When I felt the breath rush back into my lungs, something had changed.

Kurukshetr felt...

Enlightened if that makes any sense.

But it did and when I looked around, I saw Arjun holding his Gandiv, a fresh determination in his eyes, while Krishn just held a determined smile.

Weird.

But they're Parth and Madhav.

They're weird together anyways.

As Yudhishthir and I looked at each other, a silent affirmation passed.

'We're returning back alive. For each other, for our kids. For our family'.

Because if he or I are captured, the war is over.

We picked up our conch shells, eyes trained on our enemies who mimiced the actions.

The loud blow of the conch shell woke the feeling of all the buried anger, pain, rage I felt. Pain against my sister's harassment, the people who poisoned her, killed her baby, the people who wouldn't stand up and protect a woman in need, people who watched as their own grandson was stabbed and nearly died from the blood loss.

People who watched as the sons and daughters in law of their kingdom left it because of a child's temper tantrum.

Eyes blazing. I stepped into war...

^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•

The war raged on both sides with equal fervour, even with Mahamahim gone, casualties reigned on our field, with GuruDron firing arrows upon arrows.

I could not burn them all.

Sulo and my sisters did suggest that we build a complete fire dome.

But how long would we hold it for?

The soldiers would have to move out of it, even to capture the enemy.

So we tried our best, shielding our soldiers from arrows, fighting off the soldiers attacking our ranks.

But I realised, Bheem was right.

There side had far too many people.

Sulo on the other hand kep hurling balls of fire towards Duryodhan and Shakuni, endlessly firing balls of flame which they barely escaped each time.

She was trying to tire them out... But what would she do in hand to hand combat, there we knew she lacked.

" Sulo get down! " Sudhuma screamed as an arrow whizzed past her and in a desperate attempt to stop it, she ran towards Sulo, but it was too late....

The arrow lodged itself into Sulo's back.

My sister gasped, her eyes blazed as she looked over her shoulder, eyes widening in surprise and anger.

She ripped the arrow out and looked over to Dushasan, his mouth agape in confusion.

Oh oh.

Sulo is mad.

If anyone knows Sulo... If my anger is bad... Simmering, threatening, hers is all consuming. And so is her flame. I could feel the heat shift in the atmosphere, the stench of sweat, blood and tears being burned away by blistering heat, the opposite army began to cower, as they shielded their eyes, even I had to focus to make sure I could see her.

She was growing red. Bright red, her flames rose around her, spreading across the lands.

Metal heats up. Right?

.. Big problem for our enemies. Their armours were hot enough to burn their skin, not the innocent soldiers though no. She was wise.

She attacked the ones who were attacking us. Our army. Duryodhan clawed out of his armour panting and coughing. The heat rose consistently, I could feel myself at home, but in the field it wasn't what one expected... When...

The heat died down all of a sudden, sending shivers down my spine as it did.

I looked past the haze to see Ashwatthama.

He stood behind Sulo. His hand on her back.

Sulo's eyes widened, and she suddenly coughed and blood spew from her mouth.

"Sulo! " I screamed and she raised her hand, eyes shifting to behind Yudhishthir, who was occupied by GuruDron.

"Samragyi Sagarika! " He called, "I give you an option. Either rescue your husband and let the war continue, or save your sister and finish this war today! " He yelled.

See here's the thing.

Either that's Shakuni's plan. To think he's emotionally blackmailing me.

Or GuruDron underestimates Sulo. A dagger wound does nothing to her. She can heal herself. She isn't a mortal like me.

"And before you scoff at my words, be warned. If not treated, the poison in devi Sulohita's veins will turn her blood cold, her body cold as ice and it will brittle and break off, like ice shards. " He threatened.

My eyes snapped up...

Fear pounded in my veins at his words.

"Sagarika! Leave me and save her! " Yudhishthir yelled, even as the knife dug harder into his throat.

" No! No! If we lose this is for nothing Karali! My life isn't more important than the people we're fighting for!" She thrashed lightly, wincing in pain at his tight grip. "Leave me! Let me die, in peace! Let me be a sacrifice, " Sulo coughed, behind her, Ashwatthama winced as he twisted the dagger snd Sulo nearly crouched in pain, before sporting a wan smile.

" You can do this! Choose the Samrat Samragyi! If you lose, all our pains will go in vain! " She yelled back.

I could hear my heart rattle. With fear and confusion. I looked over to see Sulo shiver slightly and that's when I had a revelation.

Sulo could be saved. No one said anything about keeping her prisoner.

My eyes met Vishwa's behind the pair, who caught my plan.

"Leave my husband GuruDron. " I called loudly and while there were protests of no's from both sides, Sulo simply smiled, her eyes bright with vengeance, even as I saw her teeth chatter.

Even Yudhishthir looked furious, eyes trained on Sulo who raised her palms softly, as if to pay him her last respects.

His hands trembled as he raised his to do the same.

While I'd usually love to see the jiju sali bond,(bro in law and sis in law)
we had more important things to do.

The minute Yudhishthir arrived on my side, while Ashwatthama was purely ready to kidnap Sulo, he cried out in pain as Vishwa's burning hot spear, as it collided with his head.

He released his hold on Sulo, who staggered away, while I ran to pull her close.

I felt my body heating over naturally, when I heard Nakul
yell, " Bhabhishree! Stop! "

As he rode over on his horse, he pulled Sulo out of my arms, ignoring my obvious surprise.

" Bhabhishree, this poison draws on the heat it receives. The more warm devi Sulohita is, the faster it will act. I'll heal her. Please, don't let this happen again! Burn the dagger! " He called as he rode away, as fast as the wind, one hand supporting Sulo while the other slashed through enemies.

While Shakuni was nowhere to be seen, GuruDron's face held a proud smile.

Oh please.

Give me a break. You volunteer to take the wrong side and you smile when your favourite student gets a chance to win?

But I had no time to ruminate on that. The battle raged on, even as GuruDron rode away, Vishwa was locked in serious combat with Ashwatthama and I couldn't do anything about it..

Not now. Not till she hands the fight over to me.

Then he will learn what it means to backstab me.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

So....

A week. This has been... The longest I went without publishing.

Anyways...

Do you guys know I was initially leaving the chapter at Sulo's attack?

Would have been more fun.

For me. 😈

Tell me how it was and do vote. Much love.

Radhekrisn ♥