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The Book of Aarav – 0.12
The Hum Dr. Chaithra pressed her fingers hard against the handle of her chair, tense. She took a few deep, silent breaths as she looked around the large meeting room in the basement of the palace. The attendees included Ashura, with his five squad leaders standing at a distance behind him, Sabo, Yodhika, and Adhrivan.…
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The Book of Aarav – 0.11
An Unexpected Ally Rudhra walked through the streets of Avantaveera after training with Yodhika, earlier than usual. It was the fifteenth day since they had hatched their plan to save the Amirthyas. He glanced to his right. Mr. Raghav from Building C was buying meat from the town’s only meat vendor, Mr. Veda. The two…
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The Book of Aarav – 0.10
Rudhra’s Hesitance Rudhra tore a piece of idli from his plate, dipped it into the tangy sambar his mother had prepared, and put it into his mouth. He glanced at the time. He had two more hours before he needed to be at Site A for training with Yodhika. For the past ten days, he…
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The Book of Aarav – 0.9
A Vague Plan Rudhra paced impatiently around Site A, his hands clasped behind his back. His sword trembled at his side, echoing the unease running through his body. Yodhika finally stepped into Site A, her footsteps slow and measured. “Where were you?” Rudhra asked, worry sharp in his voice. “I needed more time,” Yodhika replied,…
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The Book of Aarav – 0.8
Bitter Truth “Where are we going?” Rudhra asked as Yodhika led him out through the palace gates. She had covered her face with a black kerchief. “Just keep quiet and follow me.” Rudhra did as told, confusion etched across his face. “Do you know why Akira—your past King—trusted the Pranvars?” Yodhika asked as they walked.…
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The Book of Aarav – 0.7
Close to Peace The leaders of the various factions of the Pranvar clan had gathered in the immaculate, richly decorated palace courtroom, accompanied by their families. Among the attendees were Ashura, head of the Avantaveera military and chief of external affairs, along with his five squad leaders; Elder Jeron and his new wife, the twenty-one-year-old…
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The Book of Aarav – 0.6
Duty and Desire “Did you inform the King before coming here?” Rudhra asked, lifting the trident and handing it to Yodhika. “No. They’re all busy with something,” she replied. With a soft click, the trident retracted into a compact rod, which she slid into its holder. She then took out two kerchiefs—one to cover her…
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The Book of Aarav – 0.5
Rudhra’s Home “Are you not going to the palace today, Rudhra?” Rudhra’s mother, Kousala, asked as she covered the plate of puttu and black chickpea curry. “Not today. They asked me to take a day off,” Rudhra replied, lying on his bed, still groggy from sleep. “Rest? Really?” Kousala said, unconvinced. “Why would you need…
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The Book of Aarav – 2
Aarav and His Mother Aarav ran out of the elevator the moment the doors slid open. He glanced at his phone mid-stride, realizing with a jolt that he was already an hour late. Swiping his access card, he pushed through the office doors. The glass panels opened into a cool, softly humming world of polished…
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When the Clock Strikes Two-3
Brand New World The control room smelled of stale coffee and disinfectant, the kind of sour, clinging odor that settled into the air after an overnight shift and refused to leave. Across the wall of monitors, platform feeds showed cleaners rolling their carts toward storage bays while the first office-goers drifted in beneath a thin,…
Karun G Nath 