"His Majesty Vikramaditya, second of his name, son of Jayarama I, Lord of Chandpur, sun of the house Kabwar, the challenger of Black Clouds, the undefeated.....has chosen...."
Vikramaditya II, the current ruler of Chandpur, a prosperous Kingdom, one of the biggest and wealthiest Kingdom known to man. The only Kingdom that was undefeated by any, not even Asuras dared to look at it and think of challenging it. All thanks to it's rulers like Vikramaditya, who had fallen sick during exploration of the Black Clouds.
Black Clouds....the clouds of destruction first appeared during the rule of Jaychand, the founder of Kabwar house. Black Clouds were a calamity said to have been created by the great Asura to put an end to all of humanity after being defeated by the Gods, that is what the rumors say. Along with another rumor that says that Black Clouds were created by the twisted God, Kalnag, for his amusement. Both were rumors and no one really knew why and how they appeared.
When they first appeared, they wiped out more than half of humanity. The Black Clouds cause calamity. They rain for as an unknown period of time without showing any sign of exhaustion. They install fear into all beings by striking thunder on both, land and water alike. And the worst of all, the black rain. After the rain and thunderstorms stopped, the black rain began, it appeared normal at first but anyone that came into the contact with the black rain drops would get sick, their skin would start melting away after turning red, they would suffer every living second, begging to be killed because of the unimaginable pain, worse than death or human torture.
There was no cure to this, many tried to find a solution, to save lives, but all failed. Because of this it was recorded as the worst calamity to have be fallen upon the world.
After causing deaths and destruction all over the land, the black clouds disappeared never to be seen Again. It was followed by the dark summer, another bad period where sun refused to rise, clouds refused to move. All of sky was covered by the black clouds for four years. This had cussed a great famine and took years to recover from.
Before the Black Clouds incident, Chandpur used to be a group of 15 villages, it was a small and peaceful territory ruled by Jaychand I, later he was succeed by Vikramaditya I.
Jaychand I had named Vikramaditya, his nephew his successor long before his death, making him the crown Princes of Chandpur. This decision was enough to put a crack on the Kabwar family, dividing it into many factions. Each eyeing the crown.
Many assassins were sent after Vikramaditya, many tried poisoning him, many tried persuading him, but all failed. He refused to lose.
After passing of Jaychand, the famous Rakt Bhavan(bloody palace) indicent took place in which Vikramaditya, along with his friend, Mann, killed all those who opposed him over night in the palace. Painting it red with their blood and turning the beautiful white marble palace into a red palace that put fear into anyone who looked at it, it became a great horror for everyone in family and out of family. It was a warning to everyone.
After the famous Rakh Bhavan incident, King Vikramaditya began preparing to challenge neighboring territories and expand Chandpur. He released a horse(Ashwamegha yagya), it had no rider, no one could control where it would go to. All they could do was watch it. Anywhere the horse went, the place would be marked as Chandpur territory. The Lords of territory would have have two options, either to accept it or challenge the owner of the horse. Many chose to challenge and die at the hands of Vikramaditya. Soon his name struck fear into anyone who questioned the claim. No one dared to stop the horse.
Within a few years he had expanded Chandpur and made it into a great Kingdom. It had great forests, cities, mountains, desert and people. Many travelled from far away places to trade or even migrate. It was rich in spices, many crops were exported, especially wheat and millet. Chandpur was very resourceful as well, Vikramaditya had developed many silver mines during his rule. There was no gold, but the silver and marble made up for it and contributed to Chandpur and Kabwar family's wealth greatly.
After Vikramaditya, his nephew and grandson of Jaychand, Pratap, succeeded the crown. Passing it to his descendants. Chandpur did not favor the Elder, rather those who were worthy were favored.
In the present, Chandpur is ruled by Vikramaditya II, descendant of Vikramaditya I.
And the Minister had been assigned with the task of announcing the next Ruler of Chandpur due to the poor health of Vikramaditya II.
"You must enjoy dramas a lot, Minister. Stop building tension and read it out already. I am sure my father has made the right decision so, fret not. There will be no rebellion today."
Prince Gulab said out loud as he looked at his sons and friends who had gathered for the ceremony. They all looked at him and chuckled. Prince Gulab was the favorite to succeed his father. He was a tall, handsome, muscular man with a charming personality and a great mind.
He had achieved a lot of feats on battlefields as well as in the court with his sense of justice and wisedom. He was a wise man, favored and loved by all of the family, as well as respected and followed by the council and his people. One of his greatest feat was entering the realm of Asuras, he had not only come. our alive but had also brought a head of an asura. Making him the only man to have done it. Many called him Gulab the great and many called him a fool. Only a brave man or a fool would even think of doing such a thing.
The Minister's hands shook as he read the name and then looked at the crowd. There were a lot of Kings, Princes and the Princess of Kabwar, sages, nobles and many important people who had gathered for the ceremony. His eyes met the Prince's before moving back onto the scroll as he took a deep breathe and read out loud.
"...Prince Yashwant!"
"My brother? I am afraid he won't be able to join us today, he is away on a-"
The Minister interrupted him and announced out loud again.
"His Majesty has chosen Prince Yashwant!"
Silence spread across the room, everyone started talking amongst themselves with many eyes staring at Prince Gulab who stood there silently, in a shock, and great disappointment. It was visible on his face.
Prince Gulab looked at his sons and his supporters who were sure that he would be named the next Lord, but to their shock, it was Yashwant, the twin brother of Prince Gulab who was away on a mission. Prince Gulabs hands started trembling, his mind failing him, everything dizzy and blurry, his breath getting irregular as he just stood their quietly with his hands on the floor.
Unlike Prince Gulab, Prince Yashwant was a weakling who had lost his eye fighting a tired foot soldier. Many considered him to be the weakest of weak. He didn't have a great mind either like Gulab did. This decision was enough to cause chaos and rebellion.
"Lord Vikramaditya would like to see you, Prince.." A Royal Guard whispered into his ears from. behind.
Hearing the word Prince made his heart sink. His dreams had been crushed and turned into a nightmare. Today could have been the day where he could babe heard 'King Gulab' but instead his ears were stabbed by the Guard's words.
"Yes...I will be there."
He nodded and sent the guard away before looking at his son, Jay, who was saddened by what had happened. His eyes filled with rage. Gulab placed his hand on Jay's shoulder.
"Go home with your aunt, son. I must go see father."
Hearing his father's shaky voice saddened Jay even more. He nodded and started walking away without lifting his head, he didn't want to meet anyones eyes or show his emotions.
Being disheartened was alright but if anyone had seen him in such a disappointment, it would cause rumors and problems. Especially if Prince Yashwant's family.
Prince Gulab tried to move, but his feet felt heavy. He was a tall and big guy but he never had any problems and was much faster than anyone on the battlefield despite his features. But today even walking felt difficult, le felt as if someone was holding his feet.
He shook his head to calm himself down and took a few deep breath as he forced his legs to move and moved towards the chambers.
As he got closed to his father's chambers his eyes started getting red with rage, the closer he got, the more angry he become.
"Lord Vikramaditya!" He slammed the door open and stormed in. "Have you finally decided to abandon your Kingdom and people?"
He stood over the bed where his father, the King laid sick. His skin had turned red with a little bit of his flesh on his chest melting, his eyes completely white. He was in much worse state than a few days before when they had met." Son...."
"Son? Wake up, Lord Vikramaditya, I am. not here as your son, but as a Prince of Chandpur. I am here on behalf of the people to question you and your decision!" he yelled out loud.
"I can not see you, my son. Come closer...let this old man hold your hand."
His father's trembling voice and weakened state made it hard for him to stay calm and composed. His voice started making him teary, soon tears started coming out of his eyes as he sat next to his father and held his hand and started to cry.
"Why? Why, father? What have I done to deserve this? Have I ever done anything to make me unworthy of being your successor? What do I lack?"
He started crying, his tears falling onto. his father's hand as he held it between his hands, near his eyes.
"My son, you are the most worthy. Even more than your older brother Kushpal...."
Kushpal was the eldest son of Vikramaditya II who has lost his life in a battle while trying to save Yashwant. Kushpal was not as strong as Gulab, but he was more just, calm and kind. He loved his brothers and sister like his children and protected them with his life, he cherished them a lot.
"He used to say that I am the best suited to be a King, I was more worthy than he is....was..." He paused, his tears coming out more "I always wanted him to succeed you, but....he..."
Hearing Gulab made his father sad, he had never seen Gulab cry this hard before, not even Yashwant had cried to him. Even as children they would go to their mother and rarely ever came to their father. Seeing his son open up and cry made him extremely sad.
"I have my reasons, son. The Black Clouds of calamity will come again...they will be much worse than before and we must prepare for them....you must! Together." He coughed a little before continuing. "I know....no one is as worthy as you are, but Yashwant must be the next King....that is what my father, your grandfather wanted...."
"So....Is Yashwant some deity that can stop them? Father?" He placed his father's hand on the bed and looked at his face. "The Black Clouds are not coming, they haven't appeared since 349 years! You can not make Yashwant the King just because of some prophecy that will never come true!"
His sadness began disappearing, he began gathering himself again and organising his thoughts.
"Black Clouds aren't coming, father. I won't let you ruin everything for something that might never happen. No."
Vikramaditya pulled himself up and turned his head towards Gulab.
"Look at me, son....what is happening to me?"
Gulab's mouth opened a bit but no words came out. He had no way to argue with that.
"The Black Clouds may have not appeared yet....but they will come again. I am proof."
"Let's say it does come. What will Yashwant do to save us? What does he have that I lack? Tell me, father."
"....There are many things you don't know. You will understand when the right time comes."
He coughed blood through his mouth and tried to lift his hand to wipe it, but his arms were weak, he didn't have any strength to lift them up.
" Trust this old man once."
Gulab unable to say anything to his old, weak, exhausted father, places his hands on both his shoulders and helped him lay down on the bed.
"I am sorry.....for what I am about to do, father."
Gulab looked at his father, into his eyes, with his eyes red and teary. Even his father's dead eyes began watering hearing his son. Fearing what he might be thinking of.
"To me it seems like favoritism and I can not let you use Chandpur as a toy for your son out of pity. I am going to do what is right for Chandpur....for me!"
He touched his father's head and rubbed it gently.
"What are you thinking?" The old man gathered all his strength and yelled, trying to get up, but couldn't.
"I will be taking the crown before Yashwant returns. The ceremy will start today."
"No,don't do this!" With feeble voice, in pleading tone, his father cried out to him.
"Forgive me, father. I won't stop today. I can not listen to you."
"And don't worry. I won't harm your son or his family. I love him as much as you do....Maybe more."
Gulab turned his back and started walking towards the door slowly.
"Maybe I will imprison him in Rakt Bhavan with his children and wives."
"Forever."