Kevin Missal - Mahayoddha Kalki: Sword of Shiva

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Copyright 2019 Prakash Books India Pvt. Ltd.

Copyright text Kevin Missal

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual person, living or dead, events or locales is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise (except for mentions in reviews or edited excerpts in the media) without the written permission of the publisher.

ISBN: 978 93 8971 719 8

To the readers who have stuck by this story,

you all are the reason I continue to write.

Arjan woke up to screams.

Horrific, screeching yells and shrieks from outside could be heard in his room, followed by the boom of explosions. He instantly lurched from his bed, and went to the window to see what was happening.

Death greeted his eyes.

From the third floor of the fortress, he could see what was attacking the city of Indragarh, the place he had been living in for a month now with Lord Nalakuvera, the Yaksha king, a man who was considered a god in his Tribe.

Desperately scanning the dark purplish horizon, Arjans eyes fell on the disturbed skies where the enemy soldiers were hovering. There were wings protruding from their backs, emitting blue flames. Armed with fire arrows and crossbows, they were shooting at the soldiers below in his city.

Close to the eastern gates of the city, multitudes of black-armoured soldiers toppled the city guard, slashing their way through, opening the way for an invasion.

What is happening?

He couldnt wrap his head around it.

Are these men flying?

They had chosen to attack in the dead of the night. Arjan knew about war strategiesattacking at night was a smart move, maybe even the best time to catch an enemy unawares.

Arjan heard someone knock incessantly at his door. Before he could reach it, the door swung open, and a dwarf-like man entered. Yakshas were of diminutive size, but regardless of that, they were exceptional in battle. The soldier had a bow and arrows tightly slung on his shoulder.

My lord, the entire city is being attacked. Lord Nalakuvera seeks your presence in the armoury where the soldiers have gathered.

Whos behind this? I dont see any banners or flags.

Its an alliance. The flying warriors, they are Suparns. And the others, the ones on the ground... the Yaksha soldiers eyes filled with hatred, they are Nagas.

One week ago.

Arjan stood in front of the thorny, ornate, golden throne. It was the same one on which Urvashi had sat last month before he...

I killed her. I strangled her. I made sure her life ebbed away.

There was so much evil in him; he had realised it recently. But there was guilt too, pooled in the crevices of his heart.

Itll be yours one day, a voice proclaimed.

Arjan turned to see a tall man wearing a golden coat. He had a goatee, and his hair was shaggy, and he was wearing a crown. The man was bare-chested, and wore his pants low, held in place by a belt that glistened under the silvery light of the throne room.

I dont want it.

Its not about wanting it, dear, Nalakuvera said with a smile. Its about doing the right thing. This city needs a god. When I told you that I will be announcing you as a candidate in the council meeting, you were happy.

I know. Im just... scared.

I understand. Fear is important. Nalakuveras eyes widened. They dont need just any king. They need you . You have powers that no other man possesses.

Except my brother.

And you can lead this city. This entire empire will belong to you, once you sit on that throne. With my help, of course.

The council wouldnt agree, Arjan responded.

Gah! Nalakuvera growled. We strive for monarchy and yet we choose democracy to vote for our king.

For me to sit on the throne, all councilmen will have to vote for me. Arjan knew this because he remembered how Urvashi had coerced these councilmen to rally behind her, so she could follow her fathers legacy. And no noble would vote for the killer of the queen.

Nalakuvera came to stand next to Arjan, and patted him on his bare-chested body. Let me worry about that. That comes after you decide to sit on the throne. Have you made your decision?

Arjan clenched his jaw and before he could respond, Nalakuvera planted a kiss on his cheek, while whispering in his ears, Embrace yourself. You are the only person who can save this city, this world, my dear.

Present.

I dont believe Im worth being a saviour.

Arjan had had this conversation with Nalakuvera about being the king a week ago, but he still couldnt make up his mind.

One part of him wanted to leave for Lord Bajrangs temple and hide with his mother, while the other wanted to be here in the midst of all this blood and gore to save the people.

The city was being attacked in front of him. It was plunging in darkness... he didnt know what to do.

But he had to do something.

He grabbed the spear lying next to his bed and said to the Yaksha soldier, Tell Nala, Ill be late.

And then he jumped from the window, grabbed it from the ledge, and pulled himself up to the top of the fortress, where he stood on the strong, concrete floor.

He was at the top of Nalakuveras fortress, and from there, he could see the flying soldiers, firing arrows at the people.

His long shoulder-length hair fluttered as the shine of the silver-dipped moon embraced his shadow, delightfully showcasing his chiselled body which had developed after a period of intense workout and training he did every day.