Legacy of the fallen
Chapter 9
Present Day
"This was what happened that day. Aksh wasn't the one who killed him—I dealt the final blow. So arrest me if you have to, just let my son go," Reena pleaded, tears streaming down her face.
Arihant, with a look of sympathy in his eyes, said, "I'm sorry for making you recall these painful memories, but with everything that happened, don't you think it should be Aksh's decision whether to join us or not? Aren't you being too controlling?"
"He is just a kid! He doesn't know what's good for him. I can't let him face more of this cruel world after suffering under that monster for so many years!" Reena shouted.
Arihant, his voice calm yet firm, replied, "Do you think he will be able to live normally after all that has happened?"
Reena interrupted, her voice breaking, "But still… I just can't bring myself—"
"I will join you."
The door creaked open, and Aksh stepped forward.
"If I can get stronger, I will definitely join you. I want to become so strong that no one will ever dare to touch me or my family," Aksh replied, a determined look in his eyes.
Reena interrupted, her voice filled with concern, "But Aksh, you'll have to suffer again. You really don't have to do this for us."
Aksh, his voice louder this time, responded firmly, "Mother! I have made my decision, and I won't change it no matter what."
Reena didn't press any further. The look in Aksh's eyes told her he was already determined, and she wouldn't be able to convince him otherwise.
Arihant laughed and said, "You hit the nail on the head right there, snotty brat. I couldn't agree more. But keep this in mind, brat—the training you're about to go through by joining us will be so intense that death will seem like the easier option."
Aksh grinned at Arihant. "I am not a snotty brat."
Arihant replied mockingly, "Oh really? Then who was the one crying like hell and snotting all over his mother, saying he was scared?"
Aksh clenched his teeth and fists. "You… you…"
Arihant interrupted, making a face like an annoying joker—one that anyone would love to punch. "Oho, little snotty brat is angry now. Why don't you go and complain to your mommy?"
Before Aksh could do anything, a sudden punch landed straight on Arihant's face.
"You are definitely going to hell, you bastard," Jasmine said, cracking her knuckles.
"You don't have to pay any mind to this jerk, Aksh. Let's move—we can't stay here any longer," she said to Aksh, giving him a warm smile, while Arihant rubbed his face in the background.
They began checking out of the hospital, one officer pushing Reena's wheelchair while another walked beside her. Arihant and Jasmine walked on either side, with Aksh in the middle, holding Tejasvi's hand as they stepped outside.
As they stepped outside the hospital, a huge black limousine stood parked right at the entrance. Aksh had never seen such a massive car before. He had thought Dhruva's car was the biggest, but it was nothing compared to the sheer grandeur of the vehicle in front of him.
Tejasvi's eyes sparkled with excitement as she exclaimed, "Wow! Such a big car! Brother, are we going to sit in that?"
"Of course, little one! Behold the majesty of yours truly's car! You may now bow before my grandiosity," Arihant exclaimed, his nose metaphorically growing longer with pride.
They got into the car, and it departed from the hospital with the same commanding presence as a tiger striding out of its den.
Throughout the entire journey, Tejasvi couldn't stop exclaiming in excitement as she admired the scenery outside the car window. It was her first time in the city—clean roads, towering buildings that seemed to touch the sky, and people dressed in unique styles, each more fascinating than the last. Some were flying effortlessly through the air, while others moved so fast that her eyes couldn't keep up.
With her eyes sparkling in amazement, she tugged on Aksh's sleeve. "Brother, brother Aksh! How can these people fly and run so fast? Will I be able to do that too when I grow up?"
"Of course, you can! But only if you eat all your vegetables and fill your tummy to the brim," Jasmine said,
Tejasvi's mood suddenly dropped. She looked at Aksh with teary eyes and murmured, "So... I won't be able to fly like them... since we never had enough vegetables to fill our tummies."
A heavy silence settled over the car.
"Don't worry about that anymore, kid," Arihant said, his voice unusually gentle as he patted Tejasvi's head. "From now on, you'll never have to sleep on an empty stomach again. You can eat as much as you want."
"Really? Is that true, brother? Will we really, really never have to sleep on an empty stomach again? Can Tejasvi really eat as much as she wants?" She looked into her brother's eyes, a spark of hope shining in her gaze.
Aksh replied in a soft voice, "Of course you can."
"Oh man, with all this talk about food, I'm starving!" Arihant groaned, clutching his stomach. "Driver, stop at Azure Pavilion—I can't travel on an empty stomach! But before that, take us to a clothing store." He smirked and turned to Jasmine. "Go do what you do best."
Jasmine's eyes lit up with excitement. "Alright! It's shopping time!" she cheered.
The car stopped in front of a massive, inverted U-shaped building covered in gleaming mirrors. As soon as Jasmine stepped out, she placed her hands on her hips and sighed.
"Oh boy, we're here again."
The moment she passed through the entrance, a security guard immediately spoke into his radio.
"Madam Jasmine has arrived! I repeat, Madam Jasmine has arrived!"
Within thirty seconds, a short and plump man in a black tuxedo came rushing forward. A thick gold chain hung around his neck, and a single golden tooth gleamed in his wide grin. Waving his hands eagerly, he came to a stop in front of her, rubbing his palms together.
"Madam Jasmine! Welcome back to our humble little store. We are truly honoured to have your grand elegance grace us once again!"
Jasmine scoffed and crossed her arms, turning her head away.
"Hmph! You've really mastered the art of flattery, Mr. Albedo."
Albedo clutched his chest dramatically, dabbing a fake tear from his eye with a handkerchief.
"Ah, Lady Jasmine, your harsh words wound me! I only speak the truth, I swear."
Jasmine let out an exasperated sigh, her expression slightly annoyed.
"Alright, alright. Enough of that. Take me to the kids' department. I'm here to buy clothes for these kids—bring me the best you've got, and don't hold back."
They stepped into Maison de Lumière, the grand boutique glowing with soft golden lights reflecting off mirror-polished marble. The moment Jasmine crossed the threshold, a flurry of motion followed—nearly fifteen staff members trailed behind like loyal attendants to a queen.
"This, this, and definitely this—I'll take everything from here!" Jasmine declared, pointing to racks of glittering dresses, soft cottons, and miniature jackets lined with velvet. She spun around dramatically, already in full shopping-warrior mode.
"Tejasvi, come here!" she called, waving the girl over with a bright grin. Holding up a pastel pink skirt embroidered with tiny silver flowers, she squealed, "Wow, this looks so cute on you!" and gently held it against Tejasvi's waist to check the fit.
"Tejasvi, come with me! It's time for some girls' shopping," Jasmine said with a bright grin, extending her hand toward the little girl.
Tejasvi looked up at her, then turned her eyes to Aksh, as if silently asking for permission. Her small fingers fidgeted slightly, unsure.
Aksh met her gaze and gave her a soft nod.
Only then did she smile and reach out, gently taking Jasmine's hand.
The two walked off together, disappearing into the glittering sea of fabrics.
Meanwhile, Aksh wandered through the store, his eyes scanning shelves and racks filled with clothes and accessories he'd never seen before—some so extravagant they looked like they belonged on stage performers or kings.
As he turned a corner, five elegantly dressed female staff members approached him, each with warm, professional smiles.
"Young Master," one of them said sweetly, hands clasped in front of her, "please allow us the honor of selecting the perfect outfit for you."
Aksh blinked. "No need. I'll choose for myself," he replied, trying to keep his voice steady.
"I'm afraid we can't allow that," another woman said, stepping forward. "Lady Jasmine gave us strict instructions to find the most fitting attire for you. We dare not take her orders lightly."
Aksh hesitated and insisted, "N-No, you really don't have to do that."
A voice echoed from deep within his mind—old, raspy, and wheezing with laughter.
"BWAHAHA! Now I've seen everything! You didn't even flinch charging those officers, but here you are—trembling in front of five beautiful women! You're afraid of women, aren't you?"
Aksh gritted his teeth, eyes twitching. "You old geezer, shut up already!" he snapped internally.
"You aren't denying it, so it's actually true! You're hopeless! Absolutely hopeless! Hahaha—ACK—I can't—I'm dying—HAHAHA!"
Aksh could face death, monsters, and power-hungry men without flinching. But every being has a natural enemy.
And for Aksh, it was social interaction with women.
The five women stepped closer, practically glowing with excitement as they circled him.
"Come now, Young Master," one cooed, her hands gently urging him forward, "let's dress you up, shall we?"
And in that moment, the demon felt true terror.
Not the terror of death or defeat— —but of the look in the eyes of five determined women.
And the voice in his head only laughed harder, practically gasping for air from how hard it was laughing.