Chapter 39 Vow and Judgment
In the forest Andhkaar Guha (dark cave) the silence was a physical presence broken only by the rhythmic drip drip of water filtering through stone. Kiyan emerged from the spring the same restorative water his Chhayagrasini (a witch like entity who drains age and life force) mother had used to raise him. Its touch soothed the physical wounds the burns from the Safed Ketaki (white Ketaki flower) the ache of the broken chains the ghost pain where the Devanshik katar had struck. But the wounds inside the fresh lacerating ones remained open and raw. Water streamed from his hair and coat puddling on the stone floor.
Mother his voice was a tremulous whisper barely audible over the dripping water. After all these years you are here. In front of me. I cannot I can hardly believe it.
The Chhayagrasini stood with her back to him a silhouette against the cave's dim bioluminescent moss. She did not turn. Her voice when it came was sharp laced with a bitterness that had curdled over centuries. I return after so long and yet my son finds no joy in it.
Kiyan took a stumbling step forward. Mother what are you saying. I am overflowing with joy. Who could be happier than me to have you back safe and His words died as she finally turned.
There was no joy in her eyes. No maternal warmth. There was a deep scrutinizing hunger and beneath it a cold demanding expectation.
Then promise me the Chhayagrasini said her voice inflexible as bedrock. Promise you will give me what I ask.
Kiyan moved closer his own golden eyes wide eager to please to bridge the chasm of lost years. Anything you ask Mother. I will give it to you.
Her eyes ignited not with love but with a fanatical fire. The end of the Devanshik (a divinely blessed one who wields divine power) bloodline.
The words did not echo. They were swallowed by the cave's damp walls as if even the stone recoiled. Kiyan's world which had just righted itself with her return tilted violently again. He took an involuntary step back. No Mother I cannot give you that.
Her beautiful face twisted into a mask of contempt. You said anything you ask. What bond do you have with those Devanshik vermin that you defy your own mother to protect them. My Kiyan was not like this. What has happened to you.
Kiyan lowered his head his wet hair falling over his face. Then with a strength that cost him dearly he lifted it and met her burning gaze. If you had asked me this three months ago I would have ended them. I would have brought you the head of any Devanshik you named and laid it at your feet.
He paused drawing in a breath that seemed to scrape his lungs. But now now I cannot.
I have no bond with the Devanshik bloodline Mother. But Aarav taught me how to live. The admission was quiet devastating. In those 200 years after you were gone I learned nothing. I did nothing but umr choosna (age draining) from humans. I never feared death. But when Aarav came into my life he showed me what it meant to be alive. To feel another's pain. To laugh with someone's joy. To risk your own life for someone else's sake. I learned to live for others from him Mother. He taught me how to navigate this new world how to speak to people how to make friends how to find a fragile happiness among humans.
His voice cracked. So tell me Mother how can I take the life of the person who taught me what life is. How can I kill him.
The Chhayagrasini reached out her hand surprisingly gentle as she cupped his face forcing him to look directly into her ancient sorrowful eyes. Kiyan wake up. You are a Chhayodhbhav (a nightborn entity who drains age). A creature of dark power. Satyamarg (righteous path) and Kumarg (unrighteous path) can never be allies. Years ago I too tried to befriend humans. I wanted to live among them in peace. And what did I get. Your father gave his life to save us. And these humans they did not care.
Centuries of pain and betrayal boiled in her voice. I trusted them once. And what was my reward. Imprisonment. Separation from my son. A lifetime of hiding. This is all humans know how to give betrayal. It is in their very nature.
But Aarav is not like that Kiyan protested pulling away from her touch. He would never betray me. Or you.
The Chhayagrasini let out a laugh a broken bitter sound that echoed mockingly in the cavern. My son humans are deceivers by design. And one day you will learn this truth that humans are not worthy of mercy from beings like us. They steal our happiness. You will see this truth my child. One day you will see.
Kiyan opened his mouth to argue to plead but the Chhayagrasini had already turned her back on him. Without another word she walked towards the cave's entrance her form dissolving into the deep shadows of the forest night. Kiyan stood frozen watching the empty space where she had been until his legs gave way and he sank to his knees on the cold stone his head bowed in utter desolation.
In Aarav's home a different kind of silence reigned tense heavy waiting to be broken. They sat in the living room the smell of antiseptic ointment clinging to the air. Bhaskar's arms and shoulder were neatly bandaged Arushi's careful work evident in the precise wrappings.
Papa are you sure you are alright Arushi asked her voice tight with a worry that had not faded since the lab.
Bhaskar shifted wincing. Your brother left me in one piece at least. His gaze sharp and troubled settled on Aarav who sat quietly his eyes fixed on a crack in the floor. The question is what is this relationship he has with that Chhayagrasini and her spawn.
Aarav did not flinch. He had known this confrontation was coming.
Arushi took a deep breath gathering her courage. Papa maybe Aarav is right. Kiyan has helped us. He saved Aarav. More than once. After you were taken he protected us. And that day he saved your life too. Her voice grew stronger firmer. Ma used to say even darkness holds a speck of light if our eyes are willing to see it.
Bhaskar's head snapped towards her his expression stormy. Arushi did not back down. Papa I know our lineage was born to fight evil. But Kiyan he is good despite what he is. And you know it too. You just do not want to admit it. You saw it yourself. When the Chhayagrasini attacked Aarav Kiyan was the first to stand in her way. He stood against his own mother for us. What more proof do you need to see that he is not evil.
Bhaskar closed his eyes a deep weariness etching his features. But what guarantee is there that he will not turn on us. He may help us today but it could all be a means to his own end.
It was then that Aarav stood up. He walked to his father and knelt before him not in submission but in earnest supplication. Papa he said his voice clear and steady cutting through the tension. Trust me. Kiyan is not like that. He will never betray my trust. Never. He placed a hand over his own heart. I give you my word. Kiyan will never bring harm to you or to our family. I promise you this.
Bhaskar looked down at his son the boy he had raised now a young man kneeling before him his eyes blazing with a conviction that was both alien and deeply familiar. It was the same conviction Bhaskar had carried for his own cause. He saw Arushi's unwavering support beside him.
The weight of tradition the ironclad duty of his mission warred with the raw hopeful love in his children's eyes. The battle played out in the lines of his face in the tight clench of his jaw.
Finally with a long slow exhalation that seemed to deflate him Bhaskar reached out. His hand came to rest on Aarav's head a gesture of blessing and reluctant acceptance. Alright. The word was heavy. My happiness lies in yours. If you both see more good than evil in this Kiyan then so be it. I will stand by your decision.
A faint weary smile touched his lips as he looked at his children. But as Aarav and Arushi shared a relieved glance and turned away they did not see that smile fade from Bhaskar's face. In its place settled a deep grim worry that shadowed his eyes.
But remember one thing my children he thought the old soldier in him refusing to be silenced. Evil is kin to no one. A Chhayagrasini is mother to none but her own vengeance. And you will both learn this truth. Soon.
Papa you should rest now Aarav said rising.
I will sleep too Arushi added. It has been a day.
Bhaskar merely nodded. Alright beta.
Arushi helped him to his room. Aarav retreated to his own. He lay on his bed staring at the ceiling a fragile wave of relief washing over him. It is going to be okay now. We will be okay. And Kiyan Kiyan will be my friend. Exhausted body and soul from the emotional maelstrom his eyelids grew heavy and slipped shut pulling him into a deep dreamless sleep.
But outside his slumber in two separate worlds two hearts teetered on the brink of breaking. A mother who believed her son was abandoning her for the enemy. A father who feared his children were embracing a danger they could not comprehend.
And caught between them suspended in an impossible space was Kiyan a creature belonging wholly to neither world his own heart tearing itself apart between two loves that demanded everything and promised only ruin.
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