Author's Notes:

One of the first shorts of the main story. Read Chp 31 first.


Kamala was raised by loving parents, though not sharing the same blood with them, she was treated as their own. And for that, she had no qualms in hunting for their meal every day for the rest of her life. Her mother tried to get her to do painting thangkas or hand-embroidery but her large hands proved too clumsy to do such delicate needlework.

Like any parent, they were worried about their child's future. Though Kamala never put much thought in it other than to get by everyday selling the hides of the animals she hunted and preserving the gamey meat for supper.

She had been set up for an arranged marriage once, but it went poorly as she was unable to do what most women were expected to do in a traditional society that was prominent in the large towns of Banapur and Tirtha. It set her out as a poor choice in all other arrangements till she and her parents finally gave up. They were content as long as she was content, she was could not be more fortunate to have such understanding parents.

Golden Path presence within the town of Tirtha had increased considerably since the disastrous attempt to assault the North from a fortress in the Uttar region known as Ratu Gadhi. Kamala's idol, Amita went into a self-imposed exile because of it. Things were really shaking up for the Golden Path especially as that fortress was their first time entering the North safely and it was now lost to them.

The Golden Path started to step up its recruitment in the small towns including Tirtha despite its proximity to the City of Pain. They were planning for something big, she and her parents could feel it. And it would affect their livelihood for the rest of their lives.

Kamala opted to do the thing she knew her parents would fervently refuse her, she joined the Golden Path. Initially the were resistant to the idea, but seeing her determination at doing something she felt right, they gave her their blessing and prayer of safety.

Hoping on the truck that took her to train in the golden path recruitment depot camp just West of their position. Kamala had aspiration in joining the Golden Path, one was to meet with Amita, the tigress of Banapur. Like many of the women before her, Amita was one of the rare occasions that the Golden Path included women into a combat role for their cause. When she joined, she became a rising star that made many of the stagnant men fear her rise would bring about changes within the Golden Path's ways and of her ambition.

So they resisted her and applied pressure, but the more they did the more she pushed back until she became one of the twin heads of the leadership within the Golden Path. Her faction did not hold women exclusively, there were also men and seasoned field commanders that bought into her ideals for a prosperous Kyrat that shared its bounties with everyone.

Kamala trained with high hopes of being placed in an active combat vocation in order to meet her hero, but was sadly let down when she was posted as a guard garrisoned in Banapur. There weren't many opportunities when you were in one of the supposedly safest places in the Golden Path, De Pleur rarely engaged any forces near that town also. But she didn't let this stop her from doing her best in her job. While she wasn't sent to the front, her diligence in duty helped assure those that went on patrols that their families and comrades were left in capable hands.

Such a day came when Sabal had taken provisional control over the Golden Path in Amita's absence and planned a major all-out assault on King's Bridge to rid the Royal Army presence in Pacchim Valley where they resided. Sabal had the help of some foreigners whom were providing him with material that was essential in breaking through. A Chinese arms dealer whom the rumors state had defected from Pagan's side to aid them. And an American intelligence agent that was supplying military-grade hardware aside from simple firearms, like heavy mortars and armored vehicles.

Many of her colleagues attained a transfer to join the upcoming assault, she applied as well but was turned down as she had only just joined her unit. It was just not her hour yet.

Then the news came one day that the Army that was assembled was reduced to shambles under a day by a man under Pagan's employ know that day as the Northern Demon, Badala. The airport was lost to them, the army of two thousand five hundred was brought down to a pitiful two hundred that escaped. Even then, most the survivors had great difficulty recovering from the trauma.

Because the opposing force merely consisted of under two hundred soldiers and one dangerous monster that wore an iron mask that resembled the Demon God Yalung. It was the greatest disaster that the Golden Path sustained despite the assistance they received and it only served to elevate Badala's infamy with the Golden Path and prominence with the Royal Army later on.

This change made her feel fortunate not to have been allowed to join the frontline because of her lack of experience. Things became more hectic within Banapur as there was a severe lack in manpower now. On the bright side, Amita had returned to handle the matters. She was probably feeling consolation due to Sabal's equally terrible operation. Unfortunately, she yet again did not have the opportunity to meet or speak with her.

But it was all about to change on that fateful day.


One minute, everything was peaceful and the next, helicopters bearing the mark of the dreaded Royal Guards loitered about the tiled roofs of the houses deploying men on the ground. Her unit that guarded Banapur was caught unawares and hurried around to pick their weapons or regrouping with their squads. The Royal Guards took this time to pick them off one at a time, while not sustaining a single casualty of their own. It was all too frightening, but what of the people. Kamala turned to look at the people cowering behind their doors and windows hoping someone would protect them. They were unarmed and helpless, the only thing standing between them and torture and interrogation was the Golden Path fighters. She was a Golden Path fighter, so she had the obligation to go between them.

She found a group interrogating a juvenile on the location of the Golden Path and its leader Sabal. Kamala took aim and shot at one of them down which drew their attention immediately, when she tried to shoot another they went into a firing maneuver she'd seen for the first time. Kamala was instantly forced into a corner and all she could to was fire full auto to keep them at bay. But then her ammunition ran dry and the converged on her.

One struck her in the back with his rifle bringing her to her knees, then the beating began. They weren't satisfied with merely killing her so they wanted to feel the full consequence of killing their comrade and opposing them. Then one of the soldiers spotted something behind her heavy clothing that the others have failed to notice. Her status as a woman, they quickly changed their idea of torturing her to raping her as they playfully tore her top off and wrestled with one another for the first go.

Never in her life did she experience something so traumatic, even though she had yet to have her virtue sullied by them, it was only a matter of time.

Kamala didn't hope for anything to deliver her from this fate sealed in stone, but it came in a blink of an eye smashing that stone into rubble. The Royal Guardsmen that desired to toy with her died in an instant around a handsome young man with cold chilling eyes. He took off his jacket which made his movement alarming to her but then threw the jacket over her shoulders to cover her exposed skin.

"Ah-…." She barely had time to respond as he darted off in the direction of more Royal Guard squads obscured by the burning smoke from the buildings set aflame. Then the sounds of slaughter took to the streets as the screams of soldiers dying and running afraid came resounding through them for all to hear.

There was a megaphone attached to the loitering helicopter above them demanding the surrender of the Golden Path members to the Royal Guard by the speaker who happened to be Sugun Hamal. A prominent member in the Kyrati Elitists who held the position as the Chief of the Royal Guard. The helicopter suddenly exploded and the wreck fell into the fields, jumping off the rooftop was that man holding a smoking launcher which likely took down the chopper holding Sugun Hamal.

Kamala tried to correct herself in expressing her gratitude but a scream caught their attention and he was on the move again, like some automaton moving with efficiency and grace. He dropped the rocket launcher in her hands for some reason, but she carried it seeing he needed it for later.

Out of the burning building came that man once more, but this time he held Bhadra. The girl herald as the next Tarun Matara, Amita had kept her close as she felt Sabal might manipulate her from the back.

The Golden Path reinforcements arrived just as the flames had settled and to a mass of Royal Guard bodies been dispatched with lethal precision.

The villagers made it clear that this man was responsible for singlehandedly killing all of the Royal Guards, which made the commanders look at him as if he was a monster with a dashing face. Sabal, Amita and Bhadra who was saved by him showed no indication of being disturbed by this fact. Later some fighter came reporting the death of Sugun Hamal.

And that was when things were out of her expectation. The man pointed to her and everyone had the idea that it was she that took care of the arrogant toad because of the launcher that was placed in her arms by the man. Sabal led her around, introducing her to the senior members of the Golden Path and held talks about promoting her. Kamala wanted to point out that it wasn't her as much as she was ashamed to say it amongst an entire cohort of the old guard veterans that she was a hoax. But she wondered why he, Soren had passed the credit to her intentionally.

She decided to accept it and promise to herself she would uphold this grace that was given to her by a fellow comrade. She'd do everything to make sure he was taken care of, and to do that she had to make him her subordinate. And so she did, when Sabal bestowed onto her the rank of sector leader, which was the equivalent of a Captain in the Royal Army she requested for Soren to join her. Sabal had no qualms as he figured if he was under her command he wouldn't have any problems as Soren had shown clearly he didn't like Sabal.

It became clear on their first meeting since the attack when he was posted to her squad that the young man was in fact mute. Kamala found this to be a shame as he really looked handsome and had a calm cold demeanor which was popular among some ladies. Soren didn't seem bothered by this as he had his American friend Hurk and his smartphone to communicate on his behalf.

Kamala was stuck to patrol duties like before, but this time it was different, not only was the place she covered broader but she had a secondary duty which was to interact with the people.

She had become something of a superstar amongst the populous for slaying the second most disgusting person in Kyrat, first place belonged to De Pleur. Sugun Hamal was alledgedly responsible for razing a village once just on a whim. Not even Pagan was as random and as willful as him, although he was still the most ruthless in all of Kyrat. It became known throughout Kyrat that a young rookie had vanquished that nightmare once and for all. And it was invigorating to read the articles that glorified her in the front column.

Her parents had sent her a letter to tell her how worried they were that she had been in that attack and pushed herself beyond to kill that dreadful man. So to assure them she wrote back. "I had a guardian angel watching over me, I hope someday I could show him to you, wish me luck."

On one occasion she caught, Soren lazing in the fields with Bhadra. That girl seemed to form a connection with him that was quite unique. Honestly, watching them laugh together from afar made her feel a bit lonely so she crashed their conversation. But was welcomed in, this was a surprise to her and she didn't know how to explain it but it was heartwarming.

Kamala did find it strange that Soren had never pursued advancement within the ranks of the Golden Path despite his incredible prowess in combat that made him herald as the Golden Path's answer to the Northern Demon. But she never asked him, it didn't seem like he had the intention to do so either which suited her fine if he didn't have to leave. There were tons of Field Commanders besides Sabal that wanted him on their team but he kindly refused all of them and neither took part in high level meetings. Soren once wrote to her said that it was his limitation of speech that was part of the reason he chose to stay a grunt. "What was the rest?"

His answer.

-I won't find another kind Commander like you, again.-

Kamala couldn't help but turn away and blush, it was the first time someone had given her an honest compliment and proved it with their action. He was his loyalty in remaining in her unit.

Despite the limit of speech, it didn't mean he wasn't talkative. His smartphone help make things easy to say the things he wanted to say. He was also said things that were quite funny and charming at the same time. Every day was a fun and exciting day, she wished it would continue on forever.

Until the day of the coup de tat.

-I'm leaving.-

He said to her upon her treat to a meal one day. Kamala felt like her dream was falling apart, shattering like a mirror. She begged him to explain why he was doing so, was it to do with her poor leadership skills? He shook his head and wrote that it was the case and said…

-My very existence is a lie..- He told her, she didn't understand at all. If Soren wasn't his real name, did that matter? It didn't to her.

- I've enjoyed our time together….. I have a mission to accomplish, I hope I'll be able to see you again after this civil war. And not during it. Farewell.- He left these words for her as he got up and left. As she called out to him, he kept going until he was too far away to reach. There was a mountain of emotions Kamala was experiencing at that moment, but the most prominent, the most painful was her sorrow. She'd lost the only friend she had that accepted her for whom she was but she had also missed her chance to admit that she loved him.


While dealing with her pain, the coup had come into effect and Sabal seized control while Amita was away on business at the Brick Factory. An officer approached her demanding the location of Soren and Bhadra, she didn't know what he was saying. Then he disclosed that Soren had taken her to seek refuge in an unknown location. Kamala did what her heart told her to do, and that was to run, to run as fast as she could. For half a day, she ran out of Banapur in the direction of Shanath hoping to mix with the crowd. Instead she was saved by Amita's loyalists. Being brought before Amita, she realized that her initial life dream had been accomplished. But that was then, now, she felt empty and alone.

Amita proposed to offer her asylum in return for keeping up the façade that she was the hero that vanquished Sugun Hamal. It appeared that the truth could not pass her shrewd eyes, but all she wanted in return was her to act the part of a hero.

Baghadur fell the same day, they had sustained a significant loss but now they had a place to hold out and support their other outposts that had been liberated by her party or remained loyal to Amita. The inner sanctum was strangely therapeutic and almost had a woman's touch to the interior décor which made her wonder, what sort of person Noore Najjar was?

Work was not easy in the stronghold but it was rewarding to know that they were saving lives of their comrades by holding the stronghold and attending to wounded fighters at a moment's notice. She made regular trips to the newly erected refugee camps that held civilians that were mistreated and seeking asylum with them. Showing her face had a significant effect on them that even she didn't anticipate. Kamala's existence became something akin to a saint in respects to women in the South. Most of the refugees took up arms under Amita's banner because of Kamala.

It was all to Amita's benefit as it help replenish the losses sustained in the siege of the stronghold and of the incessant attacks received from the Golden Path. But now they were facing a more pressing problem, they weren't short on manpower but they had depleted all of their medical supplies and weapons and ammo were running dry. Soon, Sabal would come and have himself an easy victory over helpless refugees and remnant forces. Amita and the field commanders were left with a very difficult decision, they sought a truce with the Royal army. An envoy was sent to the nearby Army-controlled airport to have them relay the message to the General.

Within three days, a response came that a diplomat and relief supplies was on route to their location that morning. They sighed in relief that their group would live to die another day. But they were all being too wishful in their thinking. Because the one that stepped out of the vehicle acting as a diplomat was none other than Badala, the Northern Demon of Kyrat.

It made everyone nervous beyond belief. Some had encountered Badala before and cowered in fear within the many rooms, others came out curious of his appearance. This was the first time seeing him for Kamala and yet…. She had the strangest feeling from seeing him. It felt like she knew him and yet didn't.

Everyone knew how shrewd a businesswoman Amita was and yet Badala had been dictating the flow of the entire conversation. But it wasn't to their disadvantage at all, he gave them a new meaning to pursue. Out of mere words and their action, he created the Mukti Tigers. The freedom fighters who sought peace and liberation from social restriction, seeking the welfare of everyone. He left with his blessing and provisions promised to them. As he was about to leave, Kamala realized something.

She had asked everyone that came from all corners of Pacchim valley, she'd even gone on patrols as far as King's Bridge but Soren and Bhadra were nowhere to be found. They wouldn't stay south where De Pleur and his cutthroats were or anywhere near Banapur so the only option was North. She had covered the entire Pacchim Valley but there were no other possible locations, except across King's Bridge.

She risked it knowing that if she succeeded there might be a clue to their location.

"I'm looking for a friend of mine, he went escaped on the day coup with a girl. His name was Soren and here had a speech disability. I've been searching all over for them but couldn't find them anywhere in the valley, except across King's Bridge. He can speak through text but even then he's extremely reserved in his speech. I think he might have joined the Army there to support each other there and would likely be well known for his combat prowess. Please, if you have any info on him please let me know! I'm Kamala by the way!" She said.

She knew she was asking a lot from the person that no one would dare ask of but she was willing to do it to find them, to find him.

"I think I may have heard of him. He's doing fine, in an admin job in my domain. Bhadra's alright as well. So rest be assured nothing has happened to them. Take care Kamala." Was the young lord's response. Kamala sighed in relief as she heard the most fortunate news since she came to Baghadur but then she realized something important from his answer. She had never said it was Bhadra, if Soren was in the Uttar Region he would also avoid letting people know the Tarun Matara was there for fear the King might dispatch men to capture or kill her. But he said her name so brazenly and that she was alright and safe.

-Could it be? No! It couldn't be-…-

Kamala started to make sense of the conversations she had with Soren. He was on a mission, that's why he left. His monstrous strength, his stunning intellect and that ill sense of humor. It all match one person in the entirety of Kyrat.

Soren was Badala, the Vice-Lord of Kyrat.

Over the course of the week she had difficulty accepting it, Kamala even cried for the unfairness of her situation at times by herself and out of sight. The disparity between them was so great. If they weren't enemies, she was a mere foot-soldier and he was a noble of Kyrat. She didn't even have traits that was acceptable for being a partner to anyone below an average level. She was clumsy as well, she couldn't do things without some memory or writing it down. Even though she had achieved what she longed for as a young adult she was not satisfied. The things she wanted were now something else entirely.

-Goddess Kyra, I pray that you will help me achieve my new wish. Give me a chance to convey my feelings to Soren. And perhaps, Let me be with Soren.-

That night, Kamala was unaware that her prayer was accepted, but at a twist.

The Golden Path came to attack them again, this time they brought a sizable force that Amita had been monitoring for the past three days. They secretly set traps to their advantage and hoped that the Royal Army Dragoons would come on time.

They battled for almost thirty minutes, but it was the longest thirty minutes of her life. The alarm was only rung when Amita felt that the force stood a chance of overrunning the stronghold so they had to wait twenty minutes within the thirty. It was a close battle one that push them to the very steps towards the inner sanctum. Then, a terrifying nightmare that rivaled that of Badala came in the form of a misleading appearance of a foreigner. At first they didn't take him seriously but then it became a horrifying scenario that locked them in place as he advanced the steps. Kamala in the heat of the moment tried to break the stalemate but did not anticipate his ready position.

Her fate was sealed yet again, or so she thought when the people that seemed to break her doomed fate yet again arrived.

Badala had come.

He immediately locked into combat with the foreigner and seemed to be losing out in speed and ferocity but gained the advantage through cunning and more powerful blows. His fighting reminded her of when he had rescued her from certain death and defiling by the Royal guards, and again from her own clumsiness at an outpost. He was here right now, right there and she still couldn't do anything, still couldn't open her mouth to say a word.

The foreigner was lying on the floor exhausted, Badala ordered the remainder of the golden path arrested instead of killing them. Kamala smiled, it was so like him. But her smile turned to horror as she spotted Sabal lining a straight shot towards Badala with his back turned to him.

The person that time and time again changed her limited fate, the person that gave her new things to look forward to. The one that had given her so much was about to have his live taken from him. She was the first to see this and the only one with the quickness to react, there was only one thing she could think of to prevent his death. Even if it meant she would never she him again, Kamala did it.

(Bang) The malicious shot ripped through Kamala's torso like paper, all of her strength faded in an instant as she fell stump against his torso and stained it with her blood.

She felt giddy, and there were loud muffled noises of people running about and a firefight happening once more. She was lowered onto the steps and given immediate medical attention.

She could hear him call her name out constant to keep her waning consciousness awake.

"Soren."

"It's me, just save your strength for later!"

"Soren."

"I'm here! Look, it's me!" He took off the mask revealing his face, one that Kamala recalled fondly of. She reached up to feel it to know she wasn't dreaming. Then he said the words she never dreamt she'd hear from him.

"Kamala Malla, my dearest friend. Will you come back with me?"

-Thank you, Kyra. I understand the price for my most fondest of wishes.-

She was sure he was aware of her situation so she wanted to confirm with him, but he stubbornly denied it and demanded that she hold on.

"NO! I refuse! You're not allowed to go!" When tears started to flow from his eyes, it said everything.

"….. Who would've thought the legendary northern demon could shed tears for an enemy." Ajay held her hand.

"You were never my enemy to begin with, you are the dearest companion I've ever had, you never once judged me for who I was nor where I came from!... I should never have let you stay in Banapur…. Stay in Baghadur!"

Kamala smiled faintly, she never knew that he had considered her since such a long time ago. She really didn't think anyone would want her and yet he was telling her this at this hour of her life.

-I've truly paid a heavy price, but it was worth every moment.-

"Kamala, hang on!"

"I want you to remember… this isn't your fault." -Don't blame yourself.-

"I'm ready….. Kyra has granted me my final wish."

"I'm not!"

"Listen Soren-."

"Ajay! It's Ajay!"

-Ajay?... Ajay Ghale?... Ha! What a twist of events?... But still—

"You'll forever be my Soren, the one I hold dearest to my heart….. the one I love."

"I don't want your love, I just want you to live happily!"

"I am, even if it's the shortest span of me doing so… I'm so glad I got to tell you my feelings, so grateful for all you've done for a clumsy ditz like me. Live in place of me, and remember that I'll always be watching over you….."

"Kamala?"

"My dearest…..my… beloved…."

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-Soren-

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-Return to me. Child.-


Author's notes: -ATTENTION!-

Site wide problem with missing reviews, been this way since 24th Sept. Admin working on the problem at hand as we speak but as it stands, as of 27th Sept there is no change yet.

I would very much like to read your reviews but i can't because i can't seen anything pass 23th Sept.

(Update)

Error fixed as of 28th Sept. I can see them now! Whoop Whoop!