The night after his engagement announcement was restless for Mukul.The Raichand mansion lay silent, yet his chamber was lit by the soft glow of a single lamp. On the wall, the giant timer clock that marked every second of separation from his siblings ticked on, steady and merciless.
But tonight, Mukul wasn't staring at it. Instead, his mind replayed the words of Aditya Varma and Kabir Rathore:"Heir of the Celestial Forge.""Heir of the Shadow Dominion."
Two crowns. Two paths. Two empires—one of light, one of shadow.
For hours, he paced. Could he walk both paths without tearing himself apart? Could he honor both masters without betraying one? By dawn, the decision crystallized in his heart.
The Proposal
In the grand training hall, the two masters arrived, summoned by Mukul's request.Aditya Varma's sharp eyes searched his disciple. Kabir Rathore, darker and colder, simply folded his arms.
Mukul bowed deeply. "Masters, I cannot accept to live divided. If I wear both legacies, then I must forge them into one. I ask your permission… to merge the Celestial Forge and the Shadow Dominion into a single order."
Silence thundered. Even the air seemed to stop.
The New Name
Mukul raised his head, voice steady though his heart raced."I will call it the Eclipsed Sovereign Order.For just as an eclipse unites light and shadow, so too must this legacy."
The Masters' Reactions
Aditya Varma's lips parted in surprise. His disciple had spoken not just with courage, but with vision. "The Celestial Forge was meant to create. The Dominion was meant to rule. And you… you dare to unite creation and rule into one throne."
Kabir Rathore's eyes burned like smoldering coals. "You speak of an impossible path, boy. To command light and shadow together is to walk where no man has ever stood. Do you realize what you invite? Fear, rebellion, betrayal?"
Mukul did not flinch. "Yes. But if the world must bow, let it bow to one united order, not two warring thrones. The Eclipsed Sovereign Order will not erase your teachings—it will honor both. The Forge shall become the Hall of Creation. The Dominion, the Hall of Shadows. Two halls. One empire. One heir."
The Moment
The masters exchanged a long look. For decades, they had stood on opposite sides of destiny, shaping their students for different purposes. Now, their chosen disciple was demanding something even they had never envisioned.
Finally, Aditya Varma placed his hand on Mukul's shoulder. "If you dare to build it, I will stand behind you."
Kabir Rathore gave a low growl—half warning, half acceptance. "Do not fail us, boy. If you fall, the world will be drowned in chaos."
Mukul exhaled, relief mixing with steel resolve. For the first time, he felt not crushed by the weight of two thrones—but empowered by the unity of one.