Empire of India: Rise of the Ruthless Prince

The prince's army charged into Karnavati. Thousands of Maratha soldiers entered the city, stabbing the frozen Mughal soldiers. The Mughals had watched their own commander beheaded.

They had no one to lead them; the army fell into a huge panic. The entrance of the prince of Maratha didn't help either. It was a one-side massacre. The fresh soldiers of the prince's army slashed and killed hundreds of Mughals in the plaza.

"Kill them all." Roared Aadarsh.

Karnavati's city plaza became a canvas painted with Mughal blood. The Maratha soldiers were hunting down each Mughal like prey for their hunting games.

Screams echoed as they were mercilessly slaughtered, some deserting their comrades and running away but to no avail. They were hunted down to the last man and made to suffer.

Aadarsh didn't have to do much. The fight was over before it even started. He mowed down the Mughals till not even one of them survived.

He heaved a sigh of relief.

'I managed to reach in time.'

Aadarsh looked around as he made his way towards the plaza. There wasn't even a single soldier that defended the fort alive. Every one was dead, including all the commanders.

His gaze fell upon a body slumped on top of the mountain of corpses. Aadarsh remembered the man. He was the young commander Shivaji who took the blood oath to protect the motherland.

He also saw Askar's headless body on top of the mountain of corpses. He recognized it from the distinct armor and crest.

'So he did as he said.'

Shivaji's body was covered in wounds; his eyes were slashing, his arm and leg severed, and a sword stuck in his chest. Aadarsh couldn't imagine the pain of the young commander.

"Your Highness, we have killed all the scum in the capital," said a soldier. "Also about Commander Shivaji,"

The soldiers whispered the things he heard from the citizens about Shivaji.

Aadarsh went wide-eyed.

'He did that?'

Aadarsh looked up at the sky. A young man managed to do something that he failed to accomplish in his life.

His gaze shifted to the Shivaji once again.

This time Aadarsh bowed deeply in front of the citizens, the soldiers, and everyone in the capital.

He wholeheartedly thanked Shivaji for protecting the kingdom.

'I shall remember your name forever, Shivaji Bhonsle. You have my eternal gratitude for protecting this place.'

The soldiers watched the prince bow to Shivaji; each soldier's heart was filled with deep respect and loyalty towards the prince. He was humble and acknowledged his own shortcomings. The fact that he bowed to a commander for protecting the capital in his stead spoke volumes of his character.

Murmurs broke out among the soldiers about Shivaji. They all had a look of respect for the young man's sacrifice.

Aadarsh turned back and ordered a soldier.

"Ensure everyone's last rites are done properly." He ordered.

He went towards the palace to meet his mother. He heard that she was transferred to the palace by Shivaji. Aadarsh walked through the once lively palace; the dust accumulated on the marble floor and spider webs were everywhere.

"Mother, you were here! I was searching for you."

Aadarsh walked towards his mother, sitting in the courtyard, her attention elsewhere; her eyes were dazed. She had dark circles beneath her eyes.
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Her gaze shifted to him. "Oh, you are back." She said it in a daze.

"Where is…."

"Father passed away in battle, Mother."

Aadarsh clenched his fist as he revealed it.

"I see….." Her voice trailed off, barely registering the truth. "He was awkward but he always praised you and said, "Aadarsh will surpass me one day." "

Her gaze was still on him. She kept speaking about the past in a dazed manner to him.

"Since you are here, that means we won right?" His mother asked.

"Yes, Mother, we won."

"What about that young man?"

Aadarsh went silent and gazed at her.

"He was a brave young boy with big ambitions. He said he would give his life to protect the capital.

"He reminded me of you when you were young, Aadarsh."

"Mother.." He took a deep breath. "He died, protecting Karnavati. He defeated Askar Khan."

"Is that so?" His mother sighed.

"The citizens call him the Hero of Karnavati."

His mother smiled warmly. "A befitting name for him."

She mumbled. ' He fulfilled his promise.'

Aadarsh watched his mother struggle to stand up; she stumbled and he caught her.

"Mother, you need to rest. You have become thin." Aadarsh said with a concerned look.

"Don't worry. I am a bit exhausted." She said. "This is nothing compared to the others that are risking their lives for the kingdom. We, as the royal family, have a duty to uphold, Aadarsh."

She stood up straight.

"Mother. I shall take care of this; you should rest. You collapsing will decrease the morale of others."

"And I don't want to lose you as well." He mumbled.

She stroked her son's hair affectionately and smiled. "Ok Ok. I will do as you say today after I finish some more work."

"But—"

"This is final, Aadarsh. I will handle the aftermath, then I shall rest."

"Ok fine.." Aadarsha agreed.

"Before all this, we must invite the Mother of Shivaji to the capital." She began with a sad look. "She lost her only child. Her pain will be immense. Let her be there for the last rites."

"Yes, Mother. I have already sent people to fetch her."

It was the end of the day. The night fell onto the capital. The broken gates, walls, and other things were being repaired .

The city was still awake in the night. The lingering effects of Shivaji's final stand were still in the hearts of each citizen, each soldier.

For centuries to come, Karnavati wouldn't forget Shivaji.

It would become a symbol of a young man's struggle to protect his motherland.

Women would look up to Shivaji as their shield in the face of perils.

The men would be inspired by his might.

Children would strive to become him.

His legacy was immortalized in that sacred land.