Friendship isn't knocking on the door everyday, it is appearing when your friend needs you.

****

Before leaving Revat, the Four decided to pay a visit to the werewolf pack in the Valley of Saints. There were many powerful creatures living there, and they could be of help.

What was not helping Indumala now was the fact that her Baba too, was something other than a human, like Rudra.

She had been living with him since birth. She had known him as mother and father. When she would get a fever after dancing wildly in the rain, he would sit beside her head all night and take her care, just like a mother. When some boy would mock her birthmark and call her ugly, he would instill in her confidence, like a father. He was both the protective umbrella and the fluffy cushion during times of distress. She thought she knew him too well, probably the most in the world, but her beliefs came crashing down.

Aryamna walked ahead of them, away from her and Ishvara. Indumala had asked her Maa if she knew anything. Of course, she was shocked too. Indumala pursed her lips. Would her Maa be upset and consider this as betrayal? What if the marriage's foundation was shook?

"I believe he kept it hidden from you too?" Ishvara asked all of a sudden.

"Yes. All these years I was spoonfed a lie."

Ishvara grimaced. "I-I think he did it because he didn't have an answer to explain why he is this. Perhaps he was scared of scaring you."

Maybe Indumala would have been scared to have a Baba like that, but only if she was given an option. Now when she was already so much in love, it would be stupid to expect that Indumala would abandon her Baba. Also, what right did she even have to discard him? He could have thrown her away to die as a baby. Yet, he chose her. He loved her, a bundle of mess with a curse lurking in her past.

It was the same bond of love that caused Indumala to look woebegone. She couldn't imagine her father sinking his fangs– not teeth, but fangs– into the skin of another. It made sense now why Hamal and Aryamna were calling each other similar– both were vampires.

Indumala heaved a sigh. Her lover fed on the meat of humans and animals alike, and her father drank blood. She wouldn't be shocked if she knew she too was some crazy being.

They stood in front of a thick greeny gate cut out of climbers and bushes. The men, whom Indumala guessed to be werewolves too(now in human form like Rudra), weren't so surprised to see Ishvara than they were on seeing her. Their beady round eyes whispered through silent exchanges.

Rudra sat on a throne carved out of pure onyx. It was grand, glinting a silver twinkle in the night. The pack surrounded him, with Aryamna standing at his right.

"Glory to Alpha Rudra Arumugam, Favourite of the Moon."

The werewolves knelt, including Aryamna.

"Indumala, come here," Rudra called. "Rest, rise."

Indumala could feel the tickling breeze tease her neck. Her hands were gleaming in perspiration, strung out by the focused gazes of the men around. She stood on Rudra's left, who casually brushed back her curls and then glared at his pack. "This is Indumala. I hope I don't need to tell you more."

His voice was grave, and it sounded more like a warning. The men nodded, acknowledging the weight of Indumala's importance.

"Indumala is a part of the pack like us, and also Ishvara, them being companions of the Alpha and the Beta. Thought I should make it clear verbally. Anyways, there is an announcement to make." Rudra crossed his legs. "We are going on war with Hamal the Second."

The werewolves didn't show any sign of fear or hesitation. Instead, their faces were lit up with smirks. "We were waiting for the opportunity to show that man his place. The war will see our best men on the battlefield."

"Good." Rudra smiled. "I will ask my Beta, Aryamna, to talk with the Saints and gather their blessings. We need their luck on our side."

"I shall go immediately," Aryamna said. "Can I take Indumala with me? Meanwhile, please make Ishvara comfortable."

Indumala noticed her Baba blink slowly at Ishvara, and she returned the gesture. "I would require some private time to talk with my wife," Aryamna said in Rudra's ears. "But I need to take Indumala with me now. I am afraid if I leave her hanging, I will lose her."

"I have no problem. In case you need any help with the untangling of the anger you might have caused to these women, I will help you."

"You are truly a brother."

Rudra patted Aryamna on the back. "Indumala, go and visit the Saints with him. They should also get to know you."

Thus, Indumala followed her Baba.

She had never seen his head tipped so low– so desperately, helplessly guilty. Black locks fell over his drowning gaze. He paused near a clearing. His fingers clasped the spear tight. "I understand I have things to explain."

"Yes." Indumala noticed a slab of stone nearby. "Let us sit and talk."

The glow was gone from her Baba's face. Aryamna looked dry and dull like the scrunched skin of a walnut. He kept the spear aside and entwined his fingers, head drooping like a weak sunflower.

Indumala gulped. "Are you a vampire from birth or were you cursed like Rudra?"

Aryamna didn't answer. He took deep breaths to steady his heart.

"Baba?"

"Huh? Sorry. I-I was thinking on what to do." He cleared his throat. "Tell me what you feel."

"Were you cursed like Rudra?"

"I was. I was a human once, just like Rudra. Alas, I turned into a vampire due to a curse."

"Why?"

Aryamna averted his gaze. "I don't know. There's a lot that I have hidden from you, Indumala." Teary waves agitated the surreal blue of his eyes. "I didn't tell you because, in all honesty, I didn't know how. If you ask me how I became a vampire, I will unfortunately have no answer to give."

"Is it because you genuinely don't know how it happened, or you can't tell me?"

"Indumala," Aryamna nervously took her hand in his, "I promise I will tell you one day."

"Why not now?"

"I don't have much to say. One day I will. I will. It's not a promise I make to you but also to myself."

Indumala stared at his hands. Even if she was a big girl at present, her palm was very small compared to his. These hands had taught her to stand up, to walk and run, to wield the bow. The soft, feathery touch caressed her every morning, healed cuts and even chastised her with light smacks. The lips which kissed a chalice of blood also sang lullabies for a little baby. The eyes, unfathomably deep and the colour of the salty sea, unraveled so much wrath back in Revat. But with Indumala, they teared up easily.

"I still love you, Baba," Indumala croaked, realising she was on the verge of crying. "I was frightened by your form in Revat. Looking back, I had never seen you like that ever. You were never so, so angry."

"Because no one ever made me so, so angry. No one tried to kill you." Aryamna's piercing stare revolted against the godly pride of the cosmic sky. "There may be kings with kingdoms as vast as the universe and gold more precious than the stars. There may be gods who write fate and make puppets out of devotees. I have seen them all in my long life." He gritted his teeth. "But Indumala, know that your Baba won't tolerate any injury to you. I will be a monster, if that is what I must, to end these men who strive to crush you."

"Why do you love me so much?" Indumala's shoulders dropped. "I am not even your blood."

Aryamna smiled through his tears. "You chose me. When I was lost and desolate, you came to make me happy again."

"You always say that I chose you, but in reality," Indumala pointed at him like a child in awe of the crescent moon, "you chose me."

"Indu, you came to me when I had no one." Aryamna whimpered. "I wanted to be a parent and have someone to call my own."

"Now when you have more than me, I won't leave. I will still be with you." Indumala hugged him. "But Baba, you were really scary. You and Rudra, both."

"Kalika is scary too. But she loves her daughter." Aryamna fondled her cheeks.

Indeed, her Baba was no less than Kalika to her. "You need to talk to Maa about this."

"I will, Indu." He stood up, and Indumala followed. "I will get the permission to meet with the Saints. You wait for me. If you want, you can explore the place a little but don't go too far away."

"Alright."

The canopy above Indumala was a brilliant shade of bluish green, sparkling so bright that one would think it was sprinkled with a dust of crystals. She heard the bubbling of a river, so got up to see it. Yes, there was a river that cascaded down the hill, its sweet notes a music to tired ears. It was so pure and white in colour like milk. There were some cottages and temples around this river. Some sheep grazed to the left. Carefully, she walked towards them so as to not disturb the herd. Alas, her sharp focus lacked awareness, and she bumped into a stranger.

"Ouch!" she yelped and rubbed her nose. For sure it had turned red as beetroot. She saw apples rolling on the ground, and knelt to collect those juicy fruits and put it in the stranger's basket.

"Ah, I wasn't looking around!" The man wiped his sweaty forehead. "Pardon me, my lady."

"It's fine–" Indumala's smile froze on her face. Who is this?

Apparently, this older blond man looked eerily similar to Rudra, although it could have been just the rough facial structure. Perhaps it was the way his jaw was smoothened to a dagger-sharp edge, or those hawk-like eyes. He was also camphor-fair like her lover.

"I am Khonsu," he introduced himself. "What's your name?"

"I am Indumala."

"Indumala? Hmm." He scratched his chin. "Aha! You are the Luna, aren't you?"

"I– Wait, what?"

"Luna, as in the mate or the beloved of the Alpha. Alpha Rudra?"

Oh, so I am to be referred to as Luna. "Err, yes. I-I am his beloved." Gosh, this sound so awkward but cute.

"I know you. I have heard a lot about you."

Khonsu's eyes were illuminated with a sacred warmth. Indumala blushed when he admired her, as if she were an ancient statue carved out of marble. He was standing still like one too, his instincts and movements forgotten. A smile quivered on Khonsu's lips, and he delicately poked her nose. "You are a lovely child. I have a son of your age. So you are like my daughter."

Indumala chuckled. And it turned into a laugh. Her jaws pained but she didn't stop giggling. Khonsu too was toppled over by joy.

"Why are you laughing so much?" she asked.

"Why are you?"

Well, why am I? It was just the aura of this man. He emanated comfort and motherly tenderness. And he booped her nose! "It seems like we are long-lost friends who met after years," Indumala said. "But I am not that old."

"Maybe you are an old soul. Maybe we had met somewhere in the past."

Indumala's spine jerked straight. She felt a jolt run down her bones. It was for a minute moment, escaping as soon as it came. But it made her feel so free, like a bird whose home was the whole sky. She could breathe in the freshness of the clouds and taste the sunlight licking her skin.

But again, wasn't it night now?

"Perhaps," she whispered. If only I knew this man, she wished from her heart sincerely. It was exhausting and harrowing to only hear plaintive cries and diabolical shrieks in dreams. Why didn't she see good people? Weren't there any lovely ones in her past life?

"Indumala!" She turned back and saw Aryamna coming. Khonsu handed her the basket and embraced her Baba. "How are you, Uncle?"

"Good, as much as old age allows." He proudly looked at Aryamna. "I met your daughter. I had longed to meet her."

"I know." Aryamna's voice was shaky for a flickering moment. The two men considered each other's words in silence. "How about we take her to meet your wife and son?"

"I am sorry, Aryamna, but Soham is having his classes and my pretty wife is busy, as usual, with her magic and stuff." He pouted. "She can be very caught up with things."

"Don't worry, Uncle." Aryamna suppressed a grin. "She will give you time. Are you planning to bring another kid or what?"

Khonsu was funnily flustered. "Fool! We are too old for that! I-I have run out of things. My body doesn't work." Khonsu hissed. "Don't behave like this in front of Indu, or else she will start treating me like you. You never respected me enough."

"Respect comes from within. When I see Amma, I feel reverence and divine delight. But when I see you," Aryamna poked his nose, just like Khonsu had done to Indu, "I feel like pushing you in the mud."

"Baba, why do you chaff the poor man so much?"

Aryamna raised a brow. "Already defending him?"

Khonsu's face shimmered like a comet. Indumala noticed him sniff back a tear and smile at her. The ruddiness of his cheeks deepened. "You two should come here more often."

"I have something to inform you, Uncle."

"You sound grave. What is it?"

Aryamna frowned. "We are going on war." He exhaled. "With Hamal. Hamal the Second."

Khonsu's eyes widened. He staggered back and was about to fall when Aryamna held him by the elbow. Indumala kept the basket down and reached for him too.

"War? Yes... It had to happen." Khonsu narrowed his eyes, his voice quietened down to a hush. "It couldn't have been avoided."

"We look forward to your blessings. The Saints can pray for our victory."

"Always. We are on your side." Khonsu fidgeted with his chiton. "Is Indumala also going on war?"

"I haven't talked to Rudra about it, but as far as I know him and I know my own rules, we won't let her venture into the battlefield–"

A blindingly yellow orb flashed in thin air. Out from the snowy portal, Khonsu brought out a gilded sword. "Take it, Indumala."

She gaped at the weapon. It was too good to be true, even more gorgeous than the Dhananjaya Sword that Rudra had gifted her. This nameless sword in the grip of Khonsu was as golden as the sun, purple amethysts studded on its side and mantras inscribed on the hilt. The blade was hot to touch, as if just taken out of a bed of red coal.

"Why are you giving this to her?"

Khonsu stared into Indumala's soul, a holy courage piercing through her darkest shadows and fears. "She needs it."

"But–"

"She needs it." Khonsu took the basket. "We will talk again another day. Hurry up, children. Go back home. Prepare for war."

Indumala traced the sword. It glimmered, burning without flames in her hands, and then vanished, the energy being soaked by her body. Indumala knew instantly that she was now the Master of this otherworldly weapon and could summon it anytime she willed. It was flowing in her veins, mixing in with the glittery magic of her blood.

"I met a wonderful man today," she said. "And got a wonderful sword."