AJASHAKTI ANUGAMINI : An HHS Spinoff

CHAPTER 7

Soft light filtered through ornate windows, casting an ethereal glow on the room. At its heart, an enormous, ornately carved couch dominated the space. Reclining on it was Ajashakti, his form imposing and yet relaxed, exuded an aura of untouchable power. A goblet of crimson wine was cradled in his hand, its contents swirling lazily.

Two Danava maidens attended to him with reverent care. One, with delicate hands, kneaded the tension from his feet, while the other worked with deft strokes on his shoulders. Though of considerable stature themselves, the ladies seemed almost diminutive when compared to Ajashakti's figure. Their slender frames were dwarfed by his broad shoulders and muscular limbs.

A flicker of awe crossed the maidens' faces as they worked. Their hands, soft and skilled, moved over the daitya king's imposing form. How could an Asur of such immense size and beauty exist ? They wondered.

Beside the couch, on a smaller, yet equally ornate chair, sat Pralayant, the Danav king. His expression was a mask of contentment as two other maidens tended to his arms.

"My lord, I have heard whispers of your intent to unite the Rakshasas under your banner." Pralayant said.

Ajashakti's response was a simple hum, a sound that carried a weight of indifference. His eyes remained closed, as if lost in contemplation.

Pralayant leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Perhaps we could send emissaries to their leaders, offering them a place in this new order. Or, we could stage a grand spectacle, a display of our power that would leave no doubt about our dominance. We could even offer them a share of the spoils, a taste of the power that awaits them if they join us." His voice was filled with the calculated cunning of a seasoned strategist.

"There is a simpler path." Ajashakti said, his voice low and menacing.

Pralayant's brow was furrowed, "I don't know if a simple path can work out. Because neither you, nor we have a good relationship with them. What's going on in your mind ?"

"Calculations." Ajashakti opened his eyes and simply said, "For I wonder how many Rakshasas must be killed before they see the futility of resistance."

A sly smile crept across Pralayant's face, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of admiration and calculation.

"My lord," he began, his voice dripping with flattery, "who am I to doubt your power ? The Rakshasas, with their brutish strength, are no match for your divine might. A mere glance from you would send them cowering in fear."

A slow smile curved Ajashakti's lips as he took a sip of wine. The crimson liquid seemed to glow in the dim light, reflecting the crimson hue of his ambition. His eyes, half-closed, seemed to peer into a future painted with blood and conquest.
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Amarsri was seated on the cool, marble floor, surrounded by a sea of ancient scrolls, texts, and manuscripts. Each book was a testament to the accumulated wisdom of ages, a repository of knowledge both divine and mortal. She was immersed in a world of words, her fingers tracing intricate patterns on the pages. Some scrolls were open before her, their contents studied with rapt attention. Others were stacked neatly beside her, awaiting their turn.

A frown creased Amarsri's brow as she pondered the verses and her own tumultuous experiences with the Asuras. Her mind was a battlefield, with conflicting thoughts and emotions clashing against each other. The weight of the world seemed to rest on her delicate shoulders.

The ancient texts spoke of the Asuras' mastery over illusion, a power they wielded with deadly precision. It was a weapon, sharp and unforgiving. A sense of determination flickered in her eyes. If the Asuras could use illusion to deceive, then she, too, could harness this power.  However, the realization that Ajashakti, being Mayaputra himself, might be immune to illusion cast a dark shadow of doubt over her plans.

Amarsri understood that the maya she would create had to be flawless, indistinguishable from reality. It had to be more than just a visual trick; it needed to manipulate perception, bending the very fabric of existence. This task would require the full extent of her divine power.

She whispered to herself, "I must uncover his vulnerability. Devtas have weaknesses, Daityas do too... But what about him, who is neither a god nor a demon at this moment ?"

Her fingers traced imaginary patterns in the air, as if searching for an answer. Ajashakti seemed almost invincible. Amarsri's mind was a tempestuous sea, her thoughts churning like a whirlpool.

Amarsri's gaze drifted towards the window, lost in thought. Memories of happier times surfaced, a stark contrast to the grim reality she now faced. The image of Srinav, gentle and kind, was a comforting presence in the midst of her turmoil. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she contemplated the man he was forced to become.

She remembered Srinav's words, his voice as warm as the summer sun, "You have the power to be both, Amarsri. My strength and my weakness."

A faint smile graced her lips as she recalled his words. It was a bittersweet memory, a reminder of a love that seemed lost. But then suddenly, her expression shifted, the smile fading as a chilling realization dawned upon her.

"If I cannot find your weakness my love, perhaps I must become one." She whispered.

It was a cruel irony. In their wedding vows, she had promised to be his strength, his unwavering support. Now, to defeat him, she was contemplating becoming his weakness. A bitter taste filled her mouth. Yet, the stakes were too high. The fate of the cosmos hung in the balance.

Surprisingly a mischievous glint appeared in her eyes, as a plan formed in her mind. But it was audacious, perhaps even foolhardy. But desperation was a powerful motivator.

A chuckle escaped Amarsri's lips, "Ah Diti.... You have brought anarchy upon all the asuras."

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A/N

What is the plan ? Any guesses ? 🌝