A heavy silence descended on the courtyard, the only sound was the crackling of the sacrificial fire. The abrupt turn of events had left everyone stunned. The grand plan, meticulously crafted, had been derailed by a single, unexpected demand.
Ajashakti's gaze fell upon Diti. Her face, usually a mask of command, was now etched with frustration and bewilderment. Her gaze, however, was fixed on the night sky, a distant look in her eyes. A sense of unease crept into Diti's heart. The sage's unexpected demand had thrown a spanner in her carefully laid plans.
A thought, dark and ominous, crept into her mind. What if Amarsri, Srinav's wife, were to appear ? The mere thought sent a shiver down her spine. If Ajashakti were to regain his memory, their carefully constructed empire would crumble like a castle made of sand after being washed by the ocean.
She knew she had to keep Ajashakti away from Amarsri at all costs. While he had forgotten his divine identity, there was always the risk of his memory returning. A plan began to form in her mind. She would find Ajashakti a wife, a woman who would be completely under her control. Someone who would never challenge her authority or threaten her plans.
Diti's mind raced further. She realized that a mere Asura woman would not suffice. They were too strong, too independent. What she needed was someone weaker, someone easily controlled. A human woman, with her inherent delicateness and gentleness, seemed like the perfect choice. Humans, with their limited power, were the epitome of vulnerability in the eyes of an Asura.
"Mata ?" Ajashakti's voice broke the silence.
Diti, her mind already racing ahead, turned to face him. Her voice, firm and commanding, echoed through the courtyard. "Go to the nearest human village," she ordered, her tone brooking no argument, "find a suitable bride and marry her as per our traditions."
Ajashakti stood in silence, the enormity of his mother's command sinking in. The idea of venturing into the human realm, a world civilization alien to him, filled him with a sense of unease. He had never encountered humans before, their customs and ways were unknown to him.
"Do not waste time, Ajashakti," Diti ordered, her eyes flashing with irritation. "The fate of our race depends on it. Move !"
With that, she turned and walked away, her figure disappearing into the shadows. Ajashakti was left alone, the weight of his new mission pressing down upon him. Nevertheless he, with a mind still reeling from the unexpected turn of events, pulled himself together. His gaze swept across the assembled Asuras, seeking guidance.
"What does Mother mean by marrying according to our traditions ?" he asked, his voice carrying a hint of uncertainty.
One of the older Asuras, stepped forward. "In Asura-vivah, the groom offers wealth or valuable gifts to the bride's family in exchange for her hand in marriage."
Ajashakti nodded, the enormity of the task before him began to sink in. He gazed into the distance, his mind already formulating the next steps.
Turning back to the assembled Asuras, he ordered, "Prepare yourselves. We march to the nearest human settlement, in the next hour."
With that, he turned and strode back into the palace, his footsteps disappearing into the shadows.
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The world was cloaked in an impenetrable darkness, the moon and stars obscured by a thick veil of clouds. The Asuras moved through the night like shadows, their forms indistinct against the backdrop of the forest. Some rode upon swift, powerful horses, their hooves pounding rhythmically on the forest floor. Others, with their maya, soared through the night sky, their silhouettes cutting through the darkness like dark birds of prey.
Ajashakti, leading the charge, rode a magnificent black stallion, its power and grace a reflection of its rider. By his side, Vakrang and Pralayant, rode with a grim determination.
Ajashakti, his gaze fixed on the endless expanse of the forest, broke the silence. "What do you know of these humans ?" he asked, his voice carrying a hint of curiosity.
"Weaklings," Vakrang responded with a dismissive tone. "Insignificant creatures, easily subdued."
Pralayant chuckled. "I think our Rakshasa brethren might disagree with you on that, Vakrang."
His words were met with a low growl from the nearest Rakshasa, a playful confirmation of Pralayant's assertion. Ajashakti's gaze remained fixed on the path ahead, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts.
"Do not expect the humans to willingly offer their daughters to us," Pralayant warned, his voice carrying a note of caution. "We may have to resort to more...forceful methods."
Ketunemi broke the silence from the back of the procession. "If the humans prove to be resistant, we can always resort to our own methods. A Rakshasa marriage is swift and decisive."
Ajashakti, his face a mask of neutrality, turned to Ketunemi. "What do you mean by a Rakshasa marriage ?"
Ketunemi, a cruel glint in his eyes, explained, "In a Rakshasa marriage, a man simply takes what he desires. The maiden is seized by force, her family assaulted, their home destroyed."
"Oh." Ajashakti got lost in contemplation.
Suddenly, a break in the dense foliage revealed a cluster of human dwellings, a beacon of light in the encroaching darkness. The sight of the human settlement ignited a spark of anticipation among the Asuras.
With a thunderous gallop, the Asura horde descended upon the unsuspecting human village. Horses neighed in terror, their hooves pounding against the earth. The villagers, startled awake by the commotion, stumbled out into the night, their figures barely visible in the darkness.
Their eyes got widened in terror at the sight of the towering Asuras. Their screams echoed through the night, a cacophony of fear and despair. The villagers scattered, seeking refuge in the shadows, but the Asuras, like an impenetrable wall, surrounded them from all sides. There was no escape.
"Stop wherever you are !" Ajashakti thundered, his voice was a force that compelled obedience.
Instantly, the frenzied movement ceased. Villagers, frozen in fear, stood rooted to the spot, their bodies trembling. The asuras pointed their weapons at the cowering humans, making sure no one escaped. The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the soft whimpers of fear.
"Is there a leader among you ?" Ajashakti demanded, his tone carrying an undercurrent of menace.
A middle-aged man, his voice trembling with fear, said "I...I am the sarpanch."
Ajashakti nodded, his eyes scanning the man from head to toes, his gaze menacing as it was commanding.
"Come forward," he ordered, his voice low and dangerous. The man, his legs trembling, slowly approached the towering Asura, his every movement a testament to his abject fear.
Ajashakti, his voice devoid of emotion, addressed the trembling village elder, "I require a wife. Bring me one that is blessed with auspicious marks."
Pralayant, ever the opportunist, added, "She must be young and pleasing to the eye, a worthy consort for our Asur-raj."
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A/N
Diti thinking human girl would be fragile.... Lekin so is a bomb 🤣
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AJASHAKTI ANUGAMINI : An HHS Spinoff
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