Tension hung thick in the air as the three warriors stood their ground, their eyes locked onto the advancing Rakshasa army. Each heavy footstep sent tremors through the earth, their guttural growls and snarls echoing ominously across the battlefield. Twisted faces filled with malice and bloodlust emerged from the shadows, their weapons gleaming under the blood-red sky.
Shivansh's heart pounded, his grip tightening around Vajranand. Lucky cracked his knuckles, his usual smirk replaced by a look of sheer determination. Yogi remained still, his gaze sharp, analyzing the enemy's movements like a seasoned war strategist.
Then, in an instant, all hell broke loose.
The Rakshasas charged, their roars shattering the silence.
Shivansh moved first.
Pulling back Vajranand's string, he summoned a radiant golden arrow, crackling with divine energy. Without hesitation, he released it. The arrow streaked through the air like a bolt of lightning, striking the first wave of Rakshasas. A deafening explosion followed, engulfing at least ten of them in golden flames. Their bodies disintegrated into black ash before they even hit the ground.
Lucky wasted no time. He lunged forward, ducking under a Rakshasa's clawed strike before delivering a crushing punch to its face. The sheer force sent the demon skidding across the battlefield. Another leaped at him, but Lucky grabbed its arm mid-air and, with inhuman strength, flipped it over his shoulder, slamming it into the earth with enough force to crack the ground.
Meanwhile, Yogi engaged multiple enemies at once, his celestial staff moving like a blur. Each swing shattered armor, broke bones, and sent Rakshasas tumbling backward. A particularly large demon roared and swung its massive club at him. Yogi ducked, spun on his heel, and struck the creature square in the chest with a precise, explosive blow. The impact shattered its ribs, sending it flying like a ragdoll.
But the enemy kept coming.
One Rakshasa, faster than the rest, dodged Shivansh's arrows and lunged at him with claws bared. Shivansh barely had time to react—he raised his arm to block, but pain seared through him as the creature's claws slashed deep into his forearm. Gritting his teeth, he ignored the wound and, with a swift twist of his body, summoned another arrow and fired at point-blank range. The golden projectile pierced through the demon's skull, reducing it to dust in an instant.
Lucky, now surrounded, fought like a wild storm. He grabbed a fallen demon's sword and wielded it against them, slicing through their ranks with unrefined yet deadly aggression. Though he lacked the formal training of Shivansh or Yogi, his instincts and brute strength made him just as dangerous.
"Oi, Shivansh! A little help here!" he yelled as three Rakshasas closed in on him.
Shivansh didn't hesitate. Raising Vajranand, he fired three arrows in rapid succession. Each one found its mark, taking down Lucky's attackers before they could strike.
"Got your back," Shivansh called out.
Lucky smirked. "I knew I kept you around for a reason."
But then—a chilling growl filled the air.
The battlefield seemed to freeze as a massive figure emerged from the ranks of the Rakshasas. At least three times the size of the others, his black armor shimmered under the dark sky, his molten-red eyes locking onto Shivansh with an unsettling intensity. A giant spear rested in his hand, its tip dripping with a thick, venomous substance.
The remaining Rakshasas fell silent, stepping aside to clear a path. From the darkness, a towering presence emerged—a being exuding raw power and malice. His heavy armor gleamed, and a cruel smirk played on his lips as his gaze swept over Shivansh.
"So, you're the one," he mused, his voice deep and commanding. "The boy who carries the bloodline of legends."
Shivansh tightened his grip on Vajranand, his muscles tensing. "If you know who I am, then you also know I won't go down easily."
The Commander chuckled, his expression unreadable. "I'm counting on it."
With a mere flick of his wrist, the Rakshasa army roared and charged forward like a tidal wave.
Lucky unsheathed his twin blades, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Finally! Let's have some fun."
Yogi took his stance, his hands radiating a golden aura. "Don't lose focus. These aren't ordinary enemies."
The battlefield erupted into chaos. Lucky dashed forward, his twin blades slicing through monstrous warriors with deadly precision. Yogi unleashed bursts of celestial energy, sending waves of Rakshasas flying.
But the real battle had yet to begin.
The Commander stepped forward, his every step shaking the earth beneath him. "Enough warm-up. Let's see if you're worthy."
In a blink, he vanished—only to reappear right in front of Shivansh. His massive black-bladed spear slashed toward him with terrifying speed. Shivansh barely managed to block it with Vajranand, but the impact sent shockwaves across the battlefield, scattering debris into the air.
Staggering back, Shivansh gritted his teeth and steadied himself. But the Commander didn't relent. He pressed forward with a relentless assault, his strikes swift and brutal. Shivansh dodged, countering with arrows infused with celestial energy. Explosions of golden flames erupted with every impact.
But the Commander was fast. Too fast.
Twisting mid-air, he narrowly avoided an arrow aimed at his heart and retaliated with a dark energy blast from his free hand. Shivansh barely managed to deflect it with a forceful swing of Vajranand, but the impact still sent him skidding across the ground.
Seeing Shivansh struggle, Lucky rushed in. He leaped, bringing his twin blades down in a powerful arc. But the Commander caught both swords effortlessly between his fingers. With a flick of his wrist, he sent Lucky flying backward.
"Tch! This guy is insane!" Lucky groaned, flipping back onto his feet.
Yogi, seizing the moment, raised his hands skyward, summoning a massive wave of golden energy. "Try dodging this!" With a forceful clap, the energy collapsed inward before erupting toward the Commander in a blinding explosion.
For a moment, all was silence. Smoke and dust clouded the air.
Then, a sinister chuckle echoed through the battlefield. As the smoke cleared, the Commander emerged—unscathed. His armor pulsed with dark energy, his expression unreadable.
"Not bad," he admitted. "But still not enough."
Shivansh wiped the sweat from his brow, his breath heavy, but his resolve unwavering. He knew one thing for certain—this battle was far from over.
And for the first time, he felt it—the weight of destiny pressing down on him.