Empire Ascension: The Rise of the Fated One

Chapter 16: Mystery girl at Riverside(R-18+)

The next day, the military camp outside the fort was buzzing with activity. Soldiers were busy checking their gear and securing supplies for the journey to the capital. The atmosphere was a mix of organized chaos and focused energy.

Aditya watched with a sense of pride as he joined the ranks of the departing army. He felt a deep determination, knowing how crucial his role was in defending the empire.

By nightfall, the army set up camp by the riverside, the stars sparkling overhead. As the moon climbed high in the sky, Aditya found himself restless and unable to sleep. The stillness of the night beckoned him, and he decided to take a quiet walk to clear his mind. He slipped out of the camp, guided by the soft glow of the moon.

Bheem, still sound asleep, wasn't there to join him, so Aditya wandered alone. He followed the gentle murmur of a waterfall, the soothing sound drawing him closer. As he approached, the splashing water grew louder, and he felt a sense of calm wash over him.

Under the full moon's ethereal light, he stumbled upon a breathtaking scene. A mysterious woman wrapped in a white saree stood beneath the cascading waters, her figure illuminated by the moon's gentle caress. Her skin glowed with an otherworldly radiance, her form a mesmerizing dance of light and shadow.

From the looks of it she was of more or less, similar age with perfect body.

Aditya watched, captivated, as she played joyfully in the water, her laughter mingling with the gentle rush of the waterfall. He stayed at a respectful distance, not wanting to interrupt the serene moment. His heart raced with excitement and curiosity as he observed her from afar.

As the girl moved closer to the shore, Aditya caught a fleeting glimpse of her face, previously hidden by the blanket of mist that enveloped the area. Yet, even in the dim light, he could see the delicate curve of her lips, the sparkle of mischief in her eyes, a beautiful face that felt familiar but hard to recollect.

As the girl emerged from the mist, her figure revealed under the moonlit sky. Aditya's eyes followed the elegant lines of her body: the curve of her neck, the slope of her shoulders. The soft moonlight highlighted her slender waist and the subtle curve of her hips, hinting at the allure beneath her wet white saree. His gaze lingered on the gentle rise and fall of her perfectly round breasts, evident beneath the fabric, enhancing her feminine grace and beauty.

Aditya gulped as he watched the water droplets fell down from her lips down to her neck and then into the bluging curve of her cleavage, disappearing into the gentle slope of her slender waist.

Meanwhile, the splashes of water added a playful rhythm to the scene, echoing the joy evident in her carefree movements. And amidst it all, the melody of her humming, soft and sweet voice, floated throughout the air, captivating Aditya's senses and drawing him closer with each passing time.

Unable to resist the pull of curiosity, Aditya took a step closer, his gaze fixed on the captivating sight before him. But his footfall betrayed him as the rustle of dried leaves echoed through the night air. In an instant, the girl's head snapped up, her eyes widening in alarm.

Realizing he had been discovered, Aditya froze, his heart pounding in his chest. He called out to her, pleading for her to stay, but she was already out, her graceful form dashing into the darkness.

With a sigh of disappointment, Aditya watched her vanish into the night, her memory etched forever in his mind. He realized that his monster down there was already raging hard in excitement.

Aditya sighed for his loss of control of new body and headed back to his camp, bracing himself for yet another failed attempt at sleep.

**Next morning**

Emperor Hemu opts for a day of rest, commanding the army to engage in rigorous drills. He personally selects a small, elite brigade of cavalry under the leadership of Shadi Khan to accompany him on a hunting excursion.

'Damn! it hurts.'

Aditya struggled to keep pace during the morning drills after his prolonged training, his chest heaving with exertion as he attempted to lift the cumbersome bundles of wood for weightlifting exercises, which appeared rather strange to onlookers.

Raamya Sen, striding past with an air of superiority, couldn't help but smirk at Aditya's peculiar efforts, a sly grin playing at the corners of his lips.

'Just you wait! Once I get back to my previous self, we'll see who has the last laugh.'

Undeterred by Raamya's mocking gaze, Aditya pushed himself to the limit, determined to prove his worth despite his physical limitations. Sweat trickled down his brow as he labored under the weight of the wood, his muscles straining with the effort.

Though he longed to match the strength of his past timeline, Aditya knew that true strength lay not only in physical prowess but also in determination and resilience. Despite the significant improvements in his body, it was still just the tip of the iceberg compared to his former self.

As the morning wore on, Aditya's exhaustion reached its limit, his limbs weighed down by fatigue. With a sigh of defeat, he finally ceased his futile efforts and retreated to a nearby river for a refreshing bath.

Stripping off his sweat-soaked garments, he waded into the cool waters, the gentle lapping of the waves soothing his weary body. With each stroke, he felt the tension melting away, the water washing away the strain from his muscles.

As he bathed, Aditya couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, a sense of unease settling over him like a shroud.

'What was that? Anyone watching me?'

Glancing around nervously, he searched for any sign of the mysterious observer, but found nothing but the rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze.

'As if she would come and say hello to me. Forget it.'

Shaking off his unproved instincts, he continued bathing, determined not to let his imagination get the better of him.

After his bath, Aditya re-joined his companions for a leisurely stroll around the camp, the salutes of his fellow soldiers lifted his spirits.

Amira and Afzal regaled him with tales of their own exploits, laughter ringing out as they shared jokes and memories. Despite the rigors of army life, Aditya cherished these moments of camaraderie, the bonds of friendship forged in the crucible of adversity.

As the day wore on, Aditya found himself drawn to the training grounds once more, the lure of the sword calling out to him. Joining Jeetendar for a sparring session, he threw himself into the fray with renewed vigour, the clash of steel ringing out as he honed his skills with each precise strike.

Though his body ached with exertion, Aditya felt a sense of exhilaration coursing through his veins, the thrill of battle fuelling his determination.

As evening descended upon the camp, Aditya retired to his quarters, his body weary but his spirits buoyed by the day's accomplishments.

On his way back, Aditya overheard snippets of conversation among the guards. Their words hinted at a swift and decisive action by Emperor Hemu in Panipat, where the remnants of the Mughal rebellion were being rooted out by his cavalry.

With a sense of admiration, Aditya marvelled at the emperor's strategic prowess, acknowledging the importance of striking when the rebels least expected it. He silently praised Hemu's foresight and determination to maintain order in the empire, recognizing the significance of such decisive actions in times of unrest.

As he settled into bed, he found his thoughts drifting back to the events of the previous night as well as the day, the appearance of mystery girl and the possibility of the observer at the same river bank still lingering in his mind.

'Who was that person, and why he's been watched?'

'Was it the same girl from night, who came to confirm him?'

'Then why not meet him?'

The questions nagged at him, but for now, there were no answers, only the promise of another day dawning on the horizon.

Little did he know, this chance encounter would set into motion a series of events that would change the course of his life forever just like his past timeline.