SCENE 1 – INTEL FROM THE HILLS
[HIDDEN WATCHER BASE – NIGHT]
A secret cavern beneath a rocky hill. Dimly lit with oil lamps. Members of Aryan's growing spy force—the Shadows of Kaligarh—report in.
SPY CAPTAIN (JUNAID)
The enemy has fortified the eastern ridge of Keralgarh. But they're stretched thin in the north… too confident.
He places a carved wooden token on the map.
ARYAN (thinking aloud)
They believe we'll strike directly. So… we won't.
SCENE 2 – PLANS IN MOTION
[BHATAVAR PALACE WAR ROOM – MORNING]
Aryan stands before his generals, pointing at the map.
ARYAN
We move quietly. First, we secure the Whispering Hills—small forts, easy to miss. Once we hold the ridgeline, we control the valley below.
SHAKTIRAJ (Super-Strong Follower)
Let me lead the first wave. A quiet storm will hit harder than a thunderous one.
Aryan nods. Devika watches him with admiration, silently impressed by how far he's come.
SCENE 3 – TIGER AND BOY
[SMALL SHRINE NEAR THE HILLS – AFTERNOON]
While scouting, Aryan finds an abandoned tiger cub, weak and hungry, near a shrine to the forest god. The cub growls, but doesn't attack. Aryan slowly kneels, offering food.
ARYAN
You're like me. Lost… but not broken.
The cub accepts. Aryan gently pets it. It purrs and curls beside him.
SCENE 4 – TROOPS TRAINING
[MOUNTAINSIDE TRAINING GROUNDS – EVENING]
Shankar and Raksh train the loyal soldiers: archery, ambush drills, silent movement. Aryan watches from above, taking notes, sketching something in a scroll.
Ranvi joins him.
RANVI
Planning something, my prince?
ARYAN (smirking)
Not something. Everything.
SCENE 5 – HILLS CAPTURED
[WHISPERING HILLS – NIGHT RAID]
Under moonlight, Aryan's forces launch a silent raid on the enemy's outposts. Traps are disarmed. Guards are taken out with precision. No war horns. No chaos. Just shadows in the dark.
By dawn, Aryan raises Kaligarh's banner over the highest tower.
SCENE 6 – BACK AT THE PALACE
[ARYAN'S CHAMBER – NIGHT]
Aryan stands with a scroll showing the Whispering Hills secured. Veer and the tiger cub (now named "Sena") lie nearby. Devika enters.
DEVIKA
You gained more than land today. You gained trust. And fear.
ARYAN (calmly)
Good. Let them wonder what I'll do next.
End of Chapter 16