CHAPTER 47 Agni and Varunya Face to Face

Outside the blue cave, the evening twilight hung in the air. Two figures stood. On one side was Agni. His shoulders were still a little slumped, but his eyes had returned that spark which once burned on the battlefield. On the other side was Varunya. Wrapped in black clothes, face covered, only two slits for her blue eyes that shone like two calm seas.

Varunya turned toward her cave. Her steps made no sound, as if she was walking on mist.

Stop.

Agni voice cut through the air. It was solid like metal, but there was a new tension in it. Not just curiosity. A deep suspicion.

Who are you, Agni asked, his words coming out slowly, weighing each one. And why did you help me? Tell me. Who are you? Tell me your name. And why do you keep your face covered?

Varunya stayed quiet. Only the soft sound of her breathing was in the air. Regular. Calm. Like a yogini. She turned again and began to move forward.

Then Agni decided to move forward.

He rushed ahead with lightning speed. The grass beneath his feet caught fire, small flames rising. In one leap he was near Varunya. He stretched his hand forward to untie the cloth knot behind her face.

Varunya turned. In one fluid motion, she caught Agni hand.

Agni wrist was in her grip. His fingers were warm, burning. Varunya fingers were cold. Like ice. But there was a strange strength in them.

Agni tried to remove the cloth from her face with his other hand.

Varunya caught that hand too.

Both his hands were now in her grip. Surprise showed in Agni eyes. This woman was this strong? He tried to twist his wrists. But Varunya grip was like iron.

Agni gave a jerk. Putting his whole body weight into it, he pushed Varunya back.

Varunya stepped back but did not fall. She kept her balance, taking two steps back. Now there was something sparkling in her eyes. A challenge.

She moved toward Agni. This time she was the attacker.

Her speed was faster than lightning. A blurry image, and she was in front of Agni. She attacked with her hands. Not punches. A push with her palms that carried a gust of wind.

Agni put both his hands forward. Made a shield. A shield of fire. Flames rose, heating the air.

But Varunya push did not stop at that shield. She began to circle around Agni. Fast. Faster. And faster. Like a blue haze, surrounding him from all sides.

Agni stretched his hand forward to catch her wrist.

And caught it.

Varunya pushed back. This time hard. Agni flew backward through the air. He landed ten feet back, but got up immediately. Anger was now in his eyes.

He moved forward again. Even faster. He reached Varunya and stretched his hand to remove her face cloth.

But Varunya caught his hand again. And pushed.

This time Agni flew back and hit a stone. Pain shot up his back, but he did not move. He saw. Varunya had climbed on that stone, high up, waving her hands in the air.

The air trembled.

A letter appeared. Woven from air. Shining. It floated through the air and came to Agni.

Agni was surprised. He caught the letter in the air and opened it. He began to read.

My name is Varunya. People also call me the Blue Shadow. I cannot speak. My teacher name is Margdarshak Vishrayan.

Agni was shocked. His eyes widened. Margdarshak Vishrayan. The same one Neer had mentioned. The one who had disappeared centuries ago.

He looked at Varunya once, then read again.

I saved your life because I need your help.

Agni looked at Varunya. My help. What kind of help.

Varunya pointed at the letter. Words began to appear on the paper on their own.

You have the fire element. And I need your fire element for an important task. That is why I helped you.

Agni crushed the letter in his hand. Then threw it down. Why should I help you, he said, bitterness in his voice. What do I get out of it? And anyway, why would I trust a woman who hides her face? What guarantee is there that she truly wants to help me?

Varunya pointed at Agni hand.

Agni looked at his hand. In his hand was the same letter he had just crushed and thrown away. He was shocked to see it in his fist.

How is this possible, he said.

Varunya raised her hand and pointed at the letter. Words began to appear.

Revenge for your friend Neer death. And wanting your son Nirag back.

Agni kept looking at Varunya. His breathing stopped. How do you know all this, he asked. How do you know all this.

Varunya pointed at the letter again. Words appeared.

I know everything. I even healed you. Unknowingly, but still. You should be grateful to me.

Agni crushed the letter in his hand and burned it. Flames rose, the paper turned black, became ash. He blew the ash toward Varunya.

Varunya stepped back.

Stop playing this game, Agni voice thundered. And show your face. Tell me who you are. And why are you playing this letter game. Why dont you speak directly.

Varunya pointed at Agni hand.

In Agni hand was the same letter he had just burned to ash.

Agni was shocked seeing this letter. His eyes widened. Who are you, he said. What is all this. And why are you doing this.

Varunya turned and ran. She flew into the air. As she left, the same message appeared in Agni hand, words forming.

See you soon.

Agni came down from the cave stone. He decided to go inside the cave. As soon as he stepped into the cave, he felt a shock. As if someone had pushed him back.

Agni somehow steadied himself. He put his hand on the cave entrance again.

His hand stopped at the entrance. An invisible shield appeared. Glowing. Blue. Like water.

Agni threw fire from his hand at that shield. Flames struck. Steam rose.

But nothing happened to the shield.

Agni looked at the cave once carefully. Then left from there.

After he left, Varunya came out from behind the cave. She put her hand on the cave entrance. The door opened. Varunya went inside the cave, and the shield formed again on the door.

In Pawangadh, Anvay went to Agni chamber. He saw. Agni was not there.

The sword fell from Anvay hand. The metal sound echoed. He picked up his sword and shouted. Soldiers. Soldiers. Acharya Agni is not in his chamber. Where did he go? Does anyone know.

A soldier came forward. Maharaj, I saw Acharya Agni taking a horse from the stable in anger. He was going somewhere.

Anvay said, No. What if Acharya has gone to fight Nirag. Soldiers, get the army ready quickly. We have to leave for war.

Just then Agni appeared coming from the distance.

Everyone was shocked to see Agni. The same spark was in his eyes, but now there was a new resolve. His clothes were covered in dust, and there were burnt marks on his palms.

Anvay looked at Agni and said, Acharya.

Agni looked into his eyes. Then said softly, Get ready, Anvay. War is coming. But this time we will not fight alone.

Anvay eyes widened. What do you mean, Acharya.

Agni turned and looked toward the direction of the blue cave. I have found an ally. An ally who can defeat Nirag.

And a smile appeared on his face. The first time since Neer left. That smile was not completely of happiness. There was bitterness in it. There was suspicion. And a strange kind of hope.

He walked toward his chamber, leaving behind burnt grass marks with his steps.

Chapter 190 - CHAPTER 47 Agni and Varunya Face to Face