Deva, Temple of Treachery

Chapter 20

(Above is the mantra to Brahma used in this chapter for those of you who are curious, enjoy!)

The room was eeirily silent, everyone stared at the newcomer, not daring to be the one who breaks the stillness. Then Silas opened his mouth, "Die?"

"Yes, of course, I don't think your...friend here cares much for your life," Andhaka said, moving closer. Slow, and metodically, he put himself inbetween Silas and Amos, like to protect the young man from the older one.

Amos narrowed his eyes, watching Andhaka with suspicion. Amara could see his finger twitch, like he wanted to hit the asura but Amos was not foolish enough to do so. "All asuras lie."

"Oh? You have met many then?" Andhaka said, a smirk crept onto his face. It faded a bit when his third eye landed on Amara, she could feel him perusing her. Maybe even seeing what humans could not in her soul.

"Asuras have not the best of reputation."

"Neither does your kind, witch."

"You know nothing of mykind."

"And you know nothing of mine, so I would suggest you don't spout foolishness such as all asuras lie."

"What do you want?" asked Amara, stopping this foolish posturing of manhood.

Andhaka was silence for a while, before he finally answered, almost reluctantly. "I will chant the mantra as the asura."

"Why?" asked Amos, his eyes showing clear suspicion. Amara felt the need to hit him. Why must the man always question a gift presenting itself?

Andhaka gestured toward Silas. "To protect him. I will not have him risk his life for your foolish pursuit."

"It's not foolish. Prahlada sent me to protect the artifacts."

"And he is a fool," Andhaka turned toward the statue, tilting his head. "This safe was constructed in such a way that only a deva and a asura working together could open it. A failsafe from Vishnu and Prahlada no doubt."

Andhaka's eye turned toward Amara. "How many asuras and devas would work together? If you just left this place, then the risk of anyone else being able to retrieve the artifact is nonexistant."

"What are-"

"What I'm saying, little girl is that the only risk the artifacts are of being stolen is from you. None other can do it."

Amara stared at him, slowly starting to wonder if that is true. "Prahlada said that someone else is looking for it."

"Looking for it, but cannot retrieve it. Well, not until you and the boy-" Andhaka gestured toward Silas,"entered this place."

"Are you saying that someone purposely made us enter Tripura?"

"Who knows, but I would consider it very carefully," Andhaka responded, his voice low.

Frowning, Amara felt insecure. Would Prahlada send them to retrieve it, knowing that only they can do it. "This-"

"We have little choice," Amos said. "If someone can arrange for two people of asura and deva connections to come here then what is to say that they can't do it again. Godly artifacts are not to be tampered with but I see that we don't have a choice."

"I agree," said Silas, watching Andhaka with a frown. His eyes were not as cold as they had been a while ago, but they were confused and for a second, Amara thought he almost looked like a lost child.

"Then I will play the part of the asura," Andhaka smirked,"I think I can play it convincingly."

His eyes then turned to Amara. "Since you are the only one here who has any connections to a deva or devi so I'm guessing you are the only one who can play this part, though I must admit... I did not think I would ever see you again, your soul should have perished."