The First Empress

Sangamithra's Anger

She wears strength and darkness equally well,
the girl has always been half goddess half hell.

Sangamithra was visibly devastated to see such a small life leave this world. Her sorrow turned into anger as she looked at the small figure lying lifeless in her lap. Rudhra Varman held her shoulders. However, in the next moment, a commotion arose at the entrance of the temple.

Rudhra Varman turned toward the entrance and informed his mother.

Rudhra Varman: Koyilin vaayilil yaaro varuvadhu pola therigiradhu thaaiye... Naan sendru paarkkiren.

As he was about to move, Sangamithra held the hand he had placed on her shoulder and simply said, "Jaakkiradhai," without turning her head. He nodded quickly and left for the entrance.

Sangamithra's eyes burned red as they remained fixed on Arumponni's lifeless body. Grief tightened within her, silent and seething.

Meanwhile, as Rudhra Varman reached the entrance of the temple, he froze at the sight before him. More dacoits had surrounded the area. Most were draped in sarees, their faces hard and unyielding. The Zilam soldiers faltered, their weapons suspended mid-air, for many Zilam women were caught among them.

Even Rudhra Varman hesitated to fight them. 

Rudhra Varman: Pengale.... Vilagi sellungal!!! Ungalin maddhiyil kayavargal kalandhu irukkindranar!!! 

As his voice rang out, panic rippled through the women in the area. They tried to flee in every direction, their footsteps echoing against the temple walls. But before they could escape, the dacoits surged forward. In the chaos, many were seized and dragged back, held hostage amid the rising cries and confusion.

Rudhra Varman: Veerargale!!!! Nam naattin pengalil oruvarai kooda izhakkaadhu kayavargalai kollum paniyai mattum seiyyungal!!!

The soldiers of Zilam tightened their grip on their weapons and moved as one at his signal, scanning for the slightest breach in the enemy's formation. Their patience strained against their fury.

The dacoits, perceiving the shift, reacted with cruelty. Blades pressed closer to trembling throats. A cry pierced the air as one of the hostages was struck.

"Nirutthungal!" Rudhra Varman's roar thundered across the temple courtyard, halting his men mid-step. His voice carried not just command, but iron resolve. No one moved without his will.

However, in the next moment, a loud cackle rose from the midst of the dacoits.

Rudhra Varman narrowed his eyes toward the center of the gathering. From between them, a figure draped in a saree stepped forward. A chill ran down his spine. Every hair on his body stood on end at the sight of that man clad in a woman's attire.

He was the one his father had long been searching for. The architect of their losses.

The ruthless Rajendra l.

Rajendra: En aasai annanin moottha magane!!! Vandhu sittrappavai vanangi sel...

Rudhra Varman: Nee enakku sittrappana???? En thaatthan izhaittha thavaru nee.. Pediyai pola pengalin pinnal olindhu nirkum unnai vananginaal adhu en kulatthirku izhukku.

Rudhra Varman's insult only drew a thunderous laugh from Rajendran, a sound devoid of shame and filled with scorn.

 Rajendra: Kadugu sirutthaalum kaaram kuraivadhillai endru kooruvar.. Unmaiyaga dhaan ponadhu.. Maanatthaiyum avamaanatthaiyum peridhaaga karudhum andha Adithanin pillai endru nee niroobitthu vittaai... Baley... Baley.... 

Innum edharku kaatthu kondirukkiraai??? Vandhu ennai kondru podu!! Ennai arukka vandha kodi nee endru laavaniyin aarudan koorinaan... Adhan unmaiyai naanum arindhu kolla kaatthirukkiren!!