Chapter 16: Return to the Castle
Darkness pressed against every tree, every branch, every breath. The air was heavy with fear, and the sound of hooves echoed like thunder across the silent plains.
Damini mind trembled as she stared at the glowing red eyes surrounding them.
(This is the end… this is the end for all of us.)
Hemant's body trembled. His thoughts
(How?? How… did they survive those bombs? And even if they survived, why didn't they attack immediately?)
Pallavi almost cried, her thoughts tangled in irritation and fear.(Why am I here?)
Janvi's heart pounded. Her Thought
(We killed them, right?? How did they come back??)
Harsh stepped backward—only to realize they were surrounded from every direction.
Aditya lifted his eyes in shock and disbelief. His whole body felt weak and cold.
Janit drew his sword, ready to attack—yet he knew he could not defeat them alone.
No one spoke.
Then everyone screamed—not words, just raw fear.
The six rabbit creatures stared at them and leapt forward to attack.
Then—
FWOOOM!
Arrows tore through the darkness like lightning—sharp, fast, endless.
The ground trembled as dozens—no, hundreds—of arrows rained from the sky, piercing through the bodies of the six rabbit creatures.
The monsters shrieked in agony, stumbling back, trying to run, trying to retaliate—
But the arrows did not stop.
Within seconds, the rabbit creatures collapsed—bleeding, twitching—
And then silence.
Everyone froze.
Their chests rose and fell slowly as they turned toward the direction the arrows had come from.
A massive formation of soldiers stood in the shadows—rows of archers with bows drawn, armor gleaming in torchlight. Their presence was overwhelming, disciplined, alive with control and power.
From the center of the formation, one figure stepped forward.
The air felt tense.
The group strained their eyes, trying to see his face through the darkness.
A deep, stern voice broke the silence.
???:"The King told you all to return within five days."
The tone carried fury, worry, and authority all at once.
The man stepped close enough for the torchlight to reveal his face.
It was Commander Pemmasani Ramalinga Nayudu.
His jaw was tight, his eyes burning with anger and concern.
Beside him stood Pandit Rama Krishn, robes flowing, eyes sharp with disappointment, his expression grim and fierce.
Both radiated absolute authority.
Pandit Rama Krishn's voice was steady and serious.Pandit Rama Krishn:"Why did you take so long? We were all worried about you."
Pemmasani's tone turned colder.
Pemmasani Ramalinga Nayudu:
"You may call yourselves Candidates, but you are still children. You have no idea what danger you chase."
He paused. Every soldier fell silent.
Pemmasani Ramalinga Nayudu:"We were preparing to cross into Bahmani territory to rescue you. And you return with these creatures? If we had not arrived, you would have died here."
His words struck harder than fear.
Harder than the monsters.
One by one, they climbed down from their horses—heads lowered, throats tight, unable to speak.
Pemmasani Ramalinga Nayudu: "Return to the castle."
He turned sharply, mounted his horse, and rode toward Vijayanagara.
The army followed like a living wave of metal and shadow.
Aditya, Janvi, Damini, Pallavi, Hemant, Janit, and Harsh mounted their horses. Their spirits felt crushed, their pride shattered.
But Nikhil remained still.
His face lowered.
His eyes unreadable.
Then a small smile slipped across his lips—dark, cold, secretive.
Nikhil's thoughts:
(He looks worried… of course he does. But these creatures… these hearts… this power… What I gained is priceless.)
Silently, Nikhil pulled out his sword.
He hesitated for a moment. His heartbeat quickened. His hands trembled.
He took a long breath and steadied himself.
Then he crouched beside the bodies of the rabbit creatures and sliced open their chests.
A dark green light pulsed from within.
Six hearts.
Twisting.
Glowing.
Alive.
Nikhil's thoughts:
(Is this right? They tried to kill us… this isn't wrong… I'm just taking what was earned…lord Madhav, provide their souls peace.)
He carefully lifted each heart.
And then—
POOF
All six transformed into glowing dark green pills.
Nikhil stared at them, stunned.
He opened his system, converted them into pills, and pocketed them.
He walked to a nearby lake, wiped the blood from his blade and hands, then mounted his horse and began riding toward the castle.
Behind him, the corpses of the rabbit creatures dissolved into ash.
Up ahead, Aditya suddenly looked around.
Panic entered his voice.
Aditya: "Where is Nikhil!?"
Damini gasped.
Damini: "What? I thought he was beside us!"
Then—
Nikhil:"Hey! I'm here. Just… thinking about something back there. Let's hurry, or the King will…"
No one asked questions.
Everyone simply rode faster.
Soon, the warm glow of Vijayanagara's castle rose before them—bright, welcoming, safe.
Behind them, the ashes of the rabbit creatures scattered into the wind.
They reached the castle as the sun began rising over the horizon. It was early morning, and the air felt cold and calm.
Chapter End.