Suffered in silence ~~ Legend of Sumitranandans

Vali

Titles. For heaven's sake!

*********

They looked horrifyingly similar.

This was the only thing Rama could think and realise clearly, amidst his frantic thoughts running this way and that.

He stood behind the large bushes along with Hanuman and Lakshmana, watching with increasing worry as Vali thrashed Sugriva on the ground repeatedly.

He wanted to shoot, he really, really did. But what if he shot the wrong man (ape)? It would be more disastrous than not shooting at all.

And so, he just watched helplessly as Vali twisted Sugriva's arms and pushed him far enough for him to collide with a tree. Sugriva was wounded, very clearly, and was gasping for air. Vali, however, didn't stop. He beat his own chest with a boisterous roar, and grabbed Sugriva. He then threw him on the ground, and twisted his ankle.

Before anymore damage could happen, however, Hanuman ran towards his friend to rescue him from Vali.

Rama lowered his glances with regret, and flinched as each of Sugriva's wounds poured out blood in considerable amounts.

***********

"I don't know how I couldn't make out the difference, Laksh!" He cried, his head in his hands while Sugriva was getting his wounds treated in the cave nearby

Lakshmana rolled his eyes
"Well, they looked as identical as a pair of twins. I couldn't make out the difference either, bhaiyya!" He said, sitting beside Rama

"I grew up with a pair of twins, and while it has been a while, I am more than sure that I wouldn't mix you and Shatru up even if I am asleep. I can identify you both with your voices alone. Then where did that ability go today?" He wondered. This time, Lakshmana actually face palmed

"You grew up with us, bhaiyya. We were like, always there. Your brothers. While you saw Sugriva only a couple of times and this was literally the first time you saw Vali. How is that even a comparison? Anyways, they aren't twins, are they?" He said. Rama looked at him, and then nodded in agreement

"Right. But this problem needs a solution, Lakshman"

************

And they did find a solution, after all. The solution was simple. The Vanara who was under Rama's protection now wore a garland of flowers in his neck

So, The moment the fight started to get serious, Rama loaded an arrow on his bow. He fixed his eyes on Vali, and narrowed them in determination. Then, he pulled the bowstring with all his strength, and then released it with a force many can only dream of. And the arrow United with its target; The present Vanara king's chest.

Vali, for a moment, stared at the arrow embedded in his chest. And then, he collapsed on the ground, taking the last gasps of air.

He was surrounded by Sugriva, and two other men who walked out of the bushes.

And then, he saw them. They were dressed like some random hermits but had an aura of godliness, almost.
The first one who walked out had the complexion of Dark, beautiful rain clouds. He had thick, straight, and silky hair which was tied up neatly, not a single strand falling out. He held his bow loosely, and looked up, straight at Vali.

While the second one was very different.
The second hermit looked like his skin was made of milk and cotton, so fair he was. He had soft, yet unruly and very curly hair, which had faced a poor attempt at tieng up, because literally every strand of it was falling out. He held his bow tightly, and looked at the ground with a sort of determined, yet devoted look.