Mahabharat: Shiva's Last Variable

(A/N):

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From the Guest chamber—Devara stood still at the balcony.

Looking out at the sky.

This sky was... different compared to Bhulok.¹

The moon is way—Too large. Too close.

And the sky—A murky green

No stars could be seen. No comfort.

Yet—It felt alive like compared to morning nagalok become very active during night.

His Thoughts Drifted Back to the battle.

To Sarpaasura. To the screams.

To the weight of what he did to him.

Then... A Knock. Soft. Gentle came from outside the chamber near the door.

He turned to look who it was.

It was none other the princesses Nagashree & Anantrika

Standing there curiously.

A hint of excitement—Barely hidden.

"We came to take you out."

Anantrika spoke first—Smoothly.

Before Nagashree could jump in.

"You wanted to see Nagalok right?... At night... it’s different."

Devara’s Curiosity Sparked hearing her words.

So he accepted it.

Since, This place had already surprised him.

He nodded accepting her offer.

And followed them to The Forest

The same place he had seen before—But—Not the same.

Now... it glowed beautifully.

Flowers—Everywhere. Blue. Purple. Crimson.

Each one shining softly.

Lighting the forest like stars fallen to earth.

Devara was stunned by the sight before him.

He Stopped. For a moment—Just... oberserving it.

Then—His hand moved in couriousity.

Toward one flower to touch them.

But was Stopped Nagashree caught his wrist.

Firm. Quick.

"Don’t."

She shook her head.

"They’re beautiful ...but deadly. Touch them ...they explode. Release poison into the air. Not for us..."

She glanced at Anantrika—Then back at him.

"...but for you. It could be life threatening."

Devara Lowered His Hand letting out a sigh. And small smile.

-Sigh!

"...."

While he mentally noted as Lesson learned.

Even beauty can carry danger.

He Looked Again

But now—Not just with wonder.

With awareness came with the hidden danger.

Time moved differently in Nagalok.

Not rushed. Not heavy. But Alive

After showing them they took Devara to the market.

The market buzzed—Voices layered over each other.

Strange fruits which seems to be delicacy.

Glowing artifacts with different purpose.

Creatures unseen in Bhulok.¹

Devara Observed around trying each delicacies he wanted to try.

Not as a warrior. But as a food lover who was enjoying different types of new foods.

Meanwhile...

Nagashree and Anantrika—Guides responsible for taking him around.

Occasionally teasing him for how much he loves food. Occasionally proud of their beautiful Nagalok.¹

Then their next destination...

The Lake

They brought him there—Where the sky mirrored itself.

Green above. Green below. The moon doubled which light was refecting from the water.

And fish which were in two eye catching colour—Golden. Silver.

Leaping like scattered stars around the pond.

Which created a serene scene which was burned deep into Devara’s memories.

Devara didn’t think of training and battle.

Two Days Passed...

Quietly. Softly. As he went to many different places in Nagalok with the help of his two guides.

At The Last Day...

Both the princess took him to a different place.

To a another Forest which seems. Darker. Denser.

Then the one they brought him before on the first day of their tour.

"...."

He could feel the hostility in the air. Not welcoming as several pairs of eyes were locked on him.

Anantrika Spoke First breaking the silence.

"We wanted to show you something..."

Nagashree Continued from where Anantrika left.

"The Nagapushpam. It blooms once... every 31 years."

Hearing their explanation Devara felt curious.

By hearing the description he could say that flower was Rare. And Sacred.

They Arrived at the location after they went deep into the forest.

And there it was—A Pond. Still. Too still.

But more than water it was. Filled with snakes

Coiling. Watching. Guarding.

At the Center stood. A great tree. Ancient. Rooted deep.

And upon it—Blood-colored flowers

Petals like flowing crimson. Softly glowing.

Beautiful... yet unsettling. If one take in all those serpents and tree into consideration.

While Nagashree Pointed at tree and particularly at the flower.

"That... is the Nagapushpam."

A Pause. Not just admiration.

But also Memory surfaced in her mind.

Anantrika Added Quietly remembering it.

"We came here... to take it. That day..."

A glance exchanged between them.

"...."

"...."

There was a Unspoken fear in their tone.

"...is when we were taken."

The Atmosphere Changed. Not hostile. But Heavy with what they remembered

Devara Looked Again

At the pond. At the snakes. At the tree.

This wasn’t just a flower.

It was guarded for a reason. It was a flower which Serpents considers one of their treasure and their highest form of devotion one serpent can give to their god they become a devotte of.

The silence lingered.

"...."

"...."

"...."

Heavy. Unspoken.

Devara Chose to Break It. Not with words.

With a gesture. A gift. For them since they acted all this three days as his tour guide around Nagalok.

Spending their time for him.

He removed his footwear—And stepped into the pond carefully.

The Water Barely Rose. Since it was Shallow. Still.

But alive with danger with all those serpents living in the pond.

Like a heavily guarded royal palace.

Behind Him both Nagashree and—Anantrika—Snapped out of their thoughts.

"...."

"...."

"What are you doing?!"

They moved to follow him inside to stop the serpent from attacking him—But was stopped by Devara’s voice

"Stay."

Calm. Certain.

Meanwhile...

All the serpent in the pond stopped in their tracks.

Heads turned to look at the intruder.

Hisses rose. Low. Warning him if he steps further they would not spare him.

-Hissssss!!! -Hissssss!!!

-Hissssss!!!...

A thousand silent threats were directed at Devara.

One wrong move—And he would be swallowed by thousands of snakes at various size.

But Devara Walked calmly. Slow. Measured. With his each steps.

Composed. Each step carefully—Unshaken.

Eyes Followed Him waiting for him to make that mistake which would show him what type of hell he would experince when all this snakes attacks him at once.

Every serpent—Locked onto him.

Ready. Waiting.

Yet... something held them back.

Even through Nagashree and Anantrika couldn’t see what the serpent were seeing.

The serpent who were about to attack saw.

Not just a boy.

A shadow behind him. Faint. Massive.

A divine presence they knew and worship.

Lord Shiva

Instinct Took Over them. Not fear. But Reverence

They hesitated to attack. The intruder was carrying the shadow of the lord Shiva.

So they choose to Watch him.

Meanwhile Devara reached the tree which was located at the centre of the pond. The tree was very tall.

Devara arrived. No rush. No struggle.

Before him at the tree bloomed several Nagapushpam

Before him—Blood-red. Alive.

He calmly bend down where a snake turned to look at his face then turned to slit away.

"...."

Letting out a sigh. Devara Plucked Two of the flowers.

-Sigh!

As soon as the flowers were plucked. The flowers—Brightened.

Their glow deepened—As if acknowledging him.

By coming back alive.

Even the forest felt the significance of the event that has unfolded.

Since the thing he came for is achieved.

He turned. Walked back. With the same patience.

The same path. The same calm. And the serpents... parted instead of hissing at him with hostility.

Once they had when he entered the pond.

Not commanded. Allowed as if acknowledging him.

At the Shore...

Nagashree. And Anantrika. Still.

Speechless of what they just witnessing now.

Because what they saw— Was not normal.

Devara was standing alive while holding nagapushpam.

Which has two important characteristics that is its medical factor and his poisonous factor.

If a human holding it even if he were a demi-god he would die the next instant he touches the flower.

Devara who didn’t know he was so close to self poisoning.

Held Out the Flowers with a smile on his face.

One to each.

"A thank you. For spending your time with me. To show around."

Simple. Unadorned.

But heavier than it sounded. Since they knew what this means.

The flowers rested in their hands—Light. Fragile.

But heavy with meaning

Nagashree and Anantrika didn’t speak.

"...."

"...."

Couldn’t. Because they both knew—What Nagapushpam truly meant

Not a gift. But A bond when it was given to a opposite gender.

A truth only whispered in legends—

"Given to the one your soul chooses."

Both of Their Thoughts Collided with each other

While Devara... walked through poison unharmed. He... plucked it effortlessly.

And the flower didn’t poison him.

Which means he was their soulmate. Because he thought about them when he plucked them

Which meant only one thing that was. He wasn’t rejected. He was accepted acknowledged as their soul mates.

And more than that—He thought of them.

No matter how many times they tried to make sense. They couldn’t.

Because it was not one. Both were his soul mates.

"...."

"...."

Silence Fell Between Them once again.

Not awkward. Heavy with the Shared. Unspoken. Truth.

Slowly—They reached out. Took the flowers.

Carefully. As if it was their life depends on it.

And placed them. Behind their ears. Which somehow suited them very well.

And enhanced their beauty.

Like a mark. Not claimed—Acknowledged of the new bond which formed.

Even Devara wasn’t aware off.

A Soft Change happened on the demeanor of both the girls.

A faint pink—Touched their cheeks.

Subtle. But undeniable.

Devara... too noticed this change for some reason looking at them felt his heart fluttered.

Didn’t question it. Didn’t notice the depth behind that blushes on their cheeks.

Or perhaps... chose not to following his elder brother Ganesha’s advice.

They Walked Back in silence.

No teasing. No chatter.

Just quiet steps both the princess become unusually quite during this time.

The glowing forest behind them—The palace ahead.

And between them—Something new. Unspoken... but real bond is formed.

Devara who didn’t knew he has been engaged to the two princess.

Was enjoying his time here.

Next day...

Morning came softer than usual.

No urgency. No battle.

Since it was the last day of his stay.

Devara stood at the gates—Calm as always.

Preparing to depart back to Kailash.

Before Him was king Vasuki

Beside him—The quiet weight of farewell.

While behind Devara were.

Princess Nagashree. And Anantrika.

Still. Silent.

"...."

"...."

"...."

Little sad by his departure. Even through they knew he needs to go back.

Their heart felt sad.

No long speeches. No promises. Only a simple goodbye.

And then—He walked. Along With King Vasuki.

Leaving Nagalok¹ behind.

Even the queen noticed it their daughter’s saddness.

King Vasuki. Cast a glance back—A subtle signal. To his queen.

"...."

Something important. She understood it immediatly.

Both she and Vasuki had noticed the Nagapushpam on both Nagashree and Anantrika hair.

And knew what that means.

After both Devara and King Vasuki left.

The Queen Turns to look at the two princess before her.

Her gaze—Sharp. But warm.

""

It lands on the flowers. Nagapushpam

Still resting—Behind their ears.

"Who gave you these?"

Simple question.

But not a simple meaning.

It had several hidden questions behind it.

Both Nagashree—Anantrika—Blushed.

Eyes lowering. Silence lingered

"...."

"...."

"...."

Then—They spoke in low voice. Not hidding the truth.

"Devara..."

The Name Landed hearing it. The queen stilled.

As both began to explain what has happened and how Devara got these flower.

Understanding followed. Piece by piece.

The pond. The flowers. The meaning behind it..

And then came the problem—The bond. Not one... But two at a same time.

The Queen’s Expression Changed

Not anger. Not shock alone.

But with Seriousness Deep. Measured.

Because this—Was not romance alone. It was fate.

As a mother she needs to make sure her daughter’s life was not filled with difficulties.

This wasn’t just about love.

It was about her daughter’s future.

Finally she made her decision.

"We will consult the stars."

Not doubt. But she needs the Confirmation.

She will Calls For An astrologer.

Not ordinary—One who reads destiny itself through the stars.

The Stakes Rise. Because if this bond is real—It will shape more than just hearts.

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(Author note:)

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