Names have powers

If a mere human like him had spoken the prophecy, Madhava would have let the matter slide, blaming them for being crazy. But it's the supreme god; the elephant-headed Ganesha prophesied the Bhavishyavani, which never happened. If they ignore the signs, the price they must pay to purchase peace in this world would be heavy.

"As my brother Vikala said, you are worried for nothing, mortal." Vara, the youngest brother, spoke, bringing Madhava out of his thoughts. His tone was brass and arrogant.

"The officer has a track record of no failures? So what?" Vara scoffed. "He is just a human. Do you think a mortal like him, who knows nothing but holding a gun, can combat something sinister that is residing deep in the forests of that town?" His voice had a sarcastic edge as he spoke. He hated humans for the fact that they were cowards. When the situation goes out of control, all they do is pray and let the gods save them. What can he expect from those boring mortals who don't even know sorcery?

Although Madhava was offended by Vara's words for speaking lowly of their kind, he didnot raise his voice. The arrogant, pampered prince would not hesitate to cut his head if he did.

"That's not how you speak with someone, Vara. Madhava is our most trusted ally. Humans or non-humans, you should respect people." Manibhadra, the second eldest, chided his younger brother. Vara sulked, glaring at his brother for reprimanding him in front of a human.

Unlike his brother Suketu, Manibhadra was tall and possessed a cheerful personality. The edges of his eyes crinkled, which implied he smiled a lot. "I apologize for my brother's harsh words, Madhava. Coming to the topic, why did you call us here?"

Madhava smiled at Manibhadra in appreciation for considering his feelings. "The elephant-headed god spoke a Bhavishyavani that might concern your clan."

The five brothers' faces turned morbid instantly.

"What's the message?"

"When did he speak?"

"Why didn't we know about this?"

Questions were thrown at Madhava without letting him take a breath.

As Madhava began talking about the details, he could sense fear and helplessness on the brother's faces, except for Vara. He seems not fazed.

"What is this? A mere human is going to change our clan's destiny?" The arrogant prince Vara's fists clenched.

"If this matter fell into the Rakshasa's ears...they might find all the possible ways to bring that monster out...." Vikala's body shuddered, imagining the consequences. "No..it can't be...they might not have heard, right?..."

"What are the odds that they might not hear? Do you think the Rakshas don't have messengers? If we can hear, they can also hear. Word of mouth is more powerful than a sword, uncle." Aditya rebuffed his uncle's theories. His golden hair and chiselled jaw stood out among the others.

Unlike the others, who wore Angavastram to cover their bodies, Aditya wore a shirt and pants, for he was a sucker for fashionable clothes that were only available in the human world. He was not supposed to be in his city, playing boring games, but when he heard Madhava's message, he begged his uncles to take him along with them.

"It all started because of them." Vikala banged his fist on the reed mat. "We begged the King not to trust them. He was head over heels for that woman, and what happened in the end? They used her and betrayed us_"

"There is no use mulling over the past, Vikala," Suketu cut off his brother's words. "We are spinning on our own fates. Good or evil, it can never be undone. We have to accept the things to which fate binds us. Infact, it was not Rakshasas who started. Our clan has committed the mistake, and the Rakshasas used it to their advantage to bring us down." The one mistake his clan made in the past is haunting the generations. They have lived every day for years in fear and remorse.

"Anyway, the Bhavishyavani said, a human will change our clan's destiny, but there is no proof that it's that mortal officer." Vara got up and dusted his clothes. "Not all prophecies are valid. You made us worried for nothing, mortal." Vara shrugged his shoulders.

Manibhadra, silently listening to the conversation, was intrigued by the human for some reason. "What's the officer's name, Madhava?" Manibhadra asked. He wondered what role a human has a play in this divine thing.

"Parth."

Manibhadra's brows raised. Parth! A person who never misses the target? That is an interesting name for someone with no track record of failures. He made a note to study this human after he went home.

As the brothers got up to leave, Madhava quickly spoke up. "My lord, what if the Bhavishyavani is true, and Ra_"

"Do not take his name!" Suketu warned, his murderous gaze intending. "Names have powers. The monster has no path to escape. We will not let our Kusumavati's sacrifice go in vain. Her sacrifice has prospered peace in us."

Madhava nodded, not asking any more questions. The sacrifice of Kusumavati was a secret no one knew unless they were part of the organization that vowed to protect the clan and humans. Although Madhava was not born then, he heard about her braveness from his grandfather and father.

"I will inform the King about today's meeting. Alert our organization members, and tell them to be careful." Suketu said to Madhava and turned to his brothers, addressing them. "It's time to leave."

"Well, you can leave," Aditya said, hesitantly massaging his nape. "I will join you later,"

"Our little Aditya has priorities." Vikala giggled. His nephew Aditya is the weirdest he has seen. He dresses like a human and prefers to eat their food. He finds every chance to escape into the human world to eat street food and wear fashionable clothes.

"I wonder why you are born in that way. What's so good about humans?" Vara scoffed, glaring at his nephew. "Don't you dare marry a mortal, boy? I will kill you with my hands."

Marriage? That's never on his list. Food, movies, and fashionable clothes are what he was born for. There is no place for a woman in his heart. Little did he know fate had other plans for him.

"Don't get into fights. Your father will be worried." Suketu said.

Nala nodded.

Closing his eyes, Suketu uttered a mantra, transformed into an eagle in a couple of seconds and fled away.

"Come back soon, Aditya."

"Bye-bye, nephew."

Manibadra, Vikala, and Vara shifted into a kite, a pigeon, and a crow, fleeing north, high into the Himalayas.

Bidding his bye's to Madhava, Aditya walked out, whistling and humming to a song; his mouth watered as he recalled the pani puri he had eaten when he last visited the human world.

Madhava gazed at the birds flying into the clouds, away from the land. He wanted to know what had happened in the past, the truth about that so-called monster these people are afraid to take his name. Suketu once told him he never wanted to recall that fateful past, even in his dreams.

With thoughts running through his mind, Madhav walked out of the factory without knowing a tall silhouette, listening to the whole conversation, emerged out of the shadows. The man's gaze fell on Madhava's retreating figure, deep in thought.

....

Contrary to the heated conversation that happened in the factory, someone was enjoying at the office, as happy as a dog that got two tails.

Legs crossed over the other, Nikhil leisurely leaned his back on the chair, listening to songs from the tape recorder. His head bobbed up and down with the song's beat, and his fingers tapped on the armrest in sync.

The three janitors who were responsible for cleaning the corridors are chorusing Nikhil sitting on the floor. "You look exactly like the actor in this movie, Nikhil Sir." One of the janitors praised increasing the volume by a point.

"Correction, the actor looks like me," Nikhil bragged, flexing his arm muscles so that the janitors could see, although they were teeny.

"Woww! You work out, Sir?"

Nikhil shrugged, meaning isn't it obvious?

"You look better than the actor, Sir. I wonder why you didnot chose an acting career." Another Janitor said. The third janitor nodded in agreement.

Nikhil was on cloud nine, enjoying the praises. He sheepishly smiled, running his hands over his silky hair. "I knew I was born for acting. But you know what... this Bollywood is full of Nepo kids. They are crushing talented artists like me, just like Rakshas suppressing me in the office. Talking about him, have you seen how much I work for him? Has he ever praised me during Independence day or Republic day celebrations?"

"Why, Sir?"

"Jealousy." Nikhil harrumphed. "He is scared people will notice me. He fears I will climb the ladders and overpower him one day."

"Now, it all makes sense, Nikhil, Sir." The janitors nodded, believing him.

"If I hadn't failed my degree, I would never work under him. " Nikhil retorted. "Quickly tell me, who is more attractive? Me or the Rakshas?" Nikhil was so involved in bitching about Parth that he didnot notice someone was listening to the conversation.

"Of course, it's you."

Satisfied, Nikhil nodded. He guessed the answer already. "Anyway, lunch is on me today. Say to Murthy in the canteen. Eat whatever you want."

"Thank you, Sir." The three janitors said in unison as if they had hit the jackpot. They crave to eat delicious canteen food, but they can't afford it. So, they bring lunch from their home. Occasionally, officers like Nikhil sponsor to pay for the food.

"Sir," One of the janitors named Mukesh asked. "Are you sure, Parth sir, will not come to the office today?" They were told Parth would be on emergency leave today as well. Otherwise, why would they leisurely sit and listen to the songs?

"Don't bring that Rakshas topic when I am in a happy mood," Nikhil's mood dampened instantly. Remembering something, he signalled the three janitors to come close. "He threatened Anjali madam that he would kill her family if she didn't marry him. With a family status like him, she knew he would not bat an eye. So with no other choice, she married him, but I know she is plotting against him, waiting for a chance to take revenge."

"Huh? Isn't it a love marriage?"

Nikhil shook his head, denying.

"How do you know she doesn't like him?"

"Because I saw her crying on the wedding day," Nikhil said as a matter of fact. Little did he know, Anjali cried once, worried about leaving her maternal family. "Also, he tortures_"

"Your cooked-up stories are so pathetic that even a kindergarten kid will not be impressed." The baritone voice echoed into the room.

Nikhil's jaw dropped to the floor, hearing the familiar voice. His heart leapt into his throat in fear. Why did he come to the office today?

....

Long chapter!! Rakshasas, Devas, and many more to come. I hope you are enjoying the freshness in the story. The names in the first half of the chapter might be difficult to spell since they are pure Sanskrit. Please read the chapter twice; you will understand better.

Happy reading! If you like the book, please drop a review, a lengthy one, if you have time. It will be helpful for other readers to pick.