The morning sun barely peeked over the palace walls when Surya arrived at the training grounds. The air smelled faintly of iron and sweat, the lingering remnants of warriors who had begun their routines even earlier. Today, however, the air felt heavier than usual. As if something unseen was pressing down on him.

  "Back again so soon?" Rudra's voice rumbled from behind.

  Surya turned to see the imposing general standing with arms crossed, his gaze sharp as ever. "If you wish to improve, you must allow your body to rest."

  "Rest can come later," Surya said, gripping his wooden practice sword. "I need to get better. Faster."

  Rudra grunted in approval. "Then prepare yourself. I won’t be going easy today."

  Surya barely had time to nod before Rudra moved. The staff blurred through the air, forcing Surya to dodge instead of block. Wood scraped along his side as he narrowly evaded a strike to his ribs.

  "Faster," Rudra said coldly. "A real enemy wouldn’t miss."

  Surya gritted his teeth. I know that...

  He countered with a swift upward slash, but Rudra sidestepped and brought his staff down in a punishing arc. Surya shifted his stance at the last second, deflecting the blow with the edge of his sword. The impact rattled his bones, but this time, he stayed on his feet.

  "Better," Rudra muttered. "But you still think too much." He stepped back and lowered his staff. "If you’re too focused on reacting, you’ll never control the fight. Stop waiting. Take the lead."

  Surya blinked. It made sense, but against someone like Rudra... was that even possible?

  "Again," Rudra said.

  Surya adjusted his grip and exhaled. This time, he wouldn’t just react—he would act. He launched forward with a swift step, feinting to the left before striking low. Rudra blocked, but Surya pivoted, twisting into a horizontal slash that forced the general to retreat half a step.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  He moved...

  A small victory, but a victory nonetheless.

  The Rumblings of Doubt

  Later that day, Surya stood in the palace courtyard, watching as a group of younger kshatriyas practiced their sword drills. Despite his recent progress, a lingering unease remained in his mind.

  What am I missing?

  "You seem troubled," a voice called out.

  Surya turned to see Virat approaching. The son of Senapati Rudra now carried a calm confidence—far from the prideful hothead Surya had faced in their duel. Virat stopped beside him, watching the trainees with a thoughtful expression.

  "You know," Virat said quietly, "I heard some of the older warriors speaking. Some believe you won by luck."

  Surya chuckled dryly. "And what do you believe?"

  "I believe you pushed yourself harder than most of them ever have." Virat glanced at him with a rare smile. "But luck or not, they’ll be watching you closely now."

  Surya's smile faded. "I know."

  "Then prove them wrong."

  A Father's Words

  That evening, as Surya walked the palace corridors, he felt his father’s presence before he even saw him.

  Maharaja Veerajit stood by the window in his study, gazing down at the palace grounds. The king’s presence alone seemed to weigh down the room, as if his very thoughts carried the weight of the kingdom itself.

  "You’ve been training hard," his father said without turning. "That is good."

  "I won’t fall behind," Surya replied firmly. "I know what’s expected of me."

  Veerajit turned then, his piercing gaze locking onto his son. "Expectation... that is a heavy burden to carry." His expression softened slightly. "Do not let it blind you. Strength alone does not make a ruler."

  "I know," Surya said, though uncertainty tugged at the edges of his thoughts. "But... I need to be strong enough to protect this kingdom. To protect you. Mother. Everyone."

  For a moment, Veerajit said nothing. Then he stepped forward, placing a hand on Surya's shoulder.

  "Then learn this now," his father said quietly. "Strength is not just power. It is knowing when to strike… and when to wait." His grip tightened slightly. "It is the patience to endure, even when others expect you to break."

  Surya met his father’s gaze, feeling the weight of those words settle inside him. "I understand."

  "Good," Veerajit said. "Then be ready." He turned back toward the window. "The world does not always give us time to prepare."

  The Whispering Eyes

  As Surya left his father’s chambers, he felt that presence again. The weight of unseen eyes lingering in the shadows. Not just curious glances—something sharper.

  A flicker of movement in the corridor corner. A figure disappearing before Surya could see their face.

  Jealousy? Spite? Whatever it was, Surya knew one thing.

  His duel with Virat had earned him more than respect. It had also painted a target on his back.

  But he wouldn’t flinch. Not now.

  If there were challenges ahead... he'd be ready.