourning.
Five years later, the children had grown into young teenagers of fifteen.
It was the day when Indra was going to be crowned as the heir to the throne of Indus. His mother, Aditi, gently placed the crown on his head while the people cheered.
The scene shifted to another house—
Inside, Ishika and her mother Usha were cooking food together.
Outside, Ashwa and Karna were practicing sword fighting once again, while Deva, Ishika's younger brother, cheered loudly for them.
When the food was ready, Ishika and Usha brought it outside. Ashwa, Karna, and Deva quickly sat down to eat. While they were eating, Usha looked around and asked:
"Where is Manav?"
Karna replied,
"He is training near the river."
Usha nodded and said,
"After you finish eating, call him too."
After finishing their meal, they went to the riverside to bring Manav.
But what they saw shocked them—
Manav was training harshly, pushing himself beyond limits… and hurting himself in the process.
They rushed to stop Manav.
But Manav shouted at them, "Why did you stop me? It's all my fault!"
Ashwa put a hand on his shoulder,
"No, Manav. It's not your fault. That time… we were all too small. We couldn't do anything."
Tears rolled down Manav's eyes. He finally broke down, crying in front of them.
They gently took him back to Ishika's house, where Usha gave him food. After eating, Manav was so exhausted that he fell asleep.
Usha looked at him and whispered with worry,
"If this continues, one day Manav will destroy himself."
That night, Manav had a terrifying dream.
He saw everything again—the night Aditya was killed. But this time, in the dream, Aditya appeared before him.
Aditya's voice was stern,
"Manav, have you taken revenge for me yet?"
Manav lowered his head and shook it, "No…"
Aditya's eyes burned with anger.
"You are weak! You can't even avenge your own brother!"
Manav cried out,
"No! That's not true!"
Aditya's voice thundered,
"Then prove it! Go… and take my revenge!"
Manav suddenly woke up, breathing heavily.
He realized—it was just a dream.
He found himself sleeping in Deva's room, with the little boy resting peacefully beside him.
The next day, when everyone was gathered together, Manav finally spoke with determination in his voice:
"I want to take revenge on Raktbeej."
Ishika's voice trembled with anger and fear.
"Manav, have you lost your mind? Do you even realize what you're saying? You want revenge against Raktbeej—the King of the Asuras? Do you know how powerful he is? He can regenerate from a single drop of his blood. Killing him is impossible!
But Manav reply remember… he cannot even step on the mortal ground. Manav, this is suicide!"
Usha quickly added,
"Yes, Manav. Ishika is right. This path is too dangerous. Please… don't go after him."
But Ashwa clenched his fists and shouted with passion,
"I'm with you, Manav! I don't like easy paths anyway."
Even little Deva stood up and declared,
"I'm with you too, brother!"
At that very moment, Ashwa and Karna's grandfather, Ishwar, entered the scene. His face was dark with rage. Without a word, he slapped Ashwa across the face.
"Enough!" Ishwar roared, grabbing Ashwa by the arm.
"You're coming home. You will not involve yourself in such madness!"
He dragged Ashwa away, leaving the others in stunned silence.
Usha looked straight into Manav's eyes. Her voice was heavy with worry.
"Manav… what you're planning is impossible. Leave this revenge behind, or it will destroy you."
It was evening. The sun was melting into the horizon, painting the river with shades of orange and crimson. Manav sat silently by the riverside, lost in his thoughts, when he suddenly heard the sound of footsteps behind him.
He turned and saw Indra approaching. Indra walked over and quietly sat down beside him.
Manav gave him a small smile and said,
"Congratulations, Indra. You are now the King of Indus."
Indra chuckled softly, shaking his head.
"King? What kind of king am I if I can't even spend time with my own friends anymore? Those days of training together, away from home, those five years of laughter, pain, and struggle… they will never return. What's the point of being king if I lose all that?"
Manav lowered his gaze. Indra studied his face and asked gently,
"But why do you look so sad, my friend?"
Manav hesitated for a moment. Then, with a trembling voice, he told Indra everything—about his nightmares, the guilt that still haunted him, and his burning desire for revenge against Raktbeej.
Indra sat beside Manav and took a deep breath.
"Aditya wasn't just a teacher to me," Indra said softly, his eyes reflecting pain. "He was like my elder brother. Everything I am today, it's because of him. When everyone doubted me and said I would become a weak king, my mother found me a teacher who made me strong enough to stand here as the ruler of Indus."
His fists clenched as his voice grew heavier.
"Raktbeej didn't just take away your brother, Manav. He took mine as well. And how could we ever forget the Tenth Great War of Veloura? That war claimed my father's life. Since then, my mother, Aditi, has poured all her strength into keeping Indus alive.
Indra turned to Manav, his gaze sharp yet full of understanding.
"You are not alone in your grief, Manav. What you lost… I lost too."
Indra stood up and stretched out his hand.
"Come, Manav," he said firmly.
Manav looked up, puzzled. "Where?"
"To the palace," Indra replied.
The two of them walked through the grand halls of the Indus palace until Indra led Manav into a quiet, hidden chamber. From a carved wooden chest, Indra lifted a small, ancient box and placed it in Manav's hands.
Manav frowned. "What is this?"
Indra's eyes softened. "Pavaran."
Manav tilted his head. "Pavaran? What's that?"
Indra placed a hand on the box reverently. "It's my grandfather's ship—the same vessel he used to fight countless great wars. With this ship, you can travel across the seas. Learn everything you can about Raktbeej. Grow stronger than you ever imagined. This path… you must walk it yourself. I cannot go with you."
Manav's chest tightened. "But—"
Indra gripped his shoulders firmly and gave a reassuring smile. "Even if I cannot walk beside you, remember—I am always with you, brother."
Tears welled in Manav's eyes as he suddenly pulled Indra into a tight embrace.
Outside the city walls, at the quiet place where they often trained, Manav stood with a small pack of belongings. Indra was beside him, and the two embraced tightly, their voices heavy with emotion.
"Goodbye, brother," Indra whispered.
But before their farewell could finish, a familiar voice broke through the silence.
"Both friends will make us emotional?"
Both Manav and Indra spun around—standing there was Ashwa, grinning.
"Ashwa?!" Manav's eyes widened. "How did you get here?"
Ashwa laughed and stretched his arms. "Simple. We ran away from home."
Indra's face turned serious, but before he could speak, two more figures emerged from behind Ashwa—Ishika and Karna.
Manav looked at them in shock. "But… what about your families? They must be searching for you right now!"
Ashwa shrugged with a mischievous smile. "We left letters behind. Once they read them, they'll understand."
Manav turned to Ishika, worry etched across his face. "And Deva? What about him?"
Ishika sighed softly but tried to smile. "Don't worry about Deva. He'll cry for a couple of days… but he's strong. He'll be fine."
Manav looked at each of them—his friends, standing by his side despite the risks. His heart felt heavy, but also stronger than ever.
Manav: "This journey is dangerous…"
Ashwa smirked. "Didn't I tell you before? Easy things are not for me."
Ishika smiled warmly at Indra. "Congratulations, Indra. You're finally the king now."
Ashwa teased, "Oh yes! Hail King Indra!"
Indra turned to Karna. "And you too, Karna—you're going. But don't cry. Just grow stronger, stronger than ever."
Karna nodded seriously. "I will."
They all embraced one another—one last time as children, before destiny pulled them apart.
Indra, with a heavy heart, walked back toward the city.
Manav, Ashwa, Karna, and Ishika turned the other way—toward the endless ocean.
The journey took a full day. Finally, by dusk, they stood at the shore, the sky painted in orange and violet. The sound of crashing waves echoed around them.
Manav carefully placed the mysterious box upon the surface of the sea. For a moment, nothing happened—then, before their eyes, the box shimmered and expanded, transforming into a magnificent ship. Its sails unfurled with a roar, and golden carvings glowed faintly across its hull.
Karna's eyes widened. "This… this is a ship?! Manav, how did you get this?"
Before Manav could answer, Ashwa folded his arms with a knowing smile.
"I knew it. This is Indra's, isn't it?"
Manav turned to him, surprised. "Yes… but how do you know?"
Ashwa chuckled. "I read about it once. The legendary vessel—Pavaran. The ship of kings."
Without another word, they all stepped aboard. The sails caught the evening wind, and the ship slowly drifted away from the shore. The waves carried them into the unknown.
Their great journey had begun.