King of Devas

"Svarbhanu, since you have partaken of the amrita meant for the residents of Svargaloka, thus you shall remain in Svarga," Vishnu declared.

"From now on, your head shall be known as Rahu, and your tail as Ketu. Both will take their place as the two nodes of the Moon as Navagraha." Vishnu smiled gently as he spoke.

With those words, the golden light surrounding him began to fade, and the Preserver of the world disappeared, leaving the Devas in silent reverence.

Indra stood in the temple, gazing out at Svarga and the boundless human world below. His eyes traveled to the horizon where the human realm and the celestial Svarga met, over the vast expanse of Mandara Mountain. There, amidst the cosmic expanse, stars orbited the sun and moon in harmony. Two faint, dark stars glimmered with divine power, their light subtle yet undeniable.

Rahu and Ketu. The second pair among the Navagraha. Indra had anticipated this outcome.

In truth, dealing with Rahu left few options. Treating him as an honored guest was out of the question. Beheading him was futile since he had consumed the nectar of immortality. And keeping him as a subordinate, like a loyal hound, seemed the most practical solution.

"Recruit him," Indra resolved.

With a wave of his hand, the crackling lightning rope binding Rahu dissolved into nothingness.

"We are all Devas now," Indra announced with a warm smile, extending his arms as if welcoming an ally.

Rahu, however, was still reeling in confusion. Just like that? Am I truly a deva now?

The thought of standing among the Devas and battling Asuras unsettled him deeply. What if the Asura armies attack Svarga? Will I be struck down alongside them?

Doubt clouded his mind, and his eyes grew dull with uncertainty. But then, as Indra stepped toward him with open arms, Rahu froze. His face turned pale, and his fear was unmistakable.

"Hey—!" Rahu cried out in panic.

Reacting instinctively, his head spun wildly as he tried to flee. In his haste, he crashed directly into one of the massive temple pillars with a resounding thud.

Ketu, his tail, flailed in tandem with the head's chaotic movements, smacking against the same pillar with a loud crack.

Together, Rahu's head and Ketu's tail slid down the pillar in a dazed heap.

Indra lowered his head, placing his hands on his hips, and gazed at Rahu with a mix of exasperation and bemusement.

Am I really that intimidating?

"Lord... King of Svarga!" Rahu mustered his courage, his voice trembling as he struggled to catch his breath.

"Yes," Indra acknowledged with a nod. "Svarga is vast. You might feel disoriented at first. Someone should help you get acquainted with it."

As he spoke, Indra glanced around the assembly of Devas.

Hearing this, Surya let out a soft chuckle. He understood the unspoken intent behind Indra's words.

Ah, he means someone needs to keep an eye on this Asura.

"I'll do it," Surya said coolly, his tone laced with authority.

"I'm coming too," Soma interjected in a deep, dissatisfied voice. His face betrayed his displeasure as he stepped forward.

Soma's irritation wasn't just because Rahu had infiltrated Svarga—it was also because he had misinterpreted the signs from the goddess Yamuna, thinking they had been meant for something, or someone, else.

This Asura... truly detestable.

Indra blinked in surprise, momentarily silent. The tension between the two Devas was evident, and neither seemed particularly genuine in their offers.

"I meant someone to guide him through Svarga, literally!" Indra clarified, raising an eyebrow.

"That's exactly what we mean," Surya and Soma replied in unison, their voices steady, though their eyes betrayed their hidden agendas.

"Really?" Indra asked, unconvinced.

"Really," they confirmed, each nodding earnestly.

"Are you leaving, then?" Indra turned to look at Rahu, his tone even but expectant.

"Yes, yes, I'll go!" Rahu looked flustered, his head darting upward as he frantically shook it in the air.

He couldn't bear to remain near the King of Svarga any longer. Just standing in Indra's presence made him feel as though his body was being corroded by the remnants of Halahala. A deep, unsettling sense of powerlessness crept into his heart.

Even now, as he glanced back, he felt a chill lingering on the back of his head.

"Then go!" Indra commanded, waving him off.

At this, Suryadev and Soma began leading the way, and Rahu wasted no time following. He spun around and flew off at a brisk pace, Ketu trailing behind, wagging his tail with erratic enthusiasm.

"That tail's perfect for holding a rope," Indra mused with a smirk, the image of walking a dog briefly amusing him.

Nearby, Goddess Yamuna hurried over to Yama, lifting her skirt slightly as she moved in delicate, hurried steps. "Brother..." she began softly.

But before she could continue, Yama's blue face darkened, his expression growing stormy. He ignored her completely, his heavy steps carrying him directly to Indra.

Clasping his hands together, Yama spoke in a deliberate and measured tone.

"Uncle," he began, "the human world has suffered destruction. My city, Yamaloka, has also been affected and requires repairs. I hope the King can send the God of Craftsman to assist us."

Yama's face softened slightly as he finished speaking, though his tone remained serious.

Yamaloka is said to be located in the southern direction, beneath the earth, as one of the many realms in the afterlife. Where souls go after death, where Yama judges them based on their deeds during their lifetime, deciding their fate and determining whether they are to be reborn, sent to Svarga (heaven), or sent to Naraka (hell).

Indra blinked in surprise at the request. He had originally planned to task the craftsman god, Vishvakarma, with creating a secure place to store the Amrita. But considering the repairs needed in Yama City, he decided it could wait.

"That's not a problem. Just go find him yourself!" Indra replied casually. "By the way, isn't Vishvakarma your grandfather? Why don't you just ask him directly?"

Yama stiffened, his expression grim. "There should still be a formal process," he said solemnly. "Besides, I don't have a good relationship with him."

Indra raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"

Yama hesitated before answering, his voice tinged with bitterness. "Vishvakarma created the Yamaloka, the realm of the dead, without consulting me first. He made it a vast, intricate realm, full of endless paths and overwhelming design—he never considered how it would feel to govern such a place, to be endlessly burdened by the souls and their suffering."

Indra's gaze softened with understanding. "So, it's not just a matter of family, but of how he tied your existence to this ceaseless task?"

Yama nodded slowly, the weight of his role clear in his eyes. "Exactly. His brilliance as a creator is undeniable, but the very structure of Yamaloka is... suffocating. I was thrust into this responsibility without the chance to choose my own path. And that's something I can never forgive him for."

Indra sighed inwardly, shaking his head slightly. What a complicated family dynamic.

...

In the lush palace garden, Vajranga sat cross-legged on the grass, his knees bent. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, and supported his chin with one hand. A melancholy expression clouded his face.

Around him, the vegetation bloomed vibrantly, their colors a stark contrast to his somber mood. Nearby, a majestic white horse grazed with its head bowed. This was Uchchaihshravas, the divine horse churned from the sea of milk.

"Brother Hiranyaksha is really gone," Vajranga murmured, his voice heavy with sorrow. "The Devas have the Trimurti's support, and now they possess Amrita. How can we ever stand against them?"

He paused, his brows furrowing deeper. "I fear what will happen when Hiranyakashipu returns from his penance. If he finds out Hiranyaksha was killed by the Devas and Vishnu, he'll undoubtedly gather an army of Asuras and march straight to Svarga."

He sighed, long and weary. "He might even go so far as to forbid anyone from praising Devas and Vishnu to weaken them."

Vajranga's fingers tangled in his hair as his frustration grew. Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu, twin brothers, were each powerful in their own right—Hiranyaksha, proud and reckless; Hiranyakashipu, unyielding and obstinate. But could even Hiranyakashipu's wrath overcome the might of the Trimurti?

"If only there was a way..."

Vajranga turned to Uchchaihshravas, his tone half-pleading. "Uchchaihshravas, what do you think I should do?"

The divine horse lifted its head slightly, its mane fluttering as if carried by an unseen breeze. It glanced at Vajranga briefly, then returned to grazing, chewing the tender grass with an air of indifference.

"Even a horse can ignore me now," Vajranga muttered, chuckling faintly to himself. "I suppose silence is its kind of advice. Perhaps I should just focus on my penance and grow stronger."

But the white horse stood tall and aloof, its four hooves shifting gracefully, utterly uninterested in Vajranga's plight. Not a single neigh escaped its mouth.

Vajranga laughed bitterly. "Ha! As silent as ever."

Just then, an Asura warrior appeared, his figure flashing into view. He knelt on one knee, bowing his head.

"General, King of Danava has sent an envoy. He requests your presence at the Asura Temple to discuss revenge for the king."

Vajranga's brow creased. "King of the Danavas? Puloman? Why him, of all people? Where is a teacher?"

"The envoy was indeed sent by King Danava," the warrior replied, his tone cautious. "As for the Asuru Guru Shukracharya, no one knows his whereabouts. However, there are rumors he was seen with the two princes."

"Hm?" Vajranga's hand rubbed his rugged chin, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. A sudden gleam of understanding lit up his face.

"Tell Puloman I am entering penance. I won't attend." His voice was deep and resolute.

"Yes, General!" The Asura warrior bowed before swiftly retreating.

Vajranga sat still for a moment, his expression inscrutable. A faint smile tugged at his lips as his gaze sharpened, brimming with purpose.

"Teacher," he whispered, almost to himself, "are you looking for Hiranyakashipu?" His eyes sparkled with a fiery determination.

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