Empire of India: Rise of the Ruthless Prince

Hampi, Vijayanagara Empire.

Bhairava sat on the chair all alone in his tent. His eyes dazed and lifeless. The battle was taking a toll on his mental health. The fifth and sixth days of the battle passed in a blur. He was constantly outmaneuvered by Chandra.

Casualties kept mounting; soldiers were injured. The constant defeat and no breakthrough demoralized the soldiers a lot.

Only a few cannons were operable. The cannon crew was ambushed not once but three times during the fifth and sixth days, and the cannon's were merely operating at the tenth of their power.

Most of the Mahouts of the war elephants died. The cavalry were not able to make a breakthrough during the two days. He also lost four commanders in the battle, adding salt to the wound.

Bhairava barely had any sleep for the last two days, coupled with the battle fatigue. He was functioning like a puppet to get to his goal of getting revenge for his mother.

The insider was yet to be caught, and the depressive thoughts filled his mind.

He occasionally dazed wandering around the tent and suddenly saw his mother's visage. He heard some noise in his head. He approached the visage only for it to turn back. The neck was twisting at an unnatural angle, and the face resembled that of a ghoul.

"You killed me!"

"You are responsible for my death!"

"Why didn't you protect me?"

Bhairava jolted up in cold sweat. He was sweating profusely and breathing unnaturally. His hands and legs were trembling. Tears flowed down his face.

He had dozed off on his table, desperately searching for a solution. The revenge was important.

But ever since the death of his mother, Bhairava has been having nightmares. Recently, it has been increasing.

Past memories were flooding through his mind.

Hallucinations were becoming common. He saw his mother on the battlefield occasionally.

He smacked the table with his fist.

Bhairava could barely muster up strength in his hands.

'Should I just die? What is the use of suffering like this?'

'I have no one left. Why am I living?'

He grabbed the dagger and brought it to his chest. His eyes were dazed. The dagger drew a bit of blood, and his thoughts cleared.

He gasped and threw the dagger away.

"What am I thinking?" He muttered.

He still had one reason to live. For the soldiers and people who believed in him. He wanted to live and show them his worth.

'I would rather die honorable than this!'

He got up and went to Vikrama. The man he had forced to join his army became the only solace for him.

He felt calm talking to Vikrama. He couldn't describe why. The genuineness of the man's words struck his heart.

He was like a father figure for him. Bhairava grew up with no love from either of his parents.

The reason he couldn't understand the warm affection Vikrama showed him was because he had never felt it.

He remembered the talk they had just two days ago about the insider.

"Your Highness. I believe we have someone leaking our plans to the enemy," said Vikrama

"Yeah, I thought so," replied Bhairava with a scowl.

"Your Highness. I have observed something on the battlefield."

"Continue!."

"This is not just one insider. It seems to be more than 1. The main insider being on the higher-ups commander."

"I noticed odd behavior in the army formations. But more than 1? What's your reasoning on that?" inquired Bhairava.

"I have noticed a delay in reinforcing areas when the first prince's army takes the offensive. This slowly dwindled our troops. This was done quite well."

"So we have some suspects, I suppose?"

"Yes, but there is no use going after them."

"The higher-up one would notice and get away with it." Bhairava completed the rest of the sentence.

"Precisely. But I do have a way to find the mastermind."

"And what is that?"

"Give me some time, Your Highness. I will find him quickly. I swear upon my name."

"I see. I guess I have no choice but to trust you in this."

"And Your Highness. Take rest; you look exhausted."

Bhairava nodded slightly.

That was two days ago. He was walking towards the tent of Vikrama. The moonlight encompassed the camp, and the stars were like bright diamonds scattered in the night.

He took a deep breath, calming his nerves down. The quietness of the night definitely helped him.

He could see the soldiers dozing off in the distance. He did feel bad for his incompetence; his soldiers were the ones suffering the brunt of his incompetence.

The dinner had ended in a few hours. He could see the faint candlelight emitted from the tent of Vikrama.

He entered the tent to find Vikrama looking through the scattered maps and books. He was working day and night on the strategies.

Vikrama was so engrossed that he didn't notice him at first.

Bhairava cleared his throat.

Vikrama glanced up to see him standing silently in the tent. He stood up straight quickly.

"Your Highness? What brings you at this time?"

Bhairava could see the dark circles beneath the eyes of Vikrama. He was also working to the bone to find clues about the insider.

"I came to check whether you have found the insider yet!"

"Erm—Yes, yes. I have narrowed it down. I just need a single hint, a clue that would help me connect the dots. I was going through the battle reports."

"That's enough searching, Vikrama. I think you should leave the battlefield soon. Go back and find your daughter!"

"What are you saying, Your Highness? I can't leave you in this situation!" Vikrama's voice raised with a hint of frustration.

Bhairava glanced back, his voice trembling. "We might lose, and you think Chandra will spare you? You are a fool!! Go and find your daughter!"

"But still–..." Vikrama's voice trails off.

But Vikrama slapped himself to clear his mind. "I will not leave. I have a way! But it is very risky!"