Week 9 Story: Revenge of the Fallen

 Author's note:

I got an idea for this story after reading the C. A. Kincaid's version of the Mahabharata where the story is told in an Indian hero epic style. The story includes many buildups for a final battle that I really wanted to include in my own story. This is just the first half of the story I plan on writing. I have a good idea of where I want to take this story with some twists and superpowers as well (Greek mythology stuff maybe). Family betrayal is one of the oldest conflicts in the book and I wanted a brotherly rivalry that ends in death in my story. I hope to continue on my story after getting some feedback on it. 

Story Source: C. A. Kincaid http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/search/label/Guide%3A%20Kincaid.%20Mahabharata

(Image Information: Brothers fight; https://elllo.org/learn/eng/L02-beginner-23-GregTodd-Brothers.htm)

Revenge of the Fallen

It had been two long years since the treacherous night the kingdom was taken over by the traitor, Raul. Being the younger brother of the former king, Rosinante, Raul grew his strength and army quietly for years under the protection of the king. Having a history of malicious behavior starting at a young age, Raul planned to overtake the kingdom to serve him for years. Much has changed in the kingdom under the tyranny of Raul; countless starving people on the streets, corrupt king and his servants living off the blood and sweat of the people, and much more. However, what Raul did not know was that King Rosinante and his five loyal knights were still alive in a nearby mountain, hoping to take over the kingdom one day.

“It’s already been two years…” whispered the King to himself.

King Rosinante and the five loyal knights have been preparing the past years to take the kingdom back. As they were only six men total against an entire army, they knew they had to be smart with the preparations.

“The one thing we have is the element of surprise. As far as my younger brother knows, we are all dead. It’s been two years, I do not think Raul still has us in the back of his mind. We attack tomorrow at sundown.” said King Rosinante to his knights.

Though they were just six men, the five loyal knights were once the most feared men in all of the kingdom. The king also had a reputation of defeating countless men in battle. Knowing what they are capable of doing themselves, the knights and the king was confident in taking the kingdom back as long as they could catch Raul and his men off guard.

The next day came, and the preparations were set. The king and his knights made their move and climbed over the castle wall as the sun was going down. However, when they climbed over the wall, ahead of them stood an entire army of Raul’s soldiers.

“Welcome brother! Long time no see!” shouted Raul from behind his army.

“But how?! You’re not suppose to know that I’m alive!” the king shouted confused.

“Well maybe one of your “loyal” knights isn’t so loyal. We knew of your survival from the day I took over this kingdom. We’ve been preparing for your invasion for the last two years! Now come, I will gladly put you all out of your miseries!” shouted Raul as he raised his sword.

-To be continued

Reading Notes: The Indian Heroes: Mahabharata - The Princes of Elephant City Part B

C. A. Kincaid: The Indian Heroes: Mahabharata - The Princes of Elephant City

http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/2014/05/reading-guide-week-1-kincaid-mahabharata.html

(Image Information: 18 Days of The Mahabharata War - Summary of the War; https://vedicfeed.com/18-days-of-the-mahabharata-war-summary-of-the-war/)

-After twelve long years of hiding and living in the forest, the Pandavas made plans to spend a year in disguise at the court of King Virata. As Yudhishthira learned the art of gambling and disguised himself as Kanka, a gambler.

-After the year is almost over, Kichaka, Queen sudeshna's brother, begged her to send the beautiful maid to him and tries to rape her also. When Bhima finds out, he makes a promise to take revenge and after taking Draupadi's spot in the dark, he crushed Kichka to death and rolled his corpse up into a ball. Yikes. 

-At the end of the exile, the people wanted to burn the Sairandhri on Kickaka's funeral pyre. After learning from King Susharma of Trigarta that Kichka is dead, Duryodhana decides to attack King Virata.

-The song of Virata, Prince Utara took Brihannala to be his charioteer, and Brihannala made Uttara get the weapons back. After putting on his armor, Karna rode out to confront the chariot and they dueled. Both were injured but alive. 

-For the great battle to come, Yudhisthira and his brothers start to prepare for war. Using, shikhandi, a soldier who wore women's clothes as Shikhandin is a born woman who changes gender, Arjuna is able to injure Bhishma enough to make him retire from the battle and await death lying on a bed of arrows.

-Bhisma's mother, the goddess ganga, sent swans to warn Bhisma in order to delay his death until the solstice, with a truce in the fighting until his death.

-The Kaurava survivors (Aswatthaman, Kripa, and Kritavarman), raided the Pandava camp in the night and slayed Dhrishtadyumna and all the Pandava army except for Yudhisthira,  all his brothers, and Krishna.

-Every one of Draupadi's sons are now dead and Abhimanyu is dead as well along with hundreds of sons of Dhritarashtra.

In my next story, I will be focused on writing a build up for a big major event that happens in the story just like the battle in Mahabharata. Really enjoyed the way this story was written, especially the way the stories made the characters seem like war hero characters. That certainly made it easier for me to read the story. 

Reading Notes: The Indian Heroes: Mahabharata - The Princes of Elephant City Part A

 C. A Kincaid: The Indian Heroes: Mahabharata - The Princes of Elephant City 

http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/2014/05/reading-guide-week-1-kincaid-mahabharata.html

(Image Information: Bhima and Hidimba; https://www.kidsgen.com/fables_and_fairytales/indian_mythology_stories/bhima_and_hidimba.htm)

-A long time ago, there existed a king named Vichitravirya in Hastinapura long after the reign of King Bharata. He had two sons: Dhritarashtra, the older and blind son, and his brother Pandu, who became the next king. 

-The teacher of the two boys were named Drona and the Pandavas were his best students and aroused the jealousy of Duryodhana.

-Duryodhana grew even more jealous when his father decided that Yudhishthira would be the heir to his throne, which caused Duryodhana to make a plot to kill the Pandavas and the mother, Kunti.

-After finding out Duryodhana's plot to kill and take over, Vidura who is the half-brother of Pandu and Dhritarashtra warned the Pandavas and they escaped the first through a hidden tunnel. 

-The Pandavas and Kunti ran away to the forest disguised as brahmins but as Bhima watched over the members of his family sleeping, the monster Hidimba and his sister Hibimbi made a plan to eat them. However, Hidimbi falls in love with Bhima when she sees him. She warns Bhima about her brother and Bhima fights with Hidimba and kills him. 

-Duryodhana learns that the Pandavas are still well and alive and that they are allied with King Drupada. Bhishma who is the son of King Shantanu and the goddess Ganga, urged Duryodhana to make peace with the Pandavas. 

-When Yudhishthira realized that he is not a match for Shakuni and he could not refuse, he lost everything including his brothers, himself, and even Draupadi. 

-King Dhritarashtra grans Draupadi a boon and asks that he free Yudhishthira. He granted her another boon which she asked for the freedom of Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva. 

I chose this version as it is a lively and exciting version of the Mahabharata with a focus on the Pandavas as epic heroes. It was extremely easier to read and comprehend the storyline as the names were still confusing, but a hero epic story is always an easier read when it is written focused on the main heroes in action.