'Where are we going?' Asked Akileshwar as he and Kali rode in a caravan. It was nothing fancy. It had a wooden box and sticks that were supported on two horses. An Asuran sat on an extending ledge of the box with a whip for the horses. 

A few hours back, Kali had approached him and asked him to follow her. Akileshwar had agreed, though reluctant.

'Kalinga. We are going to see whether the Lingamputras support their leaders decision' Replied Kali.

Akileshwar nodded. No wonder he recognized the road when they were being pulled.

'You might wanna sleep. Because the journey will take a while. We were thrown out of Kalinga and made sure that we never made it back to it again'

Akileshwar nodded. He was eager to visit his home. He had not seen his family for 2 years. But the thought of his family also brought the thoughts of that day like it was yesterday. Slowly, he drifted of to a sleep, where he had a nightmare of.. her.

'Tanvi!' Whispered Akileshwar harshly but also with a hint of a smile on his face. It was late in the night and Tanvi had suddenly dragged him to their house garden. Suddenly, she had seen someone and started dragging Akileshwar to her.

'Where are you taking me?! We could get caught! And Pa will not be happy' Said Akileshwar in the same tone.

Tanvi just laughed and continued dragging Akileshwar. He glanced at her, how she smiled lovingly and her fair skin lighted with happiness. She wore a pink sari and a golden blouse. Her eyes were brown and her body was slim and athletic with curves in all the right places.

'You can stop staring you know' Said Tanvi as Akileshwar blushed a crimson red. Tanvi laughed louder but she secretly admired Akileshwar. They had been best friends for years but she wanted to be more than that.

'Laugh louder! I don't think the people of Ayodhya heard you!' Scolded Akileshwar. Tanvi just continued dragging him.

Finally, after what seemed like hours she stopped as they walked in a forest like area. It had trees on the sides and a pathway in the center. They walked silently in the darkness until Tanvi spotted a bench and beckoned Akileshwar to sit down.

'What are we doing out here?' Asked Akileshwar.

'Waiting for a friend' Replied Tanvi. 'I want to introduce my best friend.. except you. This was before I met you.. There she is' 

Tanvi pointed at a girl walking towards them. She looked a little taller than Tanvi with a bit fatter than Tanvi. But not the beefy fat. Akileshwar couldn't make out her eye color in the darkness and guessed her hair was black.

'Lekha!' Shouted Tanvi in joy. Lekha smiled at Tanvi warmly and then the smile was removed when she faced Akileshwar, replaced by a cold mask.

'Is this the one?' She asked in a nonchalant voice. To be honest, this girl scared Akileshwar.

'I have introduced him to Guruji. He has approved him as the Asuraksha' Akileshwar frowned in the confusion as them.

Lekha eyed him. 'Why don't you yourself do it. Or you never know. The Devas brought a new man, known as Rudra. He might be the Asuraksha'

'Lekha! You do know that anyone who met Surya first is under his control. He may have the potential, but once Guru Bhringi chooses it is done. No one will go against the Lingamputras' decision!'

'Half of the Lingamputras do not know of the decision he has made' snorted Lekha.

Tanvi glared at Lekha. But she just glared right back.

Suddenly, realization dawned on Akileshwar. He had been used!

He stormed out of his seat and looked at Tanvi in shock, who shot him a confused look.

'You've been using me!' He accused.

'I have done no such thing!' But Tanvi just realized the words she had said.

'You just wanted me to save the Asuras. Whoever they are!' Akileshwar started walking back where he came. He dint know why he shouted for some stupid reason. He seemed very moody lately.

'Wait! Akil! I dint mean it like that!' Cried out Tanvi. But Akileshwar dint hear. He kept on walking, picking up his pace slightly.

'Don't ever come near me again' He hissed, calm. Which scared Tanvi even more.

Tanvi opened her mouth, but instead, Kali's voice came

WAKE UP!

Akileshwar shot up with the sounds of CLING! CLANG! On the outside.

'We're under attack! I should have known!' Scolded Kali. Akileshwar jumped out of the caravan and drew his sword. They were only accompanied by two guards. Who were locked in fierce combat with 2 other people who Akileshwar dint recognize.

Nevertheless, he charged forward and gave a battle cry. He charged at the man on the left who was overpowering the guard battling him.

He sneaked to his side and, while he was jabbing, he struck his side with the sword. The man looked in shock at Akileshwar who had pulled the sword out, dripping with blood. Blood was flowing out of the wound as the man sank to the ground and collapsed in a pool of blood. Feeling pity for him, he struck his sword through his heart, giving him a quick death. A slow death would have been much worse.

They easily overpowered the man on the right as he too, was killed quickly.

Akileshwar breathed heavily as he gazed at the dead man. It was no wonder that he had heard the Asuraksha before. Tanvi had introduced him to the leader of the Lingamputras, Guru Athreya and he had discussed some secret matters with Tanvi.

'Who were those people?' Asked Akileshwar as he got into the caravan and started the journey again.

'We are near Karnata. The state contains the hidden city of Pracharaksheni. the propagators of goods' place. The warriors bred there are generally considered as Lord Brahma's incarnation. They resent the Asurans as much as Kalinga' Replied Kali.

Akileshwar frowned. Karnata was far below in the south. Was that how far they were?

'Why are we here? Is it that far from Kalinga?' He said, voicing his thoughts.

'Yes. We were very far. But do not worry. It won't be long from now'

Akileshwar nodded and once again fell into, this time a dreamless sleep.

▪

Kali really needed to work on her "not far" part since hers was 1 month.

'We are here' Said Kali. Akileshwar peeked out of the caravan to see big buildings but not much. It had been a while since he had come back here. Nothing much had changed.

'Won't the people throw you out?' Asked Akileshwar. He doubted that the people of Kalinga's resentment for the Asurans had changed over the years.

Kali shook her head. 'Guru Athreya himself has invited us for a meeting'

Akileshwar nodded. An invitation from the man who was the leader of the Lingamputras would not be intercepted.

'Though I doubt the people will let us stay anywhere. There is certainly no room for us in the palace'

Akileshwar was deep in thought. He saw only one option to this.

'I know a place. It is the last place I wanna go but it's the only place'

▪

Akileshwar stood in front of his old house's door. He kept thinking and re-thinking whether he should do this.

Maybe Guru Bhringi will give us a residence?

He sighed. It was a long shot.

He knocked on the door three times. Just to his luck, Tanvi opened the door.