Tranav - Chapter 1

 TRANAV NOVEL

(Malikat Bloodline) 

CHAPTER 1

Birth of Immortals

 

3002 BCE,

"We must send her somewhere safe," gasped Darasur, the Rakshasa king of Lanka, as he took his final breaths. The humans had launched a devastating attack on the Rakshasa kingdom of Lanka, with the mission of wiping out the entire Rakshasa race, sparing no man, woman, or child. Everywhere lay drenched in blood and strewn with lifeless bodies, and chaos and death reigned supreme. It was the largest battle ever fought, with human kings forming alliances and attacking Lanka en masse. Given the sheer numbers of the humans, the Rakshasas were losing the battle, and their very existence seemed on the brink of extinction. King Darasur whose kingdom have fallen his last desire wanted to save his daughter.

"I'm not sure how you'll manage it, but she has to leave this place safely," the king implored.

"Do not worry, Your Majesty. Everything is prepared according to plan. I swear on my life that I will protect Princess with all I have. I will take her to safety, far from this land of darkness," declared one of his most trusted ministers, Hemadri, who was also the king's cousin and loved Princess Vishsha as his own.

Vishsha, a 19-year-old young woman, entered the room with her mother. Seeing her father in such a dire state, she felt her heart shatter. She approached her father, who lay on his deathbed, his body covered in blood and wounds. Tears streamed down her face as she looked at her father, and he smiled weakly at her, saying, "My sweet little princess. Lanka is under attack. Humans have breached our kingdom, and your brother... your brother is dead."

The news of her brother's death left Vishsha and her mother in tears of grief. King Alambusa, looking at his daughter, spoke, "You've been brave, my child. You have to promise me something. You will go with Uncle Hemadri. You must survive... for me, for your mother."

"Why are you saying this?" Vishsha protested.

The queen, her voice trembling but resolute, wiped away her tears and said to her daughter, "Vishsha, your baba is right. You must leave this place. Escape and save yourself. Our kingdom has fallen, and there is nothing more we can do here."

Tears welled up in Vishsha's eyes as she clung to her parents' hands. "No, I cannot leave you both. I won't abandon you or our people. I have powers; I can stop them," Vishsha refused to leave her family and kingdom.

King Alambusa said, "I know, my child, you are a brave soul, but we cannot be saved now. Our entire army is gone, and only a few remain, holding their breath to buy us this time. Promise me you will take care of yourself. You must go, for us, for our entire Rakshasa race. You must go and protect yourself."

Hemadri urged the king that they must leave immediately. The soldiers could not hold the enemy off any longer; time was running out. Vishsha continued to resist, but as she realized the gravity of the situation, she finally nodded with tears in her eyes. She kissed her father's forehead and embraced her mother, taking in their familiar scents one last time.

When the human general received word that the princess was escaping through a secret route, he and a few of his soldiers set off to capture her. As Princess Vishsha, Hemadri, and a handful of Rakshasa soldiers made their way to the water's edge, attempting to flee by sea, they spotted the general and his army approaching in their direction. Dhurya hurriedly placed Vishsha on a ship and assigned two guards to protect her, instructing them to set sail without delay. While he stood there to stop the enemy army. He looked at her one final time, his eyes brimming with tears, and said, "Take care, child." Vishsha gazed back at her uncle, her face wet with tears, in their last shared moment before the ship carried her away from the kingdom she loved.

…

Vishsha sprinted through the dense woods, terror coursing through her veins, as if death itself were hot on her heels. She felt a haunting presence, the sensation of being relentlessly pursued. A furtive glance backward revealed four ominous figures relentlessly pursuing her, brandishing weapons. Fear etched across her face, tears welled in her eyes.

Amidst the trees, a hooded man nimbly traversed from one branch to another. His movements exuded the grace of a seasoned hunter, powered by a sinewy, muscular physique. He appeared adept in the art of stealth and agility.

Exhaustion finally overcame Vishsha; she stumbled and fell to the ground. Struggling to regain her footing, she barely managed to take refuge beneath the sheltering branches of a nearby tree. As she peered back, the pursuers halted. One among them remarked, "Search this area; she must be close." Panic surged within Vishsha; her body bore the marks of her ordeal, blood and scars marring her form. Realizing that she can’t escape now, she surrendered.

There was a one locket she was wearing, she hold it tight and began to chant

“Om Namah Shivya!”

Her desperate please to Lord Shiva for protection echoed through the woods, her breaths shallow.

One of the men drew near the tree behind which she hid.

"Om Namah Shivya!" she continued, her voice growing faint. She pull two small daggers from her pocket.

Before she was about to attack, a hand covered her mouth, swiftly pulling her upright. It was the hooded man, his grip firm yet surprisingly gentle. He restrained her from making a sound. Fear still tinged her eyes, but she felt strangely drawn to him. She stared into his eyes as a calmness washed over her. Fatigue overcame her; she began to drift into unconsciousness, her eyes fluttering shut.

"I think she fled in that direction," one of the men called out, and the four pursuers hurried away.

The hooded man gazed down at her, offering a reassuring smile. "They're gone now; you're safe," he said, his hand still resting on her mouth. Realizing, he quickly withdrew it. However, Vishsha had already succumbed to unconsciousness in his arms.

…

The hooded man guided Vishsha to his treehouse, a cosy abode with an adjoining kitchen and a single room where she lay unconscious. She awoke suddenly, startled.

"Hey, you're awake! Are you okay?" the man, whose name was Sudha, inquired. "You were knocked out unconscious, so I brought you here."

"Who are you?" Vishsha asked, her voice trembling with fear, clutching a small wooden stick defensively.

"No, no, I have no intention of harming you, if i wanted to hurt you i would have never bring you’re here. But those people who were after you, who were they?" Sudha asked, trying to reassure her.

Vishsha remained silent, her fear evident. Sudha decided to change the subject. "Alright, we can talk later. First, you should eat something. You look weak."

He placed a bowl of soup with some fruits in front of her. She hesitated for a moment, suspicion in her eyes. "Don't worry, I didn't mix anything in that," Sudha assured her as he took a sip himself. "See, it is just soup. You need it."

Vishsha cautiously took a spoon and started eating. Her hunger was apparent; she devoured the food as if she hadn't eaten for days. Sudha watched her eat, a warm smile on his face. He couldn't help but be drawn to her, captivated by her deep black eyes, her flowing hair, and the aura of purity that seemed to emanate from her, like a Apsara from Swarg.

"What could have happened to her? How could anyone try to harm such a beautiful soul?"

Trying to make conversation, Sudha said, "I understand you're scared, but trust me, nothing will happen to you here. No one will harm you; I promise. You can stay here as long as you want."

"Thank you," replied Vishsha, a hint of relief in her voice. "But I don't think you'll keep me here if I tell you who I really am."

"Rakshash or Yaksh?" Sudha inquired.

Vishsha was taken aback, her eyes wide with shock.

"I mean, isn't it obvious? Your scars healed incredibly fast. When I found you initially, you were covered in scars and blood, but now they're completely gone, as if they were never there."

Vishsha was frightened. She stammered, "A..."

"Don't worry. I promised you no one will harm you here; trust me. I was always against the decision that humans made. I mean, the whole world was living in peace, and suddenly the human kings decided to kill everyone, even the innocent ones."

Relieved, Vishsha confessed, "Vishsha, my name is Vishsha" she knew that she can trust him.

Sudha smiled upon hearing her name. "I'm Sudha."

"I am the daughter of Darasur."

"What? You mean the King of Lanka, which means you're a princess."

Vishsha nodded sadly. "Not anymore. My entire city has been destroyed. My maa Baba, brothers, sisters, friends, my entire people are dead."

Sudha empathized with her; he could see the pain in her eyes. He knew the feeling of being orphaned, having lost his parents when he was just a 13-year-old boy. He left the village and ventured into the woods, where he built his house on and lived alone. He became a hunter to sustain himself. Now, he looked at Vishsha, feeling her pain.

"You can stay here if you want," Sudha offered with a warm smile. "I know it's not like your kingdom, but you'll be safe here."

Vishsha nodded, a grateful smile on her face. "Thank you."

…

On a bright sunny day, Sudha returned home holding a rabbit he had hunted. Six months had passed since Vishsha had found shelter with Sudha. Upon entering the house, he discovered Vishsha busy cooking. She greeted him with a wide smile. "Hi!"

Sudha replied with an equally broad smile, "My lady."

Vishsha approached him and hugged him tightly. Sudha, setting down his catch, put his arm around her shoulder, smiled, and asked, "What happened?"

Vishsha replied, "Nothing. I just missed you."

"I missed you too," Sudha said, returning her hug warmly.

Over time, they grew closer to each other, eventually living together as a married couple. A couple of days ago, Sudha had proposed to Vishsha, asking her to marry him. Knowing that Sudha was the only person she could trust in this world, Vishsha had fallen in love with him. Sudha had taught her his hunting skills, and to his surprise, she was already a skilled hunter. They practiced combat together, danced, and sang. They were perfect for each other, like the moon with its stars.

"What's that smell?" Sudha asked.

"Oh, God! I totally forgot I made Suji ka Halwa for you. My mom taught me that dish. When I was a kid, I used to eat it all the time. I think it’s ready now," Vishsha explained.

(Suji is a type of halvah made by toasting common-wheat semolina in a fat like ghee or oil, and adding a sweetener like sugar syrup or honey)

"Really! Then I should eat that right away."

"Yes, sure, but first you should take a bath. The smell of dead meat is all over you."

"What? I'm totally clean. I want to eat now."

"Don't be such a kid. Go wash yourself first."

"Yeah, then make me," Sudha teased and moved closer to the Halwa pot.

Vishsha, however, didn't budge from her spot. Just as Sudha was about to touch the pot, a tree branch shaped like a hand suddenly pulled him back to her.

Vishsha had the power to control trees, a gift from her mother's side, as she was half Yaksh. Her father, King Darasur, was a Rakshash, but her mother, Nisarga, was a Yaksh. This unique lineage gave her abilities, and it also explained why she appeared human. Sudha had always cautioned her not to use her powers in public, as it could be dangerous if others found out.

"You know you can't win against me," Vishsha said with a proud smile.

"Hmm, that might be true, but I can do this," Sudha replied, pulling her closer and kissing her forehead. "I've always wanted to ask you, but never got the chance," he continued. "Why didn't you use your power that day?"

Vishsha smiled sadly. "I've asked myself the same question. I don't know, but that day my power wasn't working. It had never happened before. It felt like God had abandoned me, like He didn't care. I was sure it was my last day. But when He sent you, I realized that God had a better plan for me. If I power would have worked that day, I would have never met you."

Sudha didn't say anything. Instead, he gently held her neck, brought his lips close to hers, and kissed her. He then smiled and said, "Then I should thank God for sending this Apsara into my life." Vishsha smiled back, tears of joy in her eyes, and kissed him in return.

"Go get fresh now; I'll prepare a dish," Vishsha said.

"As you wish, your highness," Sudha replied.

Both burst into laughter, their happiness filling the air.

…

Eight years had passed. Once, Sudha ventured into the woods for a hunting trip. While searching for his prey, he came across a Sage meditating beneath an ancient tree.

Tapasya, a form of spiritual discipline involving self-regulation, simplicity, and self-purification, was what the Sage was engaged in. Disrupting a Sage during Tapasya was generally considered inauspicious and even dangerous, as angering a Sage could lead to being cursed. Sudha respectfully bowed his head to the Sage and continued forward, making sure not to disturb the Sage's meditation.

Sudha climbed a tree and patiently awaited his prey. He spotted a deer approaching a nearby river to drink. He aimed carefully and released an arrow, but to his astonishment, the deer sensed the danger and bolted.

"What in the world just happened? How could I miss? This hasn't occurred in decades. Well, it must be the deer's lucky day. The sun is setting; I should head home. Vishsha must be waiting for me. I'll try hunting again tomorrow."

On his way back, Sudha noticed that the Sage was still in meditation. He continued walking, but suddenly, he heard a rustling noise from the bushes. He stopped and turned to see a wolf preparing to attack the Sage. Sudha became alarmed.

"What on earth? The Sage is about to be attacked. His life is in danger. I have to do something, but need to be cautious not to disrupt the Sage's Tapasya."

Sudha swiftly took aim with his bow and arrow. "This time, I can't afford to miss."

The wolf approached, took a leap toward the Sage, but just as it was about to strike, an arrow struck its neck, and it collapsed in front of the Sage. The Sage opened his eyes and observed the wolf with an arrow lodged in its neck. Sudha approached and said, "I apologize, Munivar. I had no intention of disturbing your meditation, but when I saw the beast about to attack you, I had no choice but to defend you."

The Sage calmly smiled at Sudha and replied, "Do not apologize, my son. You saved my life, and for that, I am grateful." He bowed to Sudha in the Namaste gesture and said, "Thank you, my child."

"Please, Munivar," Sudha was shocked that the Sage was bowing before him. It seemed contrary to his Dharma.

"Respecting others, my son, is never against our Dharma, regardless of whether they are greater or lesser than us. Respect should come from the heart."

"Did the Munivar just read my thoughts?"

The Sage smiled and introduced himself, "You may call me Dhurvha. You saved my life, so ask for whatever you wish."

Sudha was astonished upon hearing the name Dhurvha. He had heard stories of the great Sage Dhurvha, one of the most revered Sages of his time. Sudha lowered himself to the ground, touching the Sage's feet.

"It is the greatest honour of my life to meet you, oh great Sage. I have heard tales of your greatness, my lord. I never imagined I would be so blessed as to meet you."

Dhurvha smiled. "Please, do not embarrass me. Ask for whatever you desire, my son."

"I am sorry, my lord. I saved you because it was my Dharma. I do not wish for anything more. God has already blessed me with everything I need. I have a beautiful wife, and soon we will be blessed with the gift of a child. I have my own family now. There is nothing more I could wish for; I only seek your blessings."

Dhurvha smiled and blessed him, saying, "May all be auspicious." Before Sudha departed, the Sage provided him with the address of his ashram and told him, "You may come anytime if you need my assistance. If you find all other doors in life closed, remember that the door to my ashram will always be open for you." Sudha bowed his head, sought permission to leave, hoisted the slain beast onto his shoulder, and headed back home.

…

Vishsha sat on the balcony of her tree house, her hand gently resting on her bulging belly. The radiant glow on her face and the sparkling eyes made her appear captivating. She was eight months pregnant, but her stomach seemed larger than usual. She was sewing a piece of cloth while gazing at the beautiful sunset. As she worked, Vishsha reminisced about the joyous moments she had shared with Sudha. She felt blessed to have a husband who cared for her so deeply, a person who loved her dearly.

She remembered a conversation they had had one evening on this very balcony. Sudha had insisted that if their child was a girl, her name should be Nisarga, after Vishsha's mother, who had given birth to the most precious person in his life—his wife.

"But what if it's a boy?" Vishsha had questioned.

Sudha had responded with a smile, "I'm quite sure it's going to be a girl."

"But what if it's a boy? What name should we choose then? Please don't go with my father's name," she had teased.

Sudha had chuckled. "What do you think we should name him?"

Vishsha had pondered for a moment. "Well, I have many names in mind. What about you?"

Sudha had suggested, "How about Abhimanyu?"

"That's a good name," Vishsha had agreed. But when sudha saw her face he get the idea that she might be thinking of other name.

"But I don't think you like it," Sudha had teased. "Just say the first name that comes to your mind."

Vishsha had thought for a moment. "What about Rudraksha, named after the previous successor of Mahadev, Lord Rudra?"

Sudha had been pleasantly surprised. "This woman always surprises me. That's the best name I've heard."

Both had smiled at each other, the joy of the moment filling the air. Sudha had remarked, "But mark my words, it will be a girl."

Vishsha had playfully responded, "Yes, we shall see about that," and they had both burst into laughter.

 

Suddenly, Vishsha's peaceful moment was disrupted by sounds coming from the woods. She spotted a little girl running, pursued by several villagers. Vishsha's heart raced with fear, memories of a similar incident flooding back. She was torn, unsure of what to do, but she couldn't let the villagers capture the girl. Without further hesitation, she tapped into her powers.

"I'm sorry, Sudha. I know I promised not to use my powers in front of others, but I have to save that girl. I can't let them catch her while I watch," she thought.

Five men were chasing the little girl. Suddenly, one of the men was yanked up by a tree branch and began screaming for help. Two of the men halted, perplexed by his predicament. One of them asked, "How on earth did you end up there?"

"I have no idea! I was just running after you, and the next moment, I was up here!" the trapped man exclaimed.

"It seems that little Yaksh is using her powers. Catch her quickly," they reasoned. Initially, they couldn't locate the girl until the other two men returned, already holding the captured girl.

"Let me go!" the girl cried.

"Don't worry; we'll release you soon... by taking your life," one of the men threatened sadistically as they laughed. They noticed their companion stuck in the tree and approached him.

"How did you end up there?"

"Ask her! That little monster put me up here. Now hurry and help me down!" the trapped man pleaded.

"I wish we could have captured this moment to show everyone. I know it's impossible today, but maybe in the future," one of them said, and they all shared a laugh.

"Don't just stand there and laugh! Help me down!" the trapped man continued to plead.

Suddenly, another tree branch attacked one of the men holding the girl. She was freed and began running.

"She's escaping! Catch her!" they yelled.

Suddenly, numerous tree branches formed a cage around the remaining four men. Only one man was still chasing the girl. As the girl ran, she spotted a tree platform and leaped onto it. The platform began ascending, and she clung to it tightly to avoid falling. The pursuing man attempted to jump and catch her, but the platform went too high.

From her vantage point, the girl saw Vishsha controlling the trees with her powers. But in a moment of sudden pain, Vishsha experienced a sharp ache in her abdomen, and her powers briefly failed. The platform she had created began to plummet. In a desperate move, the girl leaped onto another tree just in time, and the platform fell, crushing the man who had been chasing her to death.

Vishsha was horrified by what had transpired. Negative thoughts flooded her mind. "What did I just do? No, no, no! This can't be happening. I just killed that man. What should I do now? What if the villagers find out about me?"

The little girl approached Vishsha, her presence exuding an aura that calmed Vishsha's racing thoughts. The girl reassured her, "Don't worry; it's not your fault. You saved my life from those monsters."

Vishsha looked at the girl, feeling as though she stood in the presence of a goddess. The girl continued, "I'll take care of them," nodding towards the men.

The girl then jumped from the tree and approached the men one by one, looking into their eyes and using her power to erase their memories of what they had witnessed. She hypnotise them by saying "What you saw today never happened. You'll forget everything—the incident, me, everything. You were simply out for a walk in the woods with your friends." The girl had the power of hypnotism, and she skilfully employed it to wipe their memories. Once done, she sent the men back to the village.

She returned to Vishsha, who was still in shock, staring at the man's lifeless body. "Just forget about it; that man deserved it. Thank you for saving my life from those monsters," the girl said, offering a warm smile.

Vishsha inquired, "Why didn't you use your powers earlier?"

The girl explained with sadness, "I can only use my power on one person at a time. I don't have elemental powers like you. I can only hypnotize people. While doing that, they captured me. At first, they tried to torture me, using me like a puppet for their own gain. Somehow, I managed to escape, but they pursued me, and that's when you saved me."

Vishsha sympathized with the child's plight. "Poor child, she has been through so much," she thought. Changing the subject, Vishsha advised, "From now on, you should never use your powers in front of anyone. It could get you into trouble. Next time, I might not be there to help you." She placed her hand on the girl's head. "You must be hungry. Come with me; I'll make something for you."

The girl smiled and nodded. Looking at her womb she asked “how many months”

“Eight” Vishsha smile and reply.

Girl placed her hand on Vishsha's pregnant belly and chanted a mantra silently. A yellow light radiated briefly from her hand onto Vishsha's belly, and the girl smiled while gazing at her. Vishsha wondered it might be just hallucination.

The girl said, "They are very beautiful. I think I should go now; my parents might be waiting for me. They might be worried, and they don't know about this. I have to warn them."

"Wait here before you go. I'll bring you something to eat," Vishsha replied. Vishsha goes inside to bring some fruits but when she returned moments later, she asked, "What do you mean by 'they'?" to an empty space. The girl had vanished into thin air, leaving no trace. Even the body of the fallen man and the platform had disappeared as though none of it had ever occurred. Vishsha entered the house in a state of shock.

The girl was looking at Vishsha from a distance slowly transforming in an old lady “take care my child, you have mission to serve”

When Sudha returned later, Vishsha rushed to him and hugged him tightly, her eyes filled with tears and her face etched with fear.

"What happened?" Sudha asked.

Vishsha didn't reveal what had occurred; she didn't want to worry him. Instead, she simply said, "I got scared."

Sudha looked into her eyes, kissed her gently, and reassured her with a smile, "Don't worry; I'm here now, and I'll always be with you." She noticed the massive wolf he was carrying and remarked, "Oh, this? Well, that's a long story," in a weary voice.

…

It was the darkest night on Earth. A massive storm raged, with torrential rain and animal cries echoing throughout the jungle. Trees swayed and fell, and it felt like the end of the world.

Amid this tempest, Vishsha screamed in agony as she went into labour. It was a challenging time, and Sudha, was filled with worry. This was his first experience with such a situation, and he knew he couldn't seek help from the villagers. Revealing Vishsha's true identity could lead to her death.

"Ma, baba..." Vishsha's cries continued.

"Don't worry, Vishsha, I'm here. Just hold on a little longer. I'll make arrangements," Sudha reassured her, trying to muster courage in the face of this challenging situation.

Sudha was torn; he couldn't seek help from the villagers, which might endanger Vishsha. He felt utterly helpless amidst this storm, wondering why this calamity had struck all of a sudden. He prayed silently, seeking guidance.

Then, Sudha recalled the words of Sage Dhruva, whose life he had once saved. The sage had told him that if all doors closed, his door would always remain open. Filled with fear but with no other option, Sudha decided to seek help from the sage.

Sudha said to Vishsha, "Vishsha, take deep breaths and stay calm. I'll be back soon. I know who can help us."

"Where are you going in this terrible storm? It could be dangerous," Vishsha expressed her concern, even in her pain.

"You don't need to worry about me. Just stay in bed; I'll return shortly. Take care, darling."

"Please don't... go," Vishsha pleaded.

Tears welled up in Sudha's eyes as he replied, "I know you need me here, but I have to fetch help. I promise I'll be safe and back soon."

Covered in a large cloth, Sudha ventured into the woods. He knew the way to the sage's ashram, and although the storm raged, he noticed something peculiar. As he moved forward, the rain didn't touch him, and the trees seemed to create a path, as if nature itself guided him. Sudha couldn't help but think that Vishsha might be behind this unusual occurrence. Nevertheless, he pressed on, concerned for his wife's well-being.

"Oh Lord Shiva, please be with us," Sudha prayed as he journeyed to the sage's ashram.

Upon reaching the ashram, Sudha found Sage Dhruva waiting at the gate with one of his students. Sudha greeted the sage with a respectful "Pranam, munivar."

"Bless you, my son. I know why you are here. Time is short. My student will accompany you," the sage replied.

Sudha was taken aback by how the sage knew his purpose and needs. He had heard stories of sages being embodiments of gods and often unpredictable. Sudha smiled gratefully and said, "Thank you."

"Don't thank me. You saved my life; I'm merely repaying the debt," the sage responded.

Sudha nodded and began the journey back home with the sage's student. But Sudha didn’t wanted to lie about his wife to Sage so turn back and began to say, "My wife..."

"I know your wife is beautiful; you mentioned that already," the sage interrupted with a broad smile.

"No, munivar, I mean..." Sudha tried to explain further.

"Your wife is waiting for you," the sage said, understanding Sudha's unspoken words.

Sudha was surprised but didn't press further. Instead, he smiled and began walking. When they arrived at Sudha's home, he rushed towards Vishsha. "I'm here, Vishsha. You don't have to worry; I've brought help."

Vishsha was still in pain, and her suffering seemed to intensify. The student instructed Sudha to wait outside while she attended to Vishsha. Sudha didn't argue; he had faith in the sage and his student, so he patiently waited outside.

The storm continued to rage, with trees swaying wildly, and the jungle filled with the cries of animals and birds. Sudha closed his eyes, sat down, folded his fingers, bowed towards the moon, and began to pray.

As Vishsha's screams grew louder, the rain poured harder, and the storm intensified. After a couple of minutes, something remarkable happened – the storm abruptly ceased. The trees became still on their own, the voices from the jungle faded away, and a single crying voice grew louder – the voice of Sudha's child, who was crying. Tears of joy welled up in Sudha's eyes as he prayed to the gods. All other sounds vanished suddenly, leaving behind only the cry of his child. However, Sudha soon heard multiple crying voices.

The student opened the door, and Sudha stood there, shocked and overjoyed to see her holding his child in her hands. Sudha's tears of happiness flowed freely as she handed the baby to him, and he held his child for the first time. He couldn't contain his joy as he looked at the student and said, "Thank you."

The student nodded and asked, "Is he your firstborn?"

"First?" Sudha asked in surprise.

"Come inside; there's a surprise for you," the student urged.

Sudha entered the house and was astonished to see Vishsha holding two more babies in her arms. With immense joy, she exclaimed, "Sudha!"

Vishsha had given birth to three children, all of them boys. Sudha approached Vishsha, kissed her on her forehead, and whispered, "Thank you for being in my life." Tears of gratitude filled Vishsha's eyes.

They held each other's hands and attentively listened as the student provided guidance on taking care of the children and precautions to be taken. After some time, the student sought permission to leave. Sudha thanked her wholeheartedly, even touching her feet in gratitude. Sudha expressed his gratitude, saying, "Thank you, thank you for everything. You have done us a great favour. Thank you so much."

Vishsha added, "Thank you, Devi."

"Please don't thank me. It's an honour to witness such a remarkable event. Your children are blessed by the nature," the sage said.

Sudha and Vishsha exchanged puzzled glances, trying to understand the sage's words. "What do you mean, Devi?" Vishsha asked, curious.

"They were born during the Millennium Maha Sanyog, blessed by Lord Brahma himself. They were born when all the planets aligned perfectly, and this blessing ensures that no man, animal, or weapon can harm them. They are blessed with immortality," the sage explained. Sudha and Vishsha were stunned by this revelation.

"Please don't worry. Your boys will share a strong bond. You are good parents. I should take my leave now," the sage's student said.

Sudha expressed his gratitude by bowing at the student's feet. "Thank you for everything. You've done us a great favour. Thank you so much."

"Thank you, Devi," Vishsha added.

“I believe I should take my leave now."

"I'll accompany you to the ashram," Sudha offered.

"No, don't worry. Stay here with your wife and take care."

"But it's dark out there."

"Please, I know the path well. I'll be fine. I insist."

Sudha and Vishsha bowed in gratitude to the student.

After a while, in her way to ashram she transformed her face and body. She became the same old lady who had appeared in front of Vishsha as a young girl, the one she had saved. With a smile, the old lady vanished once more.

With the student's departure, Sudha and Vishsha were left to contemplate the sage's student words. Vishsha said, "I may not fully understand what Devi said, but I know that our children are my greatest joy. They will always be there for each other."

"Don't worry too much about Devi's words. I think you should get some rest; you must be tired," Sudha suggested.

"I don't think we'll ever get any rest now," Vishsha replied looking at crying children.

"That might be true," Sudha agreed, and they both burst into laughter.

"So, what should we name our Tranav?" Vishsha asked.

"Tranav?" Sudha inquired.

"Ya, tribrid of Human, Rakshasa, and Yaksh," Vishsha explained.

"I think we already have two names: Abhimanyu and Rudraksha. What about our third child?" Vishsha continue.

Sudha smiled and suggested, "Dhruvya."

Vishsha agreed, saying, "Dhruvya. It's beautiful. Abhimanyu, Rudraksha, and Dhruvya, my angels."

…

 

…… ॐ ……