The Leopard is a symbol of life in Urvarakshetra. You remain elusive and in the shadows for long, and people forget you ever existed. Once you emerge from the shadows, you have a chance to strike your foe. You miss and you're forced to fight. But strike your foe dead and you can return to the shadows until you get to strike again.

Rashva is walking in circles near the courtyard.

Vikara returns.

Rashva furiously demands - "Explain yourself!"

Vikara - "Karni is exiled by me. A mere apology won't do it. I have decided that until my marriage comes to fruition, Karni shall not be allowed to enter the estate grounds."

Rashva - "The Pragat family arrives tomorrow. I have nothing more to tell you. You do the explaining to them."

Vikara - "Gladly, Father."

Rashva walks back inside.

The Pragat family has prepared the carriages. They have decided to leave at dawn. The time taken to travel from Pragat Manor to the Vyasa Estate is around 4 hours long.

The Pragat family consists of the father of the bride, Giridhana Pragat. His wife, Rosn Pragat and his lone daughter, the bride-to-be named Arasha Pragat.

Giridhana decides to travel with their bodyguards and traverse through the lands to meet Rashva in person.

Giridhana is trying to sleep. He wakes up frustrated. He walks through the manor's large hallway. He opens a bedroom door. Another man is seen to be sitting wide awake on his bed. Giridhana enters the room and takes a seat on the chair near the bed.

Giridhana - "Brother, why are you awake?"

His brother - "I need that whoreson's head. Where is it?"

Giridhana - "We'll take it. Some lowborn cannot lay hands on my family!"

His brother - "I am unable to sleep anymore. His face keeps me up all night."

Giridhana - "Patience brother. Either the lowborn's head or the Vyasa's name on the dirt. One of these will be accomplished. I give you my word."

Brother Sardhana lies down on his bed - "Go back to sleep. Don't make me keep you. You have important things to take care of tomorrow."

Giridhana is reassured and leaves the room.

Karni is staying at a nearby tavern until things get resolved.

Inside the tavern, everything seems lively. Few men are having a drink. People are sitting around and chatting. Karni steps out of his room and goes to the floor below him where the drinks are served.

Karni walks down the stairs. He is taken aback. He instantly recognises the woman sitting on the chair beside the window. The woman seems to have not noticed him.

Karni sits adjacent to the woman. She is dressed in black. The armour is very much like that of an assassin. She is dusky beauty with long black hair.

Karni - "What is an Ihachita doing here?"

The woman - "News about the tournament's list coming out so early, it seemed like I wanted to see what you're up to."

Karni - "Me?"

The woman - "Yes you."

Karni - "I am not involved."

Woman - "Of course not. But how do you feel? I mean, you said the fight game's behind you, so..."

Karni - "Vikara wants me back. I can't say no to him."

Woman - "Why?"

Karni - "We have a long history."

Woman - "Look. You aren't the prizefighter you once were. It's brutal out there. You could lose your life."

Karni - "Dying slowly, being tormented every day I breathe or dying a swift death in the arena? I've made my choice."

Woman - "Or you can come with me. See the outside world and how it feels like. It is magical out there."

Karni - "No. I can't leave yet."

Woman - "You are an idiot. He's been using you for so long. Why do you serve him? Why are you a slave?"

Karni - "Long story. I like to forget the past. The only thing I can do is look forward. Hope truly is such a sad thing."

Woman - "More like delusion. Not about to lecture you. Want to share a drink? We'll exchange some stories until dawn."

Karni - "No. I'm good. I need to wake up early."

Woman - "Ok. Good night then."

Karni - "Good night."

Karni slowly walks upstairs to his room.

The woman slowly sips her liquor while she looks at the night sky through the window.