Seven days prior to the events of the flood
On the west wing terrace of the Sun Palace, the four Tantric apprentices sat quietly, cross legged and eyes transfixed, as Tantric Vidyut demonstrated how to guide the airflow and shape it into a lethal weapon using the art of Tantra. Prince Surya, too, watched him intently after he sneaked into the rooftop, quietly waiting behind the apprentices. Vidyut's tall shadow was taller in the early morning sun, dancing around in the cool marble terrace with every lithe movement. The gentle morning breeze flew in through the small openings in the parapet around the rooftop and softly ruffled his black curls that were let loose. His long wiry arms moved in wide circles as he guided his crystal weapon through the air.
The pupils exclaimed in amazement every now and then. Surya, himself, was not entirely familiar with this art, having had little practice in Tantrism. The sword gently swam through the air as Vidyut stretched his arms in long willful motions, letting the force travel along his fibers from the tip of his right index across his bare chest to the tip of his left one.
With a blast, the air sword zoomed towards the clear blue sky. Few pupils let out a gasp. Surya, too, raised his head as his eyes followed the path of the sword. And all of a sudden, he became aware of another sharp weapon flying towards him. As he swiftly returned his gaze ahead, he saw a second air sword tearing through the air, flying straight towards him. He unsheathed his steel, but it was too late. The tip of the air sword was two fingers shy of his right eye, and then, it stopped…mid-air. It then melted into nothing with a whoosh.
"Take your eyes off your enemy, and you fall dead." The tall, dark youth remarked as he approached Surya. All four of his pupils looked in their direction.
"You are right. I would be so if I look away from my enemy." Surya responded with a hint of smile in his voice.
"If you look to learn the secrets of my trade, a word is enough, my prince. It would be my honor to teach you a thing or two about how sharp weapons work." Vidyut held a crooked smile as he gestured Surya to the center of the terrace in an invitation to a friendly duel.
"Honor would be mine, Tantric Vidyut, as I admit I have grown somewhat rusty after our brief contest in the South." Lately, Surya had come to enjoy the little humorous digs he exchanged with Vidyut. Vidyut could not stand being reminded of his failures, and seeing Vidyut bristle at his jibes amused Surya.
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Surya walked to the middle of the terrace. He gripped the hilt of his blunt practice sword as he adjusted his stance. His daily training usually began with a short period of meditation and breathing exercises. Once his mind was refocused, he revitalized his body through the ancient practice of Yoga. Only then would he be physically and mentally ready for such martial activities as sword fighting. But real dangers presented in the best of times and the worst of times. They did not wait for the hero to tighten his armor or sharpen his weapon. Surya had learned this the hard way on his journey back from the South. Hence, he, now, welcomed matches that found him unprepared and uneasy.
Vidyut stood before him sideways, his own weapon drawn, air crystals set together to form a fine gossamer sword. He struck the first blow as his air sword swept in from the wrong side of the prince. But Surya quickly parried, meeting the air sword with his own. He saw Vidyut's lips tremble slightly in a silent chant, and his air sword melted in the middle to let Surya's weapon slice through it. Losing his balance, Surya stumbled sideways but immediately caught himself before spinning around low, the tip of his sword almost touching Vidyut's leg. Vidyut retreated a few steps, barely evading the slash.
"You air swords can play tricks, I see." Surya feigned disappointment as the two fighters adjusted their stance.
"Deception is only part of the combat. You know it better than anyone, my prince." Vidyut's eyes were fixed on Surya, following every movement as the two youths circled each other, waiting to see who would attack next.
It was Surya this time who whirled in his sword from the side, only to get caught in Vidyut's air weapon with a dull thud instead of the usual clang. Surya let the weapon slide off his sword, spinning his steel around it, freeing his weapon to attack Vidyut once again, this time lunging forward. The Tantric turned sideways and evaded the thrust, immediately capitalizing on the miss by bringing down his own weapon hard on Surya's steel. Surya felt the blow throbbing his hands through the hilt he gripped. He focused his martial power and leaped up, tumbling around in the air, and in a split second, landed on the other side of the Tantric. A swift flash and the dull edge of his steel brushed against Vidyut's neck, right at his pulsing vein.
"Do you accept defeat, Tantric?" Surya had a sweet edge to his taunt.
"I accept a draw." Vidyut relented but with conceit and then stepped up to the prince. "It is a shame you do not channel your martial powers to focus your Tantric energy."
Surya sighed, sheathing his sword around his waist. "I have done, in the past. It does not suit my nerves." Surya held his hands out in front of him and turned them over, as if to check.
All of a sudden, Vidyut reached out and grabbed both his hands. His skin felt much cooler, against the warmth of his own. Surya's heart skipped a beat, and his eyes went wide for a second. Vidyut was carefully studying Surya's hands, and missed this string of reactions.
"There is no reason why your bone structure would impede the flow of Tantra through your hands. They are of the perfect shape, ideal to practice Tantrism. Perhaps, you need the right tutor." Surya's hands were still nestled in Vidyut's cold grip as he turned them over to study the lighter side.
Surya's words were stuck in his throat and his mind was racing. He endeavored to gently snatch his hands back, but the grip grew tighter. Vidyut's grasp now slid down to Surya's fingers as he bent them back slightly to stretch them out. He uttered a sound of contemplation as he pressed on the joints.
"I am here to bid you all a farewell." Surya hastily declared, in a small voice, increasing the pull on his hands. But Vidyut took no notice as if he had seized a dark and mysterious weapon that he did not want to give up.