Krishnapriya gripped a peculiar weapon—a long staff tipped with a sharp blade on one end and a heavy broadsword on the other. It was a strange, hybrid instrument of war, unlike anything Aryavardhan had encountered in his travels across Aryavarta. Yet, his expression remained unreadable, a faint, cryptic smile playing on his lips that only served to irritate his opponent further. With a defiant cry, Krishnapriya lunged. She vaulted into the air, bringing the bladed end of her staff down with the force of a falling star. Aryavardhan met the blow with a flick of his wrist, his sword clashing