Everyone looked in horror as eight Kshoniraajas charged onto the battlefield. Towering giants, each between fifteen to twenty feet tall, thundered forward with terrifying force. These were no ordinary Kshoniraajas—they were warrior-class, clad in jagged armor and wielding massive weapons that could crush trees and shatter stone.
The very sight of them sent a ripple of fear through the armies. Even the deadly Kaalraths paled in comparison. Kshoniraajas were a different breed of terror—raw strength incarnate. Their skin was so thick and tough that most weapons couldn't even scratch them. And now, not one or two, but eight of these behemoths were charging into a battlefield already soaked in blood and chaos.
A normal Kshoniraaj was a nightmare to face. But these—these were elite warriors, battle-forged titans. The mere impact of their steps sent tremors across the ground. For Arya, the twins, and most soldiers present, Kshoniraajas had always been legend—spoken of in hushed tones by firelight. And yet now, those legends were very real.
No one had seen this coming. Not after the death of Raktapasu. Not after the brutal duels and the sight of Kaalraths wreaking havoc. The sudden arrival of the Kshoniraajas changed everything. They were forces of nature—unstoppable and unyielding.
Historically, the Kaalraths and Kshoniraajas had never shared peace. Their clashes were bloody and brutal. Kaalraths often hunted Kshoniraajas in savage raids, picking them off one by one. But the Kshoniraajas struck back just as viciously—raiding Kaalrath settlements, not just for food, but to extinguish lives. A silent war that had never truly ended.
Now, those past grudges threatened to reignite as the battlefield teetered on the edge of annihilation.
A sudden, massive boulder arced through the sky, hurled by Savignya's machines toward the incoming giants. One of the Kshoniraajas stepped forward and, with a single swing of his club, shattered it into dust. The fragments rained down like meteorites, snapping soldiers out of their shock.
Parashar reacted instantly. "Fall back behind the wall! Vartul formation, now!" he roared at the twins. He turned to Arya and Dhanudanda, his voice sharp. "No matter what happens, we hold. You two—keep Kritipal and Eknandini busy. They must not breach our defence."
Then he turned to Savignya, who was already dismounting. "Cover me. Don't stop the war machines. Not for a second."
Savignya nodded and mounted her horse again. She waved a red cloth high into the air. In response, her war machines shifted formation—reorienting to face all directions, encircling the battlefield.
Arya and Dhanudanda turned back, rallying the soldiers around them. Despite their weariness, despite their fear, they formed a wall—blocking Kritipal and Eknandini's path.
Kritipal and Eknandini did not hesitate. Fueled by rage, pride, and the memory of Raktapasu's death, they charged with deadly intent. Within moments, they clashed with Arya and Dhanudanda—steel meeting steel in a flurry of strikes and sparks. Every blow was desperate, not just for victory but for survival. Arya and Dhanudanda fought to anchor morale, to keep their men standing. They could feel the confidence drain from their troops. The giants had shaken them.
Meanwhile, the Kaalraths moved forward—nine of them—joining Parashar at the front. For the first time, they looked like protectors rather than harbingers of death.
Savignya joined them with full momentum, taking position beside Parashar. The frontline braced as the Kshoniraajas drew closer.
Parashar raised his sword. "Vartul formation—tighten!" His command echoed across the lines. The soldiers obeyed, surrounding the inner core of leadership and war machines in a defensive ring.
The earth rumbled louder. The first of the Kshoniraajas reached the outer edge of the Vartul. He raised his weapon high—an immense club adorned with ancient spikes—and swung it down with monstrous force.
And then, a shadow moved.
A silent blur of motion. A gust of wind rippled through the lines. The soldiers flinched—something, or someone, had passed them in an instant.