by Kevin Missal
“You don’t need my help?”
“Come on,” Bajrang smiled. “You don’t want to help me. You are healed and you are done here. I thought I would change your mind, but you are destined to do better things than solving and fighting Vanar wars. Wars will be waged, and people will move on. You must move on. Your destiny awaits you. I will stay here and help my people. They are my family.”
“What if you lose?”
He lowered his gaze. “See, I cannot be killed, but if it comes to the worst scenario, I’ll make a deal with him.”
“You will sacrifice yourself for your people?”
He shrugged. “It’s all right. I don’t mind doing it as long as my people are safe. Taar needs me.”
“Why?”
“Remember the Eye of Brahma? He thinks I have one of the Shards. What he doesn’t know is that I have it inside me. I won’t tell him, but I will use it as leverage to work out a deal with him. I’ll say I’ll let him use the the Shard of the Eye of Brahma in return for the safety of my people.”
“He could become invincible. And the power might end up corrupting him.”
Bajrang nodded. “And it will corrupt him, I know. But that’s a problem for another day.”
Kalki couldn’t understand why Lord Bajrang couldn’t just end the war by picking up his gadha and using it to massacre Taar’s army.
“You don’t get it, do you?” Bajrang understood his confusion as he studied Kalki’s face. “You don’t get why I don’t fight.”
Kalki nodded.
“When Lord Raghav won the war against Dushasan, he and my brother Sugriva were supposed to leave for Mount Meru in Swarg, the original homeland of Lord Raghav, in the far north, out of Illavarti. I was supposed to follow them. I had been their friend and a supporter of their cause. But I didn’t. You know why?”
Kalki shook his head.
“Because I’m a Dakshini. Sugriva was too, but he didn’t care about that. I was a Dakshini, a Southerner whose life was in Illavarti, in this homeland, to protect and guard my tribe. And I’ve lived with Vanars for so long. I’ve seen the old perish and the young grow up. I remember Taar used to be a rebel even during his gurukul days. I had been like an uncle to him. Even then he had been ambitious. He hadn’t cared about the plans I had had for Kishkindha. He always talked about how we ought to conquer the world.” Bajrang sighed thinking of the problems he had had to deal with for decades. “And I don’t blame him for that. He wanted to conquer it because he knew what we were capable of. He knew we were advanced in comparison to other Tribals. We are wiser, more agile. But he forgot one thing. I’ve lived for hundreds of years. I know a lot of things and I’ve seen a lot of things. And it doesn’t matter how much you can conquer. I believe if you can conquer someone’s heart, then that’s enough. We live long enough to fight, but not long enough to love. And I knew there’s no satisfaction in colonizing the tribes as much as it is important to develop your own tribe, to nurture them and help them.”
Kalki was mulling it over when Bajrang put his heavy arm around Kalki’s shoulder. “What are you thinking?” he asked Kalki.
“That I can never be like you.”
“You don’t have to be. My war is over. Yours has started and perhaps you will have to fight. But remember one thing, just because you are non-violent doesn’t mean you are weak.”
Kalki nodded. “That’s why you didn’t do anything during the Mahayudh, during the time of Lord Govind?”
“Of course. Govind was a dear friend, but he understood. Our wars were different, our times were different. He had to resort to violence by associating with people like Arjuna, Yuddhisthira, and the others. I didn’t. And that’s all right. Though I did manage to enthrall Bheema when he tried to pick me up.” He laughed.
Kalki smiled back. As Bajrang left him, whispering ‘good luck’ for his mission, he looked at the horse again. Even in the dark, he was gleaming with pure white angelic beauty.
Kalki sat beside the horse. “You know, you are like a person I knew—stubborn.” This time when Kalki patted him, the horse didn’t jerk him away. He kicked the den doors open and let the horse knock the hooves up as they brushed the snow, coming out of the stable. Shuko fluttered his wings and sat on Kalki’s shoulder.
Isn’t Bajrang too much of a melodrama?
Shut up.
Genius, where is your weapon?
Kalki shook his head in confusion. He had prepared himself, but had forgotten to take a weapon.
I’ll get it.
Shuko flew away towards the armoury while Kalki balanced himself on the horse. He didn’t make the horse wear any saddle since it might end up irritating the beast. Shuko returned clutching a short sword in his talons and dropped it in Kalki’s hand.
How did you manage to hold such a heavy sword?
Because I’m special. Like you.
Oh please. Also, where were you till now?
Shuko squawked. I went to see Arjan back in Indragarh.
WHAT?
Yeah. I thought of checking up on him, to make sure he’s alive or not.
And is he?
Very much so.
Kalki beamed. He was ecstatic. Thank god. I will go see him as soon as possible. I missed him terribly.
You were being unnecessarily harsh on that assassin girl, Padma.
Kalki nodded. You’re right. Though he had sorted out his differences with her, there was still enmity between them. Before she was kidnapped, Kalki had angrily proclaimed that he would venture into Mahendragiri without her.
And what will you do with Kripa?
I have no idea.
He saw Ratna and Smrit mounting their horses, moving towards the path which led to the valley. Ratna turned and signalled Kalki to follow her.
Kalki patted the horse and then rode forward.
Let’s see what Taar’s men are capable of.
Kali was afraid of putting his hand inside the water again. He wanted to be strong. He had to be strong emotionally before he could take the leap of faith and believe that his brother was alive! All this time, he had thought that all his siblings had died in the fire, the last one being his only brother. He lamented each death and held himself responsible for them. And now he had learnt that one of them was safe and was here, in this world.
Who can it be?
What is he like?
Kali wanted to hug his brother if he ever had the chance of meeting him, but then Shukr had said to Kali that it would change everything. Kali didn’t understand how it could change anything. He wanted to share this news with Durukti, but he refrained. He was still angry at her.
Kali saw Shukr standing at the edge of the the boat. He was watching the sunrise. The sky had turned orange and the sun looked like a fruit from afar. Kali walked to the Asura priest and stood next to him.
“You still haven’t seen your past,” Shukr sighed.
“How will it change everything?”
Shukr pursed his lips. “I shouldn’t have told you.”
“Well, you have and you should explain how everything will change.”
“Do you know the prophecy of Kalyug?”
Kali arched his brows. “I’ve heard of it—Kalyug will be the last Yug of Illavarti where the Dharm and Adharm will fight to determine the fate of the world.”
“Yesss.” He nodded. “There are two main versions of the prophecy, the Manav version and the Asura one. The Manav prophecy saysss that the the Dharm is a Manav and Adharm is an Asura. The Asura’s prophecy states the opposite. There are other versions of the prophecy too, but all of them say that the last war in Kalyug shall be between Dharm and Adharm. And the prophecy even explicitly states that the Asura will be the last of his kind when he will fight in Kalyug. He will be a male though it is not clear whether he will be pure-blooded or not. The problem is if your brother is alive, he can also be the Asura who’ll be the Dharm to fight the Adharm.”
“What about Koko?”
“Do you really think he could b
e the Dharm?” Shukr asked.
I guess not.
Kali swallowed a lump in his throat. I thought I was special. “If you knew who my brother was, why didn’t you call him here?”
“Because I believe in you, not him. He’s not fit to be the Dharm.”
Kali nodded.
“If you have got your answer, you should go back and see who your brother is. We have other work to do.”
“What other work?”
Shukr was watching the ocean. It was moving, and the waves were strong. “I have a plan that will help you get back your throne.”
Kali was appalled and excited at the same time. He turned to see Durukti approaching him. She was looked worried as she tried to slowly hold Kali’s hands, kneeling down next to him.
“You don’t look well, Kali. You need to stop doing what you are doing.” Kali huffed in irritation and took her hands off him. Durukti’s eyes started welling up.
“I shouldn’t have done what I did to you. I’m sorry. Please accept my apology, like I once did, remember?”
Kali remembered. He had hit her once because of Kalki. Unsure of what to do, Kali ran his hand on his scalp. Hair had started growing on his head. “Well, what do you know? I’m not ill anymore. I am feeling much better now.”
“Kali, please pay attention! I don’t know where we are, what we are doing. And the woman with her beasts, she scares me.”
She’s going to be my wife.
Kali sighed. Durukti was getting on his nerves, but he had to keep her fears at bay and just make her understand. He cupped her pretty face in his hand and looked straight at her. “I’m trying to go back in time to see what happened to our brother.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I think it’s time I go back and see the truth for myself.”
Durukti was confused, but chose to believe him. “The Eye of Brahma . . .” she whispered. “Where is it?”
“How do you know about it?”
She shook her head. “Where is it?”
“The First Shard is in the ocean.”
“The sea?” She arched her brows. “And why do you want to see our brother?”
Kali paused for a moment and then told her. “He’s alive.” Durukti’s breath hitched. “That’s why we have come here. Shukr wants me to see him.”
“I don’t believe it. Our brother has been alive all this time. All right, you go see him.” She smiled at Kali. “But please, let’s leave this place after you’ve seen our brother.”
“We will.”
As Durukti walked towards the cottage, one of the hyenas started growling at her. Alakshmi whistled and the hyena fell silent. She went inside and sat with Koko and Vikoko.
Kali put his hands in the water. It felt chilly for a while. The water caressed his skin before he could feel things again. The current turned hot, humid, and he felt his hands were burning again, but the water was lukewarm. He concentrated on one single memory—when the fire had started.
And then the present scene dissolved in front of him. A new scene, part by part, was emerging in front of his eyes until he saw the same, small village he used to live in. He saw there were a few Tribals getting drunk close to the tavern of the village but he didn’t care for that. He walked around the place until he found his own hut, in which he saw younger Kali and Durukti sleeping. It was a starry night. Kali walked towards the last room of their hut where the babies were sleeping. He looked at his siblings and smiled, tears brimming in his eyes. He never thought he would be able to see them again.
Kali wiped the tears. He longed to touch them, hold them in his arms, but he knew he couldn’t interact with any of them. He cursed himself for what was going to happen. He walked towards his brother now. Kali had named him Bali after the great king Mahabali who had ruled Illavarti a long time back. Mahabali had been overthrown by the Vishnu Avatar Vaman, and had been eventually thrown back in Pataal. Mahabali’s time and reign was considered the golden age of Illavarti because it had been perfect—utopian, one could say, until the tyrant Vaman snatched away his throne from him.
Bali, Kali’s brother, had small brown eyes. He had such promise . His mind got distracted when he heard noises. They were coming from outside. Perhaps the fight between the Tribals had already started.
This was how it began.
Kali came out instantly to see the fight. He was living through the worst night of his life again. At that moment, the fight escalated. They had started punching each other. It was a Rakshas and a Naga. It was a strange combination. Both were strangers in this part of the land. The Manavs were trying to stop them, but one of them got punched in the process. It was pandemonium. Kali was watching the fight unfolding before him, when he saw a strange figure holding a pot in the shadows. The figure started spilling black liquid on the floor, all around Kali’s hut and other huts as well. No one noticed this figure. Everyone was busy watching the fight.
The figure took the fire lamp that was hung on the throes of each hut, and was about to spill the fire lamp over it when Kali yelled, “NO!”
The figure stopped, confused. He looked around him at that moment. He turned in Kali’s direction, but Kali knew the figure will not be able to see him. The shadows cleared and Kali noticed a strange mark on his forehead.
Who the hell is he?
And then he broke the lamp on the floor over the kerosene. The fire crackled and slowly began to engulf the huts. Kali wanted to run towards that figure, but he was more concerned about his own hut. He saw other huts being burnt as people ran, scampering and staggering, trying to escape.
Kali came inside his hut where his younger version had woken up and was shaking Durukti, trying to wake her up. Fire had engulfed their hut now and they were hastening to move to the room where their siblings were.
Kali was trying to fight back tears. He would have to watch as his siblings burned in the fire.
His younger self entered the room where his siblings were crying out. He picked up his brother and gently tossed him out the window. Before he could save the others, the hut exploded. Durukti had managed to drag Kali out at that moment. They both saw their hut crumble before them. He could hear the wails of his siblings.
I had saved my brother. Why didn’t I remember it?
He saw his younger self and Durukti gazing at the burning hut. His siblings’ wails were so loud. They were being burnt alive and young Kali could do nothing to help. His younger self fainted.
“Our brother is there! GET HIM!” Kali shouted but Durukti couldn’t listen to him.
Kali now realized why he didn’t remember any of this. The trauma had made him repress his memory.
Kali wiped his tears. He moved to where he had thrown his brother out. He saw right there, in the midst of the fire and the smoke, a middle-aged man had picked his brother up and tucked him safely in his cart. He grabbed the cart and walked ahead.
Kali followed the middle-aged man who had reached the end of the village, away from the burning grounds. The man kissed his brother’s forehead.
“You have nothing to fear, my boy. I will treat you like my own son.”
Who are you?
Kali wanted to speak to the man but before he could say anything, the scene changed—and he was in a different village, bigger, greener than the last one. It had a lot of tropical trees and mud huts. Children were playing outside. Kali walked around till he saw the same man talking to a kid. It was Bali, now a little grown up. Kali held back tears. He really is alive.
The man told Bali, “You must always use your strength from here.” He pointed at his head.
Bali nodded.
The scene changed and Kali saw a teenage Bali. His hair had grown. Kali furrowed his brows in concentration. He looks familiar. Another boy was sitting with Bali, who also seemed familiar. They were training to fight using wooden sticks. Bali was losing to the older boy.
“You are weak,” the older boy said. “Be strong.”
Who the hell are you?
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“I’m strong.” Bali attacked only to lose again.
“Charming, brother, charming,” the older boy said.
And then the scene changed. Kali’s head was spinning now and he thought he was going to get sick. The Eye of Brahma was really affecting him, but he had to see the complete truth.
And now he saw another field—next to the hills and jungles where the cows had been slaughtered and a young boy sat in the bloody land, weeping to himself. He was hiding his face. Kali went and sat opposite to Bali when he moved his palms away to reveal his face, a face that Kali recognized.
Kali gasped in horror.
He was always there in front of me.
Kali’s blood ran cold. A chill ran down his spine. He fingers were numb as he slightly traced Bali’s weeping face who didn’t take notice of him.
It can’t be.
Bali was no more Bali. He had a new name. And Kali, surprisingly, knew that name.
Arjan.
Kalki fell thrice from the horse.
“Haven’t you had enough, you little beast!”
Ratna and Smrit chuckled at the sight.
They were at the valley near the frozen river. A few trees lined their snowy path. The were walking inside a dense forest that would lead them to the back of Taar’s camp.
Kalki stood up as he trudged on the partially-frozen leaves, frowning at the horse. The horse neighed angrily.
What is wrong with him?
Try talking to him, Shuko said.
What do you mean?
Try talking to him like you talk to me.
I thought that was only possible for us.
No, it’s not. All of this, whatever is happening, these are blessings bestowed by Lord Shiva. Me. This horse. These are gifts by Lord Shiva.
You are a gift? Gods, what kind of a gift are you?
Genius, stop being a wimp and do it. Your friends are in danger.
‘Padma’ is in danger, Kalki corrected. He tried to concentrate on the horse.
Come on. Come on.
Kalki tried to concentrate hard when Ratna called out to him. “Can you stop scrounging your face and start moving? We don’t have much time.”