It took time for the rage to settle.
Not to disappear—never that—but to be controlled.
Rudra did not suppress it. He did not deny it. Instead, he let it remain, steady and burning beneath the surface, like a silent fire that refused to die. It no longer clouded his thoughts. It sharpened them.
Rage, he realized, was not weakness.
Uncontrolled rage was.
But controlled rage... was fuel.
And he would use it.
Slowly, Rudra stilled his mind and sank back into meditation. His awareness turned inward once more, seeking the presence that had guided him so far—the Wheel.
The connection flickered faintly at first, but as his focus deepened, it grew clearer.
And then—
He felt it.
Not words.
Not instructions.
But an emotion.
Faint.
Subtle.
Yet unmistakable.
Rage.
The Wheel... was angry.
For a moment, Rudra's thoughts paused. He had already accepted that the Wheel was not a mere object, but something far more complex. Still, feeling something so human—so aligned with his own emotions—sent a strange ripple through his consciousness.
So... you feel it too.
There was no response in language.
But the connection pulsed once, affirming.
After a brief moment of silent understanding, the Wheel began to move.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
The Panch-Tatva Shakti that Rudra had accumulated within his soul stirred. Under the Wheel's guidance, the energy began circulating through his being—not randomly, but in a precise, controlled pattern.
It flowed from one point to another, tracing pathways Rudra had not yet fully understood.
One complete cycle.
Then—
It stopped.
Abruptly.
Rudra's eyes gleamed.
Understanding struck instantly.
You're showing me something.
His thoughts sharpened.
The energy had not been circulated for growth.
It had been demonstrated.
Directed.
A method.
A possibility.
Rudra's awareness shifted outward immediately.
If I can control this energy within myself...
A pause.
Then I can control it within her.
The realization settled with clarity.
He was not just connected to his mother physically.
In this state—his most primal form—he was deeply, fundamentally linked to her.
Their energies overlapped.
Their existence intertwined.
Which meant—
He could reach her.
Not just observe.
But act.
Without wasting another moment, Rudra expanded his consciousness again. Slowly, carefully, he pushed his awareness outward, mapping his mother's body once more.
But this time—
With intent.
He began forming a plan.
A path.
A sequence.
He would guide the Panch-Tatva energy through her system, isolate the poison, and force it out.
It was risky.
Extremely risky.
But it was the only option.
As his consciousness expanded further—
It faltered.
A sudden weakness struck him, draining his focus instantly. His awareness trembled, the expansion collapsing inward.
Rudra struggled to maintain control.
Not now...
The darkness pressed in.
His thoughts blurred.
Only one and a half months...
The realization struck him like a warning.
That's all the time left.
His consciousness flickered.
If I don't act...
A cold certainty followed.
History will repeat itself.
His gaze hardened, even as his awareness began to fade.
I won't allow it.
But his strength gave out.
And darkness took him.
When Rudra awoke again, time had passed.
Days, perhaps.
Maybe more.
But he did not dwell on it.
There was no room for delay.
Without hesitation, he began.
This time, his approach was different.
More careful.
More precise.
He did not rush.
He guided his consciousness gently into his mother's body, stabilizing his awareness before attempting anything further.
Then—
He moved.
The Panch-Tatva energy responded immediately, flowing under his command. He directed it toward her heart—the central point from which her entire system could be influenced.
Slowly, delicately, he began pushing the poison.
It resisted.
But only slightly.
A small shift.
A minor displacement.
It worked.
Rudra's focus sharpened.
Good...
He continued.
But then—
The curse reacted.
The dark, ominous mass near her soul pulsed once.
Violently.
And instantly, the poison stabilized, locking itself in place.
Rudra's eyes flickered.
So it's not just poison...
His thoughts turned colder.
It's being controlled.
Without hesitation, he increased the force.
If subtlety failed—
He would overpower it.
The Panch-Tatva energy surged, pushing against the poison with greater strength.
And then—
Pain.
His mother's body reacted instantly.
Her chest tightened.
Her breath hitched.
A sharp, unbearable pain spread through her as she clutched her heart, her body trembling under the strain.
Rudra froze.
For a split second—
He hesitated.
And that was enough.
The situation escalated.
The door to her room swung open violently.
Footsteps rushed in.
A young girl—petite, with striking white hair—hurried to her side, her voice trembling with panic.
"Madam!"
She supported her carefully, her small hands trying to steady a body that was clearly weakening.
"Someone—call the doctor! Hurry!"
Moments later—
He arrived.
An old man.
His steps were slow, deliberate.
Too calm.
Rudra's awareness sharpened instantly.
Something felt wrong.
The man examined her briefly, his expression neutral at first.
Then—
Something changed.
Subtle.
Almost imperceptible.
But Rudra caught it.
The corners of his lips twitched.
Not in concern.
Not in worry.
But in something closer to... satisfaction.
...I see you.
The man turned, preparing something quickly. A concoction—a medicinal mixture—was brought forward.
"Don't worry," he said, his voice calm, almost dismissive. "This is normal. The pain of childbirth. She will be fine."
The words were smooth.
Convincing.
Too convincing.
The girl helped Rudra's mother drink the medicine.
Inside—
Rudra felt it instantly.
The moment the liquid entered her system, his awareness reacted.
The same energy.
The same corruption.
Poison.
And worse—
It strengthened the curse.
The dark mass pulsed again, more violently this time, reinforcing its hold over her body.
Rudra was pushed back.
Not physically—
But energetically.
His control disrupted.
His influence weakened.
Rage surged again.
But this time—
He held it back.
Because his mother—
Was in pain.
Her body trembled under the combined strain.
Her breathing grew uneven.
Rudra stopped immediately.
Retreating.
Not out of defeat—
But choice.
He went still.
Dormant.
Observing.
Thinking.
There's someone outside...
His awareness pushed outward again, though weakly.
He couldn't see clearly.
Only fragments.
The outline of the girl.
The presence of the old man.
And then—
The voice.
Gravelly.
Cold.
"...she'll be fine."
Rudra locked onto it.
Memorized it.
Every tone.
Every inflection.
I'll remember you.
His thoughts were calm again.
Deadly calm.
With no immediate options left, Rudra did not panic.
He did not rush.
Instead—
He thought.
Time passed.
The Wheel remained silent.
Watching.
Waiting.
It knew.
It had the answer.
But it would not give it.
Not yet.
This was a test.
Of his mind.
Of his character.
Rudra understood that.
And accepted it.
After a long silence—
His eyes opened.
Determined.
Clear.
If I can't expel the poison...
A pause.
Then I'll move it.
The plan formed instantly.
Not outward—
But inward.
To the safest possible place.
Where it could do the least harm.
Slowly, carefully, he began again.
This time, he did not push against the curse.
He moved with it.
Redirecting the poison gently.
Without resistance.
Without triggering a reaction.
The curse remained still.
Unaware.
Rudra felt a faint relief.
Good...
Step by step, he guided the poison through her system.
Closer.
Closer.
Toward—
The umbilical cord.
The connection between them.
His thoughts hardened.
He reached out to the Wheel.
This should tell you enough about me.
A pause.
I'll forgive your little test.
Another.
But if something happens to me...
His focus sharpened.
Protect her.
The Wheel responded.
Softly.
It rotated once, releasing a faint white energy that flowed outward into his mother's body—gentle, stabilizing, almost apologetic.
Her breathing eased.
The strain lessened.
The pale tone of her skin softened—just slightly.
But enough.
Rudra did not wait.
With full determination—
He pulled.
The poison shifted.
Entered the cord.
And then—
Entered him.
The moment it touched his forming body—
Everything changed.
Darkness spread instantly.
His body reacted violently, the corruption clashing against his incomplete form.
Pain exploded through him.
Raw.
Unfiltered.
Unbearable.
His entire being convulsed under the strain.
For the first time—
Rudra felt true pain.
And yet—
He did not stop.
Outside—
His mother reacted.
Her body trembled as she clutched her stomach, tears forming in her eyes.
She didn't understand.
But she felt it.
Her child—
Was in pain.
Her instincts screamed it.
And yet—
She could do nothing.
Tears streamed down her face.
And then—
She began to sing.
The same lullaby.
Soft.
Weak.
But filled with love.
Sleep, my child, don't you fear,
Mommy's love is always here,
Through the dark and through the light,
You're my dawn, my endless sight..."
Inside—
Rudra heard it.
And despite the pain—
He smiled.
A faint, fragile smile.
Don't worry...
His thoughts softened.
I'm here.
Her voice trembled.
Her strength fading.
But she kept singing.
Until—
Her consciousness slipped.
Her body relaxed, though her hands remained clutching her stomach.
And even as darkness claimed her—
A faint smile remained on her lips.
Pained.
But peaceful.
Because somewhere deep inside—
She felt it.
Her child...
Was still there.
To be continued...
Two more chapters will be uploaded this evening 8:00 PM IST. Stay tuned.