Empire of India: Rise of the Ruthless Prince

It was a long journey for an army of massive size.

The main battle camp. An intense discussion was taking place. The tension in the tent was palpable. The news of the Nayakas had spread far and wide through the Empire.

They had decimated not only Bhairava's faction member's army but also the first prince's army. Not once but twice. This was unprecedented news, as it was noted in both battles the casualties had been kept to a bare minimum.

Bhairava, his aura of authority encompassing the room as usual, spoke.

"So, the Nayakas finally began to move."

Govinda Rao looked over at the prince.

"You knew of this, Your Highness?"

"It seems the little runt survived the assassination," he scoffed.

"Who?"

Mumbles and murmurs broke out in the room between the commanders.

"Harsha, Nayakas pledged their support to him!"

"Huh? Prince Harsha?"

Everyone's jaw dropped at the information. They didn't think that the Nayakas would support any prince, let alone the weakest one.

"Why are you so surprised?"

"We expected them to support Alfonso but not Harsha!" A commander spoke up timidly.

Bhairava clicked his tongue.

"Are you all blind? Harsha, at least for the past year, has been a strong contender. His demeanor has changed a lot, and he has grown stronger."

He looked disgusted. Bhairava, despite his ambition, respected hard work. Harsha's hard work in improving himself was commendable effort, and now he was a thorn in his path. He was a man who rose from nothing to a strong contender within a year.

Being blinded by arrogance and pride won't do him any good.

Bhairava anticipated the intervention of Harsha. A third-party interference was very much possible. It was the best way to win; Harsha couldn't have gathered a large enough army to take him or Chandra.

Scratching his neck. Bhairava thought, 'It will become even more complicated if Nayakas also join in.'

"We need some countermeasures." Bhairava said.

"For prince Harsha?" Govinda asked curiously.

"Harsha? He will show himself soon!. I don't want Nayakas to join the battle as well."

"So, what shall we do?." A commander inquired.

"Send a message to Uncle. Gather up all the remaining soldiers and delay the Nayakas as much as possible."

"Understood, your highness."

"What about Prince Harsha!" Govinda asked.

"This was never an easy path, and I will take Harsha head on. We must hope that Chandra makes a mistake."

Suddenly, a man barged into the tent. He was sweating and huffing heavily.

Everyone's attention turned to the man.

"What happened?" asked Bhairava.

Taking a deep breath.

"Rani Jyothi Lakshmi has been assassinated in Cochin."

The tent fell silent. The warmth of the sun faded as everyone felt like they were covered in ice. They could see Bhairava's face darken at the news.

"Leave the room."

His voice sent shivers down everyone's spine. Everyone scrambled and left the room quickly. He looked at the report brought in by the man.

*CRACK*

The wooden table snapped into two. Bhairava's hands bled a little, and tears welled up in his eyes.

"You will pay for this." He muttered.

Outskirts of Hampi, Vijayanagara Empire.

The army of Chandra Deva Raya, the first prince, was on standby to face Bhairava. Chandra was practicing his sword arts.

He was preparing to face one of his biggest challenges in life. Bhairava, his younger brother, the pest, is on his way to the throne. Never in his life had Chandra won against Bhairava in battle or accomplishments.

Bhairava was always just levels above him.

"Your Highness. The mission is done." A man said, emerging from the shadows.

Stopping his practice Chandra looked at the man, wiping the sweat off his forehead.

A smirk creeped up on his face.

"AHAHA, that's great. I wish to see his face."

The mission was to assassinate Bhairava's mother. Bhairava's mother wasn't a normal person either; assassinating such an individual required many hours of planning and top assassins.

Chandra knew that Bhairava wasn't a person who would target his family. He always wanted absolute victory. He was just as righteous as he was strong; he never harmed the family of the enemy.

Although he would kill anyone who stood in his way without a second thought. He would spare their family, especially women and children that pose no harm to him.

He had done something that would rile up Bhairava to the core. He killed the sole reason he wanted the throne, his mother.

"Your Highness. What about the Nayakas?"

"They are a problem as well."

'Why are the Nayakas moving? There is that issue with the Shekhars as well!'

"Bring Neelakanta here," he ordered.

A few moments later, Neelakanta arrived.

"Neelakanta. Go and inform Yamaduts to stop the Nayakas."

"Understood, Your Highness."

The Nayakas were huge threats, and if they decided to interfere, the fight would be difficult.

"Your Highness. The Empress has called you to the palace right now."

"Why?"

"I wasn't briefed on it. But she said it was urgent."

"Ok. I will go there right now."

The news of the Mangalore didn't reach him yet.

Chandra took a carriage and went to the Royal Palace. He was curious why his mother had called him urgently.

His mind raced with possibilities.

"Did Father wake up?" he muttered.

The carriage entered the palace. The palace was swarmed with new people, as if someone had changed the palace guards.

A person came forward, seeing him.

"The Empress awaits you. Your Highness"

Chandra was guided through the hallway to the royal complex that was heavily guarded. Many new faces were present.

He entered the chamber of the Empress. His mother looked at him with a nervous expression.

"What Happened, Mother?" He asked, arching his eyebrows.

The Empress pointed at the large bed; a figure was seated on the bed.

"You are finally here. You were dumb, Chandra. Your obsession with Bhairava led to this pathetic state. You think assassination of his mother would be enough for you to win against him?"

"Who are you?" Chandra walked to the bed.

"Silence. You ignored the biggest threat of all. The youngest prince, Harsha. From now on. I will take the lead and help you."

"What do you mean?" He lifted up the veil of the bed and took a look.

"Chandra, I shall be your kingmaker."