Shape-shifter [Serpent version]

Yuvika could only accept since she doesn't want to upset her newly made friend.

The priest performing the ritual looked really old. Like someone around a hundred years old. He told Yuvika one important thing. That during the entire ritual, the entire Yagya, and aarti, that during the entire ceremony, she must focus completely on the Shivling and the Holy Fire.

That she must not turn back or lose her chanting at any cost. That no matter what happens, no matter what she hears, or what her brain imagines, she must devote herself fully to Lord Shiva and Shivling.

For a moment, she felt terrified by the way the priest was explaining it. But Shivanshi explained to her patiently and plainly, that they do 'Akhand Yagya' and it shouldn't be broken. Or else, this place and her people will face the wrath of Lord Shiva, for breaking it.

She also explained that this ritual has been followed by them for centuries, generation after generation. Making Yuvika finally understand just how much Shivanshi trusts her to offer such a great position to her.

To put her place, her people's lives in one foreigner's hand. She felt touched and nodded.

Soon, the dharmic procession begins. She kept following the instructions given by pandit, unknown to the fact, behind the big partition, Ashutosh was following the same instructions.

Fortunately, he knows the rules of this Yagya, so no one has to tell him what he is supposed to do.

Yes, this was the first dharmic procession in the millennia, in which Raj and Rani, the King and Queen were together performing the processions. She couldn't see him, but he could.

The priests were in sync with each other. But he would wait for her to add the Yagya samagri in the holy fire before doing the same. Letting everyone know, their orphan period ended.

Now, they have both their parents. Their King and Queen.

~~~

It was already past midnight and the moon was shining brightly. It was at that moment, the old magic began to do its wonder. The ages-old curse, which haunts them to this date.

It begins with the last person. The very last person in the crowd. Suddenly, a beautiful girl crouched down on the ground, while mumbling 'Om Namah Shivaya the divine chanting of Lord Shiva.

Her pain was unbearable. Soon, her limbs lost all the power and she fell down to the ground. No one stares at her or helps her. They kept watching the holy procession going on in front of them. While chanting the holy mantra. 'Om Namah Shivay.'

Not because they don't want to help her or that they can't. But because they know, they will be the next. So, they don't want to waste even a single breath on anything except for their devotion to Lord Shiva.

The powerless girl kept shouting the holy chants, till she faints away completely. Then as if the chain had been initiated, people started falling down to the point of collapsing.

~~

Within the blink of an eye, hundred people faint away. Hundreds are still struggling and chanting.

~~

Soon, it was Shivanshi's turn to undergo the same pain. Meanwhile, Ashutosh wasn't trading any better, but he knows he has to hold on, till the sunrise.

As the King of these poor people, he has to hold on till the sunrise. This Akhand Yagya has to be fulfilled.

Yuvika focused completely on the chanting and the instructions.

~~

The time that everyone was dreading finally came. The time of shifting. Time of agony. Time of pain. Time of reality.

It begins with the first girl, who had fainted away hours ago. She started screaming loudly, due to the pain she was experiencing. The pain of losing all the limbs, the pain of growing the tail. The pain of shifting.

Soon, the girl transformed into a… serpent. Similar to cobra. Followed by her, the chain initiated again and there it was, the temple full of deadly dangerous serpents.

Ashutosh was still holding on, with the help of Naagmani, but Shivanshi had long turned into a serpent. The largest size of Echis carinatus one can ever see.

~~

They all started hissing loudly and loudly, losing all their sanity, ready to kill from anything to everything that comes their way. Some even start fighting amongst themselves, to find the stronger one among them.

But the moment Shivanshi arrived, everyone halted and bowed, accepting her as their leader. They all were filled with bloodlust, ready to kill any living thing that can satiate their hunger.

Luckily, the priest well-known to this had long created the circle of fire to protect Yuvika and struggling Ashutosh. Since snakes can't hear, that's why, Yuvika was told to keep chanting as loudly as she can, the whole night.

Since snakes are afraid and wary of fire. So, the Quadro inside it is safe. But the moment Yuvika gave in to the sound or turn around would be the end of this Yagya because then no one can save her from these ugly, dangerous, bloodlusty, highly sensitive, creeping reptiles.

The moment they sense her presence, she would be bitten by thousands of serpents present in the temple. The priest was all sweat from the tension. But still, ensure that Yuvika won't turn around.

After all, Ashutosh is Nagraj (King of Serpent) and as his mate, she is bound to be Nagrani (Queen of Serpent). But it will take her a lot more than expected, to gain that title on her own.

It took Shivanshi two centuries to gain that. Not to mention, Yuvika is a human herself. If this Akhand Yagya ( The continuous yajna without any interruption ) gets broken, then they will surely have to face the wrath of the heavens.

~~

But as if Yuvika and her devotion was unchallenged, she kept following the instructions and continued with her chanting.

~~

Soon, the twilight period came and soon the serpents on the hunt started fainting once again.

Ashutosh kept staring at the girl who was unknown to the chaos happening in front of her and smiled brightly. She is really a good girl.

~~

Soon, the shape-shifting started once again and people started returning back to their human forms. Some found themselves in the forest, some found themselves in the mountains, some found themselves in the water of the ocean, some found themselves in the villages, some found themselves in the palace.

Some found themselves covered with blood and mud. Shivanshi found herself covered with mud from head to toe, wondering what she did this time.

Then, as per the regulations, they all return back to their houses, clean themselves thoroughly, apologize for any mistake they might have committed in their powerless, insane state to the almighty. Then, return back to the temple, to see the blissful sight.

Despite being drenched in sweat from head to toe, Yuvika was still sitting firmly in her position, chanting and following the instructions. Ashutosh wasn't any different. They also joined them.

~~

Soon, the sunrise brings a new ray of hope for them to arise. Bringing a wide smile to everyone's faces. This girl helped them to maintain their ages-old tradition despite being a human.

~~

The moment everyone was waiting diligently for, finally arrived. It was the time for the last aahuti. Last offering, with which the completion of this Akhand Yagya would be declared.

'Swaha'. With that, the Yagya got completed and Ashutosh and Yuvika were given a few minutes to rest, to clean up, and then come back again for the Main Aarti.

Yuvika didn't know about Ashutosh's stance on this. But she was more focused on completing this holy ritual, than worrying about her husband. Soon, they came and divine Aarti took place with lots of pomp and show.

After which, girls cheer for Yuvika, and boys cheer for Ashutosh. Then, everyone had their breakfast together, after which the couple was sent to rest, with the promise of release once they woke up.

Ashutosh's ears were full of praises for Yuvika that the people were busy doing. Making Yuvika embarrassed every now and then. Finally, they reached their room in the guest wing, he wanted to tease her, but after seeing her red face and neck, he let her off the hook.

~~

In the evening;

As expected of Shivanshi, everything was arranged. Yuvika once again promised to keep this place a secret in front of everyone. Then, Ashutosh and Yuvika were all set to sail in the waters.

The boatman escorted them to the nearby beach, where they found people, humans, who let them know they were in Goa. Then, with one phone call from Ashutosh, his private jet with his guards came to pick him up.

For the couple, it was a great adventure in the wild. But it didn't ease the fact they lost Vivek. Soon, they were back in 'The Raj'.

~~

After one week;

Kirti, Yuvika, Ashutosh, Vivek's family, and everyone were paying their tribute to the burnt van, taking it as Vivek and the driver's corpse. After all, they had implemented all the forces of The Raj to find any news of Vivek and Mr. Das, but they hadn't found any.