Keval was staring at the battlefield, completely lost in his thoughts. Shlok's crestfallen face haunted him as his mind reiterated the boy's words.

The Rakshaks had indeed treated him like family. There was no doubt about it in his mind.

He could see Anamika across the vast stretch of corpses- all of them were daanavas. He felt no shred of remorse for them but the loss of the Rakshaks felt like his own.

'It's amazing, isn't it?' Ainas' cheery voice flooded his ears, 'what I'm capable of?'

He shut his eyes, annoyed by her presence. All he wanted was a moment of peace, away from her. When he opened his eyes, she was standing next to him, admiring her handiwork, 'It's so beautiful and cruel.'

'It is.'

'Which is it?' She turned at him. He didn't understand why she needed his appreciation. 'Amazing, beautiful or cruel?'

'Cruel.'

She stayed awkwardly silent. He enjoyed every moment of it. He kept his eyes on the Anamika. He doubted if she would ever realize that he was looking at her. He could not see much of her as she was covered by the sticky blood of the daanavas. It was only her messy hair that he could see because of the great distance.

'Do you like the Eka Nayak?'

Ainas' question caught him off guard. He had not made it his intention to be so transparent. He glanced at Sakhi's hilt nervously. He wanted to deny but it was almost impossible to hide the surge of emotions that hit him the hardest it had ever.

'I do not fraternize with the enemy, Ainas,' He could not hide the edge in his voice.

'I'm sorry if I offended you,' she whispered, softly, 'you don't seem yourself so I...'

'So you assumed,' He lashed out. When he saw the hurt on her face, he knew he had taken it too far. That woman got on his nerves. He shook his head, disappointed with himself. Ainas and he were supposed to be a team. He looked over his shoulder and noticed that some daanavas were looking in their direction.

He cursed internally as he turned to her, 'I'm sorry, Ainas. That was out of line.'

Her face hardened. She clenched her fists and stormed off.

He didn't know what to do after that. He was hesitant to look in the general direction of the battlefield. As much as he didn't want to acknowledge it, he knew he did like the Eka Nayak in ways he should not.

He found himself wondering once again whether it was all worth it. Was his oath, his freedom worth so much? If he betrayed the Daanavraj he would come across as ungrateful. If the Demon King hadn't shown mercy, he wouldn't have never known about the Rakshaks. Once again, he suppressed his will to dishonour his oath. He told himself he should be happy that he had the privilege to be with them and move on... Do what was best for everyone.

Freedom wasn't what he thought it was anymore. The more he neared it, the more it felt like a monster lurking in the shadows. It was frightening.

He glanced in her direction again.

Anamika wasn't there anymore.

He shook his head and walked to his tent where he intended to get some rest, that is if his thoughts would allow him to.

He owed a lot to the Daanavraj, it would be a shame if he were unable to give his all to the battle, the one thing the monarch wanted. He had already failed His Majesty so many times but second-guessing himself, that he was tired of.

***

The rest period was soon over. The station was prepared to march into the battlefield. Anamika didn't lead them there. She marched along with her Rakshaks. She let the Yamdhuts lead them. It was better that way. She kept an eye out for Ainas. It wasn't difficult to spot her as the woman was leading them, along with Keval.

The loud conch resonated through the battlefield.

And the second battle began.

The Rakshaks stuck to the plan, they avoided Ainas.

Anamika went straight toward her.

The woman couldn't do any damage because none of the Rakshaks made a move to attack her. Her expression was priceless. Every time Ainas anticipated an attack from the Rakshak, she was let down.

The Eka Nayak stood in front of her, slaying the daanavas that charged at her.

Ainas' eyes widened when she came face to face with Anamika.

With a loud cry, she charged at the woman.

The woman had come prepared. She had learnt some moves. She deflected and attacked. Anamika would've been impressed if the woman hadn't destroyed two of her dearest friends.

Ainas sent a wave of magic toward her. To her surprise, it threw Anamika back.

The Eka Nayak was quick. She landed on the balls of her feet. Behind Ainas, she saw Keval fighting tooth and nail against Abhay. She almost smiled, there was no one else who she would trust more to defeat Keval.

The witch drew her attention. Through her wicked smile, she said, 'I've become stronger, Eka Nayak.'

Anamika gritted her teeth, 'But you're not strong enough.' She lept again. Ainas blocked her attack with her talwar. It was strange seeing the woman wield such a heavy weapon so well. It infuriated Anamika.

'I will end you,' She yelled as she tried to catch Ainas' braid. It was difficult to do so because the woman's braid was tucked inside the armour. She caught the back of the woman's head and the witch screamed in protest. She used her magic to defend herself.

Anamika was thrown back. She landed on her feet yet again but this time when she saw Ainas' cruel smile, she looked down at herself. Her left hand looked like it had been turned to stone. It was the hand she had used to grip the back her head.

She was scared but she didn't want to show it.

There was no winning, she knew it but that didn't mean that she had to stop trying. She raised her talwar and charged again.

At the same time, Ainas raised her hand and Anamika saw the white mist that swirled toward her. It would be the last time she was going to attack.

It was an honourable end.

Just like Laksh's.

Just like Yoshanhara's.

***

Keval couldn't protect Ainas but she was doing fine.

Abhay was doing a good job keeping him busy. He wasn't letting his guard down.

'You disappoint us, Keval,' Abhay swung his axe at him.

Keval blocked him with his own, 'Funny thing, Shlok told me the same. How's he holding up?' He smirked. He didn't like what he was doing but it was necessary.

Abhay's face turned grotesque with rage, 'How dare you! You filthy scum!'

'Did I hit a nerve?' Keval laughed mockingly.

The ex-Nayak was about to attack but he froze all of a sudden. His eyes were fixed on something behind him. By the look on his face, he was mortified. One could say he was crestfallen too. Keval turned to see what had caught his attention.

He saw it too.

Anamika's hand.

A surge of fear rushed through him. He saw her charge at Ainas despite the stone hand. There was no hint of fear on her face.

The thought of losing her didn't sit so well with him. He was half tempted to rush and save her from the swirling mist that was about to reach her. It was the same urge he had faced when he had witnessed Abhay beat Anamika to a pulp.

But he didn't.

He turned his back on her. He couldn't save her, but he could try.

He mustered all the fake confidence he could and mockingly smiled at Abhay, 'Seems like you're going to lose her too. I wonder how Shlok is going to feel about that.'

It worked like a charm.

Abhay punched him so fast and so hard that he felt himself flying in their direction. He stumbled back. He could've caught himself if he tried.

He didn't want to.

It was too late anyway. He saw the mist surround him. It invaded his mind. He felt his being freeze, slowly. It did not hurt like he thought it would. His vision became blurry.

He swore he heard someone cry out for him. Through his hazy vision, he saw the face he had come to adore.

Anamika.

There was concern on her face.

So strange, he thought.

He didn't deserve her concern.

But even in stone, he was moved by it. He smiled as he reached out for her face. There were tears in her eyes. He felt happier than he had ever felt.

Even after everything he had done, she cared for him.

'Anamika,' He whispered her name lovingly and no sooner did his fingers graze her surface than he saw it disintegrate. It did not hurt partly because he welcomed his end. It was the freedom he had yearned for.

'Keval,' her heavy voice was full of sorrow.

'Why the sad face, Anamika? This is a wonderful end for me. I'm free.'

He heard her weep. He told her nothing more. If he expressed his true feelings to her, she would break.

They were the same.

It was too soon for that.

She had to go on... be a leader.

He hoped his sacrifice would be enough for her.

He hoped she would accept it in exchange for all the misery he had caused.

And then, he was sucked into white oblivion.

***

'Don't pretend as if you care for him!' Ainas pushed Anamika away from where Keval's ashes had settled.

Anamika was taken aback by the woman's sudden action. She watched in morbid horror as the witch sunk her slender and neat finger into the ground. She scraped it frantically, searching for him.

'Look what you did!' She screeched at Anamika. Her pale face was stained with red tears. One moment, Anamika thought she was going to attack her with her bare hands but she didn't. Instead, she slumped and wept into her dirty hands. 'Keval, oh Keval. Why did you have you come between us?'

Anamika stared at her, feeling numb.

The woman felt the same way toward him as she did.

She reached out to comfort her but Ainas misunderstood her action, 'That's it! Do it! Kill me! Cut my braid!'

Anamika recoiled as if the words had cut her.

Ainas got to her feet and as she did, she picked up her talwar. She was shaking furiously. She pulled her braid out of the enclosed armour and left it out in the open. It floated around her just like the last time Anamika had seen that strange thing.

'Ainas-'

'You Rakshaks act all high and mighty! You wouldn't attack someone weaponless, here you go! I have a weapon now! Kill me!'

Anamika stepped away from her. It would be unfair to kill her this way when she wasn't in a state to defend herself. She dropped her Nashtra.

The woman did not take it well.

She stomped her feet in maddening rage, 'You coward! I give you a chance to avenge your dead friend and this is how you want to play it out! Your friend would be disappointed,' she seethed.

To Anamika's surprise, she remained unfazed by the woman's vile words.

'You're nothing by a coward! Unworthy!' She yelled at her face. Before Anamika could react, the woman raised her talwar and cut off her braid.

'No!'

Ainas didn't look like she regretted it one bit. 'You never deserved his affections. You will never truly win this war, Anamika.' Her body began to sink into bones. Her pretty face was wrinkled and masked with malice. She deflated and sunk down on the very spot Keval had turned to dust.

***

The war was won by the Rakshaks and the daanavas had been forced to go back to their lok to face their King. Something told Anamika that they would rather die but she felt like she had no right to kill them. Soon after Ainas' death, her hand had become normal. She had little hope that the ones who were lost would come back.

Whilst the Rakshaks celebrated the victory by dancing and cheering, she forced a smile and sat through it but when she couldn't take it, she excused herself and walked to Laksh's room.

Shlok was there.

'I'm sorry, I didn't know you were here,' She apologized. When she was about to go back to her room, he asked her to sit down on the mat. She complied.

'You don't feel like celebrating?' He asked her once she had settled down.

She shook her head, 'I don't feel like it.' She let her eyes wander. She spotted Indria in one corner. She remembered when Laksh had told her that she could have it once he made a new one for himself.

Tears welled in her eyes.

'I miss Laksh,' Shlok spoke, leaning back on his palms, 'I wish I knew where he was so that I could follow him there.'

She couldn't find any words so she nodded.

There was an understanding silence for a reasonable amount of time before Shlok broke the silence, 'Keval told me something when Laksh was... you know.'

She looked at him. She couldn't stop herself from remembering the smile on his fading face.

It haunted her.

'He told me that he didn't come from the same place as we did,' He said, 'I never understood that.'

It didn't come to her as a surprise. Maybe she had always known that deep down at the core of her very existence.

'He always had a soft spot for you, Anamika. Even on the battlefield, he saved you, didn't he?'

The truth in his words broke her. She sobbed into her hands. He hugged her and patted her back, 'There, there, Anamika. It's okay. Let it all out.'

He patiently held her as she poured her misery out.

When she was done, she pulled away from him. 'Thank you,' she said sniffing as she wiped the last of her tears.

He smiled wanly, 'Anytime, my friend.' He turned away and stared at the ceiling. She took it as her cue to leave. Quietly, she got to her feet, 'I'll see you later.'

He didn't reply.

She walked out and was greeted by cheers and laughter. It annoyed her. She clenched her fists and glared at the dancing Rakshaks, their actions fueled her sad fire. But it wasn't just them, the Yamdhuts were a part of it too. They were playing dholaks, bansuris, and manjiras. Some of them accompanied the Rakshaks as they flittered around.

To them, it was a joyful occasion.

A fluttering curtain caught her attention. It was Keval's room. She hadn't stepped inside. No one had ever since she had declared him a traitor. Her feet automatically made their way to it.

'Anamika,' She stopped short when she heard Kasa.

She looked at him over her shoulder, 'This is not the right time, Kasa.'

'I know,' he said, 'But I need to show you something. I promise you'll like it.'

It piqued her curiosity. She raised a brow questioningly but followed Kasa. He walked into the portal room. She observed that he was being careful. Though she found it a little suspicious, she did not say a word.

Once in the portal room, he opened a portal.

'Where are we going?' She asked as she stepped inside.

He smiled widely at her, 'The Prithvilok.'

She was addled. Now he was taking her to solo hunts? She was about to open her mouth to speak but when she noticed the surroundings, she gasped. She was in awe. Lights flashed everywhere. She had seen them before, from a distance but now up close, they were prettier. She watched as weird entrapments on circular discs that moved with a speed she could only imagine.

And then she saw them.

The people.

Living people.

To her surprise, they looked no different than her or any soul she knew back at the Yamlok. They wore no armour and their sense of style was a little different but she was not surprised by it. Laksh had told her about it.

'This way, Anamika,' Kasa's voice was a blur in all her excitement. She saw him walking toward a white rectangular structure. It was humongous.

The living walked past them without a second glance. She frowned, 'Don't we look weird?' She asked motioning at her attire.

He chuckled, 'They can't see us.'

'Oh!'

The insides were crowded and brighter. She didn't think it was possible.

'There are so many people here!' She exclaimed, 'What is this place?'

'All in good time, Anamika,' He said as he walked on. Many of the living walked right through them. She saw women dressed in white, reading from sheets and examining people.

For the first time, she noticed the gloomy atmosphere. Her face fell, 'It's not a happy place, is it?'

'Here we are!' He ignored her question as he stood in front of a small door. There was a window there. When he motioned for her to go on, she peered through the glass window. She gasped. There was someone on the bed.

Someone that looked like her.

She staggered back as if she had taken a punch. Wide-eyed she stared at him for an explanation. He simply walked through the closed door. She followed.

The woman who looked like her was sleeping. She was surrounded by all sorts of things that she couldn't recognize. She had her round face and the curly hair that seemed to be matted to her forehead.

'She's you, Anamika,' Kasa spoke. There was a small smile on his face.

'I was not dead?' She asked.

He shook his head, 'No. That's why you had no recollection of your memories. You weren't supposed to be in the Yamlok at all.'

'Yet I was.' She looked at him, 'Why?'

He tilted his head and smile knowingly.

She already knew the answer. 'You needed me to defeat Ainas. But why? What was so different about me? Why didn't you choose anyone else?' She asked. Her head was spinning. There was some kind of power the unconscious body held toward her. It was as if it was trying to communicate with her.

'You followed me to the Yamlok. You saw me. I don't think you realized that I knew you were following me.' He stepped closer to her, 'I did not question how you could see me. Some are blessed with the vision to see what others cannot.'

'Why me?' It was a mere whisper. 'Why did I follow you?'

'That is not for me to tell.'

She frowned, 'So why bring me here?'

'I offer you a choice, Anamika.' He placed a hand on her shoulder, 'You can stay with us, in the Yamlok, be the guiding light for all the Rakshaks or...' He paused and he motioned toward the lifeless body, 'You can go back. Live.'

She shuddered. Her anger was replaced by fear. She wrapped her arms around herself, 'If I stay with you, will I get my memories back?'

'Yes.'

'But she'll die here.'

'It's just a body. It will go back to nature like it has to.'

'Do I have a family here?' She asked.

He nodded, 'Yes.'

'Do they love me?'

There was a brief moment of silence. She studied his face. It held a foreign emotion before his lips broke into a wide grin, 'Of course they do.'

It was like a dream.

'But what about the Rakshaks?' She asked.

'They will understand, I promise.'

She stared at the body, contemplating for some time. It was a tough decision. All she had ever known was the Rakshaks. She could stay with them and be with her memories which she so desperately asked for but it felt too soon. What if the memories weren't good? What if she wanted to change them?

'Did I have a good time here?'

'Not the best,' He replied, 'But it was better than most of the Rakshaks.'

She finched. 'If I go, can I change it?'

'Yes.'

'If I stay, I can't.'

'Yes.'

She pursed her lips and looked at Kasa, nervously. Her mind was made but she didn't have the courage to say it out loud. He smiled at her, 'That's a wonderful decision, Anamika. However, I want you to say it. It is your choice, you must own it.'

Her lips trembled. She feared because she didn't know what to expect in her new life. All that she had asked for... it was just a few words away. She hesitated.

Laksh... Keval.

She had to know where they were.

Kasa read her mind and replied, 'They are in a better place, Anamika. They are happy. Do not let the memories of the past stop you from moving forward.'

She looked down at her feet.

'Come on, Anamika. You're stronger than your fears.'

She glanced at him only to find him smiling reassuringly.

'I would-' she stammered, 'I would like to live.'

His smile grew wider, 'Anamika, it was an honour to meet you. I wish you well.' He joined his palms. Before she could do the same, she was thrown back. A blast of colours flashed in front of her eyes. She convulsed, she tried to call out the Yamdhut for help but she couldn't see him. The pain was unbearable.

She wondered if she had been selfish by choosing to live.

There was no time for any more doubts to cloud her mind for darkness had already taken care of her.

***

It was a normal day for her. She was sitting in the small yard in front of her house and playing with her dolls. Her brother had refused to play with her because of the X-box their parents had gifted him. Now, he was holed up in his room, on that stupid thing all the time. It drove her mad.

A scooter passed by. She did not recognize the person. She wanted to go back to her toys but her eyes caught on something... or rather someone.

The boy who lived right opposite to her was a strange boy. That's what her brother told her. She had believed him. Her brother told her that she should stay away from him, that he was mad.

She had her doubts but she obeyed her brother anyway.

The boy was alluring. She was a little taller than him. He had fluffy cheeks and big doll-like eyes. His hair was straight and matted to his temple. But there was something else that she was strange. It was that he often talked to himself.

She looked at her dolls, silently asking them if she should talk to him. She thought about her brother. He had been ignoring her because of that new toy. She needed someone to play with. So she picked up her dolls and walked towards the gate.

She stopped short when she realized that the dolls would probably be too girly for him. She placed them carefully on her porch and took her cycle. It was pink and blue and golden but it was fine since she didn't have the trainer wheels.

'Hey!' She cycled toward him and waved.

He looked at her and meekly returned the gesture.

She grinned as she cycled closer. She parked her cycle outside his gate and asked, 'Would you like to play with me?'

He seemed hesitant.

She observed his features. Of course, she had seen his big earthen brown eyes before but another feature caught her attention. His nose. She found it very peculiar. It was pointy, like a bird's beak.

She liked it.

'Yes,' he replied as he mirrored her expression, 'Wait here, I'll get my cycle too.'

He came back with his dark blue cycle. 'What are we going to play?' He asked her.

She thought for a moment, 'Let pretend we're the saviours of the earth?'

He laughed, 'Yes! We'll have those machine guns to fight...'

'I was thinking more about bows and arrows and all.'

He grinned widely, 'That's even better!'

The two kids then happily played, cycling in the neighbourhood, shooting at random things, screaming how the world was in danger and how they would save them. At times, they picked up sticks that they found lying in front of a house and slashed at imaginary monsters.

'I love swords!' He yelled, delighted as he vanquished another imaginary demon.

'Me too! They're better than bows and arrows.'

'Oh look! Behind you!' He pointed before he raced toward her with his stick. She moved away and let him destroy another demon they had conjured up with the help of their imagination.

She laughed loudly, 'We're an amazing team!'

His pearly whites were on display as he gave her a high five, 'Yes! We are! But next time, we'll save the world with machine guns!'

She complied, 'Awesome.'

And they continued to slay imaginary demons, to protect the earth.

They were so engrossed in their activities, that they didn't notice the tall masculine figure that observed them with a small smile on his face.

Kasa watched them fondly for some time, before marching into the boy's house, walking through the walls to collect a soul from the dying body.

***