The doors of ‘Yudha Parisheen’- the hall of battle practice- stayed wide open with four guards, two on either side, wielding swords. There was a small arsenal to the left of the entrance. Trainees entered and exited the arsenal, carrying various types of swords, maces, daggers, bows and arrows.

  The hall was encircled by a towering five-story building, almost like a modern-day stadium. Still, these were balconies and long verandas designed for watching the practicing warriors swing and strike their weapons.

  Damnnnn! Whoever designed this game must have spent their entire life on it….

  Nandini stood still, looking at the women on the balcony. Old women sat around making bright flower garnds and embroidering on pieces of flowy fabrics. There were pretty maidens, lousing about. Some sat quietly on the balcony parapets, reading books, while the young kids pyed around in groups, ughing and running with their mates. Some stood eagerly, eyeing at the boys down the arena, flexing their weapon skills and sculpted bodies. They would exchange sly, flirty gazes with each other, and all the girls flew into giggles, throwing excited sps and ribbing at their mate.

  A darned cuckoo chirped into Nandini’s ears.

  _____________________________________________

  [Have you met all the characters yet Greysquirt345?!]

  _____________________________________________

  Nandini saw her ancestry pass through her eyes as she jolted to the ringtone.

  Fucking hell!!! Stop scaring me please, Linda!!

  _____________________________________________

  [The time allotted to complete the first task is 5 days]

  (not to continue)

  [Anytime taken more than that will cause a reduction in life points]

  (nod to continue)

  _____________________________________________

  Where were you??!! And why didn’t you tell me the rules earlier?!!

  _____________________________________________

  [What rules Greysquirt345?!]

  [There are no rules to this game]

  [Except…]

  [loading…]

  Each arc is given a specific number of days to be completed; if not specified, the default is 5 days.For each dey in completion of a task, a total of 500 points will be taken away per day. If there are no points, you will be transported back to wherever you have come from. Hell, heaven, or earth, nobody cares.For each mistake/ error made in a task, 250 points will be taken away. I can't repeat, so you'll pretty much die. There are no other ways to gain points, except for correctly winning the story arcs and pleasing the protagonist. (story arcs: +1000 points) (retionship token: +250) Interference with the system or its plotline using any corruptive methods can… I can't repeat, you'll die.

  _____________________________________________

  Yeah, so now everything’s my fault?? I don’t know shit about this game, system!!! And you expect me to pull up a perfect move and all?!

  Nandini felt a touch on her shoulder…

  Maybe the system has some kinda technology that makes the pyers feel it, Linda was consoling her.

  Haa..! Linda is so nice…not even humans are this ni-

  “Who are you talking to?...” Advaitha asked, visibly weirded by her actions.

  Nandini blinked twice, did she wake up from a dream?, looked at his face a bit longer than she usually would, and walked ahead, joining Anuvrata and Varuna into the middle of the hall. It seemed as if she had avoided that conversation for now.

  Something about this pce made Nandini feel off. Whether it was the rush and the loud cries of armed men, their overpowering unpleasant smell of sweat, a lingering taste of dry soil in her tongue, or the fact that they were training to kill others…she didn't know. It was suffocating to say the least.

  She took in a deep breath, there was really nothing she could do to escape this pce.

  Anuvrata walked into the arsenal and came back with a rather pin sword. With one loud cp, all of the soldiers assembled into equal rows. Another cp, and they all bow in unison to the Military General. She gave quick orders for the soldiers, assigning seniors to teach others and giving small exercises to sharpen their skills and experience.

  Advaitha, Nandini, and Varuna stood in a disciplined line, respectively, away from the other soldiers, observing the unwavering obedience to Anuvrata’s words.

  Advaitha leaned into Nandini’s ear, sending a hard chill down her spine. His lips hovered slightly over her skin, brushing against her ear. She felt his smile on her, and she heated up with this tension.

  “Anuvrata looks really minute against all those men, right?!... I feel like she'd fly away if someone blew at her…hehe” Advaitha smiled again, giddily.

  Oh-

  How did she not notice he was eyeing Anuvrata all this time? For a little while, Nandini had hoped this was a moment for them. Advaitha and Nandini share a romantic moment.

  My foot.

  Anuvrata turned around, facing the trio, “Prince! Go pick up a weapon of your choice and come with me…”

  Nandini looked around, Are they going to practice? Am I going to practice?! What The fuck?!!!

  She watched as Varuna followed Advaitha to the weapon hall, What am I supposed to doooo????!!!!

  Anuvrata probably saw right through her now, for her voice grew a bit louder when she yelled, “Why are you still there? Did you grow roots into the ground that you can’t move around?! Or will the prince bring you your weapon?!”

  Nandini just bnkly took in all of her junk words, still not into the entire sequence of fighting.

  Isn’t it sort of like already known that this is a period fantasy RPG game? The war and fighting is already a given…? Maybe Nandini is just that dumb?

  Nandini paced slowly, thinking of maybe…excuses? Or act out an injury to escape. She took a quick gnce back, noticing Anuvrata still scrutinizing her.

  My Good God….. Fuck!! Scary bitch….

  But….this is the first time that bitch talked this long at me…hehe

  I’ll make sure she’ll fall ft, face down on the ground in front of me

  .

  .

  .

  Varuna threw rge strikes with the sword, golden sparks arising as it pierced through rocks. With her graceful footwork, the sword was almost unnoticeable. She fluttered with the sword in the air, like a silver butterfly, leaving its trail of lightning sparks with each step.

  Advaitha stood bold, with the pouch of bows hanging behind, Bow and arrow aimed straight towards a passionfruit swaying in the breeze, his gaze fixated on it, thumb finger guiding his arrow. He twitched at the loud noise, hindering his ability to focus. But it was Anuvrata, so he chose to forgive.

  STANCE!! FORWARD!! STRIKE!! AGAIN!! STANCE!! STRIKE!!, she yelled at Varuna, before walking towards him. Anuvrata looked up at Advaitha, throwing a jab on his back, “How many times do I tell you to pull your shoulders back, Prince?”

  Advaitha stiffens immediately at her words, noticing a faint annoyance on her face, “I’m sorry, Ms. Anuvrata”

  Feigning indifference, Anuvrata turns towards the only one remaining, Nandini.

  Nandini stood limp, holding a nce, looking at it from all sides, wondering if it’s used to grill meat or something.

  “What are you doing there?! Come over.” orders Anuvrata.

  Lazily, Nandini stepped forward, pushing the nce into Anuvrata’s face, “Here.”

  Anuvrata moved aside a couple of hairs obstructing her face, displeased, “What is this weapon called?”

  “What?! Do you think I am dumb?!”

  In fact, Nandini did not know its name.

  Anuvrata, just stood there, expressionless, nonetheless full of authority. “Then tell me its name…”

  “Uh….” Nandini searched for help, at Advaitha, who isn’t even noticing all this; to Varuna, who is way too busy ughing at a soldier at her sword’s mercy

  “Do you really think I am all that stupid?? I know its name, General!” she whined, only if the acting could save her.

  “Then tell me the name.”

  Nandini scoffed, agitated at this wench’s words, ”Ah! Don’t py with me, General… Just because you get to teach the royalties doesn’t give you the right to boss around or step on our heads!!…”

  “Nandini…you don’t talk to Anuvrata like that!” It was Advaitha, his eyes focused on Anuvrata’s face as he spoke, which had not budged the slightest bit.

  Fuck!! How many times do I mess up?!! Arghh! It’s all because of this wicked bitch…

  He walked over to the scene, pcing an arrow back into the quiver, “What the hell are you doing…??!”, He hissed.

  In need to prove Advaitha right, Nandini rose to defense, “She was-”

  “That’s a nce.”

  Anuvrata spoke, her hands tied behind, unconcerned.

  “Prince, please get back to your practice.”

  Advaitha turned towards Nandini again, his voice airy, trying to make Nandini understand her actions, “You should know she only wants the best of you. Everyone here know you suck at warfare.”

  Nandini felt all her blood rush into her head. She looked at him, flustered at the harsh words, despite it still being the truth. She couldn’t bear to lose face in front of her only love. Her only way to live forward.

  Just as she inhaled to defend herself again, a messenger walked into the practice ground, calling for Advaitha. His voice echoed through the hall, “Prince Advaitha, you are requested into the courtroom by the Majesty, as immediately as possible. His Highness has also ordered the Princess and General to attend the meeting.”

  “What is it about?”, enquired Varuna, still in her striking position.

  “I am yet to be informed about that, Your Highness

  He bows down in salute, turning around to leave.

  In a quick second, the messenger shuffled in panic, “Sorry! The Prime Minister’s daughter is also eagerly expected for the meeting.”

  Anuvrata bows down to all the trainees, dispersing the practice hall. She walks to pick up her destined weapon, the Vajrakshu, and wears it on her shoulder.

  Advaitha and Varuna joined her. They looked like they were waiting for someone, though. Nandini looked around, visibly confused, “What are you looking for, Prince?”

  “Aren’t you coming with us?” asked Varuna, in a rush.

  “Me? Why me….?!”

  Anuvrata stood across, her arms crossed, patience withering away each time she spoke to Nandini. Seeing her strained effort to keep calm, Advaitha chuckled a little,”Then should I call a kitchen maid as the Prime Minister’s daughter?”

  The four of them walked through the hallways, passing the west fort.

  Nandini watched in awe at the gold-pted statues of Apsaras and Devtas, marvellously carved marble pilrs pced in neat intervals, colourful and carefully painted walls depicting the divine stories of Gods and Goddesses. White sunlight poured through the open balconies and windows, making the entire pace shimmer. It was open and airy, a sense of freedom pying everywhere. This wasn’t like the pace in the game; that one looked ugly and closed like a wooden jail.

  At a distance now was the practice hall. On the other side was the river Rekha, flowing with no constraint, rebellious. She occasionally hits on either bank, leaving all the grass and flowers in its way, drenched and fresh. Nandini clutched onto the open rail, staring afar.

  “It’s so PRETTYYY!!!!!!”

  Advaitha accompanied her, “I know, right?!! Thanks to the Rain Gods, the river is so fast and powerful these days.”

  The two attention-deficit royal kids were quickly pulled back into the duty calls when Varuna reminded them to walk faster; she and Anuvrata were already several steps ahead.

  And then they finally reached the courtroom’s entrance.

  Nandini looked around as she stepped in, white and sand coloured pilrs, with yet again intricate sculptures of Gods and Soddesses molten into it. Red carpet lined on the floor, shiny, polished chairs for all the courtiers, and the luxurious thrones of the king, queen, and their children, all arranged in hierarchy. Just like every historical movie ever. Stereotypical, but nevertheless aesthetic.

  Other than all that costly stuff, there were people. Courtiers, ministers, servants, soldiers….. so many people.

  Now, where do you find my father figure among these many people?....

  All of the courtiers were dressed elegantly, in exquisite silk of multiple vibrant colours. They wore rge and small neckces, earrings and and the women also decorated themselves with plenty of flowers in their hair.

  The King and Queen hadn’t arrived yet, hence the loud commotion in the court. Ministers argued and discussed random stuff that Nandini couldn’t even grasp. She felt the cuckoos cry for help inside her brain, but what was it useful for?

  Besides the King and Queen, there was one more seat left empty, the chair closest to the royal throne’s dias.

  As the four of them officially stepped into the courtroom, every single being there stood up.

  Nandini felt her spine grow a chill.

  Damn!!!

  The air was now that of authority. Nandini herself didn’t know she had this much respect. Back in the game, she was not so different from a servant maiden who’d sneak behind pilrs to catch a glimpse of the King and her beloved Advaitha.

  Soon enough, loud footsteps echoed in the court. The courtiers now standing even more taller and pin straight. Nandini turned around to see the source.

  The King, Bhrigunanand, in all his glory, stepped down into the dias. He walked powerful strides, truly carrying the strength of a country in his aura. To Nandini, he resembled a calm elephant; eyes so gentle and kind, but the power, undeniably threatening.

  Behind him was the Queen, Kuvyaja, breezily walking just behind the King into the dias, not a care in the world. She wasn’t dressed extravagantly like the other women, nor did she look the most beautiful, but there was something about Kuvyaja that made Nandini immediately understand why she was the Queen of Virata.

  And behind the Queen was one more person….presumably….the king’s brother…?

  Advaitha, Varuna, and Anuvrata were already walking towards their positions in the court, so…..Nandini decided to follow them. Advaitha stood next to his throne below Kuvyaja, and Varuna took her pce, the smaller throne below Bhrigunanand.

  She grabbed Anuvrata by her wrist, confused, “General girl, where should I go?”

  “What?!” Anuvrata asked back, shaking off her hand.

  “Where should I…sit?” she whispered into Anuvrata’s ear, losing patience.

  Anuvrata sighed, trying to understand what’s wrong with this girl, “Next to your dad…?”

  “My dad…?! Who’s my dad….??”

  A strong flick nded on her forehead, but before Nandini could even react, Anuvrata pushed her down the dias, her finger pointing towards the courtesan’s chair closest to the King.

  In it sat the other guy who came along with the King and the Queen. The….King’s….. brother??-

  NO!! It’s the Prime Minister to the King….

  Nandini looked at him sheepishly, greeting him with the awkward-est smile she could gather.

  My new father…

  “Hi….dad…?!”

  .

  .

  .

  .

  .

  .