Golden light flickered, fracturing into countless fireflies that scattered into the vast expanse. The radiant illusion of the Devi wavered for a moment—then vanished, dissolving like smoke upon the wind.
And in her place stood Vishnu.
BOOM!
Madhu and Kaitabha staggered back, eyes widening in horror and fury. Their hands clenched around their enormous Musala—divine pestles of war, as cosmic winds howled around them.
With a single motion, they spun, unleashing a terrifying storm, a vortex so immense it tore through Svarga, expanding into the endless celestial sky. The hurricane roared, swallowing distant planets and devouring the very fabric of the skies as it surged toward Vishnu.
Vishnu did not flinch. Raising Kaumodaki, the mace of divine judgment, he swung.
A single arc.
A single strike.
BOOM!
The impact shattered the storm. The force of Vishnu's blow sent Madhu and Kaitabha hurtling through the void, their bodies smashing through countless asteroids before they crashed onto the surface of a distant, lifeless star.
They gasped in pain. Their once-proud forms were now battered, their skin torn by deep gashes, bruises streaking across their bodies like scars of fate.
Madhu trembled as he stared at his wounds, his breath ragged—a cold, primal fear coiled around his heart.
"Brother… w-we're going to die."
His voice shook.
Kaitabha's face twisted. His fists clenched. His body trembled—not from pain, but from denial.
"I don't want this… I won't accept this!" His voice cracked, his crimson eyes wet with desperation. "This isn't how it's supposed to be!"
A golden radiance descended from the heavens once more. Vishnu appeared before them, his form calm, unwavering. There was no anger in his expression. No hatred. Only the weight of cosmic truth.
"Now, as the protector of Dharma… I shall fulfill my duty."
His voice was steady, absolute.
Madhu gasped, struggling to fill his lungs as if clinging to the last breath of his fleeting existence. Then, his expression twisted with fury.
"Enough!" he spat. "You never loved us! You never wished for our victory! Why, Vishnu? Why would you not protect us?"
His voice rose, hoarse with rage and betrayal.
"You cast us away! You forced us onto this path! You are the reason we became Asuras! This is all your fault!"
"Your fault!" Kaitabha pushed himself up, his face contorted with bitterness.
"We were meant for glory!" he shouted, his voice raw with hatred. "We were meant to be worshiped, to rule as the greatest! But you—you—threw us from the ocean of creation! You let the world trample on our dignity! And now… we will have our revenge!"
Their voices rose in furious defiance, echoing through the void as they stood, their hatred burning brighter than the stars around them.
And yet—
Vishnu stood unmoved.
Unshaken.
His voice was gentle, yet it carried the weight of eternity.
"Glory is not given—it is earned. It is born from one's deeds, from the harmony of righteousness. When one serves the world, the world bestows honor. But when one walks the path of adharma, that honor will abandon them."
"The choice was always yours."
A pause.
A sorrowful truth.
"I had faith that you would walk the righteous path… but you let your desires consume you."
Madhu and Kaitabha's eyes flickered. For a fleeting moment, doubt crept into their hearts.
Vishnu lifted Kaumodaki once more, his gaze steady.
"I did not take an avatar today because I wished to see you as you are—to face you with my own eyes and bring this karma to its conclusion."
Madhu stood firm, his breath ragged, his eyes burning with defiance as he faced Vishnu. Behind them, Kaitabha moved like a shadow, maneuvering into position. A cruel sneer twisted his lips.
"I won't listen to your justifications!" he spat.
With a furious roar, he raised his colossal hammer, divine energy crackling around its edges, and swung it down, aiming straight for Vishnu's head.
Uh-huh!
The weapon passed through empty air.
Vishnu was gone.
Before Kaitabha could react, Vishnu reappeared a short distance away, his serene gaze locked onto them. There was no fear, no hesitation—only the quiet resolve of the Eternal Protector.
Far away, upon the sacred peaks of Kailasha, the celestial discourse unfolded.
Devi Lakshmi sat in silent contemplation, her brows knitted together in unease. She lowered her gaze, a whisper escaping her lips.
"Should he have to make this choice?" She knew the answer.
It was she who once urged Vishnu to banish Madhu and Kaitabha, for their wickedness could not be allowed to fester. Yet, even now, as the final battle raged, a faint sorrow lingered in her heart.
Shiva, standing nearby, his Trishul resting in his grasp, exhaled slowly. His deep voice, rich with wisdom and power, cut through the silence.
"Vishnu will choose rightly. This is the duty of the Preserver. I have faith in him."
Lakshmi closed her eyes.
Yes. Vishnu would do what must be done.
Vishnu's Chakra flared to life—the Sudarshana Chakra spinning with a radiance that cut through the void.
"It is time to end this."
With a flick of his wrist, the Chakra whirled forth, its brilliance splitting the heavens, its very presence rending the fabric of existence itself.
BOOM! BOOM!
In the blink of an eye, the divine Chakra struck. Madhu and Kaitabha's forms ruptured, their very essence unraveling. Their bodies exploded into countless golden lights, scattering like embers across the cosmos.
Their cries faded.
Their existence ceased.
Only the whisper of fate remained.
...
Far across the celestial expanse, the sage Narada bore witness to the battle's end.
A knowing smile touched his lips. He clasped his hands together, holding his Veena close, and began to sing.
"Narayana, Narayana~"
His voice rang out—a hymn of devotion, carrying across the heavens.
"Peace eternal, upon the serpent's bed~ From the lotus of his navel, creation is born~The Lord of Lords, beyond all realms~"
His chant, pure and unwavering, resonated through the divine halls of Brahmaloka.
Brahma, seated upon his lotus throne, smiled in acknowledgment. The assembled Devas lowered their heads in reverence, their voices joining the sacred hymn.
Indra, however, remained still. His hands were folded, his lips moving in silent prayer—yet, in his heart, something twisted.
"Narada… They just died, and you choose this moment to start singing hymns?!" He grimaced.
But the hymn continued. As the final verse echoed, Narada raised his arms, his expression overflowing with devotion.
"Pranam Lord Vishnu!!"
The Devas, moved by the celestial chorus, smiled with joy. Some nearly wept.
At long last, the war was over. The order of Triloka had been restored.
Surya let out a breath, relief washing over him.
"Finally!" he exhaled. "We can return to Svarga! I had almost forgotten what it looked like!"
The Devas around him nodded eagerly.
Vayu grinned. "The defeat of Madhu and Kaitabha is a glorious victory! We must celebrate with a grand feast!"
Agni chuckled. "Agreed. But first, we have to clean up the mess they left behind."
The laughter and chatter of the Devas filled the divine hall, joyous and unrestrained.
Even Brahma, ever solemn, smiled as he spoke. "To honor the birth of the Vedic Guardian, this celebration is most fitting. Many Rishis will surely come to offer their blessings."
At that, Indra froze. His heart skipped a beat. Rishis?
Oh no. His instincts screamed at him—this was dangerous territory.
"Wait… does that mean Rishi Durvasa will come?" A cold sweat formed on his brow.
Because if Durvasa arrived… Someone was definitely getting cursed. And deep down, Indra had a feeling it would be him.
"We should take a little break." Indra's voice carried through the celestial assembly, his arms crossed as he looked around.
"Svarga has been occupied for far too long. The cities still need repairs—there's much to be done." He coughed twice, regaining his composure.
Brahma, seated upon his lotus throne, let out a soft chuckle. His presence exuded an ethereal glow, golden light drifting from his form like scattered stardust. The radiance gently faded into the air, vanishing among the assembled Devas.
"No hurry, no rush." Brahma smiled, his voice carrying eternal wisdom.
Indra immediately straightened up, placing his hands together in reverence.
"Dhanyavad, Brahmadev." The other Devas exchanged glances. There was a shared understanding, an unspoken joy—
They were finally returning home. The tension of war had lifted. A grin spread across Indra's face.
"Well then—what are we waiting for? Let's go!"
With that, the devas procession began its return to Svarga.
Rishi Brihaspati, the Guru of the Devas, followed with a serene expression. His fingers moved fluidly, pen gliding across sacred parchment, recording the momentous occasion. His strokes were graceful and deliberate—each letter imbued with divine energy.
"The great King of Svarga returns to his loyal kingdom once more."
But Svarga…
It was not as they had left it. The once pristine celestial realm now bore the unmistakable mark of Hayagriva. Towering square-domed structures had been raised across the city, standing proud and unyielding.
And then, there were the statues.
Massive figures of Hayagriva, their stone eyes gazing into eternity, loomed over the golden streets of Svarga. These colossal monuments stretched into the sky, their forms piercing the clouds.
Indra let out a breath. "Tch. Didn't expect that."
He hadn't taken Hayagriva for an architect. "That guy really had a thing for grandeur."
Nearby, Vayu scoffed. "Hmph! The Asuras are such cowards. They all fled without a fight." His voice dripped with disdain.
Agni, standing beside him, wasn't convinced. He gestured to the massive structures with a frown. "They built all of this… Did they actually think they could hold onto Svarga forever?"
There was an edge to his voice—irritation, perhaps even offense. "Tear it all down!"
The fiery decree came from Surya, his golden aura blazing like the morning sun. He waved his hand impatiently, motioning toward the Gandharvas.
"I don't want to see any of this nonsense in Svarga!"
Gandharavas and Maruts nodded and prepared to dismantle the remnants of Asura's rule.
But Indra…
Indra hesitated. He rubbed his chin, deep in thought.
"Actually…" he murmured. "It'd be a shame to destroy all of this."
The Devas turned to him in confusion.
Indra exhaled, hands on his hips. "Look, who knows what'll happen in the future?" he reasoned. "If we lose Svarga again, at least we won't have to rebuild from scratch. Wouldn't it be easier to just… repurpose it?"
For a moment, the Devas stared at him.
Then, Vayu sighed, crossing his arms. "You're seriously planning for another invasion already?"
Indra smirked. "I call it being prepared."
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