Chapter 16 The Shadow of Revenge

Nirag and Anvay kept staring at Agni in shock Both their faces held the same expression A mixture of fear guilt and astonishment They stood up stumbling together Tauji Margdarshak

Agni entered the chamber His steps were heavy but his face no longer held the anger that was there just hours ago when he fought Neer Now there was a tired deep sadness there Nirag stood up and his hands were still trembling slightly Anvay moved a little distance away as if he did not want to intrude on this family moment

Agni went to Nirag and placed his hand on his shoulder His fingers left a faint burn on Nirag clothes but this time the burn was gentle not painful Forgive me son Agni voice had a strange heaviness as if he was forcing the words out of his throat I caused you a lot of pain I did not know that my behavior would make you suffer so much

Nirag smiled but there was a bitterness in that smile Tauji please do not apologize It is not your fault

Agni took a deep breath and his eyes scanned Nirag face Son I know that sometimes I get a little angry But all this I do all this only for your safety

Nirag nodded yes and asked Tauji How is Pitashree

Agni eyes dropped He looked towards the window from where a part of Neer chamber was visible Neer is unconscious in his chamber He is resting Perhaps I caused him even more pain than I caused you If I had listened to Neer and obeyed what he said then none of this would have happened

Nirag said to Agni Tauji everything will be fine Pitashree will recover soon

Agni said to Nirag Son is there something you are hiding from me

Nirag looked into Agni eyes and his throat felt dry For a moment that old fear returned to his eyes Just then Anvay cut in and said Yes Margdarshak There is one thing that Nirag hid from you

Nirag eyes widened Agni went to Anvay and said What thing

Anvay was looking at Nirag Nirag gaze was saying Anvay do not say anything

Agni asked Anvay again Tell me Anvay

Anvay said That Nirag has an injury on his hand

Agni looked at Nirag hand There was a small but deep injury mark on his hand from which a faint black discharge was oozing like drops of ink spreading under his skin Nirag breathed a sigh of relief

Agni said Soldier Soldier come quickly

A soldier came running and said Command Maharaj

Agni said Quickly bring herbs and turmeric paste

The soldier ran and brought the paste Agni made Nirag sit on the bench and said Nirag sit here And he held his hand and applied the paste on his injury His fingers were unusually gentle while applying the paste He stroked Nirag cheek and smiled and then walked away from there

Tears came to Nirag eyes Anvay came to him and said I know Nirag You are thinking that those whose hearts ache at such a small injury on your body what will be their condition when they learn the truth that Andhak Void is inside your body

Nirag looked at Anvay and said Anvay what should I do now How do I save my family from this problem called Andhak Void

Anvay smiled and said We will fight And we will also defeat him Hmm

Night had fallen Anvay made Nirag eat his meal Nirag refused to eat Anvay said Nirag if you do not eat then how will you fight Andhak Void Come on open your mouth Nirag opened his mouth and Anvay began feeding him

Just then Nirag said Pitashree and Tauji have also not eaten We must feed them too

Anvay nodded yes Nirag and Anvay both went to Neer chamber where Neer lay unconscious on the bed and Agni sat beside him watching him Nirag knocked on the door Agni looked at the door and said Nirag Come inside Why are you standing there

Nirag and Anvay entered the chamber Nirag said Tauji come and eat You have not eaten anything since morning

Agni looked at Neer and said Neer has also not eaten

Nirag said Pitashree is still unconscious When he regains consciousness he will also eat Come you eat

Agni said Neer lies here unconscious because of me How can I eat

Nirag said But Tauji Anvay placed his hand on Nirag shoulder Nirag calmed down and said As you wish Tauji And he walked away from there

At that very moment elsewhere in the royal palace of Suryapuri a spy quickly entered the inner chamber of the palace Only one lamp burned in the chamber and its flame was high and restless as if fighting against gusts of wind The king had his back turned towards the spy and his gaze was fixed on the dark sky outside the palace window

Victory to the King The spy said kneeling down

The king turned around and said What news have you brought spy

The spy folded his hands and bowed his neck low and said Maharaj there is secret news from Prakashgadh

The king eyes widened A faint imperceptible smile floated on his lips What is the secret news spy

The spy said Maharaj there was a huge battle between Maharaj Agni and Neer of Prakashgadh Parts of the palace have burned from their battle And the news is also that enmity is now brewing between the two Additionally the future king Nirag is losing his mental balance And Maharaj Neer is still in an unconscious state

The king began to laugh The spy said I think Maharaj the downfall of Prakashgadh has begun We should prepare for war

A mysterious smile came upon the king face and he said You may go

The spy folded his hands and said As you command Maharaj And he left from there

The king went into his chamber and lit a lamp in front of a picture hanging in the chamber The picture was of a young man whose features resembled King Varun but his eyes held a different shine The king said I will now take revenge for your death son And after lighting the lamp he walked away from there

The flame of the lamp illuminated the face of the young man in the picture and suddenly in that light a map appeared on the wall behind the picture A detailed map of Prakashgadh with attack routes marked in red ink The king closed the door but before that the gleam in his eyes reflected in the lamp flame That gleam was not pure revenge but the satisfaction of a long wait

Chapter 161 - Chapter 16 The Shadow of Revenge