Chapter 85 Sound of Origin

"Let's retreat!" Hayagriva's voice trembled slightly, betraying his unease. His sharp eyes darted across the battlefield, taking in the radiant figures of Indra and the Devas.

He clenched his fists, his mind racing. I'm no weaker than Hiranyaksha or Hiranyakashipu, he thought, but this... while I was busy in my penance, Svarga has changed.

The scene before him was overwhelming. The Devas had come prepared—no, overprepared.

First, there was the explosive warship.

If not for the divine boon that shielded him from death, the force of that blast would've done serious damage. The sheer scale of it left him shaken. Had the Devas chosen to swarm him right after, the consequences would have been worse than death.

But that wasn't the worst of it.

The chaos and noise they were creating—it was too much. If they continued to fight here, it wouldn't be long before Vishnu and Shiva took notice of their intentions.

We came to Brahma Loka to steal, not to start a war, Hayagriva thought bitterly. Their element of surprise was gone, and the Devas had clearly anticipated them.

He gritted his teeth. There's no chance for victory this time. We'll have to regroup and try again later.

"Now is not the right time," Hayagriva said, his voice firm. "Let's go!"

But his words didn't sit well with Madhu and Kaitambha.

Both brothers tightened their grip on the massive vajra in their hands. Their expressions darkened—anger and frustration written plainly on their faces.

"Why are we leaving?" Kaitambha growled, his tone cold and biting. "The three of us have been blessed by Mahadevi; none of them can kill us. What is there to fear?"

"The sound of that wretched conch..." Madhu spat, his voice dripping with disdain. His brows knitted together in irritation.

"It's unbearable!" Kaitambha snapped, his teeth clenched.

The two brothers exchanged a glance, their frustration mirrored in each other's eyes. Then, as if reaching a silent agreement, they turned their attention to the massive mace-like weapon in their hands.

With a synchronized motion, they raised the colossal mace high above their heads, their muscles straining under its weight.

"Order them to stop," Kaitambha hissed, venom in his voice.

"And if they won't," Madhu said with a cruel smirk, "we'll make them."

The brothers slammed the maces together, a thunderous impact that sent shockwaves through the air. The vibrations rippled across the battlefield, a clear declaration of defiance against the Devas.

The deafening clang of the giant Mace striking the ground reverberated in all directions, sending shockwaves through the air. The rhythmic pounding transformed into a sinister, domineering sound that rippled outward like an oppressive wave, crashing against the Gandharva army's celebratory music. The dissonance was unbearable, as if trying to suffocate the vibrant rhythm of the gongs and drums.

The Gandharva warriors clutched their ears in agony, their once confident expressions contorted with pain.

Indra's sharp gaze swept over the battlefield as he winced. "My power… it's weakening!" he muttered, astonished by the creeping numbness spreading through his body. His muscles felt heavy, his divine energy sluggish.

Turning to his comrades, his expression darkened. Surya's light dimmed to a faint glow, a look of panic etched on his radiant face. Vayu, the Wind Dev, was gasping for breath, his strength barely holding him upright. Agni clutched his chest, pale and trembling as though consumed by his flames, while Varuna stood frozen, his movements stiff like a statue carved from stone.

"This sound… it's no ordinary noise!" Indra realized, a sense of foreboding sinking into his chest.

Suddenly, cutting through the oppressive rhythm came the sharp, vibrant call of conch shells. Woo-woo-woo~

The clear, resonant sound rippled through the battlefield like waves across an endless sea, each note imbued with divine grace. It carried a stirring, high-pitched melody, as though some celestial being lay atop a serpent bed, playing the conch with serene joy on the milky ocean.

Under the celestial harmony, the sinister pounding of the Mace lost its dominance. The oppressive force dissipated, and the Devas began to recover. Indra's strength surged back, and the other Devas' auras stabilized. Surya's light reignited, Vayu's breath steadied, and Agni's flames roared to life once more.

The Gandharva warriors rallied, their spirits soaring as joy flooded their hearts. Once again, they raised their voices in jubilant song, their war hymns echoing across the battlefield with renewed vigor.

"The sacred Vajra's radiant light, the embodiment of heroic might~

Hey~! The lord of a hundred sacrifices summons thunder and lightning, commands the rains, and reclaims the Kamdhenu~

He who wields the celestial Vajra, master of Airavata, strikes down Vritra with power unmatched, his glory shining bright~"

The sounds of conch, drums, and harmonious singing intertwined in perfect unity, creating an almost tangible force that clashed with the pounding rhythm of the Mace.

Hayagriva, the horse-headed Asura, narrowed his eyes as he observed the resurgence of divine energy. His lips curled into a grim line.

"Then I'll lend them a hand!" he declared, his deep voice cutting through the cacophony.

With a swift motion, Hayagriva assumed his stance, planting his left leg firmly while bending his right. His imposing figure radiated power, and the ground beneath him trembled as he prepared to join the fray.

Swish!

A massive divine bow materialized in the hands of the horse-headed Ashura, its ethereal presence vibrating with power. With a swift motion, he stepped on the bow with his right foot to steady it, his fingers flying over the bowstring in a blur. The rhythmic plucking of the strings responded fiercely to the pounding rhythm of the two Madhu brothers, creating a symphony of divine energy.

Clank! Clank! Clank!

The sound of the bowstring reverberated through the air, mixing with the thunderous blows of the giant Mace. The clash of these contrasting rhythms filled the air with an electrifying intensity, rippling through the very fabric of existence.

The tension between the music and the booming strikes of the Mace created an almost tangible force, one that shook the entire Brahma Loka. The vibrations spread like waves, distorting the air and reverberating through the very soul of the universe.

Brahma, observing from afar, widened his eyes in alarm. His face reflected a blend of concern and restraint. As the Creator, he understood all too well that any intervention on his part could lead to catastrophic consequences.

On one hand, Brahma held the Vedas, embodying the wisdom that governs the cosmos. In another, a rosary symbolized the eternal flow of time. His third hand grasped a kamandal, the vessel containing the essence of all life, while his fourth cradled a lotus, representing the purity of the soul.

Once he chose to intervene, the impact would be inevitable, and the delicate balance of the universe could be forever disrupted.

"This is the sound of origin!" Brahma muttered, his voice filled with urgency.

He paused, his gaze sharpening as he continued, "All things in the universe are governed by vibration. Om – the primordial sound of existence. It is the very vibration that birthed the cosmos, a force more powerful than any weapon."

Brahma's words lingered in the air like an ancient truth. The power of sound was immense—near infinite.

Indra, listening intently, felt a flicker of realization. His mind began to churn with understanding, his thoughts turning to a long-forgotten relic.

Swish!

In an instant, a flash of divine light illuminated his hands. The conch Panchjanya materialized before him, its white surface gleaming with purity, the very essence of tranquility. The mouth of the conch was wide open as if poised to release a thunderous roar, the sound of crashing waves ready to burst forth.

Indra gazed at the conch, a rare smile playing on his lips. He hadn't blown this conch in ages, but today... today felt different. The time had come.

With a steady grip, he raised the divine conch to his lips.

Woo woo woo!!!

A powerful, exhilarating sound erupted from Panchjanya, its resonance reverberating through the air with an intensity that sent shockwaves rippling outward. The divine music surged like mighty waves crashing against the shore, filling the atmosphere with fierce, invigorating energy.

The sound spread in all directions, its inspiring power uplifting the Devas and Gandharvas surrounding the battlefield. Each of them felt the energy pulse through their very beings, revitalizing their spirits.

"We must join in!" Surya exclaimed, his gaze intense as he looked around, sensing the change.

"How do we help?" Agni inquired, his brow furrowing with concern.

Surya's expression softened as he furrowed his brow in thought, trying to devise a plan.

"There is always a way," Vayu declared with a spark of determination in his eyes.

With swift grace, Vayu, the God of Wind, extended his hands, summoning his divine power. In a flash of radiant light, a flute materialized in his grasp. With a rhythmic motion, he began to play the flute, each note resonating with divine energy.

Thump thump thump thump...

The other Devas, recognizing the signal, quickly followed suit. Agni summoned his drum, its deep, booming beats representing the primal force of fire. Surya raised his chakra, emitting a brilliant, radiant hum that pulsed with the energy of the sun itself.

Soma, the Moon God, manifested his tambura, its soft, resonating tones invoking the tranquil light of the moon. Varuna, the Lord of the Waters, conjured his conch that echoed across the oceans, amplifying the deep, rolling sounds of the sea.

Then, the Gandharvas appeared, the celestial musicians who were the maestros of the divine symphony. Chitrasena, the chief Gandharva, wielded his veena, producing divine melodies that intertwined with the other instruments, while Tumburu, his companion, played the vina. Vishvavasu and Hara joined in with their flutes, adding layers of harmonious sound, while Maitreya beat on his drum, a deep and resonating rhythm that harmonized with the beats of Agni's drum.

The resulting cacophony of beats, chimes, and melodies merged into a single force, growing stronger by the second.

The combined power surged forward like a tidal wave, a united front of divine energy aimed at the Hayagriva, Madhu, and Kaitambha.

Rumble!!!

The impact of the music collided with the force of the giant Maces, shattering them into a thousand pieces that scattered through the air. The force of the explosion sent Madhu and Kaitambha flying backward, their bodies tossed like ragdolls in the wake of the collision.

Hayagriva was no exception, his body hurtling backward with the same force. His divine bow, fully drawn, snapped under immense pressure, and the string broke with a sharp crack, recoiling violently. The broken string whipped back with such force that it struck the back of Ashura's hand, leaving a painful mark.

For a moment, everything seemed to hang in the balance—an overwhelming clash of sound, force, and divine power reverberating through the very fabric of the universe.

Hayagriva crashed to the ground, his body shaking with exhaustion. Panting heavily, fatigue and soreness surged through him like a relentless tide. His eyes widened in fear as he glanced ahead, but he didn't notice the faint bloodstain marking the back of his hand.

The wound quickly healed under the powerful regenerative abilities of Ashura, fading away as if it had never existed.

Madhu and Kaitambha, their resolve unwavering, rose to their feet once again. The two of them charged toward the fallen Ashura with fierce determination, their steps full of unrelenting energy.

"What should we do now?" Madhu asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

"Should we keep going?" Kaitambha added, his gaze fixed on the ongoing battle, eyes flickering with doubt.

Although neither Madhu nor Kaitambha had sustained any serious injuries, they couldn't ignore the fact that they had been thoroughly outclassed in this confrontation. It was not so much a defeat as it was a clear indication that they were up against a power far beyond their own—one that they had yet to fully grasp. Could they continue? Should they?

Madhu hesitated. A part of him wanted to push forward, to test the limits of their strength, but the situation was starting to feel like more than just a challenge.

But Hayagriva had already made up his mind. His gaze hardened with resolve. "No, we're not staying in Brahma Loka any longer," he declared, his voice unwavering. "Vishnu is already aiding them with the sound of the origin. If we keep pressing, he may intervene directly. We're done here."

Madhu's eyes narrowed in confusion. "But… we're here to steal the Vedas," he protested. "How can we just leave now?"

The horse-headed Ashura shot him a sharp, irritated look. "Stop asking so many questions!" he snapped, his tone rising in frustration. "This is part of the plan! Just trust me." He pointed at Kaitambha's nose, his brow furrowed with annoyance.

The tension in the air thickened, but Ashura's words were final. There would be no more fighting today. The Vedas, for now, would have to wait.

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