Hello Guys!
So very sorry for being this late.
Things have been real tight for me and honestly I couldn't find time to write the chapters, for that I am really sorry.
Finally I could write this one and I can't wait to hear your reactions!

Also, today I have reached 500 followers!
Wow, I am so so thankful to you all for liking my work.

Now, without a delay...Let's get on with it then!

Kindly excuse my Typos, I could not reread the chapter before publishing.....Hahhhaa!

20th September 2020

"Birthday And The Powers"

Adhikshit's pov

I was in deep thoughts watching the foggy valley From the Castle and wondering what my Nightingale must be doing at her house, was she thinking about me....and that's when I was summoned by my Father, the King Singha.
To tell you the truth, I was not interested in the Talk as I knew he is going to talk about the Eclipse and my Human mate and how I have to follow the rituals after claiming my Lady.
The rational part of me told me to follow the lead and acquire the powers I would get by marrying Roshni but my Heart didn't want to do such unjust to my mate. She deserved better than this....her innocence is too fragile to break for our selfish reasons.
I know we have many responsibilities and I am ready to take them on my shoulders but what I am not ready to do is break her to a point where she would hate me!
Specially after I know that she is too Pure to be dragged in the mess.!

But what choices did I even have?

I heard my father again through his clairvoyance....and I could not disrespect his commands.
A frustrated sigh escaped my lips and I unwilling began to walk to join my Father and other members of the Prides.

I could hear the faint murmurs and I could still recognise my ever so sweet mother who was trying to reason with my father. A chuckle left my mouth at her futile attempts because who was I kidding, my father was a loving man and a caring father too but when it comes to The Prides, he is just the Lion King.

The moment I entered the Darbaar, all the murmurs died down and every pair of eyes concentrated on my arrival.

My muscles tensed at those expecting gaze but I shrugged and walked ahead to sit beside my Father's throne.

We exchanged our gaze and then He spoke in authority -
Brave Prides Members!
As we all Know that The Singha Prides follow the Hereditary Monarchy, and I have been ruling the jungle fir quite sometime and now feel I should take my steps back from the Rajgaddi. In my opinion, It's about time that the next generation takes up the responsibility of the Prides.
And it brings me immense pleasure to announce that My eldest son, Adhikshit has been chosen as the next King.!

And he will have the rights to choose his own second and third commanding members to constitute his own Royal Prides.

And what makes us even happier is that my son is also eligible to claim his mate on this coming Holy Eclipse, as he is turning 25 and with his Birthday comes many holy powers that will ensure that he will be a great King.
So hereby, I announce Adhikshit Raj Singhal as your New King and I wish we all stand for Righteousness and we will protect the Valley with whatever Evil that is lurking to attack and malign our peacefulness.

Also, here I announce the Beginning of the Eclipse Week celebrations, which is followed by the Mate Hunt.
And I pray that this time, all our wait to attain the Holy powers and a suitable mate for our future King is fulfilled so that we defeat the Dark Creatures, and end the Evilness from the Valley forever.!
All the other eligible prides members are also requested to choose their mates....and once claimed, we will organise the Grand Feast.

I was stunned at his choice of words. I didn't like the way he dragged my mate in the Mess....i know that with the right chosen mate we Singhas acquire many supernatural powers but there is no way that I am going to use Roshni for our selfish needs...i wanted to interrupt him but my mother signaled me not to and I kept mum.

He once again continued - From today, on the fifth Day will appear the Holy Suryadev, shining bright in the Morning, and afterwards as per the Legendary manuscripts, little by little his light will diminish, so that, darkness consumes the whole valley, and let me tell you all, according to our Purohits, it will be a complete extinguished withal, so that neither light, nor orb, nor anything at all of it would be seen. And all the powerful Nakshatras will be aligned to support the Prides, the Eclipse will continue nearly until next day, and that is when The Next Singha King, my son will claim his Human Mate.!
As you all know it is very rare that a Singha gets a human mate, as she is the Chosen one by Goddess Parvati herself who would rule the Prides along with the Legend King. And according to our Raj Purohit ji, his chosen mate is indeed a Pure soul and she has powers beyond the grips of Evil.

I hope when appears the Shining full and bright Suryadev once again after the Eclipse, we will have our future Queen with us.....along with the New Legend King!

And The first born of Adhikshit and his chosen mate is going to bring more powers to your King and the Prides in general.!

So, let the Celebrations Begin!

Everyone in the Darbaar roared and they seemed so excited for the Eclipse, and the whole mate thing but I was not!

How could I, when I knew what price my mate will have to pay up for their expectations!

For the regular Singhas, it was natural to have a mate from the jungle but me, on the other side, I was supposed to mate with a human who is not even aware of her future. Soon the Members were ordered to disperse and so they did and I let out a breath of relief!

Time to have a talk to my Father!

I turned my eyes to my father's and he chuckled.
It seems that my son has questions for his Dad! - he read my mind and I cursed

I hated that nothing could be hidden from my father, not even our thoughts. After all he is a gifted Singha.!

Dad! I don't like the idea of this whole Human mate... I mean I get it... That me being born as a special Singha have to claim her and she is my other half but I don't think it's fair to drag Roshni into this mess without having her opinion!
What if she denies it! - I spoke without a fear

Denies??? - he roared

She doesn't have a choice Adhikshit!
She is the chosen one and she has to abide by her responsibilities.!
And due time, she will herself understand what powers she holds and what her responsibilities are! - he spoke all serious

The safety of This Valley comes with a price and from centuries, both the Humans and we Singhas have sacrificed our own choices for the betterment of the Valley!
And so will She!
For the safety of her own people, she will!
She wouldn't Dare deny you! - he smirked

And I gritted my teeth!
How could he be this selfish!

Father, you can't be serious!
Are you going to use her family for her to obey our customs?
There has to be some other ways to defeat the Evils instead of claiming a mate and forcing them to do things that are so uncomfortable and utter unjust to them! - I spat

Mind your Tongue Son!
You are still not the King, I am!
Who are you to question our century old customs?
And mind you all, if it came to threaten her family, we will do so!
And I am not up for any bargains...on the day of Eclipse, you will claim her like our legends have been doing and bring her to our castle and we will follow all the other rituals like we have been following.
Both of you have to get married and take on the responsibility of the Valley.!
You both have to acquire the powers before it's too late!

Do I have to remind you that what those Nandighas are capable of doing to us?
To the Valley?
And to her?
Don't think that they would be unaware about her powers! I am sure they will try to hurt her!
Would you like that?
For once, think about our People and the safety of this valley and not only about your mate and her comforts!
It's not that we are asking her to die for the valley! In fact she is the safest with you only! - he snapped

Dad! I know how to fight with those Nandighas... You don't have to worry about them!
They can not harm a hair on Roshni, you can trust my powers!
But dragging an innocent human is not something I would like!
And powers or no special powers, I will protect my Mate and my People!
But I will never force Roshni into this mess! - I spoke firmly matching his sharp eyes

He growled and roared -
Both of you will do as per the Rituals!

And no I am not going to argue over this anymore!
I have better things to do than sulk over you being a soft hearted!
And how much of an injustice we are putting your mate through!
And you better start preparing with your plans to claim your mate as you know it is not going to be very easy!
And I expect that you will make sure that she performs her roles efficiently after she is announced as your Queen!
Or I won't hesitate to go hard on her and even her Family for that matter! - he spat and walked out

This is It!
The King had made up his mind!
We have to serve to the Valley even if that meant the young ignorant Roshni has to be served as a Sacrificial lamb!

The Singha king had powers and we were obeliged to obey him... There was no other way!

My thought were interrupted when I felt a soft hand on my shoulder.... My mother... My Powerhouse!

Did you listen to him ma?
How could he say such a thing?
Do you think I am being selfish here, thinking only about the comforts of my partner? - I sighed barely audible

And ma, I am not questioning our rituals, all I am saying is we should not force Roshni into this.! - I added feeling defeated

Adhik! Look son, I know you are not ok with the whole mating part, especially with a Human. But you need to understand that Roshni herself is not safe without your Bond. Evil powers will certainly try to harm her. Also, we have certain responsibilities towards our Prides and the Valley.
I know it will be hard for her to understand all of this at first but I will make sure that Roshni is not forced to do something she would not like.
But I am afraid, both of you will have to follow the customs.!
Added, I can promise, I will make sure she is happy here and feels welcomed. - Mom assured smiling

And now, go rest for sometime.
I will send your dinner to your room! - she added

I nodded and walk towards my room. The gallery that walked with me was filled with our Legends from past.
They all were bravehearts, each one of them had a splendid story behind their names. I sighed and composed myself to face the reality!

I am so sorry Roshni, my Queen, but I have no other way!

I know what I am going to do to you, will only make you hate me, but I will make sure to protect you with my life! - I promised myself.

I will never Let The Evil take you away from me!

Two Nights After

The Loud Roars and Loud grunts of the gathering announced that I have entered my golden age and that I am 25 years old now!

We all were in our Singha avatar and everyone present there in the Jungle was so Happy and Hopeful about the upcoming future.

My Father and Mother proudly placed the King's crown on my head, putting all the responsibilities on my shoulders.

I was Proud too, for I was officially assigned as the Legend Singha.

The farther Volcanic eruptions were proof of the power that now I behold. I was presented with the Magical Lightening Sword that could easily cut anything into halves.

My father chanted a few mantras and the Earth shook and came out a Metal armour, shining and it caused a brightly colored sky when I had put that one my chest.

I let out a Loud Roar in acceptance of the powers and the fine volcanic ash particles scattered all the more and reflected the Light Goddess Parvati.

We all Singhas bowed in front of her Giant idol and we prayed for everyone's well being and we urged her to provide us the strength to fight with the Evil.

All went well and soon we all returned to our human forms.
Samar Singh took the oath as my commander and I placed his crown on his head and he grinned.

At least someone close to me is Happy by my action!

Soon, the feast began and everyone got thenselves indulged in the festivity.
I on the other side, wanted to get some fresh air.
Suddenly, the responsibilities on my shoulders weighed too much and I felt suffocated.

I informed samar that I was going out for a run and asked him to connect me through secret prides telepathy if needed. He tried to oppose but the look on face conveyed that I was not up for manipulations.

I again shifted in my lion and I ran....ran...to farway....to nowhere....it was pouring down heavily but nothing stopped me.
Soon as usual The forest began to calm down my nerves and I got lost in The beauty around me. The rain forest seemed to have an intelligence of it's own. The tall trees and the juggling leaves....It's voice was the sudden screech of a parrot as if congratulating on my throne.
The jungle knew that their Future king was there. The jungle was an assault on all my senses. The virescent hues were the foreground, the background and as high up as you could see. The rain and humidity pressed in on the skin and my mane made the sweats pointless. The sounds of the insects, the birds and the larger animals created a symphony of nature calling me deeper. The leaves brushed up against my face and my feet sprung up with each step. The air tasted both sweet and fresh, like flowers blooming on your tongue.
Moment like these is what my Lion longs and between all this chaos, he knew what being in a jungle would be like, it would set my mind free....it would take me to a world so carefree, just like the way you see in movies and read in so many books.
My first breath under the dense canopy was like inhaling a warm soup made from aromatic blossoms. Though my heavy lungs kept heaving the air in and out it was more like drowning than breathing. The noises weren't loud, but overwhelming in their density. They came from beneath my claws, on its own on the abandoned parts of the jungle.

The Parvati river that passes through the jungle is wide and opaque. The water is green, darker in the shadows and more pale in the light, but still green and cold, against the noise of the birds that are welcoming a new day. The gentle murmurs of the water drops can only just be heard, making a backdrop to the musical notes coming from above. However, For all its serenity there is more danger in its swirling depths than the trees behind. Between the crocs and the piranhas I don't even want to guess what is more dangerous, yet I kept going.
I swam deep and drank the Chilled water, cooling down the fire within my lion.
I didn't even realise when the dark sky was replaced by the new born sunrays.
I came out of the water and enhaled a deep breath taking in all the muddy soil and a familiar frangrance engulfed my nostrils and there I saw her... My Roshni!

Talking and Giggling to a kitten!

Oh the Pinnacle of innocence!

Sunlight falling on her flawless skin and the surrounding butterflies made her look like a real angel!

She was so carefree!
The Jungle surely fascinated her..!

I shifted back to my human and watched her from a distance.
But guess, she has got senses!
As if sensing a presence, She stopped her animated talks and looked here and there and suddenly her eyes found me!

A gasp left her mouth and I could not help but reveal myself in front of her.
Our eyes met and my heart raced looking at her beautiful Face.

Mr. singhal? - she asked unsure

Roshni! - I whispered

What are you doing here early morning? - I asked softly walking to her

She watched me for a few seconds and then spoke -
I love coming here!
I find peace in here!

And....then I have few friends here who needs me! - she giggled looking at the alerted kitten

I narrowed my eyes and saw that she has brought a bowl of milk for the kitten and that melted my heart.

She was naturally generous and kind.

That is so thoughtful of you but you should be careful. The jungle is not as safe as it looks! - I spoke

She laughed nervously and spoke - I don't go deep into the jungle, just this area. I have been coming here since my childhood and I really like it here. - she talked and I listened.....may be this is the last time she is talking to me this easily.
I smiled at her and we talked just random stuff. Time seemed to stop for me and I wanted to cherish this moment with her forever in my heart!

May be for the first and the last time!

Because, the things I am about to do to her, she is going to Hate me!

Forever!
She will never look me like the way she is looking at me now!

Forgive me, my Nightingale!
This Hunter Got No Other Choice!

Hola people!
So how is the story going?
Leave your comments and Don't forget to Vote.
And sorry for the whole publishing and un publishing fiasco!

See you all soon!
Watch out for the Eclipse!
Ahahahha!