by Selva, SK
“Fancy seeing you here, Aaryav,” said a voice suddenly.
“Hey, Maran.”
Veeran turned around. He gulped as several tough-looking unicorns were walking into the market, Puli among them. Each step they took made it clear what their intentions were. The contempt on their faces made him suddenly aware that he had no hood to hide under this time.
“Who said you could bring that thing with you?” asked one of them, pointing deliberately. His face was so close to Aaryav’s that their noses were almost touching.
Veeran tried to take several steps back, but Aaryav grabbed his arm, keeping him rooted to the spot. He could feel his palms sweating as his breathing became labored. The very same market that had been lively with noise was now deathly silent.
“His name’s Veeran. And he has every right to explore as we do.”
“Does he now?” said the one named Maran. “So, demon, how come we haven’t seen you around yet?”
“I...I...I’ve been busy,” said Veeran meekly.
“Doing what? Getting the next tragedy ready?”
“Shut it, Maran,” said Aaryav, his voice resonating through the market.
“Easy there, racer,” he sneered. “Balaraj’s not happy with you, you know. You’re able to bring the demon to the market but not battle classes. He keeps asking, wondering whose side you’re really on.”
“I told him I didn’t want to come,” said Veeran, desperately trying to keep Aaryav out of trouble.
“I’m on Roshna’s side,” argued Aaryav. “That’s with Marutam and the unicorn clan.”
“If so, why don’t you bring that thing to battle class?”
“I’ll come tonight!” shouted Veeran.
He felt pathetically weak. It was clear why Aaryav had been asking him to come to battle classes. The other unicorns had been demanding it. He couldn’t believe he had been so selfish as to make Aaryav face them on his own.
“Perfect,” said Maran. “See you there, demon.”
Having got exactly what they wanted, they walked away. Puli made sure to brush Veeran as he shoved his way by. Aaryav watched them go.
We’re in trouble now, he thought.
CHAPTER 1 5
***
T raining for the race had been his escape.
The last few days had been rough for Aaryav. Pushing himself to the limits of his strength just to forget all his worries, he could feel his body aching as he lay down to bed every night.
But he could not stop. The words from the other unicorns at the battle classes were his fuel.
“So where’s this demon you’re mentoring? You on their side now?” Maran had asked a few classes ago.
“I’m on the side of Marutam. You heard what Roshna said,” Aaryav tried to reason.
“And what about Balaraj? You know why he’s pushing us harder now too. You know at any moment that demon is going to try something,” said another unicorn, Vadish.
“He hasn’t done anything at all. He goes to the library, magic classes, and stays home.”
“And he hasn’t done anything in magic classes,” said a new unicorn, Puli. “The land doesn’t trust him.”
Aaryav had been friendly with his battle classmates in previous returns, but the more he defended Veeran, the less they wanted to do with him.
“We thought you were smarter than that,” said Maran.
Their words had hurt.
Aaryav returned from battle training every evening to see Veeran casually reading at his small table.
“How was training?” he always asked.
“Great,” Aaryav would respond. “Anything interesting you learn today?”
Veeran would excitedly share everything that he had learned and how much he was enjoying helping Poorvi at the temple, giving Aaryav a much-needed distraction.
If only he could convince Veeran to come to one class so that he could prove to everyone he was a good creature and that all he wanted to do was learn about their clan. That would help get his friends back and show the villagers that Veeran was harmless.
But was he, though? There were moments Aaryav started to doubt himself. He had learned for years not to speak of the demon tragedy and that they were banned for a reason. Balaraj himself was particularly against them. He was ignoring Aaryav in battle training and focusing on all the other students. It panged at Aaryav's heart. Balaraj had been the one that encouraged his passion for the race. He had been the one to start Aaryav on the rigid training schedule during his last return that he happily continued now.
His own teacher was against him.
He lay in bed one night, struggling to fall asleep. True, he and Veeran had excellent conversations every day. It was so easy to talk to him. Behind his appearance was just a curious young man, not even Aaryav's age, just wanting to learn more.
Maybe he’s trying to gain knowledge to destroy the land again.
Aaryav quickly dismissed the thought, angry that it even came up.
He jumped suddenly as the frayed curtains on his bedroom window pulled back, ready for danger. A single feather had floated in, landing softly on his lap.
“I am proud of you.”
Roshna’s voice filled him with the encouragement that he had never felt before, not even in the human world.
Now, Aaryav felt the lump in his throat grow bigger as those he thought of as friends walked away, throwing back pompous looks every few steps. They had gotten what they wanted, and so easily at that.
“You shouldn’t have done that,” said Aaryav.
“I’m sorry,” said Veeran, “but I couldn’t take them talking to you like that.”
Incredible, thought Aaryav. He’s worried about me.
“It’s fine,” said Aaryav, sighing deeply. “Just stick with me.”
As they left the market to head back home, Aaryav could not help but envy the other villagers they passed, out and enjoying the weather. How simple must it be for them. Just to come back and enjoy the land, not worried about bringing glory to the unicorns.
But that would never be enough for Aaryav. He did not want to just come and enjoy. He wanted to inscribe his name into their history books. He wanted his picture to be engraved forevermore at the temple. Future generations would have to know who he was.
Aaryav had been so lost in his thoughts, he had not realized they had already arrived home. Veeran followed him inside as he made his way to his room.
“Have the other unicorns been bothering you about me at the battle classes?” Veeran called out timidly.
Aaryav was about to open his bedroom door but stopped. He had to tell him.
“They have, but I told them I wasn’t going to bring you until you were more comfortable,” he admitted.
“You could’ve told me,” said Veeran. “I would’ve come.”
“We’re passed that now.”
“Are you mad at me?”
Aaryav turned and looked at his roommate. Veeran was scared, but not of the battle class or what the other villagers had said. He was scared that Aaryav was upset with him. He remembered his first promise he made to Veeran.
“I got your back, brother.”
It was at that moment Aaryav knew he would always make sure Veeran was safe.
Every creature has a right to the land.
“Not at all,” said Aaryav, finally smiling. “You’ll finally be coming to battle classes.”
Veeran let out a huge sigh of relief. “Yeah, hopefully it goes all right.”
“You don’t have to participate. Remember, lots of unicorns just sit in the stands and watch. That should be enough.”
“Is there anything else I should know?”
“Not at all,” said Aaryav. “And if anyone tries anything, I’ll take care of it.”
He watched as Veeran sat at their table, opening the latest book he was reading. Aaryav hesitated, then sat down as well, opening one of the extra books that Veeran had finished. The smile across Veeran’s face tugged at his heart.
&n
bsp; “Thanks,” said Veeran.
A true friend walks in, even when everyone else walks out, thought Aaryav.
*
Balaraj lit the torches of the battle training grounds. There was not much space to train, but he liked that. Less time meant you needed to think quicker. His students were learning how to battle, and this was the return they needed it the most.
As the stands began to fill up quickly, Balaraj conversed with some of the older unicorns, his former students. They always enjoyed watching.
Balaraj himself could never just sit and watch. No matter how old he had gotten, he doubted anyone would be his match. The years had not been kind to his body, but he had fought the curse of aging. Unfortunately, that battle seemed to get harder with each day.
The magic teacher was present, sitting attentively in the front row. She was documenting the energy used during training and trying to calculate how they could be more efficient. As if that mattered; no one cared about numbers during war.
Balaraj was the first to pick up a mysterious attendee walking into his class. There was only one teacher better than him, and that was experience. It had trained him to always be alert. Incredibly, it was being brought in by that traitor Aaryav.
How he had hopes for the boy, but they had long faded. He had chosen to align himself with Roshna, and even worse, the demon. He could train for the race games all he wanted, but Balaraj would never approve his entry. Let him learn the hard way that this was his village, not Roshna’s.
But this meant that the figure in the cloak was the boy who had started this entire mess. Balaraj’s chest heaved as he eyed the creature, his wildest dreams coming true. Now was his time to show everyone what he had known all along.
The training grounds had filled with his usual students, who looked more excited than usual.
Time for everyone to learn the dangers of demons.
“Everyone, into your usual partners,” shouted Balaraj as the crowd had settled into their seats.
“And warm up moves, begin!”
The battle students launched into their usual warm-up, softly landing blows with wooden sticks and parrying them with shields. It would not do to use real weapons until they got much more advanced.
“And faster, go!” he commanded.
The moves were quicker and the students stronger as the clash of spears smashing against shields filled the night air. It was a glorious sound.
“And halt!”
As the students froze, unmoving, Balaraj turned to the spectators, who looked back, intrigued.
“I am worried, fellow Marutam villagers. We are under a threat.”
A worried whisper fell through the crowd.
“Very few of you were around the time of the demon tragedy. Some of us lost loved ones. But through it all, Ilemuria came back stronger, and we hoped never to go through something like that again.”
Balaraj could see the magic teacher suddenly stop writing, turning back to the hooded figure, his eyes full of worry.
“The demons nearly destroyed our world, and now not only are they back, but being housed in our very village. How incredible our leader sees fit to put us all in such danger.”
The silence was deafening.
“However, I am not an unreasonable man. If the demon feels he is no threat, let him come down here and join the class. Ilemurians have long since learned the way of battle with pride. If he is of no danger, he will be able to participate without any trouble.”
There was no movement for several seconds. Suddenly, almost robotically, the cloaked creature stood up and began to walk slowly down to the training ground, hesitating more and more each step. It did not matter to Balaraj. He could take all night if he wanted.
He stopped several paces from Balaraj as he slowly pulled down his hood, his hands trembling and eyes filled with terror.
Balaraj leered at the pitiful sight. The boy looked like he was on the verge of tears.
“I expected more.”
It brought him great delight to see such weakness from his enemies.
“Maran, fire up the great torch. We’re going to need more light.”
The demon stayed silent.
“You will need a partner. Not you, Aaryav. You have lost my trust. Move from there. Maran, you will partner with this thing.”
“No, I’ll do it. We can work together.”
“I said NO!” shouted Balaraj, inches from Aaryav’s face. “If you know what’s good for you, step away!”
Aaryav felt the pain shoot across his back as he lay on the ground. Balaraj had shoved him aside with no regret for his student’s wellbeing. He struggled to get back to his feet.
Ignoring the traitor on the ground, Balaraj watched as a jubilant Maran stood across the demon, his eyes bulging at his opponent.
No dragons or Roshna here to save you now.
“Scared?” asked Maran.
It pleased Balaraj no end to see the demon shivering and unable to respond. He had been waiting so long for this. All those years of drowning his sorrows. He had lost his family in the human world thanks to these creatures. He was not going to lose his pride here.
“No magic,” shouted Balaraj. “Hand-to-hand combat.”
Maran took his ready position, and the demon clumsily tried to copy.
“Now!” shouted Balaraj.
“Ah!” came a quick cry. The demon boy was already on the ground as Maran had pinned him.
“Off, Maran,” said Balaraj as the demon boy slowly stood back up. “You, demon. You’ll need to do better.”
No response.
“We’ll try again. Now!”
It was even quicker this time. The demon boy cried out in pain as Maran held a heavy foot on his head.
“That’s enough, Balaraj!” someone called out from behind him.
“I am the teacher. Hold your tongue, Aaryav!” shouted Balaraj.
“At least let him face another beginner,” argued Aaryav, who had finally managed to get back to his feet.
Balaraj stared back furiously. If that’s what he wanted, then that’s what he was going to get.
“Puli!” called Balaraj. “Over here to face this thing.”
This worthless creature would be good practice for the new boy. This one had good potential. As they stood across from each other, one confident and leering, the other barely about to hold himself up, Balaraj smiled.
“Now!”
*
Veeran found himself pinned again for a third time. Thankfully, Balaraj shouted at Puli to get off, but not before he kicked a handful of dirt into Veeran’s face.
Another round and another cry from Balaraj, and this time Veeran held his ground, anger replacing fear. Puli struggled to pin him as Veeran fought back. He could feel the unicorn giving way. Just a little more, and he could go for the pin. Slowly, he gained the upper hand.
The pain in his back was so sudden that Veeran did not have time to cry out as Puli pinned him again.
“What are you doing!” shouted Aaryav, running into the fray and grabbing the spear from Maran, who had hit Veeran.
“Stand back, Aaryav, or you will be punished,” said Balaraj.
“He’s on the ground,” argued Aaryav. “Are we so cowardly a clan that we fight unjustly?”
“You dishonor our clan.”
The heat from the fire burned greater as Veeran lay in pain. He turned his head, locking eyes on the dancing flames.
Nahi srambh…
The voice was back, clearer now than before.
Saahaayamh…
I don’t understand, thought Veeran. What are you saying? Who are you?
Nahi srambh…
Please, what do I do? Veeran was begging now.
He thought back to when Poorvi had told him to be proud of who he was. And where did that leave him? On the ground, humiliated and defeated. He did not need to know any other demons to realize what a disgrace he was.
Saahaayamh…
Veeran focused on the fire
. Help me, please.
Was Veeran seeing things, or was the fire getting closer? The flames were dancing more wildly, inching toward him. But Veeran was not scared. The warmth was inviting. He could feel the rush of energy, greater than anything he had ever felt before. It was glorious.
“One more time.”
The shock on Aaryav's face was nothing compared to Balaraj’s as Veeran stood, still as a mountain. The fire still burned in the same spot as before. Perhaps it had moved only for him, but Veeran did not care. The more he raged, the more power he felt.
This was magic.
Naiva kila….nisedha…
Veeran was not listening to the voice anymore, or to anyone.
Nisedhaaaa…
I do what I want, thought Veeran.
Balaraj gave the order, and Puli attacked. Veeran waited until he got close. He could feel the energy waiting to explode from his hands as he pulled them back, ready. Puli was inches away. Veeran leaned forward and rammed his fists into his attacker’s chest.
A burst of flames erupted from Veeran’s fists as he landed a deadly blow on Puli, who had sailed backward. He lay there, his chest smoking, gasping for air. Thalia and another unicorn quickly descended upon him and began to heal him.
Naiva kila...
Veeran could feel his fists still smoking, though it did not hurt. He lowered them and felt a wave of fatigue fall over his body. He slumped to his knees and looked around.
Every unicorn looked at him, terrified and angry.
What have I done?
“Get up,” whispered a voice urgently in his ear.
Veeran, with all the energy he had left, held on tightly to Aaryav. Together, they ran from the training grounds.
*
Balaraj could not get rid of the image of the fire exploding from the demon’s fists.
This cannot be.
The demon boy had summoned some sort of dangerous weapon. He had been hiding it and was clearly going to take over Marutam with it. He should never have sent such a young boy to face him. Puli lay there, fighting for his life as several different unicorns attended to him.