Previously: Episode 2
The battle erupted in the most unexpected manner, and its conclusion was even more astonishing.
Dhruva, with unwavering resolve, gathered his troops and swiftly confronted the enemy battalion.
Having been seasoned on the battlefield since his early teens, Dhruva charged forward on his horse, leading his soldiers with unyielding courage.
"Stay close to me, Lyra. Don't worry," he commanded.
Lyra's eyes sparkled with a mischievous confidence as she replied, "There is a reason why my kingdom has never been conquered..."
Dhruva barely had time to ponder her cryptic words before he plunged into the fray, his movements a blur of speed and precision, honed over years of combat.
Meanwhile, Lyra maneuvered to a strategic vantage point, ready to wage war in her own unique way.
On the opposing side, Parasuram, the formidable king of the Kosala empire, led his battalion with a fierce determination.
"This time, we will crush the Magadha empire once and for all. It's an opportunity we have awaited for centuries," he declared.
His generals were buoyant, confident in their numerical superiority, outnumbering the Magadha forces four to one.
As they advanced, however, an unexpected sight greeted them. The enemy ranks were far larger than anticipated.
"Purushottam! What is this? Were your calculations wrong? How do they have such a large army?!" Parasuram demanded.
"No, no, this is not possible, my lord! The intelligence I received was impeccable! I don't understand!" Purushottam stammered.
"Clearly, you don't! If we survive this, we have much to discuss, Purushottam!" Parasuram retorted.
Shaking off his initial shock, Parasuram sounded his powerful war conch, rallying his troops. The air was filled with the thunderous clamor of conches, drums, and kettlebells, creating a cacophony that echoed across the battlefield.
The Magadha forces responded in kind, their own conches, gongs, and bone-chilling urumi drums creating a sound so overwhelming it felt as if the sky would fall and the earth would split. A strange fear gripped the battle-hardened Kosala soldiers.
Some soldiers screamed, fell from their horses and elephants, and fled in terror.
Parasuram, a veteran of countless battles, had never witnessed such chaos. "Mother Kali is with them!" he thought, horror-stricken.
Arrows laced with fire and poison rained down upon the Kosala army. Those who remained faced the ferocious onslaught of the Magadha soldiers.
Within hours, the battle was over. Dhruva, elated and astonished, had never seen anything like it. "This must be Lyra's doing," he mused, glancing towards her position.
King Parasuram, now humbled, approached Dhruva. "King Dhruva, I made a terrible mistake. The Magadha kingdom will rule the three worlds, and we will be your loyal ally. Should you choose to punish Kosala, I ask that you behead me here and now, and let my soldiers retreat in peace," he said, bowing at Dhruva's feet.
Dhruva looked at Lyra, who had joined him. Understanding his thoughts, she nodded and smiled.
"King Parasuram, I follow the path of my forefathers and the seers. We do not start battles, nor do we seek to punish. Let us now build our empires together in unity and prosper together," Dhruva declared.
The battlefield, earlier a scene of chaos and bloodshed, now held the promise of a united future.
(To be continued...)
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