**Chapter: The Beginning of the Training**
The boys arrived early in the morning, and as soon as they reached, they all stood in a straight line. Then Akiri arrived and said, "If everyone is ready, then first of all we will have a race—from here to that jungle. Let us see who reaches there first before twelve o'clock. So everyone, get ready. One... two... three... start running!"
All the boys sprinted off towards the woods. Akiri stood back, observing the speed and movement of every boy closely. As soon as the clock struck twelve, all the boys returned together, panting and sweating.
After that, Akiri commanded, "Now, lift these filled balls and start doing sit-ups—anywhere between fifty to one hundred." All the boys began the exercise, and by evening, they were completely exhausted. Then Akiri said, "That is enough for today. We will meet again tomorrow."
All the boys returned to their homes, unaware that their training would last for many months. Little did they know that a great danger was about to fall upon their peaceful village.
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**Chapter: Day Two of Training**
On the second day, all the boys gathered at the same place again. This time, the training was focused on jumping—how high each of them could jump. Akiri had tied large stones on everyone's back.
The boys were shocked. "Why have you tied these stones to our backs?" they asked.
Akiri replied calmly, "This is the second stage of your training. Let us see who can jump the highest while carrying this burden."
All the boys tried their best. A few managed to lift themselves slightly off the ground, but most of them could not rise at all. Akiri told them, "Today, your training will be focused only on jumping until evening."
Gradually, the boys began to show progress, managing to lift themselves a little higher into the air. By evening, everyone was tired but more determined. Then they all dispersed and went home.
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**Chapter: Day Three - The Unexpected Challenge**
On the third day, when all the boys arrived, they saw five girls already present at the training ground. Akiri was standing with them, instructing them seriously, "No matter what happens, you must become strong."
Then she turned to the boys and said, "Today is your third training session. I have taught you two things already. You must use those skills now—to stop these five girls."
The boys were taken aback. "But you never taught us how to fight!" they protested.
Akiri looked at them and said, "Believe in yourselves first. You will be able to do it. Just pay attention and remember what I have taught."
And then the fight began.
The boys were stunned to see that the girls were trained in martial arts and kung fu. They tried to fight back, hitting the girls, but it was of little use. In the end, only two girls were slightly injured, while all the boys were either defeated or hurt.
Akiri clapped her hands and said, "Time is up! Listen, everyone. From now on, these girls will also be part of your group. Tomorrow will be the final training session for all."
Then everyone returned to their homes. Meanwhile, in a large room where ten people could sleep comfortably, bundles of wood were thrown for firewood.
That night, Akiri watched the villagers walking around, looking worn and worried. She realized how difficult life had become for them. Determined to act, she whispered to herself, "Tomorrow, I will do whatever needs to be done."
As night fell deeper, Akiri sat alone, thinking about the village. Suddenly, her head began to ache terribly, and sweat poured down her face. Visions from her past flickered through her mind and disappeared just as quickly.
"What is happening to me?" she wondered, gasping. "What were those images?"
Perhaps it was due to exhaustion. She laid down to rest, hoping sleep would calm her. By morning, she felt a little better and went to the training ground, where the boys and girls were already waiting.
"Madam, what kind of training will we have today?" they asked eagerly.
Akiri replied, "Today's task is to go to the forest and bring back at least one thousand strong, good-quality bamboos."
At her command, they all set off as the sun rose. They returned by evening, their hands filled with long bamboo sticks. The trip to the jungle taught them something important: that unity makes every task easier.
"Alone, I could only bring back one or four bamboos," said one of the boys, "but together we carried over two thousand!"
Akiri smiled and asked, "So, what did you all learn today?"
They shouted together, "There is strength in unity!"
"Now," Akiri continued, "cut these bamboos like this and make handcarts out of them."
Everyone was confused. "What kind of task is this?" they murmured. But they all got to work. By nightfall, they had made at least one hundred handcarts.
Akiri inspected the work and announced, "Your training is now complete. With these handcarts, you can now help the entire village. It will no longer be difficult for the farmers to carry their goods across long distances."
"But there is one thing left," she added. "I will give it to you after one week. Until then, use these rickshaws and continue to increase your strength and stamina. The more you use them, the stronger you will become."
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**Chapter: A New Beginning... Or a New Threat?**
The whole village was now moving with rickshaws, and even Kali, the blacksmith, who rarely stepped out, had started going to nearby towns. Soon, a small business began to flourish in the village.
One day, two unknown men arrived in a rickshaw and asked to meet Akiri. They said, "We are from Eid country. We have come here to do business. Please grant us permission."
Akiri eyed them carefully and said, "First, tell me what kind of business this is."
The two men showed her their project and said, "Every year, we search for poor and scattered villages like this one. We then help improve them by setting up camps. But since progress has already started here, we wish to expand this development through our company. For that, we need your permission."
Akiri thought for a moment and then replied, "You have permission to do business—but only under one condition. No one in this village should be harmed because of your work. If I find out that your business is causing problems or losses to the villagers, your permission will be cancelled immediately, and you will be expelled from the village."
The men nodded in agreement.
"Then go," Akiri said firmly. "Expand your business. Good luck."
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**What will happen next?**
What trouble is about to come to the village?
Have these two strangers really come to help—or do they have something else in mind?
Are they truly honest... or hiding a secret?
*To be continued...*