The 9th Immortal : Savior of the Vedas

Multiverse, A Problem and Black Mansion

Universe hides many mysteries in its depth. Some are not even sure to call it universe or multiverse. God knows how the universe might look like from its peak or we will be lost in the maze of stars and galaxies forever. But we had heard stories, there are legends, myths, and folklore. Myths and folklore, maybe they are not entirely true. They might have changed with time but the ultimate truth is, reality does not change with thinking of people. People thinking change with the realization of reality. It is just a matter of fact and just a matter of time.

The legends say it resides in the direction of Capricornus constellation, the half seal half-goat made of stars pointed its horn in black space of the multiverse. The center of that place was emerging with so much light, all the stars, galaxy, and red, blue, green clouds surrounding. The reflection of light makes everything look like water, waves of the light make it look like the waves of the ocean, an ocean of milk wrapped around the darkness and that darkness wrapped around another darkness. Waves collide with the infinite darkness not making it disappear but illuminating it further. In the middle of all of them, an image fade into existence and its arrival was an interruption of vibration in the music of creation that was playing in the silence. This place was Vaikunth also known as ocean of milk or ocean of bliss. The abode of Lord Vishnu.

“Narayan! Narayan!”

The voice chants, the voice coming from a man that now had taken a complete form he was Dev Rishi Narad, the sage of the gods. Bracelet of Tulsi seeds around his wrist, forearms, and grainland of the same around his neck, there was another grainland around his neck made of pink and white flowers, he was dressed in orange color cloths, apart cloth was draped around his right shoulder covering his upper body and the other end of the cloths was wrap around his left arm and he was wearing the same cloth down to his waist. Part of hairs was tied to the crown and the hairs left to reach his shoulder. His right hand held a wooden instrument with two wooden flaps, those flaps were open in such ways that were ready to clap, a wood clapper. His left shoulder was hinged with Veena, a multi-string instrument with a long neck and thin neck and wide bottom with hollow space, between his eyebrows on his forehead a ‘U' shape was drawn from sandalwood paste, looking from afar he was a sage with Veena and wood clapper in his hands. The sage of the gods were not only a sage but also he might be the first journalist ever in this multiverse.

“Narayan! Narayan!” He chanted once again opening his eyes and clapping the wooden clapper sending the sound of vibration all over the ocean of bliss.

He looks around as if expecting someone to be right there when opening his eyes complete blank space was not that he was expecting.

"My lord! where are you?" He asked in a space as someone would answer. He looks around once again answer.

“I suppose, I come at the wrong time his lordship is not back yet”  he turns around ready to disappear

“Dev Rishi Narad” A Melodic voice call and the sage turn back.

A woman in red saree, with exceptional beauty and grace. She had a golden aura surrounding her. A thin width golden crown adorns her head. She had a chain made of pearls in her hairs from the back of the head to parts to the side getting down ending up to her ear, becoming earrings. Long hairs with bronze kind of color with golden highlights, coming down and crossing her waist. Her wrist adorns with golden bangles, her neck with a long golden necklace. Her anklets making a noise like a nightingale just past by, as she walks toward Dev Rishi Narad.

“ Narayan! Narayan! Pranam Mata!” He bowed slightly and fold his hand. Goddess Laxmi smiles and blessed him.

“So, Now you had finally found the path to Vaikunth, Dev Rishi,” She said with twinkling eyes.

“Oh…um…” Dev Rishi chuckled embarrassed “My apologies Mother, I thought after your and his lordship last birth on earth, you will be looking forward to some rest”

The goddess smile amused by the claim and touched at the same time.

“So you have come from all the way from Bhramlok to Vaikunth to meet my dear husband, I presume?”

"Yes Mother, but it seems my luck has abandoned me today," He said looking dejected.

“Ah!” Goddess Laxmi smiled a little.

“Well….. if I were you I would not be so down about it”

“I do not know what do you mean, Mother” he blinked confused.

" On the bank of the ocean of bliss, there is a possibility you would find you lord there," She said pulling Dev Rishi out of his misery.

“I don’t wish to disturb the peace of his lordship, I may as well come another time”

"Oh Narad, I do not know about that you might as well or he might be just waiting to be disturbed by you" she looks meaningfully towards sage-like she conveying the secret of this multiverse.

Finally, understanding the meaning behind her secretive smile, He chuckled. If he is here then there is a reason behind it otherwise he won't be here in the first place because where he was standing it was the base of this multiverse.

“Narayan! Narayan!” He smiles folded his hand and bowed in farewell and faded away. 

"There is a reason you are born, there is a reason you exist, everything that had to happen or is happening or will happen has a reason"

What a bunch of rubbish, if someone asked me, I don't see the purpose or reason for our existence whatsoever.

The man was claiming to be the enlightenment one. The ascetic.

 Ridiculing all of this, a girl was standing behind the crowd that had already surrounded the sadhu. Long thick dark chocolate brown hairs waving down below the hip, front part of the hairs elegantly braided to the back. On her heart shape face a pair of deep mud-brown eyes with the sparkle of violet color in them it seems the universe was reflecting its color in those deep pools. Her right angle nose made sure everyone knows she has quite the temper. Her perfect full lips and mole under the right side of her lower lip speaks of her magnificent beauty. Her rose color cheek on her ivory skin remind delicacy of petals and the silver nose ring added an unmistakable charm. The kajal under her radiant eyes looks like part of them like darkness is part of life.

Frowning she narrowed her eyes at the sadhu front of her, her nose wrinkled in distaste.

The sadhu or the con artist according to the girl was sitting under the tree on the temple grounds for the last three hours and impressing everyone with his measly tricks. Fuming at the sight front of her she clutches her hand into a fist and buried it in the pockets of her blue denim jacket.

Don’t create a scene, don’t create a scene, don’t create a scene, Ma will kill you.

Willing her to control herself, let just say it is not going so well for her. Then a couple came in front of the sadhu, hands folded bowing and he manifested an apple out of thin air in his hands. She again frowns at the peoples' reaction as they all starting to hail his name. Grinding her teeth trying her best to not move forward.

"Go, my child, have this divine apple and your deepest desire will come true"

She suppresses a laugh and mockingly rolled her eyes.

 “Right” She murmured to herself.

“Oh enough of this!”

Ready to give the deceiver a piece of mind, but before she could move someone grab her elbow.

“Gauri, stop!”

Gauri turns only to be faced by her best friend, a warning look at her face. They were total opposite from head to toe. Against Gauri's unbraided, waved and open hairs she had long well-braided hair coming down to her waist. Her traditional cream color salwar kurti was complete in contrast with Gauri's ripped blue jeans, yellow slit kurti top and blue denim jacket, where she was wearing mojries, Gauri had canvas shoes. Total opposite but they were sisters from another mister.

“Why? He is deceiving these peoples with his measly tricks for the last three hours I am sure he earned enough for him to last for a year or two”

“Look, calm down I know you are right but don’t create a scene like last time, alright?”

Gauri opens her mouth to protest.

“Please don’t, I don't want to argue with you besides this upset your mother more than anything, you know how much she believes in all of this"

“She believes, I respect that but Vrinda!”

“Stop arguing Gauri! for god’s sake!”

Oh my, Vrinda Rani just lost it Gauri look at Vrinda surprised her normally calm and collected friend looks on the edge.

"What happens? What got you so worked up?"  she raised her eyebrow.

“Why would you care?”She turns away with a sharp spin.

“What?” Gauri went after her confused.

“Why wouldn’t I? oh tell me at least what happen? Vrinda! Vrinda!" Trying to keep with her she jogs.

They finally reach the grounds behind the temple where Gauri lives.

“Vrinda!” Gauri grab Vrinda’s hand to stop her

“What is going on?”

“Come inside!” Vrinda pull Gauri inside.

Being pulled in her own house Gauri look around the living room, puzzled. Her eyes fall on her mother on the sofa with her head between her hand. Gauri frown.

"Ma! Are you okay?" No answer.

"Okay, what is going on?" Gauri's mother raises her head from her hands noticing worry in her mother’s soft features.

"Ma, what happens? I am freaking out here?!"

“Anarth hogya! Anarth!”

Finally breaking her silence her mother said.

"What are talking about? I don't understand?" She looks at Vrinda asking silently.

“Anarth hogya!”

Barely holding her patience, she swallows her frustration and worry.

"Ma, what happens? What misfortune are you talking about? Did someone say something? Or there is something else" or someone died or what but she didn't say that.

“Suman broke her leg!”

"What? How? What happened? Is she alright” Gauri asked worried but then something crossed her mind?

"Wait a sec! Who is Suman?" She blinked like she is hearing the name the first time.

“Gauri!” Vrinda poked Gauri arms.

"Ow! Hey! what was that for!" Gauri rubbed the side of her arms to soothe the burn and scowled at Vrinda.

“Gauri! Suman, remember? Suman!” If looks could kill Gauri might as well be burned and turn into ashes.

“Suman?” Forcing her to remember “Suman, Suman, Suman! Oh yeah! now I remember, she was going to be the main dancer in the act that was going to play in Mahashivratri"

"Finally! Yes, and she broke her leg" Vrinda tries her best to get the message across but seems Gauri was still oblivious to the gravity of the situation.

"Oh, how? Is she alright"

“Yes, she is fine on the bed with minor fracture, she needs to rest for a week at least"

“Good, then what is the problem? she will be fine”

Gauri sound truly puzzled, meanwhile her mother just looked at Vrinda saying I told you so.

So much build-up for nothing Gauri thought.

“Gauri” She looked at her mother “The main dancer broke her leg and the festival of Mahashivratri in two days”

“Oh no” Gauri expression change finally getting what is the problem.

"Oh, finally you get it" Vrinda chimed.

"Okay, Okay I see my error and I got it" She raised her hand like she meant no harm.

“So what? It's fine, I mean on Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati anniversary, there would be music, dinner, milk and everything just not the usual dance. Chill Ma!”

“What are you doing?” Vrinda hissed.

 Sumitra Devi got up from the sofa, completely devasted, she was not disappointed she knew her daughter’s feeling towards anything religious. It was enough that she respect everything she says or belief, her daughter never went against what she believes in but there is one more thing that is also true, Gauri does whatever makes her feel right, whatever her heart desire and sometimes it can create dire consequences but today’s problem can only be solved by Gauri, if she refuses then there is no hope then. Her 20-year-old vow will be broken and that does not feel right with her at all.

Noticing her mother’s devasted face, her heart grows heavy. Gauri grimace this is no way to assure your mother she scolded herself.

Sumitra went and stand on the window staring outside in deep thinking.

"I found you that day" She stated and all the sarcasm from Gauri's voice drained away, she opens her mouth to apologize but was unable to do so because the weight of guilt had closed her mouth.

“Your father and I found you that day of mahashivratri when we had lost our hope of that we will ever have the experiencing and the joy of parenthood, it was like Lord Shiva blessed us”

Gauri felt ashamed, casting her eyes down she was lost of words. She had no idea now how to redeem herself.

“You might be just a few hours old, someone had left you on the temple's steps without any protection in the bitter cold, when your father and I saw you we knew you were blessing from the god”

Trying to swallow the lump of guilt, Sometimes I just have no control over my tongue. She went and wrap her arms around her mother.

“Sorry ma, tell me what will solve this, I will do anything”

“Anything?”

“Anything” She vowed with the nod

Her mother and Vrinda looked at each other. Gauri looking at them carefully and feeling that she had been walked to her doom wash over her and then her eyes widen in recognition. Sumitra turns and looks at her daughter.

“We were thinking if you-”

“No! no! no! nope! not going to happen”

"You were right aunty, she won't care," Vrinda said

“Oh hello! Don’t try to guilt-trip me okay? I would never do what you what me to do, not even in a million years!”

“Alright, do you have a better idea?" Vrinda asked

“Yes! Yes! I do” Gauri said urgently

Vrinda raised an eyebrow in question. Gauri swallow, think, think, think,  Gauri!

"I can find you a new dancer!" She blurts out.

“You will find us a new dancer, a traditional dancer one at that in two days” Vrinda challenged

“Yes”

“Impossible!”

“I will make it possible”

“Ha!”Vrinda mocked

Sumitra Devi lost all hopes sat back on the sofa with a sigh and shook her head.

“Ma, don’t worry” Looking at her mother she felt a pang in her chest she knew no matter what, she can’t mess this up.

“Ma, I give you my word, this year dance would be special nobody will able to take their eyes of not even Lord Shiva himself!”

Deep and dark those forest hide secret of many, one can never know what it hides in its sinister arms. Deep in the pits of this woods, there is nothing more sinister and dark then this dark grey three-story mention, located just in the center of this woods, even the moonlight touch by it socked by its wall. Darkness everywhere the dark shadows above the mention was barely noticeable if the moon had not been shinning enough. There no light inside either expects the light that comes from the small flame lit candle in the center window of the upper floor. The room long and black but at the end of it there was a chair, it was more like a throne its frame was made of gold, shining in the glow of the candlelight that was burning on the black wooden table but the glow of light just cover the center of the table and the black velvet surface of the throne. The big sculptor graved into a wall behind the throne was the most dominating part of the room, the two snakes intertwine with each other their face facing the opposite sides and their eyes glowing ruby red like they were lit from hellfire.

Four figures were shivering with fear as they stand there in the front of the table looking at the only source of light like it was their only lifeline. They were just average goons lure in the snake's pit because of there greed but now standing there they were regretting the very decision to agree to this assignment. God knows what is in store from them. Their greed finally leads them to their death, in this dark room even the scent of it smells like death. The mystic glow of light whenever to reach those snakes they seem like they were alive and watching them through those red eyes like warning them, they were in the devil's lair.

The sudden sound of footsteps echoing in the room startled them. They all gasp like they were trying to keep their heads above the water and turn to look behind they only to see nothing but darkness but the sounds of footsteps were growing near them, cold sweat broke from there body and their heart were ready to give up. But then they felt it, a presence just passing through their side walking towards the throne, the figure stopped, casting a shadow on the table, their breath hitched in fear. The man was tall, lean, with pointed long nose, square jawline with a pointed chin. His head held high, they remove their eyes from the shadow. He appears to have long straight black hairs down to his shoulder, the color was darkest from the darkest night before they can look at his face, he turns and facing the serpent.

He was standing besides throne in his black three-piece suit and black silk satin shirt, holding his thin white as chalk hand behind his back. His big red ruby ring in his right hand sparkling.

“My representative might have told you why you are here?” His voice chilled the look, it was low but words were crystal clear.

“Yes” Gathering all the courage man in the center said.

"So!" He swiftly turns facing the wall beside them and put his right arm on the head of the chair making the red gem in his hand almost seems like it was alive.

“You think you are the right candidate for the job”

His new posture reveals his one side of the face, sunken cheeks, pale white chalk skin with no blood in them. The deafening silence in the room now reduces to thin ice that it piercing the men in the front. Nobody dares to answer

“I asked a question”

“Y-y-yes” The men stuttered.

“Good”

The man turns to face them and sat on the throne revealing his whole face in the mystic glow of candlelight. His hollow grey hooded but sharp eyes were prominent.

“I want the church under my command in one day,” the chill of his voice went direct to the root of their spine.

The fourth who was hiding and had not spoken yet came into the view.

“What if- what if we can’t”

He tilted his head like he was thinking and his chilling eyes looking at the fear-filled men in front of him. He sighs like he was bored he snap his tongue on the roof of his mouth in mocked disappointment.

“If you” He paused.

“Can’t”

"You will be free" That makes all four of them sigh in relief.

He leaned in front making his face complete revealed in the light the symbol of serpent exactly like the wall between his eyebrow coming alive.

“From your life” His eyes glowed red.