Legacy of the fallen
Chapter 10:
"How do I look?" Tejasvi asked shyly with her cheeks getting pink from embarrassment.
She stepped out slowly from changing room, wearing a long, flowing blue skirt that swayed with each step. Her hair was neatly tied into braided ponytails, and she held the edges of her skirt delicately with her tiny hands, like a princess stepping out for her grand entrance.
Jasmine gasped dramatically, her eyes sparkling. "Oh my god! You are the cutest little thing ever, Tejasvi! You look absolutely beautiful!"
"R-Really? This is the first time someone's ever called me cute…" Tejasvi mumbled, her face turning completely red with embarrassment as she looked down shyly.
"Yes, really! You're going to be a real beauty when you grow up—mark my words, you'll break a lot of hearts," Jasmine said with a wink. "I bet even your brother won't be able to keep a straight face when he sees you."
"Is that so..." Tejasvi replied softly.
"Well then, let's go make your brother frown a little," Jasmine grinned, gently taking Tejasvi's hand as they headed out.
Just then, a voice interrupted them. "Is your shopping not done yet?"
They turned—and froze. Aksh was standing there, dressed in a black formal pant, crisp white shirt, and a fitted blazer. His hair, usually a wild mess, was neatly combed, and his face was clean and fresh.
"Wooowww... Brother Aksh looks really handsome!" Tejasvi exclaimed, eyes sparkling with awe.
"Oh, I thought we were supposed to make him frown, but it's the other way around now," Jasmine sighed with a playful smile.
Aksh looked at Tejasvi for a moment and said, "You look beautiful, Tejasvi." Then, without waiting for a response, he turned and walked out.
Tejasvi stood frozen for a second—then her eyes sparkled with joy. It was the first time her brother had ever complimented her.
They stepped out of the store, and Mr. Albert called out behind them, "We'll send your purchases to the usual address, Lady Jasmine! And please do visit our humble and lowly store again!" He bowed to a perfect 90 degrees—no small feat for him with his round belly.
The three of them returned, walking side by side under the fading afternoon sun. Outside the car, Arihant stood with his arms crossed, while Reena waited on her wheelchair with a warm smile on her face.
Tejasvi came running ahead, her laughter light and full of joy. She twirled around in front of Reena, showing off her blue skirt . "How do I look, Mother?" she asked eagerly, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Reena's smile deepened with warmth and pride. "You look like a princess from a fairy tale," she said, gently brushing a braid back from Tejasvi's cheek. Then her gaze turned to Aksh. "And you… you look so handsome in those clothes, Aksh."
The driver opened the car door, and the group stepped inside.
"We already had dinner since we're short on time," Arihant said, his tone turning serious as he looked at Jasmine. "The plan for Azure Pavilion will have to wait—we need to return to the academy immediately. There's a situation."
Jasmine's expression became serious and with annoyance in her voice she asked "Is it those guys again?"
Arihant let out a quiet sigh, leaning back against the seat. "Yeah… they're at it again," he muttered, while clenching his fist.
"Let's talk about it later, we've already packed your dinner—you can eat it right away," Arihant said as he handed over a bag filled with food boxes.
After finishing their meal in the car, it gradually came to a halt in front of a grand building. At the top, large glowing letters spelled out: "Surya Residence."
"Ah, so we've arrived," Arihant said as he stepped out of the car.
Two waiters dressed in crisp black suits with bow ties came forward and opened the doors with practiced grace.
"From now on, you two are going to live here," Arihant said with a grin, looking at Reena and Tejasvi.
Tejasvi looked up, her face clouded with concern. "But… won't brother Aksh be coming with us?"
Aksh came closer to her. "I'll come back later. Just don't give Mother a hard time, alright?"
Tejasvi wipe her tear and hold the sleeve of Aksh. "I'll be a good girl… so you have to come back soon, okay?"
Aksh patted her head. "Alright. I promise."
Arihant checked his watch, urgency returning to his voice. "Since we're short on time, we'll visit you later. The waiters here will escort you to your apartment. If you need anything, there's a bell in your room—press it, and someone will be there within five minutes."
Reena turned to Aksh, her eyes full of quiet concern. "Don't push yourself too hard… and remember what I always told you."
"Never rob a poor soul of what's theirs," Aksh said, completing her sentence "And if you ever leave behind what's rightfully yours… this home is no longer yours.""I remember it, Mother."
Arihant, Jasmine, and Aksh stepped inside the car after he bid his farewell to Reena and Tejasvi. The car started and went out soon, no longer visible to the teary eyes of Tejasvi as she waved her hand. After about an hour of journey from Surya's Residence, the car stopped again—and this time, it was not any grand building or a luxury apartment. It was a small shop, not so clean, with paint tattering here and there, and the building itself looked quite old.
They stepped outside the car and went inside the shop. It was a small and old library, and there were no customers and only one old man as the shopkeeper, standing behind the counter—short white hair, a wrinkled face, hunched back due to old age, and wearing glasses.
The old man asked, "Which book are you looking for?"
Arihant replied with annoyance, "Do we have to do it again every time I return? It cringes me out. Can we skip this part, old man?"
"Hoho, the principal has set this rule, so can an old and frail man like me dare to disobey her?" the old man said with amusement on his face, as if he was enjoying it.
"Alright, alright, I know you enjoy hearing those cringe lines from me," Arihant spoke with a straight face and a clean voice. "I am here to buy the book to help me change the destiny of my family, since I can't get it up anymore."
"Pfftt," Jasmine put her hand on her mouth, trying to stop her laugh.
"I heard you. You can laugh all you want, don't die trying to control your laugh," Arihant said as he looked toward Jasmine with an angry expression.
"N-No, no, I'm not laughing—pfft—it's just... pfft... forget it, I can't control it anymore! Hahahaha," Jasmine laughed loudly, holding her stomach, tears coming out of her eyes.
"Why is she laughing? And what does it mean when he says he 'can't get it up anymore'? Are we here to buy books or something?" Aksh asked, genuinely confused.
"Hahahaha! Yes, you're right!" Jasmine burst out laughing. "Arihant here has a condition, so he's trying everything he can to cure himself."
A fist landed squarely on Jasmine's head.
"Don't you think that's enough, you damn tomboy?" Arihant snapped, clearly annoyed.
"Who did you call a tomboy, you narcissistic bastard?! And how dare you hit a lady's head? What if I turn into a stupid person like you?!" Jasmine screamed as she rubbed her head.
"What are you talking about? I don't see any lady here—just a tomboy. And as for becoming an idiot, that's impossible.There's nothing in your head to begin with," Arihant replied, making annoying faces just to irritate her further.
"You bastard! I'll kill you before you even make it to the war!" she snapped, leaping at him like she'd finally lost it.
"Alright, alright! You two can't fight here—you always make a mess of my library!" the old man interrupted with a scowl on his wrinkled face. "Since I've confirmed the password, just go already. Don't make things more annoying for me."
With a wave of his hand, three chairs came flying from different corners and positioned themselves in the center of the library.
"Sit on the chairs and don't talk," he ordered.
The trio sat down, and the old man closed his eyes, pressing his hands together in a prayer-like gesture. A soft blue aura began to radiate from his body. Slowly, three glowing circles formed on the floor beneath each of their chairs.
Then, the old man suddenly opened his eyes and shouted—
"Dishantara Sanchara!"
…and the three of them vanished into thin air.
When Aksh opened his eyes, he found himself in a completely different place.
A vast green land stretched like an ocean in every direction, the wind carrying a calm, refreshing scent. The scenery was so beautiful and peaceful that one might believe they had reached the heavens—but what truly made it divine was the colossal castle-like structure at the land's centre. It was grander than anything Aksh had ever seen, even in the mighty city of Trigarta.
Its white stone walls gleamed under the sun, and its massive pointed dome pierced the sky like a divine spear. Every curve, every arch, every spire was carved with such intricate detail that it felt less like a man-made structure and more like a monument to the gods themselves.
Arihant stepped forward, spreading his arms with a proud grin. "Welcome to the Mahakal Academy of Divine Combat."