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Chapter 12 - chapter 12: “The Bonds of Fire and Stone”

COLD OPEN – STIRRING TROUBLE

[FOREST CAMP – NIGHT]

A shadowy figure sneaks through the camp, slipping messages into bags and food crates. Veer, the tiger cub, perks up, growling low.

SCENE 1 – TENSIONS RISE

[STRATEGY TENT – EARLY MORNING]

Aasha bursts in, holding a burnt piece of parchment.

AASHA

Someone's leaking our positions. This was found near the scout routes—set for fire.

BHARAV (coldly)

A traitor walks among us.

Aryan stands, eyes sharp, calmer than the rest.

ARYAN

Then we flush them out—not with force, but with a test.

SCENE 2 – THE TEST OF TRUST

[TRAINING GROUND – MIDDAY]

Aryan organizes a competition: archery, tracking, and logic puzzles. Each rebel must complete it. Tensions run high. Among the crowd, three figures stand out.

SCENE 3 – NEW ALLIES ARRIVE

[EDGE OF CAMP – DURING COMPETITION]

A loud crash breaks the moment—a tree falls as a massive figure steps through the forest.

INTRODUCING: SHANKAR – "The Mountain"

A 7-foot-tall warrior with skin like stone, bare-chested with tribal tattoos

Once a bodyguard of a fallen kingdom, now a wandering protector

Eyes Aryan with deep respect after watching his calm leadership

SHANKAR

I've walked far, heard your name whispered. If you'll have me—I swear my strength to your cause.

Veer nuzzles his leg, sensing loyalty.

[MINUTES LATER]

Two warriors approach from the east—twins with curved swords and silent steps.

INTRODUCING: RAKSH and RANVI – The Bladeborn Twins

Orphaned warriors from the southern desert

Experts in stealth, ambush, and swordplay

One speaks, the other signs, but both fight as one

RAKSH

He's got brains, a tiger, and a cause. Count us in.

ARYAN (nodding)

Then from this day forward, we fight together—as brothers and sisters of Kaligarh.

SCENE 4 – THE TRAITOR REVEALED

[SUPPLY TENT – NIGHT]

A trap is laid. Aryan pretends to leave a map. A young rebel named VIKRAM sneaks in. Veer snarls, cornering him.

ARYAN (O.S.)

Why, Vikram?

VIKRAM (desperate)

They took my family—Varundev's men. They promised to spare them...

BHARAV (drawing sword)

A traitor deserves the blade.

ARYAN

No. Mercy shows more power than fear.

He sends Vikram under guard to the healer's tent. The others look at Aryan with newfound respect.

SCENE 5 – THE FIRE CEREMONY

[CAMPFIRE – NIGHT]

Aryan stands with Shankar, Raksh, Ranvi, Aasha, Bhairav, and Devika. A fire burns in a ceremonial bowl. Each swears loyalty.

ARYAN

From the ashes of betrayal, we rise. Kaligarh is no longer a memory—it's our destiny.

They all clasp arms. Veer roars beside them. The banner flutters in the wind.

ENDING SCENE – A MAP TO WAR

[STRATEGY TENT – LATER THAT NIGHT]

Aryan unveils a new map: secret paths into the Kaligarh capital.

ARYAN

The time has come to move. One village at a time, we take back what's ours.

[NEXT TIME PREVIEW ]

"Next: Aryan leads his first mission to liberate a captured village—but not all battles are won with swords…"

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