: Attack on the Gurukul
Scene Title: Attack on the Gurukul — The War-Play of Elements
Scene Start
In the absence of Acharya Vishrayan, the people of the Kal-Chhaya (Shadow of Time/Darkness) launch a sudden attack on the Gurukul with their demonic army. The Gurukul's protective shield is broken by their intense tantric mantras and they all enter the ashram, violating its sanctity.
Acharya Shatrunjay's Order
Acharya Shatrunjay immediately gathers all the disciples and announces in a grave tone—
"All disciples, male and female, prepare for battle! Use your respective elements, spiritual powers, and martial arts to annihilate these unrighteous ones!"
: The Battle for the Gurukul
The Battle Begins
Acharya Shatrunjay, with his great valor, begins to slay ten demons at once. Due to the large number of demons,the entire Gurukul transforms into a battlefield.
The Disciples' Elemental War-Play
· Dharaya — Uses the Earth element to stop the demons with rising stones, tremors, and the energy of the forests.
· Aakash — Covers the sky with black clouds using clouds, lightning, and rain, and showers electricity and smoke.
· Vayansh — Uses the Air element to toss demons into the sky, tearing them apart with cyclones and wind speed.
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Chapter 21: Dharaya's Courage and Sacrifice
Dharaya's Courage and Sacrifice
Now that Dharaya had gained complete control over her powers, she was fighting the demons at high speed. But a great demon was about to make a fatal strike on Vayansh from behind. Without a second thought,Dharaya pushes Vayansh away and takes the blow herself. She is seriously injured.
Emotional Moment — Vayansh, Dharaya, and Aakash
Aakash: "Dharaya!Are you okay?"
Vayansh (In a trembling voice): "Dharaya…what have you done? You risked your life to save me?"
Acharya Shatrunjay immediately gives the order:
"Vayansh! Take Princess Dharaya to a safe place immediately! Aakash, you now assist me in the battle!"
: A Past Life Revealed
Vayansh Takes Dharaya Away
Vayansh carries Dharaya in his arms towards a secret chamber in the Gurukul. He notices that same bracelet on Dharaya's hand— the one engraved with the ancient symbol of the Air clan.
Vayansh (Startled): "This...this is the symbol of my clan...! You... are you the one?"
A Memory-Vision Appears
An ancient scene appears before them — Where a young man and a young woman are fleeing from an enemy, But ultimately,both are killed — holding each other's hands before death.
Vayansh (Softly): "You...are you that princess? The one who was my childhood friend?"
Dharaya (In a weak voice): "Yes,Prince Vayansh... I am the one. Do you remember everything now?"
They both begin to understand that their connection is not just of this birth — but is tied together across many lifetimes. However,not all layers of this secret have been revealed yet.
🌿 Vayansh's Treatment
Vayansh applies medicine to Dharaya's wounds with his own hands, and transfers his spiritual energy into her.
"I have imbued my life-force energy into these medicines... Princess, you will recover soon. Now I return to the battlefield to protect the Gurukul."
---: Aftermath and a New Awakening
⚔️ The Battle Concludes
Vayansh, Aakash, and all the disciples completely destroy the demons using the collective power of their elements and martial arts. Kal-Chhaya,watching all this from beyond the Gurukul's boundary, vanishes. Along with her,the corpses of all the demons also dissolve into the air.
🩺 After the War — A Silent Closeness
Dharaya is brought out from the secret chamber. She receives medical treatment. Vayansh takes care of her— but hides his feelings deep within. Reconstruction begins in the Gurukul. After some time,Dharaya recovers completely. All the disciples re-engage in their respective duties.
💫 A Final Feeling
But a new feeling of belonging has awakened within Vayansh's heart — the ancient connection of which is now becoming faintly clear to him...
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: The Final Test with the Betal
Under the Old Banyan Tree…
Meanwhile, on the other side… Agni and Neer had reached that old Banyan tree. There,they see a corpse hanging upside down on that tree— It doesn't move, It doesn't attack, It just stares at them…and smiles.
And then… The Betal flips upright in the air,and says with a loud laugh:
Betal (Laughing): "Good…So my food has come to me by itself today. I know who you two are…"
Neer (In a harsh tone): "If you know everything,then you must also know how much you have tormented the villagers. And you must also know that we have come to end you. We know all about you— and today we will give you liberation."
Betal (Laughing): "Liberation? Youwill give me liberation, Neer? When you yourself don't know who you are? Are you the one…who you truly are?"
Neer (Serious): "I know you want to confuse me with your words,but I am not going to get entangled in your talk."
Betal (With a wicked laugh): "Alright…then will Agni get entangled?"
Neer (Becoming apprehensive): "Nothing like that will happen.Agni, don't fall for its words!" (Neer looks around) Neer(Startled): "Agni...? Where is Agni? Where have you taken him,Betal!? What new illusion have you created?"
Betal (Laughing): "Wait-wait,Neer… You jumped straight to a fight,even knowing that the two of you cannot defeat me. My illusions,my powers are many times greater than yours. And you surely know that I am a Betal— free from the bonds of time! I have nothing to hide—not the past,not the future, nor the present."
Neer: "Alright… Then tell me,what is your desire? What do I have to do…to free Agni from your captivity?"
Betal (Laughing): "Ah!I haven't played with anyone for hundreds of years. I haven't found a warrior like you—one who can look me in the eye and talk. Everyone runs away from me in fear…but they cannot escape."
Neer: "What game,Betal?"
Betal: "Just answer three questions… and take Agni away. Tell me…can you give the answers?"
Neer: "Yes,to save Agni, I can answer not just three— but a hundred questions."
Betal (Slowly comes closer): So you want to defeat me,Neer? But can you win against your own mind? Listen carefully… I will ask three questions. But if even one answer is wrong— then what is lost…will be lost forever.
Question 1
Betal: "What is that truth… that feels like a lie? What is that thing which sounds like a lie the first time you hear it… but if it is not accepted,the whole life becomes a lie?"
Neer (Thinking seriously in a grave tone): "The truth is that…which we do not wish to hear. Sometimes our answer goes against our mind. The answer to this question is— Love. When someone says— 'I love you', we consider it a lie the first time… whether it is true or false. But if it is not accepted,the greatest truth of life is lost— and if it is accepted,life can also be ruined."
Betal (Impressed): "Very good… You said correctly,the answer to this question is indeed Love. But two questions remain…
Question 2:
Betal: "Do you know yourself,Neer? If you are asked to look into a mirror— and the face that appears in it is not yours, would you be able to know who you are? Or are you just what… the world has made you?"
Neer (Softly): "I know that who I am…is a blend of many faces. The karma of past lives,the values of this life, people's expectations,and my circumstances— all these make me different in others'eyes. But above all this,there is an 'I'— Neer…who never wavers from his duty and actions. I know who I am— because I am connected to the one…whom I know…" (Here,Neer does not tell the whole truth about whom he is connected to, but the Betal understands.)
Betal (Smiling): "Alright…I am convinced, you know who you are. But the next question…is the most difficult.
Question 3:
Betal: "What is the greatest illusion of this world? The one that everyone believes to be true… or the one,which never even existed for them?"
Neer (Thinking deeply, remaining silent):
Betal (Smiling): "Tell me,Neer… What is its answer?"
Neer: "Time…and Forever. This is the greatest illusion of this world. We all think we have a lot of time— We think that those we love, will always remain with us. But the truth is that… nothing lasts'forever'. Not our love, not our hatred, not our loved ones—and not even we ourselves. Yet…we do not accept this truth— and remain trapped in the illusion of'forever'. This is our greatest sorrow."
Betal (Finally): "Very good… Agni is lying unconscious behind this tree. Go and wake him up. However…this is not the end of the test, Neer… This is just the beginning."
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Chapter 25: The Ultimate Sacrifice
(Neer goes behind the tree and wakes Agni. Agni regains consciousness— but as soon as he awakens,he attacks Neer!)
Neer (Shocked): "Agni!What are you doing? Why are you attacking me?"
Betal (Maliciously): "This is the real test for you two,Neer. Now let's see—who wins… and who loses."
Neer: "Wait,Agni… I don't want to fight you!"
Agni (Angry): "But I do! I will take your life!"
(Neer defends himself, then knocks Agni's sword down with his own.)
Neer: "Enough now,Agni! If I wanted,I could sever your head from your body— But no…I cannot do that."
Agni: "Then don't— but I am not going to stop!"
(Agni attacks again. Neer fights for some time,then throws his sword down.)
Neer: "If you must kill me,then take them… I offer my life to you. But I cannot slay you…"
(Just as Agni is about to strike…)
Betal (Roars): "Stop,Agni!"
(And he frees Agni from his illusion. Agni wakes as if from sleep— sword in hand,and Neer kneeling before him…)
Agni (Astonished): "Neer…?What is all this…?"
Betal (In a calm voice): "Neer… You understood the depth of all three of my questions— You chose truth. You chose your duty. You made your sacrifice…and chose Agni's life. In the last 500 years,no one had ever given up anything for anyone else. You… made me believe in love,friendship, and truth once again."
Neer: "We knew of your sorrow,Betal. We knew that your liberation was only possible through truth and love."
Betal: "And I knew everything too… About you as well. Who you are,Neer… You yourself do not know. And Agni does not know either. But now… I have attained liberation. But remember— The time to come will bring your next test. Never become separated from your karma and your soul…"
Neer: "What test? What do you mean?"
Betal: "I cannot tell. Just listen to your conscience. And for my liberation… perform my Pind Daan and last rites. This is my final wish…"
(And the Betal dissolves into the air. The 500-year-old Banyan tree falls and breaks…)
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Chapter 26: Liberation and a New Journey
Agni (Looking at Neer): "Neer… Are you okay? Why were you on your knees? And the sword in my hands…what was all that? What sacrifice did you make?"
Neer (In a calm voice): "Calm down,Agni. I will tell you everything… First,we must perform the Pind Daan for the Betal's liberation."
Agni: "Alright,Neer."
(Both return to the village, perform all the final rites for the Betal with the help of the old Baba. Then they take their leave and depart towards the temple…)
Agni: (After hearing the whole account,he looks into Neer's eyes and puts a hand on his shoulder…) "Thank you,Neer… truly."
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