CHAPTER 32: The Last Weapon

Next, Chandrashekar sent an arrow, which turned into a hissing snake as it neared Aryaman.  However, unlike the others this arrow was inadvertently aimed at Aryaman’s chest who realized it and did not send any weapon in retaliation. 

The arrow struck Aryaman’s armour and fell to the ground like so many others. 

Chandrashekar grimaced in despair.  The brief success on the previous occasion had resulted in a lapse of concentration, which had resulted in a crucial weapon being rendered a waste.     

The King, then, released an arrow that sent galls of fire as it zipped past through the sky towards its victim.  Aryaman smiled and sent an arrow from which a goblin emerged all of a sudden!  He was blue-coloured, had a bald head with big ears, eyes, a pointed nose, protruding teeth and stomach. 

Flying in the air, the goblin managed to catch hold of the arrow when it neared him!  He then swallowed the fire the arrow was lobbing and threw the weapon at the ground!  He, then, flew towards the King and opened his mouth wide.

  The fire he had gulped rushed out of his mouth towards the terrified King!  Chandrashekar appeared helpless and closed his eyes tight when this happened.  To his surprise, he did not feel his body burning by the fire let loose by the goblin.  He opened his eyes and lo!  Both the fire and goblin had disappeared. 

It was then that the King realized that he, too, had become a victim of Aryaman’s great illusionary tactics.  The goblin might have vanished after making the weapon ineffective and all that he happened to see thereafter could be only an illusion, he surmised.

This combat raged on for a long time and it was evident that the King was the best among all his other warriors.  Slowly, Chandrashekar’s arsenal of weapons were getting empty which was making him worried.  He even hurled a spear and mace at Aryaman in desperation, which were broken to pieces by the great archer. 

Aryaman continued to limit his fight only to counter-attack his enemy’s weapons.  

Finally, the time dawned when Chandrashekar had nothing at his disposal to fight his opponent.  He looked very restless and undecided.  Repeatedly, he glanced scornfully at Ravichandran who appeared to enjoy his helplessness.  Aryaman waited in his chariot for his enemy to make his next move. 

The King of Sumegha knew that he had no choice but to use his final weapon!  He took some moments to make up his mind and then he closed his eyes.  Aryaman’s face lit up with a mysterious realization as if he was aware of this moment coming!  He looked at Rajaveera who was looking at him confused. 

And so was Ravichandran!  Both of them could not understand as to what was Aryaman waiting for!  He had all the opportunity at his disposal to disarm Chandrashekar and have him at his mercy!  They wavered to intervene, for Aryaman had categorically told them that this war would be fought ‘his way’!  Aryaman continued to look at Rajaveera and then turned his eyes towards Chandrashekar. 

The King had murmured some prayers and just like his opponent, raised his palm.  There appeared a refulgent arrow in his hand.  He looked at it for a moment and then yet again rested his gaze on Ravichandran.  His face shivered with anger as he looked at the King of Pallava.  He, then, looked at Aryaman, fixed the arrow to his bow, took proper aim and let it go!

Aryaman too quickly released an arrow.  Thereby his bow disappeared and Aryaman stretched both his hands.  Suddenly his armor too vanished and he transformed himself to a dark figure with curly hairs, bushy eyebrows, long pointed nose, curving ears, hamster-like cheeks, bleary eyes and thick lips.  There was a red scroll that was tucked in his waist band.  He yet again looked at Rajaveera.