The debate came to rest at once, several heads turned to my side with a look of utter contempt and disdain. A stunned and uncomfortable silence descended down on each one of them.

I had one thorough glance at Nazira before I gave my speech like statements. "With all due respect, your Majesty, my fellow Samagraha and I are not here to know whether or not I'm capable to rule a dynasty. I truly understand the fact that I have taken a lot of time to show myself in the Panchayat and that too with the Codicil not being the major issue of discussion. Yes, I've neither rejected nor accepted it. Because it states a few terms and conditions needed to be followed on a mandatory basis and seeing the country's status today I'm not willing to compromise with it. To answer your question, Your Majesty, I do have the audacity to state my opinion in front of the Panchayat, just like each one of you do. Because as a Samagraha, and according to the Shreni System, I'm already a part of the Panchayat."

A murmur of disbelief spread across the room.

"Please," I said, before anyone of them interrupted me with their disagreement, "kindly recollect all the rights and regulation given to a Samagraha of this country. The section forty-five of the Shreni System states that a Samagraha, being the only supernatural driving force of the country can and has the right to gracefully decline a king's order, if the given task is unrelated to the duties of a Samagraha. The Codicil written by a King is asking me to perform the task that's above my paycheck. Rules written in the Book of Law, after all, cannot be altered under any circumstances. Which is also another rule to be followed. Isn't that true, your Majesty?"

King Aghasthya shook his head, getting disappointed in letting him down and supposedly shattering his dream of seeing me as a King. Dhanunjay began to bite his teeth knowing very well that it was him who tipped off about this rule to keep me in my place. Ashwant glanced sideways at the High King who sat unmoved. Tables seemed to be turning but not yet completely in my favour.

"Having said that," I continued, "I do not want to blindly decline the tremendous opportunity given to me. I do feel highly honored for letting me have the chair reserved on the stage. But for the moment, I want to stand here as a Samagraha. I can still protect the citizens just the way I am today. I don't have to be in power, because I already have the power to protect them. Without giving importance to the designation, I want to prioritize the safety of people first."

The High King tapped the table, looking at me with a frown upon his forehead. "Why can't you accept the Codicil if according to you the safety of the citizen is to be given the top priority? We need a ruler, Hayden Mackay. We need someone to sit on the throne before Shashi nabs it."

"If it is a matter of having someone to keep warming up the throne, then maybe even a stray cat can do a wonderful job than me."

"Do you realize that this postponement of yours is making the Rawat dynasty wait to get revived?"

I dropped my gaze down, feeling my heart stung. Yuvan's concerns and beliefs spilled over my mind. "That is why I'm here, Your Majesty," I said, politely. "There are a lot of hopes and dreams among those thousands of people. I do feel a heavy burden for their realistic expectations from me. And I want to fulfill each one of them. In order to prove whether or not I'm an apt person to carry on the legacy of the throne, I request you to grant me permission to do what I want to do and in my own way...without the involvement of any member of the Higher officials. Let me do justice to the paycheck being offered to me, Your Majesty."

Ashwant shared a forlorn glance with a dejected King Aghasthya.

The High King's shoulders stiffened, his hesitance signified the uneasiness about how to respond. He drummed his fingers on the table again and said, "Hayden Mackay, in one statement, tell us in the Panchayat, what do you want?"

"Liberty."

"To do what? One statement only."

Everyone in the lounge sat in dead silence. An instant fear gripped me, making me go numb, draining away my voice. This was the moment I have been waiting for and it should be now or never. I stood at the spot listening to Pruthvi and Leena's hard breadth, their agitation coinciding with mine. King Aghasthya and Ashwant's stern gazes did not let me muster up the courage. And I settled upon the one who I considered my own personal driving force.

"We don't have all day," the High King pressurized, "Speak up now!"

My heart began to palpitate staring at her through the mirror, admiring her wishes and ambitions that have uplifted mine to succeed them as a whole. And keeping Doctor's faith in me and my friends, I declared it with a thumping cadence and clarity of voice ringing throughout the lounge. "To exterminate the Clan of Almourah! Including Almourah!"

Silence stayed concealed within the lounge for another minute. There was no reaction, no murmurs, the stillness in the air almost eerie. Except for the sound of Leena's sudden sharp gasp and Pruthvi muttering, "Holy son of a bitch!"

And then adverse reactions occurred, one after the other when the inner meaning of my appeal began to settle in. The audience behind us erupted in violent discussion among one another, Ashwant and King Aghasthya slowly stood up on impulse staring daggers, swords, and arrows at me. Others gazed at me if I were a clown standing in the middle of the circus amusing them with my freak show. Ira Zutshi had her hands cupped against her mouth and Nazira...she seemed to breathe heavily, her gaze lowered down to the floor, fidgeted and belched politely. Her poor health did not let her remain to stay put. Taking no chance, she signaled to Ira and ran away from the lounge.

The presenter then hushed the audience allowing the High King to ask. "Do you even realize what you are up to?"

"I do!" The question was so expected. Now that I had divulged in the open the longing prospect burning in my heart, there was no going back and my decision stood. I emphasized reciting the things written in the Codicil. "Being of sound mind, willfully, voluntarily and as a citizen of the country, I declare an informal war on this Clan." The audience roared bouncing their views and contentions. The presenter had to step up again to calm them down. "It's about time we end this madness, Your Majesty," I continued, ignoring the ruckus, "everything concerning and related to Almourah will have to come to a full stop with this impending war."

"Hayden!" King Aghasthya yelled banging at the table.

"Aghasthya, don't!" The High King shouted back pointing a finger at him, "None of the kings shall raise their voice until I allow. Consider yourself warned."

I wouldn't dare to meet King Aghasthya's eyes. It was evident that the barrage of questions wasn't going to stop even after the hearing ended, and we all went home with either a happy or sad note. Regardless of the heated circumstances, it was absolutely vital to not to break his trust upon me, especially after everything he had been doing to keep us safe from the punishments. At the back of my mind I knew that would happen only if I remain committed to this game I stretched beyond the set limitations.

"How do you plan to do that?" The High King asked, having his face expressionless.

There was a slight burning sensation coming my stone, which reminded me that the supplements might wear off any moment and I needed to hurry up by keeping it short. "I know why Doctor had been traveling to Uttarameer. I simply want to resume the operation he was sent out to but put an end to it in my way. Would you want me to..."

"Alright, understood," The High King interrupted, getting slightly uncomfortable. He looked aside at Ashwant suspiciously, who actually had no idea about what I was talking about and in turn gaped at me befuddled.

"I want it to be legal, your Majesty," I said, trying to close the discussion, "I will not do anything unless I have your permission. And just for a heads-up, I will apply for my liberation again and again until I get the acceptance because that is what I'm allowed to do as a Samagraha. It is already a long overdue, your Majesty. A lot of lives have been unnecessarily put at stake. So...the sooner I get the acceptance the better."

"How can a Samagraha like yourself with one single power exterminate the whole clan?" he asked.

I softly chuckled. Again with the obvious question. "No, Your Majesty. Should I be the only one to do this I would have been the only Samagraha chosen to protect this country. I'm aware of my limitations. I was taught to work as a team. I, myself, cannot finish off the whole clan. And so for it, I need five times my power, five times the courage, five times the willpower to bring the expected results. Therefore, I request you to allow my fellow Samagraha to join me in the war to fight against the clan, which is likely to happen after I return from Uttarameer."

"Pruthvi Krishna and Leena Savant," he said at once before the two of them could analyze and process the total change of plans happened in mere moments and that too in such an extreme way, "Does Hayden Mackay have your consent to take up this job?"

My heart constricted and I pressed my eyes shut, mentally pleading, begging and wishing for them to listen to my conscience needing their wholehearted acceptance.

"Yes, your Majesty," both of them said together. They emitted confidence and I'd never been more proud of being able to commit for something long term.

"What about Tyrell Kissler and Celina Hanslay?" He asked. "How will you make them agree? They aren't even here."

"That's the part of the plan," I said, firmly. "To make them get back to their originalities. The moment my friends and I step out of this lounge, we get down to business. And we'll only return accompanying the rest of the Samagraha. Trust us, your Majesty, this might take time but it is bound to happen. All I need is to get the nod of approval."

The High King leaned back and crossed his arms, staring at me with a warm smile across his face. It seemed as though he was done making a decision and just for the sake of formality, he ordered the other members of the Panchayat to ask away any questions they had in mind. The questionnaire went on and I cleared every confusion with an answer that wouldn't give rise to another one. The High King stayed quiet and distant, listening to every answer that came out of my mouth and determining that I was wholeheartedly amped up for it. And lastly, he gave away his final statement that putting all together meant...the war is so on.

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