King of Devas

"The demon Halahala is endangering the world!" Brahma declared, his voice resonating with divine authority.

"I curse that once he leaves the neck of Shiva, his ability to think and reason shall be annihilated. His form will be divided into myriad poisons, blending into all things, incapable of sustaining life."

Brahma's words echoed through the cosmos, reverberating across the Svarga, the Pataloka, and the Bhuloka of humans. The power of the curse spread far and wide, shaking the balance of existence.

All living beings, animals, and plants already imbued with poison trembled as they felt the curse take effect. Dasra, one of Ashwini Kumaras god of medicine nodded in understanding and spoke with clarity:

"The poison that moves belongs to the creatures, while the poison that remains still is of the earth. If Halahala were ever to escape from Lord Shiva's neck, it would blend with the poisons of the world, dissolving into the very fabric of existence—forever entwined with the forces of destruction and renewal."

Despite this proclamation, it was evident that Halahala, having been consumed by Shiva, had no way to escape. The curse, though powerful, now served as a safeguard rather than a remedy.

Brahma's act did not go unnoticed. The Devas, with hands folded in reverence, praised him with heartfelt devotion.

"Only Brahma's wisdom could have known the true depth of this poison."

"By his will, the universe is spared from destruction."

Their voices rose in unison, honoring the Creator for his divine intervention, even in the shadow of Shiva's greater sacrifice.

....

Brahma's lips curved into a subtle smile, clearly pleased as he basked in the wave of compliments.

"Uh-huh! Uh-huh!" his four heads murmured to himself, his satisfaction evident.

Before long, amidst the chorus of praise, Brahma. Mahadeva Shiva departed. Their divine presence faded, leaving Vishnu behind, his gaze fixed on the massive vortex created by the churning of Mandara Mountain. A serene smile graced his face, but not everyone shared his calm demeanor.

Indra's thoughts stirred uneasily.

That curse...

His eyes darted to his Sahasrakavacha, the divine armor that had absorbed a substantial amount of Halahala during the events. Would Brahma's curse affect it as well?

Quickly, he lowered his head to inspect the armor. To his relief, the Sahasrakavacha remained intact, its brilliance undiminished. Shining brightly, it radiated divine light. Indra, curious about its current power, activated his divine energy. Wisps of blue light emerged, dancing around the armor. The light shimmered intensely, akin to a miniature sun, radiating in all directions.

But the reaction was swift and unexpected.

"Ah! It hurts!" Chitrasena exclaimed, clutching his head as if the very light were searing his thoughts.

"Indradev, stop it! Stop it!" Tumburu pleaded, his voice trembling with both fear and awe. He staggered back, unable to escape the fiery brilliance of the divine armor.

The light intensified, and their cries grew louder, laced with desperation. The burning radiance seemed to seep into their very beings, overwhelming their senses.

"This light burns! Please, stop!" Vishvavenu shouted, his wings flapping in vain as he tried to shield himself from the unbearable glow.

A cacophony of agonized cries erupted from the surrounding Devas. The blue light emanating from the armor caused them visible pain, as though pierced by a searing force. Alarmed, Indra quickly withdrew his divine power. The blue glow faded, restoring calm to the gathering.

He glanced at his armor, then at the Devas, who were now visibly shaken, their expressions marked by fear and discomfort.

"The poison of Halahala is truly terrifying," Indra remarked. His voice carried a mix of awe and unease. "Even its energy mirrors that monstrous being—merely touching it causes unbearable pain."

The Grandharavas and Devas murmured in agreement, huddling together as they gazed at the Sahasrakavacha in disbelief. The lingering fear was palpable. If a mere glimmer of the armor's glow caused such agony, what unimaginable consequences could its full power unleash?

Suryadeva appeared particularly affected. His expression was dazed, and his gaze was fixed on the sun-shaped emblem on Indra's armor. To him, it seemed as though the golden sun had turned an ominous blue, radiating a toxic energy.

Indra's eyes burned with a mix of pride and excitement.

The effect of this divine armor is astounding, he thought, his lips curling into a faint smile.

"It seems the essence of Halahala within this armor remains potent," he said aloud, almost as if to himself. Then, with a dismissive shrug, he added inwardly:

After all, Brahma's curse targeted the monster Halahala, not the poison absorbed by my divine armor. Plus why would Brahma nullify the boon he gave me in the first place?

Indra stood tall, his confidence bolstered, as the Devas looked on, still uneasy in the presence of the enigmatic power radiating from his Sahasrakavacha.

With a single thought, the divine armor transformed into golden light, enveloping Indra's body in an instant.

Boom!

The whirlpool stirring the Halahala showed no signs of calming. Instead, it churned with greater intensity, sending a brilliant golden beam shooting straight into the heavens.

"At last Amrita! It finally has emerged!"

Vishnu's gaze turned toward the Kshira Sagara, his serene expression flickering with curiosity. Within the dark and viscous whirlpool of the Milk Sea, jars radiating a golden glow slowly surfaced. Rising from the vortex, they ascended along the golden pillar of light, their brilliance illuminating the turbulent sea.

All eyes—Devas and Asuras alike—fixed on the jar containing the coveted nectar of immortality. The air grew thick with tension, an eerie silence preceding the inevitable chaos.

"The Amrita is finally here!" Surya exclaimed.

With that, the stillness shattered. Devas and Asuras roared in unison, surging toward the floating jar. They even ignored the person who was holding Amrita, Dhanvantari, the god of Ayurveda. The Kshira Sagara erupted into frenzied motion as beings of immense power rushed to claim the nectar.

Vishnu, calm and composed, stepped forward. In a single stride, he crossed countless voids, appearing directly before the Dhanvantari. Another formidable figure, radiating golden light from its eyes, materialized alongside him.

Hiranyaksha.

The Asura's colossal form loomed over Mandara Mountain, his presence like a storm that bent the heavens. Winds howled, clouds churned, and the sound of his voice reverberated like rolling thunder.

"Vishnu!" Hiranyaksha's roar shook the Kshira Sagara. "By our agreement, this Amrita belongs to us!" Fury and frustration marred his face as his massive hand reached toward the jar of Amrita.

Vishnu, ever unperturbed, smiled faintly. "No. You were the ones who stirred up the Halahala, and so it should indeed belong to you. However, you abandoned your claim. The Amrita rightfully goes to the Devas."

Hiranyaksha froze, disbelief and rage flashing across his features. His wild, black hair seemed to dance like flames in the chaotic wind. His anger boiled over, his roar shaking the Milk Sea itself. Waves of darkness rose skyward, crashing against the brilliance of the golden light.

"Abandoned our claim?" Hiranyaksha roared, his voice thundering like a storm crashing through the skies. "This is no failure of ours—this is the work of your Maya! Who in all of Triloka does not know of your hatred for us, the Asuras? You will never show us a favor, always weaving your deceitful traps, hoping to see us fall into them!"

The sea beneath him seethed, as though mirroring his wrath, the waves crashing with violent fury. His eyes burned with fury as he glared at Vishnu, his entire being seething with anger. Yet, despite the storm of rage, Vishnu remained as still and serene as ever, his smile calm and unwavering.

"You dare lie to me!?" Hiranyaksha's voice shook the very heavens as he bellowed, his rage consuming him. "It is you who are the cause of this!"

With a roar, Hiranyaksha summoned the full force of his anger and hurled a massive punch toward Vishnu, his arm cutting through the air like a tidal wave.

Vishnu, calm and measured, extended a single hand. The Sudarshan Chakra spun into action, flying from his finger and intercepting the blow with effortless grace. The clash sent ripples of energy through the air, but Vishnu's expression remained composed, though his brow furrowed slightly.

Hiranyaksha is formidable, he mused. Even if I were to manifest the Varaha avatar, it would take a millennium of fierce combat to overcome him. And with so many Devas present, the collateral damage from a battle of that scale would be catastrophic.

It wasn't the time for incarnations. Meanwhile, the Devas surged toward the Amrita. Indra led a host of Gandharvas but intentionally hung back, careful not to rush too far ahead.

Getting too close to the Amrita will only make me a target, Indra thought. The Asuras will swarm, and worse, Hiranyaksha might land a devastating blow.

From the corner of his eye, Indra noticed Vayu darting forward with unparalleled speed. Vayu stretched out his hand toward Dhanvantri and the jar of amrita, the golden light almost within his grasp.

The light of the Amrita reflected in his eyes, and for a moment, it seemed as though nothing could stop him.

But then—he froze.

A sudden force held him in place, as though the universe itself had turned against him. His divine energy surged through his veins, his will commanding him to move, but his body was trapped, immobilized by some unseen power.

What's happening?

Vayu glanced down, his gaze catching something unusual in his shadow. Emerging from the darkness was a strikingly beautiful Asura girl. Her slender figure moved with grace, her waist adorned with subtle patterns of fruit, while her full, undulating curves seemed to defy reason.

Simhika.

Her lips curved into a sly smile, and she licked the corner of her mouth with a pink tongue, a gesture both mocking and provocative. With a casual elegance, she extended a pale arm, and her shadow entwined itself around Vayu's wrist.

The Vayudev was helpless. In a swift motion, Simhika's shadow hurled him backward, his divine form crashing away from the Amrita.

"Hehe~"

Simhika giggled softly, her laughter dripping with amusement. She darted forward, snatching the jar of Amrita from Dhanvantri before anyone else could react. With a triumphant flourish, she flew toward the Asura army.

"Hahaha! Simhika, you've done it!" Viprachitti threw his head back in laughter, his booming voice filled with glee. "Amrita is ours!"

He hadn't anticipated that his wife, Simhika, would silently approach the jar of Amrita. Her innate blessing of shadow control made her a formidable presence—even the Devas were powerless against her manipulation. Bound by her shadows, their movements were completely restrained.

"Mother! That's incredible!" In the ranks of the Asura army, Rahu's eyes gleamed with excitement. His fists clenched tightly, brimming with pride and exhilaration.

Whoosh!

Simhika shot through the air, her trajectory aimed squarely at the safety of the Asura army. Victory seemed within their grasp.

Just as she was about to reach the Asura ranks, Vishnu acted. From his hand, the Sudarshan Chakra spun into motion, its brilliance lighting the battlefield. At the same time, Vishnu's golden eyes gleamed with divine intensity.

A flash of golden light quietly emerged amidst the throng of Asuras.

From the radiant light, a stunningly beautiful woman materialized. She appeared as though woven from the essence of the stars themselves. Her presence radiated an ethereal glow, as if the world itself paused in awe, drawn to the grace of her being.

She was not of this world, but of a realm far beyond, where beauty knew no limit, and no words could ever capture the infinite grace she embodied.

---

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