Demise of the Demon King

by Utkarsh Srivastava

  'You wretch demon, I challenge you for duel. Defeat me, before you kill Naagraj.' Prince of Vidarbh challenged Dudumbhi for duel.

  'So the Serpents have brought a human for their help, it's amazing. I have given last chance to these serpents youngman, that's why I have to accept your challenge. Come on, fight me.' Dudumbhi rushed towards Vikramajit.

  This duel lasted for two prahar, at last Dudumbhi was lying below Vikramajit's feet.

  'Just look at yourself you wretch, now you are in the same condition, through which the Serpents King had suffered earlier. So just say, what shall I do with you?' Vikramajit ridiculed him and said.

  'This strength, this bravery. Only one person only could have this much capability, it means you are still alive, Vikramajit. My elder Markesh described about your bravery, you are much powerful than that.' Dudumbhi praised Vikramajit.

  Listening his comments Vikramajit was confused, slowly slowly he could feel his past as well as his identity. He was in dilemma, Dudumbhi took advantage of the situation and pushed him back.

  Vikramajit falls on the ground. Memories of Chitrlekha were vanished from his mind, but his mind started absorbing his early memories. Dudumbhi wanted to take advantage of it, and attacked him with a Poniard. Vikramajit resisted his attack and made a fierce attack on his chest, he falls on the ground. After that, Vikramajit took huge stride and made a final attack on Dudumbhi's chest. As a result, blood of that demon was flattered all over the ground, and he took his last breath. After seeing him dead, there was huge commotion spreaded over the demon's army, the army of the Nagas were enjoying their victory. They took up Vikramajit on their shoulders. Princess Kanishka was infatuated on Vikramajit. King Vishandhar came to Vikramajit.

  'Who are you young man? You have indebted the whole Nagas race.'

  'I am Vikramajit, Prince of Vidarbh. You are talking about debt, you have saved my life and a putted a big debt one, which is nothing front of this.' Vikramajit thanked and said.

  'So can we request you for something, Prince?' Princess Kanishka stepped forward and said.

  'Of course Princess, what do you want?'

  'O Prince, accept me as your wife. I have admitted you as my soulmate, and I am ready to sacrifice my venom for it.' Kanishka lead down in front of Vikramajit.

  'Kanishka……..' Vishandhar was furious.

  'Forgive me, father, but now I am devoted to Prince of Vidarbh. Now he is the motive of my life.' Kanishka requested King Vishandhar.

  'But Princess, I am the successor of Vidarbh. Although I could accept a serpent woman as my wife, but the people of Vidarbh will never accept you as their Queen.' Vikramajit interfered between them.

  'If it is so, just remain with me till the birth of a child. It's my humble request to you, and…y..ou have to accept it, Otherwise I'll finish my life.' Kanishka pulled out her poniard.

  'Wait Princess, I accept your grace. I'll be with you till the birth of our first child. After that I will leave for Vidarbh to fulfill my responsibilities.'

  'Thanks for your support, Prince.'

  After duration of a year, Kanishka gave birth to a child. Thereafter, Vikramajit returned to Vidarbh.

  'And he is the second son of Vikramajit, Yugandhar 'The leader of Nagas'. And I am former King of serpents, Prince Akhand.' Said Vishandhar.

  'Glad to meet you,Naagraj Vishandhar. It's our luck, to have a mighty warrior like Yugandhar as our brother.' Akhand joined hands with Vishandhar.

  At the next moment one messenger from Vidarbh came there ascending on his horse, he was terrified. Soon he came to Akhand and informed him.

  'O Prince, we are in great trouble. King Veersen has been mortally attacked, he is still unconscious. Now you all only can cure him, that's why Sage Kapish has called you at the palace of Vidarbh.'

  'So it started, what I was afraid of. Let's go brother Akhand, it's just the start of troubles.' Tejasvi was furious.

  'What do you want to say, Tejasvi? Are you blaming my father for this incident also?' Akhand wanted to know Tejasvi's intention.

  'I am not blaming anyone, elder.We should start towards Vidarbh, we'll get to know the actual truth when he'll reach there.'

  'If that is the situation, I would also like to come with you all.' Yugandhar stepped forward.

  'If you will come with us, then who will handle the responsibilities of the Nagas.' Tejasvi questioned Yugandhar.

  'I'll take the responsibility of serpents, Prince Tejasvi.' Vishandhar stepped forward and said.

  'Ok, you will come with us, Yugandhar. Getting support of a mighty warrior like you, I feel that strength of my arms are doubled. But what shall we do with these unconscious warriors of Balishthgadh?' Akhand said.

  'No need to worry about them. After a prahar, all of them will gain their consciousness, and Demon King is capable enough to destroy this divine armor.'

  After this, Tejasvi along with his brothers Akhand, Yugandhar and Suryam with their army, proceeds towards Vidarbh.

  Soon all four of them reached the palace of Vidarbh. But Tejasvi can't enter the palace because of the oath he swore. Sage Kapish has to come out of the palace to talk to him.

  Tejasvi joined hands in front of Sage Kapish.

  'I know that you will remain stucked to your oath, Tejasvi. Just like your father, whose soul is still wandering to fulfill the promise he made to himself at the death bed.'

  'My father's soul is still wandering, I couldn't understand your words, Sage.'

  'Your father vowed, that until the Demon King his alive. His soul will not leave Prithvilok.'

  Tejasvi felt guilty to know that, 'My father's soul is still yearning. Now I will surely lead his wait to end. But you tell me, who attacked King Veersen?'

  'He went for a hunt in a jungle, no one knows who ambushed and shot a poisonous arrow on him. This venom is too dangerous, it is spreading over his body very slowly. It will take him to death within three months, if not cured on time.'

  'There must be any cure of this venom, Sage.' Akhand asked.

  'The Divine Gem, which was the heritage of Vidarbh. Its rays could cure any disease of this world, and could destroy the effect of any poison.'

  'If that is the situation,then Balishthgadh has to return our heritage now.Otherwise they will be destroyed.'

  'Don't you remember, Tejasvi? Till the time Divine Gem will be established at Balishthgadh, the greatest warrior of this world also could not defeat them on their land. As soon as you will cross their border,all of your powers and strength will be lost.'

  'Don't we have any solution for this, Sage?'

  'There is one solution, but it's too tough and dangerous.'

  'We all are ready for any challenge, Gurudev.' Akhand stepped forward and proved his bravery.

  'Then be ready warriors, to begin the journey for Patallok (the underworld). Because only one weapon is there in this world, which could disable the power of the Divine Gem. And that is the weapon which is established below the higher throne of Suzerain of Patallok (underworld) 'The Demon King' Markesh, the Divine Victors bow (Vijay Dhanush ) of Lord Mahabali. The warrior who holds that bow, even the most powerful army of this world could not defeat him. All of you have to go Patallok (underworld),and you have to destroy 'The Demon King' Markesh and their brothers, but you have to face their juggleries.'

  'So it's decided, we'll leave now, brother.' Yugandhar raised his Axe.

  'Yugandhar, the leader of Nagas. Heard lot about your bravery. It is said that, because of the terror of your Axe, any demon of demon's race don't have dare to raise their eyes on Naaglok. Glad to meet you son. But remember one thing, Patallok is the land of Asuras, their strength and elusive powers are at the peak level on their land. You have to defeat them not only with your strength, you all have to use your mind as well. Your journey to Patallok will start from mountain range of Aravali hills, but you have to search the way to enter in it. I am giving this responsibility to greatest warriors of this world.

  Tejasvi-No one in the current er
a can compete you in archery skills. You can compete even Devraj Indra with your weapons.

  Akhand, Suryam-You both have immense strength, through which you can overthrow the higher mountains.

  Yugandhar-Till you have your Divine Axe in your hand, you never get tired while fighting. You will remain undefeated, until this divine Axe which is boon of Dev Sheshnag, (the Divine god of Nagas) is with you.

  Go my sons, start your journey and destroy the whole demon's race. My and King Vikramajit's blessings are always with you, start your journey now.'

  After taking blessings of Sage Kapish, all the four mighty warriors Akhand, Tejasvi, Yugandhar and Suryam started their journey for mountain range of Aravali hills. After journey of some days, they reached Aravali hills.

  'Elder, Although Sage Kapish has told us, that the entrance of Patallok is within these mountain range, but I am not able to see any hint of that.' Tejasvi said, in conversation with Akhand.

  'If we have to destroy juggleries of Patallok, then we have to accept this as challenge. May be it's our first test to reach the first door.' Akhand told Tejasvi to have patience.

  Suddenly Tejasvi's horse Vayujit, started snickering violently.

  'Why your horse is so disturbed, brother.' Yugandhar was astonished to see the eagerness of that Horse.

  'It's Vayujit, Yugandhar.He is my childhood fallsow. He can feel the danger which has yet to come, may be any danger is coming towards us, that's why he is snickering.'

  Then only, one man seems to be beggar was running towardsthe four warriors in desecrated state. Seeing him, Vayujit became more violent.

  'Save me, protect me warriors.' That person was injured, he cried for help.

  But then only Vayujit raised his hooves and attacked on that beggar. Tejavsi jumped down and controlled his horse.

  Then only four of the well built demons were seen coming nearer to them chasing that beggar. That person who seems to be beggar laid down in front of Tejasvi.

  'Save me Prince, save me.'

  All the four demons reached there.

  'Return our hunt to us, you humans. We'll leave you alive.' One of the demons said.

  'This person has come to our shelter, it's our responsibility to protect him. You four ordinary demons are challenging us? By the way, if it is so, then we'll surely reply your challenge. Now you all will see, that my little brother Suryam is capable enough to destroy you all alone, we don't need to raise our weapons. Go Suryam,and make these fool demons aware of your strength.' Akhand challenged the demons and commanded Suryam to attack.

  'As you command, elder.' Suryam raised his mace and rushed towards those four demons, to fight them. One of the four demons raised his sword and stepped forward to fight, but within moments he was below Suryam's feet. After that Suryam made a fierce attack on the forehead of that demon, his body was flooded with blood and it became lifeless within few moments. Seeing this all three demons rushed towards Suryam. But Suryam resisted their attack very easily, and pushed them back.

  Soon they saw hundreds of demons coming towards them. Seeing this, Akhand and Yugandhar raised their weapons and rushed towards demons to face them. Tejasvi also raised his bow and started his rain of arrows. Their ultimate weapon skills lead to huge commotion in demons army. Tejasvi's divine weapons proved to be most destructive for the demons, and on the other side venom puffs of Yugandhar leading to unconsciousness of demons. While fierce mace attacks of Akhand and Suryam were heart shivering for demons.

  'Demons, get away……..' The beggar who was at back side, commanded the army of Asuras, on his command demon started stepping backward.Within few time,there were only dead bodies of demons. Rest all left on that beggar's command.

  All the four warriors of Vidarbh were astonished to see that, army of demons stepped back on a beggar's command. They turned towards him.

  'You all are great warriors, but for what you all have come here?' Saying this, that beggar turned in his actual form, he was none other than Markesh 'The Demon King'.

  Tejasvi's temper risen to his peak level. He raised his bow for shooting arrows.

  'Control your anger, and keep your bow down,you fool youngman. I don't have any personnel issues from you. Your father killed my two brothers, and I took the revenge for that. I just want to know motive of you all, for coming to Patallok.'

  'You took your revenge, but we still have to take it, Markesh.And don't you know, that there is only one motive of my life, and that is your demise 'Demon King'? We have come here to accomplish this goal and to take away the Vijay Dhanush (the divine victor's bow).' Tejasvi challenged Markesh openly.

  'What you all think of yourself? By defeating some troops of demon's army, do you all think that you could destroy all juggleries of Patallok? This army was just to test your capabilities.So now I will see, that how much time you all can survive in here.'

  'You should worry about yourself, Markesh. Your count down starts now, because soon your head will lie down Tejasvi's feet, and you'll beg for your life.' Yugandhar raised his Axe and challenged Demon King.

  'If it is so, I'll show you the way of Patallok. In the battle of Balishthgadh you saved my life Tejasvi, just to pay this debt I'll take you all to entrance door of Patallok. But I am very sure, that your combined effort also could not defeat my brother 'Hidimb'. This is underworld, humans, not Prithvilok.' Demon King raised his hand and signaled.

  As a result the land below the all four warriors bursts, and within few moments they went inside to that part of the earth. They all rolled and reached a dense forest. But within next few moments they took up their weapons and got alerted.

  Suddenly they heard snickering sound of a horse.

  'Brother Akhand, it's too astonishing to hear the snickering voice of a horse in the darkness of this night.' Tejasvi alerted Akhand.

  'Just wait, Tejasvi. This is Demon's land, our single wrong step can lead to huge trouble for us. Remember one thing, this area is under the control of Hidimb, (brother of Markesh). We have to be careful from any object which can mislead us.

  All the three warriors agreed with Akhand. Suddenly a white horse was seen running towards Tejasvi, all of them amazed to see him. This was Vayujit, the childhood fallsow of Tejasvi. One lion chased him and reached there. Seeing this, Tejasvi shots an arrow and burned the nearby bushes. Due to the fear of fire, that lion escaped in the dense forest. After that, Tejasvi came near Vayujit and inspected him.

  'Vayujit is seriously injured.'

  'But the question still arises, how he reached here?' Akhand was doubting on the sudden appearance of Vayujit.

  'He is my childhood friend, elder. Whenever a danger rushes towards me, he could feel it earlier only. The fact is that, he can't live without me, that's why he is here. May be the crack through which we have reached here, he must have also came from there, that's why he is too much injured.'

  Suddenly, Vayujit started his snicker sound violently, and rushed towards a definite direction, he turned back and signaled Tejasvi to come with him.

  'Let's go brother Akhand, the way which we couldn't find out, perhaps Vayujit has seen that path.'

  'Ok, let's go.' On Akhand's command, all the four mighty warriors followed Vayujit. Soon they came near to a huge palace.

  'Where we are, brother? Is this the palace of Demon Hidimb?' Suryam asked Akhand. Suddenly Vayujit disappeared from there, all the four warriors were shocked to see that.

  'Welcome to the empire of Hidimb, warriors. Heard a lot about your bravery. That horse was just a jugglery, to bring all four of you here. Now if you have the capability, then step forward, defeat or kill me,to cross the first stage to reach my elder, the Demon King Markesh.' Hidimb appeared in front of them, and challenged.