In a dimly lit hall adorned with ancient tapestries depicting their conquests, Arishtak and Mayantak sat on ornate thrones carved from dark wood, their expressions tight with anticipation. The air was thick, mingling with the whispers of their fellow asuras who clustered in the shadows.

Arishtak drummed his stout fingers restlessly on the armrest. "Abhi tak Kambuk ko aa jana chahiye tha. Ek balika ka vadh karne mei kitna samaye lagega ?" he hissed, irritation creeping into his voice.

"Jab kanya swayam Amarsri ho, toh samaye lag sakta hai." Mayantak muttered.

Around them, the other asuras murmured in agreement, their eyes gleaming with a mix of envy and ambition. Some spoke of vengeance, while a few others cast furtive glances at the grand entrance, waiting for any sign of Kambuk’s success.

Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted as Chhayavritti, the master of shadows, glided into the hall. His face was a mask of grimness, shrouded in the dark folds of his cloak. The flickering torchlight cast eerie shapes upon his features, heightening the sense of dread among the gathered Asuras.

A hush fell over the room as every eye turned toward him, hope igniting in their chests.

"Bolo mitra," Arishtak urged, leaning forward. "Kya Kambuk safal huya ?"

Chhayavritti exhaled slowly, the weight of the moment heavy upon him. "Kambuk mara gaya...." He intoned, his voice low and resonant.

A hush enveloped the hall, the silence sharp enough to cut through the tension. Arishtak exploded with fury, slamming his fist against the table, sending goblets clattering wildly.

"KAISE HO SAKTA HAI YEH ?!" he roared, his rage echoing in the recesses of the hall. "Uss kanya ko apni divyata smaran bhi nahi !"

"Pata nahi kaise uski hatya ho gayi..." Chhayavritti muttered, "Mujhe toh keval uska mrit deh, Sindhu Sagar mei, lakshyaheen roop se tairta huya mila..... Uski samast haddiya tuti huyi thi, tan mei rakt ki ek boond bhi nahi...."

A pall of despair fell upon the asuras as the bitter truth settled in. Revenge felt distant now, and the shadows in the room thickened, reflecting their collective dread. Mayantak, however, remained unyielding, his face a mask of stoicism. He leaned back, calculating, the gears of his mind turning.

"Yeh Krishneshwari ka karya nahi ho sakta..." he declared, confidence lacing his tone. "Woh abhi ek balika hai. Koi aur hai, jo uski raksha kar raha hai."

The murmurs resumed, a mixture of disbelief and curiosity swirling as they contemplated the implications of Mayantak's words.

Arishtak’s eyes narrowed, a frown creeping across his face. "Vishnu hi hoga."

"Kintu woh shraapit hai." Mayantak countered, leaning back in his seat, arms crossed. "Vishnu ko dekhegi toh bhasm ho jaayegi."

Chhayavritti interjected, his tone thoughtful yet skeptical, "Yadi Vishnu nahi toh Mahadev ho sakte hai..... Kintu mujhe nahi lagta ki Shiv aise gupt-roop se prahaar karenge."

Mayantak’s gaze shifted, a spark of insight igniting in his mind. "Toh keval ek hi hai..... Shreeshaktiswar." he proposed, the name escaping his lips like a secret uncovered.

A collective unease gripped the asuras, a chill racing through the room. Whispers of dread flickered among them—Shreeshaktishwar, the divine husband of the Harihareshwari, was a formidable force. His mere presence could obliterate their darkest intentions. The prospect of him intervening sent shivers down their spines.

The tension thickened, dread pooling in their hearts as they exchanged fearful glances, acutely aware that challenging him could lead to their annihilation. Yet, within their hearts, the fire of vengeance burned too fiercely to extinguish, igniting their resolve even in the face the possibility of such a colossal threat.

"Chhayavritti," Mayantak leaned forward, the flickering torches cast ominous shadows across his angular features, "Tumhe Mathura jana hoga. Sab kehte hai ki Shreeshaktiswar ne wahi janm liya hai, Satyak-putra Satyashree ke roop mei. Uss par drishti rakho, aur pata lagao ki woh Krishneshwari ki raksha hetu kya kar raha hai."

The assembled Asuras shifted, their expressions a mix of fear and determination. Arishtak's eyes narrowed, contemplating the peril that lay ahead.

Mayantak cautioned, "Kintu sambhal ke. Krishna aur Balram ka nivaas bhi Mathura mei hi hai."

Chhayavritti nodded, the shadows around him swirling as if in communion with his intent. With a final glance at the anxious faces surrounding him, he summoned the darkness, merging seamlessly with the shadows. The Asuras held their breath, each heartbeat echoing their resolve.

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A/N

Beta Mayantak, apne luck ko itna bhi accha mat samjho ki Srinav hoga.... Kyuki jo hai, woh Srinav se lakh guna adhik khatarnak hai 🤣🔥