The dense forest stretched endlessly as Bhavya's hooves moved in a steady rhythm, the sound of the journey blending with the rustling leaves and chirping birds.

Ananya, five days away from Hastinapur, rode with her goal clear in mind. She would reach the city just in time for the Kala Pradarshan day.

Resuming her role as Ādhyavi, the mysterious warrior whose name carried tales of bravery, she had used this journey to help wherever needed, though without unnecessary detours.
Her serene ride through the forest was suddenly interrupted by a blood-curdling scream.

The sharpness of the cry told her it was a man's voice, terrified and desperate. Her instincts took over. Pulling up her blue-and-white shawl to conceal her identity, she masked her face so that only her piercing kohled eyes were visible. Without hesitation, she urged Bhavya forward, pushing her into a gallop as they raced toward the sound.

...

Bhavya's white coat gleamed as she leapt into a clearing. Anya reined her in sharply and slid off to hide behind a nearby shrub.

With practiced precision, she scanned the scene. A young man clad in armor stood trembling in front of a massive red wolf, its low growls sending shivers through the air. The wolf's sharp fangs glinted, its yellow eyes locked on the man as it prepared to attack.

Ananya's heart tightened as she observed the beast. The wolves of this era were enormous, their strength unmatched, and this particular breed was venomous. A single bite would be fatal. Worse, the wolf looked ravenous, its hunger driving its aggression.

The man was clearly out of his depth, waving his sword clumsily, his fear rendering him helpless.

Her assessment was swift, her decision quicker. Gripping her Shakti Dhanush, she strummed the divine bow, releasing a wave of energy directed at the wolf. The vibration carried an aura of terror, enough to freeze the beast in its tracks.

For a brief moment, it halted, instincts warning it of the divine power it faced.
But hunger often overruled fear. Shaking off the aura, the wolf growled fiercely and lunged forward with a swift swipe of its paw. The man yelped as his sword flew from his grasp, and he fell to the ground with a thud, completely at the beast's mercy.

Unknown to Ananya, another man had approached the clearing on horseback, his bow drawn and ready to fire. But as he felt her bow's vibration and energy, his attention wavered, and he hesitated, lowering his weapon.

Anya, unaware of this other figure, urged Bhavya into the clearing with a powerful leap. Chanting softly, she fired three arrows in rapid succession. The first struck the ground near the fallen man, forming a glowing shield of protection around him. The second arrow bound the wolf's mouth shut, silencing its growls. The third pierced the ground near its neck, paralyzing it with divine energy. The wolf collapsed to the ground with a loud thud, unconscious but alive.

....

Ananya's POV

I dismounted, my Shakti Dhanush still in hand, and approached the fallen man. He scrambled to his feet, brushing himself off with the air of someone who refused to acknowledge his fear.

As my shield dissipated, his arrogance surfaced. He glared at me with a scowl that made me inwardly roll my eyes.
"Mujhe tumhari sahayatha ka koi avashyaktha nahi thi!" he snapped.

(I didn't need your help!)

Before I could respond, the sound of hoofbeats reached me, and I turned instinctively.

My breath hitched as I saw him.

Emerging from the forest on horseback was another man, holding a bow.

I froze.

He stood tall, his dark, wavy hair flowing gently as it framed his perfectly sculpted face. His sharp features-his defined jawline, those piercing brownish black thoughtful eyes-drew me in instantly. The crimson tilak on his forehead glowed against his radiant skin, giving him an almost divine aura. He looked like he belonged to another realm.

The silver-toned armor he wore hugged his powerful frame, its intricate designs shimmering faintly in the light. His broad chest and commanding posture exuded strength, while the delicate sway of his earrings added an elegance that softened his warrior-like appearance.

The way he held his bow-effortless yet in complete control-hinted at immense skill and power. He was magnetic, and I couldn't tear my gaze away.

Oh my god... I thought, trying to keep my expression neutral behind my mask.

I don't know who he is, but he's officially on my Dwaparyug crush list. Looks like a Prince... my first celebrity crush of this era!

The man dismounted, his eyes hardening as he turned his attention to the arrogant fool I had just saved.

His voice, deep and commanding and in a rich baritone sent a flutter through me as he said, "Unhone tumhari raksha kiya hai! Aur tum unse iss prakar ke vyavahaar kar rahe ho?! Aur yeh Ādhyavi hai!"

(She saved your life! And you're behaving like this with her?! And she is Ādhyavi!)

I couldn't help but think,
Oh godd...even his voice was perfect!

Then his words registered in my brain which caught me off guard, and my heart skipped a beat. He knows me? Well, he knew my Ādhyavi persona. But hearing him defend me with such passion made me feel a warmth I hadn't expected.

The arrogant man growled back, "Tum toh Maun hi raho! Aur koi Ādhyavi nahi hai! Yeh Mayavi hai!"

(You keep quiet! She's no Ādhyavi! She's a deceiver!)

I sighed, stepping forward to address him directly. "Aap ko jo samajhna hai samjhiye! Par iss marg se math jaiye! Aage aise bohot tharah ke jaanvar milenge! Aur yeh bhediya ko maine maara nahi hai... woh sirf behosh hai. Ek prahar ke baad woh uth jayega."

(Think whatever you want! But don't take this path. There are many such animals ahead. And I haven't killed this wolf; it's just unconscious. It will wake up in one prahar (three hours).)

The man shot me one last glare before stomping away, muttering under his breath. I couldn't help but feel amused. Where do such people come from?

The Prince stepped closer, his eyes meeting mine with a softness that contrasted his earlier anger. "Devi Ādhyavi," he said gently, his voice filled with respect, "Mein uske sthaan se kshama maangta hoon. Rishtey mein mere bhrata hain... par... aur dhanyavaad unki praan ko bachane ke liye!"

(Devi Ādhyavi, I apologize on his behalf. By relation, he is my brother... but... and thank you for saving his life!)

I nodded in understanding, the warmth in his voice making it hard to show indifference. "Koi baat nahi Rajkumar, aise sambandh hote hain..."

(No problem, Rajkumar, such relations exist...)

His brow furrowed slightly, curiosity lighting his eyes. "Ji, aapko kaise pata ki main ek Rajkumar hoon? Kya aap mera parichay jaanti hain?"

(Ji, how do you know I'm a Rajkumar? Do you know my identity?)

I chuckled lightly, his reactions was cute, "Nahi, main aapka parichay nahi jaanti. Par itna mujhe gyaath hai ki aap ek Rajkumar hain. Aur aap ke bhai bhi."

(No, I don't know your identity. But I can tell you're a Prince. And your brother too.)

He smiled at my words, nodding respectfully. For a moment, the forest around us seemed to fade away, leaving only his presence, commanding and magnetic. But I couldn't linger. Adjusting Bhavya's reins, I gave him a final nod before turning away.

As I rode away, urging my horse to get back on track towards Hastinapur.

The arrogant Prince was a reminder of what I can expect from the Kauravas.

I sighed rolling my eyes.

Atleast, I can taste Bhrata Bheem's laddoos! I missed them. All 6 of them!

I idly wondered how they would look now.

Without warning, the Prince's image lingered in my mind-his sharp eyes, his powerful features, his deep voice., uninvited but impossible to ignore.

I groaned, feeling utterly stupid. Why didn't I ask his name? The question echoed in my mind, taunting me. I almost forgot what it felt like when you have a crush...it had been so long? The notion almost made me laugh. But honestly, it was just a celebrity crush. After all, princes weren't so different from celebrities, were they?

With a shrug, I pushed the thought aside. The odds of seeing him again were slim, practically nonexistent. Best not to dwell on it.

......

A little while ago

Arjun's POV

Our gurukul training had ended, and we were heading back to Hastinapur. The journey had been mostly uneventful, aside from the occasional clash of egos-most notably from Dussasan. His arrogance was as persistent as ever, and while it often caused tension, it rarely escalated beyond verbal sparring.

Jyesht Bhrata Karn had informed us through a letter that he would meet us directly in Hastinapur, leaving the rest of us to travel together. It was just five days before reaching the city when Dussasan managed to stir trouble once again, this time with Nakul.

Their argument quickly spiraled, with Dussasan throwing insults and Nakul responding with fiery determination. I couldn't help but feel proud of Nakul-his defiance was bold and unshakable.

But tempers flared, and it wasn't long before Bhrata Yudhishthir intervened. His calm but authoritative tone brought the squabble to an end, leaving Dussasan fuming.

Unable to handle the perceived humiliation, Dussasan stormed off, taking a path that diverged from ours. His scowl was deep, and his movements radiated fury.

Bhrata Yudhishthir sighed heavily, turning to me. "Arjun, Dussasan galath marg mein jaa raha hai! Uss marg mein Bhediya hai! Tum uske piche jao aur usse leke aao!"

(Arjun, Dussasan is going in the wrong direction! That route has wolves! You go after him and bring him back!)

I groaned inwardly, giving him a slight pout. "Jana avashyak hai kya, Bhrata? Rehane dethe hai na usse..."

(Do I really have to go, Bhrata? Let him be...)

But Bhrata Yudhishthir's pointed look left no room for argument.

Resigned, I mounted my horse and set off, following Dussasan's trail into the forest.

The forest grew darker and more ominous as I followed the trail. The dense canopy overhead blocked out most of the light, and the air felt heavier with each passing moment.

Suddenly, a piercing scream broke through the silence, followed by the guttural growl of a beast. My heart raced -I knew that voice. It was Dussasan.

Urging my horse forward, I quickened my pace, dread creeping into my chest.

When I reached the clearing, the sight before me sent a chill down my spine. Dussasan was locked in a desperate struggle with a massive red wolf. He stood his ground, his sword trembling in his hands as he tried to scare the beast off. But the wolf was undeterred, its yellow eyes glowing with predatory hunger.

The wolf was enormous, easily twice the size of any I had encountered before. Its sharp fangs glinted in the dim light, and its low growls reverberated through the clearing. It was no ordinary wolf-it was from a venomous breed, one whose bite could mean certain death.

Dussasan swung his sword wildly, his movements clumsy and desperate. The wolf, seeing its prey's weakness, crept closer, savoring the hunt.

Without hesitation, I reached for my bow, pulling back the string and aiming at the wolf. My focus narrowed as I locked onto the beast, ready to fire. But just as I was about to release the arrow, a powerful vibration rippled through the air.

It wasn't just a sound-it was an aura, heavy with terror and dominance. Even I felt its weight, though it seemed directed entirely at the wolf.

The beast froze mid-step, its instincts overriding its savagery as it sensed the presence of something far greater.

I scanned the clearing, searching for the source of the aura. It wasn't random-it was unmistakably the energy of a divine bow wielded by someone with immense power.

The wolf quickly recovered and it lunged at Dussasan, sending him sprawling to the ground. His sword clattered uselessly away as he hit the dirt, fear etched on his face.

I tightened my grip on my bow, preparing to fire again, but before I could release the arrow, a flash of white burst through the treeline.

A majestic white horse landed gracefully in the clearing, its rider already firing three arrows in rapid succession. She was a vision of focus and control, draped in shades of grey, dark yellow, and blue. Her face was mostly concealed by a blue-and-white shawl, leaving only her piercing kohled eyes visible-sharp and unyielding.

I froze, my breath catching as I watched her. The precision of her aim, the fluidity of her movements, the commanding presence she exuded-it was mesmerizing.

I knew who she was, of course. Ādhyavi. The warrior whose tales of unmatched skill and valor had spread throughout the various kingdoms for years. But seeing her in person was something else entirely.

Her bow wasn't just a weapon-it was an extension of herself. The way she wielded it with such ease and confidence left me spellbound. My own bow lowered slightly as I found myself captivated by the sheer elegance of her actions.

Her presence was magnetic, and for a moment, I forgot where I was, lost in the fluidity and ferocity of her battle.
In mere minutes, she dispatched the wolf with effortless precision.

The first arrow struck the ground near Dussasan, forming a protective shield of shimmering light around him.
The second bound the wolf's jaws shut, silencing its growls. The third struck the ground near its neck, releasing a wave of energy that paralyzed the beast. The wolf collapsed with a heavy thud.

As the shield faded, Dussasan scrambled to his feet, brushing himself off. His expression shifted quickly from fear to indignation, his arrogance undeterred even after being saved.
"Mujhe tumhari sahayatha ka koi avashyaktha nahi thi!" he snapped, glaring at her with disdain.

(I didn't need your help!)

Anger surged within me as I stepped into the clearing, my bow still in hand. "Unhone tumhari raksha kiya hai! Aur tum unse iss prakar ke vyavahaar kar rahe ho?! Aur yeh Ādhyavi hai!"

(She saved your life! And you're behaving like this with her?! And she is Ādhyavi!)

Even as I reprimanded Dussasan, I couldn't help but steal another glance at her. She stood tall and composed, her aura as commanding as ever, silently observing us with those sharp kohled eyes.

Dussasan glared at me, his pride unyielding. "Tum toh Maun hi raho! Aur koi Ādhyavi nahi hai! Yeh Mayavi hai!"

(You keep quiet! She's no Ādhyavi! She's a deceiver!)

Before I could respond, her calm yet firm voice interrupted. "Aap ko jo samajhna hai samjhiye! Par iss marg se math jaiye! Aage aise bohot tharah ke jaanvar milenge! Aur yeh Bhediya ko maine maara nahi hai... woh sirf behosh hai. Ek prahar ke baad woh uth jayega."

(Think whatever you want! But don't take this path. There are many such animals ahead. And I haven't killed this wolf; it's just unconscious. It will wake up in one prahar (three hours).)

I marveled at her thoughtfulness. She didn't condemn the beast for its attack, understanding that it had acted according to its nature.

Her words carried such quiet authority that even Dussasan couldn't argue further. With one last glare at both of us, he stomped off, muttering under his breath. I watched him leave with a mixture of irritation and relief.

I turned to her, my frustration with Dussasan fading as my gaze locked with hers. Her sharp eyes held a quiet strength, calm yet commanding.

I found myself locking eyes with her magnetic, sharp, kohled gaze, the intensity of it holding me captive. For a moment, my thoughts scattered, and I forgot what I had intended to say. Her complete attention was on me, and it felt as though the world had stilled.

Summoning my composure, I asked for forgiveness on his behalf, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside me. As her expression softened, I managed to explain-though with some difficulty-that he was, unfortunately, my brother. I ended with a heartfelt thanks, my words filled with sincerity, for saving his life.

She nodded slightly, her eyes crinkling as though she smiled beneath her mask. "Koi baat nahi Rajkumar, aise sambandh hote hain..."

(No problem, Rajkumar, such relations exist...)

I raised an eyebrow, curiosity flickering through me. "Ji, aapko kaise pata ki main ek Rajkumar hoon? Kya aap mera parichay jaanti hain?"

(Ji, how do you know I'm a Rajkumar? Do you know my identity?)

Her soft chuckle spread warmth through me. "Nahi, main aapka parichay nahi jaanti. Par itna mujhe gyaath hai ki aap ek Rajkumar hain. Aur aap ke bhai bhi."

(No, I don't know your identity. But I can tell you're a Prince. And your brother too.)

I smiled despite myself, nodding respectfully.

As Ādhyavi adjusted the reins of her horse, I caught a glimpse of a bracelet on her wrist, with some charm as the centre peice. From where I stood, I could not see what charm it was, I shrugged not thinking about-it felt personal, and I didn't want to intrude.

But Something in me told that there was something familiar about her.
As she rode away, her image remained vivid in my mind, leaving me with one question. Who was she, really?

-------
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A/N:

Hope you all liked today's update!

Please comment your thoughts and whatyou like/dislike.

Your comments are my
motivation.

Jai Shree Krishna🙏
-Anu