THE CHRONICLES OF THE ELEMENTAL RINGS

After a long and grueling journey, Arjun and his companions finally reach the Chola Kingdom, their weary feet carrying them through the grand stone-paved roads of Kaveripattinam, the empire's glorious coastal capital. The city stretches before them like a masterpiece of devotion and power, where towering Dravidian temples, adorned with intricate carvings of gods and warriors, loom over bustling streets filled with traders, performers, and pilgrims.

Their arrival coincides with Diwali, and the city is alive with celebration. The golden glow of earthen lamps lines every doorstep and temple stairway, their flames flickering in the evening breeze. The scent of freshly made sweets, ghee-lit diyas, and sandalwood incense fills the air. Firecrackers burst in the sky, painting the darkness with fleeting colors, while the rhythmic beat of mridangam and nadaswaram echoes through the streets, harmonizing with the chants of priests in the temples.

"Quite the welcome," Karna mutters, his keen eyes scanning the crowd.

"It's not for us," Aditi replies, adjusting the dark hood of her traveler's cloak. "The kingdom is celebrating Diwali, and we're just nameless wanderers in the middle of it."

Sarika observes the joyful faces around them. "Even so, this is an opportunity. A crowd like this makes it easier to move unnoticed."

Arjun nods, taking in the grandeur of the city. Beyond the festival's brightness, the Chola Kingdom radiates a disciplined and regal strength. Its well-organized streets, heavily fortified stone walls, and vigilant guards in bronze-plated armor stand as testaments to its might. Unlike other kingdoms they have passed through, this one feels both sacred and powerful, where devotion and warriorship walk hand in hand.

But amidst the grandeur, their mission remains their focus. Somewhere within this vast land resides Sage King Agastya, the legendary seer who holds the Ring of Time. His guidance is crucial, yet they know finding him will not be easy.

Keeping their identities and intentions hidden, they move through the streets, careful with their words. The last thing they need is unwanted attention.

They stop near a bustling market square, where vendors call out their wares—silks, spices, jewels, and sacred charms. A storyteller stands atop a raised platform, his voice carrying through the crowd.

"…And so, the mighty Chola kings, blessed by the wisdom of Sage Agastya, rule with justice and strength, their swords guided not only by skill but by divine knowledge…"

Arjun exchanges a glance with Sarika. The name Agastya is revered here, but that does not mean he is easy to reach.

Aditi folds her arms. "So, where do we even start?"

Karna smirks. "A wise man once told me— 'To find a king, seek his shadows.'"

Arjun turns toward a humble-looking inn, nestled between larger buildings. Unlike the lavish mansions surrounding it, this place has an aged yet dignified charm, as if its walls have witnessed tales far older than the kingdom itself. A wooden sign above the entrance bears the name:

"The Sage's Rest".

Something about it feels… purposeful.

Sarika's gaze lingers on the sign. "If Agastya is truly a man of wisdom, then those who respect him may know more."

Without another word, they step inside. And so, their next trial begins.

As Arjun and his companions step into The Sage's Rest, the warm glow of oil lamps casts long shadows across the wooden walls. The scent of aged parchment, burning sandalwood, and freshly brewed rice wine fills the air. Unlike the lively streets outside, the inn feels calm yet watchful, as though its very walls are listening.

At first glance, it seems like an ordinary rest house—several travelers sit at low wooden tables, quietly sipping their drinks, while an elderly man in a faded cotton robe sweeps the floor. A musician in the corner plucks a veena, his melody slow and contemplative.

But something is off. The way some patrons hold their cups without drinking. The subtle shifts of their eyes whenever someone enters. The tension lingering beneath the air of stillness. This is no ordinary inn.

At the counter, a tall, broad-shouldered man with silver-streaked black hair stands with an air of quiet authority. His presence feels both grounded and sharp, like an ancient sword kept in its scabbard—not because it has dulled, but because it chooses not to cut. His weathered hands polish a clay cup with slow, deliberate movements.

His piercing dark eyes meet Arjun's for a brief moment. Unflinching. Measuring. Arjun knows a warrior when he sees one. The man speaks, his voice deep yet carrying the ease of someone long accustomed to silence.

"New travelers. You've come a long way." Arjun nods, keeping his tone neutral. "We have." The man sets the cup down, leaning slightly on the counter. "Not here for the festival, though."

Sarika smiles faintly. "Why do you say that?" The man chuckles, a slow, knowing sound. "Because I've seen warriors who pretend to be wanderers, and wanderers who pretend to be warriors. You don't move like people here to celebrate."

Aditi crosses her arms. "And you don't talk like a simple innkeeper." The man's lips curve into the slightest smirk. "I was once something else. But that life is behind me."

His gaze shifts slightly toward the entrance. For the first time, Arjun notices a young woman, standing by the far doorway.

She is tall and lean, dressed in dark, fitted clothing that hugs her movement like a second skin. A long veil of deep indigo partially conceals her face, leaving only her sharp dark eyes visible—eyes that miss nothing. A dagger hilt peeks from her sash, its edge catching the dim light for just a moment before vanishing again beneath her cloak.

There is no doubt in Arjun's mind—she is an assassin. The man behind the counter gestures toward her. "This is Lavanya. My daughter." Lavanya scoffs, arms folding across her chest. "Not by blood."

The man—Brihaspati, as Arjun now guesses—smiles slightly. "No. But that matters little." A beat of silence passes between them.

Karna leans slightly toward Arjun, voice barely above a whisper. "This is interesting." Arjun keeps his gaze steady. "Very."

Brihaspati pours a cup of steaming herbal tea and slides it toward Arjun. "Let's not waste time. You're looking for something—or someone. And while I have no interest in your secrets, I also don't trust easily."

Arjun exhales, choosing his words carefully. "We seek the Sage King Agastya." Brihaspati's hand stills for a fraction of a second before he resumes polishing the cup.

Lavanya's eyes narrow. "Why?" Sarika glances at Arjun before speaking, her voice steady. "That is something we cannot reveal yet. But our purpose is not wicked."

Brihaspati studies them for a long moment before nodding. "No… I can see that. You two" —his gaze flickers between Arjun and Sarika— "carry light and pure hearts. But a journey to Agastya is no small thing. It is not a road for the weak."

Lavanya crosses her arms. "And how do we know the rest of you are worthy?" Her gaze shifts to Aditi and Karna. "You two—I'm not convinced." Aditi raises an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Brihaspati leans back slightly. "We test those we do not trust." Lavanya draws a small, wickedly sharp throwing knife and twirls it between her fingers. "A warrior's loyalty isn't proven by words."

Karna grins, his fingers twitching slightly, as if already anticipating the challenge. "I like this place." Arjun exhales, knowing there is no avoiding this. If they want Brihaspati and Lavanya's trust, they must prove themselves.

Brihaspati meets Aditi's gaze. "You use a sword." Aditi shrugs, tilting her chin up slightly. "I do." Brihaspati nods, his expression unreadable. "Then face me."

Lavanya glances at Karna. "And you—you're too quiet." Karna smirks. "That's usually a good thing." Lavanya steps closer, her presence suddenly dangerous. "We'll see." And just like that, the real trial begins.

A tense silence settles over the inn as Brihaspati and Lavanya declare their challenge. The air, once warm with the scent of tea and incense, feels sharper now—like a blade poised to strike.

Aditi rolls her shoulders, the faintest smirk playing on her lips. "A test, is it? Fine by me." Karna tilts his head, a gleam of mischief flickering in his eyes. "And what happens if we win?"

Lavanya crosses her arms, unimpressed. "Then we'll trust that you're not burdens Arjun has to carry." Karna chuckles. "I think you'll find I'm quite light on my feet."

Brihaspati steps away from the counter, removing the simple cotton robe draped over his shoulders. Beneath, he wears a dark blue tunic, plain yet well-fitted, revealing the form of a man whose strength has not faded despite the years. He walks toward a side door, gesturing for Aditi to follow.

"Outside," he says, his voice calm. "We will fight in the open." Aditi grins. "I was hoping you'd say that." Lavanya, meanwhile, fixes her sharp gaze on Karna. "And you—" Before she finishes, she throws her dagger.

Karna moves. His body twists in a blur, and the dagger whizzes past his face, barely missing his cheek. He catches it mid-air, his fingers closing around the hilt with a speed that shouldn't be possible.

A slow smirk spreads across his face as he flips the blade once before casually tossing it back at her. Lavanya catches it without flinching. For a moment, they just stare at each other.

Then she turns. "We'll see if you can do more than just dodge." She walks toward the shadowed halls leading deeper into the inn. "Follow me." Karna glances at Arjun. "If I don't come back, tell everyone I was incredibly talented."

Arjun rolls his eyes. "I'll tell them you were an idiot." Karna grins, then follows Lavanya into the darkness. Arjun and Sarika exchange a glance before stepping outside to watch Aditi's duel.

The courtyard outside the inn is vast, paved with smooth stone tiles, enclosed by wooden fences adorned with hanging lanterns. The night sky stretches above, stars scattered like embers in the deep blue. The hum of distant festival drums echoes faintly in the background, but here—where Aditi and Brihaspati stand—the world feels still.

Brihaspati holds a simple wooden training sword, but Aditi isn't fooled. A true master does not need steel to be deadly. Aditi draws her own sword, the polished metal glinting in the lantern light. She breathes, steadying herself.

Brihaspati studies her, his grip loose, his stance relaxed. "Before we begin," he says, "tell me—what do you fight for?" Aditi narrows her eyes. "That's a broad question." Brihaspati nods. "Then answer simply." Aditi exhales. "For my comrades. For myself."

Brihaspati smiles faintly. "Good answer." Then— He moves. Aditi reacts instantly, her blade rising to meet his strike. Clang! The impact sends a tremor through her arms, but she holds firm. Brihaspati does not relent—his strikes flow like a river, each movement seamless, forcing her back step by step.

But Aditi does not falter. She spins, twisting her blade to redirect his attack, then lunges forward. Brihaspati side steps, his wooden sword tapping against her shoulder—a warning, not a wound.

"You're fast," he says, "but you think too much." Aditi grits her teeth. "And you talk too much." She attacks again, this time feinting left before twisting her wrist at the last second. Brihaspati barely shifts, but his wooden sword meets hers perfectly, the force dispersed like a falling leaf meeting still water.

Aditi hates how effortless it looks. She resets, her grip tightening. I need to break his rhythm. Her eyes flicker to the lanterns above. Then she moves.

Instead of attacking directly, she leaps, kicking off one of the wooden beams to gain height. As she twists mid-air, she swings downward, her blade cutting through the night.

Brihaspati looks up. For the first time, he smiles fully. Then—just as her sword descends— He vanishes. Aditi's blade strikes nothing but air. Before she can land, a sharp impact presses against the back of her neck.

She freezes. Brihaspati stands behind her, his wooden sword resting against her skin. He had moved faster than she could see. Aditi grits her teeth, chest heaving.

Brihaspati lowers his weapon. "You fight well. But your mind is louder than your instincts." Aditi straightens, sheathing her sword. "You're saying I think too much." Brihaspati nods. "Yes. And that is both your strength and your weakness."

Aditi exhales sharply, frustrated—but she cannot deny the truth in his words. Brihaspati steps back, his eyes gentler now. "You pass." Aditi blinks. "Wait, what?" Brihaspati smiles. "A warrior isn't measured only by victory. It is the willingness to learn, to improve, that matters."

Aditi stares, then lets out a short, breathless chuckle. "You're a strange man." Brihaspati grins, tapping his wooden sword against his palm. "So, I've been told." Sarika claps from the sidelines. "That was amazing!"

Arjun smirks. "Not bad, Aditi. Just don't let it go to your head." Aditi rolls her eyes. "Oh, shut up." But as she glances at Brihaspati, she knows—she has learned something valuable tonight.

Still, one test remains. Somewhere inside the inn, Karna and Lavanya's duel of stealth has already begun. And Karna is in for the fight of his life.

The dimly lit corridors of the inn stretch like a labyrinth, the flickering lanterns casting long, restless shadows on the wooden walls. The warm scent of burning oil and old parchment lingers in the air, but Karna isn't distracted. His body is still, his breath calm—he knows this is Lavanya's domain, and he won't take her lightly.

Lavanya walks ahead, her steps silent, her presence melting into the darkness. She stops in the center of the corridor and turns, her sharp eyes glinting in the half-light.

"No swords," she says, tossing a dagger aside. It clatters softly against the floor. "This is a test of skill, not strength." Karna smirks, spreading his arms. "Fine by me."

The next second— Lavanya vanishes. Karna reacts instantly, his instincts screaming at him to move. He leans back just as a blade swipe past his throat—a second dagger, one she had concealed. The air whispers with the speed of her attack.

Karna twists, ducking into the shadows before she can strike again. For a moment, the hallway is silent. Then— A flicker of movement.

Karna steps aside just as Lavanya appears from the darkness, her hands aimed at his ribs. He counters, his fingers snaking around her wrist, but before he can lock her in place, she spins, slipping out of his grasp like flowing water.

She's fast. But Karna has fought in the shadows before. He knows how to become invisible. The game of deception continues.

Lavanya attacks, and Karna deflects. She vanishes, and he predicts. Their footsteps whisper through the halls, shadows colliding, a battle fought in silence. Then—Karna makes his move.

He allows her next attack to come close—too close—before he steps in rather than away. His body twists, his arm hooks around hers, and in one swift motion—He flips her over his shoulder.

Lavanya lands hard, but before she can recover, Karna pins her against the wooden floor, one arm locking hers in place, his other hand pressing against her throat—not enough to harm, but enough to prove his dominance.

For a moment, neither of them speak. Then Lavanya chuckles, her breath slightly ragged. "You're stronger than I expected," she says, her voice still steady. Karna smirks, releasing her and stepping back. "I get that a lot."

Lavanya sits up, rubbing her wrist before looking up at him. There is no resentment in her gaze—only understanding. "I knew you were stronger than me before we even started."

Karna raises an eyebrow. "Then why challenge me?" Lavanya tilts her head. "To know your intentions." Karna frowns, crossing his arms. "And? What do you think now?"

She stands, brushing dust from her sleeves. "I think you could've hurt me—but you didn't. You fight like a ghost, but you don't strike to kill." Her eyes narrow slightly. "You're dangerous, but not reckless. I trust that."

Karna chuckles, shaking his head. "You went through all that just for that answer?" Lavanya shrugs, a small smirk playing on her lips. "It's better than words." A moment passes, then she gestures toward the hallway. "Come on. The others are waiting." Karna follows, his smirk lingering. He doesn't say it aloud, but he respects her too.

When Karna and Lavanya return to the courtyard, Aditi, Arjun, Sarika, and Brihaspati look up. Brihaspati studies Lavanya, then nods slightly. "She's accepted him," he says. Lavanya crosses her arms. "Don't make it sound so dramatic."

Aditi raises an eyebrow at Karna. "Did you win?" Karna stretches, grinning. "Obviously." Arjun smirks. "Must've been luck." Lavanya snorts, shaking her head. "I doubt luck had anything to do with it." Sarika clasps her hands together. "That means we passed, right?"

Brihaspati nods, his expression relaxing. "Yes. You have proven yourselves. Arjun and Sarika's hearts are light and pure, and you two—" he glances at Aditi and Karna— "have shown strength not just in battle, but in spirit."

Lavanya smiles faintly. "You are not enemies." Aditi rolls her shoulders. "So, what now?" Brihaspati looks at Arjun. "Now, we talk about why you are really here." Arjun straightens; his eyes serious. "We're looking for Sage King Agastya."

A hush settles over the courtyard. The embers from the lanterns dance in the night breeze, their golden glow casting long shadows against the walls. Arjun steps forward, his usual lightheartedness momentarily replaced by quiet determination.

Brihaspati watches him carefully, his wise eyes studying the young warrior. Lavanya, now leaning against a pillar, crosses her arms, waiting for an explanation.

Arjun inhales deeply. "We are searching for Sage King Agastya because we need his help." Brihaspati raises an eyebrow. "Help? From the King himself?" Arjun nods. "Yes. We're looking for the Ring of Time."

The moment those words leave his lips, the atmosphere shifts. The night suddenly feels heavier, the world holding its breath. Brihaspati's eyes narrow, while Lavanya's usual smirk fades into quiet contemplation.

"The Ring of Time…" Brihaspati repeats, his voice low. "That is no ordinary request." Sarika steps forward, her voice gentle but firm. "We wouldn't be here if it weren't important. The fate of Aryavarta depends on it."

Lavanya exhales, tilting her head. "That sounds dramatic. What exactly do you need the ring for?" Arjun glances at his companions before speaking. "It all started when my sister was taken… by those who seek to resurrect the Demon Lord Hiranyaksha."

Brihaspati and Lavanya exchange glances, their expressions darkening. Arjun continues, his voice firm. "I am on a quest to find the five legendary elemental rings—the Ring of Space, the Ring of Time, the Ring of Power, the Ring of Light, and the Ring of Darkness. If all five fall into the wrong hands… Hiranyaksha will return, bringing an age of chaos and destruction."

Aditi adds, "We've already fought their forces. They are relentless, and they will stop at nothing." Karna nods. "We don't have time to waste. If we can secure the Ring of Time before they do, we have a chance."

Brihaspati falls silent, his expression unreadable. Lavanya taps her fingers against her arm. "And you think King Agastya will just hand it over?" Aditi frowns. "That's why we need to meet him first. We don't expect it to be easy."

Brihaspati chuckles, shaking his head. "Easy? No. Agastya is not someone who meets just anyone. He is a man of wisdom, but also of caution. If you wish to speak with him, you must first prove your worth."

Karna crosses his arms. "That's fine. We're not afraid of a challenge." Lavanya looks at Brihaspati, her sharp eyes searching his face. "What do you think?"

Brihaspati closes his eyes for a moment, then nods slowly. "I believe them." He opens his eyes, focusing on Arjun and Sarika. "Your hearts are light and pure, and your friends have strength and honor. If you truly seek the Ring of Time, then I will help you."

Lavanya sighs, then grins. "Guess that means I'm in too. Someone's got to keep an eye on you reckless warriors." Arjun smiles, the tension in his shoulders easing. "Thank you." Brihaspati nods. "Rest for the night. Tomorrow, we will meet the King."

The wind whispers through the courtyard as the group exchanges glances. The road ahead will not be easy, but they are no longer alone. Together, they take their first step toward the legend that awaits them.