War and Love

The war gongs were blowing at its peak…

The wind had the smell of blood and the soil had become blood-red.

Bodies were being slashed; horses were screaming and mahouts were finding it difficult to control their elephants who were trained to be in a war. Still, the innocent creatures had not witnessed such a brutal war in their entire life and just wanted to escape this plethora of destruction happening in front of their eyes nor did they want to contribute to the ongoing anomalistic slaughter.

In the midst of all this chaos, there was the General of the army commanding his men in this war. He knew the only way to survive this unforgiving battleground was to kill or be killed…

The only thing he told his men before going to war was “Today we march out of here to Victory or Death.” For him, it was a clear choice win the battle for his nation or die a warrior’s death on the battlefield which is of utmost respect for any soldier fighting for his mother nation. He knew that he did not have the luxury to lose as he was the last line of defense for his nation and if he fell his country would fall kneeling in front of the enemies, which is a sight he could never watch nor forgive himself.

The general was already bleeding profoundly as he had already taken a couple of arrows in his chest. Enemies clearly knew that if you take out the general you will win the war. The mammoth army would be clueless, directionless, and powerless if they lost their beloved general.

As he was pushing through his horse Veer was able to understand his favorite human, his best friend was slowly sliding into the arms of death so he reduced his pace unlikely of him as he never loses a chance to challenge his buddy and have a tug of war with him.

As Veer was slowly reducing his pace the General noticed what his best friend was trying to do, to give a small breathing space for him. The general suddenly shouted in his usual tone but this time it was very evident that he was powering through “Oye I am still not dead do not worry, I plan not to die till this war is over I can assure you of that much. Now charge on my friend I have got this one last ride left in me before I bid adieu with you all let us make it count.”

Hearing his friend speak from his heart made tears roll down the eyes of Veer, he took a moment to acknowledge what his friend was planning to do as it was a suicide charge normally never done by an army officer of his friend’s rank. A general would never even imagine doing this kind of a move. Veer can now clearly see that his friend has positioned both in front of the enemy king’s brigade. The king is protected by a set of horse-mount warriors and in the center, he is sitting on a mighty elephant plated with all the shields in the world. Veer knew exactly what his friend was going to do, he was going to go for the king. If the king fell the battle was over and we would be victorious but this victory would come with a price and the price to be paid is the life of his friend. It was an impossible task no man in his right mind would think of even attempting something like this but it seemed to be the best option at this moment. Even if his friend was able to push through the horse brigade and reach the king, he would be met with the sharp arrows of the archery squad positioned behind the king which was a normal practice used to protect the king. This move did not make any logical sense. The only thing he knew was his friend was a pioneer to make the impossible possible and he trusted his dear friend with his life.

As all these thoughts and vulnerable emotions ran through his mind Veer tilted his head and looked back at his dear friend one last time before the final carnage began.

With all the Vigor and energy Veer roared giving the general the signal that it was show time, raising both legs in the air in his usual style warning the enemies of the unfathomable charge going to hit them. The enemy king laughed at the sight of a single man and his horse trying to take on the entire king’s brigade what a foolish thought and what a stupid attempt for a person holding such a high rank.

Just before charging towards the enemy king's brigade the general raised his right hand pointing two fingers towards the king’s brigade and moved his fingers forward and backward twice. By seeing this the king was bewildered as this was a very normal call sign used by armies but it is normally used to signal the troops to march forward in the direction pointed but he was not seeing any movement of troops towards his brigade. He can only see the general charging towards his brigade.

As the general was charging in towards the king’s brigade, he started spitting blood as he had taken a lot of hits already but refusing to succumb to the wounds, he just wiped off the blood from his mouth and took both hands unshielding his mighty swords. His swords seemed to be as bright as the light it seemed as if he was transcending to be the Mahakaal for the moment. The general shouted Veer now it was a signal to his buddy that now you take control as he got into the carnage mode screaming “Har Har Mahadev"

The general has almost reached the enemy soldiers, they have also taken their standard defense position as the man charging in is no joke he is the myth the legend the worst nightmare of any enemy. Just before the contact could happen the enemy soldiers were greeted with an array of sharp arrows coming from a long distance. Now they could understand why the general had signaled earlier. The arrows kept on flying in hitting their targets. The arrows were shot with a lot of anger and love as the general’s soldiers did not want to let their favorite leader slide into the lap of death.

The initial damage has been done now, and the coordinated defense position taken by the enemy soldiers has been broken, it gave a good opening for the general to charge in and destroy enemy troopers.

The general who was known for his sword skills used both hands to skillfully slash his way through the enemies as if he was slashing down grass with his sword. He was approaching the king with a speed unimaginable; he had reached almost near the king’s elephant.

Now the general needs to make a jump almost an impossible one to reach the podium carrying the king on the elephant. He tapped Veer twice signaling him what must be done. Before he could make the gallop, which would give a boost for making the jump, the general whispered in Veer’s ears “You have been a true friend to me, once I make the jump do not wait for me like you always do, this time it's farewell my dear friend. It has been an honor knowing and serving alongside you."

Veer shook his head in disagreement that he would never leave his best friend high and dry to die on the battlefield but he also knew there was very little he could do at this point.

Snapping out of these emotions Veer made himself ready for what was required. The general tapped Veer one last time saying let's make this one last ride count bud. They charged with their all might towards the enemy king's elephant, the general stood up on Veer and started running reaching the head of Veer and his buddy gave him the final boost for making the jump.

Yes, he made it sighed Veer, now the real battle has begun. After the slashing of the few guards, the final bout between the king and the general has started. The king was more in a defensive mode knowing that if he could drag this fight, he would win it as it was very evident that the general was wounded badly and would not be able to sustain the battle for a long time. He knew in the back of his mind once the archery squad got a clear shot, they would bombard the general with the arrows.

General was also aware of the situation he knew that he must make it quick because he had already lost a lot of blood and was profusely bleeding. The penultimate charge had taken most of his energy and had gifted him two arrows in the abdomen.

The sword fight was getting very intense, both of them using all the techniques they had learned till now and bringing in the mammoth battle-hardened experience they had garnered through these years.

The king placed a kick in the chest of the general knowing he was hurt there, the kick caught the general off-guard making him take a few steps back, but suddenly a smile appeared on the face of the general. Seeing the general smile made the king a little worried, what is he going to do I am winning the fight and why is he smiling?

The general charged toward the king but rather than using his normal style of swinging his sword with his right hand he threw his sword in the air catching it in mid-air with his left hand and made a large swing at the king. The swing shook the king’s equilibrium before he could react further, the general took a small metal rod that was sheeted inside his armor. Screaming “Har Har Mahadev” he pressed the symbol of “Trishul” in the rod and raised the rod in the air.

The king was surprised the metal rod had become the “Trishul” one of the mightiest and deadliest weapons seen by mankind he knew at this moment there was no escaping death today.

The general placed a kick on the chest of the king giving him some space to make the jump and the final blow which will end this war.

The general jumped from his position garnering the height required for making the final assault, with Trishul in his right hand pointed at the chest of the king. The Trishul pierced through the heart of the king for a moment the king felt like it was Mahakaal himself who had transcended from the holy abode of Kailash to give him moksha from this life, unlike his normal nature the king folded his hands in front of the general thanking for relieving him from this mortal plane as both were doing their duties.

The general held the Trishul high in the air which was holding the king’s body in it showing the enemy soldiers that their king was no more and the war was over. A celebration erupted in the general’s army as their leader became victorious once again, amid all this joy a sharp silver arrow with lightning speed hit the left side of the chest of the general. As if the arrow was specifically targeted at the heart of the general. The arrow made the general lose his balance the Trishul fell from his hand and has now pierced the ground. The general fell from the elephant and was about to hit the ground when he was caught by his friend Veer. He knew that his time had come but was happy about the fact that he did what had to be done and had fulfilled his duties as the General of the army to his motherland.

Veer was not ready to give up on his friend and with all his might was charging towards the medical camp set up inside the General's brigade. The only prayer running through his mind was hung in their buddy I will not let you go we will reach in time. Today is not the day you die.

To be continued………………………………………………………..