Chapter 10: The Blood Legacy of the Smace

The Old Man's Revelation

The fire crackled in the dimly lit cave, casting long shadows on the jagged walls. Rishi sat across from the old man, his heart pounding as he waited for answers. The ancient figure, his face marked with deep lines of wisdom and sorrow, gazed into the flames.

"You are not the first to wield the Smace, Rishi," the old man began, his voice carrying the weight of centuries. "And you will not be the last. But whether you control it or it consumes you—that is yet to be seen."

Rishi clenched his fists. "Who are you?"

A slow, knowing smile spread across the man’s face. "I am Devdhar, the last keeper of the Smace’s true history. The guardian of its bloodline. And you… you are its next trial."

Rishi’s breath hitched. Trial? He had fought monsters, faced death, and unleashed power he didn’t understand. And yet, it had only been the beginning.

Devdhar continued, his eyes distant. "The Smace was not forged. It was born. Not of metal, but of something greater—blood and celestial fury. It has passed through the hands of many warriors, but only a few were able to harness its true strength. And among them… one name stands above all."

The Tragic Tale of Maharaj Rudraveer

The flames flickered as Devdhar spoke the name that sent a shiver down Rishi’s spine.

"Maharaj Rudraveer—the last true wielder of the Smace. The greatest warrior the world has ever known… and the man whose fate still haunts this blade."

Rishi leaned forward, his fingers tightening around the hilt of the Smace.

"Rudraveer was the first to unlock the final form of the Smace. He wielded its power with such mastery that he became unstoppable. Kingdoms trembled at his name. Enemies fled at the sight of him. His blade did not just strike—it devoured. He was feared, revered… and betrayed."

The cave fell silent. Rishi could almost hear the echoes of the past.

"The kings and warriors who once worshiped him grew afraid. 'A man with the power of the gods,' they whispered. 'What happens when he turns against us?' And so, they conspired."

Rishi’s jaw tightened. He knew what was coming.

"They lured him into a battle he could not win, setting upon him with treachery and deceit. And when he fell, bleeding, dying, the Smace absorbed his rage, his vengeance… and his soul."

A sudden chill ran through Rishi.

"His spirit became Rakhtastra—the cursed blood warrior. Now, every time the Smace drinks blood, a piece of his fury stirs. Every time you wield it, his power watches you, waiting to see if you are worthy… or if you will fall as he did."

Rishi swallowed hard. The weapon in his hands was not just a blade. It was a graveyard of warriors.

The Four Forms of the Smace

Devdhar leaned forward, his eyes burning with intensity.

"The Smace evolves through four stages. Each stage brings more power… but also more danger."

Golden Form – The first form, used by warriors before Rudraveer. It was powerful but limited, a mere shadow of what the Smace could become.

Light Blood Form – The blade awakens when wielded by the chosen one. It turns deep red, responding to its master.

Fire Blood Form – This is where the danger begins. When the wielder offers their own blood, the Smace turns fire-red, igniting with unmatched destruction. But the more blood it drinks, the stronger its hunger becomes. If overused, it will drain the wielder completely, leaving them a lifeless husk.

Crimson Ruby Form – The final form. The most stable and powerful state. In this form, the Smace no longer needs its wielder’s blood—it obeys their will. It can even absorb the blood of enemies, turning their strength against them. But to reach this form… one must undergo years of training, mastering not just strength, but control. Only those who can tame the Smace can unlock its true potential.

Rishi felt his pulse quicken. He had already tasted the third form in battle—and it had nearly consumed him. What if he wasn’t strong enough?

Devdhar’s voice turned grave. "If you do not learn to control it, Rishi… you will become another Rakhtastra. Another cursed soul, bound to the Smace forever."

The Path Forward

Rishi stood, his fists clenched. "Then teach me. Show me how to control it."

Devdhar chuckled softly. "You speak with courage, but training the body is easy. Training the will… that is where the true battle lies."

The old man gestured to the darkness beyond the cave. "Come, chosen one. Your true test begins now."

As Rishi stepped forward, a sudden shift in the air made his skin prickle. He turned sharply—someone was watching.

A shadow moved at the cave entrance.

Kaviraj.

He had returned. But something about him was… different. His presence felt darker, heavier.

And in his eyes, Rishi saw something unsettling.

Knowledge.

Secrets.

And perhaps… betrayal.