"Gurudev… was Trikala a force of darkness from the very beginning?"
The question escaped my lips as the horrifying memories of Clara's death continued to replay inside my mind.
Mahārishi Kripacharya walked ahead in silence for a few moments before finally answering.
"Some people walk beside us draped in the disguise of goodness."
His calm voice echoed softly through the sacred streets of hidden Kashi.
"And some…"
"…despite being pure and truthful at heart…"
"…eventually surrender themselves to darkness beneath the weight of their own unfulfilled desires."
The words carried a painful truth within them.
Kripacharya's gaze remained fixed ahead.
"The beginning of life may feel simple… even beautiful."
A faint sadness crossed his face.
"But as time moves forward…"
"…life eventually forces us to taste the true nature of every person and every circumstance."
I remained silent.
Because deep inside—
I understood exactly what he meant.
Darkness does not always arrive as evil.
Sometimes…
it is born slowly from pain.
From obsession.
From loneliness.
From love itself.
---
Mahārishi continued speaking.
"Ali… the situation is becoming increasingly dangerous."
His voice had grown heavier now.
"Maan's transformation continues to intensify."
"And Andy…"
He paused briefly.
"The wound within his heart has become dangerously deep."
The image of Clara's severed head flashed through my mind once again.
I clenched my fists tightly.
Kripacharya exhaled slowly.
"And unfortunately…"
"…we currently possess no solution for either of them."
Those words unsettled me deeply.
No solution.
Not even Mahārishi had answers anymore.
---
Then another thought struck me suddenly.
"But Gurudev…"
I looked toward him immediately.
"How did Trikalyagya find this place?"
"We changed Kashi's location. It should have been impossible for any dark force to trace it."
Kripacharya fell silent again.
As though calculating possibilities far beyond human understanding.
Then finally—
he spoke.
"Through Clara."
I froze.
"She carried a fragment of Siya's divine energy within herself."
His words sent chills through me.
"With that energy…"
"…she could sense all of you from anywhere in the world."
My eyes widened instantly.
"Then that means Trikala also possesses Siya's energy now!"
Fear crept into my voice.
"He's incredibly powerful, Gurudev."
"He could damage Kashi itself."
"You must find a solution!"
---
Mahārishi's expression remained grave.
"Now…"
"…only Shiva can guide us."
The atmosphere suddenly felt heavier.
Then Kripacharya continued—
"If Trikalyagya truly possesses the power to see across all three dimensions of time…"
"…yet even the smallest fragment of goodness still survives within him…"
"…then his own conscience will prevent him from fully surrendering that power to evil."
A faint hope lingered in his words.
"We still have one method to protect Kashi."
I immediately asked—
"What method, Gurudev?"
"We can seal Kashi's gates using Bel Patra infused with Mahakal's blessings."
His eyes sharpened.
"No darkness will be able to cross Shiva's sanctified barrier."
"At least… not for some time."
---
I was about to speak again—
when suddenly—
the skies darkened.
Massive black clouds consumed the heavens above Kashi.
It felt as though the entire world had been swallowed beneath a blanket of darkness.
The horrifying sight sent panic spreading across the citizens of Kashi instantly.
Then—
rain began falling from the sky.
At first, no one understood what was wrong.
Until a few drops landed upon our hands.
Red.
The rain was red.
Like blood itself.
A horrifying laugh suddenly echoed across the skies.
And from within the dark fog—
a shadow emerged.
A massive black silhouette slowly stepped forward.
Its growling voice shook the atmosphere itself.
"O foolish devotees of Shiva…"
"Remember your god for the last time."
Its laughter deepened.
"Because neither will Shiva come to save you…"
"…nor will these servants of Shiva protect you."
The darkness around him intensified violently.
"So obey me while I am still willing to spare you."
---
Fear spread rapidly among the people.
Yet strangely—
their devotion remained stronger than fear itself.
The citizens of Kashi stood together and shouted—
"We are devotees of Shiva!"
"Our Lord will protect us!"
"Your dark intentions will never succeed!"
"You will not take even a grain of soil from Kashi, demon!"
Watching their unwavering faith—
we weren't shocked.
We were humbled.
Because even in the face of death itself…
they still stood united to protect the sacred land of Shiva.
---
We quickly tried calming the frightened crowd.
Then Mahārishi stepped forward toward Trikala.
"It would be wise for you to leave, Trikala."
His voice carried divine authority.
"If His wrath awakens…"
"…your destruction will be inevitable."
Kripacharya's eyes narrowed.
"You will never cross this sanctified barrier."
Trikala suddenly burst into laughter.
"You believe these Bel leaves can stop me, Rishi?"
His twisted smile widened unnaturally.
"But their power does not affect me."
Then his voice deepened.
"I will ask you one final time…"
"Give me what I want…"
"…and I shall leave."
Mahārishi's expression hardened.
"Siya."
A brief silence followed.
"You will never have her."
"Leave."
---
Trikala laughed again.
But this time—
the rage inside his laughter felt monstrous.
"Then regret your decision."
Suddenly—
the clouds roared violently.
And the rain began again.
But this time—
it was no ordinary blood rain.
It was acid.
People screamed as their skin began burning beneath the poisonous storm.
Panic erupted instantly.
"Gurudev, do something!" I shouted desperately.
Then—
a divine sound echoed across Kashi.
"Ram…"
The moment the sacred name resonated through the air—
the storm weakened.
I looked upward.
And what I saw…
left me speechless.
Hanuman stood in His gigantic divine form above Kashi itself.
In His hands—
He held an enormous stone-like shield above the city, protecting everyone from the deadly rain.
The chants of Ram's name echoed endlessly around Him.
The people of Kashi were safe once again.
---
Before Hanuman's rage could fully awaken—
Mahārishi stepped forward once more.
"Foolish Trikala!"
His voice thundered.
"You will suffer the consequences of your actions!"
"Leave this place immediately!"
"Or your end will not be pleasant."
Then his eyes sharpened coldly.
"And as for Siya…"
"…not even a glimpse of her shall ever be granted to you."
---
For several moments—
only silence remained.
Then Mahārishi turned toward the citizens of Kashi.
"The pain within your hearts…"
"…can only be eased if I erase your memories of today."
A sadness lingered in his voice.
"Do you all desire that?"
The people folded their hands respectfully.
"We have witnessed Hanuman Himself."
Tears filled many of their eyes.
"The lives of insignificant humans like us have already become blessed beyond measure."
One elderly devotee stepped forward softly.
"Do whatever you believe is right, Prabhu."
Mahārishi slowly closed his eyes.
"Tathāstu."
The moment the blessing left his lips—
peace slowly returned to Kashi once more.