The Serpent King; The Protector

Flashback

Four centuries earlier

He was the most capable prince of them all. Excellent marksman. Expert in combat be it by sword or wrestling. He was most learned in politics and strategy and also calculations and finances.

Yet his father chose his younger brother as crowned prince. Even his time of birth could not save his birthright.

" His highness the choice of crowned prince is wrong", said the head of the council of ministers.

" Yes prince Premdev is not capable", said another.

" The kingdom needs a strong king", said the third.

But the king vetoed them all.

" He has no compassion and the public does not like him".

" But sir a good king is decided on merit not by his poularity", said the prime minister.

" If he is capable he should be popular", said king.

The ministers arvued. But king was fed up.

" I AM YOUR KING. I GIVE ORDERS", he said.

Prince Baldev was overhearing this. He clenched his fist. The king was old and incapable of judgement. Time to replace him. That night he mudered his father in coup-de-etat and usurped the throne.

None of the ministers or commanders liked Prince Premdev. He was an indulging idiot and incapable too. They all supported prince Baldev. He was crowned the next king. Their kingdom prospered and expanded.

A RIGHT DECISION

Young King Baldev had many enemies. He had enemies even when he was a prince at 15 years. He was in forest huntings when they tried to kill him. He saw death.

Until....clank clank shoooshh..

Yea the unmistakable voice of swords clashing.

" You should never attack an unarmed man. Only cowards do so", roared a voice.

A young man his age joined him on his side.

He threw a sword to him. The prince fought with renowed vigour. Together they slaughtered everyone.

" Thank you", the prince told him.

" Who were they", asked the lad.

" My brother's men trying to kill me", he said.

" Why"?

" To take my throne. I am the elder one", said the prince.

" That in unlawful", said the teen.

" Who are you my saviour"?

" I am Srikant Pundit. I am a soldier in your army your highness".

" Not anymore. Now you are one of my commanders", said the king.

And that was how King Baldev met his doom.

Srikant was a part of coup. He became right hand man and best friend of the king. They shared everything. Success, riches, ambitions,spoils of war, women....EVERYTHING UNTIL HER...

GUNJAN...

Flasback Ends

Present

In a dark corner of the city at night ..

He was covered in black. Nobody could see him. Well except for the darkness within him..

" She is back Baldev and she is as powerful as him".

" Does he know about me", asked the man.

" Do you feel him around you", the devil replied with a question.

" A strong presence suffocating me".

" He is manifesting his powers", said the devil.

" What about using blood against blood", asked Baldev.

" I can control my kin. Vishnu is our target. We need to get him", said the evil.

Well he enjoyed controlling Srikant when he was able to separate him from his wife.

" I sell my soul to you. Get me Gunjan. Trap her soul with me and destroy Srikant", king Baldev asked him as he sold his soul.

But a divine force intervened. The protector. He knows it now. Gunjan died and her soul escaped. Srikant waged a war against them. And he fought the war until his last breath. Even now years later he returned. And that too as as a powerful elemental. Hell bent on destruction. But I have plans for you Srikant. Big plans. And the creep laughed.

Meanwhile

Riya took Vikram regularly to the temple. He never went inside and she never forced him. Mostly she found him sitting under the Banyan tree chatting with the ascetic or sitting on rocks with his legs dipped in the river. She would give him prasad which he would readily consume without asking questions.

" Does it still burn. The prasad", asked Agni one day.

" Stopped feeling sensation ages ago", replied Vikram. " But I guess it would if I feel anything. Your God is persistent if nothing else".

" He did give your wife back", said Agni. " Tell her the truth".

" Not marrying her keeping her in dark about us", said Vicky.

" She is planning to enter that forest. Dpn't lst her go alone", said Agni.

" I want to take her there. She can provide information on that castle", said Vikram.

" Her powers have not manifested yet", warned Agni.

" He is gaining power. To defeat him I need the details on that castle. My powers are failing there", said Vikram.

He showed her the snake mark hoodie Vishnu wore.

" He is using my blood", Vikram said angrily.

" Gunjan's devotion is the key Srikant", said Agni. " To manifest her powers this marriage is necessary".

He nodded and touched Agni's feet.

Riya came out.

" Pranam Punditji ", she said.

" May Shiva bless you child", he said.

" We are marrying in a destination wedding", she said. She tried to be cheerful about it.

" You are not happy beautiful ", asked Vicky.

She did not want to trigger him.

" I ..i. umm. ", she hesitated.

" Speak freely child", said Agni.

" I want Shiva to bless my marriage. Just like he did before", Riya said.

Vikram was stunned but Agni smiled.

" Then he shall", said Agni.

This cheered her up.

Vikram dropped Riya home. These days her research was strongly taking place. Time was flowing by. An year and half has passed. Lily's diary was insightful. She had married a local boy called Padmanabh and settled in India. They were regulars in a dasavtar temple.

" Its not far away", she said to Manav and Sonia. " In a nearby town in Konkan ", she said.

It was in Vashi.

" I'll go with you just to look ancient architecture ", said Manav. " Me for design", said Sonia.

They started early morning after bath. By afternoon they reached the temple. It was closed.

" It opens in evening", said the priest. Please wait in adjoining guest house".

They thanked him and booked two rooms. They rested, had tea, bathed again and in the evening visited the temple.

It was huge. Main temple was pretty ancient. But it was restored and guarded from invaders by Marathas.

" It is said that Shivaji Maharaj became first patron here. Later Peshwas guarded and rebuilt here", said Manav. He was blown away by the architecture.

" I can see few modern interiors well embedded in old design. This is helpful for our historical adventures", said Sonia.

" Lets do this. Explore on our own for our interest", said Manav .

They all agreed.

Riya started exploring and taking photographs.

" Aditi", she heard a voice.

She turned. No one was there.

" In here", said another voice.

She went in.

An age old story reopened. A justice has to be served. She has come said the silent surroundings.

The protector opened his arms. Time to rise.