In my Devil's Arms

Life goes on and an year passed.

Alok and Laxmi married in a grand procession. Mr. and Mrs. Pundit were present and so was Vishnu. The reception invited all the major dignataries of Mumbai.

Riya got her Phd and completely dedicated herself to the work of museum. It was going on pretty well.Both Riya and Vicky were amazed to find that their story had started ten centuries ago as Aditya and Dhara.

Vinod was heavily loaded with managing the finances. Loans, grants, investment of royals and minor investors. Also he would oversee the funds from Oberois.

Numaan's business took off. Two major Oberoi events the inaugration party and wedding reception boosted it. He also hosted Alok and Laxmi's wedding and reception and now his firm was in top three event management firms of Mumbai. To Salman's dismay Zoya became a full time partner in company.

Salman was transferred to Pune. On Numaan's instruction Aasma joined a home science class there to be close to him. Mr. Qureshi was okay with it too. Ibrahim was now taking over the company slowly. And he started finding fund shortages and other problems. He got busy.

Alok came clean to Laxmi about his intentions to use her father as his support to claim his family name. Surprisingly she supported him.

" I love your father and mother. Old goat not so much", she said.

BUT SHE DID NOT TRUST VISHNU. The boy was bad lot she knew. But Alok loved him. So she adjusted. But around him she was on high alert.

Riya told Ramcharan that its Vicky who should sit on the throne of Junagarh as he was once supposed to be king.

" He is a king after all", she said.

" But Srikant Pundit is not the rightful heir of the throne", said Ramcharan to her.

" Why dad", she asked.

" Because in Padmanabh's book it is written he must be born in his kin", he said.

" For that I need to die but I am an immortal", said Vicky.

" Do you still want to", Riya hugged him.

" Riya baby sshhh", he said.

Even his dad turned emotional.

But Vikram said to them,

" As Srikant I cannot win this war. I have started it. For centuries after losing Gunjan I denounced Shiva. But He gave you back. So now we need to walk on the path He shows us. Okay", he said.

They both just hugged him.

Riya researched more about Vicky's life as Ranjeet Singh. She was looking for a cure to his immortality.

And finally she got a clue.

One Evening

She was looking at Darshan's painting of the devastation. It was to remember her child. She looked at the dead infant in Gunjan's hands as tears flew from her eyes. Srikant looked emotionless. One of his hand was over his son's body. And the other was dripping with blood.

A broken sword laid at his feet.

She remembered Sushant's memoir.

" My brother broke the king's sword with his hands his blood coating it. He swore revenge over his son's body."

She staggered back.

" Ohh no", she said weakly.

Night

Vicky and Riya laid in their bed together after they made love. Making love was their daily ritual. He felt her tears on his chest.

" What's wrong beautiful", he asked.

She cried softly.

" There is a weapon Vicky", she said weakly. " A broken sword".

Then she explained him everything continuously crying. He kept on soothing her. But his eyes twinkled. His time has come. He was tired of living. The only regret he will leave behind would be his family. But he was determined. And he belived in Shiva now.

Besides he need to be back in his kin. Prince Ranbir's kin. But how? Its not about his revenge anymore. Gautam his best friend was falsely accused of his murder. Poor Dhara sacrificed herself. Gunjan, his mates from army, Dhruv. Everyone was waiting. For him to step up. So he cannot be selfish now.

" I remember the sword", he said. " I broke it with bare hands. As an inspiration to my men for our revenge we kept it in our army camp. I think one of my brother later kept it.".

" Do you think it was passed down", she asked.

" Probably", he answered.

She sighed then sobbed.

" Now you can leave me", she cried. " Happy now".

He shook his head as he licked her tears. They smooched as he started making sweet love to her.

Next Morning

Srikant mentally informed Agni of the sword.

" I am returning", he said. " I have news too".

They met in the temple that afternoon. Shalini was with Agni. Her appearance had changed. Ascetic clothes. Demure. Kind face. Unkempt hairs. She looked a nun.

" What's the news", asked Vikram.

" It seems the monster Uttam turned into is a three headed snake called Keekat. He forgot his knowledge and past life. Sumati is around him. She provides him with food. Her face is burned", said Agni.

" Does he remember her", asked Riya.

" No", said Shalini. " I followed her quietly. He takes the kill and leave. She cries that's all.

" Ohhh", said Riya. She felt bad for Sumati.

" Only when protector kills the monster Uttam's soul will be free", said Agni. " But beware", he warned," He emits a deadly weapon from his breath that sure kills and even his skin is poisonous".

Riya was in thought.

" How can we kill him", asked Riya.

" Snakes hibernate in winter. They avoid food. Only just as much to live. This weakens their body. Now if we approach and get him out of hiding place it will help", said Agni.

" Winter solstice is approaching ", said Shalini. " The perfect time".

" Okay lets prepare ourselves", said Vicky.

" Wait a second", said Riya.

She searched her bags and took out the shankhas and chakras the vendor boy Kishan gave her.

" This", said Agni.

" A vendor boy sold us. He said we would need them", said Riya.

Agni smiled.

" Lord Vishnu blessed you. These are his symbols", said Agni.

" The war has started", said Vicky.

He took a Shankh and blew it.

The war was now officially declared.