They were sitting on the ground in the courtyard back in the Astadasha station. Laksh was cleaning his quiver and Anamika was helping him. She tried not to gag at the entrails that the arrows had caught. 

'Is this the one that pierced the stomach?' She glared at the crust of pisach blood on it. It reached the midsection of the arrow. A gob of something which she recognized as torn flesh was stuck on the arrowhead. 

He looked up from the work he was doing, his eyes on the arrow she was holding out toward him, 'No. That's the one that pierced the eye. The first arrow I fired at them.' He went back to wiping the inner surface of the quiver with a piece of cloth.

She cleaned the arrow gently, 'How do you even know?'

He gave her a cheeky smile, 'A good archer knows his arrows like the back of his hand.'

She rolled her eyes as she kept the clean arrow on the other side. She took another one of those dirty arrows and began to clean them. 'I prefer my talwar over these,' she swept her hands across the pile of dirty arrows. 'They're not so messy and they are very easy to clean.' 

He opened his mouth to answer.

'Archery is all about knowledge and patience, little one.'
A feminine voice spoke.

The two souls looked up to see Rohini towering over them. They were about to get to their feet to respect their guru but the older lady motioned them to sit. 'It is very rare that a soul possesses both these qualities.'

She placed her hand on Anamika's head in a loving manner. The younger soul was shocked by it. Rohini had always been a little distant with her.

'Kasa told me about your hunt,' She spoke, 'I am proud, Anamika. You are very strong despite your flaws. I do not know wherefrom they come or what causes them, but I appreciate that you are doing your best.'

Anamika beamed at the compliment.

'But,' the older lady kept her arms behind her back, her voice cold and dispassionate, 'next time if any Yamdhut asks you to lead, educate them about your rank. You are not the leader of this station, Dhurya is. Let him do his duty as you should do yours.'

Anamika felt like she had been stabbed. She felt insulted. Feeling Laksh's gaze on her, she summoned all her strength to keep herself from crying. 

She stared at Rohini blankly, 'I will not repeat this. I promise.'

'Good.'

Once Rohini was satisfied with Anamika's answer, she walked away.

There was a brief moment of silence. Laksh saw how broken his little sister looked. Anger bubbled inside him. He wanted to yell at the Rohini. 

He was mad at himself. He should've never given up the position to Dhurya when it was offered to him. Clenching his hands, he looked at Anamika. Her head hung low as she continued to clean his arrows. He saw a hint of gold near her eyes.

He never understood why Rohini was so mean to Anamika.

'Anamika...'

'Let it go, Laksh,' her voice shook.

'No, listen to me,' He put his quiver aside and moved toward her. He was determined to make her feel better. Looping his fingers under her chin, he aligned his eyes with hers. She was crying.

His core shook with sadness.

'Listen to me, you were great today-'

She cut him off, 'It was an insignificant hunt. Just an insignificant hunt. I did whatever Dhurya would've done. I followed orders, Laksh. I just followed Kasa.'

'Anamika,' he sighed, 'listen to me. Kasa, he gave you the opportunity because he sees something in you. He knows that you are capable of great things. And I believe that too.'

She sobbed, 'I thought for once she meant it.'

He bit his tongue to keep from saying harsh things about their guru.  He desperately wished Rohini hadn't spoken such cruel words. Taking moment to gather his emotions, he said, 'She might not but I do, Anamika.'

She stared at him. 'You do?'

He smiled widely at her and pinched her small button-like nose, 'Of course, silly. Why wouldn't I?'

She smacked his hand away, unable to hide her smile, 'I don't know. Because you're too kind?'

He pretended to be offended by her statement, 'Me and kind? Anamika, have you lost your mind?'

She couldn't stop herself from giggling, 'Are you going to write a poem about that too? How I find you 'kind'?'

He shrugged, grinning widely, 'Don't tempt me, I just might.'

She laughed but it died prematurely, 'I try, Laksh. I really do.'

He pursed his lips, 'I know.'

They sat like that for a while for some time before she rubbed her face with both her hands and put on a smile, 'Let's get to work. We don't want your arrows to lose their glamour.'

He agreed, 'Yes. I worked hard for that.'

'Will there come a time when you'll make one for me?' She casually asked as she picked up the rag and began to clean the arrow. He chuckled, 'When I make a new one for myself, you can have Indria. Till then, don't even think about it.'

'One might even mistake Indria for your lover,' she chortled.

He raised a brow but couldn't hide the amusement sparkling in his eyes, 'She is a part of my soul,' he said, dramatically as he pulled his gigantic bow close to his chest. 'My one and only created by my sweat and blood.'

'You have neither.' She gave him a flat look, 'You have no hopes. You'll never find a lover.'

He huffed, 'Who needs a lover? I don't want to end up like Dhurya. Besides, I've got Indria and Veghaghana.'

'They don't love you back, Laksh,' she deadpanned.

'Of course, they do and they will follow me to the ends of the Yamlok.'

They shared a look and then started cackling.

***

'Where am I?' Keval sat up all of a sudden, screaming. He felt his entire being crumple under the pain and duress.

'There is no need to overreact,' came a calm reply.

He knew he could take this frail-looking man on but the one standing next to him, the one that bestrode the room like a colossus, that one was a challenge. Keval had single-handedly defeated daanavas of his size. The giant seemed to have understood that Keval was sizing him up because he picked up his gada casually and wiped the non-existent dust off its dome. 

Keval would've love to throw him face down on the ground. He tried not to smirk at that thought.

'I am Guru Gavistha,' the old man spoke. He had a long hair that was tied into a bun that rested atop his head. His beard was long and was plaited. His eyes were small, like slits. He wore a plain dhoti and an aangavastram. A very simple choice of clothing. The gurus back at the Daanavlok were treated like gods. They wore expensive jewellery and clothing. 

'Who are you?' The man asked with a small smile.

Keval did not answer his question. He reached for Sakhi but she wasn't there. He panicked. The room was as dull as his prison- the hell-hole he was in. He desperately needed his talwar to calm down.

He noticed the giant boy. That annoying smirk that conveyed the giant didn't find him worthy enough an opponent.

Keval shoved his fears aside. He took a moment to adjust himself on the uncomfortable mat and then looked directly into the eyes of the authority. He held his chin up and wore the mask of indifference, 'I am Keval and I am from the Astha station.'

Ainas had him say that so many times, for once, he thanked her.

A shadow crossed the old man's face. Keval didn't bother to look at the boy.

'Any idea who devoured the soul?'

Keval shook his head. Again, as he had rehearsed, he swallowed and then spoke in a hoarse voice, to give an effect that he was deeply distressed, 'They devoured everyone.'

'What?' the boy hissed as put his gada down. Keval didn't look at him, he decided to stare at something that was behind them. He had to appear broken. Devastated, was the word Ainas had used. 'Everyone,' he stressed the word. He gripped fistfuls of his hair and place his elbows on his knees, 'All of them. I don't know... It happened right in front of me...' He tried to cry but he couldn't shed any tears.

The room was deathly quiet. He could faintly hear the clangs of metals and the chants of Vedas in the background.

'Son,' the old man got to his feet and Keval looked up, trying his best to look devastated. 'Tell us what happened, if you can.'

'If he can!' the boy bellowed. Keval wanted to repeat the old man's words, There's no need to overreact. But he didn't. The boy glared at him and grabbed the hem of the kurta he was wearing and lifted him, 'Speak! How the hell did you survive?'

Keval could've punched him and thrust his face into the hard stone floor but he was to act like a lifeless doll. A soul struck with the pain of watching his entire station devoured by a monster. He forced out a whimper. As much as he hated appearing weak in front of the giant, he had to. He kept his shoulders slumped and his head down.

Rage surged through him when he saw his talwar hanging from the giant's waist. He gritted his teeth. He reached for it but the giant figured it out and pushed him down. 'I knew it! You're a scum...'

Keval then pretended to sob. 'Oh please. My talwar. Let me have my Sakhi. Please. It's the only thing I have left that Guru Falit gave me. Please.' He hated begging but he wanted his talwar with him. Without her, he felt insecure. 

'Please. He gave it to me... before he... he...'

'Give him his talwar, Abhay,' the Guru said, 'Don't add to his misery.'

The giant, Abhay, looked like he wanted to protest but got over it. He grunted as he unstrapped Keval's weapon from his waist and handed it to him. With Sakhi back in his hands, Keval felt confident.

'What did they call you?' Abhay asked. Keval caught a hint of sympathy in the giant's voice. It was an indicator of his good job.

'Keval.'

The two of them furrowed their brows. He understood their confusion. The meaning of his name was different. It wasn't flattering. It was sad; The only one, or some times, the lonely one. That name was given to him by his torturers. The Daanavraj had offered to change it but Keval decided that he would once he got the freedom he desired.

Abhay, whose name meant 'the fearless', stared at him hard. His expression screaming: Who gave you such a pathetic name? But instead of that, he changed the topic, 'Tell us about what happened.'

So Keval told them what he had witnessed. Most of it was true. He avoided the details and they didn't ask him much. While he described Ainas, he poured all his hatred for his into his voice. He described her as an evil, autocratic woman, which she undoubtedly was. They didn't ask him what she was, so he didn't tell them. 

When he was done, the two of them were having a silent conversation. It went on for a considerable length of time before the Guru broke the silence. The older soul faced him, 'Go with Abhay. He'll show you around. You can stay here for some time till we decided which station we must send you to,' He paused, 'As for your station, I will send some Yamdhuts to investigate.'

He placed his hand on Keval's shoulder, 'We'll avenge them, son.'

'You're most kind, Guru Gavistha,' joined his palms and bowed slightly to show his respect.

He smiled and left the room.

Abhay didn't face Keval till the Guru disappeared, 'Come, I'll show you around.'

***

Dhurya challenged Anamika for a brawl. He walked up to her face and yelled at her. He demanded a challenge, that either she forfeit or she sparred with him. The victor becomes the Rakshak Nayak of the Asthadasa station. She was alarmed and was about to forfeit it then and there but Laksh dragged her away before she could say anything. Apparently, that one incident had triggered Dhurya's insecurities in Laksh's words. Anamika thought that it was a bit too much. 

He didn't have to prove to anyone that he was the leader. She knew the truth, so did he. Reasoning with him would be in vain, Laksh told her. 

'He can't do that!' Anamika hissed, 'Everyone here knows he's the leader! This is insane.'

Laksh watched quietly as she walked from one end of her room to another. She kept on ranting how it was unnecessary and stupid of Dhurya to think that she wanted his responsibility.

'I think it's for the best.'

She was shocked at what he had just said. She stared at him, 'How- What are you talking about, Laksh? This can't happen.'

'And why not?' He folded his arms and looked at her defiantly.

She mirrored his actions and studied him. He raised a brow at it but didn't say anything. Their staring contest ended when she realized that he was being serious. 

She found no trace of sarcasm.

He actually thought it was for the best. 

'I-I-' She found it difficult to find words.

'I don't see any downside,' He spoke. He got to his feet and approached her, 'Anamika, this will be the end of all that you've endured. If you take this up, you'll have a chance to rise up the ranks. Rohini won't be able to hurt you anymore.'

Her eyes were prickling. She wanted to cry. 'That'll mean leaving you. I will not leave you, Laksh.'

'Hey,' He chuckled, 'I'm your sahayudhayavan. I'll follow you wherever you go.'

She was still hesitant. She hugged him and held him for some time. He allowed her to, 'Do whatever you think is right, Anamika. I'll support your choices.'

She nodded when she pulled away. She clutched Nashtra's hilt and stared at the polished blade. A round face with unruly curly hair stared back at her. She hadn't looked at her reflection for a while. She hadn't expected herself to look... stronger. She gathered all her courage. Laksh was right. It was time to make a statement. Rohini was her Rakshak Guru but that didn't mean she would allow her to walk over her anymore. She decided that she had enough of the Yamdhuts prodding into her mind for information, inflicting pain in the process. For as long as she could remember Rohini had always favoured Dhurya and Gomedha and looked down upon her. It was time she changed that.

A perfect opportunity had presented itself.

She'd been a fool to doubt it.

With a determined look on her face, she looked at Laksh, 'I'm doing it. I'm going to accept his challenge.'

He looked proud. 'Dhurya can't hear you.'

She shook her head as she tittered. Without waiting for him, she turned and walked toward Dhurya's room. The rooms in the Asthadasha charminar had no doors except for the main gate which was made of a dhatu. Dhurya was in his room, sitting on the floor, sharpening his talwar. He didn't look up to acknowledge her but she knew he had noticed her presence.

'Come to forfeit?'

She could hear the smugness in his voice. She wanted to spar right then but she controlled her emotions. She snickered, 'I accept your challenge, Dhurya. May the best Rakshak win.' She didn't wait long enough to see his reaction. As she walked toward the egress of his room, Gomedha entered.

The other girl gave her a curious look, 'What are you doing here?'

Anamika smirked, 'Oh, nothing. I just came to inform Dhurya that I accept his challenge.'

Gomedha stared at her as if she'd just said that she was dating a pisach. Anamika realized how they perceived her to be. Scared and timid. 

She wasn't like that at all. 

She did have resolve. She was like them. She too had courage.

Without sharing another word, she walked away.

Laksh was waiting for her in the courtyard. He was beaming.

'Is he coming?' Anamika asked him without looking back at Dhurya. He nodded, not even attempting to wipe the grin off his face, 'Yes. He's going to call Rohini and I don't think Gomedha is happy with your decision.'

She rolled her eyes as she drew her Nashtra, 'I could care less about how she feels. It was her lover's idea.'

'Anamika.'

They saw Rohini walking toward them with the couple behind her feet. The Rashak Guru wore a look of disdain on her face, 'Are you really challenging Dhurya? After one hunt?'

Anamika looked at Laksh who was trying hard to control his anger. She stepped toward the older lady as she sheathed her weapon, 'Is that what they told you?' She glared at the couple. 'I did not challenge Dhruya. I am only accepting the challenge. He's the one who's become so insecure after the hunt.'

Her brother-in-arms laughed but covered it up with a loud cough.

She saw the rage on Dhurya's face and she relished it.

'Then fight. May the best Rakshak win,' Rohini said, coldly. The look on Gomedha's face was priceless. Dhurya, on the other hand, had managed to hide his emotions behind an impassive mask.

Anamika repeated her guru's words in her mind. In her peripheral vision, she noticed Rohini ushering Laksh and Gomedha to the side.

'Both of you know the rules,' the Rakshak Guru spoke, 'take your positions.'

At this, Dhurya and Anamika faced each other. They joined their palms and bowed. It was a formality. Neither of them had anything but disdain toward each other. When they were done with the formality, they wielded their weapons and waited for their teacher for the signal.

Rohini watched her pupils as they stared at each other with animalistic rage. She worried about them. She had been haste in making a decision but it was well within the rules. Dhurya had challenged Anamika and not the other way round. She raised her hand in front of her till her arm was in level with her shoulders. She noticed the slight tension in her pupil's stance. They were waiting for her.

She let her hand fall to her side.

Not even a moment was spared after that.

Dhurya launched himself on Anamika. He was aiming for her head.

***