209 B.C.E

They ran and ran as fast as their feet could carry them.

Branches whipped at their faces, leaving small, painful scratches lingering on.

The twigs underneath cracked and groaned as the night loomed over the Andhavana forest. 

Their hearts thundered against their chests, but they couldn’t stop now.

Not when they were so close to escaping the clutches of those godforsaken creatures.

Two legged vertebrates, but more different from humans than you could imagine. 

With flashbacks running through the back of their minds, they remembered the story, the great legend which the great advisor and scholar, Adiratha had told them. 

It was a story of great achievements, of good intentions, of a lovely purpose.

But in the end; the end always held a twist of betrayal and misfortune... 

What happens when your friend becomes your greatest enemy?

Sprinting along the edges of forest cover they followed their leader, and soon the tough warriors reached the Arabian Sea. An elegant wooden ship, draped with leather sails and traditional intrications stood ready to be departed. 

The naval leader stood strong, determination gleaming in his eyes, as he followed the sight of the running warriors. The chilly air rustled their jet-black hair, the cold moonlight higlighting their muscular forms.

One of them took out something from a large woolen bag and handed it to him.

“Carry it proudly today. You will be fetching the hope of mankind.” the leader of the Moriya warriors told him, his electric blue eyes unnerving. 

“I will defend it with my life, just as our King Baladhira had done on that fateful night.

Today is the day we end this dastardly foolishness. ”  

The Naval captain nodded and turned to sea, feeling the wind whip against his dark skin, the shadows beautifully pinnancling his towering form.

With a nod, the two leaders parted ways.

One sailing on waves.

One secretly on land. 

Like the previous rendezvous, the story was promised to be forgotten, for it was much easier to cover your footprints than be followed. 

Forgetting is easier than nursing the wounds of the past.

That is, until they reopen years later...

In the most chaotic way yet.