Author: Karthik K R

Fourth Prahar, Margashirsha Krishna Ashtami, 3162 BCE: “Do you hear that?” The same sadistic smile crept up on Jayadrath’s face, as a scream full of pain resounded from the center of the Chakravyuha. He swung the mace right into Bheem’s chest, sending him back without balance till he fell, tears in his eyes. He picked…

Third Prahar, Margashirsha Krishna Ashtami, 3162 BCE: The arc distance between two marked warriors on the spiral gave Veer an idea of the size of the Vyuha and the layers between him and the epicenter. As Sumitra sped the horses, Veer spotted a pair of nervous soldiers ahead of them. He shot the two soldiers…

First Prahar, Margashirsha Krishna Ashtami, 3162 BCE: “Madhav,” Dhananjay’s voice was devoid of energy. “War is not for children to be involved in. Are we doing the right thing by having Veer shoulder so much responsibility? He is a capable kid – I do not question that. But it makes me uneasy to leave him…

Nightfall, Margashirsha Krishna Saptami, 3162 BCE: “What is the matter?” Bheem walked in. At seven feet, his bulky frame, illuminated by the light of the lamp, left the entrance to the tent in complete darkness. “We are missing something. I can feel it in my bones,” Sahadev dropped to his knees to get a closer…

“What are you reading, Vibhu?” Meenu sat down beside her elder brother, deeply engrossed in the palm-leaf text he nimbly held in his hands. Without batting an eyelid, he replied, “This text talks about how the Himalayas were formed.” He paused, to look into her curious amber eyes. She loved that Vibhu explained things to her.

Amaira brought her fists close to her face. The morning sun was as radiant as Kabir. “This round’s definitely mine,” Kabir smiled, stepping forward, and wiping beads of sweat off his forehead. Her training gave her a fraction of a second more, to admire his beautiful dark brown eyes tracing her fists. When he looked into her eyes, when his warm skin was against hers, when his cedarwood scent teased her nose, it brought out something primordial inside of her.

5103 BCE: “Can you make the mark, eyes closed?” Eleven year old Sudarshan looked at his brother – twin, but nothing like him. Bowstring drawn, his grip on the bow tense, Bhadra’s eyes were fixed on the target he was practicing with. The target hung at least fifty paces away. Sudarshan had meant for it…