Tranav - Chapter 6

  TRANAV NOVEL

(Malikat Bloodline)

CHAPTER 6

 

2965 BCE,

One fine morning, Abhimanyu, Rudra, Dhruvya, and Nitya gathered around for lunch and engaged in a conversation. During their meal, Nitya expressed her curiosity, saying, "So, you guys actually have to drink human blood! Doesn't that feel disgusting?"

"At first, it did, but eventually, it became normal," replied Rudra. "We still prefer animal blood, but when we do consume human blood, it's for the richer taste and stronger effects," added Abhimanyu, explaining, "You see, human blood often has a more satisfying taste compared to animal blood. Moreover, it has a more potent effect on us, granting us greater strength and abilities."

Nitya wondered, "So, do you have to kill people for that?"

"No, most of the time, we only feed on bad people. That's our motto. We don't kill them; we simply drink their blood and erase their memories," clarified Rudra.

Nitya asked in amazement, "You can do that?"

"Yes, it's quite cool," Dhruvya chimed in enthusiastically. "We recently discovered it when I accidentally hypnotized someone by looking into their eyes, and they did exactly what I told them to do."

Abhimanyu offered Nitya more food, asking, "Would you like anything else?"

Nitya declined, saying, "No, I think I've had enough of this conversation." Everyone burst into laughter.

Dhruvya changed the subject, asking, "So, we've been talking about ourselves. What have you been up to in the last two years?"

Suddenly, Nitya remembered the day of the incident: chaos, fire, people screaming, and burning bodies. She began to speak slowly, tears welling up in her eyes. " As I witnessed the utter chaos around me, fear gripped my heart, and instinct took over. I fled from the horrifying scene, my legs carrying me away as fast as they could. Everything was ablaze, and the air was thick with the scent of burning bodies.

After several days of wandering, hunger gnawing at my insides, I stumbled upon a dense forest. My eyes fluttered open, and to my surprise, I found myself inside a humble hut. Standing before me were an elderly couple, their faces etched with concern. They explained that they had discovered me unconscious in the jungle and had brought me to their home. In the months that followed, they cared for me as if I were their own kin. However, deep inside, I knew that my destiny lay elsewhere.

The day eventually arrived when I had to bid them farewell, a decision neither they nor I wanted to make. Our bond had grown as strong as that of a family, but the haunting memories of that fateful day still tormented me. My heart yearned to find help, to seek someone who could lift the curse that seemed to shadow my life. And so, I departed once more, attempting various remedies, training my body, and seeking solace through meditation. Yet, no relief came. It seemed the curse would persist indefinitely.

As time passed, I couldn't help but miss the elderly couple who had shown me such kindness. I returned to their home, but what I discovered shattered my heart. They were gone, their lives cruelly taken on the orders of the king. The king, it appeared, believed that the elderly burdened the earth and had commanded his men to eliminate those who couldn't contribute to his kingdom—mostly the impoverished and those without families.

In that moment, a determination ignited within me. I resolved to stay and assist the villagers in their fight against the tyrannical king. The day I rescued those girls marked the first time I sent a message, signalling to all that there was someone willing to oppose the king's oppressive rule. However, when they returned, they were ready for me, capturing me in their clutches. If not for your timely intervention, I might not be here today. That's why I'm apprehensive; the king won't sit idly by. He will undoubtedly retaliate."

"Let him prepare and come. That will be the last day he does," reassured Rudra.

Abhimanyu then asked, "I didn't know you were a Yaksh?"

"Neither did I. I didn't know who my parents were, and Vasudeva never told me. I found out when that horrifying accident happened."

"So, what powers do you have?" Abhimanyu inquired.

Nitya hesitated, as if she were hiding something. She finally spoke, "Actually, I don't know. I've never used them. Everything was burning that day except me, and I just found out that I am a Yaksh. But I don't know what my powers are."

Abhimanyu sensed that Nitya wasn't being completely truthful. "Don't worry; you'll find out soon. I heard that true love can also activate your powers, like Rudra did when he thought he had lost you," Dhruvya blurted out unintentionally in a humorous tone.

"Dude," Abhimanyu scolded Dhruvya for his slip.

Nitya looked at Rudra and asked, "Is this true?"

Rudra couldn't say anything. Nitya stood up abruptly, saying, "I have to go," and left the hut.

"I'm so sorry; I don't know how that slipped out," Dhruvya apologized, looking at Rudra and Abhimanyu.

"Why can't you just keep quiet?" Rudra yelled at him.

"I am sorry; I will talk to her," Dhruvya offered.

"No," both brothers said.

Abhimanyu suggest Rudra that he must go and talk to her but he also said, "this time, don't hold back. Confess everything to her."

"Yeah, you can do it, brother. Go get our sister-in-law," Dhruvya joked.

Both brothers simultaneously said, "Shut up," and Dhruvya lowered his head in guilt. When Rudra left the hut, Abhimanyu asked Dhruvya, "You didn't mention my mistake, did you?"

Dhruvya smiled and said, "Nope, I didn't mention that mistake. That duffer would never confess his love for her."

Abhimanyu smiled as he agreed.

 

Rudra was on a quest to find Nitya, and after some time, he spotted her standing by the riverbank. He approached her slowly, but before he could say anything, she asked, "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"I was scared," he admitted.

"Scared of what? Me?" she inquired.

"No, scared of losing you. How could I confess my love to a girl who sees me as a brother?" Rudra explained.

"Who told you that I thought of you as a brother? I never said that. I always told you that Abhimanyu and Dhruvya were like my brothers, but I never said that about you. I always told you that you are my best friend. And what did you do? You kept this from me," Nitya responded with a hint of frustration.

"Yeah, I know. I was dumb," Rudra admitted.

"Yes, you are dumb. You are so dumb that I've loved you all along, and God knows how many hints I dropped, but you never understood," she confessed.

"I'm sorry," Rudra replied with sadness, but then his expression changed to shock. "Wait, what? What did you just say?"

"Yeah, dumbo, I loved you too, but you never realized it," she teased.

"Why didn't you tell me? And what about Chirag? I thought..." Rudra began.

"You thought?" Nitya interrupted with sarcasm. "You know what your problem is? You didn't talk to me, and you just assumed that I loved Chirag and couldn't live without him. I liked Chirag; he was a nice guy, but I always loved you. The day he proposed to me, I didn't give him an answer first. I came to you because I thought you might finally say something or stop me or do anything to hold me back. But what did you do? You gave me your blessing like an old man, telling me that I would be happy with Chirag, that he's a nice guy and all. But what about you? Wasn't I good enough for you?"

Rudra hurriedly approached Nitya and held her face gently. "Don't say that. You are the greatest gift of my life. You are the only person I've ever felt comfortable with. I didn't know how to tell you because I was scared, and you know that better than anyone. I don't have the courage to take action, and in the end, I always make sacrifices and then regret it all day."

She laughed and said, "Yeah, I know that. You're such a silly, but a cute silly."

Rudra looked into her eyes and said, "I love you, Nitya. And if we ever have to part again, I promise I'll always find you."

"I love you too, Rudra," she replied.

Due to their overwhelming emotions, the water of the river began forming fish shapes and leaping into the air like a magical fountain. Nitya was shocked and asked, "How? Did you...?"

"Turns out, I have powers too," Rudra revealed.

"That's awesome," she exclaimed.

"No, there is something more" Rudra continued. "What do you mean?" she asked.

He created a small tornado in his hand and slowly crafted a small mountain of sand, planting a tiny tree in his hand. Watching this, Nitya couldn't help but smile. Rudra shared that he had multiple powers, allowing him to control all the elements, unlike his brother.

Excitedly, Nitya said, "I always told you that you're special."

Rudra pulled her close, wrapping one arm around her waist, and said, "Yes, you did." Their lips drew closer, and he gently kissed her. Both blushed with smiles. Then, he moved the plant from his hand to the ground with a gust of wind and created a beautiful design with fire in his hand. However, as Nitya watched the fire, she became very uncomfortable, a memory of screams and fire flooding her mind. She pushed Rudra away and pleaded, "Stop that, please, just stop that."

Rudra extinguished the fire and approached her, hugging her tightly. He asked with concern, "Hey, hey, hey, what happened?"

"Please don't do that again," Nitya implored.

"Why? What happened?" he inquired.

"Please, just don't do that again," she repeated.

"Okay, okay, I promise, Baba, I won't," Rudra assured her, hugging her tightly. He reassured her, saying, "Don't worry; I promise I will never do it again."

…

1957 AD

Rudra continued his search for Shravani, but he didn't have any clues about where she might be. He returned to the same place where they had their fight, hoping to find some sign of her. As he stood there, a sense of someone enveloped him. A smile spread across his face as he muttered to himself, "I guess I'm not the only one looking for answers after all."

He turned around, and there she was—Shravani. She questioned him, "Who are you, and why are you trying to find me?"

Rudra replied with a pleading tone, "Because I promised you that I would find you."

Shravani seemed bewildered. "I don't even know who you are."

Rudra tried to explain gently, "Please, Nitya, try to remember me. I'm Rudra, your Rudh."

"I am not Nitya; my name is Shravani. And why are you even trying to find me? I attempted to capture you, and what are you, you're definitely not human."

"No, I'm not human; I'm a Rakshash."

"Rakshash?" Shravani exclaimed in surprise. "Listen, I'm only here to warn you not to look for me. I'm not the person you think I am. If you keep searching for me, I will kill you."

"Like you killed those people?" Rudra asked.

Shravani remained silent, turned away, and started walking. Rudra didn't want her to leave, so he tried to provoke her. She continued to ignore him, but suddenly, Rudra chased after her and stood in her path. This angered Shravani, and she began punching him. However, he skilfully dodged her punches, leading to a fierce confrontation. At one point, she became so frustrated that she attempted to transform into a Naga. As she started to change, Rudra saw her face and became terrified. "What kind of Naga are you?" he exclaimed. In a panic, he threw a potion at her during their battle, causing her to collapse, and her body reverted to its human form.

…

Mohan was getting ready for work when the doorbell rang unexpectedly, causing a pause in his departure. He opened the door and was pleasantly surprised to find Dhruvya standing right there.

"Well, well, if it isn't Mr. Dhruvya! Come on in," Mohan warmly invited Dhruvya inside, where Gita was already seated in the living room. "You remember my wife, Gita?"

"Absolutely, how could I forget? Namaste, Mrs. Gita. How are you? Is Mr. Mohan taking good care of you?" Dhruvya inquired with a friendly smile.

"Oh, I must admit, he's quite the caregiver. Sometimes, his excessive care can be a bit overwhelming, but he never stops," Gita replied, and the three of them burst into laughter.

"Well, I apologize for dropping by unannounced. I was just passing by and thought, why not say hello? I hope I'm not disrupting your day," Dhruvya expressed his concern.

"No, no, you did the right thing. You're always welcome here, announced or not. It's great to see you," Mohan assured him.

Gita chimed in, "Exactly, and it's always a pleasure to have a guest, especially someone as lively as you, Mr. Dhruvya. Mohan talks about you and how you became a valuable part of his team, contributing to streamlining his work and showcasing your exceptional partnership."

"It's truly gratifying to know that my collaboration has had a positive impact on the cases. Thanks for the warm welcome," Dhruvya acknowledged.

As Mohan was about to leave for the station, he suggested that they could go together. Before departing, Mohan and Gita insisted that Dhruvya have breakfast, but Dhruvya mentioned that he had already eaten. Mohan then offered him some tea, which Dhruvya accepted with a nod. Mohan called for Chaya to bring tea for their guest. As Chaya was serving tea to Dhruvya, he noticed that her foot was covered with multiple layers of cloth, as if she were hiding something beneath them. Chaya quickly concealed her foot with her saree and hurried away. Dhruvya felt a momentary sense of suspicion, but he decided to dismiss it and resumed his conversation with Mohan and Gita.

…

Later that day, Dhruvya returned home from work, searching for Rudra and Abhimanyu. However, he couldn't find them anywhere in the house. Suddenly, he heard voices coming from the basement. Curious, he ventured into the basement and discovered the two of them standing in front of a cage.

"What are you two doing here?" Dhruvya asked, peering into the cage. His eyes widened in shock when he saw an unconscious girl who resembled Nitya inside it. The first word that escaped his lips upon seeing her was "Ghost."

 

"See, I told you, but you didn't believe me," Rudra retorted. The brothers began arguing about why Rudra had brought her here.

Dhruvya questioned, "But why did you capture her and put her in a cage?"

"Because he thinks she is Nitya and she lost her memories, and he wants to bring them back," Abhimanyu replied with a tense tone.

"That doesn't make sense, but why in a cage?" Dhruvya inquired.

"She is a Naga," Rudra explained.

"What?" both brothers exclaimed. "Since when?"

"But that's not the main point."

"Then what is it?" Suddenly, they heard a sound from inside the cage. They looked inside and saw that Shravani was starting to regain consciousness. She slowly woke up, her head throbbing with pain. She glanced at the brothers who were on the other side of the cage and demanded to know where she was and why she was in a cage. Her anger flared, and she warned them to release her. Her anger escalated as she started to transform. As she transformed, the brothers could hear the bones in her body cracking, and she screamed in pain. However, to her surprise, her entire body didn't change, only her face took on a lion-like appearance. Weakened, she transformed back into her human form and fell unconscious again, muttering, "What did you do?"

"She's definitely not a Naga. What on earth is she?" Dhruvya asked with a frightened voice.

"I don't know. We've never encountered anyone like her," Abhimanyu replied

"Then we have to find out who she is and what she is," Dhruvya declared.

"She told me that her name is Shravani," Rudra added.

"And then what? Did she tell you anything else?"

"That's it, nothing more."

"That's not very helpful, Rudra."

Rudra responded "But I've never read about anything like her. How are we going to find out more about her?"

"I know a man who might have some answers and can help us learn more about her," Abhimanyu said.

…

Abhimanyu made his way to Ashok's home in search of answers. When he rang the doorbell, he felt a peculiar energy emanating from the house, something he didn't want to encounter inside. As Ashok opened the door and invited him in, Abhimanyu politely declined, suggesting to talk outside. Ashok agreed, albeit with a tinge of suspicion regarding Abhimanyu's reluctance to enter the house.

"Mr. Abhimanyu, what brings you here at this hour?" Ashok inquired.

"I apologize for disturbing you at this late hour, and I know this might sound rather unusual, but if I find myself entangled in something without answers, I can't sleep at all due to my curiosity," Abhimanyu replied.

"No need to apologize, Mr. Abhimanyu. I can completely understand. I too find it impossible to sleep when faced with unanswered questions. So, what is it that you wish to know?" Ashok inquired.

"I want to learn about Nagas. I've been reading some ancient stories and came across references to Nagas. I thought you might be the best person to enlighten me," Abhimanyu explained.

"I do know some stories about Nagas, like those in the Mahabharata or tales of Shesh-Nag and Vasuki. They are often described as beings that are part-human, part-snake, capable of shape-shifting. But Nagas encompass more than just beings that are half-human and half-snake. There are various other races, similar to how Lord Hanuman, Sugriva, Vali, and Angat were half-human and half-monkey and were known as Vanars. There are also Garuds, and Kinnaras-they lean more towards being half-human and half-horse. What specific information are you seeking?" Ashok inquired.

"I'm particularly interested in the Naga race that resembles lions," Abhimanyu specified.

"That would be the most formidable Naga race known as Narasim. Are you familiar with the story of Devotee Prahlad? It's when Lord Vishnu assumed the Narasimha Avatar to vanquish the demon king Hiranyakashipu. The Narasim are considered the most powerful among the Naga races. Though their numbers may be fewer compared to others, but their power is believed to be limitless. Nobody wishes to have them as enemies," Ashok revealed.

…

Rudra and Dhruvya waited anxiously for Abhimanyu to return. When he finally arrived, Rudra wasted no time in asking, "So, did you get the answers?"

Abhimanyu nodded. "Yes, it turns out she is from the Narasim tribe, and she is one of the most dangerous creatures on this planet."

Rudra was surprised. "I thought Lord Vishnu's avatar was the only one."

Abhimanyu clarified, "It turns out there is an entire race of them."

Dhruvya voiced his concern, "Okay, this is bad. What if her family finds out that we've captured her?"

Abhimanyu pondered, "I don't know, but then we might be in danger."

Dhruvya suggested a drastic solution, "I think we should kill her."

Rudra objected immediately, "What are you saying? We can't kill her. Even if she is dangerous, no one can kill us; we are immortals."

Dhruvya reasoned, "We can't be killed, but we can be captured, and I don't want to sleep again for 3000 years. Rudra, be practical. Even if we let her go, she may return and possibly torment us."

Abhimanyu weighed in, "I think Dhruv might be right. We can't let her go."

Rudra implored, "Abhimanyu, not you too. Please, we won't let her go, but neither will we kill her. We can ask her about the motive behind all those murders."

Dhruvya voiced his doubts, "I don't think that's a great idea."

Rudra was resolute, "Brothers, please, we promised Nitya that we would always be together and protect her."

Dhruvya countered, "Rudra, can't you see she's not Nitya?"

Rudra held onto hope, "But she might be. What if she's her reincarnation?"

Abhimanyu cautioned, "Rudra, don't let your emotions control you. She's just her doppelganger; that doesn't mean she's reincarnated."

Rudra pleaded, "Please, trust me for once. Just for me, please don't harm her. I will try to find the answers—Who is she and what does she want?"

Abhimanyu reluctantly agreed, "Okay, we will not harm her. But you have to take precautions. We can't afford to lose her."

Dhruvya looked at Abhimanyu with concern, as if they were unsure if they were making the right decision and if it might lead them into serious trouble.

…

The next morning, Aditi went to the hospital to deliver lunch to Abha. As she approached Abha's cabin, she spotted Ashok. She quickly changed her direction to avoid him, as she didn't want to talk to him. However, Ashok noticed her and stopped her, approaching with a puzzled expression.

"You're ignoring me?" Ashok asked.

Aditi hesitated before responding, "No, I'm not ignoring you. I'm here to deliver lunch for Abha; she forgot it this morning."

Ashok persisted, "If you're not ignoring me, then why haven't you spoken to me for the past four days? Why did you change your direction when you saw me just now?"

Aditi tried to brush it off, saying, "You're overthinking it."

"Aditi, can we talk please?" Ashok implored.

Aditi couldn't bring herself to refuse, so she reluctantly agreed. They went into his office and took their seats. She asked, "So, what did you want to talk about?"

Ashok replied, "You tell me. You're the one who has been avoiding me."

Initially, Aditi denied the accusation, but eventually, she admitted that she had been avoiding him. She explained that what she had witnessed had left her struggling to accept the reality of it. She asked Ashok, "Are you even human? How can you see ghosts?"

Ashok smiled gently and replied, "I am indeed human, but I possess this power due to my ancestors."

Aditi was curious, "How? Weren't they human?"

Ashok clarified, "No, they were human, or maybe half-human, who possessed this power."

Aditi probed further, "What does that mean? Does your whole family have this power?"

Ashok explained, "No, it doesn't work that way."

Aditi sought more clarity, asking, "What do you mean?"

Ashok began to elucidate, "Allow me to explain a forgotten chapter in history. Long ago, Earth was not solely inhabited by humans; there were other races, such as Rakshashas like the infamous Ravan, Yakshas, Nagas, and more. About 5000 years ago, a massive war erupted among them. Humans decided that they wanted to be the only inhabitants of this planet, so they started killing all non-human beings. Since humans were in the majority and often much larger, they succeeded. Many non-human beings went into hiding, but humans kept searching for and killing them. Yakshas, resembling humans but endowed with extraordinary abilities, made a choice to assimilate seamlessly into human society. They solemnly swore not to employ their powers. As generations passed, their descendants forgot their remarkable heritage and identified as ordinary humans. With time, these various races faded into the realm of myth.

Yet, a faint trace remains—a mere 1% of the population may carry Yaksha genes, a legacy from ancestors who once intermingled with these beings. Of this 1%, only a fraction, a mere 0.1%, may possess the latent power, perhaps unbeknownst even to themselves. Not everyone who harbors this ability chooses to reveal it, for they understand that society would scarcely accept such uniqueness.

In my case, there exists a possibility of Yaksha genes within my lineage, offering an explanation for my ability to perceive these extraordinary phenomena. Also, my ancestors were sorcerers, so I can perform magic using spells.

Similarly, the Nagas maintained a secluded existence within jungles, their kingdom shrouded in mystery and yet undiscovered by human eyes. They may have wielded mystical arts to conceal their realm. But Rakshashas were not as fortunate; they looked different, so humans wiped out their entire race. There are other enigmatic races, including Pichashas, Bhoots, Dyans, and more, each with their unique stories, but I shall refrain from delving into further detail at this juncture."

Aditi was impressed by Ashok's knowledge but admitted, "Wow, you know so much about this. Look Ashok, I don't want to lie to you; this is all new to me. You were right about the truth of the divine, and it's affecting my life. Now, whenever I'm in the dark, I get scared, thinking there might be something around me or under my bed. I know you can see these things, but I can't, so I'm afraid that someone might try to harm me."

Ashok reassured her, "Spirits don't work like that."

Aditi continued, "Yes, but I don't understand how they work, and I don't want to. I was happy and carefree before all of this. Now, I'm not even sure what's real and what's supernatural. The recent killings in town, the symbols on the victims' bodies were so similar to the symbols I saw in one of your strange books in your room. Now, that scares me even more. What if someone is really being killed by these spirits? Look, Ashok, I need some time. I don't want to rush into something that could impact my life."

Ashok understood her feelings and replied, "You're right. I understand your concerns. I won't pressure you into anything. It's your decision."

Aditi concluded, "Okay, I guess I should go now. I have to deliver this lunch to Abha. See you soon. Goodbye." With that, Aditi left Ashok's office. Suddenly, Ashok recalled what Aditi had said about the symbols on the bodies not being random but an actual language. He rushed home and started searching his books for answers. He realized that the symbols were not random but a real language. He tried to translate it and wrote it down. It turned out to be an ancient Naga language. Suddenly, he remembered Abhimanyu's sudden interest in Nagas and other peculiarities, like the brothers' knowledge of the divine, which wasn't common among ordinary humans, and Abhimanyu's refusal to enter his house, as if he were unable to.

…

The streets lay under a dim, unsettling glow, wrapped in an eerie silence. A man trudged along, struggling with an enormous load of heavy bags. The night was cold and lonely, the kind that sent shivers down one's spine. It was the time when the town secrets seemed to stir to life, and the man couldn't help but feel a creeping unease as he made his way down the deserted road.

Turning a corner, he suddenly collided with a stranger- he was Daksh. Both men stumbled backward, apologies flowing from their lips as they regained their balance. Daksh quickly realized that the man had been so preoccupied with his hefty burden that he hadn't seen the collision coming.

"Sorry, I should've been more careful," Daksh said, extending a helping hand.

Initially hesitant, the man mumbled, "I've got it, don't worry," but his weary expression betrayed the difficulty of his task.

Daksh persisted, "Let me help. You look like you could use a hand."

At first, the man resisted the offer, not wanting to trouble Daksh. However, after Daksh insisted, the man finally agreed, deeply grateful for the assistance. Together, they hoisted the heavy bags and embarked on the challenging journey towards the man's home.

Upon reaching their destination, the man, still catching his breath, invited Daksh inside. "You've been a real lifesaver," he said, his tone carrying a hint of entreaty. "How about a cup of tea as a proper thank you?"

Daksh, ever the polite guest, graciously accepted the offer. While the man busied himself in the kitchen, Daksh took a moment to survey the small, modestly furnished living room. The walls adorned family photographs, featuring a smiling wife, a cheerful young boy, and the man himself, beaming in various frames. It was evident that this was a close-knit family.

The man returned with two steaming cups of tea, and they settled onto a well-worn couch. He let out a sigh, a nostalgic smile gracing his face. "That's my son; he's ten now. My family is staying at my in-laws' for a few days. I miss them terribly."

Daksh nodded, a warm smile on his face as he murmured, "You must consider yourself lucky to have such a loving family." In his mind, however, Daksh was focused on an entirely different mission. Unbeknownst to the man, he had unknowingly welcomed his predator into his home.

As they sipped their tea and engaged in casual conversation, Daksh bided his time, waiting for the perfect moment.

Just as they were about to take another sip of tea, Daksh interrupted, pretending to be thirsty. "Excuse me," he said, "could I have a glass of water, please?"

The man obligingly responded, saying, "Of course." He rose and headed to the kitchen to fetch the water. In that fleeting moment, Daksh discreetly introduced his poison into the man's teacup, blending it with the tea.

When the man returned, Daksh continued their conversation, his gaze never straying from his unsuspecting victim. As the minutes passed, the man's eyelids grew heavy, and his speech began to slur.

In a state of panic, he turned to Daksh, trembling. "I think I…" he mumbled, his voice faltering. The man collapsed onto the floor, unconscious.

…

The man's heart pounded like a drum as he awoke, his vision blurred in the dim, eerie room. He felt an icy shiver run down his spine as he realized he was securely bound to a stretcher, unable to move. Panic surged through him as he took in his surroundings – the room was vast and utterly dark, with no discernible exit. He tried to scream, but the sound was muffled, as though his voice was being swallowed by the oppressive darkness.

His heart sank when he saw Daksh, who was meticulously preparing something on the floor. The man's eyes widened with horror as he took in the gruesome sight. His nails were cut to the quick, and his body was devoid of any hair, as if he had been meticulously groomed for a sinister purpose.

Tears streamed down his face as he croaked, "You? What are you doing? Who are you?"

Daksh remained silent, his face shrouded in an unnatural calmness as he continued his macabre preparations. He used blood to draw intricate symbols on the ground, forming a circle, and ignited a fire in its centre. The man's mind raced with terror as he realized that this was some kind of ritual, a ritual that he was now a part of against his will.

Desperation gripped him as he begged for his life, but Daksh merely looked at him with an unsettling detachment and said, "Don't worry, it will not be painful at all. I am giving you salvation."

Tears streamed down the man's face as he pleaded for mercy, but his cries fell on deaf ears. Daksh approached him slowly, a gleaming knife in hand, and the man's terror reached a crescendo. He thrashed and screamed, but the room seemed to devour his cries, muffling them into eerie silence.

Daksh began to cut into the man's chest, and the room filled with the sound of flesh being sliced open. The man's agonized screams pierced the darkness, but Daksh remained impassive, removing the man's heart from his body and placing it into the burning fire within the circle. He chanted incantations that sent shivers down the man's spine, and the flame momentarily turned an eerie shade of blue before extinguishing abruptly.

The room held an air of malevolence, and in its corner lay a circular stone. As the ritual concluded, the stone emitted a faint golden glow and cracked ever so slightly.

Daksh turned to the man's lifeless body, he stiches the wound and carefully cleaning away the blood. He took a small needle and began to carve intricate markings onto the man's now lifeless flesh, his movements deliberate and precise.

After the unsettling ritual had concluded, Daksh approached a shadowy figure – a woman who seemed to materialize from the darkness itself. He asked her with an impatient tone, "Did she come yet?"

The woman, her face obscured by shadows, shook her head, her voice a hushed whisper. "No, sir."

…

In the grand mansion of the Brothers, Abhimanyu approached the cage cautiously, a dish of food in his hands. He understood the gravity of the situation and realized he had to tread carefully.

As he extended the dish towards the cage, Shravani's eyes burned with anger. She recoiled from the food as if it were toxic and shouted, "I don't want anything! Just release me from this place!"

Abhimanyu's face remained composed, but his eyes betrayed the inner conflict he felt. He had no desire to keep her confined, but he needed vital information. His voice tinged with regret, he replied, "You know I can't set you free, not until you divulge your plans and reveal the location of your hideout."

Shravani's anger blazed brightly, and she uttered venomous threats, promising harm to him and his loved ones. Abhimanyu turned away, prepared to leave the basement and its haunting atmosphere behind.

However, in a soft and almost vulnerable tone, she whispered, "Who was she?"

Abhimanyu froze, his hand resting on the doorknob. He turned back slowly to face her, a glimmer of surprise in his eyes. Her question lingered in the air, laden with a depth of emotion he hadn't anticipated.

With a sigh, he responded, "She was family."

…

2965 BCE

Nitya rushed into the hut where Dhruvya and Rudra were already engrossed in their work. They could instantly sense the tension on her face. Following closely behind her, Abhimanyu entered, his expression seething with anger. He spoke firmly, "Nitya, you can't evade this."

Abhimanyu had been aware that Nitya was concealing something from them. One day, he decided to confront her about it, including her newfound powers and the events of that fateful day at the ashram.

Dhruvya, noticing the growing tension, inquired, "What's happening here?"

"Nitya, I asked you something," Abhimanyu exclaimed, his voice resolute.

"Brother, what's going on?" Rudra inquired.

Abhimanyu insisted that they should seek answers from Nitya since she had been hiding something from them. When Rudra asked what precisely they should question her about, Abhimanyu clarified, "Vasudeva's death, the day when all our friends perished. I want to know what truly occurred on that day."

With tears in her eyes and a pained tone in her voice, Nitya replied, "I don't want to talk about it."

"Why are you avoiding it, Nitya? What did you do? Why aren't you using your powers?" Abhimanyu demanded.

Nitya responded, "Because I believe I no longer possess any power."

Abhimanyu raised his voice, exclaiming, "That's a lie. You're not using your powers because you're hiding something. What transpired on that day, Nitya?"

"Abhi…" Rudra attempted to intervene, but Abhimanyu halted him, saying, "No, Rudra, not this time. Nitya, I want to know the truth about that day. What are you keeping from us?"

"That's enough. Why are you pressuring her like this?" Before Rudra could complete his sentence, Nitya began to speak in a subdued tone.

 

Several villagers had gathered to protest, not only against you but also against Vasudeva-because he had helped you, making him a traitor in their eyes. Their cries echoed through the ashram, shouting "Traitor! Traitor!"

Vasudeva, facing the angry crowd, asked, "Why are you so furious?"

"Why are we angry? Ask yourself! You're the one who helped those Yaksh," one villager shouted.

Another added, "They're not Yaksh; I remember now. They are the same kind as that Rakshasi. They are Rakshash. Give us an answer, Vasudeva. Why did you aid those monsters? And don't give us the excuse that you didn't know."

He told them that he knew about you, but he also told them that his ashram was open to all beings, whether they are Yaksh or Rakshash. They have no right to come there and question his duty. And also don't forget that they were only standing there because of you. If you hadn't helped them, their village would have been destroyed, and they wouldn't be there to protest against you.

Initially, the villagers were taken aback by his anger, but then one of them responded, perhaps that would have been there fate, but that doesn't mean they will forgive him. The fact remains that you are Rakshash, and you must be eliminated.

I watched this unfold from a distance, as did everyone else at the ashram. No one stood by Vasudeva; he was fighting alone for your cause. I decided to stand beside him, despite Chirag's attempts to dissuade me. It turned out to be the gravest mistake of my life. I approached Vasudeva to speak out against the villagers and support you. Despite his orders for me to leave, I didn't listen to him.

 

The villagers were so enraged that they attempted to detain him. They bound his hands with ropes with the intention of taking him to the village. To prevent this, I interposed myself, but they shoved me aside. At that moment, I didn't comprehend what was happening to me; an overwhelming anger surged within me and manifested as fire. It grew so intense that it erupted like an explosion, engulfing everything.

Until that day, I was unaware of my true identity as a Yaksh. My entire life had been a lie, and before me, Vasudeva had vanished, as if he had never existed. I witnessed our friends screaming, some dying, and others rendered unconscious, doomed to die. No one could have been saved. I was so traumatized by the horror that I fled, unsure of what to do or where to go. I was consumed by fear.

When I returned after a few days, it was too late; you were already gone. I ventured into the village, only to find it reduced to smouldering ashes. My heart sank, and I couldn't help but believe that I was the cause of this devastation. However, Rudra later explained the actual events that had unfolded, but even though this revelation it didn’t lift the weight of my sorrow. Regrettably, I lacked the courage to confess the truth to him.

I was so haunted by what I had witnessed that I left the village. The rest is true—the story of how I encountered those elderly individuals who aided me. I assure you that I am telling the truth when I say I haven't been able to harness my powers since that dreadful day. I've made attempts, but I have never been able to summon them," Nitya said as she sat on the bed, tears streaming down her face. Rudra sat beside her, holding her hand.

Abhimanyu approached Nitya and said, "Listen, Nitya, I apologize for my behaviour. I had a sense that something troubling had occurred to you, and I was concerned that keeping it inside might have caused you great harm. You mean a lot to all of us, Nitya; you're like family, and I never intended to cause you any pain. No matter what transpired that day, it was not your fault."

Nitya replied with anguish, "How was it not my fault? I killed them all. I killed Vasudeva, the only person who took care of me after my parents. I killed our friends, our family. How was it not my fault?"

Abhimanyu reassured her, "No, you did not kill them, not intentionally. Sometimes, circumstances arise beyond our control, and we find ourselves caught in a situation we never intended. It was a tragic accident, and you, along with others, were victims of that unfortunate event. I understand that if you had the opportunity to turn back time and alter the course of events, you would do so in a heartbeat. However, the harsh reality is that the past cannot be changed, and we struggle to come to terms with it, making it our most haunting nightmare.

If you genuinely wish to free yourself from this torment and conquer your fears, you must release your grip on the past. You need to let it go, to accept that it cannot be altered, and to carry it with you as part of your life's journey. Most importantly, you must find it within yourself to forgive yourself."

Nitya asked in disbelief, "How can I forgive myself?"

Abhimanyu continued, "As you already know, something else happened that day. The fire in the village wasn't because of you; it was because of us."

Rudra interjected, "No, it was me. Don't blame yourself."

Abhimanyu insisted, "No, Rudra, I could have stopped you, so yes, it was because of both of us. We were so consumed by anger due to your death, Vasudeva's death, or what happened in the ashram that we decided to exact revenge and kill them all, without learning what actually happen. It was our choice, and at that moment, we weren't in our right minds. But afterward, it haunted us, and we couldn't forgive ourselves. I had a similar nightmare, just like you do. But I realized that I can't change the past, and now I have to live with it and accept it. In your case, it wasn't even about revenge, and you didn't want to do it. So, let it go. I promise you will be okay."

Nitya smiled and silently agreed, nodding her head. Then, they all embraced each other in a circle.

"Whatever happens, we will always stick together," Abhimanyu declared.

 

…… ॐ ……