Capítulo 24: Chapter 24 Faster than Vayu
Vishnu's gaze drifted downward, his eyes locked on the Kshira Sagara below. Mandara Mountain was spinning faster and faster, its rotation accompanied by billowing waves and flames from Vasuki's mouth. The sky fire fell into the sea, but instead of sinking, it seemed to hover like dust settling on water like oil, rising and falling with the ripples of the milky sea.
The surface of the Kshira Sagara rippled, slimy, and undulating, signaling the imminent birth of a treasure from its depths. The air crackled with energy.
"It's coming out!" Hiranyaksha exclaimed, his eyes narrowing as he stared intently at the base of Mandara Mountain. A realization formed in his mind.
With a sudden rush, a beam of golden light shot up from the sea, soaring into the sky. The light expanded, blooming into a towering, radiant tree. The Kalpavriksha, a tree of boundless power, soared high into the sky, its emerald leaves shimmering with divine radiance. Hanging from its branches were fruits that granted any wish, while the air around it was thick with the scent of blooming celestial flowers. Though its branches did not bear gems, the tree itself radiated an aura of wealth and abundance, as if every divine treasure of the cosmos lay within its reach. The tree shone with brilliance, radiating its splendor in all directions.
The Kalpavriksha, the divine wish-fulfilling tree, was a creation of immense power. The tree could grant any desire, producing everything needed at the perfect moment. However, its gifts were always aligned with Dharma, ensuring that only those whose wishes were righteous and in harmony with the divine order could receive them.
"What a magnificent sacred tree," Suryadev remarked, stepping forward with a proud smile on his face. "This tree rightfully belongs to Svarga. Only we, the Devas, are worthy of its blessings."
He stood to the side, his mind already picturing himself beneath the Kalpavriksha, envisioning the glory and reverence that would follow, imagining himself as the most glorious and heroic figure among the Devas.
"Indeed, the very essence of the cosmos resides in such a tree," Somadev Soma agreed, nodding with a solemn expression. "It was meant for us, not the Asuras."
"I'll bring it back!" Vayudev, the god of wind, volunteered eagerly. His eyes narrowed with resolve as he tapped into his speed, the wind rushing around him.
The Devas could feel the weight of the situation. The Kalpavriksha was more than a mere symbol of power—it was a cosmic tool, capable of reshaping the very fabric of existence. In the wrong hands, especially those of the Asuras, it could bring about a shift in the balance of power, and the Devas feared what that could mean for their dominance.
The thought of the Asuras using the tree for their gain ignited a deep sense of insecurity within the Devas. They could not afford to let the tree slip away; without it, they feared losing the favor of the Brahman, the power that sustained their reign.
As Vayudev shot into the sky, his speed leaving a trail of wind in his wake, the Devas exchanged nervous glances. Their urgency was palpable.
"I'll bring it back!" Vayudev volunteered eagerly. As the fastest among the Devas, he wasted no time. The words had barely left his mouth when he shot into the sky, heading straight for the wish-fulfilling tree.
"Kalpavriksha!" Vayudev's eyes sparkled as the light from the tree grew brighter and brighter. Excitedly, he reached out toward it.
"It belongs to the Asuras!" Hiranyaksha's roar rang out. He lunged forward, crashing into Vayudev with the force of an iron mountain.
Boom!
The impact was deafening. It was like a speeding truck colliding with a stationary wheelchair. Vayudev was sent spinning, tumbling through the air, and crashing into a group of Gandharvas like a flaming wheel.
"Vayu!!!" Surya and his siblings cried out in shock.
Indra, taken aback, stepped forward, his eyes wide in surprise. So fast! Hiranyaksha wasn't just incredibly powerful—he was faster than Vayu, the embodiment of wind itself.
Before Indra could process what had just happened, Vayudev had already plummeted toward them. His eyelids twitched. He raised his hand, and with a sharp crack, a massive electric grid spread out to encompass the area.
Boom!!!
Vayudev was suddenly engulfed by the divine power of thunder and lightning. The air buzzed with energy as bolts of lightning shot out in every direction, swirling like wild dragons and serpents.
Not good! The power is too strong—I can't control it!
Indra quickly dissolved the electric grid, but when he looked up, he saw Vayudev crashing into the Sea of Milk. His body twitched and shuddered as the lightning continued to course through him.
"Vayu, are you okay?" Indra rushed forward, lifting him. Placing his palms on Vayudev's chest, he focused, withdrawing the violent lightning energy with fierce concentration.
"Vayu! Vayu!!!" Soma hurried to his side, concern etched on his face.
Fortunately, Vayudev's divine body was incredibly resilient, so the injury healed almost instantly.
Amidst the many watching eyes, Vayudev slowly rose to his feet, his chest still heaving with lingering pain and his eyes filled with resentment.
"Indra, I admit that you are stronger, but compared to him, your beating hurt more!" Vayu couldn't help but mutter, a bitter edge to his voice.
After speaking, he glanced at Indra, swallowed hard, and then turned his attention back to Hiranyaksha in the distance.
"Indra, what should we do now?" Vayudev asked, his voice filled with anxiety. "This sacred tree is about to fall into Hiranyaksha's hands!"
The Devas shared a collective sense of unease, their eyes turning toward Indra, waiting for his command.
Indra stared into the distance at Hiranyaksha, then raised three fingers, signaling the Devas to listen carefully.
"I have three steps," he declared firmly. "Step one: Retreat!"
The Devas listened intently as Indra continued, his tone serious. "Hiranyakshas is too strong for us to defeat right now. It's better to retreat. Step two: This sacred tree is a divine item, containing the power to change the balance of the universe. The Asuras cannot decipher its secrets, so let them take it. What harm can it do?"
Indra paused, blinking. He forced a calm smile, but in truth, he had yet to think of the third step.
"Well, I think you all understand the plan," Indra said, scanning the gathered Devas with a look of quiet authority.
The Devas exchanged puzzled glances. The plan? They thought. What plan? And what on Svarga was the third step?
Suryadev, ever the thoughtful one, furrowed his brow. I am second only to the King of Svarga, he thought, puffing out his chest a little. If the others understand and I don't, that would be a disaster. I must save face—immediately.
A moment passed, and then—like a bolt of lightning striking through the clouds—understanding dawned upon him. With a sly smile, he nodded slowly, raising his head high, and shot a look at the others as if to say, I get it, guys. I'm so ahead of you.
"I see!" Surya declared, his voice booming with confidence.
"Ah? What did you understand?" Agni asked, his fiery eyebrows furrowing in confusion.
Surya gave a mysterious, yet smug, smile, but said nothing. Agni glanced nervously at Indra, hoping for some kind of guidance, but Indra, too, wore a satisfied smile and remained silent.
For a moment, Agni stood frozen, his face flushing with embarrassment. No! I must understand this, he thought, his brain working overtime. We are brothers of fire, after all. Indra, the fire in the sky; Surya, the fire in Svarga; and me, the fire in Bhuloka. The other two got it—if I don't, I'll look like a fool!
The pressure was too much. Agni took a deep breath and clapped his hands together with a sharp snap, causing the gathered Devas to flinch slightly. "Ah, I get it now!" Agni laughed, nervously wiping his brow. "Oops! I understand! The King of Svarga's plan is brilliant!"
Varuna, the Deva of water, and Vayu, the Deva of wind, both nodded in enthusiastic agreement, their faces lit with understanding.
Somadev, however, still stood there, utterly baffled. What in the world did they figure out?
As Soma tried to make sense of it all, the other Devas—Vayu, Surya, Agni, and Varuna—turned to him in unison, their eyes sparkling with smug self-assurance. It was clear: they knew what was going on.
"Soma, what do you think?" Suryadev asked, his tone dripping with superiority.
Soma was silent for a moment, scanning the group. He could feel the weight of their gazes, all full of certainty. He couldn't let them get away with it. I can't be the only one in the dark!
"Ah, yes... It makes sense," Soma said, nodding with a faux-confidence. "The three-step plan Indra made is indeed sound."
Indra blinked in surprise. What on Triloka did they come up with? Indra thought, taken aback by their sudden confidence. His eyes scanned their faces, all brimming with assurance, and he couldn't help but feel a twinge of surprise.
They seemed so sure... Did they figure something out?
Indra's mind raced. I need to know what they think they understand—quickly.
…
Above the Kshira Sagara, The green shade of the wish-fulfilling sacred tree fell upon Hiranyaksha's imposing figure. The strong winds from the milky sea rustled through the tree's branches, carrying a faint, fragrant breeze that eased Hiranyaksha's spirit and brought him a sense of relaxation.
He gazed at the gathering of Devas and Gandharvas in the distance and couldn't help but raise his head, laughing arrogantly. "Hahaha! A bunch of weak, cowardly Devas! I, Hiranyaksha, shall become the Lord of the Triloka!"
With a booming laugh, Hiranyaksha raised his enormous hand, sweeping away the sky and sun as he reached for the sacred tree. "This Tree is mine! Hahaha!"
Overcome with excitement, he gripped the sacred tree, inspecting it closely.
But in the shadow of the tree, a golden figure materialized, smiling faintly at him. In an instant, the sacred tree vanished with a swish.
"Hiranyaksha, I believe this tree doesn't have a connection with the Asuras," Vishnu said, holding the tree in his hand as he appeared before Hiranyaksha, a smile playing on his lips.
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