Silence.
Heavy.
Crushing.
The words of the Celestial Beings still echoed in the air.
---
THE CANDIDATES
Nikhil clenched his fists.
"This is like a real war…"
"…damn it."
Frustration burned in his chest—
mixed with anger.
Aditya stood still.
Calm on the outside.
But inside—
"This is insane…"
"It feels like Anime…"
"…but this isn't anime."
Hemant's teeth ground together.
"Damn…"
"We're nothing but insects in this hell."
Damini's breathing grew fast.
"What the hell…"
"How are we supposed to survive this?"
Janvi's hands trembled.
"Why…"
"Why the hell am I here?"
Jenit stared at the floor.
Shock twisted into frustration.
"Why… why do we have to suffer…"
"…just for their entertainment?"
Harsh shut his eyes briefly.
Anger surged—
but logic forced it down.
"We don't have a choice…"
"…except to survive."
Pallavi felt her throat tighten.
Her vision blurred.
"I…"
"I just want to cry…"
"Why am I here…?"
---
THE ROYAL COURT
Whispers spread like poison.
Ministers leaned toward one another.
Minister 1 (whispering):
"Did you hear that… other kingdoms?"
Scholar:
"This defies reasons... that Celistel being forcing war?"
Advocate:
"If this is true, the empire itself is in danger."
Guards shifted uneasily.
Fear crept into even trained soldiers' eyes.
The hall trembled with uncertainty.
---
THE THRONE
At the far end—
Stillness.
Then—
Eyes opened.
A pressure surged through the room.
Not violent.
Not chaotic.
Controlled.
Absolute.
The shadow shifted.
A pair of sharp eyes gleamed beneath the pillar's darkness.
A voice spoke.
Deep. Heavy. Commanding.
"Silence."
The word alone crushed every whisper.
"This is not the time to tremble like frightened children."
The ministers froze.
Guards stood straight.
Even the Candidates felt their spines stiffen.
"Fear clouds judgment."
"Panic destroys empires."
The voice carried anger—
But beneath it—
Calm.
The calm of a ruler who had faced war.
"We will not discuss this in whispers."
"And we will not kneel to unseen voices."
The pressure intensified.
"We are Vijayanagara."
"And we do not survive by fear."
---
THE KING RISES
The throne creaked.
Krishnadevaraya stood.
Every single person in the court rose instantly.
The air felt heavier.
Denser.
Like standing before a living mountain.
He stepped forward.
The shadow fell away.
---
SRI KRISHNADEVARAYA
Broad forehead.
Large, sharp eyes—calm yet piercing.
A straight, prominent nose.
A thick, well-groomed mustache.
A firm jaw hardened by command.
Medium-tall.
Broad chest.
Powerful shoulders.
Muscular arms.
A body shaped by both war and rule.
A true warrior-king.
---
Each step echoed.
Nikhil swallowed.
Aditya felt his instincts scream.
Janvi's knees weakened.
Even Hemant stood frozen.
Krishnadevaraya stopped—
Right before them.
Before the Candidates.
He looked at them.
Not with fear.
Not with curiosity.
But with judgment.
The weight of history itself pressed down on their souls.
END OF CHAPTER 5