King of Devas

"Who?!"

In an instant, a terrifying figure with golden eyes descended before Narada Muni. The air crackled with power as a large hand reached out, grabbing Narada Muni's wrist with a grip so firm it felt like a lock forged from the heavens themselves.

Hiranyakashipu!

Narada Muni's heart skipped a beat. The curse from Daksha had granted him the ability to move unhindered across realms, but if anyone laid a hand on him—if he left Svarga—the full force of Hiranyakashipu would be upon him.

In a flash, Hiranyakashipu's right hand shimmered, and a massive, black mace appeared, raised high, casting a terrifying shadow. The weight of its presence was overwhelming.

Narada Muni's heart raced his senses on high alert. His voice, though quivering slightly, carried the weight of urgency and a touch of fear. "Oh, Hiranyakashipu, please, do not act in haste!" he pleaded, his words almost choking him. "I am a Muni, a humble messenger of Svarga! If you strike me down, it would be as though you are committing the gravest of sins—slaying Brahman and the messenger in one stroke!"

He quickly summoned a kamandala in his left hand, the water of the sacred Ganges rippling violently within. With a swift motion, he reached into it, his fingers brushing the water—its holy power ready to spill out, capable of invoking a curse strong enough to protect him.

"Are you faster than me?" Hiranyakashipu's voice was cold and dripping with disdain.

Sages, Rishis, and Muni with all their ascetic power, were sacred, and killing one would be a heinous crime—a violation of the sacred law of Brahma himself. But to Hiranyakashipu, these laws meant little. He had already overthrown the Devas, banned their Yajanas, and made himself an enemy of the Devas. Killing a sage would hardly matter to him. What angered him more was the audacity of this Muni daring to enter his palace, showing no respect for his rule as the Lord of the Tri-Loka.

Hiranyakashipu's eyes narrowed, his expression icy. With a deadly calm, he prepared to bring the hammer down.

"Stop!"

A powerful voice rang out, sonorous and commanding, cutting through the tension in the air. The entire hall fell into a heavy silence.

Hiranyakashipu and Narada Muni stood frozen, their heads slowly turning as they squinted at Rishi Shukracharya, who walked into the room with measured steps.

"Put it down," Rishi Shukracharya's voice rang out, deep and commanding.

He glanced over, his gaze sharp as he noticed the mace still clutched in Hiranyakashipu's hand and the kamandla held by Narada Muni. With a disdainful snort, he raised his hands, which began to glow with a golden light.

Suddenly, a flash of movement—a blur of energy—and the scene shifted. In the blink of an eye, Rishi Shukracharya was holding a gleaming Chakra in his left hand, while a Kamandala appeared in his right. The sharp blade now faced Hiranyakashipu, while the kamandala was pointed directly at Narada Muni.

Something wasn't right.

Another flicker of golden light and the positions of the Chakra and Kamandala reversed. Now, a cold, gleaming blade rested ominously before Narada Muni, its sharp edge reflecting the light and sending a chill down his spine. Meanwhile, the spout of the kamandala was now aimed at Hiranyakashipu, with the Ganges water swirling dangerously inside, ready to unleash its curse.

"You put it down," Rishi Shukracharya repeated, his voice leaving no room for argument.

Under the intense pressure of this third party's power, both Hiranyakashipu and Narada Muni froze, their bodies stiff with tension. Hiranyakashipu's expression remained cold, but he slowly released Narada Muni's arm, his gaze lifting to meet the immortal's eyes.

Narada Muni exhaled sharply, a breath of relief escaping his lips.

"Narayana Narayana…" he began, his voice faltering as he moved to bow in respect.

But just as the words were about to leave his mouth, he paused, a thought crossing his mind. He quickly swallowed the rest of his sentence.

Rishi Shukracharya and the Asura King clearly held grudges against his Deva, Vishnu. To invoke Vishnu's name in their presence could be dangerous, even deadly. He suppressed the words, forcing a smile onto his face as he turned to Rishi Shukracharya.

"Rishi Shukracharya," Narada Muni began, trying to sound casual.

Rishi Shukracharya's eyes narrowed as he shot a cold glance in his direction. "Are you here on behalf of the Devas?" he asked bluntly.

Narada Muni's smile faltered for a moment, his eyes blinking in surprise.

"Well... that's it," he muttered quietly, realization dawning.

Rishi Shukracharya snorted coldly, his disdain evident. With a wave of his hand, the Chakra and Kamandala vanished, replaced by a long staff. He slammed it into the black stone floor of the main hall, the resounding thud echoing through the space.

"Hiranyakashipu and I have already discussed this," Rishi Shukracharya declared, his voice firm. "From now on, we will no longer interfere with the Devas fulfilling their duties. However, the Tri Loka still belongs to the Asuras. Yajnas to devas are prohibited, and the Devas have no right to interfere."

He paused, his cold gaze narrowing. "Of course, if the Devas refuse to obey the decree of the King of Triloka, then feel free to test it. But be warned—you will bear the consequences."

The words hung in the air as Narada Muni beamed with satisfaction. He had done nothing but stand by, and yet the task had been completed. He clasped his hands together and gave a respectful nod.

"I'll go speak with the Devas immediately," Narada Muni said, his surprise still evident on his face.

With a smile, Narada Muni turned, his feet light as he moved with quick, purposeful steps. As he stepped into the void, his voice lifted—half deliberate, half casual—calling out in reverence.

"Narayan Narayana~"

The words reverberated, their echo lingering in the temple like a soft, sacred hymn.

Hiranyakashipu and Shukracharya's expressions shifted dramatically. The pride they had felt moments ago, celebrating their success, quickly turned to disgust. The plan had just taken a turn they hadn't anticipated.

"Narada Muni!!!" they hissed in unison, the tension palpable in the air.

Meanwhile, Narada Muni smiled playfully, oblivious to the frustration that lingered behind him. He trotted quickly to Brahmaloka, the Veena cradled in his arms, eager to share the news with the Devas.

Upon his arrival, Narada Muni was met with the Devas' expectant eyes.

"Under my request, Hiranyakashipu and Asura Lord Shukracharya have agreed that the Devas can return to their duties," Narada Muni said, his smile wide. "But they still prohibit the acceptance of faith from Yajana."

The Devas exchanged skeptical glances, unsure of the new terms.

"Really?" Soma questioned.

"You can have Vayu test it out. There's no problem," Narada Muni offered with a wink.

Vayu, ever confident in his abilities, stepped forward. "I'll take it from here," he declared. "I'm the fastest among us, and I should handle this task."

With a swift motion, he summoned his mount, an antelope, and without hesitation, mounted it. He spurred it forward, and the wind god was off.

The breeze picked up, growing strong and intense, as the antelope galloped into the air. Vayu, the god of wind, had returned to the Tri Loka. The winds began to stir once more, the atmosphere itself alive with energy, as the world itself seemed to awaken to the change.

"Vayu!" Rishi Shukracharya's voice rang out through the celestial temple.

He stood with unwavering focus, his gaze fixed on the distant sky. "The next to appear should be the Sun God, Surya."

A moment later, the sound of galloping hooves echoed through the heavens, followed by the arrival of the sacred chariot. A flash of pale light—like the first streaks of dawn—spread across the Tri Loka. The soft glow of the morning sun pierced through the darkness, scattering the night's shadows, and the world slowly began to awaken to the light once more.

As the rays of dawn touched the earth, fire reignited across the land. Tiny flames sparked to life, spreading their warmth. The rivers, lakes, and seas began to churn once again, swelling with renewed energy.

This was a sign that Agni, the god of fire, and Varuna, the god of water, had also emerged.

"He's the only one left now," Rishi Shukracharya murmured, a note of finality in his voice.

"Indra!" Hiranyakashipu's voice dropped to a low, intense murmur. He stood proudly beside his teacher, Rishi Shukracharya, his fists clenched tightly, struggling to contain the boiling bloodlust within him.

Yet, even as his frustration grew, Hiranyakashipu remained still, a stone statue in Svarga, waiting... waiting for Indra. The sun god, Surya, and the moon god, Soma, had come and gone every day, yet Indra was nowhere to be seen.

"Nearly ten years have passed," Hiranyakashipu muttered, his voice edged with impatience.

He turned to Rishi Shukracharya, his expression sharp. "Teacher, you promised Indra would appear soon. Why hasn't he shown himself yet?"

Rishi Shukracharya's face remained calm, his gaze narrowing with a knowing smile. "Patience, my friend. Have you not noticed? The rainfall in the human world—its steady flow—is the work of the Wind God and the Water God working together. The mist rises from the lakes and the seas, does it not?"

He paused, his eyes glinting with wisdom. "If this continues, their powers will be stretched thin. Indra will emerge soon enough, I assure you."

Hiranyakashipu could feel the weight of Rishi Shukracharya's words, but his impatience was difficult to contain. Still, he said nothing, his anger simmering just below the surface.

Meanwhile, in the world of Brahma, the Devas gathered once again in the Nandana Garden, gathered around the sacred pipal tree. Their faces were drawn, weary from the endless waiting.

Vayu and Varuna stood at the front, their expressions grim. The divine light that usually emanated from them had dulled, and their once-radiant auras were now faint. The toll of their efforts was visible in their thinner forms, their weariness evident.

"The human world cannot afford to lose the blessing of rain," Vayu muttered under his breath, his voice heavy with concern. The world needed Indra, the Provider of Rain, more than ever.

---

Enjoyed the chapter?

You can read 40 chapters ahead and get exclusive access to more content on P*treon.c*m/Marioni