Hastinapur, Guru Dron's Ashram

Arjun's POV

I rushed inside the armory, and my sight adjusted against the dim light. All sorts of weapons, beginning from javelin to daggers, from chakrams to spears, lances and maces were meticulously arranged back in their positions after their usage. The neighs of the stallions were echoing in the silent atmosphere, for the stables were located just at a distance from there. Fortunately, the attendants acceded to my request of entering the armory at this hour, after a plead. 

My eyes lingered upon the long and sleek bows of various designs, curvatures and height; each of them created to suite our needs. Weapons, exported from Hastinapur and indeed, quite a load of expense was spent for our convenience. From setting up the ashram in Varanasahrya to guards, Pitamah didn't spare an ounce for the lack of any sources. He was indeed joyous to assist Guru Dron and was even willing to expend more so that more students could be exposed to his teachings. 

A smile spread on my lips as my fingers gripped the curvy body of the bow; sleek, long and almost five and a half foot, very appropriate for my usage and complemented my height. Stacks of arrows, polished and pointy with feathers attached towards the end caught my attention, and grabbing the quiver I rushed out of the chamber. 

There was darkness all around, with the only source of light being the moon. Since all the students had retired to their quarters including my brothers, it was rather tranquil. The clouds that had gathered a few moments ago, appeared to be drifted away. I noticed a huge tree at our practice arena, where our targets were already set. There were pots already hanging for the shabdhavedi form of archery, dummies made of hay, long poles which had only one target attached and of course, the regular targets. 

I settled my target for shooting, adjusting it thoroughly. Stepping behind to maintain the apt distance, I collected my bow and strung it till it was satisfactorily taught. There was a booming twang that reverberated, and at once my heart fluttered. I always recalled how I used to rush out of our cottage back in Shatasringa hearing Pitashree's twang of the bow, and oh it sent such an unexplainable thrill down my spine!

Adjusting myself carefully, my fingers circled around the arrow which I collected from the quiver and settled it against the body of the bow with the other set of digits encircled around the curved surface of the weapon, I stretched the arrow right up to my ear and shoulder to maintain the stretch and taught. It was true, my eyes were still in the verge of adjusting in the dark environment—but it would, I comforted myself.

The target was mingling with the bark of the tree and the foliage around, and with the lack of light just appeared as a huge set of circular disk. The fine lines weren't visible accurately nor the bull's eye. I shifted a bit right, the aim was visible but alas not clear. I realized I won't be hitting the target properly, but nevertheless shot it.

Heck, it swished through the air and hit somewhere in the middle. I rushed up towards the target, and dejectedness crept over me realizing that I had missed the aim by almost four inches towards the left. Reason being the darkness of course...

I pulled away the arrow and rushed back, my jaws clenching slightly.

Settling it again, I began to concentrate myself on the target; the fact that I had calculated a bit there were the bull's eye was supposed to be was etched in my mind. Though I new the fact very well that if I had to—though it was against the Kshatriya norms to fight after sunset—then I wouldn't be having much time to assess my opponents. But, it was just the beginning and all I needed was to adjust my mind and eyesight. 

I rested the arrow back and projected it again.

Rushed forward, again—I had missed it by three inches. Determination now swept over me, I did not want to return to my quarters unless I had atleast hit three—or even two arrows right at the aim. To the hell with sleep!

I am not going to move an inch from here! 

How on earth arrows won't be hitting it's aim? 

It has to.

And I am going to make my arrows hit the aim by hook or by crook!

Whatever fatigue my body was experiencing was shoved away, and so did the urge to sleep for the moment. It felt as if, I can't rest myself atleast I had struck atleast one arrow right at the aim.

I can't!

I breathed once again to calm myself down, and fortunately my sight had very much adjusted to the darkness. The arrow was settled and I crossed my brows, viewing the target and even having an idea of the winds and it's speed. Agreeing to my senses, I shot it.

Two inches—alright, close.

I began to repeat it, almost forgetting everything that was surrounding me and even the knack of time, or my bodily exhaustion. I kept on shooting arrows, each time arriving close yet my desire to achieve perfection wasn't allowing me to quit.

I was perhaps rooted for the umpteenth time on my position with the arrow, when a few noises of footsteps alerted me. I was aware, it was of Gurudev's; instantly I released the arrow and while it hit the aim, I spun around holding my breath. With the heart caught in my throat, my eyes fell upon his dimly light hollered facial features, as he stepped forward with his arms locked behind.

Oh no, no—A sudden sense of consciousness and guilt swept over me, as I stepped forward with lowered lashes.

"Gurudev, I-" I faltered, lowering my head and gulped slightly. It was true, no one was allowed to loiter at this prahar, and here I was without an idea of how much time span was I awake and perhaps—giving trouble to him and the students due to the noises that the twangs of my bow were creating.

"What, are you doing Arjun? At this hour of night?" Gurudev's voice was stoic and deep, as he scanned around for a while with furrowed brows and then glanced back at me, "I need an explanation."

"Gurudev, that—" I was unsure how Gurudev would be responding to my bizarre decision, "I was practicing archery, or rather trying to do so in the darkness."

"But why?"

"I was trying to push my boundaries, Gurudev." I glanced up with a deep breath, truthfully answering whatever my decision was, "I was thinking of controlling my senses and enhance my ability to fight even in the darkness!"

"Why? Aren't you aware that it is against the Kshatriya norm to fight in the darkness?" Gurudev's voice turned amusedly low, his glance falling upon the set of arrows, "And how on earth did you have the idea of doing this at night?"

"I am, Gurudev. And I promise!" I mouthed swiftly, "I shall never be attacking in darkness unless there is a grave emergency or requirement for me to do so!"

"And—I thought that—" I continued, "That, the lamps had went off when we were having our meals at night. I realized that I could eat without even looking at the meal, just out habit. So I thought that—"

"That you can practice archery at night and develop the habit?" He raised a brow, a little sort of sigh mingled with a titter escaping his lips. I nodded silently, cupping my elbow with a palm and nervous at the same time. Is he going to punish me? 

"Goodness me...." He whispered after a short span of silence, "Are you, are you really insane Arjun?"

Acharya settled his palms on his waist, shaking his head and exhaled deeply with his lips kicking off into regaling smile.

"When I said, I said you shall be breaking all the shackles—my goodness," His voice suddenly dripped with a certain sense of warmth as he held my shoulder with the similar affection he does everytime, "What are you even made off, son?" 

"Tell me Arjun, what are you?" He jerked my shoulders slightly with marvel, "From where do you bring this?"

"Bring this level of insanity Arjun? From where?"

I bit my lips hard trying to withhold my smile which was threatening to erupt, gazing down at his feet. 

Acharya closed upon me and cupped my face in his palms, "I have seen many warriors, one beyond the other! Valorous and unparalleled! But you, Arjun—you are something rare...Very rare."

"I have never came across an individual so devoted like you, Paarth!" I did not even realize when I was engulfed in his embrace, my heart thudded swiftly unable to handle the relief and joy at the same time, "You—you just wait and watch—"

"I promise you that I will do my utmost to ensure that you are the best archer in this world and there shall be no one equal to you!"

 ★★★★★★★

A/N

Oyeeeee hoyeee! Chah gaye Arjun chah gaye! 🥳🥳🥳🥳

Abhi next chapter ma thoru sa timeskip kyuki, ofcourse~ a very controversial sequence is gonna begin 🌝✨.

Kursi ki peti bandhlo kyuki bahut majaa aane wala hai aage 🔥___🔥

Signing off for today!

Kiritija Nushkie