"No!"

Agamya cried, rushing to Ranakrit.

"I don’t want to leave! I don’t want to go anywhere without you."

Ranakrit sighed, resting a steady hand on Agamya’s shoulder. His voice, calm yet firm, carried the weight of both love and responsibility.

"Agamya, this is for your own good. You are destined for greatness, little brother, but that destiny needs the right guidance. Guru Prana is a wise man, but his hands are full. You need a teacher who can focus solely on you."

"But I don’t need anyone else!" Agamya pleaded, his voice trembling.

"You’ve always been enough. Please, don’t send me away, Jyesth. I’ll work harder. I’ll do anything, just let me stay."

"And what will I do with you if you have no proper skills of use?"

Ranakrit snapped at him unwillingly. But then as he met his brothers' moistened red eyes, his own gaze softened.

"Agamya, you are like the sapling of a mighty tree. It's time for you to grow in open sunlight. It's not because I want to send you away. No, it's because I want to see you become the best version of yourself."

Agamya clutched his brother's arm, refusing to let go. Tears brimmed in his eyes.

"But I'll miss you. Who will guide me, who will look out for me, if not you?"

Ranakrit smiled faintly and motioned to Ranadhrist who stood silently nearby.

"You won't be alone, Agamya. Ranadhrist will go with you. The two of you will look out for each other. You'll have each other's back. You'll learn together, lean on each other and return when you both are prepared. Moreover, Mamashree will be there. I wouldn't entrust you two to him unless I trusted him completely. I trust him to take care of you."

Ranadhrist stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on Agamya’s other shoulder.

"Agamya, it's not forever. We'll train hard, and one day, we'll return to Jyesth, stronger and more skilled than ever."

Agamya hesitated, his young heart torn between his love for Ranakrit and the responsibility placed upon him. Ranakrit rose and clasped both of his brothers' hands.

"Ranadhrist," he said firmly, "you must watch out for Agamya. Protect him as I would, but also challenge him to be his best. You both carry not only my hopes but the hopes of our family."

Ranadhrist nodded solemnly.

"I will, Jyesth. You have my word."

Ranakrit stared at him for a bit. Feeling blessed to have such supporting brothers who followed him without questioning. Ranadhrist was only a day younger than him, but still respected him so much. It must be hard for him to leave them, but he still stood strong.

Turning back to Agamya, Ranakrit's voice softened again.

"Agamya, my dear brother, this isn’t goodbye. It's just a new beginning."

Agamya swallowed hard, trying to steady his quivering voice and said,

"If you believe this is right, then I will go. But what about Gurudev?"

That question worried him too. Guru Prana was not going to slide this lightly. It would hurt his pride and honor. And as much as Ranakrit didn't want to anger him, he still needed to do this for Agamya's future.

It was late afternoon when the golden sunlight bathed the ashram grounds in a serene glow. Guru Prana sat under the ancient banyan tree, his stern face marked with lines of wisdom and pride. When word reached him that Maharaj Sumedh had come to take Agamya and Ranadhrist to Silachetra, his brows furrowed, and his calm demeanor gave way to irritation.

With deliberate steps, Guru Prana approached the gathering. Maharaj Sumedh, seated with his royal dignity intact, rose as the Guru arrived. Ranakrit, who was speaking to his younger brothers, immediately noticed the storm brewing on Guru Prana's face.

"Guru Prana,"

Maharaj Sumedh greeted him with a pleasant smile.

"It is an honor to meet you. Your wisdom and knowledge is like a torch enlightening the deep darkness of souls, and I am grateful for all you have done for my nephews."

But Pranacharya's expression remained cold. He looked at Ranakrit and then at Maharaj Sumedh.

"So, the King of Silachetra has come to take my students away?"

His voice, though calm, carried a sharp undertone. But that did not deter Silachetra Naresh. He explained in a light tone.

"I was missing my nephews too much. After my father's demise, the responsibility of Silachetra has fallen upon me. And the memory of my earlier carefree days with my sister haunts me often. She was happy with her family. But now that she is no more, I just wish to nurture a little part of her in Silachetra. I only wish to take Agamya and Ranadhrist with me with your permission and blessings."

Hearing his reply, a scornful smile graced Pranacharya's lips.

"Maharaj, I can understand your attachment with them. But now all your nephews have entered the phase of brahmacharya. And to get proper education and skills, they must let go of those attachments that stop them from learning. You wouldn't want to become an obstacle in their path, would you? Or, do you think I am unfit to guide them? That my teachings are not enough for their growth?”

"Guru Prana, your tutelage is unparalleled. I have only the deepest respect for you. If I didn't trust in you, would I leave my other nephews in your care? I know their future is in secure hands."

"If that were the case, you wouldn't want to take away the only two Kaushavas who have the potential to become good archers in future."

Guru Prana replied scornfully. He was wise enough to see through the facade. And he also knew it was the eldest Kaushavas doing. Ranakrit had his own rules set for himself and his brothers. And none of the Kaushavas would dare breaking them.

"Agamya," Guru Prana called. The boy stepped forward, his eyes filled with uncertainty and sadness.

"Do you wish to leave this ashram?" Guru Prana asked, his voice quieter now.

Agamya hesitated and glanced towards his Jyesth before answering truthfully.

"Gurudev, I would never wish to leave you. But if my Jyesth believes this is what is best for me, I will obey. Your teachings will always guide me, no matter where I go."

Silence followed his statement. Maharaj Sumedh sighed as the pretence was broken. As Agamya finished speaking Ranakrit stepped forward.

"Gurudev," Ranakrit said, his voice steady and measured, "this decision was mine."

Guru Prana’s eyes narrowed. "Yours? And what makes you think you have the right to decide such matters?"

Ranakrit folded his hands respectfully.

"I have nothing but reverence for you, Gurudev. You have taught me everything I know, and I owe everything to you. But Agamya is different. He has a fire within him, a desire that requires more focus and attention than I believe he can receive here. That is no reflection on your teachings, it is a matter of circumstance."

Guru Prana’s face darkened further.

"Circumstance? You insult me, Ranakrit. By sending Agamya away, you imply that I am incapable of nurturing his potential. This is a clear insult to me, of my capabilities!"

The tension in the air seemed to ripple, but Ranakrit continued, his gaze unwavering.

"Gurudev, please do not misunderstand. This is not a rejection of your guidance. It is a step toward fulfilling Agamya’s potential. We deeply respect your teachings—"

"Respect?"

Guru Prana’s voice thundered, cutting him off.

"Do not speak to me of respect while you stand here plotting against me! Do you think I am blind to your intentions? You believe I am biased, that I have failed to nurture Agamya’s talents!"

Ranakrit stayed silent this time. For denying it would be a lie. But Maharaj Sumedh spoke up on his nephews behalf.

"Guru Prana, that is not true! They owe everything to you, but Agamya’s path requires—"

"Agamya’s path? His path was laid here, under my guidance. You insult my wisdom by seeking another teacher!"

Contrasting to Maharaj Sumedh's calm soothing tone, Guru Prana's harsh voice echoed through the courtyard. His anger could not be contained. His pride, wounded by what he saw as betrayal, drove him to harsh words. He raised his finger, his voice reverberating like thunder.

"Agamya, you choose to follow ambition over devotion? You forget the sacred bond between Guru and disciple? You disrespect my teachings like this?"

"No, Gurudev! Your teachings are sacred to me!"

"Hear my words, Agamya! I curse you. For as long as you pursue greatness, doubt will cloud your heart. You will stand at the pinnacle of skill, but you will forever question your worth. The fruits of your labor will be poisoned by your own uncertainty, and you will never find peace in your success."

A gasp rippled through the gathering. All the Kaushavas were in shock. Ranadhrist and Vivardhan rushed to Agamya's side, one gripping his shoulder protectively, another standing before him partially hiding him.

"Gurudev," Ranakrit said, his voice steady but pained. He too seemed to be in shock and disbelief.

"You're no longer welcome in my ashram! And if anyone else wants to leave, you can."

"Gurudev,"

Ranakrit called him again, his voice firm despite the tension. He knelt down before Pranacharya and pleaded,

"I beg you to reconsider. Agamya is young and innocent. This decision was mine, not his. Please do not punish him for my actions."

"The words have been spoken. Let it serve as a reminder to all of you that loyalty and gratitude are the pillars of dharma. Without them, even the greatest knowledge crumbles into dust."

Guru Prana's expression softened for a moment as it fell on Agamya but quickly hardened again. Then, without another word, he turned and walked away, his footsteps striking the ground with heavy finality.

Agamya's pale face seemed to stare at nothingness. The Kaushavas glanced at each other worriedly. As the youngest, Agamya received all of their affection and protection. But now they didn't know how to console him or Ranakrit.

"Agamya,"

It was Ranak who came forward and called his attention towards himself.

"This is not the end. A curse can be overcome with wisdom and righteous action. You have our support, always."

A single lone tear fell from Agamya's eyes as he met his brothers' gaze.

"I accept it, bhrata. No matter the cost, I will carry Gurudev's teachings with me and strive to prove myself wirthy. I promise."

He then turned to Ranakrit who was staring at the floor without blinking with an angry stern demeanor.

"I promise Jyesth. I will not disappoint you."