Akileshwar dropped to his knees in shock. Kali's body was not even in front of him. Though that was slightly better as it gave him a touch of hope that she was still alive. 

He glanced to his side to see Tanvi slowly walking towards him, covering her mouth in shock. Tears were threatening to come.

'What's the point now?' Asked Akileshwar to himself. Bhringi and Narada gave him pitied looks. They knew his feeling were mixed about the Asuraksha business. But they knew he was certain he was not up to the job. Though they still believed he could save the Mandalayu.

Bhringi slowly walked up to his friend and put a hand on his back, rubbing circles gently. He knew what type of person Akileshwar was. So, he knew Akileshwar blamed himself for it. And even Akileshwar did. He knew that he shouldn't have marched the enemies army just like that.

'Who launched the attack?' Asked Akileshwar. As far as he knew, the Asura didn't even know they were approaching. Plus, the Asura would not have an army of creatures.

'I do not know. The army did not have any sign as to who they worked for. Nor did they have a leader. They were completely anonymous' Said Narada.

Akileshwar glanced around and suddenly a thought struck him.

'How did they know where we were?' He asked to no one in particular.

Everyone squinted as though they had just realized this. Another thought struck Akileshwar.

'Where's David?' He asked as he glanced around. David Cross was nowhere to be seen and he knew his suspicions were confirmed. Ever since his talk with Bhringi, he began to assume that David was just a spy. No doubt the pirates that had found him were also planted too.

'Akil, we can still retrieve the Mandalayu?' Said Tanvi. Though it came out more of a question than an answer. 

Akileshwar nodded absent-mindedly. He got up and glanced at Narada. 'Do you have horses?'

Narada nodded. 

▪

Indra paced in his chambers in the Aakashprasadh. He badly wanted to grab something and throw it. His range was beyond description.

Airawat paused before walking to Indra's chambers. He had been doing this repeatedly after deciding to speak with Indra. He wanted to try and change his lord's mind about this. It seemed against Dharma. 

Finally, he reached the door after a lot more pausing. He inhaled sharply and knocked on the door thrice.

'Come in' Came Indra's smooth voice. Airawat walked into the room and for a moment Indra was surprised.

'Yes, Airawat?'

'My lord.. why are you doing this?' He asked, finally gathering the courage. Indra was taken aback by the question. It was very rare for Airawat to sprout questions.

'Reasons, Airawat. Personal ones' Said Indra. He knew something Brahma dint. 

Dripavgam was praying to the statue of lord Brahma that stood in front of him. Unlike all other people of India, he prayed to lord Brahma rather than lord Shiva. It was like Brahma was his personal god.

Dhirbata was walking outside the area where Dripavgam was praying. He held a nonchalant expression as he walked back and forth, deep in thought. Dripavgam and his brother, Shashvabodh were picking on a lot of the girls lately. And Dhirbata had always been the one saving them. Yet, he had to pay the price every night, where he gets beat by the brothers.

Dhirbata's thought process was broken by the faint noise of Dripavgam's voice, chanting.

ॐ ब्रह्मणे नमः

Dhirbata frowned. It was unusual for Dripavgam to pray. Let alone to lord Brahma. People usually prayed to lord Shiva. But Dhirbata guessed that Dripavgam was too lazy to give eternal penance to lord Shiva, so, he sought Brahma. 

Deciding to eavesdrop, he pressed his ear against the chamber's walls and listened intently.

Dripavgam kept repeating the chant. Over and over again. For a man who picked on small girls, Dhirbata was surprised by the amount of devotion he poured into his prayers.

After what was approximately 8 hours, he stopped, satisfied with his penance. He got up and returned to his daily ativities.

Dhirbata scowled at Dripavgam's retreating figure. He decided that he would see the next day too. Something told him this led to something fishy.

The next 10 days the same thing repeated. Finally, on the tenth day, a yellow light shone from the Brahma statue. Once the light dimmed, a figure was revealed.

Brahma sat in all his glory, smiling at Dripavgam, adored by his penance. Though it lasted for only very little time.

'My lord' Bowed Dripavgam. Dhirbata silently snorted at his formalities. For someone who bullied kids for a living..

Brahma blessed Dripavgam. He got up and awaited any orders or something from Brahma.

'You will receive one boon' Said Brahma. Dripavgam silently joyed. At least he had got what he wanted.

'My lord. I would like the power to defeat my friend in combat' Said Dripavgam. Dhirbata gasped. This was just to beat him?! Certainly Brahma would not allow it.

Instead, Brahma just smiled and granted him the boon. Dhirbata nearly fell to the ground in shock.

Ever since that day, Dripavgam beat Dhirbata in combat. And Dhirbata knew he could never win.

Indra had set aside the fact that his life was made a hell because of Brahma. When he got to know his good side, he began to ease. Until his bad side was shown. 

Indra was not the only one who hated Brahma. He had gotten himself into trouble a thousand times. For example when he had challenged Vishnu to a challenge of scaling a giant pillar that was lord Shiva nonetheless. Vishnu had accepted that Shiva was the greatest whereas Brahma sought vengeance. 

'Airawat, I'm going there myself' Said Indra, making up his mind. Airawat looked at his master in shock.

'But, the ancient laws-' 

'I know' Indra waved his hand impatiently. 'But I know someone who will get the job done'

▪

'Here we are. Mt. Vindhyachaja' Said Narada. As the horses stopped in front of the steep mountain.

'Where is the entrance?' Asked Akileshwar. 

'No one knows. Not even the gods enter Naraka' Said Bhringi.

'Another thing, Akil. Only four people may accompany you inside Naraka. Ancient laws state so' Said Sakradeva. Akileshwar nodded as he gazed at Mt. Vindhyachaja, searching for any clues to enter Naraka. Coming up empty, he shrugged at Bhringi who returned the response.

'Wait! I saw something' Said Tanvi. All eyes turned to her as she squinted at the mountain's bottom.

'I don't think you saw anything. We're at the bottom. It might be on the top or the other side' Said Sakradeva. 

Akileshwar nodded.

'There!' Pointed Tanvi all of a sudden. Akileshwar squinted and saw that Tanvi had seen something.

'Kupa!' Cried out Bhringi as Akileshwar stared at him weirdly.

'Kupa is hole in Sanskrit. It must be around there'

Just as they started moving towards the Kupa sign, more letters joined the word.

'Mayakupa' Said Bhringi, his sudden happiness having faded. Akileshwar once again shot him a questioning look as his Sanskrit needed improvement.

'Maya means Illusion. The hole is just another illusion'

Sakradeva sighed. 'I guess we should check the top?' He asked Akileshwar.

But he remained silent, narrowing his eyes at the Mayakupa. An idea had struck him.

'If it's an illusion, why would they put it?' He questioned no one in particular. Everyone wondered what he was talking about.

'It's an illusion, right. So, why would they put Maya. What if, the very Mayakupa is an illusion? Those words might be an illusion to trick us. So, the hole is not the illusion, but the Maya is'

No one reacted, as they were all trying to process what Akileshwar had just said. It still didn't make sense. 

Akileshwar sighed in irritation and walked to the Mayakupa, despite the cries of everyone telling him to stop.

He neared it and touched Kupa, careful to avoid Maya. Suddenly, the stone wall parted in front of him revealing a hole which led straight downwards.

'Wow. I did not think that would work' Remarked Akileshwar.

'All right who is coming?' Asked Tanvi.

'I cannot accompany you, Akil. I have another thing to do' Said Narada. He looked at Bhringi silently, expecting him to say the same. But he remained silent, evidently ignoring Narada. He fumed. But it was his choice. Calming down, he walked away.

Akileshwar nodded. Leaving him with four people. He grinned. 'Let's go!'